Features

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University & Global Chinese Breast Cancer Organizations Alliance Jointly Launch the FIRST Electronic Painting for Breast Cancer (EPBC) Platform to Foster Emotional Well-Being Through Art and Technology

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Hong Kong. In addition to improving treatment options for better disease management and survival rates, the medical community is increasingly prioritizing the enhancement of patients' emotional well-being.   The School of Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Global Chinese Breast Cancer Organizations Alliance (GCBCOA) jointly launched the Electronic Painting for Breast Cancer (EPBC) platform which seamlessly combines technology and art.  With support from biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, PolyU and GCBCOA are conducting the first citywide study focused on breast cancer patients.  Preliminary findings suggest that the EPBC has a significant positive effect on patients' emotional health, effectively reducing feelings of anxiety and distress.   In 2021, Hong Kong reported 5,565 new cases of female breast cancer. Thanks to advancements in medical treatment, the five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer patients has now surpassed 90%. However, research reveals that over 30% of breast cancer patients begin to experience emotional turmoil following their diagnosis, a condition that can persist throughout their treatment journey.   Furthermore, breast cancer treatments—including surgery, radiation therapy, and medication—can result in side effects such as fatigue, pain, negative self-image, and sexual dysfunction, all of which contribute to increased mental stress. The lingering effects of treatment, along with ongoing concerns about recurrence, also impact patients' emotional well-being. Additionally, different types of breast cancer present unique challenges; for instance, hormone receptor-positive patients may face the risk of recurrence after extended periods of being disease-free, while HER2-positive breast cancer tends to grow and spread more rapidly. Meanwhile, patients with triple-negative breast cancer often have limited treatment options, all of which can create considerable psychological burdens.   Research from previous large-scale studies has revealed that breast cancer patients experiencing depressive symptoms have a mortality risk of approximately 30% higher than their counterparts without such symptoms, underscoring the vital link between psychological and physical health. Dr Wong Lai-shan, Specialist in Clinical Oncology, emphasized, "If these distressing emotions are not adequately addressed, they can significantly affect the patient's mental well-being and physical health, daily functioning, and social interactions.   The emotional well-being of breast cancer patients has increasingly come into focus, prompting many organisations to provide a diverse array of comprehensive support services. Among them is the Global Chinese Breast Cancer Organizations Alliance (GCBCOA). Led by the chairman, Mrs Mary Wong-Hemrajani, a breast cancer survivor, GCBCOA offers profound insights into the physical and emotional challenges patients encounter during their cancer journeys. In addition to delivering valuable educational resources, GCBCOA offers numerous programs and activities tailored to meet the emotional needs of breast cancer patients, ensuring they receive the necessary support without falling into despair.   In June 2024, in collaboration with the School of Nursing at PolyU, GCBCOA launched the EPBC platform to support members experiencing mental distress. This innovative platform enables breast cancer patients to create art using computers or smart devices while conducting emotional assessments to better understand their emotional health. Furthermore, it includes social features that promote connection and communication among users, fostering a supportive and enriching community.   The joint study included 52 breast cancer patients who exhibited signs of anxiety or depression during initial evaluations. Participants were randomly assigned to either an Intervention Group or a Control Group, both of which utilized the EPBC platform for eight consecutive weeks. Emotional assessment scales were administered both before the study began and after its completion, enabling researchers to evaluate the emotional impact of the EPBC platform on the participants.   Study findings highlight the benefits of the EPBC platform as follows: Improved Emotional Health for Breast Cancer Patients, Particularly in Addressing Depressive Symptoms: The use of the EPBC platform significantly enhanced participants' emotional well-being, especially in alleviating symptoms of depression. Changes in self-rated emotional assessment scores indicated an overall improvement in emotional health, with negative emotion scores decreasing by approximately 20% and the depression index dropping by nearly 30%. Enhanced Self-Rated Health Assessment: Participants reported significant improvements in their self-assessment of health, reflecting an enhanced quality of life that is likely associated with better personal health conditions.   Numerous studies have demonstrated that art therapy, as a non-pharmacological treatment, effectively alleviates emotional distress. For example, painting has a positive impact on the quality of life, coping skills, and mental health of cancer patients. Throughout the art therapy process, patients can recognize and accept their emotions, and this emotional processing may help reduce both depressive symptoms and physical discomfort.   Prof. Leung Yee-man, Associate Head (Research) of the School of Nursing at PolyU, observed that previous research has largely focused on traditional art therapies, with relatively few studies exploring the impact of electronic technology in this field. However, the findings of this study demonstrate that using computers or smart devices for artistic expression can significantly reduce depression among breast cancer patients.  Prof. Leung stated, "In Hong Kong, the prevalence of smart communication devices is exceptionally high, with nearly everyone owning a smartphone. This research shows that artistic expression is no longer constrained by tools, time, or location. Smart devices empower patients to engage in creative activities anytime and anywhere, making it easier to alleviate mental stress."   She added, "We are thrilled to see that the EPBC platform is effectively helping breast cancer patients manage emotional distress and achieve positive outcomes. Moving forward, we aim to expand this initiative into hospitals and community settings to support even more needy individuals."   Mrs Mary Wong-Hemrajani concluded by urging breast cancer patients to prioritize their emotional well-being. She emphasized the wealth of resources available in society to support them, along with the many fellow survivors who are eager to share their experiences and provide companionship. She encourages patients to face their cancer journey with courage and resilience, reminding them not to retreat into isolation or despair.

PolyU promotes new mental wellness initiative on campus, strengthening student resilience with gamified training programme

Young people are experiencing more stress and struggles with their mental health than ever before. The School of Nursing and the Mental Health Research Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have jointly developed the Resilient Students Training Hub (ReST Hub), a research-driven service and education initiative, with the vision to transform university campuses into mental health and resilience-promotive ecosystems. ReST Hub hosted its first campus-wide promotion event between 26 August and 3 September, which attracted around 3,000 students. Findings from previous PolyU research showed that nearly three-in-four university students in Hong Kong had experienced at least one serious and potentially traumatic adversity in their childhood, which negatively impacts their sense of self and ability to manage emotions and form healthy relationships. Although the numbers are concerning, researchers have found an antidote – resilience. Made possible by generous funding from “Seal of Love Charitable Foundation Health and Service Impact Fund” supported by the Seal of Love Charitable Foundation, ReST Hub adopts a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and preventative approach to promoting youth mental health. It achieves this by empowering the PolyU community with a shared language to talk about mental health and equipping students with essential skills to strengthen their resilience in a safe, engaging, and accessible environment. Joined by Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement), and Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Mr Lawrence CHAN, Chairman of Seal of Love Charitable Foundation Limited, and Ms Dee Dee CHAN, Director of Seal of Love Charitable Foundation Limited, visited the event to show their support. Ms Chan said, “The mental crisis we are facing now with our young people is unprecedented. British author Warsan Shire once said of refugees, ‘You have to understand that no one leaves home unless the water is safer than the land.’ May we, as a community, create a place together for our students where the land feels safer than the water.” During the event, students were recruited to experience some of ReST Hub’s activities, including “Mission ReST,” a gamified resilience-building programme co-created with over 200 PolyU students. Through self-discovery, game-based challenges, and collaborating and connecting socially with peers, the programme aims to equip students with the tools and essential skills to bounce back from challenges, take care of their mental wellbeing, and face the future with a meaningful outlook. Students were also introduced to “How are you, PolyU?”, an online self-assessment screening platform designed to help users gain a better understanding of themselves and their overall wellbeing in terms of emotions, behaviours and relationships via evidence-based tools, and to provide them with immediate feedback and resources for further support if indicated. Both activities aimed to raise awareness about mental health, encourage support-seeking, and ultimately create a more compassionate and resilient community. The first year at university is a vital transition period between secondary and tertiary education, and can be challenging and stressful for many students. Dr Grace W.K. HO, Principal Investigator of ReST Hub and Associate Professor of PolyU School of Nursing said, “It is important to engage students in the mental health conversation at the beginning of their university journey, and provide them with ample opportunities to strengthen their resilience along the way. Our week-long promotion event targets incoming freshmen and conveys a simple yet reassuring message: Your mental health matters and you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.” For more information about ReST Hub and its activities, please visit the ReST Hub website and follow ReST Hub on social media.

Interplay of Patient, Parents and Healthcare Providers in Paediatric Palliative Care

Advances in medicine have extended the lifespans of children and adolescents diagnosed with life-limiting conditions. An increase in years living with the illness and prolonged duration of care have resulted in a higher demand for healthcare resources and caregiver burden. Studies have shown that these children and their families faced significant stress and challenges. The physical and psychological health of those parents delivering caregiving can be adversely affected, which place a heavy strain on the normal family function. Healthcare professionals, particularly pediatric nurses, play a critical role in providing psychological support to those children and their families and facilitating communication for achieving holistic care.  The Strategic Service Framework for Paediatric Palliative Care (the Framework) was developed by the Hospital Authority in 2017 to guide the development of adult and paediatric palliative care (PPC) services in Hong Kong, with an aim to provide systematic and comprehensive treatment services for patients with life-limiting conditions from hospital to community.  In line with the strategic directions of the Framework, the School of Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), conducted a pioneering qualitative study to identify the perceived care needs of children with life-limiting conditions, their parents and healthcare providers, and compare the perspectives of the children-parents-healthcare providers.  Led by Prof. Frances WONG , Chair Professor of Advanced Nursing Practice, School of Nursing, and Associate Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU; and Ms Jacqueline HO , Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Nursing of PolyU, the research team conducted interviews at the Paediatric Departments* under the Hospital Authority, between 2019 and 2021. 25 sets of participants were interviewed. Each set consists of a child /adolescent aged 8-19, with life-limiting condition, his/her parents and healthcare providers. The team also interviewed 65 individuals.  The qualitative case study method was used, resulting in a total of 3,784 units of analysis. Among them, 51.8% were from the parents, 23.5% from the children, and 24.7% from the healthcare professionals. The research team identified three main themes:  (1) “Information and Understanding about the Disease” (contributed to 27.4% of the total units of analysis)-There is a need for disease information, which includes the source of information, the process of communication between the children-parents-healthcare providers, and information for understanding the diagnosis and treatment process. The children and parents expressed that the doctors were their primary source of information, however, they obtained dispersed medical information from different specialists. This made them difficult to  understand their disease and treatment.  (2) “Living with the Disease” (contributed to 55.8% of the total units of analysis) -The sick children and their parents had to deal with various challenges posed by the disease, which involved physical and non-physical aspects of their daily living. For example, the parents had to learn some specialised nursing skills for caring of their children at home. The children-parents-healthcare providers have different perspectives towards life and this may affect how they live with the disease.  (3) “Care Support and Palliative Care” (contributed to 16.8% of the total units of analysis)- The interviewees spoke about care support and their understanding on palliative care. They expressed the need for better care coordination and interprofessional collaboration for care delivery, especially in transitioning from paediatric to adult services. Nurses play a major role in coordinating palliative care services and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. This study has revealed the multifaceted needs from the children with life-limiting conditions and their parents, which include medical care and daily life support. It highlights the importance of increased participation of parent caregivers in PPC and  early introduction of PPC. The research team emphasised the crucial roles of specialised pediatric nurses in improving the quality of life for patients and their families, and PPC service in reducing healthcare costs and alleviating social burden. Prof. Frances Wong, Principal Researcher, said, “Paediatric palliative care should include support to those parents giving day-to-day care to their children with life-limiting disease. Parents, sick children, healthcare professionals are all key members of paediatric palliative care.” Dr. CHAN Cheong Wai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Society of Children's Palliative Care, recommended, “Empowering the children and their parents with love, comfort, and dignity, while supporting them throughout the journeys with/by paediatric palliative care.” Dr. LEE Po Yee, a paediatrician, said, “Pediatric palliative care is not simply about patients’ survival, it is about the quality of life of the patients, their carers and families.” Ms YUM Wai Lin, a paediatric nurse, said, “In pediatric palliative care delivery, we all need take a step forward and this will make a great change.” * including Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, and United Christian Hospital (listed in no particular order).    

INSPPIRE 2024 concluded with great success

The International Nursing Scholarship for Pre-PhD in Research Excellence (INSPPIRE) 2024 programme held by School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (‘PolyU’) has concluded with great success. This year, thirteen pre-PhD candidates from Mainland China, Vietnam, India, the Philippines and Ethiopia, joined the programme, held from 15 to 19 July 2024, to enhance their research skills and explore their professional and personal development opportunities in Hong Kong.  Designed to prepare high calibre students to study a PhD programme at the School, the five-day INSPPIRE programme brought together pre-PhD candidates from around the world to engage with our faculty to learn about our PhD programme and research areas of excellence, as well as find out more about the research funding schemes in Hong Kong. The participants had opportunities to meet our world’s top 2% most-cited scientists to learn how to carry out high-impact research studies and interact with our current PhD students to learn about their experiences and the benefits of pursuing a PhD at PolyU School of Nursing. The programme also provided a valuable networking platform for cross-institutional collaboration. One of the highlights of the programme was for the candidates to present their research questions and ideas. The presentations were followed by feedback from a panel of experts to give the candidates a better idea of the research they would like to pursue. This provided the candidates a stimulating learning experience of lasting value for future research studies and professional careers. Since its launch in 2013, a total of 125 candidates have participated in the INSPPIRE programme. Among them 18 has completed their PhD programme.  Here are comments about INSPPIRE from the participants:  ‘Thanks for enrolling me to this unique programme! Hopefully, I will succeed in joining the School of Nursing as a PhD fellow.’ ‘Thank you so much for allowing us to participate in this meaningful programme. It has inspired me a lot and I hope to pursue my PhD at PolyU in the near future.’ ‘Many thanks for give me this opportunity.  The memory is lovely and wonderful’  

Dr Eva HO has been appointed as the Kuok Group Young Scholar in Child and Adolescent Health

It is our pleasure to announce that Dr Eva HO, Associate Professor of the PolyU School of Nursing, has been appointed as the Kuok Group Young Scholar in Child and Adolescent Health under the PolyU Endowed Young Scholar Scheme. Dr HO is the co-leader of one of the School’s Area of Excellence, Palliative Care in Cancer Trajectory and Survivorship, and she has a keen research interest in child and adolescent health, pediatric oncology, symptom management, and addictive behaviours (smoking cessation and drug abuse).  Specifically, she had conducted research on virtual reality hypnosis in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among children with cancer, and also examined the use of a positive psychology intervention to promote the psychological well-being of children living in poverty. Her on-going project is a study of digital storytelling in reducing depressive symptoms, enhancing self-esteem, and promoting quality of life among Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors. The PolyU Endowed Young Scholar Scheme aims to support and nurture promising early-career academics. By partnering with the donors and benefactors, the Scheme offers the outstanding young scholars an annual funding to support their research and scholarly activities in their respective discipline or field of study.  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Eva HO and look forward to her continuous research and contribution in the field of child and adolescent health.   

SN released joint research result about cleaning workers with the Caritas Labour-Friendly Communities Project

PolyU's School of Nursing and the Caritas Labour-Friendly Communities Project held a press conference for the joint research, led by Dr Kin CHEUNG (Associate Professor), on the relationship between the health, injuries, work patterns and occupational health risks of cleaning workers.   Click here for the full article in Chinese.

Ceremony recognises excellence in clinical preceptorship

To express appreciation to the great efforts our clinical partners had made to support our students in transiting from junior to experienced student nurses and newly registered nurses, the Clinical Partners Appreciation Ceremony that had been suspended due to COVID-19, was resumed on 3 May 2024. Over 56 clinical partners, representing 27 hospitals and 3 community organisations attended this long-awaited event.   As noted by Prof. Janelle Yorke, Angel S.P. Chan Lau Professor in Health and Longevity, Chair Professor of Nursing & Head of the School; Hong Kong SAR, Global STEM Professor, at the opening of the ceremony ‘The uncertainties posed by the pandemic disease had given us unprecedented challenges in clinical education; however, it has drawn us closer to fulfilling our shared mission of nurturing generations of outstanding nurses.’ The ceremony featured a seminar in which Prof. Yorke, overviewed how the School had tried to bridge the gap between simulated learning and real clinical practice by utilising immersive virtual reality technology and promoting inter-professional communication and collaborative practice.   The student representatives expressed gratitude to their clinical supervisors who had provided them with challenging, inspirational, and rewarding learning experiences. One student representative said in her vote of thanks that ‘My supervisor had acknowledged my worry during the clinical practice and she rehearsed the nursing procedure with me. I would never forget her words of encouragement’. Prof. E Angela Chan, Associate Head (Undergraduate Education), echoed the student’s appreciation and thanked our clinical partners for their dedication to supporting our students and making them feel valued. Following the presentation of certificates of appreciation to our clinical partners. Our staff members exchanged views with the clinical partners on ways to enrich our clinical placement training and enhance our partnerships. As of 23 October 2023, 49 clinical partners, including hospitals under the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, the Department of Health, and community organisations, is collaborating with us in providing diverse practice environments for our students to achieve the required learning outcomes. Over 400 Honorary Clinical Instructors are appropriately prepared to mentor about 1,600 PolyU nursing students every year. 

PolyU’s School of Nursing ranks 31st in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (Nursing)

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, PolyU’s School of Nursing leapt forward to 31st, 2nd in Hong Kong and we are one of only 5 Asian nursing schools in the top 50.  Prof. Janelle YORKE, Chair Professor of Nursing & Head of the School of Nursing of PolyU said, “I am delighted to see these results. This represents the dedication and commitment to achieve excellence in our teaching, learning and research in nursing. Well done to all of the team at PolyU School of Nursing.”  The QS World University Rankings by Subject highlight the world's top universities in individual subject areas, covering 55 subjects as of 2024. It aims to help prospective students identify the world’s leading schools in their chosen field. The rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. The table below shows our scores in detail:   School of Nursing, PolyU Ranking in 2024 31st Overall score 84.6 Academic reputation 81.1 Employer reputation 76.4 Citations per paper 91.9 H-index citations 83.4 Data retrieved from https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/nursing    

SN scholars received awards from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)

Dr Justina LIU, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, will be inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, and Dr Arkers WONG, Assistant Professor of School of Nursing, will be awarded the Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar at the 35th International Nursing Research Congress by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma). Dr LIU is a trailblazing researcher and innovative nurse educator, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of older adults. Her research program focuses on using cutting-edge gerontechnology to manage health issues such as fatigue, sarcopenia, low physical activity levels, falls, and low social participation among older adults with frailty. Her work has been highly influential and well evaluated by the international nursing community. She has been successful in commercializing her work and seen her honoured by regional and international awards. Dr WONG has been recognised for his extensive experience in nursing education and research, and has received numerous awards. His research interests include telehealth, mobile health (mHealth), primary health care, self-care, and health promotion and prevention. Congratulations to Dr LIU and Dr WONG. They will continue their missions to transform the future of healthcare for the benefit of the humankind. About the awards Established in 2010, the Hall of Fame recognises nurse leaders who have achieved significant and sustained international acclaim for improving the nursing profession and the people it serves.  Since 2015, the Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award has recognised early career nurse researchers and scholars from each of Sigma’s seven global regions whose research or scholarship has influenced the nursing profession and the people it serves.   

Closing ceremony for PolyU School of Nursing’s Standalone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement Programme

The closing ceremony of the funded Standalone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement Programme was held today, which marked the successful adoption of School of Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) gerontechnological innovation in the community for caring older adults with cognitive impairment. The ceremony was attended by Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU together with Ms Jean HO (Chairperson), Ms Rose HO; and Dr Liliane CHAN, the representatives of the funding organisation of the programme, the Ho Cheung Suk Yuen Charitable Foundation. The Foundation had generously donated a sum of HK$ 500,000 for the development of the programme, in addition to the over HK$ 4,460,000 funding support from the Innovation and Technology Commission through the Innovative and Technology Fund for Better Living. 30 representatives (including those staff members who had participated in the programme) from 22 elderly centres and care services for older adults joined the School of Nursing of PolyU in celebration of the outstanding achievement of the programme. The Standalone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement Programme is significant in transforming the way psychosocial interventions are delivered in elderly care settings. Integrated with augmented reality technology, motion-sensing music instruments, and an intelligent cloud-based platform that enables storage and analysis of data for monitoring of the players’ cognitive and physical condition, the Music-with-Movement intervention, is a fun-filled tablet-based activity that offers cognitive stimulation and social interaction opportunities to older adults with cognitive impairment. Our preliminary research evidence has showed that the programme is effective in promoting memory functions and their perceived social support of older adults with cognitive impairment. Those with mild cognitive impairment, in addition, presented with enhanced general well-being. Those centre staff members and caregivers who had received our training to deliver the intervention were found improved in knowledge and attitudes towards dementia. The programme was implemented in 56 local elderly service centres in the past two years. It served more than 1,000 older adults with cognitive impairment, trained 140 centre staff members and caregivers to deliver the intervention. In addition, 150 nursing students from the School of Nursing of PolyU involved in the programme gained hands-on experiences in the community settings. The creativity and uniqueness of the programme have been recognised by the Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards in 2022, the Claudia J. Beverly Innovation Award from the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence in 2023, and the Innovation Awards at the Consumer Electronics Show held at the United States this year. Prof. Janelle YORKE, Chair Professor of Nursing & Head of the School of Nursing of PolyU, expressed gratitude to the funding organisations and collaborative partners and organisations at the ceremony. “We have laid a solid foundation for the Music-with-Movement programme through concerted effort and I look forward to more collaborations with local organisations and partners in the future for developing new innovations to enhance wellness of ageing populations and their caregivers.” She concluded in her welcoming speech at the ceremony. Dr Daphne CHEUNG, Principal Investigator of the programme and Associate Professor of the School of Nursing of PolyU said, “The effectiveness of the programme is encouraging, and the project has profound implication for improvement in quality of care in local elderly care services through integrating gerontechnology.”