REPOSITÓRIO P.PORTO
Repositório Científico do Politécnico do Porto
Entradas recentes
Digital proficiency and educational needs of Portuguese radiation therapists
Publication . Barbosa, B.; Oliveira, C.; Couto, J. G.; Bravo, I.; Antunes, Luís; Fadden, S. Mc; Hughes, C.; McClure, P.; Dias, A. G.; Lopes Botelho Antunes, Luís Jorge
As radiotherapy (RT) becomes increasingly digitised, the digital skills (DS) proficiency of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (RTTs) is essential for ensuring patient safety and quality care. This study is part of larger sequential multi-phase mixed-methods research; previous research by the same research team has shown that DS proficiency varies among European RTTs. The current study aimed to assess stakeholders' perceptions of proficiency, influencing factors, challenges, and strategies to bridge the digital gap in Portugal. A qualitative, hybrid (inductive and deductive), descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective design was used. Online focus group and individual interviews were performed with 16 Portuguese stakeholders (RTTs, managers, industry representatives, students, and educators), using an interview guide based on previous research. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Results: Seven themes were identified: proficiency levels, influencing factors, challenging areas, essential DS for practice, strategies for integration into education, concerns about technological evolution, and impact on RTTs' roles. The study underscores the critical need for DS proficiency among RTTs, emphasising gaps in specialised areas and multifaceted influencing factors. It stresses the urgency of improving RTTs' digital training across all educational stages. Adaptation and constant learning are imperative in radiotherapy's dynamic landscape, ensuring optimal patient care. Implications for practice: Addressing DS gaps is imperative for RTTs to ensure quality and safety of RT treatments. Essential strategies include DS integration and education adaptation and CPD. Recognizing concerns, such as job losses, highlights the need for a balanced technological approach. Patient-centred care remains paramount in guiding RTTs through evolving roles in the dynamic field of radiotherapy.
Functional ability and independence among older adults in Northern Portugal: A cross-sectional study
Publication . Moreira, Juliana; Santos, Rubim; Sousa, Andreia S. P.; Santos Moreira, Juliana; Rubim Silva Santos, Manuel; Pinheiro de Sousa, Andreia Sofia
The aging process impacts daily living activities, highlighting the need to assess functional ability to support independence in older adults. To characterize the functional ability of community-dwelling older adults in northern Portugal. Methodology: Sixty older adults, aged 60 and above, were assessed for body composition, self-reported health, medication intake, and fall history. Independence in basic and instrumental daily activities was evaluated using the Barthel Index and Lawton and Brody scale, respectively. Functional tests included handgrip strength, 10 meters walk test, five-times sit-to-stand, Timed up and go test, and one leg standing test. Participants had an average age of 67.86±6.46 years, classified as pre-obese based on body mass index, 43.95±6.77 kilograms of muscle mass, and 30% of body fat. Over half (51.6%) rated their health as poor, 88.3% took prescribed medication (average of three per day), and 36.7% had fallen in the past year. Dependence was observed in daily activities (Barthel Index: 19.86±0.35; Lawton and Brody: 22.70±1.23). Functional tests revealed a handgrip strength of 27.39±8.56 kilograms (37.21±6.06 for males, and 22.50±3.93 for females), a self-selected gait velocity of 1.78±0.19 meters/second, a time to complete the five-times sit-to-stand, the Timed up and Go and the one leg standing of 15.48±3.71, 9.32±1.99 and 30.23±23.07 seconds, respectively. While older adults in northern Portugal demonstrate mild functional impairments, their challenges in daily activities and self-perceived health from age 60 underscore the importance of early intervention strategies. Further research is needed to identify influencing factors and develop targeted interventions to enhance independence.
Dose-dependent pharmacological mechanisms within the Neuroscience-based Nomenclature: a new concept to facilitate neuroscience-based prescribing
Publication . Zemach, Sasson; Zohar, Joseph; Correll, Christoph U.; Stahl, Stephen M.; Drago, Filippo; Goodwin, Guy M.; Moller, Hans-Jurgen; Uchida, Hiroyuki; Siafis, Spyridon; Santos, Marlene; Blier, Pierre; Santos, Marlene
In this Personal View, we introduce the concept of different dosage different pharmacology (DDDP), which describes how certain psychotropic medications have distinct therapeutic effects at low and high doses due to differing neurobiological mechanisms. Using the Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) framework, which classifies drugs by pharmacology and modes of action, we identified ten agents demonstrating DDDP in a comprehensive expert-based consensus process: amisulpride, amitriptyline, aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, doxepin, mirtazapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and trazodone. These medications show clearly demarcated dose-dependent effects, with changes in pharmacological action. For example, some drugs show anxiolytic or hypnotic effects at low doses (via histamine H1 or noradrenergic α1 antagonism) and antidepressant effects at high doses (via reuptake inhibition of serotonin or norepinephrine). Understanding these differences supports more rational prescribing (eg, increasing dopamine partial agonist doses beyond the optimal range might reduce efficacy). DDDP, within the NbN framework, offers a neuroscience-based approach to more precise psychopharmacology.
Integrating PET for tumour hypoxia in radiotherapy planning: Insights from Portuguese radiotherapy and nuclear medicine technologists
Publication . Sousa, Ruben Diogo Oliveira; Faria, Brígida Mónica; Bravo, Isabel; Costa, Pedro; Costa, Pedro; Faria, Brigida Monica
In the era of personalised medicine, tumour hypoxia (TH) is critical in radiotherapy (RT) response due to its role in tumour resistance. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) enables non-invasive assessment of TH and supports heterogeneous dose-escalation to hypoxic sub-volumes, improving treatment efficacy. This study explores Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMT) and Radiotherapy Technologists (RTT) perceptions of PET-based TH (PET-TH) assessment and implementation in RT planning in Portugal. We conducted an observational cross-sectional survey of RTTs and NMTs currently working in Portuguese healthcare institutions. Statistical tests were used to assess associations and compare distributions using IBM® SPSS®. A total of 66 participants, 57 (86.4 %) females, with a mean age of 33.68 (±8.13) years, were included: 23 (34.8 %) NMTs and 43 (65.2 %) RTTs. While 65.2 % of NMT departments had PET scans with RT-compatible settings, only 8.7 % had performed PET-TH studies. Among RTTs, 88.4 % reported that their treatment planning systems were compatible with PET/CT fusion, yet only 9.3 % had used PET in RT planning. RTTs received more training in TH (p = 0.006) and rated their knowledge higher than NMTs (p = 0.042). Greater professional experience and higher perceived knowledge were associated with better performance on evaluation items (p = 0.027; p = 0.037). Regardless of institution type, 92.4 % expressed interest in interprofessional collaboration to support individualised planning. The assessed departments possess infrastructures for PET-TH integration, yet clinical implementation remains limited. Knowledge and professional experience are associated with competency. Targeted training for Technologists and interdisciplinary workflows may improve PET-TH adoption. Addressing knowledge and workflow could facilitate PET integration into RT planning and potentially enhance treatment outcomes. Future efforts should focus on interdisciplinary collaboration.
Extended reality in medical education
Publication . Veloso, Rita; Magalhães, Renato
Extended Reality (XR)—including Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality—is reshaping medical education by providing immersive, interactive tools for anatomy, surgical training, clinical skills and emergency preparedness. These technologies enhance learning, improve outcomes and foster collaboration. Despite challenges like high costs, limited access and lack of standardisation, XR shows strong global growth and potential for personalised, efficient medical training.