Freda Mold

Bio: Freda Mold is an academic researcher from RMIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & CINAHL. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 35 publications receiving 1309 citations. Previous affiliations of Freda Mold include King's College London & Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Qualitative Studies of Stroke: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Background and Purpose— Qualitative studies are increasingly used to investigate social processes and phenomena influencing health behaviors and service provision. We aimed to identify the scope of published qualitative studies of stroke, consider their relevance to development and delivery of services for people with stroke, and make recommendations for future work. Methods— Literature review of published articles was identified by systematically searching online literature databases using keywords from the start of each database until 2002. Articles were reviewed by 2 authors, using a standardized matrix for data extraction. The 2003 European Stroke Initiative recommendations for stroke management were used to categorize the literature for consideration of its contribution to stroke research. Results— We included 95 articles. Their empirical contribution includes an emphasis on recording the “human” experience of stroke; identification of needs as perceived by patients and their families, differences in...

Cancer survivors' experience with telehealth : a systematic review and thematic synthesis

Abstract: Background: Net survival rates for cancer are increasing worldwide, placing a strain on health service provision. There is a drive to transfer care of cancer survivors - individuals living with and beyond cancer - to the community and encourage them to play an active role in their own care. Telehealth, the use of technology in remote exchange of data and communication between patients and healthcare professionals, is an important contributor to this evolving model of care and may offer additional benefits to cancer survivors. Telehealth is a complex intervention and understanding patient experiences of it is important in evaluating its impact. However, a wider view of patient experience is lacking as qualitative studies detailing cancer survivor engagement with telehealth have yet to be synthesised. Objective: Systematically identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research evidence on the experiences of adult cancer survivors participating in telehealth intervention(s), to characterise the patient experience of telehealth interventions for this group. Methods: Medline (PubMed), PsychINFO, CINAHL (Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals), Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched on 14th August 2015 and 8th March 2016 for English-language papers published between 2006 and 2016. Inclusion criteria were: adult cancer survivors aged 18 and over; cancer diagnosis; experience of participating in a telehealth intervention (defined as remote communication and/or remote monitoring with a healthcare professional(s) delivered by telephone, internet, or hand-held/mobile technology); reporting qualitative data including verbatim quotes. An adapted Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to assess paper quality. The results section of each included article was coded line by line and all papers underwent inductive analysis, involving comparison, re-examination and grouping of codes to develop descriptive themes. Analytical themes were developed through an iterative process of reflection on, and interpretation of, the descriptive themes within and across studies. Results: 22 papers were included. Three analytical themes emerged, each with three descriptive subthemes: 1. Influence of telehealth on the disrupted lives of cancer survivors a. Convenience b. Independence c. Burden 2. Personalised care in a virtual world a. Time b. Space c. The human factor 3. Remote reassurance – a safety net of healthcare professional connection a. Active connection b. Passive connection c. Slipping through the net Telehealth interventions represent a convenient approach which can potentially minimise treatment burden and disruption to cancer survivors’ lives. Telehealth interventions can facilitate an experience of personalised care and reassurance for those living with and beyond cancer, but it is important to consider individual factors when tailoring interventions to ensure engagement promotes benefit rather than burden. Conclusions: Telehealth interventions can provide cancer survivors with both independence and reassurance; both important for everyday life or wellbeing. Future telehealth interventions need to be developed iteratively and in collaboration with a broad range of cancer survivors to maximise engagement and benefit.

Patients' online access to their electronic health records and linked online services: a systematic interpretative review.

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the effect of providing patients online access to their electronic health record (EHR) and linked transactional services on the provision, quality and safety of healthcare. The objectives are also to identify and understand: barriers and facilitators for providing online access to their records and services for primary care workers; and their association with organisational/IT system issues. Setting: Primary care. Participants: A total of 143 studies were included. 17 were experimental in design and subject to risk of bias assessment, which is reported in a separate paper. Detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria have also been published elsewhere in the protocol. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Our primary outcome measure was change in quality or safety as a result of implementation or utilisation of online records/transactional services. Results: No studies reported changes in health outcomes; though eight detected medication errors and seven reported improved uptake of preventative care. Professional concerns over privacy were reported

Patients' and professionals' experiences and perspectives of obesity in health-care settings: a synthesis of current research.

Abstract: Background Obesity-related stigma likely influences how obese people interact with health-care professionals and access health care. Aim To undertake a synthesis of studies examining the views and experiences of both obese people in relation to their health-care provision and health-care professionals in providing care to obese patients. Search strategy A systematic search of key electronic databases relating to professional or patient experiences of, or perspectives on, obesity was performed in 2008 and updated in 2010. Reference lists of article bibliographies were searched, along with hand searches of relevant journals. Inclusion criteria Studies were screened against explicit inclusion criteria and published between 1990 and 2010. Findings were examined and organized thematically. Data extraction Data were extracted focusing on obesity, stigma and access to health-care services. All included studies were subject to critical appraisal to assess the quality of the research. Findings Thirty studies were identified. All the studies reported obesity impacting on health-care interactions. Key themes identified were experiences of stigma and feelings of powerlessness, treatment avoidance, psycho-emotional functioning, professional attitudes, confidence and training, variations in health contact time and finally, differences in treatment options and preventative measures. Conclusion Obesity is a stigmatized condition that impacts negatively on the relationship between patients and health-care providers. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity and the range of therapeutic options available, further work is necessary to understand how the presence of obesity affects health-care interactions and decision making.

Patients’ online access to their electronic health records and linked online services: a systematic review

Abstract: Background Online access to medical records by patients can potentially enhance provision of patient-centred care and improve satisfaction. However, online access and services may also prove to be an additional burden for the healthcare provider. Aim To assess the impact of providing patients with access to their general practice electronic health records (EHR) and other EHR-linked online services on the provision, quality, and safety of health care. Design and setting A systematic review was conducted that focused on all studies about online record access and transactional services in primary care. Method Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EPOC, DARE, King’s Fund, Nuffield Health, PsycINFO, OpenGrey (1999–2012). The literature was independently screened against detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria; independent dual data extraction was conducted, the risk of bias (RoB) assessed, and a narrative synthesis of the evidence conducted. Results A total of 176 studies were identified, 17 of which were randomised controlled trials, cohort, or cluster studies. Patients reported improved satisfaction with online access and services compared with standard provision, improved self-care, and better communication and engagement with clinicians. Safety improvements were patient-led through identifying medication errors and facilitating more use of preventive services. Provision of online record access and services resulted in a moderate increase of e-mail, no change on telephone contact, but there were variable effects on face-to-face contact. However, other tasks were necessary to sustain these services, which impacted on clinician time. There were no reports of harm or breaches in privacy. Conclusion While the RoB scores suggest many of the studies were of low quality, patients using online services reported increased convenience and satisfaction. These services positively impacted on patient safety, although there were variations of record access and use by specific ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Professional concerns about privacy were unrealised and those about workload were only partly so.

Qualitative and Mixed Methods Provide Unique Contributions to Outcomes Research

Abstract: Outcomes research examines the effects of medical care interventions and policies on the health outcomes of individuals and society.1 Investigators conducting outcomes research seek to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines, to evaluate the quality of medical care, and to foster effective interventions to improve the quality of care.2 Outcomes research has traditionally used quantitative sciences to examine the utilization, cost, and clinical effectiveness of medical care through randomized and nonrandomized experimental designs. Quantitative methods are not as well suited to measure other complex aspects of the healthcare delivery system, such as organizational change, clinical leadership in implementing evidence-based guidelines, and patient perceptions of quality of care, which are also critical issues in outcomes research.3–7 These more nuanced aspects of healthcare delivery may be most appropriately examined with qualitative research methods.8–10 Qualitative approaches are becoming more common in clinical medicine and health services research.5,11–15 Federal encouragement of qualitative research is regularly reflected in funding program announcements issued by the National Institutes of Health.16 For more than a decade, federal agencies and foundations such as the National Science Foundation have demonstrated a commitment to supporting qualitative research through funding scientific conferences, workshops, and monographs on this field of inquiry.17–20 Despite this steady growth in qualitative research, outcomes investigators in cardiology have relatively little guidance on when and how best to implement these methods in their investigations. The purpose of the present report is to introduce qualitative methods as providing unique and critical contributions to outcomes research. This report will describe the situations in which qualitative approaches are most helpful; summarize the primary principles and practices in study design, sampling, data collection, and data analysis for qualitative studies; present representative examples of cardiovascular outcomes research that uses qualitative methods; and synthesize current standards for …

Next-generation beneficial microbes : The case of Akkermansia muciniphila

Abstract: Metabolic disorders associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disorders are worldwide epidemic Among the different environmental factors, the gut microbiota is now considered as a key player interfering with energy metabolism and host susceptibility to several non-communicable diseases Among the next-generation beneficial microbes that have been identified, Akkermansia muciniphila is a promising candidate Indeed, A muciniphila is inversely associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic diseases and low-grade inflammation Besides the numerous correlations observed, a large body of evidence has demonstrated the causal beneficial impact of this bacterium in a variety of preclinical models Translating these exciting observations to human would be the next logic step and it now appears that several obstacles that would prevent the use of A muciniphila administration in humans have been overcome Moreover, several lines of evidence indicate that pasteurization of A muciniphila not only increases its stability but more importantly increases its efficacy This strongly positions A muciniphila in the forefront of next-generation candidates for developing novel food or pharma supplements with beneficial effects Finally, a specific protein present on the outer membrane of A muciniphila, termed Amuc_1100, could be strong candidate for future drug development In conclusion, as plants and its related knowledge, known as pharmacognosy, have been the source for designing drugs over the last century, we propose that microbes and microbiomegnosy, or knowledge of our gut microbiome, can become a novel source of future therapies

The Ethics of Big Data: Current and Foreseeable Issues in Biomedical Contexts

Abstract: The capacity to collect and analyse data is growing exponentially. Referred to as ‘Big Data’, this scientific, social and technological trend has helped create destabilising amounts of information, which can challenge accepted social and ethical norms. Big Data remains a fuzzy idea, emerging across social, scientific, and business contexts sometimes seemingly related only by the gigantic size of the datasets being considered. As is often the case with the cutting edge of scientific and technological progress, understanding of the ethical implications of Big Data lags behind. In order to bridge such a gap, this article systematically and comprehensively analyses academic literature concerning the ethical implications of Big Data, providing a watershed for future ethical investigations and regulations. Particular attention is paid to biomedical Big Data due to the inherent sensitivity of medical information. By means of a meta-analysis of the literature, a thematic narrative is provided to guide ethicists, data scientists, regulators and other stakeholders through what is already known or hypothesised about the ethical risks of this emerging and innovative phenomenon. Five key areas of concern are identified: (1) informed consent, (2) privacy (including anonymisation and data protection), (3) ownership, (4) epistemology and objectivity, and (5) ‘Big Data Divides’ created between those who have or lack the necessary resources to analyse increasingly large datasets. Critical gaps in the treatment of these themes are identified with suggestions for future research. Six additional areas of concern are then suggested which, although related have not yet attracted extensive debate in the existing literature. It is argued that they will require much closer scrutiny in the immediate future: (6) the dangers of ignoring group-level ethical harms; (7) the importance of epistemology in assessing the ethics of Big Data; (8) the changing nature of fiduciary relationships that become increasingly data saturated; (9) the need to distinguish between ‘academic’ and ‘commercial’ Big Data practices in terms of potential harm to data subjects; (10) future problems with ownership of intellectual property generated from analysis of aggregated datasets; and (11) the difficulty of providing meaningful access rights to individual data subjects that lack necessary resources. Considered together, these eleven themes provide a thorough critical framework to guide ethical assessment and governance of emerging Big Data practices.