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Introduction: This qualitative literature review explored the intersection of art, creativity, and the nurse–patient relationship in the context of oncology nursing. It delved into the perceptions and reflections of nurses as captured by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) analysis from two specialized nursing databases. Methods: The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) Platform. A comprehensive search was conducted in CINAHL, the British Nursing Database, and the Nursing & Allied Health Database, using keywords related to art, cancer, creativity, nursing, and relationships. The extracted qualitative research studies were then analyzed using GAI to identify key themes and insights. Results: The analysis revealed profound considerations regarding the role of nurses in oncology and palliative patient care. Nurses acknowledged the spiritual dimension through religious and spiritual practices, while emphasizing authentic presence and empathic communication. They actively addressed patient concerns, adapted to challenges, and engaged in continuous professional development. The insights from the GAI interpretation underscored the significance of empathy, creativity, and artistry in nurturing meaningful nurse–patient connections. Conclusions: The GAI-enabled exploration provided valuable insights into several dimensions of care, emphasizing the importance of spiritual sensitivity, empathic communication, and ongoing professional growth. As technology and human care converge, integrating artistry into the nurse–patient relationship could enhance patient experiences, improve outcomes, and enrich the oncology nursing practice.

Background: Disease trajectories in leukemia are often unpredictable and recurrent, and patients’ experiences can impact their quality of life. Studies in the literature often do not explore gender-related illness experiences from an intersectional approach and throughout the illness trajectory. This comprehensive study aims to explore the full spectrum of experiences lived by women with leukemia throughout the disease trajectory, from diagnosis to treatments and post-stem cell transplant follow-up. Method: A grounded theory approach was meticulously developed to analyze semi-structured interviews with 13 women with leukemia in the post-transplant follow-up phase at a hospital in Northern Italy. The data analysis was an iterative process, conducted concurrently using a constant comparative method. Data collection concluded when data saturation was reached. Results: The core category identified is women’s inner strength during the disease trajectory, which was identified for its recurrence and cross-cutting nature, according to the women. This core category interconnects with five main categories: 1. Facing the disease: Between resistance and surrender. 2. Living for today and moving forward. 3. Unexpected elements in relationships. 4. Changes that shape women. 5. Demystifying the body and embracing ‘diminished beauty’. Conclusions: An explanatory model of the disease trajectory of women with leukemia was defined as: ‘Women with leukemia, between inner strength and fighting prejudice’. An in-depth analysis of the disease experiences revealed aspects that are not easily understood through a purely biological perspective of gender differences, often overlooking the psycho-social and relational peculiarities of women.

Background. The diagnosis of a chronic disease represents a turning point in patients’ lives, which inevitably marks them. The aim of this study was to analyze perceived stress levels among Crohn’ disease (CD) patients depending on sampling characteristics and several difficulties occurred in their daily life in order to better address stress management interventions to increase their quality of life as patients who should cohabitate with CD for all their lives. Materials and methods. An on-line, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out through social Internet pages. Specifically, through the Facebook and Instagram groups belonging to the CD patients. Results. A total of 785 CD interviewers were achieved in this study, 597 were female and 188 were male. Significant higher stress perceived levels were assessed among females (p

Summary: Background & Aims: Despite substantial efforts in promoting prevention and the advancements in surgical and minimally invasive techniques, breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Genetics and risk factors, including diet and lifestyle, play a critical role in determining the susceptibility to this neoplasm. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the pivotal role of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in breast cancer prevention. Additionally, we assessed differences in diet, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking and alcohol habits, work shifts, exposure to environmental pollutants, and hormonal factors between patients with previously diagnosed breast cancer and healthy subjects. Methods: The validated CREA questionnaire, alongside additional inquiries, was administered to the Italian population. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was examined, and respondents were categorized into two groups: the general population and patients with a previous cancer diagnosis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to assess all risk factors among these groups. Results: Results revealed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, particularly among less educated individuals, those engaged in 24-hour shift work, smokers, and those with a high BMI. Furthermore, significant differences in working time distribution, consumption of meat, milk, and alcohol, as well as significant differences in hormonal factors such as age of menarche and menopause, age of first pregnancy, number of children and abortions, breastfeeding time, and contraceptive use were observed between these groups. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions and personalized strategies to address specific risk factors and enhance preventive measures for individuals at risk.

Background: Long COVID refers to the persistence or development of signs and symptoms well after the acute phase of COVID-19. Objective of the study: To investigate the long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in terms of psychological, social, and relational consequences within the Italian population. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study using an online questionnaire distributed to a sample of the Italian population. By utilizing the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) and the Hikikomori scale, we assessed perceived quality of life and social isolation, respectively. The questionnaire also included an open-answer question: “What will you remember about the pandemic period?”. We used generative artificial intelligence to analyze and summarize the corresponding answers. Results: A total of 1097 people participated in this study. A total of 79.3% (n = 870) of participants declared that they had been hospitalized and 62.8% (n = 689) received home care. Physical symptoms included headaches (43%, n = 472) and asthma (30.4%, n = 334). Additionally, 29.2% (n = 320) developed an addiction during the pandemic and, among these, 224 claimed internet addiction while 73 declared an emotional addiction. Furthermore, 51.8% (n = 568) experienced limitations in carrying out daily life activities. According to the Hikikomori scale, participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher levels of isolation compared to the others (p < 0.001). Participants without COVID-19 showed higher levels of emotional support (p < 0.001). Our semiautomatic analysis of the open-ended responses, obtained by a procedure based on a free large language model, allowed us to deduce and summarize the main feelings expressed by the interviewees regarding the pandemic. Conclusions: The data collected emphasize the urgent need to investigate the consequences of long COVID in order to implement interventions to support psychological well-being.

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed people’s lifestyles by imposing social, economic, and labor changes. Health professionals have been in the spotlight, occasionally even elevated to the status of “heroes”, as they have been at the forefront of the health emergency. Media exposure has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the evolution and perception of the public’s image of nurses, especially within the Italian context. Currently, there is only one study conducted in Italy during the pandemic period. For this reason, we have opted to delve further into this subject during the post-pandemic period, with the ultimate goal of identifying this perceptual evolution. Methods. An online snowball sampling survey was conducted among the Italian population using social networks between August 2022 and January 2023. The survey utilized the Nursing Attitude Questionnaire (NAQ) to collect data. Results. The sample consisted of 564 individuals. Among the respondents, 63.8% (n = 360) were familiar with the nursing pathway, and the level of agreement regarding the training of nurses was 81.5% (n = 260). In terms of recognizing the professional role of nurses, variations emerged in certain domains of the NAQ. Specifically, professional values of nurses were more pronounced in northern and central Italy (M = 26.27). Moreover, stereotypes were more prevalent in the north (23.73 ± 3.538) and the center (23.13 ± 4.104) (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The sample acknowledged a unique competence inherent to nurses that cannot be replaced by other professionals. The study population perceives the nursing profession as pivotal within the IHS (Integrated Health System). However, the attractiveness of the profession remains exceedingly low. This study was not registered on a publicly available registry.

(1) Background: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the precarious health situation of our country, thanks to the grueling workloads caused by understaffing and fear of contracting COVID-19. By considering this critical situation, frontline healthcare professionals who have been directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of SARS-CoV-2 patients are now at risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health symptoms, accomplices of the fear of contracting the COVID-19 and the exhausting workloads. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire to all Italian physicians and nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristics, an assessment of anxiety levels with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which also assessed trait and state anxiety, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to evaluate the condition of depressive severity, and, finally, the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES–R), which was administered in order to quantify the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the participants. (3) Results: A total of 770 Italian healthcare workers were enrolled in this study. Of these, 95 (12.30%) were physicians and 675 (87.70%) were nurses. By considering PTSD, anxiety, and depression levels between the physicians and nurses recruited, a significant difference was reported in the STAI-1 assessment, as both physicians and nurses reported slight and moderate levels (p = 0.033). (4) Conclusions: Physicians and nurses, who have been subjected to physical impoverishment, with the infinite physical forces spent to support the pace of work at the limits of the possible, but above all mental capacity, with the anxiety of having to face an unknown enemy, such as COVID-19. This has resulted in a significant increase in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic symptoms, and sleep disturbances, with possible repercussions not only on the quality of life of the physicians and nurses but also on the quality of assistance provided.

Background and objective: Northern Italy was one of the first European territories to deal with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Drastic emergency restrictions were introduced across the country to contain the spread and limit pressure on healthcare facilities. Nurses were at high risk of developing physical, mental and working issues due to professional exposure. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate these issues among nurses working in Italian hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected online immediately after the first "lockdown" period in order to investigate the prevalence of physical issues, sleep disorders and burnout symptoms and explore correlations with COVID-19 territorial incidence in Northern Italian regions versus Central and Southern Italian regions. Results: Three hundred and eight nurses working in 61 Italian HSCT Units responded to the survey. Depression, cough and fever were more frequently reported by nurses working in geographical areas less affected by the pandemic (p=0.0013, p

Background: Italy has been one of the first European countries hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many patients dying from severe respiratory issues, especially frail subjects. Hematology patients are generally thought to be at high risk of developing severe COVID-19-associated complications. The aim of this work was to describe the infection control measures adopted in Italian hematology settings to protect patients and healthcare professionals. Materials and Methods: On behalf of the Nursing Campus in Hematology Group, a nationwide nursing survey was conducted. Questionnaire items included general information, infection control measures, patient and healthcare professional protection, information management, and participants opinion on key issues. Data have been analyzed by center location (Northern, Central or Southern Italy) and by patient age (adult vs pediatric). Results: Forty-four Italian hematology centers participated, representing 52.4% of those invited. Patients underwent nasopharyngeal swabs (93.2%) generally the day before admission (43.2%), though less frequently in southern centers (p = 0.0377). Visitor restrictions were implemented in all centers: 65.9% barred all visitors, while 25.0% allowed visitors only for patients with specific conditions, especially in central Italy. Deficiency of personal protective equipment, including masks (45.5%) and gloves (22.7%), was reported, although the nurses’ opinion was that the emergency was nevertheless well managed in terms of protecting patients and professionals. Almost all healthcare institutions (97.7%) provided recommendations on emergency management. No significant differences were found between adult and pediatric centers in terms of infection prevention and control. Discussion:. Low variability in patient protection strategies was observed, meaning that national recommendations were effective. However, some critical issues emerged regarding the management of infected healthcare professionals and their contacts.

Background Physical and psychological factors, like wrong attitudes and behaviours, can negatively influence health outcomes of the patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). Educational interventions aiming to improve knowledge on side effects, risks, complications and preventive behaviour can reduce psychological distress, and improve quality of life (QoL). We aimed to compare a standard approach with therapeutic patient education (TPE) to analyse the impact on AHSCT patients’ QoL, psychological distress and knowledge of AHSCT side effects, risks complications and preventive behaviour. Material and methods A prospective interventional study was conducted analysing data of 36 patients who received one of two different educational approaches, which were a standard approach (not-exposed) or TPE (exposed). Results In the exposed group QoL improved 14 days after transplantation (42.2 vs 25.6; p

Abstract. Background: Haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a severe complication occurring after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in 13-40% of patients, caused by infectious and/or non-infectious factors that increases the in-hospital length of stay and the risk of mortality of transplanted recipients. Although different management interventions have been suggested in literature, available knowledge on interventions performed by Italian nurses in their daily practices has not been documented to date. Aim of the study: The objective of this study is to describe HC preventive and treatment interventions in patients undergoing HSCT as performed by Italian nurses in their daily practice. Material and methods: A multicentre survey was conducted in 2018 inviting all 110 Italian HSCT centres belonging to the Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation (GITMO). Data collection was performed with an online questionnaire submitted to GITMO reference nurses working in each HSCT centre. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: A total of 38 Italian centres participated. The preventive intervention most applied in daily care was the mesna administration (n=37; 97.4%), followed by intravenous hyperhydration (n=33; 86.8%) and forced diuresis with furosemide (n=24; 63.1%). Preventive continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) was performed in 13 centres (34.2%). Transfusions of blood products (n=32; 84.2%), CBI (n=31; 81.6%) and intravenous hydration (n=28; 73.7%) were the most applied treatments, beyond the administration of analgesics (n=38; 100.0%) and antispasmodics (n=26; 68.4%). Conclusion: There is no gold standard for the prevention and treatment of HC in patients undergoing HSCT, although interventions applied by nurses agree with the literature. There is a need for methodological studies of higher quality, multicentre and prospective, that should focus even on nurses and supportive measures.