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International health science students face many challenges at the beginning of their courses, including a lack of awareness of cultural differences, adjusting to academic expectations, communication difficulties, clinical placement challenges, financial pressures, maintaining cultural and religious practices, discrimination, and emotions such as loneliness and being homesick. This study aims to assist beginning international students enrolled in health sciences programs to adapt to university life and achieve academic success by expanding their coping abilities and self-management strategies. A survey approach was used to evaluate the pilot program named EMPOWERMENT. All first-year international students who participated in the EMPOWERMENT program were invited to complete a post-training questionnaire after the program. The results revealed that increased resilience and improved skills to manage stress were the most frequently reported outcomes of the program. In acquiring these important skills, the students valued the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from each other.

International students report higher sociocultural and academic stress when settling into a new university compared with their local counterparts. Three disciplines in the health professions collaborated to create a transition program addressing international student health and well-being in Australia. Commencing students and senior student mentors participated in a four-session program of activities to reflect on their current study/work practices and learn self-management strategies. They developed plans for coping with cultural, language, academic, and social barriers, and assisted in improving physical and mental health and well-being. Of the 26 participants who attended sessions, 15 participated in in-depth interviews. Facilitating adjustment, establishing relationships, gaining new skills and knowledge, and transforming beliefs and behavior were the four themes identified that captured and explicated the impact of the initiative. Although limited by the number of student participants, the program demonstrated a positive impact in creating a supportive learning environment for international students.

Aim Background Design Data Source Review Methods Results Conclusion To explore what is known about nurses' experiences and perceptions of running nurse‐led clinics.Nurse‐led clinics were established to address health care needs. In collaboration with medical practitioners, advanced practice nurses may take a selected group of patients and manage their ongoing healthcare independently. Their experiences in running nurse‐led clinics directly impact patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.Scoping review of the peer‐reviewed literature.Systematic search through CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases from January 2010 to September 2023.This scoping review is guided by the updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping review from Joanna Briggs Institute.Of 2747 retrieved articles, 15 were included in this review. Synthesis of the findings revealed that nurses believed implementing nurse‐led clinics was beneficial to themselves, patients, and healthcare systems. However, they faced challenges in running nurse‐led clinics, including insufficient support, teamwork obstacles and lack of role recognition.Nurses need to be proactive in promoting their clinics and overcoming challenges. Healthcare organizations are responsible for creating a positive culture to support nurse‐led services. Future research should focus on ways to increase global awareness of nurse‐led clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore advanced practice nurses' experiences and perceptions of running nurse-led clinics in the Australian context. Background: Advanced practice nurses consult with patients through nurse-led clinics to address ever-growing clinical demands and healthcare workforce shortages. Their experiences and perceptions of running nurse-led clinics are vital, but studies offering insights into this area are scarce. Study design and methods: This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design. Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, ten semi-structured individual virtual interviews were conducted with advanced practice nurses who run nurse-led clinics in Australia. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Reporting of this study adhered to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Results: Three themes were constructed: 1) the genesis of nurse-led clinics; 2) perceived positive outcomes of nurse-led clinics; and 3) contextual determinants influencing nurse-led clinics. Findings show that nurses establish, manage, and expand nurse-led clinics to fulfil health service demands and patients' care needs. Though advanced practice nurses reported positive outcomes, there were several barriers that need to be addressed at all levels. Discussion: Advanced practice nurses are required to have wide-ranging knowledge and skills across the validated domains of patient care, support of systems, education, research, and professional leadership to be able to provide evidence-based holistic care. Advanced practice nurses face obstacles in running nurse-led clinics with overwhelming workloads and insufficient support. Regular communication with healthcare organisational leadership and collaboration with other healthcare workers is crucial to gain recognition and support. Conclusion: Nurse-led clinics are a valuable service that should be promoted and recognised. It is the responsibility of healthcare organisations to review current policies and provide necessary support to advanced practice nurses to enable effective and efficient nurse-led services. It is also incumbent upon governments to support funding that enables nurse-led care models across policy, funding, and healthcare levels, spanning macro-, meso-, and micro-levels. Implications for research, policy, and practice: Advanced practice nurses as participants shared experiences in establishing, running, and expanding nurse-led clinics, that can provide a framework to other nurses wanting to start nurse-led services. Advanced practice nurses are encouraged to promote their work to gain recognition and create awareness of the role of nurses in the provision of nurse-led services. More studies are needed at the global level to understand advanced practice nurses' experiences and the challenges they encounter which will assist in developing the strategies to address these barriers. What is already known about the topic? * Nurse-led clinics were introduced to mitigate the shortage of healthcare resources, accommodate increasing clinical demands, and enhance patients' experiences. * Nurse-led clinics achieve positive outcomes, however, advanced practice nurses face barriers in running nurse-led clinics. * Studies offering insights into Australian advanced practice nurses' experiences and perceptions of running nurse-led clinics are lacking. What this paper adds? * Advanced practice nurses shared experiences in establishing, running, and expanding nurse-led services which can be adopted to guide nurses new to nurse-led services. * Advanced practice nurses strived to overcome obstacles encountered in running nurse-led clinics. They need support at all levels to implement nurseled services successfully. * As this is the first study of its kind in Australia, more research is needed to promote and improve the awareness of nurse-led clinics both in Australia and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify the extent and type of evidence exploring the workplace experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities. Design: Scoping Review. Data Sources: Four electronic databases were systematically searched in February 2022 to identify studies discussing the experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities, published between 2012 and 2022. Google Scholar and Theses Global were also searched. Review Methods: All search results, irrespective of their format, were uploaded to Covidence to assist with the selection of evidence. Studies discussing the experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities were included. Two reviewers conducted screening and data extraction independently, and a third reviewer resolved conflicts. Results: Searches identified 130 studies. After screening for title and abstract, full‐text review identified 23 studies for data extraction and analysis. Data were summarized and presented in tabular form under two categories (1) workplace experiences and (2) impact in the workplace. Results were presented in a descriptive, narrative form with accompanying tables. Conclusion: The nurse or midwife can be impacted significantly by disability. Currently, little is known about the workplace experiences of nurses and midwives with disabilities. Therefore, a better understanding of the experiences of the nurse and midwives with disabilities is important to increase diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Impact: Shortage of nurses and midwives worldwide highlights the need to understand why nurses and midwives with disabilities decide to leave the profession. Further research exploring the experiences of nurses or midwives with disabilities will help identify support requirements, develop frameworks for reasonable adjustment accommodations, and assist with future workforce planning. The EQUATOR guidelines for PRISMA have been met. No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM The aim of the study was to explore undergraduate nursing and midwifery students’ perspectives of participating in a student-led collaborative online international learning (COIL) program. BACKGROUND Research on COIL programs is limited. This program, developed across three global universities, was implemented to provide an internationalization-at-home experience for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was employed using nursing students’ reflections and interviews. RESULTS Data analysis revealed four key themes: student-led learning experiences, personal gains, influence on professional practice, and becoming a global citizen. Students’ experiences offer insights into positive aspects of the program and highlight challenges to overcome. CONCLUSION The student-led COIL experience increased nursing students’ understanding of the dynamics of culture and nursing practices across different countries. Students’ personal growth and professional gains will potentially prepare them to work in multicultural environments and develop global citizenship attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: International educational programs build cultural humility and safety skills in nursing and midwifery students; however, long-term outcomes of these programs are unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of international educational programs on nurses' and midwives' future professional practice. Method: Using grounded theory informed by Charmaz, 13 general nurses, two mental health nurses, three midwives, and four dual-qualified nurse/midwives across eight different countries were interviewed. Three categories evolved from the analysis. This article reports on the category Recognizing and adapting to cultural differences. Findings: Participants developed cultural safety and awareness from participation in programs extending into future practice. Experiencing and adapting to cultural similarities and differences, they developed culturally congruent practices many years after program completion. Discussion: International programs contributed to participants' professional practice. Positive and ongoing influences are important for employers to promote patient safety and culturally congruent quality care. Findings are also relevant for education providers to inform quality cultural learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Experiences and determinants connected with type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated erectile dysfunction (T2DMED) in health appointments are not well understood and infrequently reported. This systematic review was undertaken to synthesise evidence of the experiences, facilitators, and barriers around screening ED in men with T2DM during health service consultations. Methods: The review report was based on the guidelines provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute for conducting mixed-method systematic reviews. Eight electronic databases were searched, including Web of Science, Embase via Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCO, ProQuest, PubMed, PsychInfo via Ovid, MEDLINE via Ovid, Portal Garuda. Additionally, the review manually looked through the reference lists of the studies we included. Erectile dysfunction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, screening and barriers were initially used as keywords in the search strategy. All identified primary studies written in English and Bahasa Indonesia, and published between 2001 and 2022 were meticulously screened following an agreed set of inclusion criteria. Findings: Out of 3468 papers screened, only six were chosen for the review. These included three cross-sectional studies, two qualitative studies, and one mixed-method study. The study quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Based on the checklist criteria, the studies ranged between 5/10 to 9/10 in terms of quality. After synthesizing the findings, four main categories were identified including the willingness to discuss T2DMED, the barriers experienced and perceived, the limited understanding of T2DMED, and the support expected by men with T2DM. Discussion: Many men kept quiet about their struggles with T2DMED, hoping to bring it up as a topic of discussion during healthcare consultations. Barriers such as embarrassment, a sense of helplessness and reluctance to seek help, financial constraints, and dismissive healthcare professionals hindered them from addressing this issue. Both the participating men and healthcare professionals lacked a comprehensive understanding of T2DMED. Recommendations: It is important to provide education tailored to men's specific needs and improve awareness about T2DM-associated ED. Creating a more T2DMED-friendly environment could be a potential solution to increase early screening and management. Future research should investigate potential barriers that prevent HCPs from identifying and addressing T2MED since their absence in the identified studies highlights this need. Systematic review registration: CRD42021292454. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For many years, universities have placed a strong emphasis on providing students with an internationalization experience through study-abroad programs; however, the recent pandemic led many universities to look for alternatives to continue offering students an international experience. Method: This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a collaborative online international learning (COIL) experience between nursing students in Australia and the United Kingdom. Results: Students explored community spirit in the recovery from COVID-19. Students positively rated the experience and shared insights and outcomes gained from the program. Conclusion: The COIL experience exposed nursing students from Australia and the United Kingdom to learn about public health issues and develop cultural awareness and a sense of global community. Future programs should evaluate the long-term effects on students' nursing practice and their careers. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(7):387–392.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feedback on performance enhances student confidence and clinical skills and promotes safe clinical practice. Experiences of feedback are well documented across many health disciplines; however, less is known about paramedicine students' experiences of feedback on‐road in an emergency ambulance. The aim of this scoping review was to identify what is known about paramedicine students' experiences of feedback during clinical placement on‐road in an emergency ambulance. A review of studies between 2000 and 2021 was undertaken, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. Databases included CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, ERIC (ProQuest), ProQuest (Nursing and Allied Health), Trove, and Open Accessd Theses and Dissertations. Three studies were identified. Feedback is valued by paramedicine students; however, it can be personal and destructive in nature. Paramedics are enthusiastic and supportive and provide clear feedback. Paramedics face challenges supervising students and may lack preparation to provide feedback. There is limited evidence on paramedicine students' experiences of feedback during clinical placement. Further exploration is needed to gain further understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the ever-changing and complex healthcare environment, nurses encounter challenging situations that may involve a clash between their personal and professional values resulting in a profound impact on their practice. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of literature on how nurses develop their personal–professional values. Aim: The aim of this study was to understand how nurses develop their foundational values as the base for their value system. Research design: A constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed to collect multiple data sets, including face-to-face focus group and individual interviews, along with anecdote and reflective stories. Participants and research context: Fifty-four nurses working across various nursing settings in Indonesia were recruited to participate. Ethical considerations: Ethics approval was obtained from the Monash University Human Ethics Committee, project approval number 1553. Findings: Foundational values acquisition was achieved through family upbringing, professional nurse education and organisational/institutional values reinforcement. These values are framed through three reference points: religious lens, humanity perspective and professionalism. This framing results in a unique combination of personal–professional values that comprise nurses' values system. Values are transferred to other nurses either in a formal or informal way as part of one's professional responsibility and customary social interaction via telling and sharing in person or through social media. Discussion: Values and ethics are inherently interweaved during nursing practice. Ethical and moral values are part of professional training, but other values are often buried in a hidden curriculum, and attained and activated through interactions during nurses' training. Conclusion: Developing a value system is a complex undertaking that involves basic social processes of attaining, enacting and socialising values. These processes encompass several intertwined entities such as the sources of values, the pool of foundational values, value perspectives and framings, initial value structures, and methods of value transference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International students report higher sociocultural and academic stress when settling into a new university compared with their local counterparts. Three disciplines in the health professions collaborated to create a transition program addressing international student health and well-being in Australia. Commencing students and senior student mentors participated in a four-session program of activities to reflect on their current study/work practices and learn selfmanagement strategies. They developed plans for coping with cultural, language, academic, and social barriers, and assisted in improving physical and mental health and well-being. Of the 26 participants who attended sessions, 15 participated in in-depth interviews. Facilitating adjustment, establishing relationships, gaining new skills and knowledge, and transforming beliefs and behavior were the four themes identified that captured and explicated the impact of the initiative. Although limited by the number of student participants, the program demonstrated a positive impact in creating a supportive learning environment for international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the perceptions of suicide among a sample of adolescents from Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC), a northern province of Pakistan. METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory design was employed to study the phenomenon by examining secondary data from an asynchronous, online student discussion forum at a University in Karachi. All the participants, originally from GBC, were enrolled from June-December 2019 using a purposive sampling technique based on their experiences of losing a loved one (adolescent sibling or cousin or a friend) because of suicide. The narratives were content analyzed using Creswell framework resulting categories and an overarching theme. Study was approved by ethical committee of university. Pseudonyms were assigned to ensure anonymity and confidentiality of the participants. RESULTS: Out of 10 participants, 8 were females and 2 were males aged 18-20 years. Participants shared their perceptions/experiences about suicide among adolescents in GBC, probable root causes of suicide and recommendation/suggestions in context of GBC. The analysis revealed an overarching theme "cry for help", which was further divided into five categories including: (i) cultural norms; (ii) parents as a whistle for the rat race; (iii) psychological issues; (iv) seeking mental help - a challenge; and (v) how can I be helped? CONCLUSION: Study findings provided insights into factors leading to suicide among young adults in GBC region. The contributing factors highlight the need to develop infrastructure to increase accessibility to healthcare centers, and predominantly access to mental healthcare workers for undertaking risk assessment, and managing the cases promptly is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Nurses have a critical role in providing holistic care for people with life-limiting conditions. However, they experience internal moral conflict and powerlessness when patients request them to assist in the dying process. A scoping review was undertaken to determine what is known about nurses' perceptions and attitudes of euthanasia. Review Methods: Several databases were searched that yielded both qualitative and quantitative primary peer-reviewed research studies that focused on nurses, their perceptions and attitudes about euthanasia. Descriptive and explorative analyses of the data set from the research studies were undertaken. Results: A total of 23 studies were included in the review. Opinions about euthanasia were mixed. Two key concepts emerged from the review: some nurses were positive and/or supportive of euthanasia, while some were negative and/or unsupportive of euthanasia. The main factors associated with being positive and/or supportive were because of (a) extreme uncontrollable pain, unbearable suffering, or other distressing experiences of the patient, (b) legality of euthanasia, and (c) right of the patient to die. The factors that determined nurses' negative and/or unsupportive attitude included (a) religion, (b) moral/ethical dilemmas, (c) role of gender of the health professional, and, (d) poor palliative care. Conclusions: The matter of euthanasia has challenged nurses considerably in their aim to deliver holistic care. There were several crucial factors influencing nurses' perceptions and attitudes, and these were affected by their personal, professional and transpersonal perspectives. The potential implications to nurses relate to education, practice, and research. Nurses need to be informed of existing legislation and provided in-depth education and professional guidelines to help direct action. Further research is needed to explore the impact on nurses' emotional well-being, clarify their role/s and determine the support they might require when involved with euthanasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International health science students face many challenges at the beginning of their courses, including a lack of awareness of cultural differences, adjusting to academic expectations, communication difficulties, clinical placement challenges, financial pressures, maintaining cultural and religious practices, discrimination, and emotions such as loneliness and being homesick. This study aims to assist beginning international students enrolled in health sciences programs to adapt to university life and achieve academic success by expanding their coping abilities and self-management strategies. A survey approach was used to evaluate the pilot program named EMPOWERMENT. All first-year international students who participated in the EMPOWERMENT program were invited to complete a post-training questionnaire after the program. The results revealed that increased resilience and improved skills to manage stress were the most frequently reported outcomes of the program. In acquiring these important skills, the students valued the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Integrity is one of the core values in nursing that needs to be maintained by nurses in practice. However, the complexity in the nursing milieu can pose threats to integrity. An understanding of the common threats and coping strategies might assist nurses in preserving integrity in everyday practice. Aims and objectives: To review and synthesis the concept of integrity in nursing and identify common threats and coping strategies. Methods: Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method was implemented. A search was performed in Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Proquest Health and Medical electronic databases published in English between 2000–2017. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility for inclusion. Methodological appropriateness for the included studies was assessed using the critical appraisal skills programme. The constant comparative method of grounded theory was used to analyse and synthesise data from seven peer‐reviewed articles. Results: Two major conceptions of integrity were identified. These included the sense of wholeness with regard to personal–professional concerns and ethical–moral conducts. Five entities, self, patients, teamwork and work culture, the nature of work, and organisation, were identified as interweaving elements that may induce threats to integrity. When integrity is threatened, nurses use two key strategies to survive: adjusting and compensating. An emergent framework to facilitate understanding of nurses' threats to integrity is discussed. Conclusions: A threat to nurses' integrity takes form when there is an unmitigated gap between a nurse's expectation and reality. While the expectation comes from within the nurse, the reality materialises out of the complex interplays that occur in the healthcare workforce. Maintaining integrity demands a continual strive to balance personal expectations, professional concerns and nursing realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting evidence-based practice (EBP) principles in undergraduate education can facilitate nursing students’ appreciation of EBP. Using grounded theory method, this study aimed to explore processes used by nurse academics while integrating EBP concepts in undergraduate nursing curricula across Australian universities. Twenty-three nurse academics were interviewed and nine were observed during teaching of undergraduate students. In addition, 20 unit/subject guides were analyzed using grounded theory approach of data analysis. The theory “On a path to success: Endeavoring to contextualize curricula within an EBP framework” reflects academics’ endeavors toward linking EBP concepts to practice, aiming to contextualize curricula in a manner that engages students within an EBP framework. However, academics’ journeys were influenced by several contextual factors which require strategies to accomplish their endeavors. In conclusion, initiatives to minimize barriers, faculty development, and provision of resources across educational and clinical settings are fundamental to achieving undergraduate curricula underpinned by EBP concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine impact of undertaking an international educational program during a nurse's or midwife's pre-registration program on subsequent practice, focusing on how nurses and midwives were transformed personally through participation in such programs. Background: Participation in international educational programs has been reported to enhance nursing and midwifery students' personal and professional development, however long-term impacts remain unclear. This paper presents findings drawn from a larger grounded theory study. Study design and Methods: Charmaz's grounded theory methodology was used to elicit experiences from 13 general nurses, two mental health nurses, three midwives and four dual qualified nurse/midwives across eight different countries. Data analysis led to the creation of three categories, with this paper reporting on the category of Developing as a Person. Findings: Participation in international educational programs can be transformative for nurses and midwives with long-lasting impacts, contributing positively to their personal growth and development. Discussion: The study findings underscore significant long-term impacts of international educational programs for nurses and midwives. These outcomes highlight the importance of incorporating international experiences into healthcare education. Conclusion: By providing opportunities for healthcare professionals to engage with diverse settings and populations, organisations and educational institutions can foster the development of well-rounded and globally competent practitioners. Implications for research, policy, and practice: The study's findings hold significant implications for research, policy, and practice in healthcare education. To deepen our understandings, additional longitudinal research across diverse countries is warranted. Policymakers have an opportunity to acknowledge the positive impact of these programs on the personal growth and development of nurses and midwives, potentially leading to the integration of global competency requirements into licensure programs. In order to provide comprehensive education, educational institutions should consider the inclusion of study abroad opportunities, cultural exchanges, and global clinical placements within nursing and midwifery curricula. What is already known about the topic? • International educational programs are widely used as a way of developing nursing and midwifery students' cultural understandings. • Previous studies have reported on short-term impacts of international educational programs. What this paper adds: • Long-term impacts of participation in an international educational program on nurses and midwives are described. • Personal development and subsequent transformations occur for nurses and midwives as a result of participation in international educational programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The study aimed to explore the processes undertaken by nurse academics when integrating evidence-based practice ( EBP) into their teaching and learning practices. This article focuses on pedagogical approaches employed by academics to influence evidence-based practice integration into undergraduate programs across Australian universities. Background Nursing academics are challenged to incorporate a variety of teaching and learning strategies to teach evidence-based practice and determine their effectiveness. However, literature suggests that there are limited studies available focusing on pedagogical approaches in evidence-based practice education. Design A constructivist grounded theory methodology, informed by Charmaz was used for this study. Methods Data were collected during 2014 from 23 nurse academics across Australian universities through semi-structured interviews. Additionally, nine were observed during teaching of undergraduate students. Twenty subject outlines were also analysed following Charmaz's approach of data analysis. Findings 'Influencing EBP integration' describes the pedagogical approaches employed by academics to incorporate EBP knowledge and skills into undergraduate curricula. With the use of various teaching and learning strategies, academics attempted to contextualize EBP by engaging students with activities aiming to link evidence to practice and with the EBP process. Although, some strategies appeared to be engaging, others were traditional and seemed to be disengaging for students due to the challenges experienced by participants that impeded the use of the most effective teaching methods. Conclusion Study findings offer valuable insights into the teaching practices and identify some key challenges that require the adoption of appropriate strategies to ensure future nurses are well prepared in the paradigm of evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is a major initiative within health care settings to ensure clinical and policy decisions incorporate best available evidence. Aims: This paper reports findings from a descriptive study exploring nurse educators', clinical coaches' and nurse specialists' perceptions of factors associated with using EBP. Methods: Data was collected from a senior group of nurses working in a tertiary health care network in Victoria, Australia by employing a questionnaire that was distributed to a total of 435 people, of whom 135 responded. Data Analysis:Descriptive statistics for each questionnaire item were determined using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17). Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative part of the questionnaire. Results Findings revealed that organisational support, sufficient resources, and access to continuing education were perceived as factors promoting acceptance of EBP. Barriers to such acceptance in health care settings were identified as lack of knowledge and skills, poor time allowance, limited support, and insufficient resources. Conclusion: The reported findings create evidence-based information for organisational strategic planning. Organisations need to develop educational programs to promote EBP and employ strategies to overcome barriers to implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the approximately 90,000 cases of Breast Cancer (BC) documented annually in Pakistan are not diagnosed properly because of lack of suitable markers. We performed serum proteome expression profiling of BC and benign breast disease (BBD) patients with the aim to identify biomarkers that can be helpful for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Sera of patients were analyzed by one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Differentially expressed proteins were subjected to identification through LC-MS/MS analysis. In majority of the BC cases some acute phase proteins (APP) and some complement system components (C3 and C8) containing fractions were up-regulated with the exception of transthyretin (TTR) which was predominantly (68.75%) down-regulated (n = 33/48) in the sera of these patients. Varying expression patterns were observed in BBD patients and healthy controls. These differentially expressed proteins have the potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for BC as well as benign breast diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]