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Aim: To explore the level of sense of coherence among Swedish nursing staff. Design: An explorative quantitative study design was adopted using a short form for measuring sense of coherence. Methods: Data were collected in January 2018 from nurses working in full‐time positions at two hospitals in Western Sweden. A total of 93 nurses completed the 13 item questionnaire measuring sense of coherence. Descriptive statistics were applied to obtain means and standard deviations. Spearman's rank correlation was used to describe strength of association between sense of coherence and socio‐demographic categories. Between‐group differences were defined using the nonparametric tests of Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The internal consistency of the SOC‐13 was low. An inter‐item‐correlation test indicated that two items decreased the internal consistency of the scale. The level of the three dimensions of sense of coherence varied; manageability was weakest and decreased the total sense of coherence. The meaningfulness dimension was as strongest. Conclusion: On a national level, nurses reported weaker sense of coherence (SOC) than the general population, but stronger in an international comparison of nurses. They found their work difficult to manage, but meaningful. Impact: On a national level, the nurses reported weaker SOC than the general population, but stronger in an international comparison of nurses. Findings from this study will have an impact on how nurses can manage work related stress in terms of sense of coherence. There will also be an impact on nurses' well‐being, which in a long run benefits patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To report the synthesis of the concept of perceived symptom manageability. Background Common symptom assessment parameters fail to address concerns about the impact of symptoms on everyday life, overall functioning, or threats to individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus. We claim that the concept of 'perceived symptom manageability' integrates these important dimensions of the patients' experience of their symptoms. Data sources Online databases, thesauri, and dictionaries were accessed in January 2012. A free search was performed scanning the PubMed, CINAHL, and Psyc INFO databases for entries from 2001-2011 using 'manageability' in the title or abstract as a search term. Design Text-based analysis. Review methods We followed the steps delineated by Walker and Avant for concept synthesis. Uses of the concept 'manageability' were identified and listed, meaningful usage clusters were generated, and a preliminary working definition was created. Results Social resources and individual interpretation were relevant in view of managing a difficult situation, thus positioning 'manageability' in a social and interpretational context that exceeded objective control. We preliminarily defined perceived symptom manageability as 'the extent of the perceived ability to bring social and personal resources into play to successfully deal with or control symptoms, despite difficulties'. Conclusion We believe that our working definition represents a promising start to understand and address the manageability problems that individual patients face regarding particular symptoms and may serve as a basis to identify not only symptoms but also areas of intervention that are of most concern to individual patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objectives. This study aims to illuminate factors that facilitate and hinder the manageability of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in patients and next of kin. Fourteen patients and 13 next of kin were interviewed. Background. The whole family becomes affected when a person gets the disease. Therefore, it is important to identify strategies for managing the life situation among both patients and their next of kin. Design. A qualitative descriptive study. Method. This study based on individual interviews was performed in spring 2007. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Results. The results indicate constant fluctuation between opportunities and limitations in individual ability - of patients and family members - to manage the life situation. Both patients and next of kin devised strategies to manage their situations through acceptance, living in the present and perceiving real presence and support from family, friends and authorities. Dysfunctional relationships with family members, friends, or authorities reduced the manageability of the situation. Furthermore, patients experienced difficulties managing their situations when forced into passivity and increased dependence. Next of kin experienced decreased ability to manage because of burden, lack of own time and feelings of being controlled. Conclusion. The fluctuations in manageability and the similarities and differences between the pairs, indicate the importance of support, both for the individual and the family. Relevance to clinical practice. Fluctuations in manageability and similarities and differences between approaches to managing the situation suggest a need for input from caregivers, for the whole family. Family members need support and time for their own needs and also the opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of the needs of other family members. This study may give health personnel insight into how to help families devise strategies to manage a complex life situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]