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Aim: To explore the attitudes and experiences of allied health students working with older adults on residential aged care placements. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies of any design describing allied health student experience of residential aged care placements. Online databases searched to identify potentially relevant documents included Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost) and Health and Medicine (ProQuest). Studies were excluded if residential aged care facilities or allied health professional students could not be extracted from the data. No restrictions were applied to methodological design, language, geographical location or year of publication. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality. Extracted studies were analysed to identify the study design, participant and placement characteristics, study methodology and student experience measures. Data from the included studies were analysed thematically using meta‐synthesis. Results: Six studies (total number of participants, n = 308) met inclusion criteria, with four papers scoring a 5/5 on the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Studies included undergraduate and master's students from physiotherapy (n = 3), speech language pathology (n = 2), dietetics (n = 1) and audiology (n = 1). Placement length varied from two to 15 h, between one and six residential aged care visits. Three themes were identified; (1) Opportunity to improve skills and gain confidence, (2) Development of empathy and shift in attitudes towards older adults and (3) Recognised challenges associated with older adults and residential aged care settings. Conclusion: While the size of the evidence‐base is limited, the studies were largely consistent in demonstrating an increase in positive attitudes towards older adults following residential aged care placements. Future research, innovations and planning around workforce size, preparation and motivation must be prioritised to ensure older adults receive the care they need and deserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relational autonomy is an alternative concept of autonomy in which an individual is recognized as embedded into society and influenced by relational factors. Social context, including social location, political structure, and social forces, significantly influence an agent to develop and exercise autonomy skills. The relational approach has been applied in clinical practice to identify relational factors impacting patient autonomy and decision-making, yet there is a knowledge gap in how these factors influence the demonstration of relational autonomy in the context of medical decisions of adults. Objective: The present study targeted the existing knowledge of what and how relational factors impact individuals making medical decisions using the theoretical framework of relational autonomy. Methods: A meta-synthesis study was utilized. Four electronic databases, including Embase, OVID Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed, were searched, along with gray literature and reference lists, to identify relevant studies. Results: 23 studies reporting 21 qualitative and two mixed-method studies were reviewed. Four themes emerged from the qualitative findings: (1) supportive relationships facilitate an individual's relational autonomy; (2) obtaining comprehensive information from broader sources helps individuals exercise relational autonomy; (3) undue family pressure impedes the exercising of patient relational autonomy; and (4) healthcare providers' dominant voice hampers the demonstration of relational autonomy. Conclusions: Applying relational autonomy to assist adults in making well-considered decisions is essential. The meta-synthesis suggests establishing a supportive relationship between individuals, healthcare providers, and family. A supportive relationship will allow healthcare providers to make judgments in line with an individual's values and wishes with the aim of promoting relational autonomy. Advance care planning was proposed as the effective solution to obtain a consensus between individuals and their families while respecting an individual's values and preferences. Furthermore, it is considered crucial for healthcare providers to appreciate an individual's values and incorporate their preferences into recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To synthesize qualitative research on perspectives and understandings of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, family members, and staff regarding respect and dignity in ICU, in order to explore the connotations and meanings of respect and dignity in ICU. Design: A qualitative meta-synthesis. Methods: The Chinese and English databases were systematically searched, including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wangfang Data, VIP, and CBM from each database's inception to July 22, 2023. Studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Qualitative data were extracted, summarized, and meta-synthesized. (PROSPERO: CRD42023447218). Results: A total of 9 studies from 6 countries were included in the meta-synthesis. Thirty-six main themes and 67 sub-themes were extracted, which were eventually integrated into 9 categories and 4 themes: (1) integrity of humanity; (2) autonomy; (3) equality; (4) environmental support. Conclusion: To maintain patient dignity, it is necessary to create an environment of respect within the ICU where healthcare professionals uphold the concept of preserving human integrity and respect patients' autonomy and equality. Healthcare professionals need to value the dignity of ICU patients and treat them as unique individuals during treatment and care. Hospital managers should also strive to create a respectful environment to provide environmental support for dignity care implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of qualitative research to examine the physical and psychological needs, as well as work experiences, of patients undergoing total knee replacement and total hip replacement surgeries during their process of returning to work. Methods A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative literature was conducted. A systematic search was conducted across 8 databases to identify qualitative or mixed-methods research on the needs and experiences of individuals with total knee replacement and total hip replacement who have returned to work. The search period extended from the inception of each database to March 2023. Two researchers independently utilized a predetermined search strategy to retrieve relevant English-language studies published in any year. The included studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program appraisal tool. Findings from the studies were then summarized and integrated using the pooled integration method. Results There were 10 studies in total. Three key themes were identified from the original research: needs during the return to work process and rehabilitation training, faith and support to return to work, and constraints and challenges at work. Conclusion Health care professionals and employers should conscientiously consider the physical and psychological requirements of patients who have undergone total knee replacement and total hip replacement when they are resuming work, taking into account the specific constraints and challenges that may arise in the workplace. To ensure a seamless transition back to work, it is essential to develop tailored occupational interventions, implement comprehensive return to work programs, and offer patients sufficient understanding and support. Impact The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the physical and psychological needs, as well as the work experiences, of patients who have undergone total knee replacement and total hip replacement during their reintegration into the workforce. These findings have the potential to assist health care professionals and employers in providing enhanced support to facilitate successful return-to-work outcomes for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to provide a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies examining the perceptions and experiences of nurses who cared for patients in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in South Korea. We searched key health databases (RISS, KISS, KMbase, NDSL, KoreaMed, DBpia, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane) from September to November 2023. We reviewed and analyzed articles using a thematic synthesis approach. The quality of the studies was ascertained using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist for qualitative research. Ultimately, 13 studies involving 219 nurses were included in the final review. Six major themes and thirteen subthemes emerged. During the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were able to overcome difficult situations through their interactions with patients, sense of a professional mission, and commitment to nursing. Most importantly, they persevered through their collaboration and closeness with fellow nurses, despite confusion about their professional identity, the ethical dilemmas they faced in patient care, and the conflicting attitudes of their social support system. To prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks, a multifaceted support system should be established to enable nurses to have positive interactions with their families, colleagues, and patients, which have become central to their resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify, describe and synthesise the views and experiences of adults living with asthma regarding shared decision‐making (SDM) in the existing qualitative literature Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of 10 databases (list databases) from inception until September 2023. Screening was performed according to inclusion criteria. Tools from the Joanna Briggs lnstitute were utilised for the purposes of data extraction and synthesis in this study. The data extraction process in this study employed the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Model of Behaviour (COM‐B model) as a framework, and a pragmatic meta‐aggregative approach was employed to synthesise the collected results. Results: Nineteen studies were included in the metasynthesis. Three synthesised themes were identified: the capability of people living with asthma, the opportunities of people living with asthma in SDM, and the motivation of the people living with asthma in SDM. Conclusions: We have identified specific factors influencing people living with asthma engaging in SDM. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for the implementation of SDM in people living with asthma and provide insights for the development of their SDM training programs. The ConQual score for the synthesised findings was rated as low. To enhance confidence, future studies should address dependability and credibility factors. Practice Implications: This review contemplates the implementation of SDM from the perspective of people living with asthma, with the aim of providing patient‐centred services for them. The results of this review can benefit the implementation of SDM and facilitate information sharing. It offers guidance for SDM skills training among adults living with asthma, fosters a better doctor–patient relationship and facilitates consensus in treatment decisions, thereby enabling personalised and tailored medical care. Patient or Public Contribution: Three nursing graduate students participated in the data extraction and integration process, with two students having extensive clinical experience that provided valuable insights for the integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social participation is positively associated with older adults' health. Health-care services, therefore, need to empower older adults to adapt to the social changes that accompany aging. This systematic review, with a metasynthesis of qualitative studies, aimed to describe and develop an understanding of home-dwelling older adults' (65 yrs+) experiences of using strategies to maintain and foster their social participation. The main search was performed in March 2022 using the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AMED databases and included peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 and 2022. A total of 35 full-text articles from 15 different countries were included and assessed for quality by the assessment tool for qualitative studies provided by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). The metasynthesis resulted in the main theme: strategically creating routines that foster social participation and two main categories: inward-looking strategies for social participation and outward-looking strategies for social participation. Each main category contained three subcategories. The findings suggest that for perceiving social participation, it is important for older adults to create routines with patterns of activities and to be able to engage in these activities. The findings further reflect that older adults use earlier experiences of social participation to facilitate the making of routines. This indicates that health-care interventions supporting older adults' social participation must be applied early and with a health-promotive focus. Conclusively, researchers need to develop interventions that support older adults in healthy activity patterns by raising awareness of how to use inward-looking and outward-looking strategies to create routines for social participation. The findings further suggest that older adults' possibilities for social participation could be supported by designing accessible venues that facilitate spontaneous meetings and encourage older adults' own choices and initiatives for social participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To explore nurses' experiences of assisted dying and understand how their perspectives inform their participation decision‐making. Background: Assisted dying is a complex and contentious issue with the potential to create moral unrest for nurses. The nursing role in assisted dying varies between jurisdictions. Design: Systematic review. A meta‐synthesis using thematic analysis. Methods: Three electronic databases were searched for primary qualitative studies published in English, from New Zealand, Australia or Canada, up to October 2022. Seven articles were included; themes were analysed and key themes were established. Reporting adhered to PRISMA. Results: The findings highlight the complexity of nurses' decision‐making about participation or non‐participation in assisted dying and the moral, philosophical and social influences that impact on their decision‐making. This is presented as a spectrum of influence which persuades or dissuades nurses to participate in assisted dying. The 12 themes have been categorised into four key themes: personal persuaders, personal dissuaders, professional persuaders and professional dissuaders. Conclusions: The findings suggest that nurses should be involved in policy and procedure guideline development and be offered education and training programmes to ensure safe, confident and informed practice. The need for mentorship programmes was also prevalent in the research. Relevance to Clinical Practice: It is crucial that nurses be offered education and training in assisted dying. Clear policy and procedure guidelines are essential, and nurses should be involved in the development of these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Siblings of children requiring palliative care are often forgotten and overlooked, as the focus tends to be on the ill child and their parents. Limited knowledge of non-bereaved siblings' perspectives makes it challenging to provide appropriate support for them. A review of existing literature is thus needed to better understand the experiences of these siblings and to identify research gaps that may require further examination. Aim: To consolidate the available qualitative evidence on the perspectives of non-bereaved healthy siblings regarding paediatric palliative care. Design: A qualitative systematic review using a meta-synthesis approach was conducted. Data sources: Six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global) were searched from each database's inception date until October 2022. The search included qualitative and mixed-method studies that reported the perceptions and associations of siblings of patients receiving paediatric palliative care. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis. Results: Eleven studies were included. The overarching theme of the review would be 'A walking shadow: Living in the darkness shaped by the dying sibling', and three key themes and nine subthemes were identified from the included articles: (1) Changing family dynamics; (2) Impact on school and socialisation and (3) Psychological impact and coping. Conclusion: Siblings demonstrated negative psychological impacts and were affected by changing family structure and relationships. However, socialisation with society, and varied coping skills such as cognitive coping and using distraction techniques, were significant for siblings to go through this journey and even led to some positive outcomes for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]