BACKGROUND: Dominant conceptualisations of access to healthcare are limited, framed in terms of speed and supply. The Candidacy Framework offers a more comprehensive approach, identifying diverse influences on how access is accomplished.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterise how the Candidacy Framework can explain access to general practice - an increasingly fraught area of public debate and policy.
METHODS: Qualitative review guided by the principles of critical interpretive synthesis.
METHODS: We conducted a literature review using an \"author-led\" approach, involving iterative analytically-guided searches. Papers were eligible for inclusion if they related to the context of general practice, without geographical or time limitations. Key themes relating to access to general practice were extracted and synthesised using the Candidacy Framework.
RESULTS: 229 papers were included in the final synthesis. Each of the seven features identified in the original Candidacy Framework is highly salient to general practice. Using the lens of candidacy demonstrates that access to general practice is subject to multiple influences that are highly dynamic, contingent and subject to constant negotiation. These influences are socio-economically and institutionally patterned, creating risks to access for some groups. This analysis enables understanding of the barriers to access that may exist even though general practice in the UK is free at the point of care, but also demonstrates that a Candidacy Framework specific to this setting is needed.
CONCLUSIONS: The Candidacy Framework has considerable value as a way of understanding access to general practice, offering new insights for policy and practice. The original framework would benefit from further customisation for the distinctive setting of general practice.

BACKGROUND: Although missed appointments in healthcare have been an area of concern for policy, practice and research, the primary focus has been on reducing single \'situational\' missed appointments to the benefit of services. Little attention has been paid to the causes and consequences of more \'enduring\' multiple missed appointments in primary care and the role this has in producing health inequalities.
METHODS: We conducted a realist review of the literature on multiple missed appointments to identify the causes of \'missingness.\' We searched multiple databases, carried out iterative citation-tracking on key papers on the topic of missed appointments and identified papers through searches of grey literature. We synthesised evidence from 197 papers, drawing on the theoretical frameworks of candidacy and fundamental causation.
RESULTS: Missingness is caused by an overlapping set of complex factors, including patients not identifying a need for an appointment or feeling it is \'for them\'; appointments as sites of poor communication, power imbalance and relational threat; patients being exposed to competing demands, priorities and urgencies; issues of travel and mobility; and an absence of choice or flexibility in when, where and with whom appointments take place.
CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to address missingness at policy and practice levels should be theoretically informed, tailored to patients experiencing missingness and their identified needs and barriers; be cognisant of causal domains at multiple levels and address as many as practical; and be designed to increase safety for those seeking care.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an AI model to facilitate adult cochlear implant candidacy prediction based on basic demographical data and standard behavioral audiometry.
METHODS: A machine-learning approach using retrospective demographic and audiometric data to predict candidacy CNC word scores and AzBio sentence in quiet scores was performed at a tertiary academic center. Data for the model were derived from adults completing cochlear implant candidacy testing between January 2011 and March 2023. Comparison of the prediction model to other published prediction tools and benchmarks was performed.
RESULTS: The final dataset included 770 adults, encompassing 1045 AzBio entries, and 1373 CNC entries. Isophoneme scores and word recognition scores exhibited strongest importance to both the CNC and AzBio prediction models, followed by standard pure tone average and low-frequency pure tone average. The mean absolute difference between the predicted and actual score was 15 percentage points for AzBio sentences in quiet and 13 percentage points for CNC word scores, approximating anticipated test-retest constraints inherent to the variables incorporated into the model. Our final combined model achieved an accuracy of 87 % (sensitivity: 90 %; precision: 80 %).
CONCLUSIONS: We present an adaptive AI model that predicts adult cochlear implant candidacy based on routine behavioral audiometric and basic demographical data. Implementation efforts include a public-facing online prediction tool and accompanying smartphone program, an embedded notification flag in the electronic medical record to alert providers of potential candidates, and a program to retrospectively engage past patients who may be eligible for cochlear implantation based on audiogram results.

UNASSIGNED: Currently preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scanning of temporal bones form part of routine Cochlear implantation (CI) assessment. Pre- operative imaging demonstrates anatomic details or anomalies if any, that prove essential in pre-surgical evaluation of patients. These form a road map for the surgeon to anticipate any difficulty during surgery, to aid in decision making to implant the most appropriate ear, plan surgical technique, or select electrode arrays.
UNASSIGNED: A descriptive observational pilot study was conducted at tertiary care hospital involving 51 paediatric patients worked-up for CI. Patients after detailed clinical evaluation and MRI Brain, a tentative surgical plan was formulated by a candidacy CI screening committee. Patients selected for surgery underwent HRCT temporal bones and surgical plan was modified after analysing the same. Percentage of cases in which surgical plan changed (in terms of laterality of surgery) after correlating with HRCT findings were determined and data analysed.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 51 patients worked up for CI were included in the study. In 37.3% cases, there were unfavourable MRI findings. HRCT scan was used to aid the surgical road map in these patients, which based on MRI findings would have had suboptimal outcome.
UNASSIGNED: With this understanding, we recommend that, MRI with precise interpretation would be sufficient to furnish all necessary information in preoperative assessment of CI patients, and a HRCT temporal bones maybe indicated only in difficult cases or those with unfavourable MRI findings, may aid predict surgical events.

UNASSIGNED: To analyse the mechanisms at play in the adjudications made by professionals and socially vulnerable patients with type 2 diabetes about their eligibility for care.
UNASSIGNED: The study included 14 patients and 10 health professionals in seven general practice surgeries in deprived areas in Greater Copenhagen. The study data consist of 17 semi-structured interviews with patients and 22 with health professionals immediately after observation of 23 consultations. Our analytical approach was inspired by Systematic Text Condensation and the concept of \'candidacy\' for access to health care.
UNASSIGNED: Adjudications of patients not being candidates for services were common, but we also found that both patients and health professionals worked to align the services to the needs of the patients. This could include using services differently than was intended by the providers or by changing routines to make it easier for patients to use the services. We discuss these processes as \'tinkering\'. This usually implies that the best individual solution for the patient is aimed for, and in this study, the best solution sometimes meant not focusing on diabetes.
UNASSIGNED: The study adds to existing knowledge about access to services for socially vulnerable patients by demonstrating that both patients and professionals in general practice engage in tinkering processes to make services work.
Unequal use and benefits of health services play a significant role in relation to social inequality in healthFlexibility in services and alternatives to school-like rehabilitation are needed to reduce inequality in access to health carePatients were sometimes judged as unsuitable for available routine services, but professionals ‘tinkered’ with services to make them fitAdaptation of services by professionals in general practice implies a longer time frame for obtaining goals.

BACKGROUND: Use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasing, but candidacy selection processes are variable and subject to bias.
OBJECTIVE: What are the reasons behind venovenous ECMO candidacy decisions, and are decisions made consistently across patients?
METHODS: Prospective observational study of all patients, admitted or outside hospital referrals, considered for venovenous ECMO at a tertiary referral center. Relevant clinical data and reasons for candidacy determination were cross-referenced with other noncandidates and candidates and were assessed qualitatively.
RESULTS: Eighty-one consultations resulted in 44 noncandidates (54%), 29 candidates (36%; nine of whom subsequently underwent cannulation), and eight deferred decisions (10%). Fifteen unique contraindications were identified, variably present across all patients. Five contraindications were invoked as the sole reason to deny ECMO to a patient. In patients with three or more contraindications, additional contraindications were cited even if the severity was relatively minor. All but four contraindications invoked to deny ECMO to a patient were nonprohibitive for at least one other candidate. Contraindications documented in noncandidates were present but not mentioned in 21 other noncandidates (47%). Twenty-six candidates (90%) had at least one contraindication that was prohibitive in a noncandidate, including a contraindication that was the sole reason to deny ECMO. Contraindications were proposed as informing three prognostic domains, through which patterns of inconsistency could be understood better: (1) irreversible underlying pulmonary process, (2) unsurvivable critical illness, and (3) clinical condition too compromised for meaningful recovery.
CONCLUSIONS: ECMO candidacy decisions are inconsistent. We identified four patterns of inconsistency in our center and propose a three-domain model for understanding and categorizing contraindications, yielding five lessons that may improve candidacy decision processes until further research can guide practice more definitively.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to summarize what is known about criteria, assessments, and recommendations for evaluating cochlear implant (CI) candidacy in children with residual hearing.
METHODS: Peer-reviewed studies were identified through a systematic search in five electronic databases. Articles were screened and assessed for eligibility. From the eligible studies, data were extracted to summarize and present a narrative synthesis of the findings.
RESULTS: A total of seven articles (two reviews and five primary studies) were included in the final analysis. Hearing levels better than the moderately severe to severe range (65-90 dB HL) tend to be supported as audiological candidacy criteria for pediatric CI. Recommendations for candidacy consideration based on audiologic thresholds range from 65 to 80 dB Hl pure-tone average as the lower boundary. Our review did not identify any specific assessment protocols. However, additional decision-making considerations related to borderline hearing loss configurations and assessment tools (the Speech Intelligibility Index and the Pediatric Minimum Speech Test Battery) were identified. Supplementary assessment considerations were also reported.
CONCLUSIONS: There is limited information regarding specific assessment protocols for children with residual hearing. The literature is primarily focused on guidelines related to audiologic criteria, although it is widely recommended that other areas of functioning should also be considered. Most recommendations appear to be based on expert opinion, clinical expertise, and evidence from overall pediatric CI outcomes rather than empirical evidence targeting children with residual hearing. There is an ongoing need for research to further develop protocols and tools that can assist clinicians and families in making cochlear implantation decisions for children with residual hearing.

Hickey et al.\'s scoping of infant mental health (IMH) services and the challenges faced in ensuring that vulnerable infants can access them highlights important issues and suggests some solutions (Hickey et al., Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2023). Their synthesis of useful research in the field is limited only by its focus on more affluent English-speaking countries, which is acknowledged. Writing from an Australian perspective, they highlight the need for culturally sensitive service delivery. This commentary draws attention to the concept of candidacy as a helpful way of thinking about patents\' journeys into services. It can support a deeper understanding of the barriers to referral for infants most in need. One key issue is the knowledge and understanding of both professionals and the public about the importance of the early years for later well-being. Infants cannot advocate for themselves and depend on those around them to exercise their right to services. Good relationships between professionals and between family members and clinicians are essential for IMH service development and delivery.

The indications for cochlear implantation have expanded over time due to evidence demonstrating identification and implantation of appropriate cochlear implant (CI) candidates lead to significant improvements in speech recognition and quality of life (QoL). However, clinical practice is variable, with some providers using outdated criteria and others exceeding current labeled indications. As a results, only a fraction of those persons who could benefit from CI technology receive it. This document summarizes the current evidence for determining appropriate referrals for adults with bilateral hearing loss into CI centers for formal evaluation by stressing the importance of treating each ear individually and a \"revised 60/60 rule\". By mirroring contemporary clinical practice and available evidence, these recommendations will also provide a standardized testing protocol for CI candidates using a team-based approach that prioritizes individualized patient care. This manuscript was developed by the Adult Cochlear Implantation Candidacy Task Force of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance using review of the existing literature and clinical consensus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 134:S1-S14, 2024.

The development of infant mental health (IMH) services globally is still in its early stages. This qualitative study aims to understand the challenges of setting up IMH services and explores the views and experiences of 14 multi-disciplinary stakeholders who are part of the IMH implementation group in a large Scottish health board. Six major themes were identified through thematic analysis. This paper examines the most prominent theme \"Systems\" alongside the theme \"Gaps in Current Service\". The theoretical framework of \"candidacy\" is found to be a valuable way to conceptualize the complex systemic layers of micro, meso, and macro factors that contribute to the challenges of setting up services. At the micro level, key themes included the view that services must be accessible, individualized, and involve families. At the meso level, in line with the aims of the service, multiagency integration, aspects of early intervention, and clear operating conditions were all seen as important. Finally, at the macro level, perhaps the biggest challenge perceived by stakeholders is delivering a service that is entirely infant-focused. These findings will help inform policy makers about factors considered by professionals to be vital in the establishment of IMH services in Scotland and across the globe.
El desarrollo de los servicios de salud mental infantil (IMH) globalmente está aún en sus niveles básicos. Este estudio cualitativo se propone comprender los retos de establecer los servicios IMH y explora los puntos de vista y experiencias de 14 personas interesadas de múltiples disciplinas que son parte de un grupo de implementación de IMH dentro de una extensa junta de salud escocesa. A través de análisis temáticos se identificaron seis temas de mayor importancia. Este estudio examina el tema más prominente según la mayor percepción, “Sistemas,” junto con el tema “Vacíos en la Actual Prestación de Servicio.” Se estima que el marco teorético de trabajo de “candidatura,” es una manera valiosa de conceptualizar los complejos niveles sistémicos de micro, medio y macro factores que contribuyen a los retos de establecer los servicios. Al nivel micro, los temas claves incluyen el punto de vista de que los servicios deben ser accesibles, individualizados y deben involucrar a las familias. Al nivel medio, alineados con las metas del servicio, la integración de agencias múltiples, aspectos de temprana intervención y claras condiciones operativas fueron todas estimadas como importantes. Finalmente, al nivel macro, quizás el mayor reto percibido por las personas interesadas es cumplir con el ofrecimiento de un servicio que esté enteramente enfocado en el infante. Estos resultados ayudarán a informar a quienes determinan las políticas a seguir acerca de los factores que los profesionales consideran vitales en el establecimiento de servicios IMH en Escocia y alrededor del globo.
Au niveau global, le développement de service de santé mentale du nourrisson et de la petite enfance en est encore à ses débuts. Cette étude qualitative s\'est donnée pour but de comprendre les défis que pose l\'installation de services IMH. Elle explore les vues et les perspectives de 14 parties prenantes de diverses disciplines qui font partie d\'un groupe de mise en place IMH dans un grand conseil de santé en Ecosse. Six thèmes principaux ont été identifiés au travers une analyse thématique. Cet article examine le thème ayant été perçu comme le plus grand et proéminent, Systèmes, ainsi que le thème « Brèches dans les services actuels ». La structure théorique de la ‘candidature’ a été utilisée pour trouver une manière utile de conceptualiser les couches systémiques complexes de facteurs micro, méso, et macro qui contribuent aux défis qu\'il y a dans l\'installation de services. Au niveau micro, les thèmes clés ont inclus l\'idée que les services doivent être accessibles, individualisés et engager les familles. Au niveau méso, s\'alignant avec les buts du service, l\'intégration de plusieurs agences, les aspects d\'une intervention précoce et des conditions d\'opération claires ont tous été estimé être importants. Enfin, au niveau macro, le défi étant peut-être le plus grand selon les parties prenantes est d\'offrir un service qui est entièrement focalisé sur le nourrisson. Ces résultats aideront les décideurs pour ce qui s\'agit des facteurs considérés comme étant vitaux par les professionnels pour ce qui concerne l’établissement de services IMH en Ecosse et au travers du globe.
Die Entwicklung von Leistungen für die psychische Gesundheit von Kindern (infant mental health; IMH) befindet sich weltweit noch in einem frühen Stadium. Diese qualitative Studie zielt darauf ab, die Herausforderungen bei der Einrichtung von IMH-Leistungen zu verstehen. Untersucht werden die Ansichten und Erfahrungen von 14 multidisziplinären Interessenvertretenden, die Teil der IMH-Implementierungsgruppe in einem großen schottischen Gesundheitsamt sind. Durch eine thematische Analyse wurden sechs Hauptthemen ermittelt. In diesem Beitrag wird neben dem Thema “Lücken im derzeitigen Angebot” das als am stärksten wahrgenommene Thema “Systeme” untersucht. Der theoretische Rahmen der “Candidacy” hat sich als wertvoller Weg erwiesen, um die komplexen systemischen Schichten von Mikro-, Meso- und Makrofaktoren zu konzeptualisieren, die zu den Herausforderungen bei der Leistungseinrichtung beitragen. Zu den Schlüsselthemen auf der Mikroebene gehörte die Ansicht, dass die Leistungen zugänglich und individuell gestaltet sein und die Familien einbezogen werden müssen. Auf der Mesoebene wurden im Einklang mit den Zielen der Leistung die Integration mehrerer Stellen, Aspekte der Frühintervention und klare Arbeitsbedingungen als wichtig angesehen. Auf der Makroebene schließlich sehen die Beteiligten die vielleicht größte Herausforderung in der Bereitstellung einer Leistung, die ausschließlich auf Kleinkinder ausgerichtet ist. Diese Ergebnisse werden dazu beitragen, die politischen Entscheidungstragenden über Faktoren zu informieren, die von Fachleuten als entscheidend für die Einrichtung von IMH-Leistungen angesehen werden - in Schottland und auf der ganzen Welt.
世界的な乳幼児精神保健(IMH)サービスの開発は、まだ初期段階にある。この質的研究は、IMHサービス立ち上げの際の課題を理解することを目的とし、スコットランドの大規模な保健委員会でIMH実施グループの一員である14人の多職種の関係者の見解と経験を調査するものである。6つの主要なテーマが主題分析法により特定された。本論文では、最も大きく認識され注目しているテーマ「システム」を、テーマ「現状のサービスにおけるギャップ」とともに検証する。「キャンディダシー(candidacy)」という理論フレームワークはサービス立ち上げの課題に寄与するミクロ、メゾ、マクロ因子からなる複雑なシステム層の概念化に有用であるとされている。ミクロレベルでは、サービスはアクセスしやすく、個別化され、家族を含むものでなければならないという見解が主要なテーマに含まれた。メゾレベルでは、サービスの目的に沿って、複数機関の統合、早期介入の側面、明確な運営条件がすべて重要であると考えられている。最後に、マクロレベルでは、関係者が認識しているおそらく最大の課題は、徹底して乳幼児に焦点を当てたサービスを提供することであろう。これらの結果は、専門家がスコットランドや世界のIMHサービスの確立に不可欠とみなしている要素を、政策立案者に情報提供するのに役立つであろう。.
婴儿心理健康 (IMH) 服务的全球发展仍处于早期阶段。这项定性研究旨在了解建立IMH服务的挑战, 并探讨苏格兰一家大型卫生委员会IMH实施团队中14位多学科利益相关者的观点和经验。通过专题分析确定了六大主题。本文探讨了被认为最突出的主题“系统”以及“现有服务的差距”。“候选资格”的理论框架被认为是一种有价值的方法, 可以将微观、中观和宏观因素的复杂系统层概念化, 这些因素导致了建立服务的挑战。在微观层面, 关键主题包括这样一种观点, 即服务必须是易获得的、个性化的, 并让家庭参与。在中观层面, 根据服务目标, 多机构整合、早期干预以及清晰的运行条件都被视为重要因素。最后, 在宏观层面, 利益相关者认为的最大挑战可能是提供一种完全以婴儿为中心的服务。这些发现将有助于决策者了解专业人士认为对在苏格兰和全球建立IMH服务时至关重要的因素。.
لا يزال تطوير خدمات الصحة النفسية للأطفال (IMH) على مستوى العالم في مراحله الأولى. تهدف هذه الدراسة الوصفية إلى فهم تحديات إنشاء خدمات الصحة النفسية للأطفال واستكشاف آراء وخبرات 14 من أصحاب المصلحة متعددي التخصصات الذين يشكلون جزءًا من مجموعة تنفيذ IMH في لجنة إدارة صحية على مستوى عالي في اسكتلندا. تم تحديد ستة مواضيع رئيسية من خلال التحليل المواضيعي. تبحث هذه الدراسة في أكبر موضوع بارز وهو “الأنظمة” إلى جانب موضوع “الثغرات في الخدمة الحالية”. وقد تم استخدام الإطار النظري المعروف بـ (candidacy) أو السعي لتلقي الرعاية الصحية ليكون وسيلة لوضع تصور مفاهيمي لجوانب النظام المعقدة للعوامل الجزئية والمتوسطة والكلية التي تساهم في تحديات إنشاء الخدمات. على المستوى الجزئي ، تضمنت الموضوعات الرئيسية وجهة النظر القائلة بأن الخدمات يجب أن تكون في المتناول ، وأن تكون فردية ، وأن تشمل العائلات. على المستوى المتوسط ، تمشياً مع أهداف الخدمة ، تم اعتبار التكامل وجوانب التدخل المبكر واجراءات العمل الواضحة جميعها مهمة. أخيرًا ، على المستوى الكلي ، ربما يكون التحدي الأكبر الذي يدركه أصحاب المصلحة هو تقديم خدمة تركز بالكامل على الأطفال الرضع. ستساعد هذه النتائج على إعلام صانعي السياسات بالعوامل التي يعتبرها المتخصصون حيوية في إنشاء خدمات الصحة النفسية للأطفال في اسكتلندا وفي جميع أنحاء العالم.