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Associations between facial appearance and hiring decisions are well-documented within job literature as a source of decision misjudgment with economic and human costs. Notwithstanding, this aspect is yet to be investigated in healthcare. We collected 90 pictures of new-graduates nurses faces to be judged on different facial appearance-based traits by an independent sample. Six months after graduation, the same new-graduates were interviewed about their job situation. Binomial logistic regression was conducted to examine whether facial appearance ratings would predict the probability to be hired as nurse. Results showed that applicants with a face conveying a feeling of familiarity were more likely to be hired. Considering that people might be inclined to these biases during societal crises and the exceptional need to quickly recruit health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic, our study recommends special attention to prevent the influence of facial appearance-based evaluations not reflecting real skills to limit potentially adverse consequences.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and remains the leading cause of death among Italian women. Despite increased breast cancer awareness and improved diagnostic techniques, mortality rates remain high globally. In Italy, despite the availability of screening programs by the National Health System (NHS) for all Italian women aged 50–69 every two years, the participation rate remains relatively low. The low uptake of screening may be attributed to a lack of general cancer knowledge among women, including awareness of risk factors, symptoms, and prevention measures. This study investigates the knowledge and misinformation in a population of Italian women regarding breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, and prevention. Methods: From March 2021 to January 2022, we conducted a survey targeting the female population in Italy, with a total of 2375 participants willingly participating in the study. To investigate factors linked to variations in attitudes toward breast cancer, the participants were categorized into two groups: the general population (Group A, n = 2235) and women who have had or currently have breast cancer (Group B, n = 140). Statistically significant differences were identified between these two groups. Results: The findings revealed considerable confusion regarding both the symptoms and causes associated with cancer, as well as prevention measures. This confusion was particularly prominent among women in the general population and those with lower levels of education. Conclusions: Given these insights, it remains crucial to promote accurate health information concerning risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies related to this devastating disease, emphasizing the ongoing importance of disseminating correct health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internship represents the context for nursing students to acquire professional skills. The mutual relationship between the intern and the tutor, where both parties have the opportunity to grow and develop, contributes to transforming theoretical knowledge into intellectual, psychomotor, and social skills. However, the gap between education and clinical practice... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oncology nurses support cancer patients in meeting their self-care needs, often neglecting their own emotions and self-care needs. This study aims to investigate the variations in the five facets of holistic mindfulness among Italian oncology nurses based on gender, work experience in oncology, and shift work. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2023 amongst all registered nurses who were employed in an oncology setting and working in Italy. Results: There were no significant differences in all five facets of holistic mindfulness (p ≥ 0.05) according to gender, work experience in the oncology field, and shift work. Conclusion: Could holistic mindfulness be defined as an intrinsic individual characteristic? Surely, more insights will be necessary to better define the holistic trend in oncology nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The image of a nurse is a source of concern due to its impact on recruitment into the profession, political decisions about the profession, and how the image affects nursing practice. For these reasons, one of the long-term challenges is to assess and maintain a favorable public image that respects the utility and value of the nursing profession. Aim: This study aims to validate an instrument for assessing the image of the nurse as perceived by Italian citizens. Methods: A non-probabilistic sample of 564 people participated in the study between 2022 and 2023. Sociodemographic information of the Italian citizens was collected, and the instrument used to evaluate the perceived public image was the Nursing Attitudes Questionnaire (NAQ). The psychometric properties of the Italian version of the NAQ (NAQ-IV) were calculated using Cronbach's alpha, item–total correlations, skewness, and kurtosis. Factor analysis was performed using principal axis factoring and the varimax rotation method. Results: Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model explaining more than 60.52% of the variance, with the largest variance explained by the "Role and Professionalism" factor (34.08%). The internal consistency calculation showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89 for the scale and between 0.88 and 0.89 among the factors; all the items verified the item–total correlation and response variability criteria. Conclusions: The NAQ-IV could be a valid tool for assessing the perception of Italian citizens. However, further studies are recommended to evaluate the reliability of the instrument, especially in the evolving professional profile and social health welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Music evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. Operating room (OR) staff face various challenges which can lead to high levels of stress. The aim of the study is to assess whether listening to music during intraoperative phases improves the work environment by reducing anxiety and stress in the entire surgical team. Methods. A prospective observational study was conducted from February to September 2023, involving medical personnel, nursing staff, and nursing students. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 with music during surgical procedures, and Group 2 without music. Participants were administered two validated instruments: the Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) to measure anxiety, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to assess emotions generating stress. Additional items were included for demographics, job satisfaction, and the organization method. Results. Music did not impact anxiety, but increased positive emotions while reducing negative ones. Music had an ancillary effect, highlighting the need for significant organizational interventions aimed at increasing operator satisfaction, including offering voluntary instead of mandatory assignments to nursing staff. Conclusions. Music appears to reduce stress in the intraoperative team when supported by a positive work environment in which assigned operators have chosen to work in the OR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long COVID refers to the persistence or development of signs and symptoms well after the acute phase of COVID-19. Objective of the study: To investigate the long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in terms of psychological, social, and relational consequences within the Italian population. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study using an online questionnaire distributed to a sample of the Italian population. By utilizing the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) and the Hikikomori scale, we assessed perceived quality of life and social isolation, respectively. The questionnaire also included an open-answer question: "What will you remember about the pandemic period?". We used generative artificial intelligence to analyze and summarize the corresponding answers. Results: A total of 1097 people participated in this study. A total of 79.3% (n = 870) of participants declared that they had been hospitalized and 62.8% (n = 689) received home care. Physical symptoms included headaches (43%, n = 472) and asthma (30.4%, n = 334). Additionally, 29.2% (n = 320) developed an addiction during the pandemic and, among these, 224 claimed internet addiction while 73 declared an emotional addiction. Furthermore, 51.8% (n = 568) experienced limitations in carrying out daily life activities. According to the Hikikomori scale, participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher levels of isolation compared to the others (p < 0.001). Participants without COVID-19 showed higher levels of emotional support (p < 0.001). Our semiautomatic analysis of the open-ended responses, obtained by a procedure based on a free large language model, allowed us to deduce and summarize the main feelings expressed by the interviewees regarding the pandemic. Conclusions: The data collected emphasize the urgent need to investigate the consequences of long COVID in order to implement interventions to support psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The diagnosis of a chronic disease represents a turning point in patients' lives, which inevitably marks them. The aim of this study was to analyze perceived stress levels among Crohn' disease (CD) patients depending on sampling characteristics and several difficulties occurred in their daily life in order to better address stress management interventions to increase their quality of life as patients who should cohabitate with CD for all their lives. Materials and methods. An on-line, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out through social Internet pages. Specifically, through the Facebook and Instagram groups belonging to the CD patients. Results. A total of 785 CD interviewers were achieved in this study, 597 were female and 188 were male. Significant higher stress perceived levels were assessed among females (p < 0.001) and CD interviewers who knew their disease until 10 years (p < 0.001). Higher levels in stress perceptions were reported in all the difficulties proposed, in which CD interviewers reported a quite level of difficulties occurred on them (p < 0.001). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that patients with Crohn's disease live in a condition of high stress and that this condition implies changes in the quality of life with considerable difficulty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as "the capacity of a computer, robot, programmed device, or software application to perform operations and tasks analogous to learning and decision making in humans, such as speech recognition or question answering. Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) represent an example of this promising technology as it is designed to communicate and interact with people similarly to a human being". The introduction of any form of AI based technologies could be beneficial in nursing education and healthcare provision. A questionnaire co-created with ChatGPT was administered to nursing students, nurses and educators aiming at exploring how those technologies would impact on the world of healthcare and education. 176 participants were recruited. Data analysis showed that the perceived potential benefits of introducing AI include: improved quality of nursing care, of the diagnostic process and of job satisfaction. Conversely, some of the risks would be: limited opportunities to critical thinking and reduction of interaction and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Il fenomeno della violenza domestica e le condotte di approccio a questo problema assumono una particolare rilevanza sia sociale che sanitaria. Lo scopo della ricerca è quello di misurare le conoscenze e le competenze degli infermieri che prestano servizio nelle realtà operative di ED (Emergenza Dipartimento) rispetto alla gestione in urgenza della donna che ha subito violenza domestica. E’ stato effettuato uno studio osservazionale trasversale che ha coinvolto gli infermieri del servizio di emergenza intraospedaliera (EDI) e Extraospedaliera (EDE) in tre ambiti territoriali afferenti ad una Azienda Sanitaria del nord Italia. Il campione è di tipo non probabilistico. Il questionario scelto è stato Help– Knowledge and Attitudes of Gender – Based Violence. Si evidenzia un risultato con un range di risposte corrette che vanno dal 72,6% al 99%. La comparazione fra gli infermieri dell’EDE e quelli dell’EDI ha evidenziato una maggiore comprensione del fenomeno dell’IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) da parte di questi ultimi; ciò con molta probabilità può essere dovuto, da un lato, al fatto che i secondi possiedono più strumenti e tempo per riconoscere i segni di maltrattamento, mentre la donna, dall’altro, ha la possibilità di ricercare maggiore empatia, un sostegno psicologico e una guida ai servizi che possano aiutare la propria famiglia. Le correlazioni provano, inoltre, una notevole sensibilità che il personale di ED ha sulle diverse tipologie di maltrattamenti, non solo fisiche, ma anche psicologiche, economiche e sessuali. Con molta probabilità tali conoscenze sono legate all’esperienza sul campo in quanto il 56,6% (n=56) del campione ha un’anzianità di servizio che va dagli 11 ai 30 anni. Le phénomène de la violence conjugale et les différentes approches à ce problème sont particulièrement importants sur les plans social et sanitaire. Le but de cette recherche est d’évaluer les compétences et les connaissances des infirmiers travaillant aux services d’urgence (ED) et qui assurent la prise en charge des femmes victimes de violence conjugale. Une étude par observation a été menée impliquant les infirmiers des services d’urgence intrahospitaliers (EDI) et extrahospitaliers (EDE) de trois territoires liés à une unité de soins du nord de l’Italie. Il s’agissait d’un échantillon non probabiliste et le questionnaire choisi était le Help–Knowledge and Attitudes of Gender–Based Violence. Le résultat a été globalement positif et les réponses correctes allait de 72,6 % à 99 % selon les questions. La comparaison entre infirmiers de l’EDE et de l’EDI a montré que ces derniers ont une meilleure connaissance du phénomène de la violence d’un partenaire intime (IPV – Intimate Partner Violence) par rapport aux premiers. Cela est peut-être dû au fait que, d’un côté, les infirmiers EDI ont davantage d’outils et de temps pour reconnaître les signes d’abus, tandis que la femme, de l’autre, a la possibilité de recevoir davantage d’empathie, un soutien psychologique et un guide aux services du territoire pour aider sa famille. En outre, les corrélations démontrent que le personnel ED est très conscient des différentes formes de maltraitance, qui ne concernent pas seulement le cadre physique, mais aussi les domaines psychologiques, économiques et sexuels. Il est fort probable que ces connaissances soient liées à leur expérience car 56,6 % des personnes interrogées travaillent dans ce secteur depuis au moins 11 ans. The phenomenon of domestic violence and the different approaches to this are especially important both from a social and health point of view. The aim of the survey is to measure the skills and knowledge of the nurses who work in Emergency Departments providing medical care to women who are victims of domestic violence. An observational study was implemented involving the nurses of the Intra-hospital Emergency Services (EDI) and of the Extra-hospital Emergency Services (EDE) of three territories linked to a Northern Italian healthcare unit. The sample is a non-probabilistic one. The title of the administered questionnaire is Help-Knowledge and Attitudes of Gender–Based Violence. There was a positive result overall with a range of correct answers ranging from 72.6% to 99% depending on the question. The comparison between EDE and EDI nurses showed a better understanding of the IPV phenomenon (Intimate Partner Violence) amongst the latter. This may be due to the fact, on the one hand, that EDI nurses have more tools and time in order to recognize the signs of abuse, while women, using the other services, have the possibility to get more empathy and psychological support along with information about assistance provided by territorial services available for families. Correlations demonstrate, moreover, that EDI staff have a strong awareness of the various kinds of abuse, not only physical but also psychological, economical and sexual ones. This particular knowledge is most likely linked to their experience because 56.6% of respondents have been working in this field for 11 to 30 years.

Background and Aim: The leadership of the Nursing Coordinator is essential to ensure quality care and to empower the nursing staff. To identify the leadership style used by the coordinator as nurses and the support staff perceive the leadership behaviors of the coordinator., Methods: Data were collected through an online questionnaire including the Empowering Leadership Questionnaire., Results: Positive associations were recorded between participants' satisfaction levels and high standards of job performance (p<0.001), being a good example for the whole group (p=0.004) and to encourage sharing ideas and suggestions (p=0.003), hearing ideas and suggestions (p=0.013), giving the opportunity to express their opinions (p=0.046); in the "Coaching" dimension, according to attitudes to help the group to become aware (p<0.001), among all group members (p=0.044); by focusing on their goals (p<0.001); in the "Informing" dimension according to levels and attitudes to explain decisions (p<0.017) and rules and expectations (p=0.046); in the "Showing Concern/Interacting with the Team" dimension according to attitude in personal problems (p<0.028); to discuss concerns (p=0.033); to show interest (p<0.040) and to chat with members (p=0.003). Negative association was registered between the ability to make decisions based solely on the coordinator's ideas (p=0.010), ability to pay attention to the group's efforts (p<0.015)., Conclusions: The role of the Nursing Coordinator within the work setting is very fundamental. The latter must be able to guarantee, through good leadership, a serene work environment so that professionals can provide optimal care to patients and safeguard their profession.

Background and Aim of the Work: Work-family and family-work conflict can be defined as the degree to which participation in one role, in this case as a worker, interferes with the ability to cope with the responsibilities of another role, namely that of a member of a household. The aim of the study is to investigate the presence of indicators of work- family and/or family-work conflict in a cohort of Italian nurses and possible correlations with social and work variables., Research Design and Methods: An observational, quantitative, multicenter survey was conducted for the study through the computerized administration of a validated questionnaire (Work-Family and Family-Work Conflict, CLF), with the implementation of sociographic variables. The cooperation of 15 Orders of Nursing Professions throughout the country was sought for sample collection. Data collection was bimonthly., Results: Among the participating nurses, there is a statistically significant predominance of conflict in the family-work direction. In particular, the phenomenon seems to be related to age and the presence of children and/or elderly at home to care for. Some work variables seem to positively affect the prevention of potential work-life conflict, such as rostering and work articulation., Conclusions: These findings place emphasis on the need for healthcare organizations to address the work-family balance of their employees.

Background and Aim: Determining the time that is required for weaning, as well as the factors that influence it can be used for the appropriate planning of patient's medical and nursing care. The aim of this study is to estimate the optimal time an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient with tracheostomy needs to wean from mechanical ventilation., Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 162 patients from two general hospitals in Athens, Greece.  A specially designed recording form was created to conduct the study. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.25 for Windows was used to record and analyze the data. The level of statistical significance was set at α=5%., Results: Results were found after comparing and associating the demographic and clinical characteristics and medical history of patients with the duration of weaning, the length of post-tracheostomy ICU stay and the time from intubation to tracheostomy., Conclusions: According to the results of our study, there are various factors that affect success and duration of weaning. More specifically, there seems to be an association between duration of weaning and age, number of closure attempts, success of closure, time from intubation to tracheostomy, length of the patient's post-tracheostomy ICU stay and diagnosis upon admission. The shorter the duration of weaning, the greater the benefits for the patients themselves, such us avoiding respiratory damage, reduction of mortality and morbidity and preventing of length of patient's ICU stay.