Sense of security during COVID-19 isolation improved with better health literacy - A cross-sectional study

Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Care of Patients with Predominantly Antibody Deficiencies (PADs)-A Qualitative Study with Perspectives from Both Patients and Nurses

Background/Objectives: One of the risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic was people with predominantly antibody deficiencies (PADs) that have a compromised immune system. In the absence of evidence and clinical experience, there were challenges for patients in their daily life and for staff in counseling during this time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of PAD patients and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Focus group interviews with patients (n = 12) and nurses (n = 12) were performed separately, which were then analyzed using content analysis. Results: The daily life of PAD patients was affected during the pandemic, with concerns about becoming seriously ill. Social isolation and adherence to recommendations by the majority of the Swedish population resulted in patients feeling infectiously healthier during this period. The rapid transition of specialist care to telemedicine care encounters was an important measure taken to address patients' concerns and questions according to both patients and nurses. In addition, patients expressed a need for a coordinated care plan to facilitate access to integrated care. Conclusions: The high level of trust for authorities in Sweden was related to the high compliance with the recommendations, which reduced the spread of the infection. The role of specialized care is an important support for PAD patients, which was particularly evident during the pandemic. Information transfer to a specific risk group, such as people with PADs, is important and can usefully be coordinated by their specialist clinic. Telemedicine meetings are an important complement for people with PADs and need to be further elaborated. Also, there is a need to clarify how to better coordinate primary and specialized care.

Impact of health and digital health literacy on quality of life following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: prospective single-center cohort study

PURPOSE

The importance of health literacy (HL) and digital health literacy (e-HL) in promoting healthy behavior and informed decision making is becoming increasingly apparent. This study aimed to assess the effects of HL and e-HL on the quality of life (QoL) of men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study included 104 patients who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer. HL and e-HL were evaluated using the validated eHealth Literacy Scale and European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire Short Form before RP. We evaluated patients' physical, psychological, social, and global QoL using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 8 weeks after RP. The exclusion criterion was any difficulties in language and comprehension. We employed one-way ANOVA to compare continuous variables across groups in univariate analysis and used MANOVA for exploring relationships among multiple continuous variables and groups in the multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses showed that poorer e-HL and HL were associated with being older (p = 0.019), having less education (p < 0.001), and not having access to the internet (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between improved e-HL (p = 0.043) and HL (p = 0.023), better global health status, and higher emotional functioning (p = 0.011). However, the symptom scales did not differ significantly between the e-HL and HL groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a positive association between self-reported HL/e-HL and QoL, marking the first report on the impact of HL/e-HL on the QoL in men who underwent RP for clinically localized prostate cancer.