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Background: Social constraints are perceived as unsupportive behaviors, leading to inadequate psychosocial adjustment, while optimism can help people recover from distress and reduce any negative effects of chronic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate social constraints, psychosocial adjustment and optimism among patients on dialysis. Methods: In this study, 402 patients undergoing dialysis in Greece completed the following questionnaires: (i) the Social Constraints Scale (SCS) for the assessment of social constrains, (ii) the Psychosocial adjustment to illness scale (PAIS-SR) for the assessment of psychosocial adjustment, and (iii) the LOT-R scale for the assessment of optimism. A Mann–Whitney test was used for the comparison of continuous variables between two groups. Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) were used to explore the association of two continuous variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used with the SCS scale. Results: Greater difficulty in psychosocial adjustment in the domestic, vocational, extended family and social environments, sexual relationships, and health care as well as greater psychological distress were significantly associated with a greater occurrence of social constraints (p < 0.001). Additionally, greater optimism was significantly associated with fewer social constraints and lower difficulty in adjusting to their disease (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Greater difficulty in all dimensions of psychosocial adjustment is associated with more social constraints, while optimism is associated with fewer social constraints and better disease adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Errors are a common occurrence in all healthcare settings, and the safety of patients is a critical concern that involves multiple factors, including the complex and demanding nature of nursing practice. Nurses, due to their continuous and direct patient care, play a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to errors from the perspectives of nurses in Greek hospitals, with a focus on understanding the challenges they face in their daily practice. Methods: Clinical nurses willingly and anonymously filled out a specific structured questionnaire, the Taxonomy of Error, Root Cause Analysis, and Practice-responsibility (TERCAP) tool that describes the conditions under which an error during clinical practice occurred. The study method included convenience sampling. After obtaining permission, questionnaires were distributed to hospital departments. To accommodate pandemic-related restrictions, an electronic version of the questionnaire was also created for distribution and collection. Analysis of data was accomplished via SPSS 26.0. Results: Five hundred and ninety-seven clinical nurses participated anonymously, reporting errors in almost seven out of ten cases, often attributing them to high workload and staff shortages. Errors were commonly reported during different shifts in this study. Factors such as assigning significant responsibilities to inexperienced staff and inadequate implementation guidelines were highlighted. Conclusions: The in-depth study of nursing errors provides a nuanced understanding of their causes by categorizing them based on various factors. It emphasizes the complexity of challenges and the need to integrate systemic, clinical, and individual factors into intervention strategies, including medication protocols, ongoing training, clear communication, administrative support, and fostering an open communication culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse events are a prevalent occurrence across pediatric healthcare environments, and patient safety is intricately tied to nursing errors due to nurses' consistent presence and interaction with patients, which surpasses that of any other healthcare professional. This research sought to explore the factors influencing errors as perceived by pediatric nurses in Greek hospital settings. Methods: Clinical pediatric nurses voluntarily and anonymously completed a specialized structured survey, utilizing the Taxonomy of Error, Root Cause Analysis, and Practice-responsibility (TERCAP) tool, which delineates the circumstances surrounding errors occurring during clinical practice. Results: Among the participants employed in the pediatric department, 80.8% (n = 84) reported experiencing an error at their workplace. Notably, in 48.7% (n = 38) of these instances, the error was attributed to themselves (personal responsibility), while in 78.9% (n = 56) of cases, it was linked to errors committed by other colleagues in the clinic. As reported by participants in pediatric departments, the primary factors contributing to potential error occurrence include the absence or inadequacy of orientation and training for new staff (43.2%), the absence of a standardized protocol for resolving disagreements (39%), insufficient ongoing training (38.3%), and breakdowns in interdisciplinary communication (21%). Conclusions: By classifying errors based on various criteria such as outcomes, processes, cognitive reasoning, ethical considerations, and importance, this study presents a holistic framework for examining pediatric nurses' errors from diverse perspectives. Through this classification approach, the study establishes a foundation for tailored interventions targeting particular aspects of errors and their root causes in pediatric departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices towards evidence-based practice (EBP) is a challenge for healthcare professionals. However, the existing literature focuses on nurses working in acute hospital settings, with nurses working in community and primary healthcare settings receiving comparatively less attention. The purpose of the study was to explore factors that related to attitudes, knowledge and practice of community nurses toward EBP. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of community nurses in Greece. Community nurses around the country were invited to complete an online questionnaire during the period of February to April 2022. To measure nurses' attitudes, practices and knowledge/skills regarding EBP, the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was used. A total of 164 nurses took part in the study. The mean age of nurses was 41.6 years, with 42.7% having either an MSc or a PhD degree. The overall internal consistency for the EBPQ questionnaire was 0.91. The sample demonstrated a high level of knowledge/skills (mean score of 5.5 on a 7-point scale) and positive attitudes (mean score of 5.5 on a 7-point scale) towards EBP, while the level of EBP practice was moderate (mean score of 4.5 on a 7-point scale). A higher educational level showed a positive relationship with the "practice of EBP" subscale (p = 0.005) and the "knowledge/skills about EBP" subscale (p = 0.003). Additionally, an increase in the knowledge/skills score was associated with a more positive attitude towards EBP (p < 0.001) and better practice of EBP (p = 0.003). The identification of educational level as the main factor related to the knowledge/skills and implementation of EBPs in community nurses emphasizes the necessity for educational initiatives in EBP at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Informed nurses who are familiar with current guidelines and evidence can effectively train patients about chronic disease management and prevention. Additionally, creating incentives to motivate participation in lifelong learning programs can indeed play a crucial role in enhancing the proficiency of community nurses in evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational stress and burnout of health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially of the nursing population in intensive care units (ICUs), were quite frequent along with negative effects and a direct correlation with the manifestation of many physical, behavioral and psychological symptoms. For the purposes of this research, a quantitative survey was carried out, in which 153 ICU nurses of secondary and tertiary public hospitals in Greece participated. Nurses completed anonymously and voluntarily a special electronic questionnaire about stress, burnout, personal concerns about the pandemic, the consequences of the outbreak and their resilience toward COVID-19 patients’ care. Specific validated scales were used in this study. Female nurses felt, to a greater extent than males, work-related burnout, especially patient-related burnout and total burnout. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the existence of a psychological support group within a hospital and personal burnout. Participants who had experience in caring for SARS-CoV-2 patients had higher mental resilience than those without experience. As the consequences experienced by the health professionals of the reference COVID-19 hospitals were increased, so did mental resilience and stress coping strategies during the pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak and the conditions configurated in the health system had negative effects on the psychoemotional state of ICU nurses. The manifestation of anxiety, stress and burnout had a direct correlation with both the work and personal functionality of the nurses and the whole of the healthcare services provided. The early recognition of symptoms and their individualized management are imperative for the protection of the psycho-emotional well-being of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) is the subjective experience of positive, transformative psychological changes that the individual experiences as a result of a traumatic experience or extremely difficult life situation. It involves changes in the perception of life, the perception of self and others, while it leads to the determination of new priorities and spiritual pursuits Aim: The purpose of this literature review is to report on posttraumatic development in the theoretical model and the factors that contribute to it. Methods: A thorough search of review and research studies of the international literature in the electronic databases Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar with publication dates from 2000-2023 was carried out. Results: Studies have shown that post-traumatic growth can occur after various traumas, and it appears that several different factors are involved, including demographics, social support, coping strategies, subjective evaluations, religion and the type of trauma. They also report that individuals, families and larger social groups can experience all dimensions of post-traumatic growth. Conclusion: The findings suggest that posttraumatic growth can affect several areas of life, including interpersonal relationships, spirituality, and self-concept. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity is high among incarcerated individuals. Severe mental disorder is five to ten times higher among prisoners compared to the general population. Several factors are held to be responsible for the high prevalence of depression in prison: mainly poor living conditions (narrow room, loss of privacy), limited interpersonal relationships, and lack of mental health access. Inmates are at increased risk of all-cause mortality, suicide, self-harm, violence, and victimization while those with mental disorders are involved in conflicts and are more likely to be charged with prison rules. Purpose: To explore depression among male inmates. Methods and material: In the study, 101 male inmates were enrolled. Data were collected by the completion of a "self-rating depression scale (SDS)-Zung" which included participants' characteristics. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05. Results: Of the 101 participants, 51.4% of inmates were under 40 years old, 54.5% were married, 45.6% had been convicted of homicide and 38.6% had a life sentence. Normal depression levels were experienced by 62.4% of the participants, while 21.8% were mildly depressed, 14.9% were moderately depressed and 1.0% severely depressed. Foreign prisoners had statistically significant higher scores of depression compared to Greeks (median 48 vs. 45, p = 0.012); those suffering from a chronic disease compared to those who did not (median 48 vs. 45, p = 0.038); those who had spent time in solitary confinement compared to those who had not (median 46 vs. 43.5, p = 0.038) as well as those who had not considered harming themselves compared to those who had thought of it (median 46 vs. 44, p = 0.017). Conclusion: Given that prison populations are marginalized and deprived of the rights that people in the community benefit from, establishing the prevalence of depression in male inmates and its associated characteristics may help to formulate recommendations for future prison health care services. Clinical, research, and policy efforts are needed to improve prison mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing students during their clinical practice (CP) may experience negative feelings, such as fear and anxiety that may affect their comfort zone and lead to extensive worry, impacting their clinical performance. Aim: This study aimed to assess the comfort and worry to Greek nursing students during their pediatric CP. Methodology: This is a descriptive, exploratory, comparative quantitative study. The revised "Pediatric Nursing Student Clinical Comfort and Worry Assessment Tool" was administered to 121 nursing students prior and after their pediatric CP. Results: Nursing students experienced less worry at the end of the pediatric CP but adequate comfort prior and after the CP. Male students rated higher the worry before the enactment of pediatric CP (t = 2.204, p = 0.029, 95% CI: 0.030, - 0.568). The students with greater theoretical knowledge regarding pediatric nursing rated higher the worry prior to pediatric CP (t = - 2.28, p = 0.024, 95% CI: - 0.45, - 0.03). Students that were anxious, in relevance to providing care to pediatric patients, showed lower worry (t = - 2.289, p = 0.005, 95% CI: - 0.51, - 0.10) after the end of the CP. Hospital environment, the level of communication with staff and clinical educators, and the interaction and trust relationship with children and families were rated as the most positive experiences. Conclusions: Nursing students during their pediatric CP seem to experience increased worry interrelated to their anxiety levels. However, at the end of their training the levels of worry decrease and they express acceptable comfort levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]