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Aim s : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiving burden and pre‐death grief, with a specific focus on adult‐child caregivers in mainland China. Additionally, the study explored whether coping strategies played a mediating role in this correlation. Methods: A convenience sample of 320 adult‐child caregivers of older parents with dementia from Kunming, mainland China, was recruited for the study. Data were collected using the Chinese version of the Marwit‐Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory‐Short Form, the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, and the Ways of Coping Checklist‐Revised. Results: Results using linear regression and multiple mediation analysis with Hayes' process model indicated that caregiving burden was positively related to pre‐death grief and that active coping mediated the relationship between them. In the female group, active coping partially mediated the association between caregiving burden and pre‐death grief, but in the male group, this mediating effect did not exist. Conclusion: The study found evidence supporting the link between caregiving burden and pre‐death grief among adult‐child caregivers of older parents with dementia in mainland China. Furthermore, the caregiving burden prevented the use of active coping, and this decrease in coping increased the perception of pre‐death grief. These associations only existed in the female group. Implications: This paper presented the importance of active coping skills in the dementia caregiving process. Impact: The findings of this study emphasize the necessity for health practitioners to provide targeted interventions regarding pre‐death grief among dementia caregivers and strengthen caregivers' active coping strategies to reduce their pre‐death grief. Community‐based and personal care support services should be promoted to alleviate their caregiving burden. Reporting Method: We have adhered to the transparent reporting of evaluations with quantitative design statements and the corresponding checklist was followed. Patient or Public Contribution: 'No patient or public involvement'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim(s): To assess the effectiveness of sub‐epidermal moisture (SEM) assessment technology in the detection of early‐stage pressure damage in a critical care unit (CCU) and dark skin tone patients and its impact on hospital‐acquired pressure injury (HAPI) incidence. Design: Quality improvement study employing Kurt Lewin's change model emphasizing planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainable change. Methods: The study evaluated 140 adult patients admitted to the CCU over a 24‐week period, from July to December 2022. Retrospective analysis of standard PI care pathways was performed in 90 patients admitted during a 12‐week pre‐implementation period. Fifty patients were admitted through the subsequent 12‐week implementation period. SEM assessments were performed daily at the sacrum and heels and interventions were applied based on SEM assessments; SEM delta ≥0.6 indicating localized oedema or persistent focal oedema. Statistical analyses were performed on anonymized data. Results: Pre‐implementation HAPI incidence was 8.9% (N = 8/90). All eight patients were African American with varying skin tones. A 100% reduction in HAPI incidence was achieved in the implementation period which included 35 African American patients. The relative risk of HAPI incidence was 1.6 times higher in the pre‐implementation group. Conclusion: Implementing SEM assessment technology enabled equitable PI care for all population types and resulted in a 100% reduction of PIs in our CCU. Objective SEM assessments detected early‐stage PIs, regardless of skin tone and enabled providing interventions to specific anatomies developing tissue damage as opposed to universal preventive interventions. Implications: PI care pathways relying on visual and tactile skin assessments are inherently biased in providing equitable care for dark skin tone patients. Implementing SEM assessments empowers healthcare practitioners in driving objective clinical interventions, eliminates bias and enables positive PI health outcomes. Impact: Implementing SEM assessment technology had three main effects: it detected early tissue damage regardless of skin tone (detection effect), enabled anatomy‐specific interventions (treatment effect) and prevented PIs across all population types (prevention effect). The authors have adhered to the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) 2.0 guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? Addressing health inequities in pressure injury prevention; Demonstrated effectiveness across patient populations; Resource optimization and enhanced patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To perform temporal validation of a risk prediction model for breast cancer‐related lymphoedema in the European population. Design: Temporal validation of a previously developed prediction model using a new retrospective cohort of women who had undergone axillary lymph node dissection between June 2018 and June 2020. Methods: We reviewed clinical records to identify women who did and did not develop lymphoedema within 2 years of surgery and to gather data regarding the variables included in the prediction model. The model was calibrated by calculating Spearman's correlation between observed and expected cases. Its accuracy in discriminating between patients who did versus did not develop lymphoedema was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The validation cohort comprised 154 women, 41 of whom developed lymphoedema within 2 years of surgery. The value of Spearman's coefficient indicated a strong correlation between observed and expected cases. Sensitivity of the model was higher than in the derivation cohort, as was the value of the AUC. Conclusion: The model shows a good capacity to discriminate women at risk of lymphoedema and may therefore help in developing improved care pathways for individual patients. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Identifying risk factors for lymphoedema secondary to breast cancer treatment is vital given its impact on women's physical and emotional well‐being. Impact: What problem did the study address? Risk of BCRL. What were the main findings? The prediction model has a good capacity to discriminate women at risk of lymphoedema. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? In clinical practice with women at risk of BCRL. Reporting Method: STROBE checklist. What Does this Paper Contribute to the Wider Global Clinical Community?: It presents a validated risk prediction model for BCRL. No Patient or Public Contribution: There was no patient or public contribution in the conduct of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To demonstrate how implementing a system‐wide measurement and improvement programme can make the delivery of the Fundamentals of Care visible in practice. Design: Discussion paper. Data Sources: A retrospective evaluation of the experience of implementing a system‐wide peer review programme using the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. Implications for Nursing: Implementing this programme engages nursing leaders at all levels in fundamental care delivery, evaluation and improvement. It positions nursing leaders as accountable for and champions of fundamental care. Conclusion: The peer review programme offers a solution to the complex challenge of measuring the fundamentals of care in practice. Successful implementations of this programme at two New Zealand inpatient sites have shown positive results in improved care and patient experience. This makes it worthy of consideration for other health organizations. Nursing leadership has proven to be critical to success. The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework highlights the components that assist with successful implementation and assists in presenting a case for change. Impact This paper addressed the problem of the lack of action and dearth of quality, integrated data, visibility of the patient experience and the contribution of nursing leadership in an inpatient setting. Findings indicate that the peer review programme is translatable, modifiable and sensitive to ethnicity and disability. Using the implementation framework to evaluate the process has provided a guide for future implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To systematically identify the risk factors for cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients and to assess its prevalence in included studies. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis about observational studies. Data Sources: Systematic search of seven databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scope, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Weipu Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, from inception until October 2021. Review Methods: Observational studies reporting the risk factors for cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients in English and Chinese language were included. Meta‐analysis was performed to identify risk factors and prevalence of cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients with STATA 15.0 software. Results: Overall, 37 eligible studies encompassing 129,849 cases were included. The risk factors with statistical significance after meta‐analysis were older age, female sex, fewer years of education, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular accident, multiple comorbid conditions, systolic blood pressure variability, arterial stiffness and low haemoglobin and albumin level. The overall prevalence of cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients was 49.1%. Conclusion: The current analysis indicated a high prevalence of cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients. Eleven risk factors for cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients were identified, among which more attention should be paid to modifiable factors such as cardiovascular disease risk factors and specific kidney and dialysis‐related factors. Impact: This paper provides an updated estimate of the pooled prevalence of cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients. Identification of risk factors associated with cognitive impairment may assist in developing targeted prevention strategies for maintenance haemodialysis patients at high risk. No Patient or Public Contribution: This study was a systematic review completed by the authors in accordance with relevant guidelines and processes and did not include the participation of patients, service users, caregivers or the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Guided by the social embeddedness model of thriving at work, this paper explores how nursing organizational culture, work engagement and affective commitment affect nurses' thriving at work. Background: Thriving at work has implications for better employee and organization outcomes. The antecedents of thriving at work among the nursing population needs to be expanded by analysing the cross‐level impact of organizational and individual characteristics. Methods: A cross‐sectional design was used to collect data from 1437 frontline nurses in a tertiary teaching hospital in China between April and May 2020 through an online survey about perceived nursing culture, work engagement, affective commitment and thriving at work. Data were analysed using SPSS, and a structural equation model was established using the PROCESS macro. Results: Our results showed that work engagement and affective commitment mediated the relationship between nurses' perceived nursing culture and their thriving at work. Among nurses, work engagement was positively correlated to affective commitment. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the social embeddedness model of thriving at work by showing that both contextual and dispositional factors can influence nurses' thriving at work. Nurse leaders can foster nursing staff's thriving at work by building an inclusive work environment and by providing adequate resources to staff. Future research is needed to elaborate on employee and organizational outcomes associated with thriving at work. Impact: Nurse leaders should be the advocate for nurses to improve their organizational identification, fostering their thriving at work. Individual nurses can also take an active role in developing work‐related resources to sustain their thriving through self‐adaption processes. Collective thriving in the nursing workforce is needed to overcome adversity and hardship in the ever‐changing and increasingly demanding health care industry and to further contribute to the vitality of the broader social and public environments. Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution. This study did not involve patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore the relationship between nurse practitioner work environment and nurse practitioner outcomes (job satisfaction and intent to leave) in the United States. Design The study used a cross‐sectional survey design to collect survey data from primary care nurse practitioners in six states in the United States. Methods: We sent mail surveys to 5689 eligible nurse practitioners in Arizona, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, California and Texas. The mail also contained an online link. Participants could complete either the paper or online questionnaire. In total, 1244 participants completed the survey in 2018–2019. The work environment was measured using the Nurse Practitioner‐Primary Care Organizational Climate Questionnaire comprised of four subscales: Nurse Practitioner‐Administration Relations, Nurse Practitioner‐Physician Relations, Independent Practice and Support and Professional Visibility. Global items measured job satisfaction and intent to leave. We used mixed‐effect proportional‐odds cumulative logit models to assess the association between work environment and job satisfaction and intent to leave. Results: Overall, 90% of participants were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their job and 22% reported intent to leave their job in 1 year. With a one‐unit increase in the organizational‐level Nurse Practitioner‐Administration Relations score, the odds of having a higher job satisfaction level increased by about four times and the odds of intent to leave job decreased by about 60%. A higher organizational‐level Nurse Practitioner‐Physician Relations score was significantly associated with higher job satisfaction and lower odds of intent to leave. Conclusion: Improvements in work environments may improve nurse practitioner job satisfaction and retention. Impact This study examined the relationship between work environment, job satisfaction and turnover intention of nurse practitioners. Better work environment is associated with higher job satisfaction and lower turnover intention. Findings have implications for clinical leadership who can take actions to create better work environments to increase the nurse practitioner workforce capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe a protocol for the pilot phase of a trial designed to test the effect of an mHealth intervention on representation and readmission after adult cardiac surgery. Design: A multisite, parallel group, pilot randomized controlled trial (ethics approval: HREC2020.331‐RMH69278). Methods: Adult patients scheduled to undergo elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, or a combination of bypass grafting and valve surgery or aortic surgery) will be recruited from three metropolitan tertiary teaching hospitals. Patients allocated to the control group with receive usual care that is comprised of in‐patient discharge education and local paper‐based written discharge materials. Patients in the intervention group will be provided access to tailored 'GoShare' mHealth bundles preoperatively, in a week of hospital discharge and 30 days after surgery. The mHealth bundles are comprised of patient narrative videos, animations and links to reputable resources. Bundles can be accessed via a smartphone, tablet or computer. Bundles are evidence‐based and designed to improve patient self‐efficacy and self‐management behaviours, and to empower people to have a more active role in their healthcare. Computer‐generated permuted block randomization with an allocation ratio of 1:1 will be generated for each site. At the time of consent, and 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery quality of life and level of patient activation will be measured. In addition, rates of representation and readmission to hospital will be tracked and verified via data linkage 1 year after the date of surgery. Discussion: Interventions using mHealth technologies have proven effectiveness for a range of cardiovascular conditions with limited testing in cardiac surgical populations. Impact: This study provides an opportunity to improve patient outcome and experience for adults undergoing cardiac surgery by empowering patients as end‐users with strategies for self‐help. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12621000082808. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To synthesize and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for nurses to improve the assessment and management of pain in people living with dementia. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials. Data sources: CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) EBP, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for all journal articles published between 2009 ‐2019. Review methods: Papers were included under population intervention comparator outcome (PICO) framework for: (a) people living with dementia aged 65 years and over; (b) interventions developed for nurses or other health professionals; (c) comparison group of standard care or control; and (d) outcome that measures the intervention effects on nurses and people living with dementia. Independent reviewers undertook critical appraisal, data abstraction, and synthesis. Meta‐analyses were performed to determine the effectiveness of interventions. Results: Of 2099 titles and abstracts screened, six interventions with low‐to‐moderate risk of bias met inclusion criteria. Studies that implemented a routine pain assessment tool showed no effect on nurses' analgesic management. Studies that developed a comprehensive pain model involving multidisciplinary health professionals showed overall effects on pain assessment and management in dementia care. Physician involvement had an impact on analgesic management. Conclusion: Comprehensive pain models improve nurses' pain assessment and management. A lack of balance between analgesia use and non‐pharmacological pain management in dementia care is evident. Multidisciplinary health professionals' involvement is essential for effective intervention design for pain management in dementia. Impact: Various pain assessment tools have been considered to assist identification and management of pain in people living with dementia. Nevertheless, challenges exist when caring for people living with dementia in pain. These findings support the development of a comprehensive pain model, which may be a more effective strategy than routine use of a pain tool alone for nurses to improve pain management in dementia care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To assess the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety. Background: Many pregnant women experience mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and could benefit from additional support. Non‐pharmacological interventions have been suggested for use during pregnancy. Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Data sources: Randomized controlled trials published since 1990, identified from electronic databases: Medline; CINAHL; Maternity and Infant Care; PsycINFO; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; CENTRAL; EMBASE; Centre for Reviews and Dissemination; Social Sciences Citation Index; ASSIA; HTA Library; Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence‐Based Practice database; Allied and Complementary Medicine. Review methods: Conducted according to the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination procedure. Papers were screened (N = 5,222), assessed for eligibility (N = 57) and selected for inclusion (N = 25). The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias was used. Papers were assessed for clinical and statistical heterogeneity and considered for meta‐analysis. Descriptive analysis of the data was conducted. Results: Psychological, mind‐body, educational and supportive interventions were delivered individually and to groups of pregnant women over single or multiple sessions. The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory was the most commonly used anxiety measure. In 60% of studies there were fewer than 40 participants. Meta‐analysis of three studies indicated no observed beneficial effect in the reduction of anxiety. Conclusion: There was insufficient evidence from which to draw overall conclusions regarding the benefit of interventions. Results were predominantly based on small samples. Many papers provided an inadequate description of methods which prevented a full assessment of methodological quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To identify the theories used to explain learning in simulation and to examine how these theories guided the assessment of learning outcomes related to core competencies in undergraduate nursing students. Background: Nurse educators face the challenge of making explicit the outcomes of competency‐based education, especially when competencies are conceptualized as holistic and context dependent. Design: Theoretical review. Data Sources: Research papers (N = 182) published between 1999–2015 describing simulation in nursing education. Review Methods: Two members of the research team extracted data from the papers, including theories used to explain how simulation could engender learning and tools used to assess simulation outcomes. Contingency tables were created to examine the associations between theories, outcomes and tools. Results: Some papers (N = 79) did not provide an explicit theory. The 103 remaining papers identified one or more learning or teaching theories; the most frequent were the National League for Nursing/Jeffries Simulation Framework, Kolb's theory of experiential learning and Bandura's social cognitive theory and concept of self‐efficacy. Students’ perceptions of simulation, knowledge and self‐confidence were the most frequently assessed, mainly via scales designed for the study where they were used. Core competencies were mostly assessed with an observational approach. Conclusion: This review highlighted the fact that few studies examined the use of simulation in nursing education through learning theories and via assessment of core competencies. It also identified observational tools used to assess competencies in action, as holistic and context‐dependent constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper is a report of a study exploring the relationship between stoma acceptance and stoma care self‐efficacy in patients with colostomy and whether self‐disgust and stigma play mediating roles in this relationship. Design: A cross‐sectional survey design. Method: In all, 476 participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital and completed structured, anonymous, self‐report measures of stoma acceptance, self‐disgust, stigma, and stoma care self‐efficacy between January 2016‐March 2017. Results: Stoma acceptance was significantly negatively associated with personal disgust (r = −.640, p<.001), behavioural disgust (r = −.384, p<.001), and stigma (r = −.309, p<.001) and significantly positively associated with stoma care self‐efficacy (r =.689, p<.001). Furthermore, regression‐based mediation modelling showed that personal disgust and stigma had significant mediating effects on stoma acceptance and stoma care self‐efficacy. Conclusion: We demonstrated, for the first time, that emotional responses (self‐disgust and stigma) play important roles in the association between stoma acceptance and stoma care self‐efficacy. Addressing concerns about emotional disorder should become part of the routine care for patients with stoma. Impact: Patients with colostomy must cope with many challenges and undergo profound changes in daily life. Acceptance of the existence of the stoma and effective management of the stoma can aid patients in the return to a full and active life. Illness acceptance and psychological states have been widely reported to be correlates of the ability to successfully reconstitute a meaning of life, but these have not been specifically explored in patients with colostomy. This study examined the effect of stoma acceptance on stoma care self‐efficacy with the mediation role of self‐disgust and stigma. Evidence of the relationship between illness acceptance and self‐efficacy could offer practitioners to consider emotional factors like self‐disgust and stigma when aiming to improve stoma care and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify the barriers and facilitators to seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses. Background: Seasonal influenza causes significant mortality and morbidity among older people and high‐risk groups. Vaccinating nurses against influenza is an essential public health measure to reduce the burden of disease. Yet despite annual recommendations, nurses' influenza vaccine uptake rates remain low. Design: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study design. Data Sources: Qualified nurses attending mandatory training in two large acute hospitals in Ireland. Methods: A paper‐based questionnaire assessing nurses' knowledge, risk perception, health beliefs and influenza vaccination practices was distributed to a convenience sample of qualified nurses (N = 462) between September 2017 – February 2018. A self‐selected sample of 35 nurses who completed the questionnaire participated in five focus groups to explore in depth the barriers and facilitating factors associated with their vaccination practices between September 2018 – October 2018. The questionnaire data were analysed statistically and thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using the Pillar Integration Process. Results: Seven themes emerged: (a) the influence of nurses' knowledge on vaccine uptake; (b) dissemination of information; (c) vaccine fears and concerns; (d) protection, risk and vulnerability: self and others; (e) influencers; (f) accessibility; and (g) organizational pressure. Conclusion: Achieving high vaccine uptake rates among nurses through voluntary vaccination programmes remains a challenge. Multi‐faceted influenza campaigns based on the HBM should be prioritized to address dissemination of evidence‐based knowledge, accessibility, and external cues to action. Impact: Low influenza vaccine uptake among nurses compromises patient safety and contributes to a significant burden on health services. This study identified factors associated with vaccine practices among nurses and will inform the development of specific tailored interventions for nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the proportion of trials published in nursing science journals in 2017 that were prospectively registered. Design: A review of randomized controlled trials published in a Journal Citation Report nursing science journal in 2017. Data source: Table of contents of included journals. Review methods: Randomized controlled trials were identified by manually reviewing the title of all papers published in included journals. Included trials were classified as: (a) Prospectively registered; (b) Retrospectively registered; (c) Registered but registration not reported in the manuscript; (d) Indeterminate registration; and (e) Not registered. Additionally, we recorded if the trial registration number was reported in the manuscript abstract. Results: Of 151 randomized controlled trials published in nursing science journals in 2017, 17 (11%) were prospectively registered. Thirty‐six (24%) trials were retrospectively and 93 (62%) not registered. We could not determine the registration status of five (3%) trials. The registration number was included in the abstract of two prospectively and eight retrospectively registered studies. Compared with the rest of the world, trial registration rates were significantly lower in Asian countries. Conclusion: Two included trials were prospectively registered and reported a registration number in the abstract. Compared with other disciplines, rates of prospective trial registration are low. Nurse trialists must ensure that they prospectively register all trials. Impact: We intended to replicate this review in subsequent years with a view to reporting improvements in prospective registration rates over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore professionals' (i.e. nurses and nursing assistants) motivation for Patient Education according to their emotional skills. Design: A cross‐sectional study using a convenience sample of professionals completing self‐reported questionnaires assessing their general emotional skills and their Patient‐Education‐related sense of competence, autonomy and relatedness, according to the theory of basic psychological needs. Methods: Professionals from 27 French hospitals working in various departments completed paper and web‐based questionnaires between January 2015 ‐ May 2017. Mediation analyses were performed controlling for the already known variables associated with motivation for patient education. Results: Usable questionnaires (N = 185) were analysed. Professionals' emotional skills were associated with their motivation for Therapeutic Patient Education both directly and indirectly (i.e. partial mediation) via a higher sense of competence in Patient Education. Among the covariates, professionals who had received a high‐level training in Patient Education, those with a high recognition of their work in patient education and nurses (compared with nursing assistants) were the most motivated. Conclusion: Professionals' emotional skills are the mainstay of their motivation for Patient Education. Training should aim to develop these skills so that professionals can manage their own emotions better (e.g. frustration when faced with non‐motivated patients) and those of patients (e.g. discouragement) and thus effectively support patient self‐management. Impact: The study addressed nurses' and nursing assistants' motivation for patient education. Their emotional skills were directly and indirectly – via a higher sense of patient‐education‐related competence – associated with higher motivation. Training for professionals should therefore develop their emotional skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine whether the work–life interface (through work–family conflict and overall work–life balance) moderates the relationship between work ability and workplace demands and resources. Design: This study used a cross‐sectional survey design to collect data from 426 employees working in residential aged care. Methods: A paper‐based questionnaire was distributed to all permanent and casual employees at eight aged care facilities in Melbourne, Australia, between June ‐ September 2013. Moderation analyses were conducted using PROCESS v. 2.13 in SPSS v. 22. Results/Findings: As expected, workplace demands and resources directly influenced workers' work ability. In addition, moderate‐to‐high levels of work–family conflict and low‐to‐moderate levels of satisfaction with work–life balance combined interactively with particular workplace demands and resources (relationships with management, physical demands, and safety climate) to reduce work ability. Conclusions: This study advances understanding of how work–life balance and work–life conflict can influence work ability levels and shows that addressing the work–life interface may be a legitimate means to improve work ability, potentially leading to continued workforce participation. Impact: Staff retention in the residential aged care sector needs to be addressed. One possible means of achieving this is through improving work ability. This study expanded knowledge of how the work–life interface may influence work ability. The research demonstrated that relationships between work ability and particular workplace demands and resources were moderated by the work–life interface. This finding has implications for how human resources managers of residential aged care facilities may improve workforce retention—through facilitating employees to manage the work–life interface better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to describe the status of patient delay and examine related factors affecting patient delay in individuals with haemorrhoids in mainland China, based on theory of planned behaviour and common sense model. Background: Studies on patient delay have mainly focused on cancer, tuberculosis and myocardial infarction, but studies on patient delay in individuals with haemorrhoids have yet to be conducted. Compared with other diseases, haemorrhoids are initially considered benign. However, if patients with haemorrhoids seek delayed medical assistance, they pay a large cost for worse symptoms because they fail to seek timely treatments compared with those who receive appropriate treatments at early stages. Design: A cross‐sectional study design was used. Methods: The current study was performed on 306 patients with haemorrhoids from June ‐ October 2017. Data were collected via a self‐administered pencil‐and‐paper survey that consisted of a multi‐item questionnaire. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors of patient delay. Results: Middle‐aged participants were more than twice more likely to report patient delay than participants in other age groups. A high level of perceived self‐efficacy, a high level of illness perceptions and perceived social impact were associated with prolonged delay. Conclusion: This study showed that patient delay is common among patients with haemorrhoids in China. The influencing factors of patient delay were middle‐aged, illness perceptions, perceived self‐efficacy, and perceived social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To establish and quantify the main reasons for treatment abandonment in children with cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa through a systematic review of the literature. Background: Great advances have been made in the treatment of childhood cancer, however this requires that families are able to complete treatment. Failure to do this is referred to as treatment abandonment, which is recognized as a reason for treatment failure. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of data on the reasons for treatment abandonment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data sources: Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to May Week 1 2017 and Embase 1974 to 2017 Week 19. Additional hand-searching was undertaken. Review methods: Two reviewers independently screened papers and extracted the data. The R package meta was used to calculate the relative risk of treatment abandonment or the proportion of parents stating a reason. Results: The relative risk of treatment abandonment was highest for not being in a research cohort; followed by mothers only having primary education, being HIV negative, parents not being employed, travel and no insurance. When parents who had abandoned treatment were asked, the most common reason was finance, followed by insurance, transport, lack of social support, their child appearing well, fear and waiting. Conclusions: More data are needed on the extent of treatment abandonment in different countries. Clinicians should encourage parents without insurance to enrol onto the relevant insurance programme straight after diagnosis, provide housing for patients and families close to the treatment centres and to develop treatment at more localized centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scales and instruments play an important role in health research and practice. It is important that studies that report on their psychometric properties do so in a way such that readers can understand what was done and what was found. This paper is a guide to writing articles about the development and assessment of these tools. It covers what should be in the abstract and how key words should be chosen. The article then discusses what should be in the main parts of the paper: the introduction, methods, results and discussion. In each of these parts, it suggests the statistical tests that should be used and how to report them. The emphasis throughout the paper is that reliability and validity are not fixed properties of a scale, but depend on an interaction among it, the population being evaluated and the circumstances under which the instrument is administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The aim of this study was to complement existing evidence on the suitability of Multiple Mini Interviews as a potential tool for the selection of nursing candidates on to a BSc (Hons) nursing programme. Background This study aimed to trial the Multiple Mini Interview approach to recruitment with a group of first year nursing students (already selected using traditional interviews). Design Cross-sectional validation study. This paper reports on the evaluation of the participants' detailed scores from the Multiple Mini Interview stations; their original interview scores and their end of year results. Methods This study took place in March 2015. Scores from the seven Multiple Mini Interview stations were analysed to show the internal structure, reliability and generalizability of the stations. Original selection scores from interviews and in-course assessment were correlated with the MMI scores and variation by students' age, gender and disability status was explored. Results Reliability of the Multiple Mini Interview score was moderate (G = 0·52). The Multiple Mini Interview score provided better differentiation between more able students than did the original interview score but neither score was correlated with the module results. Multiple Mini Interview scores were positively associated with students' age but not their gender or disability status. Conclusion The Multiple Mini Interview reported in this study offers a selection process that is based on the values and personal attributes regarded as desirable for a career in nursing and does not necessarily predict academic success. Its moderate reliability indicates the need for further improvement but it is capable of discriminating between candidates and shows little evidence of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To identify the types of interventions that are effective in reducing stress in student nurses, and to make recommendations for future research. Background. Student nurses experience significant stress during their training and this may contribute to sickness, absence and attrition. Given the global shortage of nurses and high dropout rates amongst trainees, the importance for developing stress management programmes for student nurses is becoming more evident. To date, only one review has examined the effectiveness of stress interventions for student nurses, but the emergence of recent literature warrants a new review. Data sources. Research papers published between April 1981 and April 2008 were identified from the following databases: Medline, CINAHL, Behavioral Sciences Collection, IBSS and Psychinfo. Review methods. A quantitative systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted. Key terms included 'nurses OR nursing OR nurse', 'student OR students', 'intervention', 'stress OR burnout'. In addition to database searches, reference lists of selected papers were scanned, key authors were contacted and manual searches of key journals were conducted. Results. The most effective interventions provided skills for coping with stressful situations (typically relaxation) and skills for changing maladaptive cognitions. Interventions which promoted skills to reduce the intensity or number of stressors were also successful. In most cases, stress interventions did not improve academic performance. Conclusion. The design of stress interventions should be driven by theory. Future studies should focus on interface and organizational factors and the long-term benefits of interventions for student nurses are yet to be demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Increasingly there is a focus on self-care strategies for both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Models of self-care interventions have focussed on the individual and less on the broader context of family and society. In many societies, decision-making and health seeking behaviours, involve family members. Objective To identify elements of effective family-centred self-care interventions that are likely to improve outcomes of adults living with chronic conditions. Design Review paper. Data sources MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsychInfo and Scopus between 2000-2014. Review methods Quantitative studies targeting patient outcomes through family-centred interventions in adults were retrieved using systematic methods in January, 2015. Search terms used were: 'family', 'spouse', 'carer', 'caregiver', 'chronic', 'chronic disease', 'self-care', 'self-management' and 'self-efficacy'. Reference lists were reviewed. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Data were reported using a narrative summary approach. Results Ten studies were identified. Improvements were noted in readmission rates, emergency department presentations, and anxiety levels using family-centred interventions compared with controls. Elements of effective interventions used were a family-centred approach, active learning strategy and transitional care with appropriate follow-up. Conclusions Involving the family in self-care has shown some positive results for patients with chronic conditions. The benefits of family-centred care may be more likely in specific socio-cultural contexts. Limitations The review has year limits and further research needs to identify support for both the patients and family caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to support caregivers of people with selected chronic conditions. Background Informal caregivers provide millions of care hours each week contributing to significant healthcare savings. Despite much research evaluating a range of interventions for caregivers, their impact remains unclear. Design A systematic review of systematic reviews of interventions to support caregivers of people with selected chronic conditions. Data sources The electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, Psyc INFO, Social Science Index (January 1990-May 2014) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 6, June 2014), were searched using Medical Subject Heading and index term combinations of the keywords caregiver, systematic review, intervention and named chronic conditions. Review methods Papers were included if they reported a systematic review of interventions for caregivers of people with chronic conditions. The methodological quality of the included reviews was independently assessed by two reviewers using R- AMSTAR. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers using a pre-designed data extraction form. Narrative synthesis of review findings was used to present the results. Results Eight systematic reviews were included. There was evidence that education and support programme interventions improved caregiver quality of life. Information-giving interventions improved caregiver knowledge for stroke caregivers. Conclusion Education, support and information-giving interventions warrant further investigation across caregiver groups. A large-scale funded programme for caregiver research is required to ensure that studies are of high quality to inform service development across settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This paper presents the relative merits and comparative costs of conducting trial of void using Hospital-In-The-Home vs. the Day Procedure Unit. Background Hospitals increasingly discharge patients with acute urinary retention with indwelling urinary catheters. For these to be removed and patients supported to return to normal urinary function, outpatient or in-home services are used. To date, the relative effectiveness and costs of Hospital-In-The-Home care and Day Procedure Unit care for trial of void have not been examined. Design This retrospective study used a static-group comparison design. Methods Hospital administrative data from 1 February 2009-30 March 2011 for patients having trial of void in the Day Procedure Unit ( n = 107) and Hospital-In-The-Home ( n = 163) of a tertiary hospital in Western Australia were compared in terms of patient outcomes and costs. Results Day Procedure Unit patients had longer wait times than Hospital-In-The-Home patients; there was no difference between the two groups for average per patient days of service or successful first trials. Hospital-In-The-Home care did not increase the overall period of care. Per patient average ward-equivalent cost in the Day Procedure Unit was A$396 higher than the Hospital-In-The-Home ward-equivalent cost. The average cost saving per patient for Hospital-In-The-Home care including trial of void cost and emergency department visits was A$117. Conclusion Patient outcomes from Hospital-In-The-Home trial of void in low-risk patients were comparable to those of Day Procedure Unit care and less costly. Hospital-In-The-Home care for this well-defined procedure could permit more efficient management of patient throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim In this paper, we describe a trial protocol used to assess feasibility related to: study administration (recruitment, randomization, retention, compliance, eligibility criteria, suitability of protocol instructions and data collection questionnaires); resource and data management (suitability of site, time and budget allocation, management of personnel and data); intervention fidelity (treatment dose, violations); and effect size. Background Pressure injury can lead to increases in hospital length of stay and cost. The sacrum is identified as one of the most common anatomical pressure injury sites for hospitalized patients. Silicone foam border dressings have been proposed as one strategy to reduce pressure injury incidence; however, rigorous testing of benefit in a general medical-surgical population is required. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods Eighty patients will be recruited after assessment of high risk of pressure injury in a large tertiary hospital in south-east Queensland, Australia. Eligible, consenting participants will be randomly allocated to either a control group (routine care) or an intervention group (routine care and a sacral prophylactic dressing). The primary outcomes comprise feasibility criteria as identified above. The secondary measure is the presence and severity of sacral pressure injury via blind assessment of digital photographs. Research ethics approval was received in October 2013. Discussion Prophylactic dressings applied to the sacrum may be an effective method for reducing pressure injury in high-risk general medical-surgical patients. However, more rigorous studies to confirm benefit are required. This pilot study will determine the feasibility and effect size to inform a larger randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To report quantitative evidence for the accuracy of the defining characteristics of ineffective airway clearance in different settings and populations. Background Defining characteristics are tests used by nurses to clinically indicate the presence or absence of a particular nursing diagnosis. A few studies have reported the accuracy of certain defining characteristics of ineffective airway clearance, but these studies address specific populations with particular needs. Design A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to provide a synthesis and critical appraisal of the included studies. Data sources The electronic databases CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and LILACS were searched using a systematic search strategy for studies published in any year. The last search was performed on 31 July 2013. Review methods Using the recommendations from Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy and the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy ( STARD), a systematic review was conducted using studies investigating the presence of ineffective airway clearance and its defining characteristics. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies ( QUADAS) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Results Seven papers met the search criteria. The studies were developed in different clinical settings and most of them fulfilled QUADAS criteria. Summary measures indicated the following defining characteristics with higher accuracy values: adventitious breath sounds, changes in respiratory rate, difficult vocalizing, diminished breath sounds, dyspnoea, ineffective cough, orthopnoea and restlessness. Conclusion This systematic review showed that the variability in clinical indicators of ineffective airway clearance is related to differences in the clinical settings and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This paper assessed the reliability and construct validity of the new version of a patient classification instrument. Background In the development of patient classification instruments, monitoring validity and reliability is essential to assure that patient care requirements and nursing staff workload are appropriately measured. Design method The sample included 194 patients (construct validity test) and 60 patients (inter-rater reliability test) at medical, surgical, and specialized wards of a teaching hospital in the south east of Brazil. The study was conducted in 2009-2010. For analysis purposes, Spearman's correlation and Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency) were used, and weighted kappa (inter-rater reliability), factor analysis with principal axis factoring extraction method (construct validity) and ordinal regression (instrument's predictive ability). Results A high level of inter-rater agreement was found. The importance of all care areas and their contribution to distinguish patient care needs and category in the new instrument were demonstrated. Results also showed the instrument's high predictive ability (99·6%). Conclusion The findings give the evidence that the new scale is a reliable and valid tool to assess patient care needs and care category and that it can be used to guide nursing management practice in determining the nursing staff workload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lin s.-c., tsai k.-w., chen m.-w. & koo m. (2012) Association between fatigue and Internet addiction in female hospital nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(2), 374-383. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06016.x Abstract Aims. To report a study conducted to examine the association between fatigue and Internet addiction among female hospital nurses. Background. The Internet provides unprecedented convenience for social interaction and information retrieval. Although excessive Internet use has been demonstrated to correlate with fatigue in adolescents, no studies have examined whether it is associated with fatigue in nurses. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Methods. The study was conducted in August 2010. Female Registered Nurses working in a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, the Chen Internet Addiction Scale and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using Chalder fatigue scale as the dependent variable. Results. Of the 564 (79% response) valid questionnaires returned, 6 and 10% of the participants were classified as diagnostic cases and possible cases of Internet addiction, respectively. Fatigue levels, adjusting for other potential confounders including work unit, shift work, regular self-medication, and self-perceived health status, was significantly associated with both possible cases of Internet addiction and diagnostic cases of Internet addiction. Conclusion. This study is the first in reporting a statistically significant association between fatigue levels and Internet addiction in female hospital nurses. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses should pay attention to their Internet activity and whether it adds to their fatigue levels. Addictive behaviour should promptly be dealt with to ensure that the best care is provided to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

rochefort c.m., ward l., ritchie j.a., girard n. & tamblyn r.m. (2011) Patient and nurse staffing characteristics associated with high sitter use costs. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1758-1767. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the relationships between patient health conditions, nurse staffing characteristics and high sitter use costs. Background. Increasing recourse to patient sitters is a major cost concern to hospitals. To reduce these expenses, we need to understand better the factors associated with high sitter use costs. Methods. From a cohort of 43,212 medical/surgical patients admitted to an academic health centre in Montreal (Canada) in 2007 and 2008, all 1151 patients who received a sitter were selected. We applied multivariate logistic regression, using the Generalized Estimating Equation framework, to estimate the relationships between patient health conditions, nurse staffing characteristics and being in the upper two quintiles of sitter costs, vs. the lower three. Results. The median sitter cost per patient, in Canadian dollars, was $772·35 (IQR = $1737·84); and $2397·00 (IQR = $3085·03) among the patients with high sitter use costs. In multivariate analyses, dementia, delirium and other cognitive impairments (OR = 1·49; 95% CI = 1·01-2·22) and schizophrenia and other psychoses (OR = 2·42; 95% CI = 1·08-5·76) increased the likelihood of high sitter use costs. In addition, every additional worked hour per patient per day by Registered Nurses (OR = 0·33; 95% CI = 0·27-0·39) and by patient care assistants (OR = 0·11; 95% CI = 0·08-0·15) reduced the likelihood of high sitter use costs. Conclusion. Circumstances of understaffing and patients having psycho-geriatric conditions are associated with high sitter use costs. Improving staffing and providing additional resources to support the care of psycho-geriatric patients may lower these expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

chang h.-y.a., wallis m. & tiralongo e. (2012) Predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use by people with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1256-1266. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a study into factors predicting complementary and alternative medicine use in people with type 2 diabetes. Background. The growing incidence of type 2 diabetes is emerging as a major health issue throughout the world. While the rate of complementary and alternative medicine use in this population is high, it is not clear what predicts its use, in this population. Methods. A cross-sectional survey, using a structured interview, was undertaken among people with type 2 diabetes attending diabetic clinics in three census regions in Taiwan, between July 2006 and February 2007. The survey instrument, derived from a review of Taiwanese and international literature, was developed using the Health Belief Model. Results. A total of 326 participants with type 2 diabetes were interviewed (87·4% response rate). In people with type 2 diabetes, complementary and alternative medicine use was associated with a history of its use, a positive attitude towards it, stronger health beliefs about diabetes and the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine in treating diabetes, a higher degree of self-care activities by the individual and a longer duration of diabetes. Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that complementary and alternative medicine use in people with type 2 diabetes is influenced by people's experience, beliefs, attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine, and their behaviour towards disease management rather than their demographic characteristics. Nurses and healthcare professionals should consider the patient's background, health history, health beliefs and cultural background when planning specific strategies designed to modify lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A kuma A .O . & J ordan S . (2012) Pain management in neonates: a survey of nurses and doctors. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1288-1301. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a descriptive survey of nurses' and doctors' knowledge and reported practice regarding procedural pain assessment and management in neonatal intensive care units. Background. There are concerns that pain is often unrecognized and under-treated in neonates. Current guidelines advocate administration of analgesia and comfort measures, but may be vulnerable to inter-professional differences in guideline implementation. Methods. All nurses and doctors working in all seven neonatal intensive care units in one area of the United Kingdom were surveyed between January to August 2007. Lead clinicians distributed and collected anonymous questionnaires. Findings. Response rate was 44% (62 doctors, 137 nurses). Internal consistency was high, overall Cronbach's alpha 0·976. Respondents were knowledgeable, mean score 82% (SD13·3%). They agreed that neonates feel pain and need analgesia. Chest drain insertion was perceived to be the most painful procedure, heel-prick the least. Respondents reported that analgesia and comfort measures were not usually administered for most procedures: nurses were more likely than doctors to report adhering to guidelines advocating administration of analgesia and comfort measures. Statistically significant differences between current and optimal practice were acknowledged. Few (21% and 37%) had received training on neonatal pain and fewer (2·5%) employed recognized pain assessment instruments. Pain management guidelines were available to 29(47%) doctors and 85(62%) nurses; 20(18%) reported that these had been audited. Conclusion. Clinicians were knowledgeable about neonatal pain, but gaps between knowledge and practice remain. This hiatus could be bridged by providing research evidence for the efficacy of guidelines incorporating validated pain assessment instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

arts e.e.a., landewe-cleuren s.a.n.t., schaper n.c. & vrijhoef h.j.m. (2012) The cost-effectiveness of substituting physicians with diabetes nurse specialists: a randomized controlled trial with 2-year follow-up. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1224-1234. Abstract Aims. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an intervention substituting physicians with nurse specialists. Background. Increasing populations of people with diabetes in most Western countries require creative solutions that give high-quality chronic care while controlling costs. Instigating nurse specialists as a substitute for physicians yields positive results in this area. Research about such interventions in a hospital-based setting is limited. Methods. This paper is a report of a study of a randomized, non-blinded clinical trial including people with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2. In the intervention group nurse specialists were the central carers, providing care that conformed to a preset protocol. Patients were included between 2004 and 2007. Costs, quality of life and adverse events were measured, cost-effect ratios and incremental cost-effect ratios were calculated based on health-resource utilization rates, corresponding market prices and national tariffs from 2007. Results. Health related quality of life scores did not differ significantly between the control and the intervention group. In the intervention group, fewer patients were hospitalized and fewer side effects from drugs were reported compared to controls. Nurse specialists as central care givers generated a modest reduction in costs per quality adjusted life year gained compared to usual care. Conclusion. Nurse specialists give diabetes care that is similar to care provided by physicians in terms of quality of life and economic value. Instigating a nurse specialist as central carer yields opportunities to generate cost savings. Developing interventions which also focus on prevention of complications is recommended when aiming for long-term organisational cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

linden m. & kavanagh r. (2012) Attitudes of qualified vs. student mental health nurses towards an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1359-1368. Abstract Aim. This paper is the report of a study which sought to compare the attitudes held by student and qualified mental health nurses towards individuals with schizophrenia in the Republic of Ireland. Background. Media portrayals of individuals with schizophrenia often include images of aggression and violence. With global initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma and exclusion associated with mental illness, the attitudes of those who care for people with schizophrenia are of particular interest. Methods. A survey was administered to 66 student mental health nurses, and 121 qualified mental health nurses. Participants completed the community attitudes to mental illness scale and the social interaction scale in 2009. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to test for the effects of qualification, work setting, years of experience and education on the measures. Results. Nurses employed in a community setting held more positive attitudes, when compared with colleagues who worked in an inpatient setting, as measured by the community mental health ideology subscale, indicating their desire to promote community care for individuals with schizophrenia. Nurses working in an inpatient setting held more socially restrictive attitudes indicating that they felt individuals with schizophrenia were dangerous and should be avoided. These findings were statistically significant at the P < 0·05 level. Conclusions. Mental health nurses must be alerted to the fact that holding negative attitudes may adversely affect the therapeutic relationship and ultimately lead to stigmatization and its negative consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

fealy g.m., treacy m., drennan j., naughton c., butler m. & lyons i. (2011) A profile of older emergency department attendees: findings from an Irish study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(5), 1003-1013. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a study of older emergency department attendees' demographic, health and social profiles. Background. Relative to the general population, older people are higher users of hospital emergency departments. Attendance is most often associated with medical need, including a chronic condition and related morbidities. Method. A series of standardized health and social profiling questionnaires was administered to a non-probability sample of 307 older emergency department attendees. The sample was recruited during the spring-summer and autumn-winter periods in 2008 and 2009 at two hospitals in the city of Dublin. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited as they presented to the emergency department during the hours 8 am to midnight. The sample was stratified into those admitted and those discharged, with the aim of equally representing each stratum. Data were collected at the time of the index visit or shortly following hospital admission. Findings. Medical conditions accounted for almost half of all reasons for attendance and the health profile of the sample was characteristic of a population of chronically ill older people. Relative to the national picture for older people's social networks in Ireland, a proportion of the sample was at risk of social isolation. Conclusions. In the absence of other avenues to treatment and based on health profile and diagnostic category, older people's attendance at the emergency department was appropriate. The hospital emergency department remains a major arm of the Irish health service in dealing with the morbidity associated with enduring illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

papastavrou e., efstathiou g., tsangari h., suhonen r., leino-kilpi h., patiraki e., karlou c., balogh z., palese a., tomietto m., jarosova d. & merkouris a. (2011) A cross-cultural study of the concept of caring through behaviours: patients' and nurses' perspectives in six different EU countries. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(5), 1026-1037. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of an international study of patients' and nurses' perceptions of nurse caring behaviours. Background. Current economic constraints on healthcare systems, demand to increase the quality of care and the incorporation of the consumers' perspective into care, have created a need to develop a clear understanding of nursing behaviours which convey caring. Patients in different areas of the world report different expectations of nurses' caring actions when compared to nurses' views. Method. A descriptive comparative survey design was used to analyse a sample of surgical patients ( n = 1659) and their nurses ( n = 1195) in 88 wards of 34 hospitals in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hungary and Italy. Data were collected in autumn 2009 using the Caring Behaviours Inventory-24. Nurses' and patients' responses were compared using both inferential and descriptive statistics. Results. Independent samples t-tests showed important differences between nurses' and patients' views. Although both groups perceived knowledge and skill as being the most important sub-scale, the nurses' responses were higher compared to patients ( P < 0·05) with important differences in the 'assurance of human presence' ( P < 0·001) and the 'respectful deference to others' ( P < 0·001) sub-scales. Cross-country comparisons showed important differences between the nurses' ( F = 24·199, P < 0·001) and patients' views on caring ( F = 26·945, P < 0·001). Conclusions. Important differences were observed between patient-nurse perceptions in the participating countries. The results form a foundation for future research into the development of a common international perspective about caring behaviours between patients and their nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

li x.-m., zhou k.-n., yan h., wang d.-l. & zhang y.-p. (2011) Effects of music therapy on anxiety of patients with breast cancer after radical mastectomy: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(5), 1145-1155. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a clinical trial of the effects of music therapy on anxiety of female breast cancer patients following radical mastectomy. Background. There is insufficient evidence on the effects of music therapy on state anxiety of breast cancer patients following radical mastectomy. Methods. A Hall's Core, Care, and Cure Model-based clinical trial was conducted in 120 female breast cancer patients from March to November 2009. A randomized controlled design was utilized. The patients were randomly allocated to the experimental group ( n = 60) received music therapy in addition to routine nursing care, and the control group ( n = 60) only received routine nursing care. A standardized questionnaire and the State Anxiety Inventory were applied. The primary endpoint was the state anxiety score measured at pretest (on the day before radical mastectomy) and at three post-tests (on the day before patients were discharged from hospital, the second and third time of admission to hospital for chemotherapy respectively). Results. The pretest score revealed that the majority of the patients had a moderate level (77·5%) and 15% had severe level of state anxiety. The repeated-measure ancova model analysis indicated that the mean state anxiety score was significantly lower in the experimental group than those in the control group at each of the three post-test measurements. The mean difference between the experimental and control group together with 95% confidence intervals were −4·57 (−6·33, −2·82), −8·91 (−10·75, −7·08) and −9·69 (−11·52, −7·85) at the 1st post-test, 2nd post-test and 3rd post-test respectively. Conclusion. Music therapy is found to have positive effects on decreasing state anxiety score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

chang h.-y., teng c.-i., chu t.-l., chang h.-t. & hsu w.-h. (2012) Impact of nurse agreeableness and negative mood of nursing supervisors on intention to help colleagues. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(3), 636-646. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a correlational study of the relations of nurse agreeableness and negative supervisor mood to nurses' intentions to help their colleagues. Background. Nursing collaboration is important to high quality care. Previous studies have identified agreeableness and negative mood of supervisors as influential factors in the workplace. In nursing, however, exactly how these factors and their interactions influence nurses' intention to help their colleagues remains unknown. Methods. A cross-sectional design and questionnaires were used to collect data in December 2007. Each sample set comprised of one supervisor and three nurses. A total of 53 sets of questionnaires were distributed, and 46 complete sets of responses were received, yielding a response ratio of 86·8%. Results. The analytical results indicate that nurse agreeableness is positively related to nurses' intentions to help colleagues (path coefficient = 0·54, P < 0·01). However, negative supervisor mood is negatively related to nurses' intentions to help colleagues (path coefficient = −0·13, P < 0·05). Moreover, the analytical results indicated that for highly agreeable nurses, the relationship between negative supervisor mood and nurses' intentions to help colleagues is significantly stronger than for less agreeable nurses. This demonstrates that nurse agreeableness amplifies the negative impact of negative supervisor mood on nurses' intentions to help colleagues. Conclusion. The study findings suggest the pivotal importance of managing negative supervisor mood to increase nurses' intentions to help colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

azhar s., hassali m.a., mohamed ibrahim m.i., saleem f. & siow yen l. (2012) A survey evaluating nurses' perception and expectations towards the role of pharmacist in Pakistan's healthcare system. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(1), 199-205. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of nurses' perception towards the role of pharmacist in Pakistan healthcare setup. Background. Collaborative care by the healthcare professionals has the potential to improve patient care, enhance patient safety and to reduce workload issues that cause burn out among healthcare professionals. Design. A quantitative (cross-sectional) study design was adopted. Method. A sample of 458 nurses was selected from government hospitals of three cities of Punjab, Pakistan. The study took place from 10 January 2009 to 15 March 2009. Results. Two hundred and sixty-six questionnaires were returned, giving the response rate of (58·07%). Three-fifths of the nurses reported that they had once a day interaction with the pharmacist. Seven-tenths of the nurses expected the pharmacist to take personal responsibility for resolving any drug-related problems. Moreover they appear to have high expectations of the pharmacist, almost nine-tenths regarded pharmacists as knowledgeable drug therapy experts, and almost two-thirds of the nurses emphasized on counselling of patient by the pharmacist. Conclusion. Nurses in Pakistan showed negative perception towards the role of pharmacist in healthcare setting. Although nurses considered pharmacist as a drug information expert but their expectation did not match their experience. A possible factor for this behaviour could be due to nurses' belief that incorporating the role of pharmacist in patient care, may decrease their worth and can result in intrusion into their duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

yorke j., horton m. & jones p. w. (2012) A critique of Rasch analysis using the Dyspnoea-12 as an illustrative example. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(1), 191-198. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the application and critique of Rasch analysis to the development of the Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire; an instrument that measures breathlessness severity. Background. The development of questionnaires has traditionally involved application of classical test theory. Rasch analysis has gained international momentum as a robust application of 'modern' psychometric testing for the development of new instruments and the refinement of existing ones. Method. A total of 358 patients [mean age 62 ( sd = 8); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease = 123, interstitial lung disease = 129, heart failure = 106], responded to an initial list of 81 items (between May 2006 and February 2008). Hierarchical modelling reduced the list to 34 items. Rasch analysis was used to inform decisions about further item removal and fit to the unidimensional model. Rasch analysis included tests of item response appropriateness, item residual, differential item functioning (including gender and diagnosis) and unidimensionality. Results. Twenty-two items failed to reach the requirements of the Rasch model and were removed. Reasons included high residuals and item bias associated with gender and diagnosis. The 12-items conformed to the Rasch unidimensional parameters (number of statistically significant t-tests 6·7%; confidence interval: 4·4-9·0%). Conclusion. We have presented the steps involved in reducing and refining a large item-set by identifying those items which possessed the most reliable measurement properties. The Dyspnoea-12 is reliable and simple to use and should find utility in both practice and research settings. We recommend that nurses consider Rasch analysis in the development of health-related questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study, which examines the moderating effect of collective efficacy on the associations between physical workload, intention to leave and sickness absence. Background. The positive association between physical workload and both intention to leave and sickness absence in the healthcare sector is well-established. However, knowledge is limited with respect to how social contextual factors such as collective efficacy moderate these associations. Methods. A questionnaire was distributed over a 4-month period in 2006/2007 to all employees at elderly care centres in 35 Danish municipalities who were asked to rate their groups' collective efficacy. The final sample consisted of 6929 female employees from 290 work groups. Employees were predominantly healthcare helpers and assistants, but also nurses and other healthcare professionals participated in the study. Information on collective efficacy was aggregated to work group level. Results. Collective efficacy moderated the association between physical workload and intention to leave, i.e. employees with high levels of physical workload had lower intention to leave if they worked in a group with high levels of collective efficacy and higher intention to leave if they worked in a group with low levels of collective efficacy. No moderating effect of collective efficacy on the association between physical workload and sickness absence was found. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that enhancing the sense of collective efficacy might be a mean for organizations and managers to reduce intention to leave, but further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

dellve l., hadzibajramovic e. & ahlborg jrg. (2011) Work attendance among healthcare workers: prevalence, incentives, and long-term consequences for health and performance. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(9), 1918-1929. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a cohort study of healthcare workers' work attendance, and its long-term consequences' on health, burnout, work ability and performance. Background. Concepts and measures of work attendance have varied in the scientific literature. Attending work in spite of being sick can have serious consequences on health. There is little knowledge on which individual and work-related conditions that increase work attendance and the long-term impact on health and performance. Method. Prospective analyses of three measures of work attendance i.e. sickness attendance, uninterrupted long-term attendance and balanced attendance (≤7 days of sick leave per year and no sickness attendance) were done using questionnaire data from a 2-year cohort study (2004-2006) of randomly selected healthcare workers ( n = 2624). Incentives (e.g. effort-reward balance, social support, meaningfulness) and requirements (e.g. time-pressure, dutifulness, high responsibility) to attend work as well as general health, burnout, sick leave, work ability and performance were assessed. Results. There was a positive relation between balanced work attendance and incentives, whereas high sickness attendance was associated with requirements. Follow up after 2 years showed that balanced attendance was associated with sustained health and performance while sickness attendance was associated with poor health, burnout, sick-leave and decreased performance. Conclusion. It is important to distinguish between measures of work attendance as they differ in relation to incentives, and health- and performance-related consequences. Sickness attendance seems to be an important risk indicator. A balanced work attendance should be promoted for sustained health and performance in healthcare organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This paper is a report of a study designed to examine the association between modernization and future care preferences among adult children caregivers of older Arab parents in Israel and to identify factors that may mediate the association. Method. Cross-sectional data were collected in 2006-2007 by a structured interview from 250 randomly sampled Arab-Israeli adult children caregivers (response rate = 94%). Respondents' preference for formal and/or informal future care for themselves was regressed on selected predictor variables. Results. The vast majority of family caregivers would 'prefer' to be cared for by family members (76.4%). Urbanization level was a negative correlate of preference for future family care and a positive correlate of preference for future formal care. However, these associations were mediated by the extent of filial piety and caregiving burden. Filial piety was a positive predictor of preference for future family care (OR = 3.6, P < 0.01), and a negative predictor of preference for formal care (OR = 0.09, P < 0.01). Caregiving burden was a positive predictor of preferences for future formal care (OR = 5.15, P < 0.01). Conclusion. Modernization has an impact on future care preferences in traditional cultures. In order to maintain informal family care, community nurses should examine ways to lessen the burden of care among family caregivers. They should also develop culturally sensitive services that will meet the evolving expectations and preferences that are held by the next generations of family caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study investigating nurse burnout and its association with occupational stressors in Shanghai, China. Background. Burnout is described as feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Measuring burnout among nurses and its association with occupational stressors are important in providing appropriate intervention to reduce stress and burnout. Method. In total, 527 nurses from 41 hospitals in Shanghai returned self-reported questionnaires in June 2008. Their burden of burnout was measured by the Chinese version of 'Maslach Burnout Inventory', and their stress by the Chinese version of 'job content questionnaire' and 'effort-reward imbalance questionnaire'. Results. Most nurses (74.76%) had a Demand/Control ratio higher than 1 and 27.13% had an Effort/Reward ratio higher than 1. The nurses showed a high level of emotional exhaustion, moderate level of depersonalization, and low level of reduced personal accomplishment. Linear regression analyses showed higher burden of stress and burnout among nurses at younger age, or on shift duty or from higher grade hospitals. Both the job content questionnaire and effort-reward imbalance questionnaire models had good predictive powers of the nurses' burnout, especially the effort-reward imbalance questionnaire model is more powerful than the other in predicting two Maslach Burnout Inventory subscales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Conclusion. Nurses in Shanghai were suffering from high levels of burnout, which was strongly associated with work-related stress. Interventions in reducing occupational stress are needed to reduce the burden of burnout in Chinese nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a descriptive study of nurses' and midwives' clinical leadership development needs. Background. Nurses and midwives are expected to fulfil a leadership role at all levels, yet efforts to strategically support them are often unfocused. An analysis of clinical leadership development needs can provide the foundation for leadership initiatives to support staff. Method. A mixed methods design was used. A questionnaire was sent to 911 nurses and midwives and 22 focus groups comprising 184 participants were conducted. Data were collected between March and June 2009 across all promotional grades of nurses and midwives in Ireland. Repeated measures ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser adjustment was used for post hoc pair wise comparisons of the subscale dimensions of clinical leadership. ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc method was used for comparison between grades on each individual subscale. Thematic analysis was undertaken on the focus group data. Results. Results reveal that needs related to development of the profession were the highest for all grades. The staff grade expressed a higher need in relation to 'managing clinical area', 'managing the patient care' and 'skills for clinical leadership' than managers. Qualitative analysis yielded five themes; (1) clinical leadership and leaders from a nursing and midwifery perspective; (2) quality service from a nursing and midwifery perspective; (3) clinical leaders' roles and functions; (4) capital and (5) competences for clinical leaders and leadership and the context of clinical leadership. Conclusion. Clinical leadership concerns quality, safety and effectiveness. Nurses and midwives are ideally placed to offer the clinical leadership that is required to ensure these patient care outcomes. Development initiatives must address the leader and leadership competencies to support staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of psychometric testing of the Swedish version of the Child Drawing: Hospital Manual. Background. Drawings have shown to be useful in assessing emotional status and anxiety in children because they generally speak to us more clearly and openly through their drawings than they are willing or able to verbally. Method. The Child Drawing: Hospital Manual was translated into Swedish according to World Health Organization guidelines (a routine procedure for translation of English instruments) in order to assess anxiety by analysing the drawings of 59 children (5-11 years), of whom nine were girls and 50 boys undergoing day surgery during 2007-2009. Results. Inter-rater reliability (five independent scorers) was high and internal consistency reliability was good (coefficient alpha = 0.77). Parts A and C, as well as the total scale score of the Child Drawing: Hospital Manual, discriminated anxiety significantly between the group of children undergoing day surgery and a comparison group of school children, indicating adequate construct validity. Conclusion. For the Swedish version of the Child Drawing: Hospital Manual, our study demonstrates evidence for adequate construct validity in Parts A and C (and total scale score), high inter-rater reliability and acceptable internal consistency reliability. However, some improvements are needed before the instrument will be a clinically useful assessment of anxiety in children undergoing day surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study on the association between sleep patterns during work nights and recovery from work among nursing workers, considering domestic work hours. Background. Several hospitals allow nursing workers to sleep during the night shift, but this is rarely evaluated from the workers' health perspective. The need for recovery from work concept can be useful for testing the impact of night work on sleep. Recovery is not a problem if workers have enough time to recover between periods of work. Therefore, domestic work would be likely to interfere in the recovery process. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out at three hospitals in 2005-2006, through a comprehensive questionnaire. All nursing teams engaged in assistance to patients were invited to participate. Analyses included female night workers with no incidence of insomnia. Participants (n = 396) were classified into those who did not sleep during night shifts, those who slept for up to 2 hours and those who slept for 2-3 hours. Results. Binomial logistic regression analysis showed that sleeping on the job for 2-3 hours during night shifts is related to a better recovery from work provided the workers do not undergo long domestic work hours. Conclusions. Being allowed to sleep at work during night shifts seemed to contribute to, but was not enough to guarantee, a good recovery from work in the studied population. Recommendations to deal with sleep-deprivation among night workers should consider the complexity of gender roles on the recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a correlational study of the relationships between work-related injury-risk events and modifiable risk factors in a nursing population after controlling for socioeconomic factors. Background. Nurses are at high risk for work-related injury. Work-related injury is strongly influenced by psychosocial factors and physical job-related exposures, but the magnitude of effect from modifiable factors remains unclear. Method. Data were based on the Work Outcomes Research Cost-benefit survey conducted in Australia during 2005 and 2006. The study sample of 5724 represented ~14% of nurses in Queensland, Australia. Logistic regression was used to determine the magnitude of association of psychological distress (represented by the Kessler 6 score: six-item scale of psychological distress), the number of health conditions and various socioeconomic factors with work place injury. Results. High psychological distress was associated with a 5% probability of injury. As the number of health conditions increased, the probability of injury increased; 3 and ≥6 health conditions increased the chance of injury by 5% and 15% compared with no health conditions. Compared with the total sample, nurses who reported high levels of psychological distress demonstrated greater sensitivity to the number of health conditions. Computation of the marginal effects showed little difference in the likelihood of injury when the total sample was compared with nurses with <5 years of work experience. Conclusion. Effective occupational health and safety workplace programmes that target modifiable factors such as psychological distress and physical health conditions may improve the health capital of nurses and productivity levels within the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of the effectiveness of a tobacco use prevention and control course on health sciences students' smoking prevalence and incidence. Background. Although it is known that the intervention of health professionals in their patients' tobacco use can be affected by their own habit, very few studies have analysed the effect of specific tobacco-oriented training on smoking among health science students. Methods. This study is a quasi-experimental study of community intervention. During the years 2005-2008, a total of 290 health science students on the intervention campus and 256 on the control campus took part in the study. In the former, the intervention consisted of a course on the prevention and control of tobacco use for students, which was not offered on the control campus. Data about tobacco use and socio-demographic variables were collected by means of a questionnaire before and 6 months after the intervention. Results. Prevalence of tobacco use decreased in the intervention group (-1.1%) and increased in the control group (1.5%). The risk of acquiring the habit was almost three times higher in the control group than in the intervention group and the probability of cessation was 40% higher in the intervention group and correlated with nicotine dependence. Conclusion. The intervention suggests the effect on habit acquisition was slight but not so on cessation. Preventive interventions should be carried out before students go to university, while more specific cessation programmes are required to reduce tobacco use among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This paper is a report of a study of the impact of finger rings, wrist watches, nail polish, length of fingernails, hand lotion, gender and occupation on hand microbiology of healthcare workers. Background. The impact of the above mentioned variables on hand microbiology of healthcare workers is not well defined. Large scale studies suitable for multivariate analysis are needed to elucidate their role. Methods. Both hands of 465 Norwegian healthcare workers were sampled by the glove juice method during two study periods (2004 and 2007), and examined for total number of bacteria and presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriacea and non-fermentative Gram-negative rods. Multiple regression analysis was performed. Results. The use of a wrist watch was associated with an enhanced total bacterial count on hands compared to hands without a watch [(B) 3.25 (95% CI: 1.73-6.07), P < 0.001], while the use of one plain finger ring increased the carriage rate of Enterobacteriaceae [odds ratio 2.71 (95% CI: 1.42-5.20), P = 0.003]. The carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus was enhanced with fingernails longer than 2 mm [odds ratio 2.17 (95% CI: 1.29-3.66), P = 0.004] and after recent use of hand lotion [odds ratio 22.52 (95% CI: 4.05-125.30), P < 0.001]. No effect of nail polish was observed. We found an association between occupation and carriage rate of S. aureus and Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusions. Health care workers should remove finger rings and watches at work. Fingernails should be shorter than 2 mm, nail polish may be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of a study analysing the effect of a home-based walking exercise program on symptoms and mood distress among breast cancer women receiving chemotherapy postoperatively. Background. Treatment-related symptoms, mood distress and decline in physical activity have been identified as major complaints among cancer patients. Studies on the efficacy of home-based walking exercise for symptoms and mood did not fully describe the exercise prescriptions that could be safe and beneficial for women with breast cancer, especially these receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Method. This is a prospective, randomized clinical trial. In 2008-2009, participants were recruited from the oncology outpatient clinic of a medical center in Taiwan, and were assigned to either the exercise group (n = 19) or the control group (n = 21). Women in the exercise group participated in a moderate-intensity home-based walking program for 12 weeks during their chemotherapy treatments. Symptoms, mood status and physical activity level were measured at baseline, 6- and 12-week follow-up. Data were analysed by two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results. Women in the exercise group reported significantly lower symptom severity scores and mood disturbance compared with those in the control group throughout the study period. Conclusion. Regular moderate-intensity exercise can play an important role in improving treatment-related symptoms and mood in women with breast cancer. A home-based walking exercise program can be easily incorporated into care for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]