Tag: pubmed

BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-13400-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Availability of mental health services is often limited, with many patients suffering from depression or anxiety either unidentified or unable to access care. Community pharmacists may be well-positioned to serve as behavioral healthcare extenders by offering timely screening, referrals, education, and medication management. However, evidence supporting feasibility and effectiveness of behavioral health (BH) care interventions in community pharmacy settings remains anecdotal. The purpose of this article is to summarize the findings from a feasibility evaluation of a BH intervention in 7 U.S. community pharmacies.

METHODS: The BH intervention, delivered over 6-11 months, consisted of a screening and referral program and a 6-session education and medication management program. Participating pharmacies benefited from a multi-faceted implementation strategy (e.g., coaching, toolkits). An effectiveness-implementation hybrid Type II design was used to assess effectiveness of the intervention, while evaluating its implementation. Implementation outcomes involved program adoption rates, levels of program acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, intent to sustain, and fidelity rates. Intervention outcomes included: patient referral rates, perceived benefits, and changes in patient knowledge, clinical symptoms, and medication adherence. The data were collected using multiple methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, administrative data) and analyzed accordingly.

RESULTS: Results indicated a 100% adoption rate by the pharmacies with intent to continue past the project period; significant increases in program acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility; and high levels of program fidelity. All 206 patients were appropriately referred as needed, with patients enrolled in the 6-session program reporting statistically significant changes in knowledge, clinical symptoms, and a nonadherence to medications.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings lend support to the role that community pharmacists can play in bridging the mental health care gap and improving population health.

PMID:41620717 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-13400-6

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26440-2. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41620698 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26440-2

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26336-1. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41620692 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26336-1

BMC Med Educ. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-08707-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates health sciences students’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications for ethical awareness, clinical decision-making, and public health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 27 and May 15 2025, with 668 students from five departments at Gümüşhane University, employing the validated Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale, which measures benefits, risks, and use, alongside 12 binary-response items assessing ethical, clinical, and public health judgments. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression analyses were applied. Findings indicate that students perceive AI as highly beneficial (M = 4.05) but also associate it with notable risks (M = 2.52; where lower scores indicate a higher level of perceived risk due to reverse coding). Logistic regression analyses revealed that risk perception (reverse-coded; higher scores indicating lower perceived risk) was the most consistent predictor across all dimensions. Specifically, students with lower perceived risk were significantly more likely to reject concerns regarding patient privacy (OR = 2.55, 95% CI [2.03-3.21], p < 0.001), dismiss the idea that relying on AI instead of human expertise is problematic (OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.25-1.96], p < 0.001), and reject the notion that AI systems may harm public health (OR = 2.52, 95% CI [1.98-3.20], p < 0.001). While participants endorsed AI’s potential in enhancing patient safety, chronic disease management, and preventive care, they expressed significant concerns about privacy, legal responsibility, and a potential weakening of patient-clinician communication. Gender, academic discipline, and prior AI use further differentiated attitudes. The results highlight a dual perception of AI as both an opportunity and a threat, emphasizing that successful integration in healthcare requires not only technical competence but also ethical, legal, and communicative safeguards.

PMID:41620691 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-026-08707-9

BMC Pediatr. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12887-026-06526-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition is a critical public health issue in Bangladesh, significantly affecting child development and health. This study analyzes the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among children under five years old using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18.

METHODS: The study employed Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) to examine socio-economic, demographic, and health-related factors associated with stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions among children.

RESULTS: The study found that 31% of children were stunted, 22% were underweight, and 8% were wasted in Bangladesh in 2017-18, with overlaps likely among these forms of malnutrition. Higher parental education levels and wealthier household status were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with a lower prevalence of malnutrition. Children from Sylhet had 1.3 times higher odds of being stunted (AOR = 1.3, 95% C.I. = 1.05-1.65) and 1.46 times higher odds of being underweight (AOR = 1.46, 95% C.I. = 1.14-1.88) compared to children from Barisal. Mothers with normal BMI were significantly less likely to have stunted (AOR = 0.67, 95% C.I. = 0.56-0.79), wasted (AOR = 0.49, 95% C.I. = 0.37-0.66), and underweight (AOR = 0.63, 95% C.I. = 0.53-0.75) children compared to mothers with underweight BMI. Both GLMM and GEE models identified the same associated factors for stunting, wasting, and underweight, with close estimates. However, GLMM was found to have better predictive power for all three models, as indicated by higher area under the curve (AUC) values.

CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the association of poor parental education, economic conditions, and maternal health with child malnutrition in Bangladesh. The GLMM demonstrated better predictive power based on AUC values across all three outcomes, making it a more reliable choice for this type of analysis. Policymakers should prioritize enhancing maternal education, household economic status, and access to healthcare services.

PMID:41620673 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-06526-x

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12872-026-05582-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study employed four-dimensional automated left atrial quantitative analysis (4D Auto LAQ) technology to assess left atrial structure and function in patients with H-type hypertension and to investigate the impact of serum homocysteine (Hcy) level on the left atrium in patients with primary hypertension.

METHODS: A total of 173 patients with primary hypertension newly diagnosed between December 2023 and December 2024 were enrolled and divided into two groups: H-type hypertension (n = 85) and non-H-type hypertension (n = 88). Additionally, 60 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group.

RESULTS: The results showed that compared with the non-H-type hypertension group and the control group, the H-type hypertension group exhibited statistically significant differences in Hcy, total cholesterol, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and uric acid (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a decrease (p < 0.05) in left atrial reservoir systolic longitudinal strain (LASr), left atrial systolic longitudinal strain (LASct), left atrial reservoir systolic circumferential strain (LASr-c), and left atrial systolic circumferential strain (LASct-c). Multiple linear regression analysis identified plasma Hcy levels as an independent associated factor for decreased left atrial strain parameters, including LASr (β=-0.246, p < 0.001), LASct (β=-0.279, p < 0.001), LASr-c (β=-0.333, p < 0.001), and LASct-c (β=-0.303, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients with H-type hypertension have decreased left atrial strain parameters, and when serum Hcy levels rise, the degree of strain dysfunction gradually gets worse. This suggests that these parameters could be used as an early indicator of left atrial myocardial injury in patients with H-type hypertension.

PMID:41620662 | DOI:10.1186/s12872-026-05582-6

BMC Infect Dis. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12879-026-12664-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41620659 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-026-12664-5

BMC Med Educ. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-08642-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Medical Education Society (MedED) at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) offers near-peer educational opportunities across all years of medical school. Near-peer education has demonstrated significant benefits in medical education. However, studies have yet to explore the value of establishing a peer-to-peer teaching community.

METHODS: Medical students who participated in MedED as student-attendees or student-teachers during the academic year 2022-23 were invited to participate in a survey and follow-up interview, exploring their experiences within the Society. Survey data was collected anonymously through Qualtrics, and interviews were held on Microsoft Teams. Quantitative survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics, while interview transcripts and free-text survey responses underwent inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 66 students completed the survey, with 19 (28.8%) from years 1-2 and 47 (71.2%) from years 3-6. Early-year students had higher lecture attendance rates (79%) compared to later-year students (34%), and both groups preferred online rather than in-person lectures (both > 50%). For student-attendees, benefits of participating in MedED included improving knowledge, motivation and sense of community. Among student-teachers, main motivations for teaching included helping others and developing transferrable skills. A total of 13 participants were interviewed, including 5 who were both student-attendees and student-teachers. Three themes emerged: academic value, highlighting knowledge and skills gained through MedED; career prospects, focusing on long-term professional benefits; and sense of community and wellbeing, emphasising the positive social interactions and support networks fostered through MedED.

CONCLUSION: MedED provides student-led teaching initiatives that supplement the formal curriculum, enhancing student confidence and inclusivity, and fostering a sustainable community of peer-education. Beyond immediate academic values, this community has also created longer-term, personal and professional impacts on students, including broadening career aspirations. This work highlights opportunities for further development through student-staff collaborations and the role of peer communities in supporting student wellbeing.

PMID:41620657 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-026-08642-9

BMC Gastroenterol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12876-026-04654-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common brain-gut interaction disorders, characterized by chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and heightened stress responses that significantly affect patients’ psychological functioning and quality of life. Given that chronic stress plays a central role in the onset and maintenance of IBS symptoms, identifying psychological resources that promote adaptation and well-being is crucial. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being among patients with IBS.

METHOD: This descriptive-correlational study employed a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population included all IBS patients who referred to the Gastrointestinal Health Center at Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan in 2024. A sample of 300 patients was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Psychological Well-Being Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 28.

FINDINGS: Results showed that cognitive flexibility and resilience significantly predicted psychological well-being, and that resilience mediated the relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being. These findings highlight the importance of resilience and cognitive flexibility as protective psychological resources that help patients manage stress and improve well-being in the context of IBS.

PMID:41620640 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-026-04654-3

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09567-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anterior glenohumeral instability is a common issue, particularly among young and active individuals. Arthroscopic Bankart repair is an effective surgical method for achieving long-term shoulder stability. However, despite favorable biomechanical outcomes, return to sport rates vary widely. Psychological factors, especially kinesiophobia, may play a decisive role in this variability.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of postoperative kinesiophobia on clinical outcomes, functional scores, and return to sport following arthroscopic Bankart repair.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 73 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair between December 2019 and June 2024. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES) were utilized for assessments. Patients were stratified based on their TSK scores, and the relationships between kinesiophobia levels, functional outcomes, and return-to-sport rates were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: The mean patient age was 28 years (range, 15-47 years), with a mean follow-up period of 22 months (range, 12-50 months). Patients with high TSK scores demonstrated significantly worse WOSI and ASES outcomes (p < 0.001), indicating poorer shoulder-related quality of life and diminished shoulder function. Elevated levels of kinesiophobia were also associated with reduced rates of high-level return to sport. A strong positive correlation was observed between preoperative and postoperative TSK scores (r = 0.611), suggesting persistence of kinesiophobia over time. Despite achieving surgical stability, fear of reinjury emerged as a significant barrier to returning to sport.

CONCLUSION: Kinesiophobia is a critical psychological factor that adversely affects functional recovery and return to sport following arthroscopic Bankart repair. Patients with high levels of kinesiophobia demonstrated poorer shoulder function, reduced shoulder-related quality of life, and lower rates of return to high-level sport, despite achieving surgical stability. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychological assessment and targeted interventions into postoperative rehabilitation protocols to optimize functional outcomes and facilitate a successful return to sport.

PMID:41620625 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-026-09567-6