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Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which staffing adequacy predicts nursing teamwork, controlling for demographic and background variables. Background: Findings from former studies indicate that hospital, unit and staff characteristics may be related to nursing teamwork, such as type of hospital and unit, role, gender, age, work experience, type of shift worked, shift length, number of working hours per week, overtime and staffing adequacy. Teamwork as well as staffing is identified as significant contributors to patient and staff safety in hospitals. However, the contribution of staffing to the quality of nursing teamwork is scarcely studied. Design: This was a quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional study using the paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire Nursing Teamwork Survey‐Icelandic. Methods: The study was conducted in 27 inpatient units in eight hospitals in Iceland with a sample of 925 nursing staff members. Participants were 567 registered nurses, practical nurses, unit secretaries and nurse unit managers. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used for this paper. Results: When controlling for unit type, role, experience on current unit and intent to leave, perceived adequacy of staffing alone explains up to 10% of overall teamwork. Unit type, role, years of experience on current unit and perceived staffing adequacy correlated significantly with overall teamwork. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that unit and staff characteristics, including perceived adequacy of staffing, are associated with and explain the variability in nursing teamwork on inpatient hospital units. The findings of this study provide important information for clinical nurses, nurse managers, policymakers and instructors in health care. Relevance to clinical practice: The findings underline the importance of adequate staffing for nursing teamwork in inpatient hospital units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To test the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Dempster Practice Behaviour Scale and explore nurses' professional autonomy along with which characteristics are related to it. Design: An instrument validation and a descriptive cross‐sectional study. Methods: The web‐based survey was conducted in September 2021 at two university hospitals in Finland. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to explore the factor structure of the modified instrument, while Cronbach's α coefficients were calculated to determine the reliability of the scale. Descriptive univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine Registered Nurses' professional autonomy. The study followed STROBE guidelines. Results: During the validation process, the 30 items of the Dempster Practice Behaviour Scale were reduced to 25 items. The S‐CVI/Ave for the translated scale was 0.94. When one additional item was omitted from the EFA, the results supported five factors, which explained 45.9% of the total variance. The mean overall autonomy score was 3.63 out of 5, with readiness and empowerment the subscales with the highest and lowest, respectively, mean values. The linear regression models showed that age, nursing experience, unit type, education, shift, and perceptions of the importance of professional autonomy were related to the subscales describing professional autonomy. Conclusion: The psychometric testing provided evidence that the translated instrument was reliable. Nurses assessed that they are skilled professionals who are accountable for their actions. However, they experienced rather low levels of professional autonomy in empowerment and valuation. Health care organizations should consider this through authentic leadership and, thus, possibly strengthen professional autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. This paper is a report of a study conducted to investigate differences between nurse practitioners' perceptions of the importance of required competencies and their self-evaluated existing competencies, and the main factors influencing these differences. Background. The difference between nurse practitioners' perceptions of required competencies and their existing competencies has never been investigated. Therefore, it is still uncertain whether these two competencies differ. Design. A nationwide survey study was authorised by the Department of Health (DOH) in Taiwan. Methods. For this nationwide survey study, the Questionnaire of Competencies in the Nurse Practitioner's Role was mailed to all nurse practitioners who qualified for the first annual national NP licence exam in Taiwan. Of 582 questionnaires distributed, 374 valid questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 64·2%. Results. The scores for required competencies were all higher than existing competencies. The competencies with largest differences were (in increasing order) clinical research, direct care, and leadership and reform. The competencies with smallest differences were (in ascending order) medical assistance, communication and coordination, and ethical decision-making. Differences in the total score between required and existing competencies were significantly influenced by nurse practitioners' age, seniority as nurse practitioner, whether the nurse practitioners' institution had a nurse practitioner advancement system, and the number of patients under their care. Conclusions. Nurse practitioners' perceptions of the importance of their expected role competencies were significantly greater in most cases than their actual competencies. Relevance to clinical practice. These findings could serve as a reference to improve cultivation of the NP system in Taiwan, to strengthen professional competencies in NP training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

rochefort c.m. & clarke s.p. (2010) Nurses’ work environments, care rationing, job outcomes, and quality of care on neonatal units. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(10), 2213–2224. Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the relationship between work environment characteristics and neonatal intensive care unit nurses’ perceptions of care rationing, job outcomes, and quality of care. Background. International evidence suggests that attention to work environments might improve nurse recruitment and retention, and the quality of care. However, comparatively little attention has been given to neonatal care, a specialty where patient and nurse outcomes are potentially quite sensitive to problems with staffing and work environments. Methods. Over a 6-month period in 2007–2008, a questionnaire containing measures of work environment characteristics, nursing care rationing, job satisfaction, burnout and quality of care was distributed to 553 nurses in all neonatal intensive care units in the province of Quebec (Canada). Results. A total of 339 nurses (61·3%) completed questionnaires. Overall, 18·6% were dissatisfied with their job, 35·7% showed high emotional exhaustion, and 19·2% rated the quality of care on their unit as fair or poor. Care activities most frequently rationed because of insufficient time were discharge planning, parental support and teaching, and comfort care. In multivariate analyses, higher work environment ratings were related to lower likelihood of reporting rationing and burnout, and better ratings of quality of care and job satisfaction. Conclusion. Additional research on the determinants of nurse outcomes, the quality of patient care, and the impact of rationing of nursing care on patient outcomes in neonatal intensive care units is required. The Neonatal Extent of Work Rationing Instrument appears to be a useful tool for monitoring the extent of rationing of nursing care in neonatal units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

gardner g., gardner a., middleton s., della p., kain v. & doubrovsky a. (2010) The work of nurse practitioners. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(10), 2160–2169. Aim. This paper is a report of a study of variations in the pattern of nurse practitioner work in a range of service fields and geographical locations, across direct patient care, indirect patient care and service-related activities. Background. The nurse practitioner role has been implemented internationally as a service reform model to improve the access and timeliness of health care. There is a substantial body of research into the nurse practitioner role and service outcomes, but scant information on the pattern of nurse practitioner work and how this is influenced by different service models. Methods. We used work sampling methods. Data were collected between July 2008 and January 2009. Observations were recorded from a random sample of 30 nurse practitioners at 10-minute intervals in 2-hour blocks randomly generated to cover 2 weeks of work time from a sampling frame of 6 weeks. Results. A total of 12,189 individual observations were conducted with nurse practitioners across Australia. Thirty individual activities were identified as describing nurse practitioner work, and these were distributed across three categories. Direct care accounted for 36·1% of how nurse practitioners spend their time, indirect care accounted for 32·0% and service-related activities made up 31·9%. Conclusion. These findings provide useful baseline data for evaluation of nurse practitioner positions and the service effect of these positions. However, the study also raises questions about the best use of nurse practitioner time and the influences of barriers to and facilitators of this model of service innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses make up the majority of the healthcare workforce. They contribute to the development of healthcare systems and the provision of high‐quality, effective, and patient‐centered healthcare services. However, nurses need good mental and emotional well‐being to provide adequate care and the necessary physical and mental health support for their clients. This study aimed to determine the level of generalized psychological distress among nurses in the United Arab Emirates. As this study was initiated before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, we were able to compare data gathered before and during the pandemic. Method: This study used a cross‐sectional correlational design. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to measure generalized psychological distress. Nurses' distress levels were measured and compared before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results: In total, 988 participants completed the questionnaire. The majority (n = 629, 63.7%) were employed in hospitals and the remainder worked in primary healthcare settings (n = 359, 36.3%). The mean distress score was 27.1 ± 13.7; 42.1% (n = 416) of participants had a severe level of distress, and only 36.4% (n = 360) reported no distress. More participants had severe stress levels before COVID‐19 (59.5%, n = 386) compared with during COVID‐19 (10.9%, n = 30). Conclusions: Participants' K10 scores suggest that nurses experience significant distress, which may compromise their ability to care for their clients. This study emphasizes the importance of supporting nurses as a preliminary step to improving patient care. Despite the pressure of working during the COVID‐19 pandemic, participants' general distress scores were lower during than before the pandemic. Organizational, governmental, and global support and appreciation may have contributed to relieving the distress nurses experienced. This may be a useful ongoing approach for enhancing healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

senneseth m., alsaker k. & natvig g.k. (2012) Health-related quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in accident and emergency attenders suffering from psychosocial crises: a longitudinal study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(2), 402-413. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a study of health-related quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in patients attending an Accident and Emergency department because of psychosocial crises. Background. Psychosocial crises are commonplace globally, but there is little knowledge about patients attending Accident and Emergency departments because of psychosocial crises. Methods. Data were collected at an Accident and Emergency department in Norway from September 2008 to June 2009. A total of 99 adults participated in the baseline study and 41 of these participated at 2 months follow-up. The Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale were used to obtain data. Findings. Participants reported significantly lower scores in all health-related quality of life domains at baseline compared with the general Norwegian population. The mental health score was two standard deviations below the norm. Health-related quality of life scores were improved and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were reduced after 2 months. High levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were reported by 78% of the participants at baseline and 59% at follow-up. Participants with high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at follow-up also reported low health-related quality of life scores. Conclusion. This study suggests a need for an acute psychosocial intervention and an opportunity to receive follow-up support at Accident and Emergency departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses play a key role in the proper management of endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure, which is important for patients' safety, so it is vital to improve nurses' knowledge on safe cuff management practices. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention related to ETT cuff pressure management on improving and retaining critical care nurses' knowledge. Design: A single group pre‐post interventional study was conducted involving 112 registered nurses (RNs) from a 24‐bed adult general intensive care unit at a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods: The educational intervention included a theoretical session on endotracheal cuff pressure management and demonstration plus hands‐on practice with the conventional cuff pressure monitoring method. Nurses' knowledge was measured using a self‐administered questionnaire pre‐ and post‐intervention. Data were analysed using repeated measure analysis of variance and bivariate analysis. Results: In this study, 92% of the total number of RNs in the unit participated. A significant difference in mean knowledge score was noted between the pre‐ (mean = 8.13; SD = 1.53) and post‐intervention phases (3 months [mean = 8.97; SD = 1.57) and 9 months post‐intervention [mean = 10.34; SD = 1.08), P <.001), indicating significant knowledge acquisition and retention between the phases. Knowledge gained between the pre‐ and 9 months post‐intervention phases significantly differed according to nurses' educational level. Conclusions: This study supports existing evidence that ongoing educational interventions are essential to improve nurses' knowledge. However, further exploration is suggested to assess how well this knowledge is translated into clinical practice. Relevance to clinical practice: Regular educational programmes with current updates would enhance nurses' knowledge through proper practice and clinical decision‐making skills; this, in turn, would help to standardize cuff management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Existing research highlights the importance of nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards the provision of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) for patients with advanced cancer; however, the perspectives of Arabic and Islamic nurses have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to examine Jordanian nurses' knowledge, attitudes and perceived benefits in providing ANH for patients with advanced cancer. Method: A descriptive cross‐sectional design was employed. Results: Participants comprised 183 nurses (93.5% response rate). Around 80% received no training on ANH. Nurses had poor knowledge regarding ANH, with a mean score of 5.12 (SD=2.27) out of 15. Overall, nurses had positive attitudes towards ANH care (M = 3.09, SD = 0.29); however, the subscale analysis showed that nurses held inconspicuous beliefs about ANH benefits (M = 2.67, SD = 0.71) and strongly believed that ANH places a high burden on patients (M = 3.50, SD = 0.69). Nurses from government hospitals showed significantly higher ANH knowledge, as well as positive beliefs regarding ANH benefits, compared to less educated nurses. Conclusion: Jordanian nurses have limited knowledge of ANH. Their positive attitude regarding ANH for terminally ill patients could be driven by cultural norms and beliefs, rather than education. Introducing ANH in nursing curricula and in‐hospital services could have a positive impact on nurses' knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Visitation is one of the most critical needs of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Clinicians should enable a more flexible visitation policy to prevent the adverse effects of a restricted approach. Aim and objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between increasing visitation time and patients' physiological parameters in intensive units. Additionally, nurses' beliefs and attitudes towards visiting is examined in this research. Design Parallel randomized clinical trial. Methods: This study was conducted in four general medical ICUs in Iran. In total, 60 patients and 57 nurses participated in this study. The patients' physiological parameters were measured at particular times in both groups. Moreover, the nurses responded to the questionnaire on beliefs and attitudes towards visitation in intensive units before and after the intervention. Results: Among all the physiological parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate had a significant decrease within the normal range 10 and 30 minutes after visiting in the intervention group (P <.05), and nurses' beliefs and attitudes score were at the middle of the survey scoring range (0‐120). However, no significant difference was found between nurses' belief and attitude score and intervention in any groups (P >.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that increasing visitation times can lead to a positive effect on the stability and balance of patients' physiological parameters. Relevance to clinical practice: A more flexible visiting policy can provide a therapeutic environment where not only patients' physiological disorders are minimised as much as possible but also a higher level of patients' health and satisfaction are reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine whether definable profiles existed in a cohort of nursing staff with regard to demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, acculturation, work environment, stress, cultural values and coping abilities. A survey was conducted in one hospital in Singapore from June to July 2012, and 814 full-time staff nurses completed a self-report questionnaire (89% response rate). Demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, acculturation, work environment, perceived stress, cultural values, ways of coping and intention to leave current workplace were assessed as outcomes. The two-step cluster analysis revealed three clusters. Nurses in cluster 1 ( n = 222) had lower acculturation scores than nurses in cluster 3. Cluster 2 ( n = 362) was a group of younger nurses who reported higher intention to leave (22.4%), stress level and job dissatisfaction than the other two clusters. Nurses in cluster 3 ( n = 230) were mostly Singaporean and reported the lowest intention to leave (13.0%). Resources should be allocated to specifically address the needs of younger nurses and hopefully retain them in the profession. Management should focus their retention strategies on junior nurses and provide a work environment that helps to strengthen their intention to remain in nursing by increasing their job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Previous studies suggest that not only education but also personal aspects such as experience of working as a registered nurse ( RN) and age can influence competence. The objective was to explore the educational and self-rated competence of RNs and their duties within the care of older people. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. All RNs in two counties in Sweden were asked to complete a written questionnaire: a study specific questionnaire with educational and work related questions using the Nurse Competence Scale. The response rate was 61% (n 344). Results Higher self-rated satisfaction with own professional competence was related to older age, more years after nursing education and possessing at least one postgraduate education in specialist nursing. Educational needs were related to younger age and fewer years since nursing graduation. Education within elder care, including education about drugs was rated the most urgently needed area of education. The most frequently reported tasks were found in the domain helping role, whereas ensuring quality was less present in their daily work. Conclusions Educational level, age and years of experience had an impact on RNs' self-perceived competence, which is in accordance with previous descriptions of the concept competence. It seems imperative that RNs working in care of the old and with the demands placed on them are given the opportunity to take a postgraduate specialist education in order to gain a competence level in their desired area of work. It is also important that RNs working in care of the old get tailored education in line with the requirements the organisation places on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To explore the impact of an educational programme focused on social behaviours and relationships on organisational learning culture in the residential aged care context. Background The number of aged care homes will continue to rise as the frail older elderly live longer, requiring more formal care and support. As with other small- to medium-sized health services, aged care homes are faced with the challenge of continuous development of the workforce and depend upon registered nurses to lead staff development. Design A mixed-method evaluation research design was used to determine the impact of an educational programme focused on social aspects of learning on organisational learning culture. Methods One hundred and fifty-nine (pre) and 143 (post) participants from three aged care homes completed the Clinical Learning Organisational Culture survey, and three participant-researcher registered nurse clinical educators provided regular journal entries for review. Results While each site received the same educational programme over a six-month period, the change in organisational learning culture at each site was notably different. Two aged care homes had significant improvements in affiliation, one in accomplishment and one in recognition. The educators' journals differed in the types of learning observed and interventions undertaken, with Eucalyptus focused on organisational change, Grevillea focused on group (student) change and the Wattle focused on individual or situational change. Conclusion Clinical educator activities appear to have a significant effect on organisational learning culture, with a focus on the organisational level having the greatest positive effect on learning culture and on individual or situational level having a limited effect. Relevance to clinical practice Clinical educator facilitation that is focused on organisational rather than individual interests may offer a key to improving organisational learning culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aims of this study were to validate the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey ( MBI- HSS) for registered nurses in South Africa and to analyse the differences between the levels of burnout of different biographical groups. Background The nursing profession is seen as a stressful and emotionally demanding profession, which makes nurses susceptible to burnout. Method A cross-sectional survey design with a stratified random sample ( n = 818) was used. The MBI- HSS and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Results Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three-factor structure of burnout, consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment. Construct equivalence and reliability of the three factors were confirmed. Significant differences were found in burnout levels with regard to language, age, rank, job satisfaction, reciprocity, full-time employment and specialised training. Conclusions The MBI- HSS showed acceptable validity and reliability for South African nurses. Burnout is associated with specific factors, including language, age, rank, job satisfaction, reciprocity, full-time employment and specialised training. Implications for nursing management The use of the MBI- HSS is recommended to assess burnout of nurses in South Africa. Organisations employing nurses should intervene to prevent and/or manage burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A structured psychosocial risk screening interview, the Prenatal Risk Overview, was administered to 733 women in prenatal care. Either a community health worker (CHW) or a registered nurse (RN) conducted the interview based on day of the week. A comparison of identified risk factors found no significant differences between study samples for six of 13 domains. For CHW interviews, significantly more participants were classified as Moderate/ High Risk for Depression, Lack of Telephone Access, Food Insecurity, and Housing Instability, and as High Risk for Lack of Social Support, Lack of Transportation Access, and Housing Instability. For RN interviews, significantly more participants were classified as High Risk for Alcohol Use. Community health workers successfully conducted psychosocial screening and elicited more self-reported risk than RNs, especially lack of basic needs. Comparing the hourly salary/ wage, the cost for CHWs was 56% lower than for RNs. Preliminary findings support use of paraprofessionals for structured screening interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cao x.y., Liu X.H., tian l. & guo y.q. (2013) Journal of Nursing Management 21, 657-667 The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire Aim To examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire. Background Nurses' self-concept is important to alleviate the current shortage of nurses. Nurses' self-concept questionnaire is an effective instrument to measure nurses' self-perception of professional competencies. However, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version have not been tested. Methods A two-stage research design was used in this study. At Stage 1347 registered nurses were recruited to establish the psychometric properties of the Chinese version. At Stage 2, a confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the extracted factor structure from Stage 1 with 1017 respondents as a sample. Results The internal consistency of the Chinese version was 0.95 and the test-retest reliability was 0.83. The exploratory factor analysis extracted six dimensions. The findings at Stage 2 showed an acceptable model fit and discriminant validity. The Chinese version was a significant predictor of Maslach Burnout Inventory (β = −0.58; P = 0.00). Conclusions This study verified the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire. Implication for nursing management The Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire will facilitate the evaluation of professional self-concept among nurses and help to develop the individualized self-concept strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

wang s.-c., lee l.l., wang w.-h., sung h.-c., chang h.-k., hsu m.-y., chang s.-c. & tai c.-h. (2012) Psychometric testing of the Chinese evidence-based practice scales. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(11), 2570-2577. Abstract Aim. This article is a report of the psychometric testing of the Chinese version of Evidence-Based Practice Implementation and Beliefs, and Barriers to, and Facilitators of Research Utilization scales. Background. Investigations into the effect of evidence-based practice on clinical care could be facilitated by instruments for measuring the levels of evidence-based practice implementation; the strength of beliefs in evidence-based practice; the barriers to, and the facilitators of research utilization. An English version of the scales measuring the above constructs has been tested whereas the Chinese one has not. Design. Instrument development. Methods. Psychometric analyses of the four evidence-based scales were conducted on a sample of 361 nurses from a medical centre in Taiwan. Both the internal consistency and squared multiple correlation coefficients were used to examine reliability. The validity testing for the four scales was estimated by examining their construct and concurrent validity. Data were collected between December 2008-January 2009. Findings. Internal consistencies exist for the Chinese Evidence-Based Practice Implementation, Beliefs, and Barriers to, and Facilitator of Research Utilization scales (≥0·85); some were greater than 0·9, which may indicate redundancy in items. Construct validity of the four scales was supported by hypotheses testing. Concurrent validity of the four scales was supported by known-group analysis, in which experienced nursing researchers had higher scores compared with clinical nurses. Conclusion. These scales may have value in discrimination between implementation of EBP and perception of barriers to, and facilitators of research utilization among nurses with different education levels, research experiences or working years in clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To assess the discriminative and construct validity of the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire and to study registered nurses' knowledge of, behaviour toward and emotional responses to patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria in relation to how they understand their own, managers' and politicians' responsibility for adherence to preventive measures for infection control. Background. Multidrug-resistant organisms are a global problem and an essential topic in healthcare regarding patient safety improvement. Design. Descriptive and correlational cross-sectional survey. Method. Data were collected in a non-random sample consisting of 397 registered nurses; district, haematology or infection registered nurses. One-way analysis of variance and independent t-tests were used for comparisons and a principal component analysis was performed. Results. Discriminative and construct validity were supported, as the infection registered nurses generally had higher scores on knowledge, behaviour and emotional response, compared with district registered nurses and haematology registered nurses and the three-factor solution was confirmed. Registered nurses with higher scores on knowledge and emotional response attributed greater responsibility to themselves and to politicians. The Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire was translated using a forward-back translation process. Conclusion. The questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties. Insufficient knowledge of, behaviour toward and emotional response to patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria were described, but the registered nurses did estimate their own responsibility for adherence to preventive measures for infection control as being great or very great. Relevance to clinical practice. There is a considerable need to improve knowledge, behaviour and emotional response regarding infection prevention measures among healthcare workers. The hospital management are responsible for such improvements and the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire is useful in identifying such needs, as it has adequate psychometric properties and is able to discriminate between groups. Evaluation among healthcare workers may indicate where to situate additional training, as this is of clinical significance for safe care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To shorten the waiting time for psychiatric treatment, nurse-led services may help in the first-line mental health consultation and interventions for patients with recent first onset of mental illness. Aims: The study evaluated the effectiveness of a six-session nurse-led, needs-based psycho-education program for Chinese patients with mental health problems newly referred to an outpatient clinic in Hong Kong, when compared with routine outpatient care. Method: A randomized controlled trial with a pre- and post-test, control group design was conducted. Seventy-nine patients were randomly assigned to either the nurse-led psycho-education program (N = 39), or to usual psychiatric outpatient care (N = 40). Multiple patient outcomes and services utilization were measured at recruitment and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results: The results of a multivariate analysis of variance test indicated that the psycho-education group had significantly greater improvements in mental and overall health status, insights into their treatment and illness, and hospitalization rates at the post-test. Implications: The findings provide evidence that nurse-led, needs-based psycho-education can improve mental health, self-efficacy and insights into mental illness in Chinese first-onset mentally ill patients. A future multi-center controlled trial of this nurse-led intervention is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 638-647 Intimate partner violence (IPV) is seen as a serious health risk factor for women with significant acute and long-term health consequences and it affects women from all ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Knowledge of these consequences of IPV may help emergency department (ED) professionals to identify these women and provide them with appropriate care, including information on a variety of community services, and refer those women to such services if necessary. The study aimed to describe the frequency of ED visits by women exposed to physical intimate partner violence as estimated by ED professionals (nurses, practical nurses, emergency medical technicians) and identification of acute IPV. In this study 'partner' is defined as a woman's husband, former husband, current or former cohabitant or partner. This design was used as part of a larger, descriptive, cross-sectional multi-centre and multi-method study. Data were collected from 28 EDs in 13 Finnish hospital districts. Altogether 488 questionnaires were returned, which yielded a response rate of 51%. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative content analysis. Findings showed that 48% (n = 231) of the ED professionals reported that they encountered women in IPV relationships at least once a month. Over one-fifth of the ED professionals reported having repeatedly encountered the same women visiting the ED for IPV related injuries. Over half of the participants reported having problems 'often' or 'now and then' when identifying women exposed to IPV. Those with training on IPV estimated that they had identified women exposed to IPV more often. To conclude, the research suggests that improvement of identification of acute IPV requires that training be arranged and jointly agreed written procedures for handling IPV be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus has led to numerous precautionary school closures in several countries. No research is available on the school teachers’ perceptions as a health protective resource in controlling communicable disease outbreaks. The purposes of this study were to examine the risk perception, the perceived understanding of preventive measures and contingency plans, and the needs of school teachers before the imminent outbreak of H1N1. This survey was conducted with 1,169 Hong Kong school teachers before school closures due to the H1N1 outbreak. The results showed that the teachers were well aware of H1N1 but were still worried about the spread of H1N1 infection. The teachers’ worries depended on their psychological reaction, the adequacy of the control measures, government support in providing infectious disease knowledge, perceived understanding of preventive measures and contingency plans, students and parents’ awareness, and the need for support from health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]