The past three decades have seen a steady increase in the availability of routinely collected health and social care data and the processing power to analyse it. These developments represent a major opportunity for ageing research, especially with the integration of different datasets across traditional boundaries of health and social care, for prognostic research and novel evaluations of interventions with representative populations of older people. However, there are considerable challenges in using routine data at the level of coding, data analysis and in the application of findings to everyday care. New Horizons in applying routine data to investigate novel questions in ageing research require a collaborative approach between clinicians, data scientists, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and trial methodologists. This requires building capacity for the next generation of research leaders in this important area. There is a need to develop consensus code lists and standardised, validated algorithms for common conditions and outcomes that are relevant for older people to maximise the potential of routine data research in this group. Lastly, we must help drive the application of routine data to improve the care of older people, through the development of novel methods for evaluation of interventions using routine data infrastructure. We believe that harnessing routine data can help address knowledge gaps for older people living with multiple conditions and frailty, and design interventions and pathways of care to address the complex health issues we face in caring for older people.

Aims To estimate the prevalence and co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours among nurses in Scotland relative to other healthcare workers and those in non‐healthcare occupations. Design Secondary analysis of nationally representative cross‐sectional data, reported following STROBE guidelines. Methods Five rounds (2008–2012) of the Scottish Health Survey were aggregated to estimate the prevalence and co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake). The weighted sample (n = 18,820) included 471 nurses (3%), 433 other healthcare professionals (2%), 813 unregistered care workers (4%), and 17,103 in non‐healthcare occupations (91%). Logistic regression models compared the prevalence of specific health‐related behaviours and principal component analysis assessed co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours between occupational groups. Results Nurses reported significantly better health‐related behaviours relative to the general working population for smoking, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. No significant difference was found for alcohol consumption between occupational groups. Nurses reported lower levels of harmful co‐occurring behaviours (tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption) and higher levels of preventive behaviours (physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake) compared with the general working population. Other healthcare professionals had the lowest level of harmful health behaviours and the highest level of preventive health behaviours. Health‐related behaviours were poorest among unregistered care workers. Conclusion Nurses’ health‐related behaviours were better than the general population but non‐adherence to public health guidelines was concerning. Impact Nurses play an important role in health promotion through patient advice and role‐modelling effects. To maximise their impact, healthcare providers should prioritise increasing access to healthy food, alcohol awareness, and smoking cessation programmes.

This case series demonstrates the effectiveness of ES for enhanced healing of Stage III-IV ulcers otherwise unresponsive to standard wound care. Further study is needed to identify the most effective protocol for ES therapy in the treatment of recalcitrant pressure ulcers.

No abstract

No abstract