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This paper showcases how a reflexive practice, that includes arts-based activities, deepened understandings experienced by a doctoral student of psychology while completing the data analysis section of a metasynthesis. The metasynthesis focused on qualitative studies, examining the mental and spiritual care of persons living with diabetic foot ulcers. Reflecting on the experience, this work argues for spaces where researchers stop and engage in reflexivity, making the work more robust.

This narrative study inquired into the experiences of preservice teachers who participated in the Kairos Blanket Exercise. During research conversations, participants shared stories that demonstrated an expansion of their knowledge and awareness. Three themes emerged: the Blanket Exercise and the research conversations were spaces where participants felt safe to ask questions; some participants began to rewrite their understanding of the history of relations; and some participants began to consider how they might contribute to decolonizing. Moreover, participants enriched by the experience were more ready and able to deliver related curricular outcomes, engage reflexively, and consider allyship.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure often used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. TURP often results in multiple symptoms that worsen a patient's condition, such as hyperglycemia. The relationship between TURP and hyperglycemia is not direct, but it is important to consider the potential impact of hyperglycemia on individuals undergoing TURP. The most critical point in the TURP syndrome is early diagnosis and treatment. Nurses should be aware of the symptoms to prevent further outcomes. To optimise the nursing care, integrating of symptoms management model in TURP care is important as it provides a conceptual foundation for understanding patient care, guides clinical decision‐making, contributes to evidence‐based practice and fosters professional development. Also nurses can deliver high‐quality TURP and hyperglycemia care that meets the diverse needs of patients and contributes to positive health outcomes. However, a study describing the symptoms management of patients living with TURP syndrome and hyperglycemia is limited. Therefore, the article aims to explain the management of hyperglycemia among patients after TURP. The findings of this review are expected to help the nurses notice the symptoms and make accurate interventions along with evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer patients experience financial hardship due to rising expenses related to cancer treatment and declining income levels associated with reduced employability. Employment Insurance Sick Benefits (EI-SB) is a social income support program which provides temporary income replacement to Canadians when they fall ill. Although EI-SB is designed to maintain continuity of income during an illness, little is known about the perspectives of cancer patients who receive EI-SB. This knowledge can inform the development of public policies which are responsive to the needs and priorities of cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a theory-informed thematic analysis of data collected from twenty semi-structured interviews with participants who were receiving care in a cancer centre in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and had received EI-SB. A coding framework was developed using Taplin and colleagues' intermediate outcomes of patient care across the cancer care continuum. Interpretation of findings was guided by the synergies of oppression theoretical lens. Results: Three overarching themes describe the experiences of cancer patients receiving social income support: Economic exclusion, in which the structure of the labour market and social welfare system determine access to workplace benefits and continuity of reasonable income; financial toxicity, a vicious cycle of financial burden and increasing financial distress; and constrained choices, where cancer influences employability and lowered income influences the need to be employed. Conclusion: Cancer patients need income support programs that are tailored to match their healthcare priorities. In addition, policies which strengthen working conditions and facilitate a reintegration to work when possible will be important in addressing the structural drivers of income insecurity experienced by cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the perspectives of health professionals on the barriers and solutions to delivery of patient-focused wound management and outcomes. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study design was used. Participants were health-care managers, clinical leaders, nurses and allied health members who are part of wound care services. Open-ended surveys were distributed to participants in a series of learning workshops, and data analysed to identify leading themes. Results: A total of 261 participants took part and 194 surveys were returned (response rate: 74%). From the analysis five themes emerged: patient/family wound-related education; health professional wound-related education; implementation of evidence-based wound care and dissemination of evidence-based wound information across professions and contexts; teamwork and respectful communication within teams; and a higher value and priority placed on wound care through collaborative teams by managers, leaders and policymakers. Conclusion: Findings suggest that ongoing, system-wide education is needed to improve prevention, assessment, treatment and management of four wound types: venous leg ulcer (VLU), diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), pressure ulcer (PU) and surgical wounds. Health professionals are committed to delivering best practice in wound care. Participants identified that effective patient-focused, evidence-based wound care involves having a health-care system with a clear mandate to ensure wound care is a priority. A high value placed on wound care by managers and clinical leadership could transform the present systems. Additionally, effective and widespread dissemination of evidenced-informed practice information is crucial to positive patient outcomes. Education and team commitment for consistent and respectful communication would improve care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcers result in a significant cost to the healthcare system. Diabetes is a chronic systemic disorder that affects the entire body. Due to the medical complexity of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, a multidisciplinary approach to their treatment has been shown to reduce amputation and recurrence rates. This article focuses on the types of offloading devices, aids and exercises that can be utilized in order to successfully achieve pressure offloading and wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to describe how lay peer leaders perceived their involvement as a volunteer in the implementation of a peer-led education program focused on diabetic foot care and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers/amputations. The peer-led education program was conducted in 10 Canadian provinces and 12 communities (two Aboriginal communities). Six months into the program, 12 out of 17 peer leaders completed online questions about their role. The program was focused on the operationalization of the PEP Talk: Diabetes Healthy Feet & You program. This program was supported by the Canadian Association of Wound Care and Public Health Agency of Canada. Peer leaders were recruited by a health care professional that knew them. Peer leaders volunteered as they wanted to give back to the healthcare system; they wanted to prevent others from experiencing foot ulcers and amputations; and overall they wanted foot care education to be delivered by a person who lived with the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes foot screening is a key component of the systematic and multidisciplinary care required by people with diabetes and is strongly supported by evidencebased best practice recommendations. Failure to carry out comprehensive diabetes foot screening can have detrimental consequences for those with diabetes. This article summarizes the key evidence supporting diabetes foot screening for risk of ulceration and lower-extremity amputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic wounds are managed almost entirely by community nurses. Almost all individuals with leg ulcers report acute pain usually related to dressing change. Little is known about pain after healing. The purpose of this study was to explore the course of pain from baseline to time of healing of leg ulcers (venous or mixed etiology). In order to understand this phenomenon and develop implications for nursing practice, objectives included: 1) Measure incidence and prevalence of pain at baseline and healing; 2) Describe characteristics associated with leg ulcer pain at baseline; 3) Identify predictors of leg ulcer pain at healing. Methods: Data were from one randomized controlled trial (2004-2008) of 424 individuals with leg ulcers in the community receiving evidence-informed nursing management. The primary outcome was pain at the time of healing. Predictive factors included demographic, circumstance of living, clinical and ulcer characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression identified the subset of predictors of pain at healing. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results: Eighty-two percent of participants reported pain at baseline and 32% at healing. Five percent with no pain at baseline reported pain at healing. Thirty-seven percent reported moderate to severe pain at baseline and 11% at healing. Twenty percent of all those who healed reported pain interfered with work moderately to extremely at time of healing. Being female (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.00, 2.68, p=0.05), use of short-stretch vs. four-layer bandages (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.06, 2.82, p=0.03), lower SF-12 PCS (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.94, 0.99, p=0.02) and MCS (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.00, p=0.04) scores, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR=2.28, 95% CI 1.06, 4.88, p=0.03), and tender pain (OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.29, 3.66, p=<0.01) were associated with pain at time of healing. Conclusions: Pain is an issue on admission for chronic wounds and at healing, yet 58% with moderate to severe pain on admission were not taking pain medication(s). Future studies should examine the role of pain at healing and at subsequent ulcer recurrence. Mobility and other factors that may contribute to pain at time of healing should also be assessed. Community nurses are encouraged to consider pain when planning care on admission and also after wound healing, when most patients are discharged from care. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00202267 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in North America. The number of Canadian with diabetes is projected to rise to 4.2 million people by 2020. Diabetic foot ulcers have been reported in 25% of individuals with diabetes and those with foot ulcers have an increased risk of amputation and increased mortality. The earlier recognition of the high-risk foot and the timely treatment will save legs and lives. An inter-professional approach is pivotal to support patients' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]