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Patient participation in healthcare activities is key to producing successful patient‐centered care. However, little is known about both nurses' and patients' perspectives regarding patient participation in East Asia. This paper compared and contrasted perspectives of patient participation in healthcare activities between nurses and patients, using a qualitative study with a purposive sample of 39 nurses and 15 patients. A semi‐structured interview was applied to focus groups for nurses, and to face‐to‐face interviews for patients. Content analysis was utilized to analyze the data, and common themes and subthemes were identified showing three similarities (authoritative culture, participation behaviors, and obstacles to participation), and two differences (sources of acquiring patient‐related health information, and responsible party). Nurses and patients did not entirely view participation in healthcare activities congruently. Relevant clinical practices are also suggested, including respecting patients' autonomy, nurses' using layman's language for explanations, patients' understanding the meaning behind their participation behaviors, recognizing obstacles faced in enhancing patient participation with adjusted nursing workload, actively providing needed health information, and leading patients to realize that they will be responsible for their health behaviors after discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Turkey receives the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world. Some of these refugee women become mothers in Turkey. This paper reports on a qualitative, descriptive study that investigated the experience of seven Syrian women migrants who gave birth in Turkey, and explores their experiences of transition to motherhood in a foreign country. The research identified that aspects of transition can be clustered under five main themes: difficulties during the pregnancy period, giving birth in a foreign country, problems of refugee mothers, milestones in life of refugee mothers, and influence of cultural beliefs of refugee mothers on baby care. Key findings revealed that the women in the study had negative experiences related to being pregnant and having a baby in a foreign country. In addition to identifying challenges associated with migration, such as language barriers, racism, discrimination, poverty, and separation from their culture and family, the study highlighted the fears and difficulties experienced by refugee mothers, the cultural beliefs of refugee women about caring for their babies, and turning points in the life of refugee mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because nurses are at the forefront of end-of-life care, it is imperative that nursing students are prepared for this role upon graduation. Research suggests that many nursing students are unprepared to deliver compassionate and quality end-of-life care. There have been many attempts to address this need; one emerging method is end-of-life care simulation. This paper explores the experiences of 18 undergraduate nursing students of end-of-life care simulation. Participants' stories were obtained via observation during end-of-life care simulation, audio-recorded post simulation debriefing, and semi-structured interviews. Using Clandinin and Connolly's three dimensions of Narrative Inquiry (temporality, spatiality, and sociality) participants' stories reflected convergence of time, place, and person. Findings revealed three distinct plotlines along a time continuum, specifically surrounding time of death: (i) 'The privilege of end-of-life care;' (ii) 'Witnessing death as surreal;' and (iii) 'The honor of providing after-death care.' Participants' narratives suggest that end-of-life care simulation is an important means of preparing students for clinical end-of-life care experiences. This has implications for nursing educators wishing to consider simulation in end-of-life care education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of a phenomenological study that explored the experiences of family members during their older loved one's delirium, a range of delirium experiences depicted in artistic, creative, and linguistic media were reviewed. The search for, and compilation of, media sources for reflection during data analysis is described in this paper. In doing so, the researcher reveals how attentiveness and openness to varied depictions of lived experiences, as well as a valuing attitude toward challenging subjective perspectives, can enhance researcher reflexivity and appreciation of interpretive meanings. Turning to media depictions of delirium offered alternative perspectives on the experience. It challenged the researcher's assumptions, enhanced phenomenological reflection, promoted critique of evolving interpretations, and suggested meanings that might not have otherwise been realized. The approach used is a potent, although often overlooked, way to differentiate the nature of phenomena shared through lived experience data. Media-based methods and their use in phenomenology continue to be explored. Illustrations of how to integrate media sources, as well as discussion about the benefits and alternatives to more common uses, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While efforts have been made to understand the experiences of African students in predominantly white environments, the experiences of African students in clinical placement areas have rarely been explored. This paper is a report on a study designed to address the gap in educational research on the experiences of African health sciences students in clinical placements in predominantly white environments. Interviews adopting an open approach to conversations were conducted with nine African students from three health disciplines at one metropolitan university in Australia between 2012 and 2013. Interview transcripts were analyzed using philosophical hermeneutics, where shared meanings were arrived at by employing key Gadamerian hermeneutic components. Findings revealed a number of factors that had a direct effect on the meaning students derived from their clinical placement experiences. These, as revealed in the interlinked domains of body, space, relationships, and time included difference, acceptance, resilience, and cultural sensitivity. Insights from this study may lead to the adoption of strategies designed to improve the experiences of African students studying health sciences in predominantly white environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with adult or juvenile Huntington disease can be cared for within psychiatric hospitals. In this paper, nurses' perceptions about the appropriateness of a psychiatric setting for these patients were explored. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 Maltese nurses involved in the care of these individuals. Their responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified from this study: (i) Huntington disease is not a mental illness; (ii) the lack of specialized staff and equipment within a psychiatric setting; and (iii) a need for alternative care options. The findings provide an insight into the perceptions of nurses, as they play a key role in the care and management of individuals with Huntington disease in a psychiatric setting. The findings demonstrated the need to provide alternative residential options in the community, and to improve the care and support provided both within psychiatric hospitals and the community through staff education and the provision of necessary facilities and equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the processes and results of a participatory action research study undertaken to identify issues that may impact on strategies to foster nurse leadership in rural hospitals. Five Directors of Nursing from rural regions of Victoria, Australia participated. The group activities involved discussion and analysis of previous research, a review of current literature and critical reflection of the leadership performance of their organization. The analysis identified five key themes; dispel the myths, adopt big-picture thinking, connect with colleagues, reflect on your own conduct, and create organizational buy-in. It is essential to have an awareness of contextual challenges, an understanding of the importance of your own conduct as a visible leader, and the need for effective communication to inform the development of strategies that may be used to foster nurse leadership in rural hospitals. The platform to discuss and critically analyze leadership saw a group consensus that affirmed the need for any approach to nursing leadership to be tailored to the individual healthcare organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the experiences of survivors of COVID‐19 in Turkey. The research questions and results are structured according to Watson's Theory of Human Caring. The study was conducted using a descriptive qualitative research design. The phenomenological method was used to explore the experiences of survivors of COVID‐19. A total of 34 survivors of COVID‐19 were included in the study. Data were collected using semistructured and open‐ended questions online and via telephone interviews between February and March 2020. Data were evaluated using thematic analysis and descriptive analysis. Six main themes and 25 subthemes were defined that describe the experiences of survivors of COVID‐19 regarding the illness: (a) denial and adaptation, (b) fear, (c) feeling of hopelessness, (d) preventions, (e) meaning attribution, and (f) metaphors about COVID‐19. Information from this research may be used by healthcare professionals to develop new strategies for the care of survivors of COVID‐19. Moreover, it can be said that Watson's Theory of Human Caring is suitable for monitoring the psychosocial development of patients with COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grit, a personality trait characterized by having passion and perseverance for long‐term goals, has been linked to increased performance, retention, and well‐being in various fields. In the 15 years since the original grit scale was published, many studies have investigated factors that promote grit. However, a scale has not yet been developed measuring characteristics that can contribute to higher levels of grit. This study aimed to develop a novel scale to measure the psychological resources of grit. The Delphi technique was used to obtain consensus from a national and international panel of academics and practitioners who are experts in grit and related constructs. A total of 30 participants rated 100 scale items over three rounds of online surveys. Experts agreed that items selected for the final scale (n = 20) were essential, with 85% rating them as important or very important. The scale, called the Grit Psychological Resources Scale, has promise as a helpful tool for practitioners involved in staff development and building capabilities that contribute to goal achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing handovers represent an important and complex form of communication in healthcare organizations that involve the exchange of patient‐related information between nurses. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to identify the intershift handover experiences among nurses working in small and medium‐sized hospitals. Focus‐group interviews were conducted with 30 nurses who directly participated in patient care in such hospitals in South Korea. The reporting of the study findings adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Under the main theme of "baton touch in a relay," 6 categories, 17 subcategories, and 45 codes (concepts) were derived. The six categories were "procedural rituals for shifts," "nonstandardized handover training," "inconsistent handover style," "stress due to handovers," "coping strategies for handovers," and "interruptions of handovers." Nurses in small and medium‐sized hospitals strive to improve the quality of handovers by preparing individual‐level coping strategies under difficult conditions. This indicates that standardized handover education strategies need to be developed for nurses that are suitable for the personnel systems of small and medium‐sized hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has brought pressure and challenges to nurses worldwide. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of nurses in overcoming challenges when delivering care for patients with COVID‐19 in Indonesia. The study employed a phenomenological research design. The researchers purposely selected nine nurses who provided care for patients with COVID‐19 at an urban public hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between September and December 2020. The researchers conducted face‐to‐face interviews with participants. The interview data transcriptions were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. The experiences of nurses in providing care for patients with COVID‐19 can be summarized into three themes: (1) getting caught unprepared, (2) understanding and adapting to a new working situation, and (3) finding new meaning in the nursing profession. This study suggested that nurses overcame difficulties in caring for patients with COVID‐19 by using multidimensional and culturally informed coping strategies. Hospital managers and policymakers need to consider culturally relevant coping strategies (i.e., religious‐based coping strategies) when supporting healthcare providers during public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses in Wuhan Hospital as front‐line workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A descriptive qualitative study of such nurses was conducted from a tertiary hospital in Wuhan. Semi‐structured individual interviews were undertaken with 8 registered nurses who were front‐line health workers in one of the COVID‐19 wards and 3 nursing managers from the response team. Five discrete themes were identified from the narratives of nurses' experiences during the COVID‐19 outbreak in Wuhan: "content of fundamental care," "teamwork," "reciprocity," "nurses' own worries," and "lifelong learning and insights." Nurses in the front line of care during the COVID‐19 pandemic can contribute important information from their hands‐on experience for providing a holistic response to an infectious outbreak like COVID‐19. The concerns nurses raised at both personal and professional levels have implications for nursing education and clinical practice settings, particularly in the time of a pandemic when nurses' well‐being requires attention, and at the same time for considering organizational factors that enable nurses to provide care to patients with confidence. Hospital policies and nursing management need to be ready and adhere to flexible work planning systems and approaches during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe how nursing students' expectations are achieved in their first clinical internship, as part of a longitudinal qualitative study conducted in a public nursing school in Barcelona, Spain. Data in the current phase were collected in 2019 from students (n = 15) after completing an internship for the first time, recruited with purposive sampling until data saturation was reached in semi‐structured interviews, and thematic analysis was performed on the interview content. Positive factors that had a powerful influence on students included the accessibility at the internship location and the experience with the clinical instructor, when these provided assessment and integration of the student in the health team. Practical learning is mediated by chance in terms of the center, service, teacher, and clinical instructor assigned. It is crucial to establish consensual measures among all the actors involved to facilitate the efficacy of teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored the clinical nursing leadership competency perspectives of Thai nurses working in a university hospital. To collect data, in-depth interviews were undertaken with 23 nurse administrators, and focus groups were used with 31 registered nurses. Data were analyzed using content analysis, and theory development was guided by the Iceberg model. Nurses' clinical leadership competencies emerged, comprising hidden characteristics and surface characteristics. The hidden characteristics composed three elements: motive (respect from the nursing and healthcare team and being secure in life), self-concept (representing positive attitudes and values), and traits (personal qualities necessary for leadership). The surface characteristics comprised specific knowledge of nurse leaders about clinical leadership, management and nursing informatics, and clinical skills, such as coordination, effective communication, problem solving, and clinical decision-making. The study findings help nursing to gain greater knowledge of the essence of clinical nursing leadership competencies, a matter critical for theory development in leadership. This study's results later led to the instigation of a training program for registered nurse leaders at the study site, and the formation of a preliminary clinical nursing leadership competency model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of new models of care requires consideration of the complexity inherent within health care programs and their sensitivity to local contextual factors as well as broader community, social and political influences. Evaluation frameworks that are flexible and responsive while maintaining research rigor are therefore required. Realistic evaluation was adopted as the methodology for the implementation and evaluation of an emergency department-based mental health nurse practitioner outpatient service in Sydney, Australia. The aim of realistic evaluation is to generate, test and refine theories of how programs work within a given context. This paper represents the final methodological step from the completed evaluation. A summary of quantitative and qualitative findings from the mixed-methods evaluation is presented, which is transformed into a set of overarching statements or 'middle range theories'. Middle range theory statements seek to explain the success of a program and provide transferable lessons for practitioners wishing to implement similar programs elsewhere. For example, the research team consider that early consultation with key local stakeholders and emergency department ownership of the project was pivotal to the implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontline healthcare professionals during the pandemic were exposed to the risk of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of nurses who were diagnosed with COVID‐19. This qualitative, descriptive study was conducted between July 20 and September 29, 2020. A total of 17 nurses were included by using purposeful and snowball sampling methods and interviewed. Video interviews were conducted through WhatsApp using a semistructured in‐depth interview form. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The experiences of nurses at the time of COVID‐19 diagnosis were categorized into three main themes: (a) personal experiences, (b) thoughts on the reasons for getting infected, and (c) social experiences. In conclusion, we shed light on the experiences of frontline nurses during pandemic who were exposed to COVID‐19. Individual, organizational, and social regulations and actions are needed for the management of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of chronic cardiovascular disease can challenge the achievement of treatment goals and recovery outcomes. This study explores the ways in which patients cope with the effects of chronic cardiovascular disease, from the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and health professionals. The qualitative study was conducted from May 2019 to September 2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Thirteen people with chronic cardiovascular disease, 6 family caregivers, and 16 healthcare professionals participated in semi‐structured individual interviews. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings suggest that people with chronic cardiovascular disease use a range of coping strategies, both positive and negative, to adjust to their conditions. The positive strategies include managing their health‐related symptoms, drawing on religious or spiritual beliefs, and accessing social and relational supports. Negative strategies can include over‐reliance on family members for support, leading to reduced activity and loss of independence. Understanding the nature of the strategies used by patients provides an important means by which health service providers can support patients to further develop positive coping strategies. This, in turn, will enable patients to achieve higher levels of wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coping can buffer the effect of stress on well‐being. Information about factors predicting coping is essential knowledge for developing programs to promote effective coping among older people with dementia and serves as basic knowledge for further study. A cross‐sectional study design was employed to investigate the associated and predictive factors of coping. The factors were derived from the Stress Process Model for people with dementia. A group of 364 participants was determined by power analysis and purposively selected from out‐patient dementia clinics of hospitals in Thailand. Data were collected from interviews using questionnaires and were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and the enter method of multiple regression analysis. With reference to the conceptual framework of the Stress Process Model, the results revealed that three background and context factors (gender, personal income, and relationships with family members), two stressor factors (cognitive ability, and self‐esteem), and four mediator factors (optimism, hope, hardiness, and perceived social support) were significantly related to coping. Of the variation in coping scores, 47% could be explained by hope, perceived social support, cognitive ability, and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe the resilience of nurses who cared for patients with a confirmed COVID‐19 diagnosis, as well as factors that potentially contributed to that resilience. A total of 23 frontline nurses who cared for patients with COVID‐19 were recruited from a COVID‐19–designated facility in Shanghai, China, using purposive sampling strategies. In‐depth interviews were conducted from March to May 2020. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used. Nurses exhibited psychological resilience while caring for patients with COVID‐19. They displayed an ability to bounce back from negative mental experiences and transform to a positive mindset to cope with the stress they faced. Factors that enhanced the nurses' resilience during the pandemic were their becoming familiar with infectious disease protocols, having a sense of professional achievement, receiving social support, having trust in the infection‐control response team in the hospital, and using self‐regulation strategies. This study could guide the design of future resilience‐enhancing interventions that provide positive coping strategies for nurses caring for individuals with infectious diseases during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study of healthcare workers who cared for COVID‐19 patients was to identify factors that affected the duration of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The results of this study will provide initial guidance to practicing clinicians and a foundation for further research on this topic. This cross‐sectional study examined 139 frontline healthcare professionals who worked at a single hospital in Wuhan, China, from March 16 to April 1, 2020. General and demographic data, physical and mental status, use of personal protective equipment, type of hospital work, and duration of wearing personal protective equipment were recorded. The mean duration of wearing personal protective equipment was 194.17 min (standard deviation: 3.71). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the duration of wearing personal protective equipment was significantly associated with the presence of a chronic disease, working hours when feeling discomfort, lack of patient cooperation and subsequent psychological pressure, prolonged continuous wearing of personal protective equipment, feeling anxious about physical strength, and the presence of fatigue when wearing personal protective equipment. These factors should be considered by practicing healthcare professionals and in future studies that examine the optimal duration of wearing personal protective equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most significant influence on nurses' professional growth is through work under direct guidance in clinical settings. Associate nurse unit managers perform direct patient care with the staff, as well as assist management work of nurse unit managers. They can be excellent role models for the staff. We examined their behaviors that help promote staff development, aimed to identify effective behaviors, and created a self‐checklist to evaluate them. We created 53 items to assess staff development behaviors, which were evaluated via a Delphi survey with 252 experts and a questionnaire survey with 124 associate nurse unit managers in Japan to evaluate whether the created item was appropriate. The results of the Delphi survey showed an agreement rate of over 90%, and associate nurse unit managers showed an acceptance rate of 82.6–99.2% for 40 of 53 items. Consequently, we created 40‐item self‐checklist of staff development behaviors for associate nurse unit managers with adequate validity. This checklist would be helpful for them to promote staff development while working in clinical settings and would contribute to enhancing the quality of nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into cardiovascular disease and its management in Indonesia, where it currently accounts for 67% of all deaths, has heavily emphasized the biomedical aspects; little is known about the individual's experience of the disease, especially for Indonesian women. This study aimed to understand how gender shapes Indonesian women's experiences of living with heart disease in their daily lives. Twenty‐six women aged 30–67 years were interviewed, and the transcriptions analyzed using a qualitative framework informed by intersectional approaches to gender and culture. Three major themes emerged: (i) the effect of cardiovascular disease on women's day‐to‐day activities, (ii) its effects on women's family relationships, and (iii) the women's coping strategies. The inability to fulfill their required social roles as mother or wife undermined the women's sense of self, a problem particularly acute in a cultural context where responsibility for maintaining harmony in the home and society is ascribed to women. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of women with cardiovascular disease, in order to deliver services that meet female patients' social, spiritual, and cultural needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This authors report on the findings of a study designed to establish website‐based self‐management recommendations for sickle cell disease. Google and Yahoo search engines were used to search the World Wide Web. Purposive sampling was used to select 28 websites that met the inclusion criteria. Data were manually collected from health education materials and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Self‐management was conceptualized as actions involving preventive health, self‐monitoring, self‐diagnosing, and self‐treatment. The results show that the websites recommend more self‐management actions for preventive health and self‐treatment than for self‐monitoring and self‐diagnosis. Frequent oral fluid intake, limitation of overactivity, eating a healthy diet, avoiding extreme temperatures, and infections were the most common preventive health recommendations. Daily pain monitoring and general bodily inspections were the most frequent self‐monitoring recommendations. Commonly cited self‐diagnostic indicators were fever, persistent pain, enlarged spleen, and leg ulcers. The use of analgesics and nonpharmacological measures were regularly cited for self‐treatment. Most recommendations were assessed as clinically safe as they align with standards for sickle cell management. Nurses and other professionals should teach clients how to assess the credibility of websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, various treatment models from abroad have been implemented for patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This report is based on a South African model that has been developed, implemented, and evaluated for mental health nurses to use in facilitating the self‐empowerment of women living with borderline personality disorder. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of a model to facilitate self‐empowerment in women living with borderline personality disorder and to describe mental health nurses' experiences of implementing this model. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used for the study. Participants were mental health nurses working in an inpatient psychotherapy unit in a mental health hospital. Findings revealed that mental health nurses experienced the model as a secure framework to assist women living with borderline personality disorder in making a shift to being self‐empowered. The mental health nurses found that they had to adapt the model's timeframe to the women's own pace. Through use of the model, the mental health nurses also gained self‐leadership. This report provides evidence from mental health nurses that the model was practical and helpful in working with women living with borderline personality disorder. The mental health nurses saw signs of self‐empowerment in women living with borderline personality disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is a strong body of evidence showing that motivational factors are critical components of self‐regulated professional learning and commitment to work, little is known about nursing students' motivation regulation during their studies. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of nursing students' motivation regulation (MR) strategies and factors contributing to their reported use along their 3‐year study path in a blended learning environment. A purposeful sampling was used to select 12 undergraduate nursing students, who exhibited different MR profiles and had completed almost 3 years of study in a BL degree program. A qualitative, deductive, content analysis was used to depict students' experiences from their retrospective recollection in the interview situation. Seven motivation strategies were identified: environmental structuring, self‐consequating, goal‐oriented self‐talk, efficacy management, emotion regulation, regulation of value, and interest enhancement. Individual and situational factors were found to enhance and to sustain the use of appropriate MR strategies. The students exhibited versatility in their use of MR strategies, which were related to the study phase. These findings regarding nursing students' MR strategies should be considered in the development of nursing education programs and the implementation of improvements that contribute to professional and self‐regulated learning in BL programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the perceptions of newly graduated nurses regarding the baccalaureate thesis (BT) writing process. A qualitative approach with content analysis was adopted. Thirteen newly graduated nurses participated in the study. The inclusion criterion was having completed the BT during their university education as nurses within 3 years of the study. Information was obtained through semistructured interviews. Data collection began in June 2018 and ended in March 2019, once saturation of information was reached. Three major categories were identified: the beginning of the process, the advantages of Baccalaureate thesis writing, and the teacher's role. The participants expressed that their training focused on a synthetic and particular type of writing that is necessary for clinical scenarios but not suitable for scientific academic texts. Additionally, reflective diaries were described as a powerful writing practice during their studies. Participants conceive the realization of the baccalaureate thesis as a difficult process, especially as regards selecting, synthesizing, and writing about the available information, processes that they indicated generate anxiety. Academic writing skills should be specifically included in the nursing curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Happiness is a fundamental human aspiration. However, many families live in places where the cost of living is high, and there is a need for people to balance their lives to maintain happiness. This study explored the characteristics of happiness for families living in a city in Thailand. A grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyze data. Thirteen participants were recruited into the study by purposive sampling based on a set of inclusion criteria, followed by theoretical sampling. The findings demonstrated that living together without financial problems was a core category of family happiness, which involved close connections, caring for one another and financial security. Families needed to balance these components when facing stress, using coping methods to restore happiness. To enhance family happiness, health professionals should focus on caring and communication within families, including coping techniques to maintain family happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supportive care is an important strategy that can help cancer survivors manage changes and problems during their follow‐up care. Identifying patients' care needs is one of the primary steps of the nursing process to plan effective nursing interventions. The aim of this study was to explore adolescent cancer survivors' supportive care needs. Purposeful sampling was adopted to select 49 participants from hospitals to participate in face‐to‐face, semistructured interviews. The qualitative content analysis method was conducted for data analysis. Ten subcategories and four main categories – empathetic care, information about survival period, instrumental support, and cooperation in care – were extracted from the data. These four categories formed a major theme, "supportive care", as the primary healthcare need. This study highlights that supportive care should be developed collaboratively by family and healthcare providers to meet the needs of adolescent cancer survivors. Survivors' strengths and limitations should be identified, and then supportive care can be provided, such as giving appropriate information, enabling survivors to access supportive networks, and improving survivors' confidence and autonomy with their self‐management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First‐time parents' groups are offered to new parents in Australia to support their transition to parenthood. Not all parents avail of the service, some cease attendance, and fathers are under‐represented. In the present descriptive, qualitative study, we examined first‐time mothers' perspectives on the barriers to parental participation in the groups. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a sample of eight first‐time mothers in a regional city in Victoria, Australia. Interviews revealed groups were perceived as sites strongly reinforcing traditional social norms of parenting. From this central theme, six gendered subthemes emerged as barriers to attendance. Barriers to mothers included non‐normative mothering narratives, such as experiencing stillbirth or having a disabled child, perceived dissonance in parenting ethos, and group size. Barriers to fathers, as perceived by mothers, included groups as female spaces, dads as a minority, and female gatekeeping. A multi‐faceted approach is required to change the common perception that groups are for mothers only. Groups need to be more inclusive of different parenting experiences and philosophies. Segregated groups might better address the needs of both parents. Further research is required to capture fathers' perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adverse events in health care significantly impact health professionals who become the second victims of medical error. The aim of the present study was to understand the effects of adverse events in health care on nurses in acute health‐care settings in an Australian context. In this qualitative, descriptive study, we used purposeful sampling and recruited 10 acute care nurses. Interviews were conducted from 2011 to 2012 and were recorded, transcribed, and returned to participants to verify their accuracy. Data were categorized and analyzed to determine four emergent themes and subthemes. The four themes were: rescuing patients, effects on nurses, professional responsibility, and needs of nurses. Our analysis indicated that nurses need organizational responses to adverse events, including the provision of information and collegial support after adverse events occur. This will minimize the psychological trauma associated with these events for second victims and support effective communication and collegial working relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nurses, like other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, and therapists, are susceptible to unanticipated patient harm, in which they suffer as second victims due to the immense personal and professional impact from the adverse event. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychological responses, coping strategies, and support needs of Singapore nurses as second victims of adverse events. A descriptive qualitative study was adopted. Eight participants (6 women and 2 men) who had been involved in an adverse event were interviewed and audio‐recorded. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the data. Seven themes emerged from the thematic analysis: responding psychologically after the event, feeling others’ prejudice, having intrusive thoughts, drawing valuable lessons from the event, coping to recover after the event, taking responsibility for the mistakes made, and finding self‐identity. The harmful effects of adverse events on nurses are long lasting. Second‐victim nurses adopted various coping strategies to recover. The findings from the present study will guide the development of effective second‐victim support programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we described and analyzed parents’ experiences of teenage parenthood and the provision of support to their teenage children who had recently have become parents. A qualitative method was used. In‐depth interviews with 24 participants were conducted, all parents of teenage parents. Data were analyzed using content analysis; four themes and 11 subthemes were identified. The results show that parents’ norms and values were strongly influenced by their religious beliefs. The participants had mixed emotions and reactions to their teenage children’s parenthood. Also participants were sources of support to the teenage parents and assisted them in their transition to parenthood. However, the participants also expressed the importance that their teenage children continue their education and avoid repeated pregnancies. This study highlights how emotional, instrumental, and informational support provided by parents to their teenagers can assist the latter in their transition to parenthood. In their work with teenage parents, healthcare providers can benefit from teenage parent's own parents involvement and experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of nursing practice is diverse; therefore, clinical assessment is a complex process. This study explores the perceptions of clinical nurse leaders and academics on clinical assessment for undergraduate nursing education during transition to practice. An explorative qualitative approach was applied. Eight nurse managers, six clinical nurse educators, and eight academics from two tertiary hospitals and a university in Singapore participated in four focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted. Four overriding themes were revealed: the need for a valid and reliable clinical assessment tool, preceptors' competency in clinical assessment, challenges encountered by the students in clinical assessment, and the need for close academic and clinical collaboration to support preceptors and students. Closer academic-clinical partnership is recommended to review the clinical education curriculum. Clinical and educational institutions need to work closely to design a learning program to enhance preceptors' competence in clinical pedagogy and assessment. Furthermore, a stress management program could build students' resiliency in coping with unfamiliar clinical environments. Ongoing support needs to be provided for both preceptors and students to enrich the preceptorship and learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families in Taiwan are considered central in caring for frail older people. However, rapid social changes are reshaping Taiwanese family values and structures. In this study, we explored the challenges of intergenerational families in caring for frail older people in Taiwan. Using a multiple-case study, 32 participants representing 12 families comprising three or more generations participated in individual, semistructured interviews. A grounded theory technique was used for the data analysis. Four themes emerged in the findings: intergenerational and intragenerational disharmony, restrictions in the physical environment, financial caregiving burdens, and lack of support from the healthcare system. The findings can help raise awareness of filial caregiving obligations of aging family members that have shifted from a parent-child dyad to being shared across multiple generations in Taiwan. Intergenerational caregiving for frail older people has become a challenge for policies aimed at keeping the aging population in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we preliminarily examined the effects of the Informational and Emotional Support Program for Women after Pregnancy Termination in 30 Thai women. A literature review and House's theory of social support informed the program content, which consisted of the following elements: (i) an evaluation of grief; (ii) an analysis of the problems and needs of each woman; (iii) informational and emotional support tailored to individual problems and needs; (iv) telephone support; and (v) an exit phone interview. The Grief Questionnaire for Women after Pregnancy Termination was used to measure changes in the grief levels of participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the contingency coefficient. At the completion of the study, the participants' average grief score had decreased from the prior grief score and was in the moderate to low range. These preliminary findings indicate that the support program can be effective in real-life situations in Thailand to assist women who are grieving after the termination of pregnancy. Our findings highlight the need for nursing and emotional support to be provided to help Thai women after the TOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we estimated the risk of acute coronary syndrome and stroke associated with several emerging cardiovascular risk factors. This was a case-control study, where an age - and sex-matched acute coronary syndrome group and stroke group were compared with controls. Demographic and clinical data were collected through patient interviews, and blood samples were taken for analysis. In the bivariate analysis, all cardiovascular risk factors analyzed showed as predictors of acute coronary syndrome and stroke, except total cholesterol and smoking. In the multivariate logistic regression model for acute coronary syndrome, hypertension and body mass index, N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A were independent predictors. For stroke, the predictors were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide. Controlling for age, sex, and classical cardiovascular risk factors, N-terminal section brain natriuretic peptide and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A were independent emerging cardiovascular risk factors for acute coronary syndrome, but pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A was not for stroke. High levels of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with no episodes of cardiovascular disease requires the implementation of prevention programs, given that at least half of them are modifiable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify Australian medical students' complementary medicine information needs. Thirty medical students from 10 medical education faculties across Australian universities were recruited. Data were generated using in-depth semi-structured interviews and constructivist grounded theory method was used to analyze and construct data. Students sought complementary medicine information from a range of inadequate sources, such as pharmacological texts, Internet searches, peer-reviewed medical journals, and drug databases. The students identified that many complementary medicine resources may not be regarded as objective, reliable, differentiated, or comprehensive, leaving much that medical education needs to address. Most students sought succinct, easily accessible, evidence-based information to inform safe and appropriate clinical decisions about complementary medicines. A number of preferred resources were identified that can be recommended and actively promoted to medical students. Therefore, specific, evidence-based complementary medicine databases and secondary resources should be subscribed and recommended to medical schools and students, to assist meeting professional responsibilities regarding complementary medicines. These findings may help inform the development of appropriate medical information resources regarding complementary medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competency standards document the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for competent performance. This study develops competency standards for dietitians in order to substantiate an approach to competency standard development. Focus groups explored the current and emerging purpose, role, and function of the profession, which were used to draft competency standards. Consensus was then sought using two rounds of a Delphi survey. Seven focus groups were conducted with 28 participants (15 employers/practitioners, 5 academics, 8 new graduates). Eighty-two of 110 invited experts participated in round one and 67 experts completed round two. Four major functions of dietitians were identified: being a professional, influencing the health of individuals, groups, communities, and populations through evidence-based nutrition practice, and working collaboratively in teams. Overall there was a high level of consensus on the standards: 93% achieved agreement by participants in round one and all revised standards achieved consensus on round 2. The methodology provides a framework for other professions wishing to embark on competency standard review or development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When people telephone rural health services with unscheduled healthcare needs, rural nurses manage these telephone presentations. However, there is professional controversy surrounding the practice, and paucity in research outside formalized telephone triage services. This article reports on a qualitative study exploring the actions nurses take when people telephone rural health services with unscheduled healthcare needs and the factors that influence these actions. Registered nurses from five rural health services in Victoria, Australia, participated in telephone interviews or focus groups during 2010 and 2011. Descriptions of telephone interactions reflected a structured approach to providing care. Participants described strategies to minimize clinical risk while brokering competing needs and finite resources to achieve a 'best outcome' for all stakeholders. This study reveals a gap in policy and practice support for rural nurses providing care via telephone and differentiates this rural nursing practice from that of formalized telephone triage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregiving actions emanate from the family caregiver's care meanings. Therefore, this article presents caregiving actions as outgrowths of the family caregiver's cultural conceptions of care and as situated within constraining sociocultural factors. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and participant observations from 18 purposively selected family caregivers of people living with HIV/ AIDS ( PLWAs) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Three lines of caregiving actions performed by the participating family caregivers are presented: nutritional and medication care actions, physical care actions, and psychological and spiritual care actions. We have also explicated the problematic situations and sociocultural factors constraining the family caregivers in performing the caregiving actions. This study underlines the significance of addressing such problematic situations as are raised, as well as the sociocultural issues that constrain the family caregivers' agentic scope for planning and executing caregiving actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]