AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study explored nursing students' views of using virtual reality in h... more AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study explored nursing students' views of using virtual reality in healthcare. BACKGROUND The popularity and use of virtual reality in healthcare delivery and education is on the rise. Yet, the views of future nurses regarding this technology remain underexplored. DESIGN This is a qualitative descriptive study guided by a naturalistic inquiry and reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. METHODS Nursing students (n = 26) were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. They were first exposed to a virtual reality intervention aimed to enhance men's awareness of testicular diseases. This was attempted to familiarise participants with the technology and initiate conversations around its use in healthcare. Participants were then interviewed face-to-face, either individually or within focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were identified: (i) positive experiences of virtual reality; (ii) challenges to using virtual reality; (iii) settings where virtual reality can be implemented; and (iv) blue-sky and future applications of virtual reality. Participants described this technology as novel, enjoyable, immersive, memorable and inclusive. They questioned, however, the suitability of virtual reality for older adults, reported minor technical difficulties and stressed the importance of prior preparation in the use of the technology. Virtual reality was recommended for use in outpatient healthcare settings, schools and the community. Participants suggested using virtual reality in health promotion, disease prevention and management, and to promote nurses' empathy towards patients. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the potential role of virtual reality in assisting nurses in promoting health and managing disease. Future research is needed to establish the long-term effect of virtual reality interventions among more diverse participants. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Virtual reality can be implemented in outpatient, educational and community settings in order to promote health, prevent disease, enhance disease and self-management, and increase nurses' empathy towards patients.
Advancements in information technology and computer science have resulted in the development of c... more Advancements in information technology and computer science have resulted in the development of computerized healthcare information systems. Information technology can optimize patient care through providing immediate electronic education. The purpose of this mixed-methods systematic review was to synthesize evidence from studies exploring nurses and nursing students' attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of technology in patient care. Electronic databases Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Education Full Text, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, and ERIC were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Convergent integrated synthesis was conducted. Eight studies were included. Technologies used in the reviewed studies include smartphones (n = 4) and Web-based information/educational resources (n = 4). Overall, nurses and nursing students' attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of smartphone applications were positive. When compared with other healthcare professionals, nurses were more likely to have access to Web-based resources and to appraise the importance of such resources in patient education. Nurses and nursing students are in a prime position to use technology in patient care and education. It is important therefore that nurses' positive attitudes toward technology be reinforced to increase the use and application of Web-based and smartphone technologies in clinical practice.
International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2020
Purpose To examine international approaches to the ethical oversight and regulation of quality im... more Purpose To examine international approaches to the ethical oversight and regulation of quality improvement and clinical audit in healthcare systems Data sources We searched grey literature including websites of national research and ethics regulatory bodies and health departments of selected countries. Study selection National guidance documents were included from six countries: Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada. Data extraction Data were extracted from 19 documents using an a priori framework developed from the published literature. Results We organized data under five themes: ethical frameworks; guidance on ethical review; consent, vulnerable groups and personal health data. Quality improvement activity tended to be outside the scope of the ethics frameworks in most countries. Only New Zealand had integrated national ethics standards for both research and quality improvement. Across countries, there is consensus that this activity sh...
Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is commonly diagnosed among men aged 15-40 years. The incidenc... more Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is commonly diagnosed among men aged 15-40 years. The incidence of TC is on the rise. Benign testicular disorders such as testicular torsion and epididymitis can lead to testicular ischemia, sepsis, and infertility if left untreated. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of studies promoting men’s knowledge and awareness of testicular disorders and/or self-examination, behaviours and/or intentions to examine their testes, and help-seeking behaviours and/or intentions for testicular symptoms. Methods: Academic Search Complete, Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ERIC, the Cochrane Library, the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinicaltrials.gov, Grey Literature Report, and Open Grey were searched for studies published between November 2014 and April 2018. The methodological quality and level of evidence per outcome were assessed. Results: There were five papers included: two were experimental st...
International Journal of Mens Social and Community Health, 2019
Health outcomes among men are poorer than women and little efforts have been made by health organ... more Health outcomes among men are poorer than women and little efforts have been made by health organizations to promote men’s health. Testicular disorders can have a negative effect on men’s health and are rarely addressed in pre-existing men’s health policies. Findings from the empirical literature on men’s awareness of testicular disorders suggest that men’s knowledge of testicular disorders is lacking and their intentions to seek timely medical attention for testicular symptoms are low. This paper aims to introduce the concept of ‘testicular awareness’ and explore its implications for health research, practice, and education. The key attributes of ‘testicular awareness’ include: (i) familiarity with own testes; (ii) knowing what is normal versus abnormal; (iii) ability to detect an abnormality; and (iv) knowing own risk factors. Testicular awareness is an all-encompassing concept since it helps men become familiar with a body part that is seldom discussed and enables them to detect ...
The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature revie... more The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature reviews and one qualitative study found that men's awareness of testicular disorders was lacking, and their intentions to seek help for symptoms of testicular disease were low. The aim of the study was to enhance men's awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes. Men aged 18-50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2). Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] =...
Health outcomes among men are markedly poorer than women. Testicular disorders can be life-threat... more Health outcomes among men are markedly poorer than women. Testicular disorders can be life-threatening if left untreated. Few studies promoting awareness of testicular disorders have been underpinned by theory. Theory-based interventions are more likely to achieve positive health outcomes than interventions that lack a theoretical foundation. The purpose of the study is to present a theory-focused analysis of the preconscious awareness to action framework (PAAF), developed to enhance testicular awareness and help-seeking intentions and behaviors among men. The following approach was used to develop the PAAF: The empirical literature on men's awareness of testicular disorders was reviewed. A qualitative study was conducted to explore men's awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and preferred learning strategies in relation to testicular disorders and symptoms. An iterative narrative review process of the theoretical literature on h...
The incidence of malignant and benign testicular disorders among young men is on the rise. Eviden... more The incidence of malignant and benign testicular disorders among young men is on the rise. Evidence from three reviews suggest that men's knowledge of these disorders is lacking and their help-seeking intention for testicular symptoms is suboptimal. Qualitative studies have addressed men's awareness of testicular cancer, with none exploring their awareness of non-malignant diseases such as epididymitis, testicular torsion, and varicocele and none including sexual minorities. To explore, in-depth, heterosexual, gay, and bisexual men's awareness of testicular disorders and their help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms in the Irish context. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected via face-to-face individual interviews and focus groups. Participation was sought from a number of community and youth organisations and one university in Southern Ireland. Maximum variation and snowball sampling were used to recruit a heterogeneous sample. A...
To critically appraise empirical evidence gathered from studies that (a) explored men's knowl... more To critically appraise empirical evidence gathered from studies that (a) explored men's knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward testicular cancer (TC) and its screening; (b) addressed their testicular self-examination (TSE) practice; and/or (c) highlighted barriers and facilitators to this practice. . MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and EMBASE®. . 25 articles met the inclusion criteria. Knowledge deficits regarding TC and its screening were seen. Participants who did not perform TSE often were uninformed about this practice. The majority of men perceived TC education as a positive step toward raising awareness about this malignancy. . Very few men were informed about TC and TSE. Future studies should include valid and reliable tools to assess TC knowledge and screening, address the means through which TC knowledge is delivered, explore the individual's experience with TC screening, and focus on TC awareness and screening among minority groups. . Although regular screening for TC is a...
Disorders that affect the testes can range from painless and benign to debilitating and life thre... more Disorders that affect the testes can range from painless and benign to debilitating and life threatening. Despite the availability of literature on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of benign testicular disorders (BTD), very little is known about men's awareness of these conditions. The aim of this review was to extract and analyze evidence from studies that explored males' awareness of BTD. Four e-databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PubMed) were thoroughly searched and four articles met the review inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was appraised and data were extracted and cross-checked using a standardized data extraction table. It was determined that participants lacked education about testicular self-examination and scrotal signs and symptoms which contributed to their lack of awareness of BTD. Help seeking in the event of scrotal abnormalities was suboptimal which is alarming given the acuteness of some BTD such as testicular torsion. In...
Abstract Background Compassionate care delivery is a key feature of nursing and midwifery and a m... more Abstract Background Compassionate care delivery is a key feature of nursing and midwifery and a marker of quality healthcare delivery. Training nurses and midwives in compassionate care is known to yield positive nursing, midwifery, and patient outcomes such as increased job satisfaction, reduced burnout, improved patient satisfaction, and enhanced quality of life. Aim To explore nurses’ and midwives’ views of a three-day program entitled “The Leaders for Compassionate Care Program” from the perspective of participating nursing/midwifery leaders, directors of nursing/midwifery, chief directors of nursing/midwifery, and program facilitators. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants (n = 15). Individual and focus group interviews were conducted via telephone and teleconferencing using a semi-structured interview protocol. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Findings Participants perceived the program as innovative since it involved teamwork and networking and helped reiterate the human element of care. Participants identified the knowledge and expertise of the program facilitators as enablers to learning. The facilitators were committed to delivering a program that met the needs of individual leaders. Discussion Findings suggest the need to explore the long-term impact of the program, offer similar programs to junior and senior nursing/midwifery leaders, and maintain the networking that took place during the program. This could be achieved through conducting follow-up sessions and masterclasses. Conclusion The program served as an opportunity for the leaders to take time out, reflect on their practice using a compassionate care lens, network with colleagues from different institutions, and develop leadership skill.
Background: The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three lite... more Background: The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature reviews and one qualitative study found that men's awareness of testicular disorders was lacking, and their intentions to seek help for symptoms of testicular disease were low. Objectives: The aim of the study was to enhance men’s awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes. Methods: Men aged 18–50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2). Results: Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 3.5, 95% CI [2.8, 4.26]); testicular awareness (MD = 0.2, 95%CI [0.01, 0.41]); implementation intentions (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.33, 0.90]); and help-seeking intentions for testicular swelling (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.12, 0.51]), lumpiness (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.08, 0.46]), and pain (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.25, 1.01]) was noted at T1. This increase was maintained at T2. Participants who expressed an intention to feel their testes at T0 were more likely to report performing this behavior at T2. Discussion: The intervention succeeded in promoting knowledge, testicular awareness, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors. A randomized controlled trial of the Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular Disorders intervention with a larger sample size is warranted.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study explored nursing students' views of using virtual reality in h... more AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study explored nursing students' views of using virtual reality in healthcare. BACKGROUND The popularity and use of virtual reality in healthcare delivery and education is on the rise. Yet, the views of future nurses regarding this technology remain underexplored. DESIGN This is a qualitative descriptive study guided by a naturalistic inquiry and reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. METHODS Nursing students (n = 26) were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. They were first exposed to a virtual reality intervention aimed to enhance men's awareness of testicular diseases. This was attempted to familiarise participants with the technology and initiate conversations around its use in healthcare. Participants were then interviewed face-to-face, either individually or within focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were identified: (i) positive experiences of virtual reality; (ii) challenges to using virtual reality; (iii) settings where virtual reality can be implemented; and (iv) blue-sky and future applications of virtual reality. Participants described this technology as novel, enjoyable, immersive, memorable and inclusive. They questioned, however, the suitability of virtual reality for older adults, reported minor technical difficulties and stressed the importance of prior preparation in the use of the technology. Virtual reality was recommended for use in outpatient healthcare settings, schools and the community. Participants suggested using virtual reality in health promotion, disease prevention and management, and to promote nurses' empathy towards patients. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the potential role of virtual reality in assisting nurses in promoting health and managing disease. Future research is needed to establish the long-term effect of virtual reality interventions among more diverse participants. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Virtual reality can be implemented in outpatient, educational and community settings in order to promote health, prevent disease, enhance disease and self-management, and increase nurses' empathy towards patients.
Advancements in information technology and computer science have resulted in the development of c... more Advancements in information technology and computer science have resulted in the development of computerized healthcare information systems. Information technology can optimize patient care through providing immediate electronic education. The purpose of this mixed-methods systematic review was to synthesize evidence from studies exploring nurses and nursing students' attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of technology in patient care. Electronic databases Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Education Full Text, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, and ERIC were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Convergent integrated synthesis was conducted. Eight studies were included. Technologies used in the reviewed studies include smartphones (n = 4) and Web-based information/educational resources (n = 4). Overall, nurses and nursing students' attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of smartphone applications were positive. When compared with other healthcare professionals, nurses were more likely to have access to Web-based resources and to appraise the importance of such resources in patient education. Nurses and nursing students are in a prime position to use technology in patient care and education. It is important therefore that nurses' positive attitudes toward technology be reinforced to increase the use and application of Web-based and smartphone technologies in clinical practice.
International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2020
Purpose To examine international approaches to the ethical oversight and regulation of quality im... more Purpose To examine international approaches to the ethical oversight and regulation of quality improvement and clinical audit in healthcare systems Data sources We searched grey literature including websites of national research and ethics regulatory bodies and health departments of selected countries. Study selection National guidance documents were included from six countries: Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada. Data extraction Data were extracted from 19 documents using an a priori framework developed from the published literature. Results We organized data under five themes: ethical frameworks; guidance on ethical review; consent, vulnerable groups and personal health data. Quality improvement activity tended to be outside the scope of the ethics frameworks in most countries. Only New Zealand had integrated national ethics standards for both research and quality improvement. Across countries, there is consensus that this activity sh...
Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is commonly diagnosed among men aged 15-40 years. The incidenc... more Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is commonly diagnosed among men aged 15-40 years. The incidence of TC is on the rise. Benign testicular disorders such as testicular torsion and epididymitis can lead to testicular ischemia, sepsis, and infertility if left untreated. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of studies promoting men’s knowledge and awareness of testicular disorders and/or self-examination, behaviours and/or intentions to examine their testes, and help-seeking behaviours and/or intentions for testicular symptoms. Methods: Academic Search Complete, Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ERIC, the Cochrane Library, the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinicaltrials.gov, Grey Literature Report, and Open Grey were searched for studies published between November 2014 and April 2018. The methodological quality and level of evidence per outcome were assessed. Results: There were five papers included: two were experimental st...
International Journal of Mens Social and Community Health, 2019
Health outcomes among men are poorer than women and little efforts have been made by health organ... more Health outcomes among men are poorer than women and little efforts have been made by health organizations to promote men’s health. Testicular disorders can have a negative effect on men’s health and are rarely addressed in pre-existing men’s health policies. Findings from the empirical literature on men’s awareness of testicular disorders suggest that men’s knowledge of testicular disorders is lacking and their intentions to seek timely medical attention for testicular symptoms are low. This paper aims to introduce the concept of ‘testicular awareness’ and explore its implications for health research, practice, and education. The key attributes of ‘testicular awareness’ include: (i) familiarity with own testes; (ii) knowing what is normal versus abnormal; (iii) ability to detect an abnormality; and (iv) knowing own risk factors. Testicular awareness is an all-encompassing concept since it helps men become familiar with a body part that is seldom discussed and enables them to detect ...
The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature revie... more The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature reviews and one qualitative study found that men's awareness of testicular disorders was lacking, and their intentions to seek help for symptoms of testicular disease were low. The aim of the study was to enhance men's awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes. Men aged 18-50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2). Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] =...
Health outcomes among men are markedly poorer than women. Testicular disorders can be life-threat... more Health outcomes among men are markedly poorer than women. Testicular disorders can be life-threatening if left untreated. Few studies promoting awareness of testicular disorders have been underpinned by theory. Theory-based interventions are more likely to achieve positive health outcomes than interventions that lack a theoretical foundation. The purpose of the study is to present a theory-focused analysis of the preconscious awareness to action framework (PAAF), developed to enhance testicular awareness and help-seeking intentions and behaviors among men. The following approach was used to develop the PAAF: The empirical literature on men's awareness of testicular disorders was reviewed. A qualitative study was conducted to explore men's awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and preferred learning strategies in relation to testicular disorders and symptoms. An iterative narrative review process of the theoretical literature on h...
The incidence of malignant and benign testicular disorders among young men is on the rise. Eviden... more The incidence of malignant and benign testicular disorders among young men is on the rise. Evidence from three reviews suggest that men's knowledge of these disorders is lacking and their help-seeking intention for testicular symptoms is suboptimal. Qualitative studies have addressed men's awareness of testicular cancer, with none exploring their awareness of non-malignant diseases such as epididymitis, testicular torsion, and varicocele and none including sexual minorities. To explore, in-depth, heterosexual, gay, and bisexual men's awareness of testicular disorders and their help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms in the Irish context. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected via face-to-face individual interviews and focus groups. Participation was sought from a number of community and youth organisations and one university in Southern Ireland. Maximum variation and snowball sampling were used to recruit a heterogeneous sample. A...
To critically appraise empirical evidence gathered from studies that (a) explored men's knowl... more To critically appraise empirical evidence gathered from studies that (a) explored men's knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward testicular cancer (TC) and its screening; (b) addressed their testicular self-examination (TSE) practice; and/or (c) highlighted barriers and facilitators to this practice. . MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and EMBASE®. . 25 articles met the inclusion criteria. Knowledge deficits regarding TC and its screening were seen. Participants who did not perform TSE often were uninformed about this practice. The majority of men perceived TC education as a positive step toward raising awareness about this malignancy. . Very few men were informed about TC and TSE. Future studies should include valid and reliable tools to assess TC knowledge and screening, address the means through which TC knowledge is delivered, explore the individual's experience with TC screening, and focus on TC awareness and screening among minority groups. . Although regular screening for TC is a...
Disorders that affect the testes can range from painless and benign to debilitating and life thre... more Disorders that affect the testes can range from painless and benign to debilitating and life threatening. Despite the availability of literature on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of benign testicular disorders (BTD), very little is known about men's awareness of these conditions. The aim of this review was to extract and analyze evidence from studies that explored males' awareness of BTD. Four e-databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PubMed) were thoroughly searched and four articles met the review inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was appraised and data were extracted and cross-checked using a standardized data extraction table. It was determined that participants lacked education about testicular self-examination and scrotal signs and symptoms which contributed to their lack of awareness of BTD. Help seeking in the event of scrotal abnormalities was suboptimal which is alarming given the acuteness of some BTD such as testicular torsion. In...
Abstract Background Compassionate care delivery is a key feature of nursing and midwifery and a m... more Abstract Background Compassionate care delivery is a key feature of nursing and midwifery and a marker of quality healthcare delivery. Training nurses and midwives in compassionate care is known to yield positive nursing, midwifery, and patient outcomes such as increased job satisfaction, reduced burnout, improved patient satisfaction, and enhanced quality of life. Aim To explore nurses’ and midwives’ views of a three-day program entitled “The Leaders for Compassionate Care Program” from the perspective of participating nursing/midwifery leaders, directors of nursing/midwifery, chief directors of nursing/midwifery, and program facilitators. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants (n = 15). Individual and focus group interviews were conducted via telephone and teleconferencing using a semi-structured interview protocol. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Findings Participants perceived the program as innovative since it involved teamwork and networking and helped reiterate the human element of care. Participants identified the knowledge and expertise of the program facilitators as enablers to learning. The facilitators were committed to delivering a program that met the needs of individual leaders. Discussion Findings suggest the need to explore the long-term impact of the program, offer similar programs to junior and senior nursing/midwifery leaders, and maintain the networking that took place during the program. This could be achieved through conducting follow-up sessions and masterclasses. Conclusion The program served as an opportunity for the leaders to take time out, reflect on their practice using a compassionate care lens, network with colleagues from different institutions, and develop leadership skill.
Background: The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three lite... more Background: The incidence of benign and malignant testicular disorders is on the rise. Three literature reviews and one qualitative study found that men's awareness of testicular disorders was lacking, and their intentions to seek help for symptoms of testicular disease were low. Objectives: The aim of the study was to enhance men’s awareness of testicular disorders, help-seeking intentions for testicular symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes. Methods: Men aged 18–50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2). Results: Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 3.5, 95% CI [2.8, 4.26]); testicular awareness (MD = 0.2, 95%CI [0.01, 0.41]); implementation intentions (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.33, 0.90]); and help-seeking intentions for testicular swelling (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.12, 0.51]), lumpiness (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.08, 0.46]), and pain (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.25, 1.01]) was noted at T1. This increase was maintained at T2. Participants who expressed an intention to feel their testes at T0 were more likely to report performing this behavior at T2. Discussion: The intervention succeeded in promoting knowledge, testicular awareness, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors. A randomized controlled trial of the Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular Disorders intervention with a larger sample size is warranted.
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Papers by Margaret Landers
symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes.
Methods: Men aged 18–50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2).
Results: Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 3.5, 95% CI [2.8, 4.26]); testicular awareness (MD = 0.2, 95%CI [0.01, 0.41]); implementation intentions (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.33, 0.90]); and help-seeking intentions for testicular swelling (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.12, 0.51]), lumpiness (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.08, 0.46]), and pain (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.25, 1.01]) was noted at T1. This increase was maintained at T2. Participants who expressed an intention to feel their testes at T0 were more likely to report performing this behavior at T2.
Discussion: The intervention succeeded in promoting knowledge, testicular awareness, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors. A randomized controlled trial of the Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular Disorders intervention with a larger sample size is warranted.
symptoms, and intention and behavior to feel their testes.
Methods: Men aged 18–50 years were recruited from a university and asked to engage in a three-level, educational, virtual reality experience. The Medical Research Council framework guided the development and pilot testing of the intervention. Knowledge, awareness, perceived risk, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors were measured at pretest (T0), immediately posttest (T1), and 1 month posttest (T2).
Results: Data were available from 49 participants. In comparison to T0, a significant increase in knowledge (mean difference [MD] = 3.5, 95% CI [2.8, 4.26]); testicular awareness (MD = 0.2, 95%CI [0.01, 0.41]); implementation intentions (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.33, 0.90]); and help-seeking intentions for testicular swelling (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.12, 0.51]), lumpiness (MD = 0.3, 95% CI [0.08, 0.46]), and pain (MD = 0.6, 95% CI [0.25, 1.01]) was noted at T1. This increase was maintained at T2. Participants who expressed an intention to feel their testes at T0 were more likely to report performing this behavior at T2.
Discussion: The intervention succeeded in promoting knowledge, testicular awareness, implementation intentions, help-seeking intentions, and behaviors. A randomized controlled trial of the Enhancing Men’s Awareness of Testicular Disorders intervention with a larger sample size is warranted.