No abstract

General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. 3 An increased knowledge of the needs and concerns of women with GDM would provide the multidisciplinary diabetes care team and other health care professionals (HCP's), including midwives, with a better understanding on how to support, encourage and educate women to manage their condition more effectively. Long term this could potentially improve pregnancy outcome, helping to reduce the future risk of type 2 diabetes in this population and subsequently pressure on healthcare systems. The aim of this study is therefore to explore the concerns, needs and knowledge of women diagnosed with GDM. Research design and methodsThis qualitative study used focus group methodology, to encourage the generation of ideas and expression of shared experiences and common viewpoints within a group of peers. Eligible participants were identified by the Diabetes Care Team at three National HealthService (NHS) hospitals in the United Kingdom. Women were given an invitation letter at a routine clinic appointment, and those interested in participating completed a permission slip, which allowed the researcher to contact them, and invite them to attend a focus group.Women aged 18-45 years and currently pregnant with GDM, or with a history of GDM in a recent pregnancy (up to 12 months post-natal) were eligible to participate. Those unable to adequately understand verbal explanations in English or who had special communication needs were excluded.Eighty-one women expressed an interest in attending a focus group. Sessions were scheduled at various times and venues in an attempt to suit women and their working and family lives.From this number 38 were enrolled on the study. The remaining women who had expressed an interest in participating were either not able to make it to the scheduled focus group or were no longer contactable. Of the 38 enrolled, five were unwell or in hospital on the day, two delivered before the scheduled session and twelve did not attend the focus group. Focus group discussion topicsThe following topic areas were discussed with the women: 1) current knowledge of GDM; 2)anxiety following the diagnosis of GDM, and whether this changed overtime; 3) understanding and managing GDM and 4) the future impact of GDM. Descriptive qualitative analys...

There has been a growing international interest in extending nursing practice beyond the level acquired at initial registration (East et al., 2015) to advanced nursing roles. The role of the nurse has steadily evolved over the previous two decades due to influencing factors such as developments in healthcare delivery, financial restraints and increasing service user expectations (Furlong & Smith, 2005). One commonly identified category of Advanced Practice Nursing is the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role (East et al., 2015; International Council of Nurses, 2020) which has been evolving over the past 20 years (Balsdon & Wilkinson, 2014

PAIGE resulted in significantly greater weight loss at 6 months compared with usual care. Such weight loss could prove beneficial in terms of better long-term health and subsequent prevention of type 2 diabetes in overweight women with previous GDM. Future interventions must consider recruitment strategies, timing of the intervention, and inclusion of partners and/or other family members.

BackgroundProstate cancer and its treatment may impact physically, psychologically and socially; affecting the health-related quality of life of men and their partners/spouses. The Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (LAPCD) study is a UK-wide patient-reported outcomes study which will generate information to improve the health and well-being of men with prostate cancer.Methods and analysisPostal surveys will be sent to prostate cancer survivors (18–42 months postdiagnosis) in all 4 UK countries (n=∼70 000). Eligible men will be identified and/or verified through cancer registration systems. Men will be surveyed twice, 12 months apart, to explore changes in outcomes over time. Second, separate cohorts will be surveyed once and the design will include evaluation of the acceptability of online survey tools. A comprehensive patient-reported outcome measure has been developed using generic and specific instruments with proven psychometric properties and relevance in national and international studies. The outcome data will be linked with administrative health data (eg, treatment information from hospital data). To ensure detailed understanding of issues of importance, qualitative interviews will be undertaken with a sample of men who complete the survey across the UK (n=∼150) along with a small number of partners/spouses (n=∼30).Ethics and disseminationThe study has received the following approvals: Newcastle and North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee (15/NE/0036), Health Research Authority Confidentiality Advisory Group (15/CAG/0110), NHS Scotland Public Benefit and Privacy Panel (0516-0364), Office of Research Ethics Northern Ireland (16/NI/0073) and NHS R&D approval from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Using traditional and innovative methods, the results will be made available to men and their partners/spouses, the funders, the NHS, social care, voluntary sector organisations and other researchers.