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Aims This paper is a report of a study, which seeks to determine if self-reported estimates of RNs' self-rated confidence in responding to alcohol use in patients is a psychometrically sound measure. Background Alcohol-related harm is a global public health problem. Nurses are the largest group of health professionals worldwide, with evidence showing that despite being well placed to respond, they are not engaging in this important role. Design Instrument development. Method The study was a survey set in a large teaching hospital in England, UK. The Clinical Confidence Questionnaire was made available to a convenience sample of 200 RNs in 2007, with a response rate of 22%. Rasch analysis was used to develop a scale for future learning based on the conjoint estimates of registered hospital nurses abilities to meet needs of patients requiring nursing care of different complexities related to alcohol use in patients. Results Outcomes verify that registered hospital nurses' self-rated clinical confidence measures for their own nursing abilities in responding to alcohol use in patients can be reliably estimated and a hierarchical scale of learning can be generated to inform curricula content and learning processes. Conclusion Current health policy in the UK identifies nurses as having a role in responding to alcohol-related harm. More focus should, therefore, be placed on ensuring that they are prepared to fully engage with patients in assessing and responding to alcohol use through specific education, training and skill development. The self-rated clinical confidence tool offers evidence as an acceptable method of measurement in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This paper reports a study on how men cope with the side-effects of radiotherapy and neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation for prostate cancer up to 1 year after treatment. Background With early detection and improved treatments, prostate cancer survivors are living longer with the disease and the side-effects of treatment. How they cope affects their long-term physical and mental health. Design A prospective, longitudinal, exploratory design using both qualitative and quantitative methods was used in this study. Method Between September 2006-September 2007 149 men who were about to undergo radical radiotherapy ± androgen deprivation for localized prostate cancer in Northern Ireland were recruited to the study. They completed the Brief Cope scale at four time-points. Results Acceptance, positive reframing, emotional support, planning and, just getting on with it, were the most common ways of coping. Fewer men used coping strategies less at 6 months and 1 year after radiotherapy in comparison to pre-treatment and 4-6 weeks after radiotherapy. Interviews with these men demonstrated that men adapted to a new norm, with the support of their wives/partners and did not readily seek professional help. A minority of men used alcohol, behavioural disengagement and self blame as ways of coping. Conclusion Men used a variety of ways of coping to help them deal with radiotherapy and neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation for up to 12 months after radiotherapy. Interventions need to be developed to take account of the specific needs of partners of men with prostate cancer and single men who have prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This article presents a discussion of the current state of knowledge about bariatric skin-hygiene care and whether this is sufficient to underpin evidence-based nursing practice. Background The challenges of providing bariatric skin-hygiene care are highlighted and include managing specific skin changes with associated risk of skin breakdown and practical management needs. The risk of skin breakdown is high and can have a devastating impact on well-being and increased treatment costs. Data sources A four-stage search strategy included: (i) literature search using electronic databases from inception-May 2013; (ii) hand search of selected journals; (iii) review of internet-based guidelines, policies or protocols and (iv) contact with clinical experts. Discussion There is a dearth of robust evidence on bariatric skin-hygiene care. Whilst a range of information and guidelines exist, these are generally based on expert opinion and often used only in a local context. Implications for nursing Nurses are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing skin-hygiene care for patients with bariatric needs. At present, care is largely based on custom and practice or clinical opinion; this limits capacity to provide optimum evidence-based nursing care. Conclusion As the prevalence of people needing bariatric skin-hygiene care continues to increase, there is a lack of evidence to inform interventions and hence a growing need for further research in this challenging clinical area to help nurses and patients select the best possible interventions that will meet individual personal-hygiene needs and preserve skin integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Heavy episodic drinking among adolescents is a growing concern in Korea., This paper presents risk factors for decision making about heavy episodic drinking among grades 7-12 students based on 2009 Korean national data., We expect these results to be useful in detecting susceptible groups for high-risk drinking., Abstract The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors and develop a decision tree model of heavy episodic drinking (HED) among adolescents. Data were obtained from a representative nationwide Korean population. Nine variables (such as last 30 days smoking, school grade, sex, depression, school achievement, level of stress, region, and economic status) were found as risk factors of HED. On the highest level of the tree root, major classification rule was played by dividing based on the last 30 days smoking and school grades. These findings should be helpful for school and mental healthcare providers to detect Korean adolescents with high possibility of HED, which will aid in planning of healthcare interventions for at-risk adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to examine the quality of life ( QOL) among mothers with a child with Down syndrome using The World Health Organization Quality of Life scale instrument. A convenience sample of 161 mothers was accessed through the various institutions which provide interventional or educational programmes to children with disabilities within two of the regions of the Borneo State of Malaysia ( Sarawak). Nearly half of the group of mothers perceived their QOL as neither poor nor good ( n = 73). An overall QOL score of 14.0 ± 1.84 was obtained. The highest and lowest domain scores were found for social relationship domain (Mean = 14.9 ± 2.1) and environmental support domain (Mean = 13.3 ± 2.1) respectively. Correlation analysis of selected background variables (i.e. locality, education, income and marital status) and overall QOL indicated rho (161) = 0.22-0.28 ( P < 0.01). Inverse correlation between maternal age and overall QOL score was indicated, with rho (161) = −0.17 ( P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that the combination of these few variables together accounted for 14.5% of the QOL variability in the sample. Findings point to implications for priorities of care provisions by policy-makers and care professionals in their practice. [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]

Aims and objectives. To identify the contextual knowledge and skills required for practice. Background. Nursing practice in assisted reproductive technology (ART) makes a significant contribution to patient care. Despite this, the knowledge and skills integral to this area of practice have not been clearly articulated, particularly from an Australian perspective. Design. A constructivist grounded theory design was used to gain the perspective of ART nurses in relation to how they understood their clinical practice as well as the issues and challenges that they faced. Methods. Individual in-depth interviews were undertaken with 15 registered nurses working in ART units across Australia. Constant comparative data analysis was used to determine the main categories. Results. Contextual knowledge and skills was one category to emerge from this research, and this is the focus of this paper. The findings in respect of knowledge and skill included three main subcategories: required skills and knowledge; acquisition of skills and knowledge; and factors influencing acquisition. Conclusions. The role of the ART nurse which must be performed within the context and competency standards of nursing requires a framework that could define and contribute to specialised ART nursing practice standards. Relevance to clinical practice. The nursing role is instrumental to effective ART treatment and care. The standard of clinical practice will depend in part on the ability of specialist nurses to articulate their practice, and their professional development needs to optimise quality and effectiveness. The results of this study demonstrate that contextual knowledge and skills are a key aspect of this specialised nursing role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Our purpose in this paper is to propose a new method for extracting findings from research reports included in mixed-methods mixed research synthesis studies. Background International initiatives in the domains of systematic review and evidence synthesis have been focused on broadening the conceptualization of evidence, increased methodological inclusiveness and the production of evidence syntheses that will be accessible to and usable by a wider range of consumers. Initiatives in the general mixed-methods research field have been focused on developing truly integrative approaches to data analysis and interpretation. Data source The data extraction challenges described here were encountered, and the method proposed for addressing these challenges was developed, in the first year of the ongoing (2011-2016) study: Mixed-Methods Synthesis of Research on Childhood Chronic Conditions and Family. Discussion To preserve the text-in-context of findings in research reports, we describe a method whereby findings are transformed into portable statements that anchor results to relevant information about sample, source of information, time, comparative reference point, magnitude and significance and study-specific conceptions of phenomena. Implications for nursing The data extraction method featured here was developed specifically to accommodate mixed-methods mixed research synthesis studies conducted in nursing and other health sciences, but reviewers might find it useful in other kinds of research synthesis studies. Conclusion This data extraction method itself constitutes a type of integration to preserve the methodological context of findings when statements are read individually and in comparison to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tame S.L. (2013) The effect of continuing professional education on perioperative nurses' relationships with medical staff: findings from a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(4), 817-827. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06065.x Abstract Aims. To report perceived changes to UK perioperative nurses' relationships with medical staff following periods of formal, university-based study. Background. Continuing professional development is considered important for nursing internationally; however, practice changes may not result following formal study. The literature did not describe perioperative nurses' experiences of formal study, and it was believed differences may exist due to hierarchical interprofessional relationships in the operating theatre. Design. Descriptive, qualitative. Methods. Unstructured interviews ( N = 23) were conducted between 2006-2007 with a purposive sample of perioperative nurses who had recent experience of continuing professional education. All participants were employed by one National Health Service Trust in the North of England, UK. Audio-taped interviews were transcribed fully into the ethnograph computer-assisted qualitative data analysis programme and data coded and analysed to identify themes. Findings. The findings indicated that whilst continuing professional education did not have a direct impact on practice, development of increased knowledge and confidence facilitated participants' collaboration with and questioning of medical colleagues. Such increased interprofessional collaboration was attributed to indirectly enhancing patient care. Conclusion. Continuing professional education appeared to lead to intrinsic changes to practitioners rather than direct behavioural change. Nurses' increased knowledge and confidence affected the balance of power in the doctor-nurse relationship in British perioperative environments. This paper is of significance to perioperative nursing and may be transferable to other areas of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Healthcare providers are in a privileged position to counsel and offer resources to patients who identify as sexually or gender-diverse, or who are in relationships with sexually or gender-diverse persons. To optimize health outcomes in these persons, a call has been made to increase providers' awareness of sexually diverse populations., This research builds upon existing knowledge on female sexuality through its examination of female sexuality in relationships in which one partner discloses as male-to-female transsexual., Sexual and relational orientation can be fluid, and can evolve within a relationship. Females partnered with male-to-female transsexual persons reported reforming their sexual relations with their partners. They reported maintaining a heterosexual identity, yet reconceptualizing their relationships and sexuality to be situation-dependent. For example, language such as 'situational lesbian' was reported. The study findings also demonstrate that female sexuality within these relationships can range from cessation of sexual relations to a continuation of relations without disruption., Healthcare providers need to be aware of fluidity and diversity among sexuality and relationships, and allow for expression of an expansive range of relationships and/or sexual activity., Abstract This paper reports on a study examining sexuality in females who remain partnered with male-to-female transsexual persons. Participants' self-view and sexual fluidity following their partners' transition from man to woman is examined. Sixteen females participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. An inductive process of data analysis was conducted, using the constant comparative method, an iterative process by which data are compared within and across subjects. Data were collected until thematic saturation was achieved. Four themes related to sexuality emerged: (1) questioning of sexual orientation; (2) sexual orientation categorization; (3) relational fluidity without sexual relations; and (4) relational fluidity with sexual relations. Participants maintained a heterosexual identity, yet modified their self-view to include an identity that reflected their reformed relationship. The majority of the respondents reported sexual lives that were active or evolving. Others remained in relationships that no longer included sexual activity. The study findings highlight the potential fluidity within the sexual and relational lives of females, and can enhance healthcare providers' preparedness and efficacy with diverse populations. Providers are in a unique position to offer resources to patients who identify as sexually or gender-diverse, or who are in relationships with sexually or gender-diverse persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives This paper presents a theory explaining the processes used by informal carers of people with dementia to mange alterations to their, and people with dementias' relationships with and places within their social worlds. Background Informal carers provide the majority of care to people with dementia. A great deal of international informal dementia care research is available, much of which elucidates the content, impacts and consequences of the informal caring role and the coping mechanisms that carers use. However, the socially situated experiences and processes integral to informal caring in dementia have not yet been robustly accounted for. Design A classic grounded theory approach was used as it is designed for research enquiries that aim to generate theory illustrating social patterns of action used to address an identified problem. Methods Thirty interviews were conducted with 31 participants between 2006-2008. The theory was conceptualised from the data using the concurrent methods of theoretical sampling, constant comparative analysis, memo writing and theoretical sensitivity. Results Informal carers' main concern was identified as 'Living on the fringes', which was stimulated by dementia-related stigma and living a different life. The theory of ' Sustaining Place' explains the social pattern of actions employed by informal carers to manage this problem on behalf of themselves and the person with dementia. Conclusions The theory of ' Sustaining Place' identifies an imperative for nurses, other formal carers and society to engage in actions to support and enable social connectedness, social inclusion and citizenship for informal carers and people with dementia. Relevance to clinical practice ' Sustaining Place' facilitates enhanced understanding of the complex and socially situated nature of informal dementia care through its portrayal of informal carers as social agents and can be used to guide nurses to better support those who live with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Nurse prescribing was launched in the UK in the 1990s, but was introduced to psychiatric/mental health nursing within the last 7 years. Information is available about nurse prescribing in general practice and adult nursing, but there is little research relating to mental health. Most mental health nurses choose not to qualify to prescribe and many who have qualified to prescribe choose not to., As more than half of mental health nurse prescribers in this study were not prescribing, they were asked what they thought prevented them from doing so., The majority of prescribers in the study did not feel adequately supported in their role and considered that the additional responsibility of the role should be recognized., Nurse prescribing has the potential to improve care provided to service users and to enhance access to services. However, in order for this to happen the barriers which prevent prescribing need to be identified and then removed. This study identified many of these barriers to prescribing and these will be discussed. It is hoped that this study's findings will serve as a catalyst to prompt the removal of barriers to prescribing in mental health nursing and ultimately to enable independent nurse prescribing. Awareness about mental health nurse prescribing needs to be raised so that health care professionals, service users, carers and the general public become more familiar with the role. This should help the role to become more accepted and established in everyday practice., Abstract This paper reports a pilot study exploring mental health nurse prescribers' perceptions of barriers to prescribing independently but also includes perceptions of barriers to supplementary prescribing. Current prescribing practice as experienced by mental health nurses suggests a need to identify and highlight these barriers. A mixed methodology explanatory sequential study was carried out over 3 months in Scotland in 2008 as part of a Master's degree. A questionnaire was completed by 33 mental health nurse prescribers. A focus group was conducted with 12 mental health nurse prescribers. Participants' views exposed a number of barriers to prescribing previously unidentified in a review of the relevant literature, and concurred with some previously documented barriers. Sixty per cent of mental health nurse prescribers in the study were not prescribing. Barriers identified in the study included concern about how prescribing impacts on the therapeutic relationship, role conflict, lack of support, inappropriateness of prescriber training, remuneration, qualifying to prescribing time, supervision, prescribing policies, clinical governance and nurse management. Nurse prescribing involves increased accountability and responsibility which is not currently recognized in job status or pay banding. Mental health nurse prescribing has the potential to enhance service provision, but until barriers to prescribing have been identified and addressed as part of the process of organizational change, nurse prescribing cannot achieve its maximum potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of application of superficial local heat and a home exercise program on pain and function levels to patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This study was conducted in Turkey between January 2014 and February 2015. The sample group of the study consisted of 62 patients with osteoarthritis; 15 assigned to heat application, 15 to exercise, 15 to exercise after heat application, and 17 for the control group. While the patients in the control group received routine treatment only, the patients in the intervention group were treated with heat application, exercise, or exercise after heat application, suggested for 5 days a week for 4 weeks in addition to routine treatment. Results: In this study, all of the intervention groups had decreases in Visual Analogue Scale Pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain, stiffness, and function scores when compared with the control group. It was found that this decrease in Visual Analogue Scale Pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores was mostly in the exercise group, but this condition was not statistically significant. Conclusions: As a result, it is recommended that nurses train patients with osteoarthritis on heat application and home exercises and encourage them to apply these practices. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic musculoskeletal system disease characterized by pain and physical disabilities that affects joints, typically progresses bilaterally, and impairs quality of life.The most frequent symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are pain, stiffness, limited range of joint motion, motion restriction, joint deformity, and loss of function.The combination of heat application and exercise for knee osteoarthritis has been stated to reduce pain, ensure comfort, and enhance stiffness and physical function. What this paper adds? This study showed that application of heat and a home exercise program reduced pain and enhanced the functional level for patients with osteoarthritis.While Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index stiffness, pain, and disability subgroup scores decreased in all intervention groups (heat application, exercise after heat application, and exercise) post intervention, no change was found in the control group.Pain was significantly lower in all intervention groups post intervention. The implications of this paper: It is important for nurses to use nonpharmacological methods with high evidence levels in patient care.Nurses can train patients with osteoarthritis on application of heat and home exercise, which are easy‐to‐apply, cost‐effective, and efficient methods, and encourage them to do these practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of urinary incontinence on body image, self‐esteem, and quality of life. Methods: The study was conducted with 218 women with urinary incontinence. The study data were collected using the Socio‐Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Body Cathexis Scale, Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, and Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: There was a weak, statistically significant, positive relationship found between the Body Cathexis Scale total average scores and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale total average scores of the women and a weak, statistically significant, negative relationship with the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire total average scores. In addition, a weak, statistically significant, negative relationship was found between the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale total score averages and Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire total score averages. Significant effects were seen for body image score with pad usage; for self‐esteem in relation to number of deliveries, duration, and frequency of urinary incontinence; and for incontinence quality of life and duration and frequency of urinary incontinence and pad usage. Conclusions: It was concluded that most of the women with urinary incontinence had negative body image and that more than half of them had moderate or low self‐esteem and a moderate quality of life. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? More than 200 million people in the world have incontinence problems, and the majority are women.Urinary incontinence causes negative psychosocial effects such as continuous leakage of urine and fear of smelling bad, feeling unclean, decreased self‐esteem, deterioration of body image, stigmatization, embarrassment, and decreased sexual desire.There are very few studies in the literature that determine the relationship between body image and self‐esteem in women with urinary incontinence. What this paper adds? Negative effects were demonstrated for urinary incontinence in relation to women's body image, self‐esteem, and quality of life. The implications of this paper: Urinary incontinence does not directly threaten women's lives but can become a problem that physically and psychologically affects the family and social life of a woman significantly; therefore, women with incontinence should be carefully considered and evaluated from a holistic viewpoint.Nurses should assess the emotions, thoughts, and perceptions of body image, self‐esteem, and quality of life of women with urinary incontinence, and as the awareness about urinary incontinence and its treatment increases, the population of patients receiving help will increase, thus increasing the success rate in urinary incontinence management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a culturally sensitive nurse‐led structured education programme for patients with type 2 diabetes. Background: A nurse‐led satisfactory diabetes education programme might be feasible. The structured education programme is considered a potential model that helps patients manage diabetes. Design A mixed‐method design. Methods: A convenience sample of 44 participants received the programme. Feasibility was assessed using the recruitment rate and the retention rate. Acceptability was assessed by interviews to obtain the perception and experience of participants. Also, preliminary efficacy on diabetes knowledge, self‐efficacy, self‐management behaviours, and clinical outcomes was assessed. Finally, data were collected from April to December 2015. Results: The recruitment rate and the retention rate were acceptable. Participants thought that the programme contributed to their positive changes. They enjoyed and accepted the programme, and they wanted to gain the ongoing support. Significant improvements in diabetes knowledge, self‐efficacy, self‐management behaviours, A1C, fasting blood glucose, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were reported in 12‐week follow‐up. Conclusions: This programme is feasible and acceptable, and its preliminary efficacy is promising. Ongoing support, a control group, and long‐term follow‐up are required in future studies to assess its effectiveness. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Unsatisfactory diabetes education and a shortage of general practitioners may promote the poor management of patients with type 2 diabetes.Structured education programmes for patients with type 2 diabetes could improve biomedical, psychological, and lifestyle outcomes.A structured education programme for patients with type 2 diabetes without receiving insulin therapy was developed in mainland China. What this paper adds? The structured education programme is feasible and exhibits high preliminary efficacy.Participants received the structured education programme and experienced positive change.Participants hope to gain the ongoing support to maintain self‐management behaviours. The implications of this paper: The study indicates that nurses can use this programme to help patients manage diabetes.The programme can be applied in regular clinic care and generalized to other community health service centres.The results can provide some guidance for the further assessment of the effectiveness of the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of a transtheoretical model–based motivational interview method on self‐efficacy, metabolic control, and health behaviour in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A randomized controlled study design was used. The study was conducted with 50 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, divided into an intervention group and a control group. The researcher held motivational interviews with the patients in the intervention group. Both groups were observed at the beginning of the study and 6 months after the baseline interview. The study data were collected between January 8 and November 18, 2014. Results: Comparing the intervention and the control groups, the differences in the level of self‐efficacy and participants' metabolic values were significant (P < .05). The number of participants in the action stage of the intervention group for nutrition, exercise, and medication use significantly increased compared with the control group (P < .05). Conclusion: The transtheoretical model–based motivational interview method increased the self‐efficacy level of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which helped them improve their metabolic control and health behaviour stages over this 6‐month period. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the top 10 potentially fatal diseases that are increasing in prevalence worldwide.The level of self‐efficacy is directly associated with health‐promotion behaviours such as proper diet and regular exercise. The self‐belief or self‐efficacy level for a behaviour can increase or decrease the motivation for taking action.The transtheoretical model facilitates the classification of stages a person goes through before engaging in a behaviour. What this paper adds? The transtheoretical model–based motivational interview helps people with type 2 diabetes mellitus control their blood glucose levels; increase their level of self‐efficacy, which is important for behavioural change; and make positive improvements in nutrition, exercise, and medication use.The frequency of conducting transtheoretical model–based motivational interviews should be planned according to the characteristics of individuals. The implications of this paper: The transtheoretical model–based motivational interview method for encouraging positive health behavioural change (nutrition, exercise, and medication use) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who resist behavioural change may be beneficial in promoting behavioural change.Health care providers can easily apply the transtheoretical model–based motivational interview method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Nurses play an essential role in improving health‐related knowledge and self‐efficacy of patients through health education. This study aimed to investigate the effects of message‐framed informational videos on diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A quasi‐experimental pretest and posttest design with two experimental and one standard care comparison groups was carried out to examine the effects of the message‐framed videos. The two message‐framed informational videos were developed to provide health teachings about diabetes self‐care. The knowledge and self‐efficacy of the two video groups and lecture comparison group were measured before and after the intervention using valid and reliable instruments established by the authors. Results: After the intervention, the knowledge and self‐efficacy of the two experimental groups were significantly higher than the comparison group. No significant difference was found in the knowledge scores between the two experimental groups, but a significant difference was noted in the average increase in their self‐efficacy. Conclusion: Message‐framed informational videos can be effective in increasing the diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy, and a gain‐framed rather than loss‐framed approach can be superior in increasing self‐efficacy. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The use of an informational video in providing health education to patients improves retention of information.Message framing may be used to provide health‐related information effectively regarding gains and losses of behavioural changes among patients. The majority of the literature has focused on the moderating effects of self‐efficacy on message framing.There is a dearth in message framing research in the nursing literature particularly in a patient setting with high risk for actual health problems like type 2 diabetes. Limited work has reported the magnitude of the effect of message‐framed videos on self‐efficacy. What this paper adds? Gain‐ and loss‐framed informational videos, created to provide health teachings about diabetes self‐care management, significantly increased the diabetes management knowledge of older adults with type 2 diabetes.Both message‐framed informational videos achieved a modest increase in diabetes management self‐efficacy of older adults with type 2 diabetes, but the gain‐framed messages were more effective than the loss‐framed ones. The implications of this paper: Nurses can use message‐framed informational videos to increase the diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes during health teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the effects of two different methods, breastfeeding and heel warming, during heel stick procedures on pain levels in healthy term neonates. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The sample of the study consisted of 150 healthy newborns who matched the case selection criteria and were brought to the nursery for the heel stick procedure. Fifty neonates were randomly assigned to each group: breastfeeding (n = 50), heel warming (n = 50), and control (n = 50), using computer‐based randomization. The study data were obtained using an Information Form and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Results: The pre‐procedural pain scores of the breastfeeding group (mean 4.44 SD 1.21 seconds) were lower than in the heel warming (mean 6.10 SD 1.07 seconds) and the control group (mean 6.42 SD 0.91 seconds) (P < 0.01). Both the total crying time and the first calming time of the breastfeeding group were shorter than the heel warming and control group. The first calming time of the heel warming group was shorter than in the control group. Conclusions: Both breastfeeding and heel warming are effective in reducing the calming time during heel stick procedures. However, breastfeeding is more effective than heel warming in reducing pain during heel stick and should be preferred as the first choice. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Nonpharmacologic methods are effective in reducing heel stick‐related pain in newborns during heel stick procedures. What this paper adds? The results of this randomized controlled trial provide evidence that breastfeeding is effective in reducing pain levels of newborns during heel stick procedures.Breastfeeding and heel warming are effective in reducing the calming time of newborns during heel stick procedures. The implications of this paper: This study contributes to the literature on nonpharmacologic pain relief methods during heel stick procedures in healthy term newborns.Nurses should encourage breastfeeding to relieve pain during heel stick procedures in newborns and use both breastfeeding and heel warming to reduce the calming time.Heal warming methods can be preferred as a pain management strategy for neonates who do not breastfeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of using a combination of eye mask and earplugs on the perceived quality of sleep among patients admitted to intensive care units. Design Control group, pretest and posttest, quasi‐experimental design was used. Methods: Data were collected from 103 intensive care patients in two governmental hospitals in Jordan. The participants were assigned either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group participants received routine care in the first night and used the eye mask and earplug during their sleep in the second night. Control group participants, on the other hand, received routine care only in both nights. The number of hours slept was reported by nurses, and the perceived quality of sleep was self‐reported by participants using the Richards‐Campbell Sleep Scale. Results: Experimental group participants slept more hours and reported significantly better perceived quality of sleep after the use of eye mask and earplugs, as compared both with themselves in the first night and with control group participants. Conclusion: Combining eye masks and earplugs is effective in prolonging the sleep of intensive care patients and improving its quality. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Many strategies were tested and adopted in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide in order to improve patients' sleep quality, but evidence of these strategies' effectiveness was scarce.Combining the use of eye mask and earplug has shown positive results on sleep length and quality in ICUs in a number of countries.What this paper adds? This study is the first one of its kind in Jordan and in the Arab world.This study combines the subjective self‐reported quality of sleep with objective length of sleep as assessed by nurses.The implications of this paper: This paper's findings will inform nursing practice in the ICUs in Jordan in terms of patient's sleep improvement strategies.This paper will inform policymaking and future research in the field of ICU patients' sleep length and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The study aims to evaluate the reporting and methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on nursing interventions in the field of heart failure and investigate whether reporting and methodological quality has been improved after PRISMA statement was published. Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, and Embase databases were searched from inception of databases to July 31, 2018. Two authors independently extracted data from October 1, 2018, to October 31, 2018. AMSTAR and PRISMA checklists were used to assessed methodological and reporting quality. Results: The 50 English articles satisfied inclusion criteria and were published from 2001 to 2017. After introduction of PRISMA statement, significant improvement in reporting of the following items was found: title, search, risk of bias in individual studies, summary measures, study selection, synthesis of results, summary of evidence for PRISMA checklists, and scientific quality of included studies provided (item 7) for AMSTAR checklists. Conclusion: There were higher methodological and reporting quality after publication of PRISMA. We recommend authors, readers, reviewers, and editors to become more acquainted with and to more strictly adhere to the PRISMA and AMSTAR. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The assessment of methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses has become increasingly recognized.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews were designed to aid in reporting reviews and to appraise their methodological quality, respectively.In recent years, a few studies in various medical fields have been conducted for assessment of the quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews tools. What this paper adds? No studies have been found to evaluate methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on nursing interventions in patients with heart failure.We evaluated the quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in this field and investigate whether reporting and methodological quality has improved after the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews statement was published. The implications of this paper: There was a significant improvement in reporting and methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on nursing interventions in patients with heart failure after the publication of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement.The paper acts as a reminding for authors, readers, reviewers, and editors to consider and to adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews checklists when conducting, reading, reviewing, and editing systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of nurse workloads on adherence to hand hygiene. Background: Adherence to hand hygiene and nursing workloads have been linked to quality of patient care. Therefore, it was important to understand the relationship to safe patient care. Design This cross‐sectional study was performed from January 2016 to June 2016. Methods: Workloads and adherence to hand hygiene for nurses on 3‐day shifts in a tertiary hospital were investigated in 2016. Actual hours worked per shift were timed using a stopwatch to assess nursing workloads. Descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple variable regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: Sixty‐four nurses from four wards were observed. The average adherence rate of hand hygiene was 26.6% and the average nursing workload per shift was 6.7 hours. Multiple regression revealed that nursing workload was negatively related to adherence rate of hand hygiene. Conclusion: Nurses in this study that had a low rate of adherence with hand hygiene frequently had high workloads. Adherence to hand hygiene was independently associated with actual hours worked per shift. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Adherence to proper hand hygiene by nurses is one of the most effective and efficient ways to prevent the spread of hospital‐acquired infections and the dissemination of multi‐antimicrobial resistance.Adherence to hand hygiene among clinical nurses has been continually substandard and nurses' high workload is their most common self‐reported reason for nonadherence.High workloads are a common problem worldwide because of the shortage of nurses. What this paper adds? Nurses on surgical wards worked long hours.Adherence to hand hygiene was negatively related with nursing workloads.Nurses prefer hand washing to alcohol‐based hand rub for hand hygiene. The implications of this paper: In the general ward, high workloads pose barriers to adherence to hand hygiene, and any improvement efforts should be considered in this context.In general, increased numbers of patients are to be cared for lead to more opportunities for hand hygiene, but this heavy workload contributes to a lack of adequate time to perform proper hand hygiene, with a resulting decrease in adherence to hand hygiene.This study highlights the need for improvement programmes focusing on the quality and adherence rates for proper hand hygiene.Measuring adherence rates with hand hygiene and nursing workloads are helpful for both proper allocation of nursing resources and enhancement of patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary The idea for this research and practice development project emerged from the production of a recently published book of recovery narratives, written by a community of people broadly working in the mental health recovery movement., The research component of this project, described in this paper, sits within: narrative inquiry as a moral endeavour in the human sciences; the pedagogy of suffering in the sociology of health and illness; and mental health narrative recovery., Two inter-related data sources will be used in the research. The first is chapters contributed by authors to the book. The second is interview data from those authors., Integrative textual and interview transcript analysis will extend to the end of 2012., The research component of this project represents a commitment to a mental health nursing practice allied to recovery as narrative healing as opposed to forms of psychiatric nursing which endorse and tacitly support abuses committed in the name of institutional psychiatry., Abstract This paper, part one of a two paper report, describes key aspects of the research context of an ongoing practice development project, conducted on two UK sites. The paper begins with a discussion of the project's origins within a community of people working in the recovery paradigm, including the contributory strand of the first author's recovery and survivor writing. The discussion then turns to three inter-related areas within which the research component sits and which provide it with philosophical, theoretical and conceptual coherence. Each area will be unpacked and its significance explained. This will provide a platform for discussing the focus, methodology and methods of the research, and related assumptions governing both data collection and analysis. The paper concludes with a research commitment to a mental health nursing practice allied to recovery as narrative healing. Links are made to the second paper which describes the context and specifics of a Writing for Recovery project for users, survivors and carers. This shares with, and builds on, the overall project's research context and its assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To expose problems of using bespoke questionnaire-based surveys to create knowledge and to advance the use of secondary data as an alternative research approach. Background Many researchers from students undertaking dissertations to those who attempt to create knowledge to advance society collect data by using questionnaires. But this raises reliability and validity concerns as a consequence of low response rates and non-response bias. This constrains knowledge creation. Design and method First, the value of questionnaire-based research will be discussed. Then, it is argued that much can be accomplished using secondary data. The paper concludes by presenting a case study developed from the Scottish Health Survey. Results and conclusion We demonstrate that there may be an alternative for creating bespoke questionnaires by researchers. The data to answer their research questions may already exist in official surveys whose data are available to students and researchers. By analysing a case study, we demonstrate the value of one of these secondary sources - the Scottish Health Survey. Relevance to clinical practice We show that clinical practitioners in their training and in any professional research should consider alternative methods of collecting data for undertaking quantitative research. We advance the use of analysis of data collected by official surveys. Using secondary data can be more efficient in training students in research methods and make dissertations produced more meaningful. [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]

gibson j. & watkins c. (2011) People's experiences of the impact of transient ischaemic attack and its consequences: qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1707-1715. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of how people's experiences of transient ischaemic attack affect their perception of their health and their uptake of health maintenance measures. Background. Transient ischaemic attack is a well-recognized warning sign of subsequent stroke, but early diagnosis and management of risk factors can substantially reduce this risk. Even though the physical effects of a transient ischaemic attack are transient, it is known to negatively affect quality of life. However, no qualitative studies have explored the impact of transient ischaemic attack on people's everyday lives. Methods. Sixteen participants were recruited from a vascular surgery clinic in a district general hospital in North West England. All had a recent transient ischaemic attack. A qualitative grounded theory study using detailed interviews ( n = 21) was conducted. Findings. Participants experienced conflict between acknowledgement of the transient ischaemic attack as a significant illness episode with implications for their long-term health, and denial of its seriousness. Although they often ignored the initial signs, participants also experienced fear due to increased awareness of their risk of stroke. Often, they believed that they were having a permanent stroke. Many participants were prompted to seek medical advice by a family member or acquaintance. Having a transient ischaemic attack negatively changed their perception of their health and their quality of life, but some also viewed it as a positive event that had warned of their stroke risk and enabled them to take up health maintenance measures. Conclusions. Having a transient ischaemic attack permanently changes people's quality of life and their perception of their health, despite the transience of the symptoms. The ability of people to make positive health changes after a transient ischaemic attack to some extent ameliorates the negative effects of being aware of their heightened stroke risk. Their appreciation of their quality of life may also be enhanced. The transience of the symptoms and lack of knowledge of transient ischaemic attacks lead to delays in seeking medical advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

gilmour j.a., huntington a., broadbent r., strong a. & hawkins m. (2012) Nurses' use of online health information in medical wards. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(6), 1349-1358. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of nurses' access, use and evaluation of online health information in medical wards. Background. Online health information is commonly used by patients with chronic illness to support their education needs. Nurses have a critical role in assisting patients to access and use this information. Method. This descriptive cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 540 nurses employed in medical wards was carried out in 2009. The response rate was 58·7% (293). The analytical approach included descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests of correlation and differences between groups. A content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. Results. Most respondents (78·6%) were satisfied with work Internet access and 58·2% believed that the use of online information improved care delivery. Nearly half the group was aware of patient misconceptions about their illness due to incorrect interpretations of online information, but only 24·4% checked if patients used online information. There was a significant association between assessing patients use and awareness of patient misconceptions. Conclusion. The findings of this study highlight that while online resources add to education opportunities, the ongoing nursing assessment required to determine online information needs is not always incorporated into nursing practice. Patient misunderstandings of online material were also identified; developing patient competency in evaluating open access health information should now be recognized as an integral aspect of illness management education. [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]

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]

efraimsson e.ö., fossum b., ehrenberg a., larsson k. & klang b. (2011) Use of motivational interviewing in smoking cessation at nurse-led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinics. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 767-782. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study to describe to what extent Registered Nurses, with a few days of education in motivational interviewing based communication, used motivational interviewing in smoking cessation communication at nurse-led chronic obstructive pulmonary disease clinics in primary health care. Background. For smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the most crucial and evidence-based intervention is smoking cessation. Motivational interviewing is often used in healthcare to support patients to quit smoking. Method. The study included two videotaped consultations, the first and third of three at the clinic, with each of 13 smokers. Data were collected from March 2006 to April 2007. The nurses' smoking cessation communication was analysed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity scale. To get an impression of the consultation, five parameters were judged on a five-point Likert-scale, with five indicating best adherence to Motivational Interviewing. Results. Evocation', 'collaboration', 'autonomy-support' and 'empathy' averaged between 1·31 and 2·23 whereas 'direction' scored five in all consultations. Of communication behaviours, giving information was the most frequently used, followed by 'closed questions', 'motivational interviewing non-adherent' and 'simple reflections'. 'Motivational interviewing adherent', 'open questions' and 'complex reflections' occurred rarely. There were no important individual or group-level differences in any of the ratings between the first and the third consultations. Conclusion. In smoking cessation communication the nurses did not employ behaviours that are important in motivational interviewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

banner d., miers m., clarke b. & albarran j. (2011) Women's experiences of undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 919-930. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of women's experiences of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Background. Worldwide, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It has traditionally been viewed as primarily affecting men. However, a growing body of literature exploring gender differences in this area is challenging accepted beliefs, particularly in relation to outcomes. Despite this, awareness of how women interpret and respond to the experiences of cardiac surgery remains limited. Methods. At regional cardiothoracic centres in England and Wales, during 2003 to 2006, data were collected from 30 women preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively using semi-structured interviews. A constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted and data were analysed using extensive coding and constant comparison techniques. Results. A substantive theory of the public-private dialogue of normality emerged demonstrating that participants faced lifestyle disruptions as they attempted to privately normalize and integrates limitations, while minimizing a public display of illness. During the preoperative period, participants experienced difficulties recognizing and acting on symptoms and endured physical and emotional distress while waiting for surgery. Following surgery, women experienced functional limitations which forced them to relinquish normal activities and roles. As recovery progressed, women came to accept their changed health status and renegotiated state of normality. Conclusion. The findings increase understanding about the adjustments which women undergoing cardiac surgery make as part of living with a long-term condition and support the need to develop innovative gender-sensitive health education and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

van de mortel t.f., kermode s., progano t. & sansoni j. (2012) A comparison of the hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices of Italian nursing and medical students. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(3), 569-579. Abstract Aim. This paper reports a study examining the hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices of Italian nursing and medical students with the aim of informing undergraduate curricula. Background. In comparison with registered nurses, physician status is a risk factor for non-compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. Little research has been conducted to determine if differences between the professions in relation to hand hygiene are apparent at the undergraduate level. Cross-disciplinary studies that may provide an insight into this topic are lacking. Methods. A questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 117 nursing and 119 medical students in a large university in Rome, Italy, to determine their hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices. The data were collected in 2007-2008. Results. Nursing students' hand hygiene knowledge ( F = 9·03(1,230); P = 0·003), percentage compliance ( Z = 6·197; P < 0·001) and self-reported hand hygiene practices ( F = 34·54(1,230); P < 0·001) were significantly higher than that of medical students. There were no statistically significant differences between hand hygiene beliefs. Mean scores on the knowledge questions were low for both groups, reflecting primarily a knowledge deficit in relation to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs to decontaminate hands in the healthcare setting. Conclusion. Statistically significant disciplinary differences in hand hygiene knowledge and self-reported practices were apparent among undergraduate Italian healthcare students. Further research is needed to determine the causative factors. The overall low scores on the knowledge items indicate that these students require further education on hand hygiene, particularly in relation to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

medin j., windahl j., von arbin m., tham k. & wredling r. (2012) Eating difficulties among patients 3 months after stroke in relation to the acute phase. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(3), 580-589. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study comparing eating difficulties among patients 3 months after stroke in relation to the acute phase. Background. There is limited knowledge of patients with eating problems early after stroke, hence the progress of eating abilities needs to be further explored. Method. From March 2007 to June 2008 36 stroke patients with 2-7 eating difficulties or problems with reduced alertness or swallowing in the acute phase were included. Eating difficulties were detected using a structured protocol of observation of meals. In addition, stroke severity (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), functional status (Barthel Index), unilateral neglect (Line Bisection test and Letter Cancellation test), psychological well-being (The Well-being Questionnaire-12), nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment) and oral status (Revised Oral Assessment Guide) were assessed. Results. There were 36 participants (58% female) with a median age of 74·5 years. The proportion of eating difficulties decreased significantly from the acute phase to the 3-month follow-up in 'sitting position', 'managing food on the plate' and 'manipulating food in the mouth' and increased regarding inadequate food consumption. Improvements were shown at 3 months in stroke severity, functional status, nutritional status and neglect. Oral status and psychological well-being remained unchanged. Conclusion. The majority of eating problems persisted 3 months after stroke despite a marked improvement in most of the physical functions. The unchanged psychological well-being and sustained problems with food consumption indicate that factors other than physical function should be taken into account regarding eating difficulties poststroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

brewer c.s., kovner c.t., greene w., tukov-shuser m. & djukic m. (2012) Predictors of actual turnover in a national sample of newly licensed registered nurses employed in hospitals. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(3), 521-538. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of factors that affect turnover of newly licensed registered nurses in United States hospitals. Background. There is a large body of research related to nursing retention; however, there is little information specific to newly licensed registered nurse turnover. Incidence rates of turnover among new nurses are unknown because most turnover data are not from nationally representative samples of nurses. Method. This study used a longitudinal panel design to obtain data from 1653 registered nurses who were recently licensed by examination for the first time. We mailed surveys to a nationally representative sample of hospital registered nurses 1 year apart. The analytic sample consisted of 1653 nurses who responded to both survey mailings in January of 2006 and 2007. Results. Full-time employment and more sprains and strains (including back injuries) result in more turnover. Higher intent to stay and hours of voluntary overtime and more than one job for pay reduces turnover. When we omitted intent to stay from the probit model, less job satisfaction and organizational commitment led to more turnover, confirming their importance to turnover. Magnet Recognition Award® hospitals and several other work attributes had no effect on turnover. Conclusion. Turnover problems are complex, which means that there is no one solution to decreasing turnover. Multiple points of intervention exist. One specific approach that may improve turnover rates is hospital policies that reduce strains and sprains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

zeng y.c., liu x. & loke a.y. (2012) Addressing sexuality issues of women with gynaecological cancer: Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(2), 280-292. Abstract Aim. This paper reports a study conducted to describe Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice in addressing the sexuality concerns of people with gynaecological cancer. Background. Women with gynaecological cancer face numerous challenges to their sexuality. The importance of addressing sexuality concerns of people with cancer is emphasized by a growing body of literature in Western countries. Methods. This is a descriptive and correlational study. An inventory was adopted to explore Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice related to sexuality care in nursing. Data were collected from December 2009 to February 2010. Results. A sample of 202 nurses working in gynaecological units in China was recruited. Study results revealed that the majority (77·7%) held the attitude that 'sexuality is too private an issue to discuss with patients'. Only 34·2%'make time to discuss sexual concerns with patients'. Regression analysis revealed that nurse' marital status and hospital type in which they were working influenced their practice in sexuality care. Nurses' conservative attitudes towards sexuality, their prejudices about gynaecological cancer, the lack of availability of private environment, the lack of sexuality care training and the failure to include sexuality care in routine nursing care, were found to be factors that significantly influenced sexual care and nursing practice (adjusted R2 = 0·542, P < 0·001). Conclusions. The study findings contribute to the understanding of Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice in addressing the sexuality concerns of people with gynaecological cancer. There is a need to increase Chinese nurses' awareness of their roles and the importance of equipping themselves with relevant skills in sexuality care in nursing practice. [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 and objectives: To explore how marginalised women perceive and rate equity‐oriented health care at a primary care clinic using items that evaluate patients' experiences of care. Background: Despite an increased recognition of the importance of health care that is equity‐oriented, and that understands the patient within the context of the broader social determinants of health, inequities in health remain prevalent around the world. Design: Items from the "EQUIP Primary Health Care" research programme were used to explore patients' experiences of equity‐oriented health care. Women were invited to complete the questionnaire with the explicit aim of gaining their input to improve quality of care at the clinic. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement was followed for the study. Methods: Sixty‐seven women who experienced significant health and social inequities, and were seeking care at a women's only nurse practitioner primary health care clinic in Canada, were invited to complete the questionnaire. For quality improvement purposes, correlational analyses were used to explore women's experiences of care. Results: Women's responses showed that Promote Emotional Safety and Trust and Overall Quality of Care were the most highly correlated domains, indicating the importance of the health care team in establishing trusting relationships, particularly for women who experience stigma and negative judgement when seeking care. Conclusion: Seeking feedback from patients on their experiences of care using items developed to explicitly tap into equity issues is useful in understanding how patients experience equity‐oriented health care. Responses from the women highlight the importance of understanding not only the what of equity‐oriented care but also the how. Relevance to clinical practice: The results of this study illustrate the importance of establishing trusting relationships, tailoring care, and using a nondiscriminatory approach when working with women who experience negative judgements when seeking care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known about this subject?: Burnout is a prominent issue in psychiatric nursing and associated with significant adverse consequences for staff, service users and at an organizational level.Exploration of the extent and predictors of burnout in secure settings has received little research attention. It is not fully understood why prevalence rates of burnout in forensic settings are not elevated in comparison to other settings, despite the presence of known risk‐related correlates. What this paper adds to existing knowledge?: In contrast to previous research, findings suggest that clinical supervision may not be an effective, stand‐alone intervention to support staff experiencing burnout. Thus, the current focus on clinical supervision to mitigate burnout may be insufficient in forensic services.The ward environment (specifically how safe staff feel, how therapeutic the ward feels and how well service users relate to one another) was found to be more important than clinical supervision in terms of burnout for forensic psychiatric nursing staff. What are the implications for practice?: Policies regarding staff health and well‐being should be developed with due consideration given to the association between burnout and the working environment.It should not be assumed that clinical supervision is sufficient to mitigate burnout in practice. Further research assessing all types of support and the ward environment is needed to gain a better understanding of its relationship to burnout. Introduction: Despite extensive research examining burnout in psychiatric nursing staff, literature exploring key predictors of burnout in secure psychiatric settings has been relatively neglected. Research has yet to explore burnout in these settings by adopting previously identified predictors such as support or the ward environment. Aim: The current study aimed to reduce this gap by exploring burnout, the perceived effectiveness of clinical supervision and ward environment. Method: In 2014, nursing staff working in a medium secure forensic psychiatric unit in the United Kingdom (N = 137) provided demographic information and completed the measures assessing: Burnout, clinical supervision and the ward environment. Results: Approximately 10% of nursing staff could be classed as "burnt‐out". The main predictors of burnout were age and ward environment. Clinical supervision had minimal association with burnout. Discussion: The current study sheds doubt on clinical supervision as a potential intervention for burnout and results appear comparable to research within other settings. The implications of the ward environment, supervision and burnout are discussed herein. Implication for Practice: Interventions may need to focus on a positive ward environment (including patient cohesion, experienced safety and enhancing the therapeutic atmosphere). Organizations should support younger nursing staff as they appear particularly vulnerable to burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: While there is no single definition of the concept of recovery for people with mental illness, hope has been recognized as a guiding principle; the belief that it is possible for a person to regain a meaningful life, despite serious mental illness.Little is known about the recovery process of women diagnosed with schizophrenia per se, with only six studies offering the woman's voice identified and these all having taken place in developed countries.No studies on this topic have been carried out in Sub‐Saharan Africa, including Swaziland. What this paper adds to existing knowledge?: This study provides unique insight into what is important to Swazi women, diagnosed with schizophrenia, in their process of their recovery.Because of current trends in migration, the findings of this study may provide mental health professionals with a better understand of the needs of those from this particular Sub‐Saharan country.The study discusses a range of issues affecting women including being labelled as mentally ill, stigma and discrimination, the importance of the sociocultural context of illness and positive attributes which promote women's recovery. What are the implications for practice?: This study provides mental health practitioners with insights and understanding of the lives of women from a Sub‐Saharan developing country. This will be helpful for better understanding of the context of mental illness both for practitioners supporting the development of services in such countries and for those working in Western countries with migrant populations. Introduction: Globally, twenty‐four million people live with schizophrenia, 90% living in developing countries. While most Western cultures recognize service user expertise within the recovery process, this is not evident in developing countries. In particular, Swazi women diagnosed with schizophrenia experience stigma from family, community and care providers, thus compromising their recovery process. Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences and meanings of recovery for Swazi women living with schizophrenia. Methodology: Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used. Fifteen women were recruited from Swaziland National Psychiatric Hospital out‐patients' department, and face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Findings: Four super‐ordinate themes were identified: (a) The emotionality of "illness of the brain"; (b) Pain! Living with the illness and with others; (c) She is mad just ignore her; and (d) Being better. Discussion: Discussion focuses on the findings of this study and a number of positive and negative implications emanating from them: labelling, stigma and the roles of family, culture and religious beliefs on the process of recovery. Implications for practice: This study provides practitioners with insight into the importance of the sociocultural context of the lives of women diagnosed with schizophrenia and how, in understanding this, mental health care could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To examine perceived social and environmental barriers and facilitators for healthy eating and activity before and after knee replacement. Background: Many patients undergoing knee replacement surgery are overweight or obese. While obesity treatment guidelines encourage diet and activity modifications, gaps exist in understanding social and environmental determinants of these behaviours for knee replacement patients. Identifying these determinants is critical for treatment, as they are likely amplified due to patients' mobility limitations, the nature of surgery and reliance on others during recovery. Design: This qualitative study used semi‐structured interviews. Methods: Twenty patients (M = 64.7 ± 9.8 years, 45% female, 90% Caucasian, body mass index 30.8 ± 5.5 kg/m2) who were scheduled for or had recently undergone knee replacement were interviewed. Participants were asked to identify social and environmental factors that made it easier or harder to engage in healthy eating or physical activity. Deidentified transcripts were analysed via constant comparative analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and activity. This paper was written in accordance with COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research standards. Results: Identified social and environmental healthy eating barriers included availability of unhealthy food and attending social gatherings; facilitators included availability of healthy food, keeping unhealthy options "out of sight," and social support. Weather was the primary activity barrier, while facilitators included access to physical activity opportunities and social support. Conclusions: Results provide salient factors for consideration by clinicians and behavioural programmes targeting diet, activity, and weight management, and patient variables to consider when tailoring interventions. Relevance to clinical practice: Practitioners treating knee replacement patients would be aided by an understanding of patients' perceived social and environmental factors that impede or facilitate surgical progress. Particularly for those directly interacting with patients, like nurses, physiotherapists, or other professionals, support from health professionals appears to be a strong facilitator of adherence to diet and increased activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objective. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Nursing Work Index-Revised - Brazilian version (B-NWI-R). Background. Some instruments evaluate the presence of certain characteristics in the professional practice environment of nurses. Among them, the B-NWI-R, often cited in the literature and which is examined in the present study. This instrument is composed of 57 items and four subscales: autonomy, control over the work environment, nurse-physician relationships and organisational support. Design. A cross-sectional research design was carried out in three public university hospitals in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods. The sample was composed of 278 nurses. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated through its homogeneity, using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The validity of the subscales of the B-NWI-R was evaluated through divergent construct validity and criterion-related validity. For the divergent construct validity, the Brazilian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was employed, while for the criterion-related validity, variables such as 'satisfaction at work', 'perception of quality of care' and 'nurses' intention to leave work in the following year' were considered. Results. The results showed satisfactory consistency for the total of the items ( α = 0·95) and for the subscales of the B-NWI-R: 'control over practice settings' ( α = 0·75); 'nurse-physician relationships' ( α = 0·75); 'organisational support' ( α = 0·75) and 'autonomy' ( α = 0·63). The divergent validity resulted in significant correlation between the adapted instrument subscales and those of the MBI. In addition, a significant correlation was obtained between the subscales of the B-NWI-R and the variables 'perception of quality of care', 'satisfaction at work' and 'intention to leave work in the following year'. Conclusion. The reliability and validity of the B-NWI-R have been established. Relevance to clinical practice. The B-NWI-R subscales can be used to assess the nurses' perceptions of the work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lasiter s. (2011) Older adults' perceptions of feeling safe in an intensive care unit. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(12), 2649-2657. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of older adults' perceptions of feeling safe in an intensive care unit. Background. Significant ageing of the world population is expected. Correspondingly, there is a growing global urgency for healthcare systems to prepare for the increased number of older adults who will require intensive care. Although patients have recounted situations in which feeling safe was essential to their experience, there is little empirical evidence about feeling safe for older adults in intensive care. Method. In 2008, 10 older adults who suffered unexpected critical health events and who were admitted to intensive care units were recruited for this grounded theory study. Participants were interviewed after transferring to an intermediate care unit and again after discharge. They were asked to reflect upon and discuss their experiences of feeling safe in intensive care. Findings. Participants' actual and expected interaction with intensive care nurses was essential to their perceptions of feeling safe. Four main categories were identified as requisite to interaction with nurses: proximity, oversight, predictability and initiative. A substantive grounded theory of feeling safe for older adults in intensive care is presented. Conclusion. Nurses must present themselves as accessible so patients perceive that they can initiate interaction with a qualified nurse. Patients must also see that nurses are monitoring them and believe that the nurses will help them if they experience a critical health event while in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. To examine the incidence of prescribing errors in a main public hospital in Pakistan and to assess the impact of introducing electronic prescribing system on the reduction of their incidence. Background. Medication errors are persistent in today's healthcare system. The impact of electronic prescribing on reducing errors has not been tested in developing world. Design. Prospective review of medication and discharge medication charts before and after the introduction of an electronic inpatient record and prescribing system. Methods. Inpatient records ( n = 3300) and 1100 discharge medication sheets were reviewed for prescribing errors before and after the installation of electronic prescribing system in 11 wards. Results. Medications (13,328 and 14,064) were prescribed for inpatients, among which 3008 and 1147 prescribing errors were identified, giving an overall error rate of 22·6% and 8·2% throughout paper-based and electronic prescribing, respectively. Medications (2480 and 2790) were prescribed for discharge patients, among which 418 and 123 errors were detected, giving an overall error rate of 16·9% and 4·4% during paper-based and electronic prescribing, respectively. Conclusion. Electronic prescribing has a significant effect on the reduction of prescribing errors. Relevance to clinical practice. Prescribing errors are commonplace in Pakistan public hospitals. The study evaluated the impact of introducing electronic inpatient records and electronic prescribing in the reduction of prescribing errors in a public hospital in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This paper is a report of a qualitative study of students' experiences of cooperative learning in the clinical setting. Background. Although cooperative learning is often used successfully in the classroom, it has not been documented in the clinical setting with sophomore nursing students being paired with other sophomore nursing students. Methods. Using a grounded theory methodology a sample of 64 participants (32 student nurse dyads, eight clinical groups, in two different acute care institutions) were observed on their first day in the clinical setting while working as cooperative partners. Interviews were also conducted with students, patients and staff preceptors. Data were collected in the fall of 2008, spring and fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010 using semi-structured interviews and reflective surveys. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method. Results/Findings. A holistic clinical education theory for student nurses was identified from the data. This theory includes a reciprocal relationship among five categories relevant to a community of learning: supportive clinical experience; improved transition into practice; enhanced socialization into the profession; increased accountability and responsibility; and emergence of self-confidence as a beginning student nurse. Conclusion. The use of student dyads creates a supportive learning environment while students were able to meet the clinical learning objectives. Cooperative learning in the clinical setting creates a community of learning while instilling very early in the education process the importance of teamwork. This approach to clinical instruction eases the transition from the classroom to the clinical learning environment, and improves patient outcomes. [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]

Aims and objectives. To examine how the role of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner has evolved in Scotland. Background. In 2001, Cooper and colleagues published a report on their survey (carried out in 1998) which described the extent and nature of Emergency Nurse Practitioner services in Scotland. They described a nascent nursing role and service that existed in almost half of Emergency Departments and that concentrated its activity on the management of minor distal limb trauma and wound management. Since that date, several relevant and important political, professional and local issues have combined to accelerate the development of this role. Design. Longitudinal survey of Scottish Emergency Departments ( n = 97 in 1998, n = 93 in 2009). Method. Census survey of all Scottish Emergency Departments identified by NHS National Services Scotland's Information and Statistics Division Accident and Emergency Waiting Times dataset 2006-07. Results. Emergency Nurse Practitioners are now practising in the majority (89%) of Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units compared with 47% in 1998. Most departments (78%) use Emergency Nurse Practitioners in dual roles, and most departments (67%) differentiate their Emergency Nurse Practitioners from other nursing staff by use of a title. Wide variations in pay, role and scope of practice still exist. Conclusions. The role of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner has increasingly become part of mainstream health care delivery in Emergency Departments across Scotland and can now be considered to be common place. This study demonstrates that 'Advanced Nursing Practitioners' and 'Nurse Practitioners' cannot necessarily be considered to be synonymous, and nursing roles that are allowed to evolve naturally adopt a non-uniform level of practice. Relevance to clinical practice. This paper is of interest to Nurse Practitioners and workforce planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

suhonen r., papastavrou e., efstathiou g., lemonidou c., kalafati m., da luz m.d.a., idvall e., berg a., acaroglu r., sendir m., kanan n., sousa v.d., katajisto j., välimäki m. & leino-kilpi h. (2011) Nurses' perceptions of individualized care: an international comparison. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(9), 1895-1907. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of internationally-based differences in nurses' perceptions of individualized care in orthopaedic surgical in-patient wards. Background. Individualized care is valued in healthcare policy, practice and ethical statements as an indicator of care quality. However, nurses' assessments of individualized care are limited and comparative cross-cultural studies on individualized nursing care are lacking. Methods. A descriptive comparative survey was used to sample orthopaedic surgical nurses ( n = 1163) working in 91 inpatient wards in 34 acute hospitals in Finland, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey and the United States of America. Data were collected between March and November 2009 using the Individualized Care Scale-Nurse and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Nurses in different countries perceived that they supported patients' individuality generally and provided individualized care during nursing activities. Although the highest scores were in support of patients' individuality in the clinical situation both through nursing provision and nurses' perceptions of individuality, there were between-country differences within these scores. Generally, the Greek and American nurses gave the highest scores and the Turkish, Cypriot and Portuguese nurses the lowest. Conclusions. Between-country differences found may be attributed to differing roles of nurses, care processes, healthcare systems and/or the ways nursing care is defined and organized. As this was the first time the Individualized Care Scale-Nurse was used in an international context, the results are formative and indicate the need to continue studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lechasseur k., lazure g. & guilbert l. (2011) Knowledge mobilized by a critical thinking process deployed by nursing students in practical care situations: a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(9), 1930-1940. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a qualitative study of mobilization of knowledge within the critical thinking process deployed by female undergraduate nursing students in practical care situations. Background. Holistic practice is based on variety of knowledge mobilized by a critical thinking process. Novices and, more specifically, students experience many difficulties in this regard. Therefore, a better understanding of the knowledge they mobilize in their practice is important for nurse educators. Design. A qualitative study, guided by grounded theory, was carried out. Sixteen nursing students, registered in an undergraduate programme in an Eastern Canadian university, were recruited. Descriptions of practical care situations were obtained through explicitation interviews in 2007. A sociodemographic questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and field notes were also used. Data were analysed using an approach based on grounded theory. An additional stage of analysis involved data condensation. Findings. Various types of knowledge guide nursing students' practice. These include intrapersonal, interpersonal, perceptual, moral/ethical, experiential, practical, scientific and contextual knowledge. The mobilization of these types of knowledge is only possible when the process of critical thinking has attained a higher level, giving rise to a new knowledge that we have termed combinational constructive knowledge rather than aesthetic knowledge. Conclusion. Clarification of the types of knowledge guiding the practice of student nurses and of the role of critical thinking in their mobilization could lead to innovative educational strategies. The findings provide guidance for the revision and development of both academic and clinical training programmes. [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]

tsai m.-c., tsai y.-f., hwang f.-m. & liu c.-y. (2011) Effectiveness of a brief intervention for managing hazardous drinking problems of inpatients in Taiwan. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(9), 2038-2046. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a randomized control trial undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use in Taiwanese inpatients with hazardous drinking patterns. Background. The Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use has been found to be as effective as medical and psychological treatments for individuals with alcohol use disorders in western countries. However, few studies have examined brief alcohol interventions for a Chinese population. Methods. Patients from the medical and surgical wards of a medical centre in northern Taiwan were enrolled if they had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score >8. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group ( n = 47), which received the Brief Intervention, and the control group ( n = 48), which received no special psychosocial intervention except routine nursing care. Data were collected from February 2005 to March 2006 on hospitalized participants' demographic characteristics and alcohol use. Scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were re-assessed over the telephone 6 months later by a trained assistant blinded to the treatment group. Results. The experimental group had a significantly higher mean improved Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score and better outcomes in all three dimensions of the test than the control group. Conclusions. The Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use is recommended for use in clinical settings to help Taiwanese inpatients with hazardous drinking patterns to improve their drinking problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]