Taste and smell disorders are common symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 acute infection. In post-COVID-19 condition, symptoms can persist leading to disruption in patients’ lives, to changes in their coping skills, and to the need to develop strategies for everyday life. This study aimed to describe the perspective of a group of patients with Long-COVID-19, a condition where loss of taste and/or smell was the most predominant symptom. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Participants who had suffered SARS-CoV-2 infection and had Long-COVID-19 loss of taste and/or smell were recruited. Purposive sampling was applied, and participants were recruited until data redundancy was reached. In-depth interviews were used for data collection and thematic analysis was applied. Twelve COVID-19 survivors (75% women) were recruited. The mean age of the participants was 55 years, and the mean duration of post-COVID-19 symptoms was 25 months. Three themes were identified: (a) Living with taste and smell disorders, describing the disorders they experience on a daily basis, how their life has changed and the accompanying emotions, (b) Changes and challenges resulting from the loss of taste and smell, changes in habits, self-care and risk in certain jobs or daily activities, (c) Coping with taste and smell disorders, describing the daily strategies used and the health care received. In conclusion, Long-COVID-19 taste and/or smell disorders limit daily life and involve changes in habits, meal preparation, and the ability to detect potentially dangerous situations.

To describe the barriers and challenges in the medical care management of a group of migrants living with HIV who received medical assistance through the Spanish Public Health Care Services. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. The inclusion criteria comprised patients with a confirmed serological diagnosis of HIV whose countries of origin were in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, or Eastern Europe. A total of 21 patients were selected through purposive sampling. Data collection involved in-depth interviews and researcher field notes. A thematic analysis was performed, and trustworthiness criteria were applied. Two themes were identified that illustrate the barriers to healthcare in migrants living with HIV: a) Personal beliefs and the social and family environment, participants often remain in contact with members of their culture and/or ethnic group of origin, and their environment can hinder help-seeking, treatment adherence, or open communication about their illness; b) The healthcare environment, where obstacles and challenges faced by participants are described in relation to the healthcare environment, the healthcare system, and healthcare providers. The results of this study provide a foundation for developing a roadmap of relevant patient-reported outcomes in HIV care. These insights can guide the implementation of improved healthcare strategies for migrants living with HIV.

Professional support and communication stimulates the professional-patient relationship and supports the recovery of stroke patients. To describe the perspectives of patients with stroke regarding communication, professional support, and their ability to participate in processes and integrated care with health providers. A qualitative study was conducted. A purposeful sampling and snowball-technique were used. Patients diagnosed with moderate or severe stroke in the post-acute or chronic stage of the disease were included. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and researcher field notes. A thematic analysis was performed. Thirty-one patients were included. Three themes were identified: 1) Providing support, with four categories, professional behavior, personalized attention, the heart of the professional and building a bond with the patient; 2) Facilitating communication, with three categories, the patient as the recipient, the content of the message and the channel, and the professional as the person that conveys the message; and 3) Promoting participation, with two categories, barriers, and incentives to participate. When providing support, professionals should consider communicating information and encouraging the participation of stroke patients for integrated care.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el nivel de confianza en las vacunas y analizar los factores que determinan su aceptación en adultos residentes en la República Dominicana. Método. Se realizó un estudio transversal entre enero y abril del 2023 con 949 participantes seleccionados mediante encuestas presenciales y en línea. Se utilizó un muestreo no probabilístico por bola de nieve y captación en el Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Hugo Mendoza. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado que incluyó variables demográficas, fuentes de información, un índice de confianza en las vacunas (ICV) y determinantes de aceptación. Se efectuaron análisis descriptivos y de regresión para identificar asociaciones entre variables. Resultados. Se observó una actitud favorable hacia la vacunación, con un ICV promedio de 86,9 y 89,8% de participantes con alta confianza. Los pediatras fueron la fuente de información más confiable, sobre todo entre adultos jóvenes y de mediana edad. El análisis de regresión mostró una asociación positiva entre la edad y el ICV (β = 0,116; IC95%: 0,017-0,218) y asociaciones negativas para el sexo masculino (β = -3,985; IC95%: -6,992 a -0,921) y el nivel de estudio universitario (β = -1,870; IC95%: -3,632 a -0,107). Aunque la percepción del riesgo de enfermedades prevenibles es alta, persisten preocupaciones sobre efectos secundarios, posiblemente vinculadas a desinformación. Conclusiones. Pese a la alta aceptación de las vacunas, persisten barreras como la falta de recordatorios y el temor a efectos adversos. Fortalecer la comunicación y capacitar a los profesionales de salud podría mejorar la confianza y la adherencia en los programas de vacunación, en especial en grupos específicos.

Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome (DDMS), also known as cerebral hemiatrophy, is characterized by brain damage resulting in hypoplasia of one cerebral hemisphere. It is described as a rare disorder, primarily characterized by epileptic seizures and convulsions, as well as hemiparesis and cognitive impairments. We present the evolution of a child with DDMS and the neurodevelopmental milestones achieved from the onset of symptoms at 10 days of age to 3 years. Clinical features included persistent seizures and hemiparesis. Neuroimaging revealed right cerebral hemiatrophy with associated structural changes. The aim of this study is to present a case report of a pediatric patient with DDMS, detailing the clinical evaluation, therapeutic approaches, and disease progression, while describing the healthcare process and challenges associated with managing this rare condition in the Dominican Republic. Through this, we aim to improve the therapeutic strategies implemented in the region for the management of this infrequent condition and enhance the understanding of DDMS in the Caribbean.