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BACKGROUND: Trans-Atlantic collaboration between nursing and pharmacy programs for interprofessional education (IPE) is uncommon. A literature search revealed limited sources for comparison, leading to the creation of a stakeholder committee from four colleges: Augusta University College of Nursing and University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, representing the United States of America, and Robert Gordon University Schools of Nursing and Midwifery and Pharmacy and Life Sciences, representing Scotland. A proposal outlining an international IPE experience designed to prepare future healthcare professionals to collaboratively address the challenges facing rural and underserved populations by supporting improvements in access to care for both countries. INTERPROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY: Faculty were recruited from all four colleges to create six vignettes, three by each country, categorized as rural, marginalized, or global health. Faculty content teams were made up of a pharmacist and nurse from each country (e.g., USA pharmacist and USA nurse). Some vignettes utilized standardized patients, scripts, and filmed interactions to guide discussions. Others used a virtual platform offering an interactive mock patient scenario with prompts. The event took place virtually, over a five-hour period. An expert panel started the event by discussing scope of practice, practice models, and cultural diversity. Following the panel, student participants rotated through all six vignettes led by the faculty teams who created them. DISCUSSION: This experience was a first for all programs involved. Many lessons were learned throughout the experience, with both strengths and opportunities for improvement noted. IMPLICATIONS: This report focuses on implementing an international IPE experience by highlighting successes and areas for improvement. Our hope is that by being transparent, other faculty within pharmacy and nursing contemplating the implementation of a similar experience can use this as a guide as they seek to address global health needs within their curricula and expand their IPE programs internationally.

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The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the spheres of influence on engagement in recommended diabetes preventive health services among rural, working adults. Additionally, this study sought to understand the unique factors that influence diabetes self-management among rural, working adult populations. The sample included mostly African-American, low-income females with self-reported diabetes, who scored low on the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-10). Semi-structured interviews (N = 20) revealed that most participants struggled with the "ups and downs" of living with diabetes. Four major themes emerged from the data: "the struggle," "doing things together," "diabetes is not the priority," and "we're lucky to have what we have." Most participants were developing individual responsibility and motivation for a healthy future, but were overwhelmed by inconsistency in self-management, diabetes distress, lack of effective coping strategies, and lack of social and economic capital. The findings of this study indicate the need to further address psychological well-being among rural, working adults, yet rural populations often lack sufficient access to mental health care and formalized psychological support. Psychological support and resources are essential to facilitate engagement in diabetes self-management and preventive health services for rural, working adults.

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Despite notable progress being made in preventing child marriage, a significant proportion of women worldwide are still married before reaching adulthood. Though many aspects of child marriage have been widely studied, little is known on the later life health outcomes of child brides, let alone the critical need for healthcare during adulthood. This paper examines whether child brides at a young adult age bear a greater risk of high blood pressure (HBP) and high blood glucose (HBG) comorbidity than those who were married as adults. Using nationally representative data from India, we categorized married young adult (aged 20-34 years) women in four categories: neither HBP nor HBG, HBP only, HBG only, and both HBP and HBG. We estimated multinomial logistic regressions to obtain unadjusted and adjusted relative risk ratios in favor of these mutually exclusive outcomes for the child marriage indicator. Around 0.5% of the women in our sample had high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity. While the prevalence of comorbidity was 0.4% among women who were married as adults, comorbidity was 40% higher (p < 0.000) among women who were married as children. The relative risk of the comorbidity among child brides was 1.4 (95%CI: 1.2-1.7) times that of their peers who were not married as children. The findings, thus, suggest that child brides at young adult age are at greater risk of having high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity. Concerted public health efforts, therefore, are necessary to improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

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Increased awareness, institutional commitment, and nurse champions are critical to expanding access to clinical trials in the community setting. Nursing leadership in clinical research can affect accrual and retention in research studies.

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OBJECTIVE: This secondary analysis examined the relationships between Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scores, use of health services, and HgA1C. DESIGN: A feasibility study was conducted for a community-based intervention for high-risk adults with uncontrolled diabetes. Data were collected at baseline and monthly, including PAM and modified Diabetes Self-Management Assessment Report Tool. INTERVENTION: Participants (n = 58) were randomized to a 3-month nurse (RN) telephone management or community health worker (CHW) in-home intervention, focusing on medication adherence, timely follow-up, diabetes self-management coaching, and linkage to resources. RESULTS: Sample was mostly female (73%), African-American (90%), low income (75%), high school education or less (80%), and mean age of 59 years. A positive association between PAM score and self-reported diabetes care recommendations was found (r = .356, p = .014) and significant correlation between baseline PAM score and HgA1C levels (r = -.306, p = .029). A paired samples t test showed statistically significant increases in PAM scores in the CHW intervention group (mean increase +8.5, CI [+2.49 to +14.65]); baseline (M = 60.31, SD = 13.3) to end of study ([M = 68.89, SD = 16.39], t(22) = 2.924, p = .008 [two-tailed]). CONCLUSION: A community-based approach to diabetes management demonstrated a positive effect on patient activation. Although disparities in health care access among rural, low-income populations exist, community-based interventions show potential for improving patient engagement in diabetes management and recommended health services.

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Microresearch is an innovative, mentored research experience, originally developed in Africa and adapted for U.S. health professional trainees preparing for rural primary care practice. This report describes program elements (funding, mentorship, and peer support) that others may replicate to develop research and leadership skills through community engagement to address health disparities.