Search

Pluri-annual proxy records of marine sediment cores from the Tagus Prodelta off Lisbon, Portugal, have been generated to gain insight into the climatic and hydrographic changes in the area during the twentieth century. The study includes benthic and planktonic foraminiferal faunas and the stable isotopic composition of one benthic (Uvigerina celtica) and two planktonic (Globigerina bulloides and Globorotalia inflata) foraminiferal species. Sea bottom and surface water temperatures were estimated based on the δ18O values of these species and compared with instrumental data. The foraminiferal fauna and the isotope-based temperature record indicate increasing temperatures throughout the last century. The immigration of a new species, Saidovina karreriana, to the area around 100 years ago indicates changes in the trophic conditions and water mass properties, which are probably at least partly due to anthropogenic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon were vaccinated against Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. achromogenes (Asa) by injection with three vaccines developed in our laboratory and an autogeno us bacterin (IcelandBiojec. OO, lBOO) produced by a commercial vaccine producer. The humoral antibody responses to bacterial antigens were monitored by ELISA and Western blotting. The fish were challenged by infection with Ma 6 and 12 weeks post-vaccination. Protection was induced in all groups of vaccinated fish. The protection achieved was time-dependent. The autogenous bacterin, IBOO, induced a protective immune response later than our experimental vaccines. All the vaccines tested induced specific antibody response that increased between 6 and 12 weeks after vaccination. The antibody response was mainly directed against the A- layer protein. but antibodies to other bacterial components were also detected. Significant correlation was obtained between the antibody titre to extracellular Ma antigens, induced by the different vaccine preparations, and survival of vaccinated fish challenged by a virulent Ma strain. Furthermore, the detection of antibodies directed against an extracellular toxic metallo-caseinase, AsaP1, in fish sera correlated with protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., infected with the pre-adult and adult stages of Lepeophtheirus salmon is were obtained from sea loch cage sites on the west coast of Scotland, and infection experiments were carried out in the laboratory. The motile parasites were retained at the point of attachment by prefixation with cooled alcohol. They were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Lepeophtheirus salmonis were found to leave an oval 'imprint' corresponding to the margin of the parasite cephalothorax on the host skin and/or to wedge under its scales. General pathological changes including oedema, hyperplasia, sloughing of cells and cellular inflammation were observed in the host at and around the point of feeding and attachment. In gross lesions, serious damage occurred to the host epidermis with scale loss and haemorrhage a common feature. The most obvious changes were associated with the louse mouthtube. marginal membrane, second antenna, maxilliped and sternal furca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to study if the Birchwood Insight Scale has acceptable psychometric properties when used for patients with bipolar disorders. Patients with schizophrenia (n = 101), bipolar I (n = 57), and bipolar II disorder (n = 37) completed the self-report scale. The items form 3 subscales, awareness of illness, relabeling of symptoms, and need for treatment. The total scale had good internal consistency for patients with schizophrenia, fairly good for bipolar I, but poor for bipolar II disorder. On subscale level the internal consistency was mostly marginal to poor for all patient groups. The level of insight was similar in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The psychometric properties for the insight scale were poorer in bipolar disorders than in schizophrenia, and the scale did not work for patients with bipolar II disorder. This suggests a cautious use of the scale across different diagnostic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) has been designed for assessment of self-reflection on patients' anomalous experiences and interpretations of own beliefs. The scale has been developed and validated for patients with schizophrenia. We wanted to study the utility of the scale for patients with bipolar disorder. The relationship between the BCIS as a measure of cognitive insight and established methods for assessment of insight of illness was explored in both diagnostic groups. Methods The BCIS self-report inventory was administered to patients with schizophrenia (n = 143), bipolar disorder (n = 92) and controls (n = 64). The 15 items of the inventory form two subscales, self-reflectiveness and self-certainty. Results The internal consistency of the subscales was good for the patient groups and the controls. The mean subscale scores were not significantly different for the three groups. Four items in subscale self-reflectiveness referring to psychotic experiences gave, however, different results in the control subjects. Self-certainty and scores on insight item PANSS correlated significantly in the schizophrenia, but not in the bipolar group. Conclusion BCIS with its two subscales seems applicable for patients with bipolar disorder as well as for patients with schizophrenia. The self-report inventory can also be applied to control subjects if the items referring to psychotic experiences are omitted. In schizophrenia high scores on self-certainty is possibly associated with poor insight of illness. For the bipolar group the subscales are largely independent of traditional insight measures.

Aim: The increase in the number of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the disease burden, has prompted concerted efforts to improve healthcare, particularly outpatient services. In line with these attempts the Partnership-Based Nursing Practice Theoretical Framework for People with COPD was developed to guide outpatient nursing care. The principal approach of the framework is a 'Dialogue' with the patients, which has four components: 'Establishing family involvement', 'Assisting living with symptoms' and 'Facilitating access to healthcare', with the primary goal being 'Enhancement of the health experience'. With new knowledge, research on the framework, and extensive experience in using it, a need arose to modify the framework to maximize its clinical utility., Design: Discursive paper., Methods: A narrative review and critical reflection was conducted to revise the nursing practice framework via selected literature search from 2012 to 2022, research on the framework, and the authors' reflections on the clinical experience of using the framework., Results: The nursing practice framework highlights capacities and possibilities that lie in the nurse-patient relationship. The overarching dialogue in the revised framework includes both patients and families. The action-related component 'Assisting living with the disease' was added to the framework to underscore the significance of attempting to understand what may lie ahead for patients and families. The other action-related components are as follows: 'Assisting living with symptoms' and 'Facilitating access to healthcare'. The primary goal remains unchanged: enhancing the 'Health experience'., Conclusion: Using the revised nursing practice framework in outpatient care may help to enhance the lives of people with COPD and their families, particularly at advanced stages of the disease. It may have transferability to other groups of people living with progressive diseases dealing with complicated health problems, and to reduce the usage of costly healthcare resources such as hospital care., Implications for the Profession And/or Patient Care: The partnership-based nursing practice framework assumes an extension of conventional specialized respiratory service and embraces a comprehensive account for that which may influence the patient's health problems. This guidance, which holistically attends to patient-family needs of living with complicated and progressive health predicaments, is fundamental. It contributes to strengthening the disciplinary focus of nursing, interdisciplinary collaboration, person-family-centred quality nursing care and inspires research initiatives. Critical reflections and updates on nursing practice frameworks, such as this revision, are essential to advance nursing and healthcare., Patient or Public Contribution: There is no direct patient- or public contribution., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses are expected to exercise leadership in their various roles. Therefore, European nurse scholars developed a cross-national web-based Nursing Leadership and Mentoring Educational (Nurse-Lead) program., Purpose: To evaluate changes in leadership practices, professional and research competencies as well as career development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students after participation in the Nurse-Lead program., Methods: A pre-post-test evaluation was conducted. Surveys addressed leadership, professional and research competencies, and career development. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. Content analysis was used for qualitative data., Discussion: The 30 participants showed significant improvements in all leadership practices, professional competencies, and most research competencies. Participants reported increased confidence in decision-making, taking on new responsibilities, and becoming more visible within research teams., Conclusion: Web-based, international leadership and mentoring programs are promising tools for the leadership and professional development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The textile industry is on its early steps towards circular economy. Being a highly resource-intensive and waste-generating industry, it is essential to embrace fiber-to-fiber recycling in addressing the increasing textile waste problem. Several innovative initiatives are happening within this area, not least in the Nordic countries, where automated sorting and fiber-to-fiber recycling technologies and capacities are developing. These large investments require economy of scale; however, this is challenged by the fractioned supply due to the specific fiber requirements of the recycling facilities. To ensure economy of scale and support strategic planning, it is important to investigate the balance of the demand of those capacities with the supply of recyclables generated in the region. Local and regional perspectives are needed in order to avoid unnecessary transportation of low value materials. Based on a synthetises of existing textile flow studies and interviews with relevant actors in four Nordic countries, this study investigates the balance between the supply of recyclable textiles and the sorting and recycling capacity. This is accomplished by estimating the volumes of recyclables and their fiber composition (based on developed weighting average method) and comparing these with the current and upcoming capacities in each country and in the Nordics as a whole. The findings indicate that the upcoming automatic sorting and recycling capacity will be sufficient to deal with the total recyclable fraction in the Nordic region, except for some of the synthetic fibers. However, there are imbalances between supply and demand within individual countries, highlighting opportunities for collaboration., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To describe nursing surveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected patients through remote telephone calls and in an on-site urgent clinic during the first wave of the pandemic as experienced by nurses providing the care., Design: Qualitative descriptive study., Methods: Data were collected through seven semi-structured, audio-recorded, focus group interviews with 24 nurses. Interviews were conducted in May and June 2020, transcribed and analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis into an overarching category, main categories and subcategories. Reporting followed the COREQ guidelines., Results: Nurses relied on intensive listening when assessing and caring for COVID-19-infected patients. They realized that the patients had complex needs for nursing and healthcare which was beyond the scope of a tentatively prescribed assessment scheme. They designed their care to ensure holistic care, reflected in the overarching category, 'Confronting an unfamiliar health condition in unprecedented circumstances' and the categories: 'Digging into the unknown' and 'Ensuring holistic nursing care'. The category 'Contributing to averting catastrophe' reflects the wealth of knowledge, support and experience that the nurses used to independently deliver care, albeit in interdisciplinary collaboration, working to their greatest potential. They were proud of the significance of their work., Conclusion: Novel nursing surveillance through remote telephone calls and in an on-site urgent care clinic delivered to COVID-19 patients self-managing at home resulted in holistic nursing care during the first wave of the pandemic. This has relevance for professionalism in nursing., Impact: Findings give a unique insight into nursing surveillance of COVID-19-infected patients provided through telephone calls and in on-site urgent care clinics. The potential of intensive listening as conducted in the study suggests that it may be feasible to assess and holistically take care of COVID-19-infected patients, and other patient groups as well, with this form of healthcare. This has relevance for healthcare beyond crisis management during pandemics., Patient or Public Contribution: There was no patient or public contribution as the study only concerned the providers of the service, i.e. the nurses themselves., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Previous research suggests that agreement, between youths and their parents, regarding assessment of youth psychiatric problems is limited. Due to this discrepancy, a multi-informant, multimethod approach is recommended when gathering psychopathological information. This study examines parent-youth agreement regarding youth psychiatric problems. It does so at a diagnostic level and at a symptom level, as well as studying the influence of age, gender, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as potential moderators of agreement., Methods: The participants in this study were 61 adolescents aged 12-18 years and their parents. The K-SADS-PL DSM-5 was administered in two outpatient units, with adolescents and their parents interviewed separately. Participants also rated symptoms using a broad rating scale (Child Behavior Checklist and the Youth Self-Report) prior to being interviewed., Results: Parent-youth agreement at a diagnostic level ranged from fair to excellent. Agreement at a symptom level was lower than that at a diagnostic level, ranging from poor to fair. These results indicate that parent-youth agreement regarding diagnosis and symptoms is higher than in most previous studies. The results also suggest that some variables, such as age, gender, depressive disorders, and ADHD, potentially influence agreement on symptoms., Conclusion: These findings support the importance of gathering information from both children and parents, and that clinicians should consider moderating factors when integrating data from multiple informants.

We used explorative interviews to gauge (inter)personal, physiological, and emotional challenges of seven rural cancer patients who traveled long distances to cancer treatment centers. After a thematic analysis, we foregrounded experiences of temporality by using a phenomenologically inspired approach. The analysis resulted in three themes: (a) An epiphany of "what really matters in life"-time gains new meaning, (b) Feeling out of sync with others and own body-striving for coherence and simultaneity, and (c) Being torn between benefits of home and treatments site-time and distance as a tangible aspect of traveling and being away. Under these themes, 13 meaning units were generated, which reflected changes in temporality. During treatment, life primarily revolved around repeating circles of travel arrangements, staying on top of treatment schedule, and synchronizing a home life with a life away from home. Nurses should provide comprehensive care to enhance stability in cancer patients' temporal experiences., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

Aim: To provide insight into the contribution of nursing to the establishment and running of a hospital-based outpatient clinic for COVID-19 infected patients, and thereby to inform the development of similar nursing care and healthcare more generally., Design: Qualitative descriptive study centred on collaboration between nurse managers and researchers., Methods: Drawing on Donabedian's model of quality health services and the work of Allen on "Nurses' organising work", data were collected using four semi-structured, audio-recorded, focus group interviews with five nurse managers. The interviews were conducted in May and June 2020, transcribed, and subsequently analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis into an overarching category, main categories, and sub-categories., Results: "There was no panic - challenged by the unprecedented" was a strong thread, which was reflected in two categories: (a) Everyone walked in step, containing the sub-categories: Public officials set the tone, Creating order in disorder, and Mutual respect and teamwork, and (b) Inspired by extraordinary accomplishments, encompassing the sub-categories: Realising one's potential and Unexpectedly rewarding. In exceptional circumstances the nurse managers' decision-making authority grew, material and manpower resources were sufficient, promptly constructed work procedures were in place, and tasks were completed instantly in trusting and respectful interdisciplinary collaboration. With sound support and trust from hospital directors, the nurse managers utilised their expertise to the fullest and they were proud of their work., Conclusion: The findings portray the almost invisible work of nurse managers in organising complex care. Although the circumstances were exceptional the findings speak to the accomplishments that can be gained when nurse managers have autonomy and the opportunity to utilise their professional capacity to the fullest., Impact: The findings reveal the almost invisible work of nurses in organising complex care and can inform the establishment of outpatient clinics for patients infected with COVID-19 and of healthcare development more generally., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: This study aimed to explore how stroke survivors deal with stroke-related impairments when rebuilding their lives in the community and their experiences of exercising at home., Design: An explorative and descriptive qualitative study., Methods: A purposive sample of ten stroke survivors residing at home was recruited to explore experiences of rebuilding their lives in the community and exercising at home. One focus group interview was conducted followed by semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis., Results: Three main themes were identified: "Framing exercise within the context of everyday life" describes how stroke survivors integrate exercise in everyday activities with varying success and the social importance of exercising; "Managing the challenges of physical impairment" describes the taxing undertakings in daily living, loss of concentration and identity; "Long-term challenges of everyday life" describes how the stroke survivors manage depression and live with a sense of uncertainty., (© 2021 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To explore facilitating and inhibiting factors in the inpatient care of patients with functional neurological disorders as experienced by interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals., Method: Qualitative focus group interviews were conducted with 18 healthcare professionals of various professions. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with inductive coding of data., Results: Two main categories were formulated: (a) Giving the diagnosis to patients - a moment of fragility and opportunities, and (b) Organization of care - ensuring the continuity and protecting patients' self-image. One overarching theme tied the two categories together: Establishing coherence in the inpatient trajectory - moving from stigmatization toward competent care. Coherence and steadiness in care was a prerequisite for transparency in goalsetting and for designating the responsibilities of individual healthcare professionals. Stigma and having clinical experience and knowledge of functional neurological disorders, as two counter-factors, influenced the extent to which this was achieved. Examples of facilitating factors for enhancing competent care were documentation of symptoms, effective ways of passing on clinical information, education, professional dialog, and organizational support., Discussion: To nurture competent care, guidelines, structured educational initiatives and other supportive actions should be promoted. We provide ideas for the next logical steps for clinical practice and research.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONClose collaboration between interdisciplinary healthcare professionals plays an important role for reaching optimal results in the rehabilitation of inpatients with functional neurological disorder.There is currently limited knowledge regarding the facilitating and inhibiting features encountered by interdisciplinary healthcare professionals in the provision of care for patients with a functional neurological disorder.The findings show that a working environment that endorses a skillful culture of practice and which facilitates actions to reduce problems that hamper effective teamwork needs to be promoted.Solutions that help to solve many obstacles encountered by the team of healthcare professionals in the care provision of patients with functional neurological disorders include open dialog regarding symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, effective ways of documenting and reporting symptoms, and availability of guidelines and supporting educational material.

Background: Elucidating factors that influence physical recovery of survivors after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay is paramount in maximizing long-term functional outcomes. We examined potential predictors for poor long-term physical recovery in ICU survivors., Methods: Based on secondary analysis of a trial of 50 ICU patients who underwent mobilization in the ICU and were followed for one year, linear regression analysis examined the associations of exposure variables (baseline characteristics, severity of illness variables, ICU-related variables, and lengths of ICU and hospital stay), with physical recovery variables (muscle strength, exercise capacity, and self-reported physical function), measured one year after ICU discharge., Results: When the data were adjusted for age, female gender was associated with reduced muscle strength (P = .003), exercise capacity (P < .0001), and self-reported physical function (P = .01). Older age, when adjusted for gender, was associated with reduced exercise capacity (P < .001). After adjusting for gender and age, an association was observed between a lower score on one or two physical recovery variables and exposure variables, specifically, high body mass index, low functional independence, comorbidity and low self-reported physical function at baseline, muscle weakness at ICU discharge, and longer hospital stay. No adjustment was made for cumulative type I error rate due to small number of participants., Conclusion: Elucidating risk factors for poor long-term physical recovery after ICU stay, including gender, may be critical if mobilization and exercise are to be prescribed expediently during and after ICU stay, to ensure maximal long-term recovery., (© 2020 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This study aimed to describe and compare breastfeeding progression, infants' feeding behaviours, maternal feeding difficulties, and mothers' usage of breastfeeding interventions for singleton late preterm (LPT) and term infants. A further aim was to identify associated factors for exclusive breastfeeding at breast at 1 month in LPT infants. This was a cohort study where mothers of LPT infants from a neonatal unit (n = 60), LPT infants from a maternity unit (n = 62), and term infants from a maternity unit (n = 269) answered a questionnaire approximately 1 month after delivery. Findings showed no significant differences in exclusive breastfeeding at breasts between LPT infants admitted to the neonatal unit compared with the maternity unit, during the first week at home (38% vs. 48%), or at 1 month of age (52% vs. 50%). Term infants were more likely to be exclusively breastfed at the breast (86% and 74%, p < 0.05) compared with LPT infants. Multiple regression analysis showed that usage of a nipple shield, not feeding breast milk exclusively during the first week at home, or feeding less than 10 times per day at 1 month were statistically significant for not exclusively breastfeed at the breast. A protective factor was the mothers' experience of having an abundance of milk during the first week at home. In conclusion, LPT infants are less likely to be exclusively breastfed at the breast than term infants, highlighting the need for further research to guide interventions aimed at optimising exclusive breastfeeding rates., (© 2019 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Recruitment, the process of accessing, screening, selecting and retaining participants for research remains a challenge. In a randomized controlled trial, partnership-based self-management intervention for patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in its initial stages, and their families, a theoretical framework developed for patients with an advanced COPD and their families was modified and implemented in a primary care context. In contrast to recruitment to the original study where 4% decline participation, in this study 25% of the potential patients declined participation. Although participants were encouraged to bring a family member, only 25% of them did so. The main reason for not being accompanied by a family member was that patients did not want anybody accompany them. Those who had quit smoking were more often accompanied by a family member compared to those who smoked. Reviewing the literature, the most compelling explanations for non-participation are shame and self-blame due to smoking, and that potential participants may not have envisioned any benefits from participating since they might not have realized that they had COPD. An alternative recruitment process needs to embrace the situation that potential participants find themselves in and which takes account of the issues at stake.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is well recognised as an important component of palliative care. However, there is still a need to explore ways in which it can become a part of routine practice, ensuring a timely and person-centred discussion., Objectives: To explore patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and their family members' experiences of engaging in a person-centred and structured ACP discussion facilitated by palliative care nurses in an outpatient oncology clinic at the University Hospital of Iceland., Methods: An exploratory qualitative design employing semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The intervention included a structured ACP discussion, aided by a booklet., Results: Key themes emerged describing families' and patients' experiences and highlighted that the timing and approach of the ACP discussion was appropriate and helpful, even though the discussion was sensitive and difficult. Using a routine approach with a flexible structure normalised the discussion and made it easier for the patients to take the lead in the discussion., Conclusions: ACP discussion can be part of an integrated palliative care and oncology service if implemented in a systematic way.

Background Stroke patients with severe symptoms of hemispatial neglect (HN) are known to experience a weaker recovery than those less affected from the outset. Correct identification of HN is therefore important throughout the course of rehabilitation. Objectives To explore: (i) the course of clinical symptoms in stroke patients with moderate/severe HN from acute setting to home, (ii) changes in sensitivity of diagnostic tasks over time, and (iii) agreement between the researcher's and patients' HN assessments. Methods Out of 79 consecutive patients, we included 23 patients with moderate/severe HN following right hemisphere stroke. The Catherine Bergego Scale was used as a benchmark for HN and to measure the congruence between the researcher's and patients' HN assessments. Diagnostic tasks included star cancellation, line crossing, line bisection, m-fluff test, figure copying, and clock drawing. Data were collected at t1: sub-acute stroke (days: M ± SD = 10.3 ± 5.25), t2: during rehabilitation (days: M ± SD = 51 ± 8), and t3: following discharge (days: M ± SD = 141.5 ± 47.3). Results (i) 20 out of 23 patients had HN at t3. Associated stroke challenges included paralysis, sensory loss, visual deficits, and extinction. (ii) Combining the star cancellation and figure copying yielded the highest sensitivity at all time points, even in patients with mild HN at t3. (iii) Patients' HN scores differed from the researcher's at t1. The difference was insignificant at t3. Conclusions Joint consideration of stroke severity, functional difficulties, and patients' insight into neglect provides new knowledge to increase clinicians' recognition of HN. More extensive studies are needed to validate bedside screening with star cancellation and figure copying.

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe a structured 3-month nurse-led follow-up of patients after discharge from intensive care and measure its effects on health status., Background: Patients requiring intensive care stay frequently have lengthy and incomplete recovery suggesting need for additional support. The effects of intensive care nurse-led follow-up have not been sufficiently elucidated., Design: A prospective, quasi-experimental study of patients who received structured nurse-led follow-up from intensive care nurses after discharge from intensive care until 3 months afterwards. The control group received usual care., Methods: Of 574 patients assessed for eligibility, from November 2012 - May 2015, 168 were assigned to the experimental group (N = 73) and the control group (N = 75). Primary outcome was health status, measured with eight scales of Short Form-36v2, before the intensive care admission and at four time points until 12 months after intensive care. A mixed effect model tested differences between the groups over time. Criteria for Reporting Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions 2 guideline, guided the reporting of the intervention., Results: The structured nurse-led follow-up did not improve patients' health status compared with usual care (mixed effect model, p = .078-.937)., Conclusion: The structured nurse-led follow-up did not reveal an effect on the intensive care patients studied. Further examination of intensive care nurse-led follow-up is needed, taking into account the heterogeneity of the patient population, variations in length of ward stay, patients' health care needs during the first week at home after discharge from general ward and health status before intensive care admission., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)