Supramolecular glasses are conventionally restricted by a fundamental trade-off between mechanical robustness and deep-ultraviolet (UV) transparency, due to the ubiquitous reliance on aromatic building blocks. Herein, we overcome this limitation by reporting a "quartz-like" supramolecular glass assembled from fully saturated aliphatic macrocycles and lithium salts, enabled by a host-guest size mismatch strategy. Crystallographic elucidation reveals that the undersized Li+ guest induces severe conformational frustration within the macrocycle, which, in concert with weak anion coordination (PF6 -), kinetically suppresses crystallization. In contrast, size-matched analogues (Na+/K+) or strongly coordinating anions (Cl-/NO3 -) assemble as ordered crystalline solids. The resulting material resolves the traditional property conflict, exhibiting fused-silica-like transparency (>95%) spanning the deep-UV to near-infrared regions, while maintaining a high Young's modulus of ∼4.85 GPa, dynamic regenerative repair capability, and robust interfacial adhesion. Notably, the glass demonstrates exceptional stability against high-intensity UV and γ-ray radiation. This study establishes mismatch-induced frustration as a versatile conceptual framework for engineering optically silent supramolecular materials that decouple mechanical strength from optical bandgap.
Selective oxidation of methane to methanol under mild conditions remains a long-standing challenge because of the high inertness of the C-H bond in methane and the susceptibility of methanol to overoxidation. Here, we report a nitrogen-incorporation strategy for constructing TiO2-supported Au catalysts with cationic Au sites for selective methane oxidation using O2 as the oxidant in aqueous CH4/O2/CO media. The optimized Au/N-TiO2 catalyst delivers a methanol productivity of 3956 μmol gcat-1 h-1, corresponding to 177 mol molAu-1 h-1, with 98% selectivity at 180 °C, demonstrating superior catalytic performance to most reported systems under comparable conditions. Spectroscopic and structural analyses reveal that nitrogen incorporation modulates the electronic state of Au and, in combination with an appropriate Au particle size, establishes a favorable size-charge match for constructing highly efficient interfacial active sites. Isotope-labeling experiments, in situ DRIFTS, kinetic analysis, and density functional theory calculations show that the reaction proceeds through a CO-assisted, surface-mediated O2 activation pathway involving surface methoxy species as key intermediates.
Enzymatic electrochemistry harnesses the selectivity of enzymes to enable electrochemical applications spanning sensing, synthesis, and energy conversion. However, the sequential nature of electroanalytical experiments limits throughput, restricting the scale at which enzyme-electrode systems can be screened. Here we demonstrate the capabilities of an automated electrochemistry platform, eLab, to increase the throughput of enzymatic electrochemistry investigations. We used the eLab to collect over 10,000 cyclic voltammograms across a large parameter space consisting of two enzyme variants (promiscuous and wild-type glucose oxidase), 20 saccharide substrates, 21 concentrations, and four scan rates, with measurements being made all in triplicate. The expansive dataset enabled rapid identification of apparent outlier behavior of wild-type glucose oxidase toward glucose, which was confirmed to arise from oxygen sensitivity through targeted manual experiments. The promiscuous variant showed negligible oxygen sensitivity, a critical advantage for applications, such as enzymatic sensors, bioelectrosynthesis, and biofuel cells. Overall, this work demonstrates how automation can be applied to accelerate discovery in bioelectrochemistry.
AI and automation technologies are displacing millions of workers across industries in developed countries, while many developing nations continue to grapple with chronically high unemployment. Meanwhile, healthcare laboratories-particularly in resource-limited settings (including rural and community sites within high-income countries)-face acute shortages of trained staff and the high cost of molecular diagnostics. Here, we propose a "train-and-assist" class of devices that aims to both (i) upskill-rather than replace-workers and (ii) expand diagnostic capacity in a cost-effective way. We describe a device that trains and assists laboratory-inexperienced personnel to perform sample-pooling procedures, which enable high-performance molecular testing at lower costs and higher throughput. A 48-participant user study demonstrated that the device enabled both skill acquisition and high-accuracy pooling. A device-validation study using clinical stool specimens demonstrated that device-assisted pooling agreed 100% with individual assays for soil-transmitted helminths, which affect >1.5 billion people worldwide.
Despite advancements in sleep medicine, inadequate sleep habits among young children persist. Establishing appropriate sleep habits in early childhood is essential for supporting physical, emotional, and cognitive development. However, scalable and personalized behavioral interventions for caregivers in community settings remain scarce, particularly AI-enabled systems designed for real-world implementation. This study evaluated adherence, perceived usefulness, and feasibility of Nenne Navi-AI among 50 caregivers recruited in Hirosaki City, Japan, through community health checkups, childcare facilities, and public advertisements. The culturally tailored application integrates supervised machine-learning models with rule-based algorithms to provide personalized guidance and ongoing support for promoting healthier sleep habits. During the 6-month intervention, only 3 of 50 caregivers (6%) experienced continuous 3-month data-entry lapses, with no withdrawals. Significant pre-post improvements were observed in children's number of awakenings after sleep onset and subjective sleep quality ratings. Subgroup analyses suggested improvements among children with poorer baseline sleep habits (≥0.5 SD worse than the sample mean). Post-intervention assessments confirmed high caregiver acceptability, satisfaction, and reduced parenting stress. Nenne Navi-AI demonstrates high feasibility with excellent 6-month adherence and favorable usability feedback. The system shows promise for improving early childhood sleep (night-waking), enhances caregiving experiences, reduces negative parenting emotions, and provides a scalable framework for future AI-enabled pediatric sleep interventions.
Bat sarbecoviruses include several potentially human-infective viruses, and evaluating their evolvability is therefore important for assessing emergence risks. In particular, the interaction between the viral spike protein and the host ACE2 receptor is critical for cross-species transmissibility. Here, we focused on the spike protein from Rc-o319, a bat sarbecovirus related to SARS-CoV-2 but unable to infect humans. Using a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), we found that Rc-o319 spike protein ACE2 usage was restricted to its natural host, Rhinolophus cornutus, and to mouse ACE2 at low levels, but not to R. sinicus, ferret, cow, or human ACE2 homologues. Experimental evolution passages of the recombinant VSV expressing the Rc-o319 spike enabled us to study spike adaptation without requiring the authentic virus or posing a risk to humans. We found rapid spike optimization for viral entry through mouse ACE2, driven by a single substitution in the receptor-binding motif. In contrast, repeated passaging under strong selective pressure failed to yield variants capable of using human ACE2, indicating substantial evolutionary constraints. Together, our results demonstrate that the Rc-o319 spike can readily optimize interactions with already permissive ACE2 receptors but is limited in its capacity to acquire usage of a new ACE2 homologue, particularly human ACE2, suggesting a low zoonotic risk. However, some evolved spikes appeared to acquire a residual capacity for ACE2-independent viral entry, although this observation remains to be conclusively demonstrated and requires further investigation.
Understanding resilience in pre-adolescence is important for informing interventions to promote good mental health. Middle childhood is a critical developmental phase, characterised by significant emotional and behavioural development. However, there is limited research on children's perceptions and diverse experiences of resilience which could inform interventions. Qualitative methods can enable meaningful engagement of children and provide rich insights into perceptions of resilience. This study involved Muslim children in East London, a population disproportionately affected by deprivation and racial and cultural discrimination yet underrepresented in resilience research. This study aimed to explore (1) children's perceptions, meanings and experiences of resilience, and (2) the factors and resources that constrain and contribute to resilience in Black and South Asian Muslim children aged 7-12 living in East London. Data were collected through a one-day workshop at a community centre, during which one of the activities was body mapping with children (n = 12). Body mapping, a visual arts-based research method, was used to explore children's subjective and embodied experiences of resilience. Here, we report on the findings from body mapping with children. Themes were developed using systematic visuo-textual analysis and reflexive thematic analysis. Findings are grouped into (1) Conceptualising resilience and (2) Personal and social resources for resilience. Children viewed resilience as personal strength, and related it to nature, sports and physical health. External support from family, friends, teachers and role models was also highlighted as important for resilience. This study provides insights into how children conceptualise resilience and the resources they view as important for promoting it. The findings contribute to understanding resilience in middle childhood and highlight the value of resource-oriented approaches for resilience-supporting interventions. Body mapping emerged as an effective method for engaging children creatively and non-verbally on this topic.
The photonic quantum system, as a prominent candidate for quantum information processing, possesses inherent advantages of room-temperature operation, a long coherence time, and a large encoding capacity. However, a conventional photonic quantum gate is usually limited by its bulky volume, complicated protocols, and fixed functions. Here, we find that chiral liquid crystal (CLC) nanostructure can offer a feasible platform for a dynamic photonic quantum gate. Tuning a uniformly self-assembled nanostructure enables a full rotation of the Bloch sphere within the short wavelength circular regime of the CLC, facilitating efficient implementation of the identity gate, S gate, and Pauli-Z gate. Furthermore, such a CLC gate enables dynamic control over the transformation between polarization-entangled states. It is utilized to control hybrid entanglement between the polarization and orbital angular momentum, linking the Poincaré sphere to the higher-order Poincaré sphere. This work demonstrates the potential of soft-matter CLC nanostructure to serve as a versatile platform in the photonic quantum system.
Aftercare is essential in sustaining recovery following substance use treatment, supporting abstinence and reintegration within the family, workplace and community. However, there is a gap between aftercare policy directives and services in South Africa, limiting access for people with substance use disorders (SUDs). This study employed a qualitative method with an exploratory research design to explore the subjective experiences and perceptions of people with SUDs using semi-structured individual in-depth interviews (n = 8). Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-phase analytic process. Four themes emerged from the study including the organisation of aftercare services, the role of aftercare services in recovery, enablers and barriers to engagement with aftercare services. People with SUDs regard aftercare services as valuable in strengthening relapse prevention and reintegration to families, work and communities, despite barriers to participation. We recommend that the capacity for aftercare provision be expanded, including over weekends, and that occupational therapists adopt a more central role in the delivery of these services.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults. Its pathogenesis is increasingly understood as the progressive dysregulation of the mitochondrial quality control (MQC) network, which encompasses mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs), and intercellular mitochondrial transfer. Under sustained hyperglycemia, this network shifts from compensatory imbalance to irreversible collapse, driving mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory activation, and retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) injury, thus promoting progression from non-proliferative to proliferative DR. Because of their multitarget properties, natural products (NPs) can restore fusion-fission balance, modulate mitophagy in a stage-dependent manner, and promote mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby remodeling the MQC network. However, their clinical translation is constrained by low bioavailability, poor penetration of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), and potential dose-dependent toxicity. Mitochondria-targeted nano-delivery systems, including liposomes, exosomes, and mitochondrial-derived vesicles, may improve retinal accumulation and mitochondrial targeting. Future studies should refine stage-specific mechanistic understanding, strengthen safety evaluation and structural optimization, and integrate single-cell omics with artificial intelligence to accelerate translation and enable early MQC-targeted intervention, with the potential to delay or even reverse the progression of DR. Critically, MQC-directed NP therapy should not be interpreted as uniformly pro-mitophagy, anti-fission, or pro-biogenesis; the therapeutic benefit depends on disease stage, cell type, autophagic flux integrity, target engagement, and retinal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic exposure.
The growing involvement of private health insurers within universal health systems has intensified debate over their effects on access, equity, and long-term system sustainability. This paper examines the role of private insurers in the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa through a case study of the Discovery Group, operating across both settings. We explore how private sector engagement shapes health financing, workforce dynamics, service delivery, digital infrastructure, and governance. Our analysis reveals that the impact of private health insurance on universal health systems is fundamentally context-dependent, mediated by institutional frameworks, regulatory environments, and the stage of universal coverage development. We find that private insurers can contribute meaningfully to digital health innovation and behavioural health interventions. However, expansion also introduces significant risks concerning workforce distribution, financing sustainability, and equity of access. These dynamics manifest differently across contexts. In the UK's mature universal system, private insurance plays a supplementary role offering expedited access to care for members. In South Africa's transitional dual system, private insurers more fundamentally shape whether quality care is accessible at all. As health systems evolve, the central challenge lies in developing governance frameworks that enable beneficial private sector contributions while safeguarding equitable access and national health system priorities.
We present a phylogenomic framework to clarify the evolutionary origin of Guzmania within the broader Tillandsioideae. The genus represents ~15% of extant diversity in Tillandsioideae and includes the widespread G. monostachia, whose distribution spans northern South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and southern Florida. Populations of G. monostachia have been in decline recently due to habitat loss and fragmentation, with Florida populations-its northernmost limit of the species-particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Understanding the evolutionary history of these lineages is essential for assessing their genetic diversity and guiding conservation efforts. We assembled new plastid and nuclear genome references for G. monostachia to construct novel plastome and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data sets. We integrated these data sets with public sequence data to infer phylogenomic relationships and estimate divergence times across Tillandsioideae. We also performed per-site log-likelihood analyses to visualize phylogenetic signal across two discordant topologies for G. monostachia. We recovered a monophyletic Guzmania, but many relationships within Tillandsioideae remain unresolved. Notably, phylogenetic analyses revealed conflicting signals about the monophyly of G. monostachia, with some trees placing G. fuerstenbergiana and G. remyi nested within it. Our findings underscore the limitations of large-scale plastid data for clarifying Tillandsioideae phylogenies. Nonetheless, they suggest a possible hybrid origin for G. monostachia and a distinct evolutionary trajectory for Florida populations. Data and insights generated by our study provide a foundation to enable forthcoming genetic diversity studies and future conservation planning for this threatened lineage.
Spiritual care has been shown to be an important component of holistic patient care. However, students have reported it missing from current Australian medical school curricula. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a three-hour spiritual care workshop designed to enable final year medical students to take a spiritual history from their patients. We used a prospective pilot study design to evaluate a novel half-day workshop designed to equip final year medical students to assess the spiritual wellbeing of their patients. The impact of the spiritual care workshop was evaluated using video analysis of a formative objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of a spiritual consultation using a standardised patient prior to and after the teaching episode. Students self-assessed confidence scales pre- and post-workshop. Student characteristics that might facilitate learning in this domain were assessed. Thirty-two final year medical students from four universities participated at two training sites. Video analysis by four independent assessors showed satisfactory inter-rater reliability and demonstrated a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in the use of spirituality questions. The students' self-assessed confidence scales pre- and post-workshop demonstrated statistically significant increases in assessing all domains except empathic responsiveness; the greatest improvement was in the spiritual domain. Whilst this study was confined to medical students, we believe that the objective and subjective effectiveness demonstrated in this spiritual care workshop will be readily translatable into multidisciplinary holistic communication skills training.
Internalising and externalising behaviours-significant markers for lifetime psychiatric vulnerability-are elevated in children with neurodevelopmental diagnoses, including autism. Although neurodevelopmental features of autism are dimensions that span the population, limited research has examined their differential patterns of association with internalising and externalising behaviours in children without specific, categorically-defined diagnoses. Evidence of such associations outside of a traditional diagnostic context may enable more targeted support for children's individual needs, irrespective of diagnoses. The current study aimed to characterise the relationship between neurodevelopmental features found in autism-restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRB) and social communication difficulties-and internalising and externalising behaviours in children from mainstream school who experience emotional, behavioural, or cognitive challenges. We recruited 136 6-7-year-olds without known clinical conditions but with school-identified emotional, behavioural or cognitive difficulties. The Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire-2 assessed RRBs, the pragmatics scale from the Revised Children's Communication Checklist-2 assessed social communication, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire examined internalising and externalising behaviours. Simultaneous hierarchical linear regression analysis identified differential associations when adjusting for covariance between internalising and externalising. Social communication made a stronger contribution than RRBs to variance in externalising behaviours (Fchange(1, 131) = 11.84, p < 0.001). However, for internalising behaviours, RRBs made the strongest contribution (Fchange(2, 131) = 8.19, p < 0.001). The insistence on sameness subdomain of RRB predicted variance in internalising but not externalising behaviours independently of social communication while the repetitive sensory and motor behaviour subdomain predicted variance in externalising but not internalising behaviours, but only when social communication was not included. These findings will inform future research aimed at understanding the co-occurrence of traits across diagnostic boundaries. Evidence that RRBs and social communication are differentially associated with internalising and externalising behaviours may identify target areas for the support of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, a group whose co-occurring neurodevelopmental features are often under-recognised.
Heart failure (HF) remains a leading global cause of chronic disease-related disability and mortality, with rising incidence driven largely by population aging. Early diagnosis is challenging because initial symptoms are often subtle and non-specific, leading to delayed detection and poor prognosis. While conventional tools such as echocardiography and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing remain diagnostic gold standards, these approaches are limited by operator dependency, restricted accessibility, and dynamic monitoring. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing have enabled a new generation of non-invasive, intelligent technologies that integrate wearable sensors (e.g., ReDS™) with multimodal platforms (e.g., HeartLogic™, CardioSignal) to support real-time risk tracking and personalized management. Indeed, supported by favorable policy environments and strengthened collaboration among manufacturers, clinicians, and researchers across multiple fields and disciplines, the development of intelligent non-invasive HF detection devices has accelerated, leading to rapid innovation, commercialization, and continuous emergence of novel technologies and products. This review systematically summarizes HF pathophysiological mechanisms and current clinical monitoring strategies. Moreover, this review critically evaluates emerging devices and AI-driven platforms, highlighting the associated underlying principles, data integration capabilities, and clinical applicability. Finally, the analysis addresses key challenges, including the "black box" dilemma associated with AI, data bias, and privacy concerns, and proposes future directions for early screening, risk stratification, and precision intervention. By synthesizing technological comparisons and limitations, this review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for advancing intelligent HF diagnostics.
The morphology and size of metallic nanostructures play a decisive role in determining their surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. Herein, we report an ethanol-assisted electrochemical deposition strategy for the direct fabrication of uniform silver nanoflowers (AgNFs) on Si substrates. The ethanol-based electrolyte plays a key role in regulating nucleation and anisotropic growth, enabling the formation of densely distributed flower-like Ag nanostructures with sizes of 80-100 nm and abundant inter-petal nanogaps. Under optimized deposition conditions, the AgNFs/Si substrate exhibited strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity toward crystal violet, with an analytical enhancement factor of approximately 1010 and a detection limit of 10-12 M. The same substrate also enabled label-free detection of Staphylococcus aureus over a wide concentration range from 20 to 107 cfu mL-1, with an estimated limit of detection of 2.53 cfu mL-1. In addition, good signal uniformity and batch-to-batch reproducibility were achieved, with relative standard deviation values of approximately 9.64% and 11.05%, respectively. These results demonstrate that solvent-controlled electrodeposition provides a simple and effective route to high-performance Ag-based SERS substrates for practical biosensing applications.
Most preschool autistic children exhibit substantial language delays, yet only ∼25% remain minimally verbal (MV) throughout life. Developing expressive language is crucial for improving outcomes. This study examined early predictors of later expressive language growth in MV preschool autistic children. Data from 99 MV autistic children (mean age 27.7 months at diagnosis) who completed ADOS-2 assessments at diagnosis and 12-24 months later were analyzed. Children were stratified into three groups according to their language abilities at follow-up (MV, one-word, and phrases). Logistic regression was used to determine whether baseline ADOS-2 calibrated severity scores (CSS), non-verbal cognitive abilities, or Joint Attention (JA), derived from six ADOS-2 items, enabled prediction of expressive language abilities at follow-up. Children who successfully developed expressive language (one-word/phrases) had significantly lower baseline ADOS-2 social affect CSS and JA scores, but did not differ in their non-verbal cognitive abilities or ADOS-2 restricted and repetitive behaviors CSS. Gains in JA were significantly larger in children who developed expressive language. MV preschoolers with better social abilities at diagnosis, specifically JA, were more likely to develop expressive language within 1-2 years. Joint attention scores derived from the ADOS-2 offer an easily accessible and widely available measure with important prognostic value for MV children.
The left atrium (LA) plays a crucial role in maintaining left ventricular filling. Additionally, LA function serves as a key indicator for evaluating and grading the severity of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Increasing evidence demonstrates that LA function and volume are vital imaging indicators for various cardiovascular conditions. However, conventional volumetric parameters have limitations. They cannot adequately depict the phase-dependent characteristics and complex dynamics of LA activity. Recently, cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) has emerged as an effective tool for quantifying LA strain. This technique offers superior reproducibility, lacks acoustic window constraints, and provides enhanced spatial resolution. CMR-FT-derived LA strain enables the early detection of atrial mechanical injury. Furthermore, it precisely reflects atrial phasic functional changes. These capabilities offer novel insights into the diagnosis, management, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic efficacy assessment of cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes current research advances in LA strain assessment via CMR-FT and further provides perspectives on its clinical applications.
Climate hazards pose a threat to health and health services throughout Africa. They directly affect the primary care provider's clinic operations and patient morbidities like vector-borne and heat-related illnesses. Within a community-orientated primary care approach, primary care providers can assist communities to evaluate their vulnerabilities and capacities and identify the key risks. This article is based on a participatory action reflection (PAR) process (reflection, planning, action, observation of action) conducted by the author in Matsaudi Village, Botswana. A small village community on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Under reflection in the PAR cycle, several steps are described: (1) community and stakeholder engagement, (2) information gathering, (3) identification of vulnerabilities, capacities and risks through workshops on exposure to climate hazards, institutional assets, and the pathways from hazards to health and social effects. The process led to an action plan with both short- and long-term prioritised solutions. This stepwise template from Matsaudi Village enables primary health care providers to sustainably build climate-resilient communities.
Strong leaders are essential for driving progress in pharmacy practice, yet some professionals believe that pharmacy leadership in Canada is facing a crisis. While leadership training is important for developing the next generation of leaders, there is limited understanding of the skills most valued by current health care-systems pharmacy leaders, as well as uncertainty about the effectiveness of existing training pathways. To identify the leadership skills most valued by Canadian health care-systems pharmacy leaders and to explore perceptions of existing leadership training. As part of a mixed-methods study, virtual focus groups, based on a semistructured interview guide, were conducted with health care-systems pharmacy leaders from across Canada. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three focus groups (involving a total of 17 participants) were held in July 2024. The leadership skills most valued by participants were strong interpersonal skills, systems thinking, relationship-building, ability to prioritize, ability to delegate, self-awareness, and ability to coach others. Most participants had learned leadership skills on the job or through workplace-based training programs; however, these methods were considered inadequate to meet development needs. Enablers for improving leadership development included pharmacy-focused leadership training programs, mentorship, peer-support networks, guidance from professional organizations on training resources, encouragement of leadership potential in others, and provision to staff members of projects that challenge them beyond their current level of knowledge or skill. Improving health care-systems pharmacists' preparedness for leadership appears to require a comprehensive strategy. Suggested key approaches include increasing access to formal pharmacy-specific leadership training programs, providing mentorship, offering "stretch" opportunities, and strengthening support from professional organizations to guide development of the next generation of pharmacy leaders. Des leaders robustes sont essentiels pour faire avancer la pratique en pharmacie; pourtant, certains professionnels estiment que le leadership en pharmacie au Canada traverse une crise. Malgré l’importance de la formation en leadership pour préparer la prochaine génération de chefs de file, les compétences les plus valorisées par les leaders actuels en pharmacie des systèmes de santé sont mal comprises, tout comme l’efficacité des parcours de formation existants. Identifier les compétences en matière de leadership les plus valorisées par les leaders canadiens du secteur des pharmacies des systèmes de santé et explorer les points de vue à l’égard des formations en leadership existantes. Dans le cadre d’une étude à méthodes mixtes, des groupes de discussion virtuels, fondés sur un guide d’entrevue semi-structurée, ont été réalisés auprès de chefs de file en pharmacie des systèmes de santé de partout au Canada. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide d’une analyse thématique réflexive. Trois groupes de discussion (réunissant un total de 17 participants) se sont tenus en juillet 2024. Les compétences en matière de leadership les plus valorisées par les participants étaient les suivantes : de solides compétences interpersonnelles; une capacité de réflexion à l’échelle du système; la capacité à établir des relations, des priorités et à déléguer; la conscience de soi et la capacité à encadrer les autres. La plupart des participants avaient acquis leurs compétences en leadership « sur le tas » ou grâce à des programmes de formation offerts en milieu de travail; toutefois, ces méthodes étaient jugées insuffisantes pour répondre aux besoins de perfectionnement. Parmi les facteurs favorables à l’amélioration du développement du leadership figuraient des programmes de formation axés sur la pharmacie, le mentorat, les réseaux de soutien entre pairs, les orientations fournies par les organismes professionnels sur les ressources de formation, l’encouragement du potentiel de leadership chez autrui ainsi que l’offre de projets aux membres du personnel les poussant à dépasser leur niveau de connaissances ou de compétences actuelles. Une meilleure préparation des pharmaciens des systèmes de santé à exercer des fonctions de leadership semble nécessiter une stratégie globale. Les principales approches proposées comprennent un plus grand accès à des programmes formels de formation en leadership propres à la pharmacie, l’offre de mentorat, la création d’occasions de dépassement professionnel et le renforcement du soutien des organisations professionnelles afin d’orienter le développement de la prochaine génération de leaders en pharmacie.