Objectives To analyse changes in the prevalence of suspected scoliosis among children and adolescents in Heqing County, South-West China, over different periods and to identify risk factors for its progression. Design A mixed-methods study, including a cross-sectional survey and longitudinal follow-up. Setting Single-centre study. An angle of torso rotation (ATR) ≥5° was defined as a positive screening result and progression was defined as an increase in ATR ≥2°. Participants In November 2021, 22 740 students aged 6–18 years were screened; in May 2023, 28 009 students aged 6–18 years…
Objectives To explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) understanding and current practice in the screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia to help with the development of a standardised sarcopenia screening tool that can be implemented within the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK. Design A qualitative study using semistructured interviews that were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis steps. Setting The interviews were conducted online. Participants Ten HCPs (consultants, physiotherapists, community matrons, dieticians and community falls specialists) within acute…
Introduction Drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is a common and disabling focal epilepsy syndrome for which surgery offers the best chance of seizure freedom. Traditional open surgery (eg, anterior temporal lobectomy or selective amygdalohippocampectomy) is effective but may be associated with perioperative morbidity and neurocognitive sequelae. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive alternative with encouraging observational outcomes but high-quality comparative evidence versus open surgery remains limited. The MINE…
Introduction Advances in surgical techniques and neoadjuvant care for rectal cancer have increased sphincter preservation, allowing restoration of bowel continuity through low anterior resection (LAR). However, up to 75% of patients experience low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), which is bowel dysfunction characterised by faecal incontinence, frequency, urgency and clustering of bowel movements, significantly impairing quality of life (QoL). Current management is largely empirical, using lifestyle or pharmacological strategies with variable success. Transanal irrigation (TAI) is a…
Introduction Africa faces a substantial health burden characterised by a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases compounded by persistent health system and infrastructure constraints. Digital health interventions offer scalable opportunities to strengthen healthcare delivery. Interactive voice response (IVR), an automated telephone-based technology, shows promise across African health settings; however, existing evidence is dispersed across isolated studies and demonstrates variability in outcomes and implementation approaches. This scoping review maps existing evidence on…
Introduction Shared decision making (SDM) in healthcare is an ethical imperative and essential to patient-centred care. SDM is particularly useful when several preference-sensitive treatment options exist and in the setting of chronic conditions or longitudinal management. Chronic pain management embodies these characteristics, yet SDM often remains insufficient in this population. Decision aids are designed to facilitate SDM by helping patients and clinicians understand treatment options, clarify patient values, and guide collaborative decision processes. Despite their importance, the use of…
Introduction Reports on the epidemiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury in the critically ill provide variable estimates based on differences in populations and underlying exposures. Current and generalisable incidence data are needed along with information on long-term patient and kidney outcomes. The acute kidney injury-epidemiology in intensive care unit patients 2 (AKI-EPI 2) study aims to describe the occurrence and associated outcomes of AKI in critically ill patients worldwide. In addition, in selected centres, it aims to further describe the influence of AKI on long-term kidney…
Introduction Large language models (LLMs) are rapidly normalising in nursing education. However, evidence regarding their impact on critical thinking—a cornerstone of safe clinical practice—remains inconsistent. Current syntheses have largely focused on student satisfaction and general utility, leaving the specific instructional mechanisms that cultivate this competency unexplored. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to identify effective pedagogical strategies for fostering critical thinking, providing evidence-based guidance to safeguard clinical competency in an artificial…
The NHS is facing a “summer onslaught”, with A&Es experiencing their busiest month on record in June amid record heatwaves and the World Cup. Average daily A&E attendances exceeded 80,000 (81,264) for the first time ever in June – setting a new daily attendance record – despite May recording a slightly higher overall total due […]
Over the past 70 years, the number of inpatient psychiatric beds has dropped dramatically, leaving many without critical care when they experience mental health crises. I was one of the lucky ones to get a bed — after 21 hours of waiting.
More than 4,000 Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses and 450 home health workers launched Massachusetts’ largest-ever healthcare strike this week over stalled contract talks on wages and benefits. The strike quickly prompted Governor Maura Healey to step in and convene both sides at the State House, but it remains unclear whether a deal is near. The post MGB Nurses, Home Health Staff Launch Strike Over Wages, Benefits appeared first on MedCity News .
GSK has walked away from a $2.2 billion biobucks neurodegenerative disease pact with Alector that has seen both “next generation” drugs involved flunk clinical trials.
In the Original Investigation titled “Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children With Congenital Heart Disease,” published June 1, 2026, there was an error in the Article Information section. The Funding/Support section should have read: “This project was supported by the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC), the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4), and the Children’s Heart Foundation through their support for integrated registry initiatives as a part of Cardiac Networks United.” This article has been corrected.