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The aim of this study was to describe characteristics and content of nurses' handover tools used for handover report and congruence of content shift-to-shift. Nurses use handwritten notes to record information despite recommendations for standardizing content of handover to improve patient safety. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-profit hospital in Southern California where a convenience sample of 105 registered nurses voluntarily submitted their paper handover tools. Twenty-seven types of handover tools were collected. Participants customized handover tools with color, writing implement, emphasis markings, and symbols. Content analysis revealed that most handover tools contained the patient's name, birthdate, account number, room number, medical history, allergies, code status, systems review, vital signs, medications, vascular access, test results, plan of care, and tasks. Safety/risk-related information was rarely present. Handover tools were context-specific and individualized with handwritten information that was incongruent shift-to-shift. Safety/risk-related information was rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Telephone advice lines have been recommended internationally to support around-the-clock care for people living at home with advanced illness. While they undoubtedly support care, there is little evidence about what elements are needed for success. A national picture is needed to understand, improve and standardise service delivery/care. Aim: To explore telephone advice lines for people living at home with advanced illness across the four UK nations, and to construct a practical framework to improve services. Design: A cross-national evaluation of telephone advice lines using structured qualitative interviews. A patient and public involvement workshop was conducted to refine the framework. Setting/participants: Professionals with responsibilities for how palliative care services are delivered and/or funded at a local or regional level, were purposively sampled. Results: Seventy-one interviews were conducted, covering 60 geographical areas. Five themes were identified. Availability : Ten advice line models were described. Variation led to confusion about who to call and when. Accessibility, awareness and promotion : It was assumed that patients/carers know who to call out-of-hours, but often they did not. Practicalities : Call handlers skills/expertise varied, which influenced how calls were managed. Possible responses ranged from signposting to organising home visits. Integration/continuity of care : Integration between care providers was limited by electronic medical records access/information sharing. Service structure/commissioning : Sustained funding was often an issue for charitably funded organisations. Conclusions: Our novel evidence-based practical framework could be transformative for service design/delivery, as it presents key considerations relating to the various elements of advice lines that may impact on the patient/carer experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic health record (EHR) implementation is expanding worldwide to achieve the benefits of that technology, but it is reported in the literature as a "disruptive" change to the work environment in which all health-care workers need to be ready for the change, to enhance adoption and harvest the benefits. Jordan has rolled out a national EHR system. This study explored EHR implementation readiness, levels of realizing the benefits of EHR, and adoption among Jordanian nurses, using a self-report questionnaire at nine governmental hospitals in Jordan. A total of 462 registered nurses participated in the study. Results showed that nurses have moderate levels of readiness for EHR implementation, but higher levels of EHR benefits realization and adoption. All health-care workers' readiness for EHR implementation must be assessed regularly before, during, and after EHR implementation. Readiness-based roll-out can be used as a strategy in implementing EHR systems. Introducing a large-scale change management program is recommended to assess readiness, guide roll-out plans, enhance EHR implementation readiness, improve benefits realization, and increase EHR adoption levels, to help move health-care systems into the digital era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Speech and language therapists can improve the quality of life of people receiving palliative care through the management of communication and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). However, their role in this domain is poorly defined and little is understood about the current international professional practice in this field. Aims: To examine how speech and language therapists perceive their role in the delivery of palliative care to clients, to discover current international speech and language therapist practices and to explore the similarities and differences in speech and language therapists’ practice in palliative care internationally. This will inform professional clinical guidelines and practice in this area.Design:Anonymous, non-experimental, cross-sectional survey design.Participants:Speech and language therapists working with adult and paediatric palliative care populations in Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand where the speech and language therapist profession is well established. Method: Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants internationally using gatekeepers. An online survey was disseminated using Survey Monkey (http://www.surveymonkey.com). Results: A total of 322 speech and language therapists responded to the survey. Speech and language therapist practices in palliative care were similar across continents. Current speech and language therapist practices along with barriers and facilitators to practice were identified. The need for a speech and language therapist professional position paper on this topic was emphasised by respondents. Conclusion: Internationally, speech and language therapists believe they have a role in palliative care. The speech and language therapist respondents highlighted that this area of practice is under-resourced, under-acknowledged and poorly developed. They highlighted the need for additional research as well as specialist training and education for speech and language therapists and other multidisciplinary team members in the area of palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study seeks to investigate the extent to which factors such as income and child support along with relationship factors such as family structure and communication with the custodial mother potentially mitigate overall parent satisfaction for African American noncustodial fathers (NCFs) with multi-partnered fertility (MPF). Methods: 163 noncustodial fathers without and with children other than the custodial parents were selected. An independent sample t-test was conducted to determine differences in satisfaction levels. Multiple linear regression was conducted to predict participants' overall level of parental involvement satisfaction by income, child support, and relationship factors. Results: The data illustrates the combined influence of income, child support, relationship factors, and family structure account for a significant amount of the variance in satisfaction. Fathers without MPF reported greater satisfaction levels. Conclusions: Future study is recommended to advance our understanding of the predictors of NCFs parent satisfaction among NCFs with and without MPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the privacy perception, self-esteem and anxiety levels of women undergoing pelvic examination and influencing factors. This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 415 women who underwent pelvic examination. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Body Privacy Scale for Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the State Anxiety Inventory. It was found that self-esteem 02 =.055, p < .0001) and state anxiety 02 =.037, p..004) were significantly related to body privacy perceptions. The results of the study showed that making a statement to the women before the examination positively affected their perception of privacy. It is recommended for health professionals to be trained on the importance of privacy and communication during pelvic examination to increase their awareness on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) research focused on the future effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among adult men, as well as victimization patterns. Continuing evidence is needed informing how ACEs, communication, and IPV may emerge within the intimate partnerships of 18–24 year olds. The present study addresses a literature gap by investigating ACEs in relation to relationship communication quality and IPV, considering not only victimization but also perpetration. An online survey was distributed through social media outlets targeting college-aged adults (n = 228). Men were more likely to perpetrate and be victimized by IPV than women in the sample. However, both sexes had moderate associations between ACES and victimization as well as perpetration of physical, emotional, sexual, and cyber abuse. Poor communication quality was associated with ACEs and most forms of abuse experienced in the last year. Continued investigation of this topic is warranted to understand mechanisms for effective treatment and skill development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship and sexual violence (RSV) disproportionately affect youth in immigrant and other marginalized communities yet few prevention initiatives are truly grounded in their experiences. The current study represents a pilot implementation evaluation of youth-led workshops to engage significant adults (parents, grandparents, aunts, adult siblings, community leaders) as RSV prevention partners in diverse communities in a large urban area. The current mixed methods evaluation examined the perceptions of 66 adults and six youth leaders of four, day-long adult training workshops. Results showed high feasibility and acceptability and an important role for significant adults in enhancing RSV prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to discuss cultural intelligence levels and intercultural communication apprehension of nurses. Method: This study was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional study, and it was conducted with 252 nurses working in a hospital in a south city of Turkey. The research data were collected via a "Personal Information Form" designed by the researchers, "The Cultural Intelligence Scale," and "The Intercultural Communication Apprehension Scale." Results: It was concluded that nurses had moderate levels of cultural intelligence and intercultural communication apprehension, which were positively correlated (p <.001). Cultural intelligence levels and intercultural communication apprehension were further correlated with certain variables such as age, gender, job duration, foreign language proficiency, and their experiences in foreign countries (p <.05). Discussion: In light of the results, it was suggested that moderate levels of intercultural communication apprehension can be a supportive factor in developing cultural intelligence. It was also added that preventing excessive intercultural communication apprehension and supporting nurses to improve language skills and to have abroad experience may be beneficial in developing cultural intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Final Rule on School Wellness Policy requires schools to self-evaluate wellness policies and environments. To understand the utility of this information, this study evaluates the validity of school-reported wellness information against directly observed data. Wellness leaders at 10 Midwestern elementary schools completed a questionnaire spanning nine school wellness settings. School-reported information was compared against a direct observation protocol. Percent agreement and κ statistics were used to assess agreement between school reporters and direct observation. Overall percent agreement between reporters and direct observation was 77.1%. Agreement ranged from 67.3% (Lunchroom Environment) to 92.0% (School Wellness Policies) across the nine categories. κ results showed that 65.7% of the items demonstrated fair or better reporter agreement. The results provide preliminary support for the utility of schools' self-reported wellness information. Facilitation of independent reporting on wellness environments by school leaders will contribute to broader applications for school wellness programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalized healthcare services offer remote and cost-effective treatment of diabetes patients. Thus, the present online study analyzed the readiness to use telemonitoring among Austrian diabetes patients. We developed and validated a German version of the patient telehealth readiness assessment tool and performed quantitative context analysis of free-text comments on perceived barriers and benefits of telemonitoring. Participants (n = 41, 42.6% females) achieved a medium average readiness level for telemonitoring. The three top benefits were intensified care, shorter travel and waiting times, and better therapy adjustment. The top three barriers were data privacy issues, loss of personal communication and focus on blood sugar, and teledoctor competence. Diabetes patients represent a suitable target group for remote treatment opportunities. However, a shift from traditional face-to-face medical care to exclusive telemonitoring treatment from diagnosis to consultation and treatment requires fundamental new legal framework conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of family relationships associated with communication of genetic risk and testing behaviors among at-risk relatives in families with an inherited cardiac condition. Data were collected from 53 patients and parents of children with an inherited cardiac condition through interviews, pedigrees, and surveys. Associations were examined among family relationship characteristics and whether at-risk relatives were informed about their risk and tested for disease. Of 1,178 at-risk relatives, 52.5% were informed about their risk and 52.1% of those informed were tested. Emotional closeness, relationship quality, and communication frequency had significant bivariate associations with genetic risk communication. Communication frequency was associated with genetic risk communication and testing in multivariate models. This study provides new insight into the extent of genetic risk communication and testing in families with inherited cardiac conditions. Family relationships, especially communication frequency, are critical factors in family communication of genetic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a cross-sectional study, this article addresses end-of-life (EOL) care for older Iranian-American adults. The purposes are twofold: (a) to explore participants' preferences for home or hospital care in the event they face EOL conditions and (b) to learn how participants prefer to communicate these preferences. Results showed that about half of the 130 participants had communicated their EOL care preferences through written documents and/or verbal discussions. A set of factors predicted the preferences (χ2(9) = 17.42, p <.042) and communications (χ2(9) = 19.54, p =.021). Regression models indicated that higher scores of social support (p =.013) and greater numbers of cohabitants (p =.021) were associated with a preference for home care, and experience of a loved one's death was associated with participants being willing to communicate their preferences for type of care (p =.015). This study can bridge the gap between culturally diverse older adults' preferences and types of EOL care they ultimately receive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An ethical, informed consent process requires that potential participants understand the study, their rights, and the risks and benefits. Yet, despite strategies to improve communication, many participants still lack understanding of potential risks and benefits. Investigating attitudes and practices of research nurses can identify ways to improve the informed consent process. Research question: What are the attitudes, practices, and preparedness of nurses involved in the informed consent process regarding communication of risks and benefits? Research design: A survey was developed and administered online to a national purposive sample of 107 research nurses with experience obtaining informed consent for clinical trials. Survey responses stratified by selected work-related characteristics were analyzed. Ethical considerations: Participants were instructed they need not answer each question and could stop at any time. They consented by clicking "accept" on the email which linked to the survey. The study was approved by the Northeastern University Institutional Review Board, Boston, Massachusetts (NU-IRB Protocol #: 13-06-17). Findings: Most research nurses (87%) used a teach-back method to assess participant comprehension, while 72% relied on their intuition. About one-third did not feel prepared to communicate related statistics. About 20% did not feel prepared to tailor information, and half did not feel competent using supplemental materials to enhance risks and benefits comprehension. Only 70% had received training in the informed consent process which included in-person training (84%), case studies (69%), online courses (57%), feedback during practice sessions (54%), and simulation, such as role playing (49%) and viewing videos (45%). Perceived preparedness was significantly associated with greater informed consent experience and training. Conclusion: Research nurses may have inadequate training to encourage, support, and reinforce communication of risks and benefits during the informed consent process. Relevant purposeful education and training should help to improve and standardize the ethical informed consent process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined information on pubertal changes provided by school nurses to adolescent girls, the methods, and media of communication. We also examined the challenges faced by the nurses in the course of communication. The study setting was five private high schools located in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Participants were 10 school nurses and 420 school adolescent girls. Cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Results showed school nurses paid more attention to physical body changes, menarche, and menstrual hygiene as contents of pubertal communication rather than contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infection, and teenage pregnancy prevention. Materials for communication were reportedly lacking in many of the schools while the school management censors pubertal information. Efforts should be tailored at equipping the school clinic with audiovisual aids and school nurses should be encouraged to give comprehensive pubertal education irrespective of their values and beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Georgia faces challenges in providing access to care, largely due to rural hospital closures and physician shortages. Although nurse practitioners (NPs) could help address Georgia's urgent health care needs, the state remains restrictive with respect to NP scope of practice (SOP). This study examined factors that influence Georgia legislators' decision-making on NP SOP. In June 2016, after the January through March legislative session, a questionnaire was e-mailed to 49 state legislators on the Committees on Health and Human Services in Georgia's House of Representatives and Senate. The questionnaire was adapted from a legislative questionnaire previously used in research on state educational policy. Nine of 49 (18%) Georgia legislators responded. The majority of nine respondents were Republicans having served less than 15 years in the legislature. The number of respondents was approximately equal between Senate and House of Representatives. The respondents rated expert testimony and hearing from constituents as most likely to influence their decision-making on NP SOP. They reported that media and concerns about reelection were least likely to influence their decision-making about NP SOP. Therefore, nurses who aim to influence state policy should consider legislator preferences, such as speaking personally with constituents and receiving expert testimony. In-person communication could enhance interactions with legislators, potentially improving policy outcomes. Future research is necessary and should be conducted by NPs to determine the forms of communication and content in testimony most effective in influencing state lawmakers about NP SOP and examine if results vary by state political or other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports development of a scale assessing communication with family about brain-dead organ donation. Two cross-sectional studies demonstrated scale validity. Tests of internal, external, and predictive validity were conducted using confirmatory factor analysis. In both studies, the same 6 items were shown to be unidimensional with acceptable reliability. Parallelism was shown between the Brain Death Scale and a measure of communication with family. Predictive validity was exhibited between participants’ donor status and the Brain Death Scale. The scale was associated with knowledge about brain death confirming misconceptions about brain-dead organ donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study sought to evaluate HIV testing locations in New York City in terms of staff communication of confidentiality policies for adolescent clients. Method. Using the New York State Directory of HIV Counseling and Testing Resources as a sampling frame, this study made telephone contact with 164 public HIV testing locations in New York City and used a semistructured interview to ask questions about confidentiality, parental permission, and parent access to test results. Results. At 48% of locations, either HIV testing was not offered or we were unable to reach a staff member to ask questions about testing options and confidentiality. At the remaining sites, information provided regarding confidentiality, parental consent, and privacy of test results was correct only 69% to 85% of the time. Additionally, 23% of sites successfully contacted offered testing exclusively between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. weekdays, when most adolescents are in school. Conclusions. Our findings point to a need for increased training and quality control at the clinical level to ensure that consumers in need of HIV testing are provided with accurate information and accessible services. Furthermore, these results highlight the need for more “patient-centric” sites with enhanced accessibility for potential clients, particularly youth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study on a successful applicant's views of a social work admissions process in Great Britain and across the world. The study discusses some debates regarding the effectiveness and reliability on the methods used during the assessment and describes the social work applicants to two programme providers. The study reveals a variation in demographic characteristics in terms of religion and gender which focuses on how students viewed the admissions process.

In this qualitative study, we examine how converged mobile devices (e.g. BlackBerries, Treos, and iPhones) are experienced by users of this contemporary connectivity technology. Perhaps not surprisingly, users experience similar pressures to be accessible and responsive; however, the sources of these expectations extend beyond those internal to organizations to include sources external to organizations (e.g. family, friends, industry, CMD-user community, and society in general). Users’ reactions to responsiveness-accessibility pressures differ in this study, clustering into three different categories — ‘enthusiastic,’ ‘balanced,’ and ‘trade-offs.’ Further analyses reveal three emergent factors influencing users’ reactions: the number of expectation sources; specificity of the sources; and adoption motives. Our research builds on technology and work studies to include factors that are related to heterogeneity in interpretations and enactments. Moreover, findings suggest that in the context of this connectivity technology, the role of the organization may not be as central as it has been in many other studies of technology and work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]