The results of this study provide insight into a number of concerns that stand in the way of success when it comes to the implementation and use of digital technology. If nurses are to adapt to the new policies and practices that accompany the current digitalised development in Swedish primary health care, the concept of a nurse's traditional work role needs to be amended in terms of the scope of work tasks and established views of traditional nursing. The study also highlights the need for more research to enable eHealth systems/services to be designed to fulfil multiple requirements. The digitised systems should be a tool for achieving good quality self-management support as well as giving the primary healthcare nurses adequate resources to support patients' self-management while still maintaining the values associated with person-centred care.

Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries treated in the emergency departments (ED). In clinical practice these injuries are expected to heal by themselves, often without any other treatment than short information about the RICE regime (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Still, remaining symptoms are reported to occur in 30 % of the cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early physiotherapy intervention after an acute ankle sprain. Sixty-five patients were recruited from the ED at a general hospital in Sweden (mean age 35 years; 30 women), and allocated into an intervention group with early physiotherapy or a control group. Both groups were evaluated six weeks and three months after their injury. As primary outcome the disease-specific Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was used. The patients also rated their physical activity ability and how satisfied they were with their ankle on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The intervention group made significant improvements compared to the control group at both evaluations measured with FAOS and the VASquestions. These findings indicate that early physiotherapy intervention has a positive effect on patient-focus foot-and ankle function after an acute ankle sprain.

In the authors' opinion, the new assessment system provides a reasonably valid, reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use measurement and fulfills the needs of the physical therapist for functional evaluation of the lower extremity.

BackgroundDigital health services are increasing rapidly worldwide. Strategies to involve patients in self-monitoring of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on a daily basis is of crucial importance, and there is a need to optimize the delivery of care such as self-management support. Digitalized solutions have the potential to modify and personalize the way in which people use primary health services, both by increasing access to information and providing other forms of support at a distance. It is a challenge to integrate core values of person-centered care into digitalized health care services.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe perceptions of using electronic health (eHealth) services and related technologies for self-management support among people with T2D treated in Swedish primary health care.MethodsThis is a qualitative study based on interviews analyzed using qualitative content analysis conducted among people diagnosed with T2D.ResultsFindings suggest that the participants had mixed feelings regarding the use of digital health services for self-management support. They experienced potentials such as increased involvement, empowerment, and security, as well as concerns such as ambivalence and uncertainty.ConclusionsDigital health services for self-management are easily accessible and have the potential to reach a wide population. However, targeted training to increase digital skills is required, and personalized devices must be adapted and become more person-centered to improve patients’ involvement in their own care.

Our study suggests that modified CIMT in an outpatient clinic may reduce spasticity and increase functional use of the affected arm in spastic chronic hemiplegia, with improvements persisting at 6 months.