The different choices doctors, nurses, and patients make regarding wound dressing materials are generally based on personal preferences, because strong evidence and guidelines on local wound care for open wounds are lacking. We studied which attributes of a wound dressing doctors, nurses, and patients consider the most important. A conjoint analysis questionnaire comprising paper-based descriptions with six attributes, and questions regarding the willingness-to-pay for these attributes were sent out to surgical patients, (assistant)-surgeons and nurses. Preferences for wound dressing attributes were similar for doctors (n=50), nurses (n=150), and patients (n=74). Pain during dressing changes, duration of hospitalization, and wound healing time were ranked highest. Doctors would spend more money on a shorter hospitalization, nurses on pain reduction, and patients on quicker wound healing. Patients were willing to pay a relatively small monthly amount out of pocket for a dressing that would result in a quicker and less-painful wound healing. Doctors, nurses, and patients prefer similar attributes of wound dressing materials, but differ in their willingness-to-pay. To achieve a more consistent local wound care, clinical decision-making should be in accordance with these preferences. These should also be the focus for manufacturers and researchers to obtain more evidence on which materials best match these attributes.

Background:Functional limitations are a major cause for needing care and institutionalization among older adults. Exposure to air pollution has been suggested to be associated with increased functional limitations in older people.Objective:Our objective was to assess the association between air pollution and physical functioning in Dutch older adults.Methods:We analyzed data on performance-based (walking speed, ability to rise from a chair, putting on and taking off a cardigan, balance test) and self-reported physical functioning for 1,762 participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, who participated in measurement cycles performed in 2005/2006, 2008/2009, and 2011/2012. Annual average outdoor air pollution concentrations [nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOnormalx), particulate matter with diameters ≤2.5μm (PM2.5), ≤10μm (PM10), and 2.5–10μm (PMcoarse), and PM2.5 absorbance] at the home address at the start of the first measurement cycle were estimated using land-use regression models. Analyses were performed using mixed models with random participant intercepts adjusting for potential confounders.Results:Exposure to most air pollutants was associated with reduced performance-based physical functioning; for example, an interquartile range increase in NO2 exposure was associated with a 0.22 (95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.42) lower performance test score in fully adjusted models, equivalent to the difference in performance score between participants who differed by 9 mo in age. Exposure to air pollution was generally not statistically significantly associated with self-reported functional limitations, and not associated with a faster decline in performance-based physical functioning over the study period.Conclusion:This study suggests that exposure to air pollution may adversely affect physical performance of older adults in the Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2239

Introduction:More than 7.8 million people fled Ukraine since the invasion of Russia and are registered as refugees in Europe (as of November 1, 2022). Almost 89,000 of them are registered to the Netherlands (as of November 3, 2022). It is expected that this number will rise. Appropriate and accessible Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is essential for conflict survivors to address psychological harm from traumatic events and distress both during the escape and after, while trying to adjust to an unfamiliar place. Receiving countries have the obligation to provide MHPSS as part of their international commitment to the right to health. This is recognized in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Nevertheless, the Netherlands is failing to honor this commitment with fragmented services that do not seem to fit support needs. The longer it takes to put a comprehensive approach in place, the greater the damage to the refugees will be. This interactive session aims to shed light on practical challenges and opportunities for the implementation of appropriate, accessible and integrated MHPSS. What is needed to go from a fragmented to an integrated approach?Method:Being active as advisors in the field of Disaster Health and MHPSS in the Netherlands, the presenters review their experienced challenges thereafter opportunities and good practices are explored together with the participants.Results:Experienced challenges include complexity, fragmented organization, lack of ownership and inadequate access to knowledge and information about support needs.Conclusion:More is needed to meet the commitment to the right of health and to provide adequate MHPSS to refugees in the Netherlands and beyond. International exchange and learning can help us to understand and overcome implementation challenges.

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