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People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are often subject to blame, fear and avoidance, particularly if they are perceived as personally responsible for their infection due to their risky behaviour or life style choices. Some people however, react to PLWHA with sympathy and a willingness to care. This paper explores how university students (n = 282) perceive different types of PLWHA, in terms of how comfortable it is to be in contact with them. Students were most sympathetic towards children with HIV/AIDS, and felt most discomfort with intravenous drug users and prostitutes. Bi- and homosexuals with HIV/AIDS were mostly positively perceived, while many respondents had difficulties in expressing an opinion on haemorrhagic disease patients. Discomfort was associated with a fear of infection, unwillingness to care for PLWHA and an ignorance of HIV/AIDS. Women and older students tended to fear infection less than men and younger students. We conclude that although over time the perception of PLWHA has improved, there is still a need for enlightenment, particularly with respect to the most vulnerable groups such as intravenous drug users, haemorrhagic disease patients and prostitutes.

Aims and objectives: To describe nursing staff's assessments of medication management process in the psychiatric and operative domains after introduction of an electronic medication chart. Background: The medication management process includes all structures and practices within the organisation that guide and support medication administration and related procedures. Design: A cross‐sectional survey. Methods: A Finnish version of the Medication Administration System – Nurses Assessment of Satisfaction (modified MAS‐NAS) paper‐based questionnaire was sent to all nursing staff (N = 855) working in operative (n = 498) and psychiatric (n = 357) domains in one central hospital. Data were analysed using statistical methods. Results: In total, 324 nursing staff members participated. More than half agreed that medication management is efficient (64%), safe for patients (76%), and that the current medication administration system provides the necessary medical treatment information (e.g. prescriptions by physicians, medication data) (64%). Respondents' overall satisfaction with medication management process was slightly above average on a scale from 1 to 10 (mean = 6.2; SD = 1.8; median = 7, range 2–9). Respondents who used electronic medication chart reported higher overall satisfaction with medication management process (median = 7, mean = 6.1, SD = 1.8 and range 2–9) than those not using it (median = 6.5, mean = 6.3, SD = 1.6 and range 2–9). No statistically significant difference was found (U = 8552.000, p = 0.33). Conclusions: This study revealed several problems in the medication management process. The results can be used in developing the medication management process. Relevance to clinical practice: Electronic medication chart should be used and developed further in terms of efficacy, safety and access. One year after the electronic medication chart was introduced, only half of the respondents had used it. That is why implementation of electronic systems or technological applications should be carefully considered as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the workplace culture and factors associated with it from the viewpoint of the personnel providing care to patients with dual diagnosis. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from six organizations using an electronic survey in 2019. The respondents (n = 75) worked in addiction psychiatry in specialized health care and provided care to patients. The data were statistically analyzed. Findings: Workplace culture was evaluated as positive. Stress was experienced occasionally (Md = 2.58, Q1 = 1.96, Q3 = 3.03), job satisfaction levels were moderate (Md = 4.83, Q1 = 4.28, Q3 = 5.44) and the practice environment was evaluated as neutral (Md = 4.46, Q1 = 4.00, Q3 = 5.04). Gender, age in years, employment relationship, work time, staffing, number of patients and the participants' experience in health care and experience in their current workplace had statistically significant associations with workplace culture. Originality/value: In Finland, there have been attempts to reform service structures that also influence mental health and substance addiction services. Workplace culture is one approach to promote service development. Yet, there has been no research on workplace culture in the context of the care of patients with dual diagnosis. The results of this study bring knowledge about how health-care personnel perceives stress, job satisfaction and their practice environment in addiction psychiatry, which can be used to further develop services and workplace culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Person-centred culture has been studied very little in Scandinavian Countries, yet it significantly affects in the care experiences of patients and staff. Current research indicates there are many factors restricting or enabling person-centred care in the hospital setting. Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe personcentred practice in hospital settings and the factors associated with it. Method: Data were collected from nursing professionals (N = 276) in a purposefully selected city hospital in one hospital district in Finland. The professionals worked in inpatient wards that had the average duration of treatment period more than one day. The Person-Centred Practice Inventory-Staff (PCPI-S) instrument was used to obtain data via an electronic questionnaire. Data were analysed statistically. Results: A 30% response rate was achieved (n = 82). Person-centred practice was described in positive ways. Nursing professionals' assessments of the implementation of person-centred practice were fairly positive, prerequisites (mean = 3.93, SD = 0.40), the care environment (mean = 3.64, SD = 0.50) and the care process (mean = 3.98, SD = 0.42). There were a few background factors such as the nursing professionals' age, job title, work experience in current unit, employment relationship and the number of nursing professionals in the ward that were associated with how they assessed the prerequisites of person-centred practice. Nursing professionals' demographic variables such as their job title and working experience in nursing associated with how they assessed the implementation of person-centredness in the care environment and the care process. Conclusions: Nursing professionals have the ability to implement person-centred practice. However, newly graduated or less experienced nursing professionals need support to explore person-centredness in their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper aims to analyse perioperative nurses' views of teamwork through team membership, team functionality, team cohesion, and team members' professionalism. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to perioperative nurses working in one hospital district in Finland (n = 96). Data was collected by the Teamwork Scale and statistically analysed. Results: Perioperative nurses experienced teamwork positively. Team membership was associated with primary operating room (OR) role, engagement in the workplace, and perceived work empowerment. Team functionality was associated with combined OR role, working experience in healthcare, working experience as a perioperative nurse, and working shift. Team cohesion was associated with working shift and engagement in the workplace. Team members' professionalism was associated with engagement in the workplace, employment, and perceived work empowerment. Conclusion: Perioperative nurses' primary OR role and working shift had several connections to teamwork. This should be taken into careful consideration by OR managers in their daily work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the workplace culture and factors associated with it from the viewpoint of the personnel providing care to patients with dual diagnosis. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from six organizations using an electronic survey in 2019. The respondents (n = 75) worked in addiction psychiatry in specialized health care and provided care to patients. The data were statistically analyzed. Findings: Workplace culture was evaluated as positive. Stress was experienced occasionally (Md = 2.58, Q1 = 1.96, Q3 = 3.03), job satisfaction levels were moderate (Md = 4.83, Q1 = 4.28, Q3 = 5.44) and the practice environment was evaluated as neutral (Md = 4.46, Q1 = 4.00, Q3 = 5.04). Gender, age in years, employment relationship, work time, staffing, number of patients and the participants' experience in health care and experience in their current workplace had statistically significant associations with workplace culture. Originality/value: In Finland, there have been attempts to reform service structures that also influence mental health and substance addiction services. Workplace culture is one approach to promote service development. Yet, there has been no research on workplace culture in the context of the care of patients with dual diagnosis. The results of this study bring knowledge about how health-care personnel perceives stress, job satisfaction and their practice environment in addiction psychiatry, which can be used to further develop services and workplace culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is important to have a full and detailed understanding of the factors that influence intention to leave nursing. It has been shown to be the best predictor of actual turnover, and turnover has a significant financial impact and also on the provision of care. Aims: The aim is to examine the impact of predictive work environment factors on nurses' intention to leave their position and to explore contributing factors. Methods: Cross‐sectional survey using a convenience sample (n = 605) of Finnish nurses drawn from five clinical settings. The Nursing Context Index, an internationally used and psychometrically validated tool, was used to measure workplace practice environment, work stress, job satisfaction and intention to leave. A response rate of 29.4% was achieved, exceeding power calculation estimates. Results: Personal satisfaction and satisfaction with profession and resources, and organisational commitment were significantly related to intention to leave. Younger nurses reported higher levels of intention to leave and there was variability among clinical specialties. Measures of stress and practice environment had no significant relationship with intention to leave. Discussion: This study provides a new theoretical model for understanding intention to leave. Having a better understanding of the factors that may help reduce intention to leave allows for targeted interventions to be developed and implemented. This would help reduce the personal and financial implications associated with turnover. Implications for practice, policy, management and education: The findings have significant implications for all aspects of nursing. Educators need to prepare new nursing staff for the working environment; policymakers must ensure that nursing satisfaction is promoted to strengthen organisational commitment and nurse managers and leaders respond accordingly in implementing effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents are an important target group for sexual health promotion, and there are numerous programs and interventions carried out in this field. The aim of this study is to describe adolescents' attitudes, knowledge and sexual behavior before and after a sexual health promotion intervention. The intervention was developed in the study and consisted of three elements: (i) class-room session, (ii) information materials and (iii) free condom distribution. The study was carried out in eight randomly selected vocational schools in Finland. The participants were first year students aged 15–19 years. The data were collected using an electronic questionnaire before intervention (intervention baseline n  = 500, control baseline n  = 183) and two times after the intervention (intervention first follow-up n  = 173/second follow-up n  = 202, control first follow-up n  = 115/second follow-up n  = 46). There were significant differences before and after the intervention concerning better knowledge and more frequent testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Schools are an important environment to reach adolescents during the phase where their sexual health is developing and there is an increased risk of STI transmission. More school-based interventions are therefore needed, and the results of this study can be utilized when developing sexual health promotion interventions among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different organizational climates and cultures appear within healthcare organizations and vary within their associated subgroups. The healthcare and nursing work environments have been studied from the individualistic perspectives rather than from organizational or nurse managers' group perspectives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the differentiation of organizational social contexts in hospitals. The organizational social context (OSC) measurement system was used to assess characteristics of culture, climate and morale. The data have been statistically analyzed using within-group consistency (rwg), ANOVA-based eta-squared values and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results revealed that at the divisional level, the organization's social context is different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First‐line managers are links between an organizations' administration and the workforce. They transmit information from higher managers to workers and vice versa. Their management skills and especially their interaction with staff are a key point in successful management. Aim: To describe how first‐line managers realized appreciative management in their everyday management practice in health and social care. Method: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted by means of an electronic survey among social and healthcare managers in Finland. Results: Based on the self‐evaluations of the managers, appreciative management is well realized. The most recognition was given to equality and the least to appreciative know‐how. Connections were seen between appreciative management and gender, education, education level and managers with higher education, and those with fewer work units below them tended to have a better realization of appreciative management. Conclusion: The education level of first‐line nurse managers is meaningful when realizing appreciative management in social and healthcare settings. Implications for nursing management: More advanced education levels of first‐line managers help to promote appreciative management in social and health care, together with the amount of work units (meaning outpatient and inpatient wards). A first‐line manager is responsible for the needs of their workforce and needs to be critically assessed so that they might have more time for managing in an appreciative way. Appreciative management should be given increased focus when educating nurse managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hoitotiede is the property of Hoitotieteiden Tutkimusseura HTTS r.y. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a health risk among adolescents. School is therefore a logical place for promoting sexual health through interventions, but previous research has not examined student's self‐evaluations of these interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine students' self‐evaluations of a sexual health promotion intervention carried out in four randomly selected vocational schools in Finland in the year 2011. The participants (n = 168) were first‐year students aged 15–19 years. The intervention (11 weeks) consisted of three components: (i) a teacher‐delivered classroom lesson about sexual health, (ii) information materials about sexual health and (iii) free condom distribution in the school corridors. An electronic questionnaire was developed and administered to the students after the intervention. The participants' evaluations of the intervention were fairly positive. Almost all of the participants were at least partly satisfied with the classroom lesson. They mostly reported learning new information about STIs and sexuality. Information material was also read and participants self‐evaluated themselves as having learned from the materials. Free condoms were obtained and the students felt that the condom distribution was useful. Sexual health promotion interventions might in the future include the classroom lesson, information material and free condom distribution components used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some dimensions such as stigmatization have been identified in the previous literature regarding experiences of living with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, relatively little is known about the generic experiences of those infected. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of living with an STD, as evaluated by those infected. Data (n = 213) were collected via an online questionnaire and analysed using statistical methods. The experiences of living with an STD varied overall. The immutability of everyday life, a thirst for knowledge, a responsible attitude towards treatment of an STD and the dilemma of disclosing the STD were considered to best describe the experiences of living with an STD. The most recently diagnosed STD and its phase were most often statistically significantly associated with the experiences. We conclude that the diversity of these experiences should be recognized in healthcare, and used in the prevention of STDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student healthcare providers are the type of primary healthcare professionals who usually have first contact with young women who have problems with intimacy, such as vulvar pain – known as vulvodynia. However, a need to increase healthcare professionals' level of knowledge of vulvodynia and its care has been identified. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care among student healthcare providers, before and after Web-based education. The study design was national, descriptive and quasi-experimental, and was conducted across Finland. A total of 79 participants completed baseline measurements, 58 completed web-based education and 30 took part in a follow-up survey. A survey instrument called ‘Awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care’ was developed for this study, and the data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Descriptive statistical methods were used to evaluate the participants' awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care before and after web-based education. The primary results indicated that the participants' awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care was statistically significantly improved following web-based education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer patients may need to seek support from electronic sources because their needs are not fulfilled in the hospital settings. Objectives: The explore cancer patients’ perception of social support in non-profit electronic counselling services. Design: A qualitative descriptive cross-sectional design. Methods: The data were collected from adult cancer patients who had utilized non-profit electronic counselling services. The interviews were conducted face-to-face or over the phone and analysed with inductive content analysis. Findings: Two patterns were identified: (1) a contact person that will ensure a personalized matching type of support to enhance patients’ ability to cope with cancer if necessary and (2) deficient resources of the electronic counselling services to provide the matching type of support to enhance patients’ coping with cancer. Conclusions: For patients to be able to successfully cope with their disease, it is essential that the electronic social support type matches each patient’s specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to describe nurse managers' leadership and management competencies (NMLMC) from the perspective of nursing personnel. Nurse managers are responsible for the management of the largest professional group in social and health care. The assessment of NMLMC is needed because of their powerful influence on organizational effectiveness. An electronic survey was conducted among the nursing personnel (n = 166) of 1 Finnish hospital in spring 2016. Nursing personnel assessed their manager using a NMLMC scale consisting of general and special competences. The data were statistically analyzed. Leadership and management competencies were assessed as being quite good by the nursing personnel. The best-assessed area of general competence was professional competence and credibility and the weakest was service initiation and innovation. The best-assessed area of special competence was substance knowledge and the weakest was research and development. The nursing personnel's assessment of their nurse manger's competencies was associated with the personnel's education level, working experience, and with their knowledge of the manager's education. Conclusion was made that nursing personnel highly value professional competence as part of nursing leadership and management. To achieve more appreciation, nurse managers have to demonstrate their education and competence. They must also work in more open and versatile ways with their nursing personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many women with vulvodynia are women of fertile age, and this syndrome may cause many physical and psychosexual functional disorders. Women with vulvodynia often find that healthcare professionals seem to demonstrate a lack of awareness about the syndrome and its care. These issues have not been previously studied among student healthcare staff. Aim: To investigate awareness and knowledge about vulvodynia and its care among staff in the student healthcare sector in Finland. Method: The study design was cross sectional. A survey instrument called ‘Awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care’ was developed for this study and was used for data collection. The data were collected from a web‐based survey conducted with student healthcare professionals (N = 191, n = 79) in all 13 student healthcare units in Finland. Descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the connections between the factors associated with awareness of vulvodynia and its care. Ethical standards were followed throughout the study. Results: The primary results of the study indicated that the respondents had somewhat good awareness of how to identify vulvodynia and somewhat poor awareness of the treatments for vulvodynia. Participants' awareness of the meaning of encountering patients, as well as the information and support they provided, was good. Based on the knowledge test, knowledge of vulvodynia and its care was estimated to be poor. The respondents' experience‐based skills in treating vulvodynia and education about vulvodynia were mostly associated with better awareness and knowledge about vulvodynia and its care. Conclusion: The student healthcare staff who meet and care for women of fertile age have irregular awareness and knowledge of vulvodynia and its care. The creation of educational programs to develop such awareness and knowledge is recommended to obtain a standard quality of care for all women with vulvodynia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Design This cross-sectional descriptive study describes staff experiences of appreciative management. Methods Data were collected by way of e-survey from staff (n = 87) working in the institutional care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities . The Appreciative Management Scale ( AMS 1.0) was used and data were analysed by statistical methods. Findings Overall, respondents experienced appreciative management as being well implemented, with equality as the best implemented dimension and systematic management the worst. The promotion of well-being at work was associated with age. Appreciation staff received from management had a positive correlation with systematic management, equality, appreciation of know-how and the promotion of well-being at work. Conclusions The knowledge of weak systematic management in this study may be utilised in developing management strategies. The managers should use the concept of appreciative management to help young and less experienced nurses to increase their competency and willingness to work in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nowadays, patients can be more involved in developing healthcare services with their healthcare professionals. Patient-centred information is a key part of improving regional health information exchange ( HIE), giving patients an active role in care management. Aim The aim was to get a deeper understanding of the flow of information and collaboration in one hospital district area from the viewpoint of patients, healthcare professionals and administrative staff. Methods The data were collected by themed interviews and analysed using both deductive and inductive content analyses. The interview themes were the flow of information and collaboration after 5 years of HIE usage in one hospital district area in Finland. Findings Health information exchange usage had changed the regional flow of information after the 5-year period. The patients were satisfied that their primary care physician was able to access their special care information. The experiences of healthcare professionals and administrative staff also showed that information availability and information exchange had improved regionally. HIE usage was also found to have improved regional collaboration between different organisations in patient health care. Conclusions It was recognised that patients had taken on more responsibility for transferring their follow-up treatment information. Healthcare information exchange between professionals not only improves patient care or patient involvement in their own care, but it also requires that patient self-care or self-care management is integrated into HIE systems to share information not only among professionals, but also between patients and professionals. This information will be used in the development of healthcare systems to meet more the developing of the continuity of care the patient's point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hoitotiede is the property of Hoitotieteiden Tutkimusseura HTTS r.y. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe what is known about HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, infection transmission routes, care, and sources of information, from the viewpoint of men having sex with men.Methods: National data (n = 2,072) was collected from June to August 2010 in Finland as part of a joint internet-based survey conducted in 38 countries (EMIS, European MSM Internet Sex Survey).Results: The respondents' age, place of residence, highest education and employment status were statistically significantly related to how often the respondent sought information on HIV, testing and treatments, and what they knew about infection transmission routes. The respondents' information seeking behavior was not seen as active regarding HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.Conclusions: We should also consider the possibility of using internet-based interventions, especially in smaller and northern catchment areas, in order to improve the knowledge level of men having sex with men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the workplace culture in the Operating Room ( OR) environment and the factors associated with it. Background In health care, the workplace culture affects the delivery and experience of care. The OR can be a stressful practice environment, where nurses might have occasionally either job stress or job satisfaction based on their competence. Method A quantitative cross-sectional approach was used. The study consisted of 96 Finnish OR nurses. A Nursing Context Index instrument was used to obtain data by way of an electronic questionnaire. Results The primary role and working unit of respondents were the main components relating to workplace culture, and especially to job stress. Nurse anaesthetists were found to be slightly more stressed than scrub nurses. In local hospitals, job stress related to workload was perceived less than in university hospitals ( P = 0.001). In addition, OR nurses in local hospitals were more satisfied with their profession ( P = 0.007), particularly around issues concerning adequate staffing and resources ( P = 0.001). Conclusions and implications for nursing management It is essential that nurse managers learn to recognise the different expressions of workplace culture. In particular, this study raises a need to recognise the factors that cause job stress to nurse anaesthetists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nonprofit cancer societies play an important role in providing social support for patients with cancer through nonprofit electronic counselling services ( ECS) provided by counselling nurses ( CNs) with experience in oncology nursing. To date, there exist only few studies addressing the facilitators and barriers for social support of patients with cancer as reported by CNs. Objective To describe the facilitators and barriers for electronic social support of patients with cancer received from the ECS in the nonprofit cancer societies as reported by CNs. Methods Qualitative design with three group interviews was conducted with 10 CNs in three nonprofit cancer societies in southern and western parts of Finland. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and content analysed inductively. Findings The facilitators were promotion of the access to ECS, functioning structures of ECS, utilisation of the strengths of an individual CN in ECS, promotion of the life management of patients, patient-centeredness as a basis of ECS and reliability of ECS. The barriers for electronic social support were the unmet paths between ECS and patients, nonfunctioning structures of ECS, inadequacy of mutual communication and lack of shared viewpoints between CNs and patients. Conclusions Facilitators and barriers for electronic social support of patients with cancer were related to organisation, individuals and counselling process. The counselling work in ECS as its best promotes the life management of patients with cancer but, alternatively, can lead to conflicts in communication and therefore be a barrier for electronic social support. Implications for practice To make the nonprofit ECS better known, the cooperation with hospitals is needed to enable social support for patients. To improve communication between CNs and patients, continuous communications skills training and functional working environments are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical care patients benefit from the attention of nursing personnel with a high competence level. The aim of the study was to describe and evaluate the self-assessed basic competence of intensive care unit nurses and related factors. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A basic competence scale (Intensive and Critical Care Nursing Competence Scale version 1, Likert scale 1.5, 1 = poor and 5 = excellent) was employed among Finnish intensive care unit nurses (n = 431). Intensive care unit nurses' selfassessed basic competence was good (mean 4.19, SD 0.40).The attitude and value base of basic competence was excellent whereas experience base was the poorest compared to the knowledge base and skill base of intensive and critical care nursing. The strongest factor explaining nurses' basic competence was their experience of autonomy in nursing care (F value 60.85, β 0.11, SE 0.01, and P ≤ 0.0001). Clinical competence was self-rated as good. Nurses gave their highest competence self-ratings for ICU patient care according to the principles of nursing care.TheICUnurses also self-rated their professional competence as good. Collaboration was self-rated as the best competence. In basic and continuing education and professional self-development discussions it is meaningful to consider and find solutions for how to improve nurses' experienced autonomy in nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To explore the influence of workplace culture on sickness absences, overtime work and occupational injuries in municipal primary health care. Background The need to improve nursing sensitive outcomes has been highlighted. Therefore, an adequate understanding of the influence of workplace culture on nursing-sensitive nurse outcomes is essential for nurse managers to meet the requirements of improving nursing outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used to incorporating the data from 21 inpatient acute care units of nine organisations at the Finnish municipal primary health care system from 2011 to 2012. Results Findings emphasise in particular the importance of the practice environment as being an interpretative factor for nurses' absences owing to sickness, overtime work and occupational injuries. Conclusion and implications for nursing management To ensure favourable nursing sensitive outcomes it is essential that there is a shared interest in the unit to invest in the creation of a supportive practice environment. Outcome improvements require a special focus on issues related to nursing management, adequate staffing and resources and intention to leave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The realisation of continuity in day surgical care is analysed in this study. The term 'continuity of care' is used to refer to healthcare processes that take place in time (time flow) and require coordination (coordination flow), rapport (caring relationship flow) and information (information flow). Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy or inguinal hernia day surgery are ideal candidates for studying the continuity of care, as the diseases are very common and the treatment protocol is mainly the same in different institutions, in addition to which the procedure is elective and most patients have a predictable clinical course. Aim The aim of the study was to describe, from the day surgery patients' own perspective, how continuity of care was realised at different phases of the treatment, prior to the day of surgery, on the day of surgery and after it. Method The study population consisted of 203 day surgical patients 10/2009-12/2010 (N = 350, response rate 58%). A questionnaire was developed for this study. Results Based on the results, the continuity of care was well realised as a rule. Continuity is improved by the fact that patients know the nurse who will look after them in the hospital before the day of surgery and have a chance to meet the nurse even after the operation. Meeting the surgeon who performed the operation afterwards also improves patients' perception of continuation of care. Conclusions Continuity of care may be improved by ensuring that the patient meets caring staff prior to the day of operation and after the procedure. An important topic for further research would be how continuation of care is realised in the case of other patient groups (e.g. in internal medicine). On the other hand, realisation of continuation of care should also be studied from the viewpoint of those taking part in patient care in order to find similarities/differences between patients' perceptions and professionals' views. Studying interventions aimed to promote continuity of care, for example in patient guidance, would also be of great importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe the opportunities to participate and participation in HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). The data (N = 2,072) reported was collected in 2010 in Finland. The respondents' age, size of the place of residence, province and employment status were statistically significantly related to perceived opportunities for HIV testing. Additionally, the size of the respondent's place of residence and province were connected to the expressed satisfaction with testing of HIV-positive MSM. We conclude that more attention should be paid to counseling in the testing situation and in how to ensure equal opportunities for testing throughout the country for MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the phenomenon of management by way of the ideas of secondary school students and young nurses. Background: Young adults are changing workplaces more than ever before, yet their work expectations and perspectives of management differ to those of previous generations. Methods: The data was collected from upper secondary school students and professionally educated nurses (N = 68), some of whom were immigrants (N = 41). Framed essays were used as a research method and emergent data was analyzed using content analysis. Results: According to the results, good management involves systematic management, equality, appreciation of know-how, and the promotion of wellbeing at work. Conclusion: New perspectives on management were drawn from the study, in particular the multiple dimensions of equality in workplace organization and the manager's role in an employee's professional development process. Implications for nursing management: The interactive skills of the manager are emphasized in promoting wellbeing at work. This is especially so in multi-cultural teams, where the manager is expected to be adept at understanding intercultural communication and the values of young employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To describe and evaluate the basic competence of graduating nursing students in intensive and critical care nursing. Background Intensive and critical care nursing is focused on severely ill patients who benefit from the attention of skilled personnel. More intensive and critical care nurses are needed in Europe. Critical care nursing education is generally postqualification education that builds upon initial generalist nursing education. However, in Europe, new graduates practise in intensive care units. Empirical research on nursing students' competence in intensive and critical care nursing is scarce. Design A cross-sectional survey design. Methods A basic competence scale (Intensive and Critical Care Nursing Competence Scale, version 1) and a knowledge test (Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool, version 7) were employed among graduating nursing students ( n = 139). Results Sixty-nine per cent of the students self-rated their basic competence as good. No association between self-assessed Intensive and Critical Care Nursing-1 and the results of the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool-7 was found. The strongest factor explaining the students' conception of their competence was their experience of autonomy in nursing after graduation. Conclusion The students seem to trust their basic competence as they approach graduation. However, a knowledge test or other objective method of evaluation should be used together with a competence scale based on self-evaluation. Relevance to clinical practice In nursing education and in clinical practice, for example, during orientation programmes, it is important not only to teach broad basic skills and knowledge of intensive and critical care nursing, but also to develop self-evaluation skills through the use of special instruments constructed for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To develop a scale to assess basic competence in intensive and critical care nursing. In this study, basic competence denotes preliminary competence to practice in an intensive care unit. Background There is a need for competence assessment scales in intensive care nursing practice and education. The nursing care performed in the intensive care unit is special by its nature and needs to be assessed as such. At this moment, however, there is no tested, reliable and valid scale in this field. Design A multi-phase, multi-method development and psychometric testing of the scale was conducted. Methods The scale was developed in three phases. First, following a literature review and Delphi study, the items were created. Second, the scale was pilot tested twice by nursing students ( n1 = 18, n2 = 56) and intensive care nurses ( n1 = 12, n2 = 54), and revisions were made. Third, reliability and construct validity were tested by graduating nursing students ( n = 139) and intensive care nurses ( n = 431). Results The Intensive and Critical Care Nursing Competence Scale ( ICCN-CS-1) is a self-assessment test consisting of 144 items. Basic competence is divided into patient-related clinical competence and general professional competence. In addition, basic competence is comprised of knowledge base, skill base, attitude and value base and experience base. ICCN-CS-1 is a reliable and tolerably valid scale. Conclusions The ICCN-CS-1 is a promising scale for use among nursing students and nurses. Future research is needed to evaluate its construct validity further and to assess its suitability for completion during intensive care unit's orientation programmes and nursing students' clinical practice in an intensive care unit. Relevance to clinical practice The ICCN-CS-1 can be used for basic competence assessment in professional development discussions in intensive care units, in mentor evaluation situations during nursing students' clinical practice and in intensive care nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short hospital length of stays present new challenges for nurse competencies. The purpose of this study was to describe Finnish nurses' self-assessed level of competencies and their actual use in the ambulatory surgery setting. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used, and the data were collected electronically using the Nurse Competence Scale. Statistical methods were used for analyses. The nurses self-assessed level of competence items ranged from moderate to excellent along with the increased frequency of using competencies. Statistically significant relationship between the level competence and age, work experience, work rotation and permanent position were found. The findings indicate that patient-centred education and ensuring of patients' well-being and safety are the most essential competencies in this setting. Managerial intervention can be focused to increase nursing competencies in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this pilot study was to illustrate international university students' knowledge of HIV and AIDS, attitudes towards HIV and AIDS and risk behaviours in relation to HIV and AIDS. Questionnaires were posted to 140 students, and 32 responded. Data were analysed statistically. The results indicated a fairly good knowledge level of HIV and AIDS. The majority of students were well aware of the general facts about HIV and AIDS, modes of transmission and main risk groups, and they were also aware of the universal precautions. The majority of students had positive attitudes towards persons with HIV and AIDS and were willing to care for them. The students identified well with risk behaviours. Most agreed that their knowledge level of HIV and AIDS did affect their risk behaviours, while others felt it was a matter of choice, personal attitude and practice. Choice is a determining factor for decisions made by students in relation to HIV and AIDS. Future research focusing on factors influencing these choices that put them at risk of contracting the HIV virus is recommended. Students also need to be enlightened on matters concerning symptoms of HIV and AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 608-616 Representations of hysterectomy as a transition process in Finnish women's and health magazines The purpose of this article was to describe representations of hysterectomy in Finnish women's and health magazines. The data used in the study were obtained from six Finnish women's and health magazines. Using content analysis, 42 articles were analysed. We identified two main categories, information about care and treatment and women's experiences. In the first category, there emerged six subcategories: role of uterus, indications for hysterectomy, operative techniques of hysterectomy, alternative methods of treatment, pros and cons of hysterectomy and patient guidance. The second category consisted of women's experiences of hysterectomy as a period of transition. The components of the transition theory were confirmed by the women's stories. We also wanted to highlight the fact that the result shows that nurses were missing from the media coverage regarding hysterectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Montin L, Suominen T, Haaranen E, Katajisto J, Lepistö J, Leino-Kilpi H. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; : 19-26 This study was carried out to measure changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients ( n = 100) undergoing total hip arthoplasty. The Sickness Impact Profile was used to measure patients' dysfunctions in 12 different categories post surgery. Improvement was observed in each category and dimension already at 3 months and at 6 months. Preoperative pain showed a statistically significant although declining correlation both with total, and with Physical and the Psychosocial dimensions of HRQOL. The greatest improvements were found in the categories Body Care and Movement, Ambulation, Alertness Behaviour, Social Interaction, Recreation and Pastimes and in Sleep and Rest. Patients' pain decreased, and 72% reported no pain at 6 months post the surgery. Patients' perceptions of their pain should be gathered carefully when deciding the need and timing for the surgery in order to minimize impairments into HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

im: The aim of the study was to examine the differentiation of organizational contexts within Finnish public health and social services both at the workplace and at the local governmental (municipality) level. Subject and methods: We focused on climate, comprising individual level experience, and on culture, comprising collective level as 'the way things are done in organization'. Climate, as 'the way people perceive their work environment', was interpreted to reflect personally relevant professional and moral concerns. As an exploration of antecedents of climate and culture, we compared the scale of contextual differences among workplaces with the extent of differences at the municipal level. We also examined by multilevel hierarchical linear models (HLM), the importance of observed differentiation of workplaces in terms of impacts of both climate and culture on employee morale. Results: There existed different organizational climates and cultures within Finnish public human service organizations both at workplace and upper organizational level. Differences in terms of climate were somewhat bigger than differences in culture. Conclusion: Both climate and culture should be highlighted in the effort to specify the characteristics of organizational social contexts, as well as their antecedents and consequences in public human services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suominen T, Koponen N, Mockiene V, Raid U, Istomina N, Vänskä M-L, Blek-Vehkaluoto M, Välimäki M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 138–147 Nurses' knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS—An international comparison between Finland, Estonia and Lithuania This paper presents baseline data on nurses' knowledge of and attitudes to HIV/AIDS in three countries: Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is steadily increasing in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. At the same time, labour mobility and also nursing mobility between these countries increases. Previous international studies have shown that lack of knowledge and negative attitudes continue to exist. A total of 681 registered nurses from one Finnish ( n = 322), one Estonian ( n = 191) and one Lithuanian ( n = 168) hospital were surveyed in spring 2006. The questionnaire was originally developed by Held in 1993 and modified for this study. The questionnaire has three scales: demographic and other background variable, nurses' knowledge related to HIV/AIDS, and nurses' attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS and towards the disease itself. Across the whole sample respondents showed average levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Years of work experience correlated negatively with the knowledge and attitude levels. A significant correlation was found between the level of knowledge and attitudes. Significant differences were found between countries, Finnish nurses showing the highest knowledge levels and most positive attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. Factors positively influencing levels of knowledge and attitudes were education, previous experience of providing care to HIV/AIDS patient or knowing someone with the infection, and willingness to provide care to HIV/AIDS patients. Supplementary education is needed to strengthen nurses' knowledge. It is important to recognize that there might be differences in knowledge and attitudes between neighbour countries. This needs to be taken into account when planning education for degrees and for further nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducted as part of a project dealing with work empowerment in multidisciplinary teams in a Finnish hospital specializing in providing care and treatment for different rheumatic conditions, this study set out to explore the associations between organizational change factors and perceived work empowerment in a setting where patients with chronic diseases are being cared for by multiprofessional teams. All health-care professionals working at the hospital under investigation were invited to take part in the survey. Data were collected in 2005 with a structured questionnaire consisting of five parts: background variables, organizational change factors, aspects of work empowerment as well as factors promoting and impeding empowerment. Organizational change factors correlated with work empowerment as well as factors promoting and impeding empowerment. There was little agreement by multiprofessional teams that factors relating to organizational change were present in their work setting. Organizational change factors are important in order to be able to meet the demands by facilitating optimal action during organizational changes. The planning and implementing of organizational changes should be performed in cooperation with personnel throughout the organization at all stages. It would be important to address potential difficulties and try to pre-empt any problems from the planning stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe and compare nurses' willingness to provide care for patients with HIV/AIDS and factors associated with this in three countries. An international cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in medical, surgical and gynaecology units in Finland (n=427), Estonia (n=221) and Lithuania (n-185) in early 2006. The response rates were 75% (n=322) in Finland, 54% (n=119) in Estonia and 86% (n=160) in Lithuania. A modified version of a scale developed in 1994 by Dubbert et al. was applied. Our findings showed a general willingness of the nurse participants to provide care for patients with HIV/AIDS. However, this willingness varied both among and within countries and was also related to specific nursing interventions. The results underline the importance of providing education on ethical issues related to HIV/AIDS care in Europe and tailoring the content of this education to meet nurses' national educational needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carried out as part of a staff development project, this study describes the experiences of work-related empowerment within a multidisciplinary team at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital in Finland. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of background variables and questions concerning verbal, behavioural and outcome empowerment. The questionnaire was sent to all members of the multidisciplinary team at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, with the exception of physicians, departmental secretaries and administrative personnel. The response rate was 58%. The data were examined using statistical methods. The multidisciplinary team felt quite strong verbal and behavioural empowerment, but was less confident in terms of outcome empowerment. Several factors were found to be associated with the different fields of empowerment. In conclusion, the multidisciplinary team felt quite strong work-related empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finland had a relatively low rate of HIV infection during the first 17 years of the epidemic, which began in 1980. Similar to other developed countries around the world, information about the infection has been readily available, and this helped to reduce the occurrence of HIV contagion, particularly among adolescents, a group that is responsible for 50% of HIV infections worldwide. This small-scale study investigated HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour among a group of 171 youths aged 13–16 years in suburban schools in southern Finland. Knowledge levels were relatively low and the disease was somewhat stigmatized, but homosexuality was less stigmatized than in other developed countries. The results suggest that Finnish adolescents need to be better informed about HIV and AIDS. Schools and school nurses could play a crucial role in providing information about this incurable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about nurses’ attitudes towards alternative medicine. The purpose of this study was to describe attitudes towards alternative medicine among nurses working on oncology wards in three university and one central hospital in Finland. The data were collected with a questionnaire specifically developed for this project. The response rate was 68.1% (n =92). The nurses did not regard alternative medicine as a safe and natural method in the treatment of cancer. On the contrary, many nurses believed that alternative therapies are offered by quack doctors for financial gain. However, the nurses considered it important that cancer patients have the opportunity to talk about their use of alternative medicine both with nurses and physicians. Overall the results indicated that nurses’ attitudes are for the most part negative. An interesting question that deserves further attention is whether this attitude is reflected in nursing practice. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a review of Finnish nursing research between 1958 and 1995. It is based on an analysis of the articles published in the Finnish Yearbook of Nursing from 1958–1988, in Nursing Science (Hoitotiede) from 1989–1995 as well as all licentiate and doctoral theses in nursing. The overview describes the content, sources of information and level of analysis in the works concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes Finnish university students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV and AIDS, homosexuality and sexual risk behaviour. Finnish-speaking students were randomly selected from all registered students at two universities in Finland (N=9715, n=950). The data were collected by using a modified version of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Nursing AIDS Study Questionnaire on sexual risk behaviour developed by Held and Chng. The total response rate was 35% (n=333). The data were analysed using quantitative statistical methods. Normally distributed data were analysed by t-test and one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni corrections. Non-normally distributed data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by a post-hoc test. The majority of students were familiar with HIV and AIDS, including its mode of transmission. However, there were still some misconceptions concerning HIV and AIDS. The oldest students and women had a more positive attitude towards people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). Of patients with HIV or AIDS, intravenous drug users were perceived most negatively. Male students had more homophobic attitudes. Students who reported that religion had an important role in their lives had significantly stricter attitudes towards sexual risk behaviour. Students' knowledge correlated positively with general attitudes towards HIV and AIDS. Knowledge about HIV and AIDS will lead to more positive attitudes towards HIV and AIDS as a disease, towards those infected as well as homosexual people. There is a need to focus on preventive health care and sexual health promotion by educating young people and changing their attitudes towards sexual risk behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Purpose: Managers need evidence-based methods to evaluate their management skills. To further test the appreciative management scale (AMS 1.0) to create a practical instrument to be used in evaluating appreciative management., Methods: For further testing, a new survey was conducted among social and healthcare managers ( n = 734) in Finland. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the scale validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficients the internal consistency., Results: The validated AMS 2.0 scale includes 24 items. The values measuring validity and reliability were good, with an Rool Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.072, Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values between 0.532 and 0.634, and Composite Reliability (CR) values ranging between 0.850 and 0.914. The Cronbach's alpha of the whole scale was 0.944., Conclusions: AMS 2.0 is a reliable and valid means to measure appreciative management as proved by confirmatory factor analysis., (© Copyright 2021 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.)

Background: Intensive care admissions during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period are relatively well investigated. However, very little is known about these obstetric patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after critical care., Objective: The objective of this study was to assess obstetric patients' HRQoL before intensive care admission (baseline) and at 6 months after discharge (follow-up) DESIGN: This was a retrospective database study. In a 5-year period, the data of all women admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during pregnancy, delivery, or up to 42 days postpartum were analysed., Methods: Four multidisciplinary ICUs of Finnish University hospitals participated. The HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) instrument with utility score (EQsum) and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)., Results: A total of 283 obstetric patients were identified from the clinical information system. Of these, 99 (35%) completed the EQ-5D questionnaires both at baseline and follow-up, and 65 of them (23%) completed EQ-VAS. The comparison of patients' EQsum scores before intensive care admission and after discharge showed that patients' HRQoL remained good (0.970 vs 0.972) (max 1.0) or increased (0.788 vs 0.982) in 80.8% of the patients. Patients reported improved overall health on the EQ-VAS at 6 months follow-up (EQ-VAS mean, 71.86 vs 88.20; p ≤ 0.001) (max 100). However, 19.2% of the patients had lower HRQoL (EQsum mean 0.987 vs 0.798) at follow-up. Following intensive care, 15% of the patients had more pain/discomfort, and 11% expressed more depression/anxiety. Multiparous patients were more likely to suffer from worsened depression/anxiety (p = 0.024)., Conclusion: In the majority of the obstetric patients, HRQoL at 6 months follow-up remained good or had increased from baseline. However, nearly one-fifth of the patients had impaired HRQoL after discharge. Thus, intensive care management should take in to consideration follow-up program after intensive care of ICU-admitted obstetric patients., (Copyright © 2018 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The planned home birth has provoked discussion around the world. Home birth has been described as a positive experience, but results regarding the safety of home birth are controversial. To date, the phenomenon has mainly been examined from the mother's point of view, and there is only one previous study reporting fathers' perspective. The purpose of the present phenomenological qualitative interview study was to investigate fathers' experiences of planned home birth. Eleven fathers were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. The fathers followed the woman's wish in choosing the birthplace and set aside their own views. Furthermore, hospital birth was not an option for the fathers due to their own prior negative experiences of hospital births such as disturbing the natural progress of birth. The fathers' experience of home birth included sharing the responsibility, supporting the woman, and participating in the home birth process. The experience was challenging; fathers had to take the role of a midwife, and no support or information on organizing home birth was offered by public health services. The fathers felt that the home birth connected them as family, and the experience was empowering. Our study results suggest that the health care professionals need more education and information on home birth and that the families (including fathers) interested in home birth need greater support from health care professionals. There is a need for proper national home birth guidelines, while family-and client-centered care has to be improved in birthing hospitals., (© The Author(s) 2014.)