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Aim: To investigate which risk factors are strictly connected to nomophobia in Italian nurses, according to socio-demographic characteristics, Body Mass Index scores, physical activity habits, anxiety, and depression. Method: An “ad hoc” online questionnaire has been created and then administered to Italian nurses. Data include sex, age, years of work experience, shift work per day, nursing educational level, Body Mass Index, physical activity, anxiety, depression, and nomophobia conditions. Univariate logistic regression has been performed to explore what potential factors may contribute to the nomophobia condition. Findings: A total of 430 nurses agree to participate. No respondents recorded severe levels of nomophobia, as 308(71.6%) registered mild and 58(13.5%) registered moderate levels and 64(14.9%) reported no abnormal condition. Females seem to be more exposed than males to nomophobia (p Conclusion: Nomophobia affects all individuals, especially young aged individuals. Although further studies on nurses will be implemented, including the workplace and training environments of nurses by allowing a clearer picture of the levels of “nomophobia” in general, as nomophobic behavior may have negative repercussions both in social and professional spheres.

Among cardiovascular diseases, acute coronary syndrome is the main cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western industrialized countries. Evidence suggested how continuous updating in Cardiovascular Area both for nurses and physicians was essential to improve patient outcomes in clinical process, welfare and rehabilitation, since physicians and nurses could play a key role in empowering the care of patients affected by the Acute Myocardium Infarction (AMI). Although the correlation between continuous training and improvement of nursing care was therefore clear, the difficulties that nurses encountered in AMI patients' management remained unexplored. The present study aimed to identify any difficulties that both nurses and physicians in emergency / urgent departments encountered in the AMI patient care.An observational, cross sectional, multicentre online study was conducted, in online mode. An ad hoc questionnaire was created and publicized through social networks, collecting only nurses and physicians.A total of 401 nurses and physicians were recruited. Significant association was assessed between the importance of the re-training participation and the item regarding: "To implement strategies to avoid excessive patient stress" and, since healthcare workers who constantly re-trained their competences encountered less difficulties than the others (p=.002). By considering associations between the re-training condition and any interventions implemented by the interviewer to prevent or reduce the Psycho-Physical Stress in AMI patients, a significant association (p=.017) was assessed between the re-training condition and the improvement of the sleep-rest model (item no. 20), since healthcare professionals who re-trained their competences in the AMI care promoted regular rest condition in the AMI patients.The study highlighted the importance of basic and advanced training both for physicians and nurses in the AMI patient care, by demonstrating how health promotion and therapeutic education and information could be important to the AMI patient care.

Aim. The present study aimed to evaluate the differences in the assessment of Personhood in patients with dementia according to professional profiles and years of work experience among Italian healthcare professionals directly involved in the care of patients with dementia. In addition, the correlation between the conferral of personhood and the fundamental determinants of the Montessori method applied to Dementia was also investigated.Methods. The study was observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter. Data were collected through the online administration of the Personhood in Dementia Questionnaire, between July and September 2020, in residential facilities for the elderly in two Italian regions: Emilia- Romagna and Puglia.Results. 98 participants were recruited. Of these, 73(74.5%) were social health workers (SHW) and 25(25.5%) were nurses; 40.8% of the participants have worked with people with dementia for less than 5 years, while 59.2% worked for more than 6 years. No statistically significant differences in the domains between both professions and years of service were registered. Moreover, significance calculations on the domains, found no significant differences between both professionals and the years of experience. However, the Socialization/ Montessori method domain showed the highest grading of agreement at 58.8% (n = 346), followed by Self-awareness in the person with dementia at 50.6% (n = 258) and Concept of person and community at < 50%. Finally, the PDQ correlation to the three organizational panel questions were also performed by also considering other three questions.Conclusions. Patients with dementia might be considered a resource for the healthcare professions. Our results evidence the need for structure training courses in permanent residential facilities, with the goal of increasing the level of knowledge about the subject of personhood, dementia and the benefits of applying Montessori models.

TBackground. Information regarding ominous prognoses, which may cause concern and distress, should be provided carefully and cautiously, using non-traumatizing terminology, accommodating the patient's fears, and not excluding elements of hope. Goal. To analyze the difficulties of health care providers in the process of communicating bad news. Materials and Methods. An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from March to August 2021 among Italian Physicians and Nurses. Results. The results of the study indicate a greater participation of Nurse practitioners than Physicians, a fact that may indicate how necessary it is, to overcome the belief that the communication of bad news is of exclusive medical relevance. Among the participants in the study, about half, equal to 46.7% stated that they had no specific training, while the remainder claimed to have attended master's or higher education courses in 8.5% of cases, 23% attended conferences, while 21.8% acquired their skills through work experience. Conclusions. The communication of bad news, needs to be recognized in the same way as those procedures that characterize care itself, and for which the highest possible quality is sought.

The Italian health profile of foreigners depends from several factors and events, such as: environmental, microbiological, cultural and / or behavioral. Healthcare professionals might to have greater and better basic and post-basic training in approaching foreign users. Listening and empathy, with complementary training can help to reduce distances and better understand the patient's socio-cultural background. The aim of the study is to explore the basic intercultural knowledge of the Italian nurses, the perception of the problems encountered during the interaction with foreign users and any solution strategies. From December 2020 to March 2021 a national observational study was conducted by involving 327 nurses.85.5% among participants were females and most of them aged between 20 and 30 years (20.20%) and were employed in medical wards (22.60%). Among the hindering barriers explored, linguistic ones are highlighted (41.30%), specifically for the description of hospital rules (34.90%) and of social and health regulations (34.90%).From the present findings, it emerges that the cultural competence of nurses could be developed by offering a multicultural education through basic and post-basic courses. (www.actabiomedica.it).

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson disease (PD) affects approximately 1% of women and men worldwide, particularly older than 60 years. It is a multisystem and neurodegenerative disease with genetics and environmental factors that result in deficits in the production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. The levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) system delivers a continuous infusion of levodopa directly into the proximal small intestine via percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy, largely bypassing gastric emptying and absorption problems and producing more stable plasma concentrations of levodopa, eliminating the development of motor complications (dyskinesias). The aim of this review was to summarize scientific evidence on the nursing role that, together with the multidisciplinary team, made the patient's choice in this therapeutic path (pre-LCIG phase). METHODS: A literature review was carried out, conducted on the MEDLINE databases (through PubMed), The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and CINAHL (through EBSCO). Relevant articles for the topic were found to identify indexed primary studies that investigated the relationship between the nurse and the patient/caregiver with PD who undertakes treatment with LCIG according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included in the review. The selected studies suggested how the pre-LCIG phase of patient choice and the subsequent education and training could avoid selection errors for these therapeutic paths. CONCLUSION: Trained and specialized nursing staff who carry out an adequate pre-LCIG phase associated to the multidisciplinary team improved the choice of the patient and the start of treatment and, consequently, the quality of life of PD patients.

Nurses were the most numerous healthcare workers employed in the current Italian healthcare systems. By considering them the driving force of the healthcare systems, the present study aimed to investigate which socio-demographic characteristics in nurses could influence empowerment promoted by their managers, by understanding what socio-demographic characteristics influenced the nursing manager empowerment and could help nursing managers to perform their empowerment approaches by highlighting strengths or weaknesses.An on-line, observational, multicenter, cross- sectional study was conducted by recruiting a total of 126 nurses.Negative and significant correlations and associations were recorded between all the Empowering Leadership Questionnaire sub dimensions and age (p.05). Data reported linear and significant associations between all the five sub dimensions of the ELQ and age (p.05), as younger nurses more perceived their nursing managers' empowerment presence than their older colleagues, too.Empowerment is a very complex topic in the nursing practice in which managers should be aware of the role of empowerment in promoting work engagement and effectiveness and differential effects on new graduates and more experienced nurses.

Measuring the phenomenon of gambling and Internet addiction, with analysis of attitudes and psychophysical consequences among nurses working in different care settings.An observational, cross sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to September 2020. Participants' socio-demographic information, the "Internet Addiction Test" (IAT) scale, and the "South Oaks Gambling Screen" (SOGS) were collected in order to assess the overuse of and whether an individual has a problematic relationship with gambling, respectively.502 nurses were enrolled in the study. Significant correlations were found (p .001) between the IAT score and gender, number of years of work experience, job role, educational qualification; and between the SOGS and gender, number of years of work experience, job role and regions of Italy.The study highlighted an emerging social problem, and the results may be just the tip of the iceberg. Given the lack of knowledge of these phenomena and a high percentage of people who suffer from them but are afraid to admit it and get help, this study could also be useful in expanding knowledge and allow more professionals to get help and learn about possible treatments and cures for the resolution of these addictions.

Introduzione: La Sindrome di Münchausen per Procura (Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy - MSbP) è una condizione in cui la figura di accudimento, solitamente la madre, procura o simula un danno fisico e psicologico al proprio figlio, per richiamare su di sé le attenzioni delle persone con cui si relaziona tramite il piccolo. Il danno psicologico che ne consegue sulle vittime è devastante e può causare anche la morte. Dalla letteratura emerge la difficoltà di svolgere la diagnosi della Sindrome, per cui occorre un’adeguata formazione del personale sanitario. Obiettivo: valutare il grado di conoscenza della Sindrome di Münchausen per Procura tra i professionisti che lavorano in contesti di emergenza-urgenza. Materiali e metodi: E’ stato condotto uno studio osservazionale e multicentrico presso le Unità Operative di Pronto Soccorso di quattro ospedali del Sud Italia. Lo strumento utilizzato è questionario di Hochhauser, consegnato in busta chiusa ai Direttori delle Unità operative e ai coordinatori infermieristici dei vari reparti e distribuito al personale Medico ed infermieristico. Risultati: Il campione è costituito da 137 professionisti sanitari, di cui fanno parte medici e infermieri. Solo il 22.6% (n=31) ha dichiarato di conoscere la MSbP. L’86.1% (n=118) sostiene di non aver mai trattato la MSbP. Il 53.3% (n=73) ha sospettato o potrebbe ora sospettare retrospettivamente tale Sindrome in alcuni casi trattati. Il 41.6% (n=57) ha riscontrato genitori che esagerassero i sintomi del bambino o attribuissero significati patologici gravi a malattie sintomatologiche modeste. Il 93.4% (n=128) sostiene che sarebbero utili e necessari corsi di formazione per approfondire tale Sindrome. Conclusioni: I risultati del nostro studio mostrano una scarsa conoscenza della Sindrome di Munchausen tra gli operatori sanitari, nonché lacune in un eventuale gestione di un caso. Si evidenzia la necessità di incrementare corsi di formazione in merito a tale tematica, con l’obiettivo di aumentare la consapevolezza del professionista sanitario rispetto al riconoscimento, diagnosi e cura di questa forma di abuso.

Introduzione: L’aggressività e la violenza nei luoghi di lavoro rappresentano un fenomeno psicosociale in continuo aumento e questo può causare possibili importanti ripercussioni all’intero processo di cura. Obiettivo: Valutare l’efficacia delle tecniche di de-escalation nella gestione degli agiti aggressivi del paziente psichiatrico. Metodi: Per condurre la seguente revisione è stato delineato un quesito di ricerca utilizzando la metodologia PIO. Successivamente, è stata condotta una revisione narrativa della letteratura, attraverso l’utilizzo delle banche dati banche dati PubMed ed EMBASE. Risultati: Dalla revisione della letteratura internazionale, solamente tre studi soddisfacevano i nostri criteri di inclusione. Dagli studi selezionati emerge che gli operatori della salute mentale reagiscono in modo diverso alla violenza. Alcuni si relazionano con i pazienti generando soluzioni positive, mentre altri gestiscono i pazienti con misure coercitive. Si evince l’efficacia dell’utilizzo delle tecniche di de-escalation nella gestione degli agiti aggressivi e che sia il personale che i pazienti aspirano a raggiungere relazioni non conflittuali e sociali mentre interagiscono in situazioni violente e minacciose. Conclusioni: La de-escalation risulta essere la tecnica più efficace solo previa conoscenza accurata del paziente, delle sue patologie e degli eventuali segni e sintomi prodromici che possono indicare l’insorgenza di un comportamento aggressivo. Inoltre, risulta più complicata con i soggetti aventi una storia pregressa di aggressività. Tuttavia emerge l’assenza di un’adeguata formazione del personale, che possa garantire la corretta messa in pratica dell’intervento e che possa rendere più sicuri gli infermieri nella gestione dell’agito aggressivo e del paziente violento.

Schools play a key role in detecting early signs of autism and creating a targeted pathway of study and inclusion. This becomes complicated when faced with unknown situations, such as managing a student with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).A nationwide study involving teachers (n=235) was conducted from March to August 2021. The survey instrument consisted of a questionnaire administered online through social networks containing socio-demographic data, attitudes, knowledge and inclusion plans from school teachers towards students with ASD.Statistical significant differences were registered for the item no.13: among the main deficits caused by ADS are reduced social cognition, language abnormalities, and impaired sensory functioning. (p=.025); the item no.8 (p=.011): if an intervention works for one child with ASD, it is certain to work on another child with ASD; the item no.3(p=.002): genetic factors play an important role in the causes of ASD. By also considering teacher's attitudes towards ASD according to the presence of a healthcare worker in the school environment, significant differences were registered for the item no.1 (p=.032): the interpretation that the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's syndrome are the same as for high-functioning autism; the item no.6 (p=.025): children with ADS are very similar to each other, and the item no.7(p=.015): early intervention does not lead to additional benefits for children with ASD.The presence of professionals with advanced skills could be a benefit and represent a strong point in the application of measures of prevention and containment of community pathologies.

Background: In healthcare, the use of smartphones and other electronical devices are becoming important tools among health professionals. Thanks to these devices, there are new methods of assistance. However, if used incorrectly, they may cause distraction during clinical practice. The excessive use of such devices has generated a new form of addiction in the workplace named nomophobia, a phobia still little explored in literature. We reported an analysis of the frequency and method of use of these electronical devices. The primary aim of the research was to investigate the level of dependence on electronic devices (nomophobia) and the digital habits of nurses. Secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association between nomophobia and distraction in the workplace. Methods: A transversal multicenter study was conducted on a sample of Italian nurses, using the Nurses’ Use of Personal Communication Devices Questionnaire and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Results: 34.1% of the sample (n=184) declared that they used smartphones and other electronical devices a moderately during working hours. 20.2 % (n=109) used them frequently and 8.9% (n=48) uses devices during working hours constantly. However, 44.0% (n=222) never uses health apps for patient medical assistance, the 32.9% (n=166) never uses learning apps or apps for professional development. 16.6% (n=87) admit that the use of these devices negatively affected their working performance (mean 80.5; SD 40.1). Study participants showed moderated levels of nomophobia (media=50.34; SD=29.0). Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate the scares use of such electronical tools to implement adequate care among Italian nurses. Nomophobia can have significant impact on the risk of making mistakes. Future studies should examine not only nurses but also other help professionals and support staff, to bring out an underestimated dimension.

Performance assessment is a key administrative function and an essential component of organizational quality programs, by quantifying it in relation to set goals, standards, expectations and guides to improvement initiatives. The present study aimed to correlate the nursing performance levels perceived by the nurses themselves with the levels of organizational well-being. Methods. An on-line questionnaire was administered to Italian nurses in order to assess nursing performance, thanks to the Six-Dimension on Nursing performance questionnaire and also the wll-being of nursing organization was explored thanks to the Questionnaire on nursing organization- brief form questionnaire (QISO brief form).Significant correlations were assessed between the nursing performance sub dimensions on frequency sub scale and each sub-dimensions of the well-being questionnaire (p.001). Also in Teaching/Collaboration sub-dimension of the quality nursing performance sub scale, positive correlations were recorded with the QISO brief form.Findings were in agreement with the little current literature on this topic, as: the nursing sector might implement reforms and instill an organizational culture in which staff feel they own their profession and will be intimately involved in the vision and mission of their organizations. To help achieve this and improve health services, nurses' organizational engagement enhancement policies should be implemented as an organizational issue requiring the development of strategies for recruiting, attracting and retaining engaged nurses.

In a society that tries so hard to forget and make people forget that death exists, death has never been so close to man in his daily life as during this pandemic. Health care professionals have therefore all too often had to deal with the death of the people they care for and with related issues such as, for example, the dignity of death, the humanization of death and care for the dying. The aim of the study is to highlight the perceptions of physicians, nurses and health and social workers in the difficult moment of the end of life, also analyzing which coping strategies were implemented by them.All Italian healthcare workers were enrolled in this survey. The questionnaire was administered in an online version. Physicians, nurses and support staff (social and health workers) were contacted through social networks.A total of 512 healthcare workers were enrolled in this survey. No statistical significant differences were recorded among the COPE-NVI- 25 sub dimensions according to sex, profession and to different wards. Additionally, by considering the COPE-NVI-25 sub dimensions according to years of work experience, a statistical significant difference was reported in the Transcendent Orientation sub dimension (p=.047), as healthcare workers with 11-20 years of work experience recorded higher levels than the other two groups. By considering differences in the COPE-NVI-25 sub dimensions according to religion, significant differences were recorded in the transcendent orientation (p=.032), in the positive attitude (p=.030), in the social support (p=.035).From the evidence in the literature, the quality of end-of-life care performance has a positive correlation with awareness of a good death and attitudes towards end-of-life care.

The Coronavirus has put a strain on the response capacity of health systems and there are various psychological effects on health workers.To investigate the psychological impact of the coronavirus emergency on physicians and nurses.A study was conducted on a sample of nurses and physicians (n=770), who were asked to fill in a questionnaire investigating physical and psychological problems. It also included the IES (Impact Event Scale), STAI (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) scale and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory).87.7% of the sample was represented by nurses (n=675), 12.3% (n=95) by physicians. 52.3% (n=403) of the participants believed that they had not received good training on the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment. 18.2% (n=140) declared that they had experienced a moment in which they had had to choose among the patients whom to treat for an essential therapy. Among the psychological symptoms, stress (76.2%; n=587), anxiety (59.4%; n=457) and depression (11.8%) prevailed and only 3.9% of the healthcare personnel sought help from a psychologist. The total score of the IES-R scale was 3.47. A significant association emerged between exposure and the risk of contagion (p-value = 0.003), stress was more present among nurses than among physicians (77.5% vs. 67.4%; p = 0.003). Among physical symptoms, headache (52.2%; n=402) and pressure injuries (24.8% n= 191) prevailed.The results of the study show that mental health monitoring of health workers, who are at risk of developing major psychological disorders, is a priority.

Background and aim of the work. Safety in hospitals is a structural variable on which depends not only on health, but also on physical safety of patients and employees, whom are increasingly exposed to risks as a result of which they may suffer from occupational diseases and/or develop important psycho-physical consequences. The study aimed to evaluate the association between work environment and perceived burnout levels in two hospitals of Southern Italy. Method. From March to August 2019 an observational study was carried out through a survey consisting of four sections: sociodemographic data; the Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) questionnaire; the perception of the environment and possible causes of stress; the burnout levels perceived through the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A convenience sample of 169 healthcare workers participated in the study. All nurses (including nursing coordinators), clinicians, support staff of the “Vito Fazzi” Hospital of Lecce (Le) and “San Giuseppe da Copertino” Hospital of Copertino (Le) with at least one year of work experience and who signed the informed consent were recruited. Results. The healthcare workers involved in the survey declared limits in handling and usability of the equipment, both for the patient n=77 (45.6%) and for the healthcare worker n=75 (44.4%), a lack of visual privacy n=89 (52.6%) and acoustic n=128 (75.7%). The analysis also shows higher scores on the ‘depersonalization’ scale among the health care workers of San Giuseppe da Copertino” Hospital (LE) (M= 9.36; DS= 9.439) and higher levels on the ‘emotional exhaustion’ scale in the surgical areas (M= 22.0; DS= 11.86) and in the female gender (M= 23.10; DS=. 12.01). Conclusions. The study reveals a poor condition of environmental comfort and safety, which generate high levels of stress and burnout in healthcare workers. Such a study can encourage further multicenter studies.

Background and aim of the study. Much evidence shows that hypnotic communication can have a pain-relieving effect and reduce complications such as anxiety, insomnia and depression. Whenever this technique was applied, the use of pharmaceuticals was reduced, there were fewer side effects, shorter hospitalization times frames and lower treatment costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of nurses about hypnotic communication and the causes for which this technique is not frequently used. A secondary objective pointed to measuring the effectiveness of an educational event on hypnosis. Method. The evaluation was done by directly administering an anonymous and voluntary survey created ad hoc, in a pre-test and post-test modality, to nurses subscribed to a four-hour formative event on hypnotic communication organized in 2019 by the Nursing Order, Province of Ravenna. Results. 78 nurses (85.7%) participated in the study. The analysis of the pre-test results shows a gap of knowledge regarding hypnotic communication. The variation of answers between the pre-test and post-test (T-Student) has shown a radical difference in knowledge (95%-100% correct answers). The main causes were found regarding the lack of use for hypnotic communication: stereotypes and prejudices related to this technique and insufficient university education. Conclusions. The implementation of this technique, effective and efficient under various aspects, requires a preliminary creation of culture regarding this theme, capable of surpassing the stereotypes and resistances brought by a lack of theoretical elements.

Introduzione: I Disturbi dell’Alimentazione (DA), rappresentano un problema di salute pubblica in costante crescita nei Paesi industrializzati. Il nucleo familiare di chi è affetto da tali DA sembra essere incluso marginalmente nei programmi terapeutici, con possibile danno per l’intero processo di cura. Obiettivo/scopo Valutare i bisogni assistenziali dei genitori di soggetti affette da DA e l’efficacia dell’home treatment (HT) rivolto a persona giovane, affetta da Disturbo del Comportamento Alimentare. Metodo: revisione della letteratura condotta sulle banche dati elettroniche di Medline, Cinahl ed Embase. Risultati: Dagli studi selezionati si evincono i principali bisogni individuati dalle famiglie di soggetti affetti da DA in HT. Conclusioni: La ricerca conferma l’esistenza di situazioni nelle quali la famiglia necessita supporto ed educazione nella gestione dei figli con DA, tale sostegno va garantito da un'equipe multidisciplinare. L'Infermiere potrebbe supportare l'intero percorso adattando le proprie competenze allo specifico contesto.

In this paper, a new mission is proposed for space debris surveillance in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The mission “Lighthouse”, here proposed as a concept study, describes the use of a small satellite in a low polar orbit, equipped with a Schmidt telescope, constantly observing a belt across the geostationary orbit. In this way, a single instrument can sweep the whole orbit everyday regardless the light and weather conditions. Most of observations are nowadays performed by ground telescopes, which are affected by weather conditions and night time duration. Moreover, a single telescope can observe only a portion of the geostationary orbit. The mission concept arose as space application of an ESA ITI (Innovation Triangle Initiative) project designing a Schmidt telescope purposely conceived for the monitoring of NEO (Near Earth Objects) and space debris. A compact version of the telescope (50 cm diameter and 1.61 m length), particularly suitable for space applications, has been designed too. The size and the mass of the telescope enable the use of a small satellite platform, with the related advantages in term of costs and performance. Lighthouse is proposed as a new asset for Space Surveillance and Tracking sensors, complementary to the ground telescopes network.

Determinare la prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani e valutare il livello di ansia e depressione nelle vittime.Da aprile a settembre 2014 è stato condotto uno studio multicentrico trasversale in un campione di infermieri italiani (n=997) utilizzando il questionario "Cyberstalking" per analizzare il fenomeno del cyberstalking. Ai partecipanti, che si sono autodefinite vittime di cyberstalking, è stato chiesto anche di compilare gli strumenti "Beck Depression Inventory" e "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" per valutare, rispettivamente, i livelli di depressione ed ansia.La prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani è risultata pari al 23.3%. Il 42.7% ha dovuto cambiare il proprio stile di vita e lavorativo. Il cyberstalker era prevalentemente di sesso maschile (52%) e, nel 49% dei casi, era un paziente. Le vittime hanno riferito moderati livelli di ansia (media=28.4, SD=23.2) e depressione (media=92.7, SD=18.3); i risultati hanno mostrato un aumento dei livelli di depressione negli infermieri esperti nell'utilizzo del computer, gestori di siti web o blog, e una correlazione negativa tra il livello di ansia e gli infermieri esperti (r = -0.264).Il cyberstalking è un fenomeno che si riscontra frequentemente tra gli infermieri. Il rapporto infermiere - paziente gioca un ruolo centrale nello sviluppo del fenomeno e le vittime hanno riferito disordini correlati allo stress che influenzano la vita lavorativa. Questi risultati preliminari potrebbero sensibilizzare, i dirigenti ospedalieri, la politica e i centri antiviolenza al fine di sviluppare strategie risolutiv.Scopo. Determinare la prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani e valutare il livello di ansia e depressione nelle vittime. Metodo. Da aprile a settembre 2014 è stato condotto uno studio multicentrico trasversale in un campione di infermieri italiani (n=997) utilizzando il questionario “Cyberstalking” per analizzare il fenomeno del cyberstalking. Ai partecipanti, che si sono autodefinite vittime di cyberstalking, è stato chiesto anche di compilare gli strumenti “Beck Depression Inventory” e “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory” per valutare, rispettivamente, i livelli di depressione ed ansia. Risultati. La prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani è risultata pari al 23.3%. Il 42.7% ha dovuto cambiare il proprio stile di vita e lavorativo. Il cyberstalker era prevalentemente di sesso maschile (52%) e, nel 49% dei casi, era un paziente. Le vittime hanno riferito moderati livelli di ansia (media=28.4, SD=23.2) e depressione (media=92.7, SD=18.3); i risultati hanno mostrato un aumento dei livelli di depressione negli infermieri esperti nell’utilizzo del computer, gestori di siti web o blog, e una correlazione negativa tra il livello di ansia e gli infermieri esperti (r = -0.264). Conclusioni. Il cyberstalking è un fenomeno che si riscontra frequentemente tra gli infermieri. Il rapporto infermiere - paziente gioca un ruolo centrale nello sviluppo del fenomeno e le vittime hanno riferito disordini correlati allo stress che influenzano la vita lavorativa. Questi risultati preliminari potrebbero sensibilizzare, i dirigenti ospedalieri, la politica e i centri antiviolenza al fine di sviluppare strategie risolutive a sostegno delle vittime.

This narrative review aimed to synthetize the results of the main studies analysing nurses' experience of stalking in different clinical settings. We searched the electronic databases MEDLINE (through PubMed), CINAHL (through EBSCOhost) and the search engine "Google Scholar". Searches were limited to articles published in English and Italian, and published between 1999 and 2013. Stalking refers to a behavioural pattern characterized by persistent unwanted communications and contacts imposed to another person, which, consequently suffer from distress, fear, and anxiety. Several studies explored the risk of stalking in healthcare system, especially in doctors and psychiatrists. Some authors analysed nurses' experience of stalking with particular attention to mental health professionals as a group category with an increased risk of stalking by patients. Results of some studies carried out in different clinical settings (medical and surgical areas, and other healthcare settings) also revealed, even if in a minority, the presence of this phenomenon, showing the presence of staking's behaviours by patients and healthcare colleagues too. However, more researches with large sample size are needed to better understand the phenomenon of stalking in nurses working in different clinical areas.La presente revisione narrativa della letteratura ha lo scopo di sintetizzare i risultati dei principali studi volti ad esplorare il fenomeno dello stalking subito dai professionisti infermieri che operano all’interno di differenti settings clinici. Sono stati consultati i database di Medline (attraverso Pubmed), CINHAL e il motore di ricerca Google Scholar limitando la ricerca agli studi pubblicati tra il 1999 e il 2013, in lingua inglese ed italiana. Lo stalking include un insieme di comportamenti caratterizzati da ripetuti ed indesiderati contatti imposti da una persona ad un’altra, che ne risulta, di conseguenza, infastidita e manifesta paura, stress e ansia. Numerosi studi hanno esplorato il rischio di stalking in ambito sanitario e sono stati condotti principalmente su popolazioni di medici e psichiatri. Alcuni autori hanno analizzato le esperienze di stalking vissute dagli infermieri, con particolare attenzione agli infermieri afferenti all’area della salute mentale poiché considerati una categoria a rischio di stalking da parte dei pazienti. I risultati di alcuni studi condotti su popolazioni di infermieri afferenti a diverse aree cliniche (area medica, chirurgica e altri servizi ospedalieri) hanno mostrato, seppur in percentuale minore, l’esistenza del fenomeno ed evidenziano che i comportamenti di stalking sono attuati, non solo dai pazienti, ma anche da colleghi di lavoro. Tuttavia, per comprendere maggiormente il fenomeno dello stalking in ambito infermieristico sono necessarie ulteriori ricerche che coinvolgano campioni più ampi di infermieri afferenti ad aree lavorative diverse da quelle della salute mentale.

In an attempt to evaluate the clinical significance of fructosamine (F) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values in elderly diabetic patients, 49 patients with mean age 72.0 years and 58 patients with mean age 51.6 years (control group) were studied. No difference was found in F and HbA1c between the two groups, when the degree and duration of glycaemic failure was equal. However, on extrapolating from the two groups those patients with total protein less than or equal to 6.0 g/dl, it was observed that these subjects had F values significantly lower than the other patients studied (p less than 0.001) although there was no difference in the degree and duration of metabolic failure. It was concluded that F and HbA1c can also be used in elderly patients providing they are normoproteinaemic. In the case of hypoproteinaemics, the F values are underestimated and do not correlate with the other indices of glycaemic control.