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This paper reports on a funded project that explored the perceptions and experiences of mentors regarding student nurse support in practice. The study employed a mixed-method approach, using questionnaires and focus groups with mentors from one acute Trust and one community Trust. The findings highlighted the multifaceted nature of student learning in practice, with mentors reporting that clinical skills, adjustment to the placement and integrating into the team were the aspects students needed most support with. Mentors were aware of their roles and responsibilities in supporting students and recognized the importance of their own personal attributes. The participants reported a number of challenges, particularly time, competing demands and paperwork, and suggested that a team approach and support groups could help to overcome these. The support for students provided by peers and health-care assistants was recognized, as was the need to ensure that students are prepared to take responsibility for their learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Hypertension is a common condition contributing to many diseases. Factors influencing blood pressure (BP) classification for adults have changed over time. This study aimed to identify factors influencing BP classification according to gender. Methods: Data from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014) were used in this descriptive, cross‐sectional study. Participants were 1555 adults (589 men, 966 women). Measures included demographic, health‐related, and lifestyle factors. Results: Compared with the male normal BP group, in the male prehypertension group, body mass index, problem drinking, and reduced sleep duration were higher; and in the male hypertension group, age, poor subjective health status, body mass index, diabetes, problem drinking, smoking, and sodium intake were higher. Compared with the female normal BP group, age, and body mass index were higher in the female prehypertension group; and age, poor subjective health status, body mass index, menopause, and diabetes were higher in the female hypertension group. Conclusion: Hypertension and prehypertension prevention interventions for adults should be distinguished according to gender. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension has increased worldwide.Prevention and management strategies for hypertension and prehypertension are provided to clients without regard to gender. What this paper adds? Many lifestyle factors that affect hypertension and prehypertension showed differences according to gender.Drinking, sodium intake, and sleep duration were significant factors along with body mass index and diabetes in male clients.Rather than lifestyle factors, menopause, body mass index, and diabetes were significant factors in female clients. The implications of this paper: In the prevention and management of hypertension, lifestyle factors should be highlighted differently according to gender.Management of male clients should focus on reducing problem drinking, limiting sodium intake, and having enough sleep, together with weight control and diabetes prevention.Weight control, menopause, and diabetes management should be emphasized for female clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanrıverdi D, Ekinci M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2012; 18: 281-288 The effect psychoeducation intervention has on the caregiving burden of caregivers for schizophrenic patients in Turkey This study was conducted to determine the effects psychoeducation given to caregivers of schizophrenic patients has on the level of care burdens. The model used was one group pre-test post-test pre-experimental model. It was conducted on 31 caregivers in psychiatry clinics between October 2007 and June 2008. Data were collected using the 'Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale' and the questionnaire form that determined the introductory features of caregivers. The study group participated in eight psychoeducation sessions. The average pre-test score of care burden for caregivers was 57.2 ± 9.9, and the average post-test score was 34.3 ± 9.9. The distinction between the average pre-test and post-test score of care burden for caregivers was significant ( P = 0.001). Psychoeducation, given for caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, had a significant effect in decreasing individuals' caregiving burdens. Psychoeducation programmes directed at families should be considered as a therapeutic strategy for patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Personal digital assistants, technology with various functions, have been applied in international clinical practice. Great benefits in reducing medical errors and enhancing the efficiency of clinical work have been achieved, but little research has investigated nurses' satisfaction with the use of personal digital assistants. Aim: To investigate nurses' satisfaction with use of personal digital assistants, and to explore the predictors of this. Design: This is a cross‐sectional descriptive study. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional survey targeting nurses who used personal digital assistants in a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Beijing. Results: A total of 383 nurses were recruited in this survey in 2015. The total score of nurses' satisfaction with use of personal digital assistants was 238.91 (SD 39.25). Nurses were less satisfied with the function of documentation, compared with the function of administering medical orders. The time length of using personal digital assistants, academic degree, and different departments predicted nurses' satisfaction towards personal digital assistant use (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Nurses were satisfied with the accuracy of administering medical orders and the safety of recording data. The stability of the wireless network and efficiency related to nursing work were less promising. To some extent, nurses with higher education and longer working time with personal digital assistants were more satisfied with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to determine the experiences and views of married women about the topic of domestic violence. Methods This research was planned as a mixed methods study with an in-depth interview and descriptive approach. The study was conducted between November 2011 and December 2012 with 24 married women living in Ankara, Turkey. Two main data-collection tools were used in the study: the 'Personal Information Form' and the 'In-depth Interview Questionnaire.' Data of this study were evaluated by content analysis. Results A majority of the participants (83.3%) stated that they had been exposed to domestic violence that had been committed primarily by their husbands. The actual reasons for the violence were reported to be such factors as 'financial problems and lack of education and love and respect between the couples.' It was determined that as the victims became more desperate, they turned to reading of the Koran, prayer, and smoking. Conclusion Domestic violence adversely affects the physical and mental health of individuals, families, and the entire community. Therefore, it will take a community effort to address the causes of domestic violence and to create viable solutions that will improve the health of everyone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low delivery care utilization continues to be a public health problem that significantly contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. The aim of the study is to determine the extent of urban-rural disparity of delivery care utilization and its determinants. A community-based cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with qualitative data was conducted from February 15 to March 10, 2014. Data were collected from eligible woman using interviewer-guided semistructured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 5% was used to identify potential determinant variables. From 567 women, institutional delivery care was attended by 45.9% (260) respondents of whom 69.3% were urban and 21.3% were rural. Mass media and antenatal care attendance were the major determinants in urban respondents, whereas children ever born, partners' occupation, women's autonomy, and pregnancy-related health problems were statistically significant associations in rural women. The need for maternal health care is not met to the required level. There is a significant disparity in delivery care attendance among urban and rural women of the study area. Women's empowerment and awareness creation should be extensively worked on through mass media and posters or health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of electronic health records (EHRs) has shown promise in improving health-care quality. In the United Arab Emirates, EHRs have been recently adopted to improve the quality and safety of patient care. A cross-sectional survey of 680 health-care providers (HCPs) was conducted to assess the satisfaction of HCPs in the United Arab Emirates with EHRs' impact on access/viewing, documentation and medication administration and to explore the barriers encountered in their use. Data were collected over 6 months from April to September 2014. High overall satisfaction with EHRs was reported by HCPs, suggesting their acceptance. Physicians reported the greatest overall satisfaction with EHRs, although nurses showed significantly higher satisfaction with the impact on medication administration compared with other HCPs. The most significant barriers reported by nurses were lack of belief in the value of EHRs for patients and lack of adequate computer skills. Given the large investment in technology, additional research is necessary to promote the full utilization of EHRs. Nurses need to be aware of the value of EHRs for patient care and be involved in all stages of EHR implementations to maximize its meaningful use for better clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe the postpartum experiences of older Japanese primiparas during the first month after childbirth. The participants were 21 primiparous women over 35 years of age who gave birth to a healthy child at three urban hospitals. Data were collected from July 2011 to April 2012 through a semi-structured interview about postpartum experiences after discharge. Data were analysed using content analysis. We obtained Institutional Review Boards' approval and written informed consent from all participants prior to study initiation. Thirteen themes of postpartum experiences were extracted. The findings revealed that the mothers' experiences varied greatly and were highly personal. Also, participants described common experiences, unique child-care support needs and the strengths of older primiparas. Understanding the postpartum experiences of older primiparas assists health-care professionals to identify better ways to provide appropriate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Liver Disease Symptom Index ( LDSI) 2.0 is a simple, short and specific liver disease questionnaire in English, but an Arabic version does not exist, therefore we translated the LDSI-2.0 into Arabic and tested its psychometric properties in a pilot cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of 38 patients with liver cirrhosis from one hospital in Cairo, Egypt, were interviewed for approximately 45 min. Patients completed a background data sheet, the translated LDSI-2.0 and the Short Form ( SF)-36v2. Construct convergent validity was examined by correlating LDSI-2.0 items with the SF-36v2 eight domains. Reliability was estimated using measures of internal consistency, test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability. Median completion time was 10 min. The correlation between the translated LDSI-2.0 items and the SF-36 domains confirmed that there was moderate to high overlapping between the two measures, suggesting convergent validity of the LDSI-2.0. The LDSI-2.0 showed good to very good retest reliability (kappa value 0.62-0.94). Chronbach's alpha coefficient for the multi-item scales ranged from 0.73 to 0.96. The Arabic LDSI-2.0 therefore has satisfactory validity, retest reliability and internal consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]