Conectar
Research on structural empowerment has typically adopted a variable-centered perspective, which is not ideal to study the combined effects of structural empowerment components. This person-centered investigation aims to enhance our knowledge about the configurations, or profiles, of healthcare employees' perceptions of the structural empowerment dimensions present in their workplace (opportunity, information, support, and resources). Furthermore, this study considers the replicability and stability of these profiles over a period of 2 years, and their outcomes (perceived quality of care, and positive and negative affect).
Participants completed the same self-reported questionnaires twice, 2 years apart.
A sample of 633 healthcare employees (including a majority of nurses and nursing assistants) participated. Latent transition analyses were performed.
Five profiles were identified: Low Empowerment, High Information, Normative, Moderately High Empowerment, and High Empowerment. Membership into the Normative and Moderately High Empowerment profiles demonstrated a high level of stability over time (79.1% to 83.2%). Membership in the other profiles was either moderately stable (43.5% for the High Empowerment profile) or relatively unstable (19.7% to 20.4% for the Low Empowerment and High Information profiles) over time. More desirable outcomes (i.e., higher positive affect and quality of care, and lower negative affect) were observed in the High Empowerment profile.
These results highlight the benefits of high structural empowerment, in line with prior studies suggesting that structural empowerment can act as a strong organizational resource capable of enhancing the functioning of healthcare professionals. These findings additionally demonstrate that profiles characterized by the highest or lowest levels of structural empowerment were less stable over time than those characterized by more moderate levels.
From an intervention perspective, organizations and managers should pay special attention to employees perceiving low levels of structural empowerment, as they experience the worst outcomes. In addition, they should try to maintain high levels of structural empowerment within the High Empowerment profile, as this profile is associated with the most desirable consequences. Such attention should be fruitful, considering the instability of the High Empowerment and Low Empowerment profiles over time.
NCT04010773 on ClinicalTrials.gov (4 July, 2019).
To explore the experiences primary care Advanced Nurse Practitioners have had in relation to deprescribing opioids in chronic non-malignant pain.
A qualitative interview study.
Primary care Advanced Nurse Practitioners were recruited from across the Northern Ireland GP Federations. Data collection for this study took place between April and June 2022. In total, 10 semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio and visually recorded, transcribed verbatim and interpreted using a thematic analysis framework. The COREQ criteria were used to guide the reporting of this study.
The Advanced Nurse Practitioners experienced several challenges associated with opioid deprescribing and the implementation of current chronic pain guidelines. The main barriers identified were difficulties engaging patients in deprescribing discussions, a lack of availability of supportive therapies and poor access to secondary care services. The barriers identified directly impacted on their ability to deliver best practice which resulted in a sense of professional powerlessness.
The experiences of the Advanced Nurse Practitioners demonstrate that opioid deprescribing in patients with chronic pain is challenging, and implementation of current chronic pain guidelines is difficult.
This study contributes to existing literature on the topic of reducing opioid prescribing and as far as the authors are aware, is the first study to examine the experiences of primary care advanced nurse practitioners in this context. These findings will be of interest to other primary care practitioners, and prescribers involved in the management of chronic non-malignant pain.
No patient or public contribution.
It is necessary to re-imagine nursing curriculums utilizing a postmodern approach, as outdated teacher-centred methods of nursing education with emphasis on memorization versus critical thinking no longer meet the needs of the contemporary learner and the current challenges of the healthcare environment. There is an explicit need to redesign nursing curriculums that are future-oriented, adaptive and flexible and serve the learners' best interests.
Distilled from a decade of teaching experience in an undergraduate, second-degree entry, accelerated nursing program, this paper describes the construction of a learner-centred, postmodern, concept-based nursing curriculum that aims to foster learners' inquiry skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and experiential learning—all which develop learners' autonomy, self-direction, and lifelong learning. The objective is to foster learners' transformational and emancipatory learning and metacognition.
An extensive review of the current trends, contemporary nursing knowledge for the past decade (2013–2023), and seminal literature on theories and frameworks paralleled with the review of current and future trends in Canadian and global health care, including the socio-economic, politico and environmental contexts, led to the formulation of a concept-based curriculum. Grounded in the constructivist paradigm, the curriculum applies interperetivist, critical, feminist, and indigenous lenses. The Strength-Based Nursing framework was selected as the core guiding framework. The curriculum's four curricular themes and foundational pillars were adopted directly from the framework to provide a starting point for concept development. These initial themes were then juxtaposed with relevant nursing, and social theories, policies, and frameworks, ensuring a robust coverage of modern nursing knowledge and allowing for the core concepts of the curriculum to emerge. A total of 21 concepts and 192 sub-concepts were developed.
Implications for future practice require nursing educators to receive support and professional development opportunities in developing skills and confidence in entering a classroom as co-learners and facilitators.
To describe nurse managers' perceptions of interventions to support nurses as second victims of patient safety incidents and to describe the management of interventions and ways to improve them.
A qualitative study using interviews.
A purposive sample of nurse managers (n = 16) recruited from three hospital districts in Finland was interviewed in 2021. The data were analysed using elements of inductive and deductive content analysis.
The study identified three main categories: (1) Management of second victim support, which contained three sub-categories related to the nurse manager's role, support received by the nurse manager and challenges of support management; (2) interventions to support second victims included existing interventions and operating models; and (3) improving second victim support, based on the sub-categories developing practices and developing an open and non-blaming patient safety culture.
Nurse managers play a crucial role in supporting nurses as second victims of patient safety incidents and coordinating additional support. Operating models for managing interventions could facilitate nurse managers' work and ensure adequate support for second victims. The support could be improved by increasing the awareness of the second victim phenomenon.
Mitigating the harmful effects of patient safety incidents can improve nurses' well-being, reduce burden and attrition risks and positively impact patient safety.
Increasing awareness of the second victim phenomenon and coherent operation models would provide equal support for the nurses and facilitate nurse managers' work.
COREQ checklist was used.
What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? Nurse managers' role is significant in supporting the second victims and coordinating additional support. Awareness of the second victim phenomenon and coherent operating models can secure adequate support for the nurses and facilitate nurse managers' work.
Background
Women veterans have a high prevalence of traditional and nontraditional risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including obesity and posttraumatic stress disorder. Experts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have called for actions to improve the cardiovascular health of this population. One approach is to assess women veterans’ barriers to care-seeking for CVD prevention, to inform future intervention research.
Objective
The objective of this study was to describe women veterans’ barriers to care-seeking for CVD prevention, guided by the theory of care-seeking behavior and concept awareness.
Methods
Using a cross-sectional, descriptive design, a national sample of 245 women veterans participated in an online survey about barriers to care-seeking. Participants provided narrative responses to open-ended items, endorsements to closed-ended items, and rankings of their top five barriers. Researchers conducted poststratification weighting of numerical data to reflect the women veteran population.
Results
Narrative responses described unaffordable and inaccessible services, feeling harassed or not respected in healthcare settings, and lack of awareness of risks for CVD. Frequently endorsed barriers were unaffordable and inaccessible services. Frequently ranked barriers were feeling not respected in healthcare settings and clinicians not recommending CVD prevention.
Discussion
Findings support concepts in theory of care-seeking behavior and concept awareness. Understanding women veterans’ barriers to care-seeking for CVD prevention can inform clinicians and researchers as they address these barriers. Background
Controlling high blood pressure (BP) continues to be a major concern because the associated complications can lead to an increased risk of heart, brain, and kidney disease. Those with hypertension, despite lifestyle and diet modifications and pharmacotherapy, defined as resistant hypertension, are at increased risk for further risk for morbidity and mortality. Understanding inflammation in this population may provide novel avenues for treatment.
Objectives
This study aimed to examine a broad range of cytokines in adults with cardiovascular disease and identify specific cytokines associated with resistant hypertension.
Methods
A secondary data analysis was conducted. The parent study included 156 adults with a history of myocardial infarction within the past 3–7 years and with a multiplex plasma analysis yielding a cytokine panel. A network analysis with lasso penalization for sparsity was performed to explore associations between cytokines and BP. Associated network centrality measures by cytokine were produced, and a community graph was extracted. A sensitivity analysis BP was also performed.
Results
Cytokines with larger node strength measures were sTNFR2 and CX3. The graphical network highlighted six cytokines strongly associated with resistant hypertension. Cytokines IL-29 and CCL3 were found to be negatively associated with resistant hypertension, whereas CXCL12, MMP3, sCD163, and sIL6Rb were positively associated with resistant hypertension.
Discussion
Understanding the network of associations through exploring oxidative stress and vascular inflammation may provide insight into treatment approaches for resistant hypertension. Background
Readmissions following hospitalization for common surgical procedures are prevalent among older adults and are disproportionally experienced by Hispanic patients. One potential explanation for these disparities is that Hispanic patients may receive care in hospitals with lower-quality nursing care.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the hospital-level work environment of nurses and hospital readmissions among older Hispanic patients.
Methods
Using linked data sources from 2014 to 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 522 hospitals and 732,035 general, orthopedic, and vascular surgical patients (80,978 Hispanic patients and 651,057 non-Hispanic White patients) in four states. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to determine the relationship between the work environment and older Hispanic patient readmissions at multiple time periods (7, 30, and 90 days).
Results
In final adjusted models that included an interaction between work environment and ethnicity, an increase in the quality of the work environment resulted in a decrease in the odds of readmission that was greater for older Hispanic surgical patients at all time periods. Specifically, an increase in three of the five work environment subscales (Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs, Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care, and Staffing and Resource Adequacy) was associated with a reduction in the odds of readmission that was greater for Hispanic patients than their non-Hispanic White counterparts.
Discussion
System-level investments in the work environment may reduce Hispanic patient readmission disparities. This study’s findings may be used to inform the development of targeted interventions to prevent hospital readmissions for Hispanic patients. Background
The prevalence of short sleep duration is rising and is linked to chronic comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Sleep extension interventions in adults with MetS comorbidities and short sleep duration are limited and vary widely in terms of approach and duration.
Objectives
This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a personalized 12-week systematic sleep time extension intervention on post-intervention sleep outcomes in middle-aged adults at risk for MetS with actigraphy-estimated short sleep duration.
Methods
A single-arm, 12-week, 12-session systematic sleep time extension intervention was delivered weekly via videoconferencing. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using retention rates and mean sleep diary completions. Sleep was estimated for 14 consecutive days prior to and immediately following the 12-week intervention using wrist actigraphy. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Paired sample t-tests modeled changes in study outcomes.
Results
Study participants (N = 41) had a mean age of 52 years and were mostly female and White; 86% attended >80% of sessions, and mean sleep diary completion was 6.7 diaries/week. Significant improvements in sleep from pre- to post-intervention included increased total sleep time, earlier sleep onsets, more regular sleep onsets, a higher sleep regularity index, and reduced daytime sleepiness. Extending sleep, as well as improving sleep timing and regularity in middle-aged adults with actigraphy-estimated short sleep duration and at risk for MetS, is feasible and acceptable.
Discussion
Behavioral sleep characteristics may be modifiable and present a novel behavioral paradigm for mitigating MetS risk. This pilot study provides a proof of concept for the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a systematic sleep time extension for middle-aged adults at risk for MetS with actigraphy-estimated short sleep duration. This study aimed to describe the process of construction, validation, and usability of the chatbot ESTOMABOT to assist in the self-care of patients with intestinal ostomies. Methodological research was conducted in three phases: construction, validation, and usability. The first stage corresponded to the elaboration of a script through a literature review, and the second stage corresponded to face and content validation through a panel of enterostomal therapy nurses. In the third phase, the usability of ESTOMABOT was assessed with the participation of surgical clinic nurses, patients with intestinal elimination ostomies, and information technology professionals, using the System Usability Scale. The ESTOMABOT content reached excellent criteria of adequacy, with percentages of agreement equal to or greater than 90%, which were considered adequate, relevant, and representative. The evaluation of the content validity of the script using the scale content validity index/average proportion method reached a result above 0.90, and the Fleiss κ was excellent (P No abstract available To examine healthcare professional's knowledge about assessment and management of sleep disorders for cardiac patients and to describe the barriers to screening and management in cardiac rehabilitation settings.
A qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews.
In March 2022, a total of seven focus groups and two interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals who currently work in cardiac rehabilitation settings. Participants included 17 healthcare professionals who had undertaken cardiac rehabilitation training within the past 5 years. The study adheres to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. An inductive thematic analysis approach was utilized.
Six themes and 20 sub-themes were identified. Non-validated approaches to identify sleep disorders (such as asking questions) were often used in preference to validated instruments. However, participants reported positive attitudes regarding screening tools provided they did not adversely affect the therapeutic relationship with patients and benefit to patients could be demonstrated. Participants indicated minimal training in sleep issues, and limited knowledge of professional guidelines and recommended that more patient educational materials are needed.
Introduction of screening for sleep disorders in cardiac rehabilitation settings requires consideration of resources, the therapeutic relationship with patients and the demonstrated clinical benefit of extra screening. Awareness and familiarity of professional guidelines may improve confidence for nurses in the management of sleep disorders for patients with cardiac illness.
The findings from this study address healthcare professionals' concerns regarding introduction of screening for sleep disorders for patients with cardiovascular disease. The results indicate concern for therapeutic relationships and patient management and have implications for nursing in settings such as cardiac rehabilitation and post-cardiac event counselling.
Adherence to COREQ guidelines was maintained.
No Patient or Public Contribution as this study explored health professionals' experiences only.
To explore hospital managers' perceptions of the Rapid Response Team.
An explorative qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews.
In September 2019, a qualitative interview study including nineteen hospital managers at three managerial levels in acute care hospitals was conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed with an inductive content analysis approach, involving researcher triangulation in data collection and analysis processes.
One theme, ‘A resource with untapped potential, enhancing patient safety, high-quality nursing, and organisational cohesion’ was identified and underpinned by six categories and 30 sub-categories.
The Rapid Response Team has an influence on the organization that goes beyond the team's original purpose. It strengthens the organization's dynamic cohesion by providing clinical support to nurses and facilitating learning, communication and collaboration across the hospital. Managers lack engagement in the team, including local key data to guide future quality improvement processes.
For organizations, nursing, and patients to benefit from the team to its full potential, managerial engagement seems crucial.
This study addressed possible challenges to using the Rapid Response Team optimally and found that hospital managers perceived this complex healthcare intervention as beneficial to patient safety and nursing quality, but lacked factual insight into the team's deliverances. The research impacts patient safety pointing at the need to re-organize managerial involvement in the function and development of the Rapid Response Team and System.
We have adhered to the COREQ checklist when reporting this study.
“No Patient or Public Contribution”
Examining the perspectives of formal and informal caregivers and residents on roles, mutual expectations and needs for improvement in the care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration.
Qualitative study.
Semi-structured interviews with 16 care professionals, three residents and three informal caregivers were conducted between October and November 2021. A thematic analysis was performed on the interviews.
Three topic summaries contributed to a comprehensive view on the care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration: role content, mutual expectations and needs for improvement. Many overlapping activities were found among care professionals, informal caregivers and allied care staff. While nursing staff and informal caregivers are essential in observing changes in the health status of residents, and medical staff in diagnosing and treating dehydration, the role of residents remains limited. Conflicting expectations emerged regarding, for example, the level of involvement of the resident and communication. Barriers to multidisciplinary collaboration were highlighted, including little structural involvement of allied care staff, limited insight into each other's expertise and poor communication between formal and informal caregivers. Seven areas for improvement emerged: awareness, resident profile, knowledge and expertise, treatment, monitoring and tools, working conditions and multidisciplinary working.
In general, many formal and informal caregivers are involved in the care of residents with (a risk of) dehydration. They depend on each other's observations, information and expertise which requires an interprofessional approach with specific attention to adequate prevention. For this, educational interventions focused on hydration care should be a core element in professional development programs of nursing homes and vocational training of future care professionals.
The care for residents with (a risk of) dehydration has multiple points for improvement. To be able to adequately address dehydration, it is essential for formal and informal caregivers and residents to address these barriers in clinical practice.
In writing this manuscript, the EQUATOR guidelines (reporting method SRQR) have been adhered to.
No patient or public contribution.
To (i) assess the adherence of long-term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions.
Cross-sectional survey.
Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines.
The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre-pandemic in-service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work–life imbalance.
Pre-pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks.
This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre-pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
To report the results of a mapping exercise by the European Federation of Nurses on current advanced practice nursing frameworks and developments across Europe.
Online, cross-sectional, questionnaire study.
An online questionnaire was distributed among 35 national nurses' associations across Europe in March 2021. The questionnaire solicited input on 60 items concerning key features of advanced practice nursing, intending to map existing developments and better understand the current state of advanced practice nursing in Europe. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, including counts and percentages, tabulation; open-text responses were handled with thematic synthesis techniques.
The definition, sense-making and operationalization of advanced practice nursing vary across Europe. Important variations were noted in the definition and requirements of advanced practice nursing, resulting in different views on the competencies and scope of practice associated with this role. Importantly, the level of education and training required to qualify and practice as an advanced practice nurse varies across European countries. Furthermore, only 11 countries reported the existence of a national legislation establishing minimum educational requirements.
Significant variation exists in how countries define advanced practice nursing and how it is regulated at academic and practice levels. More research is needed to clarify whether this variation results from designing models of advanced practice nursing that work in different contexts; and what impact a standardized regulatory framework could have to grow the volume of advanced practice nurses across Europe.
The current paper exposes the lack of clarity on the development and implementation of advanced practice nursing across Europe. We found significant variation in the definition, recognition, regulation and education of advanced practice nurses. Our data are essential to policymakers, professional associations and employers to ensure a coordinated and systematic effort in the consistency and ongoing development of advanced practice nurses across Europe.
No patient or public contribution applied; the participants were national nurses' associations.
To develop a Chinese version of a chronic wound health-related quality of life (QoL) instrument and to examine the psychometric properties of this instrument.
Existing QoL instruments are not tailored to the linguistic and cultural characteristics of Chinese-speaking patients; a version addressing this gap will increase clinical understanding of their healthcare experience and may help guide chronic wound care.
A methodological study.
The method advanced by DeVellis (2017) was used to develop the instrument. An initial pool of 38 items was created. To optimize scale length and test reliability and validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. A total of 23 items formed the final pool. After two rounds of expert discussions, the average content validity index of the final 23 items was .89.
A total of 226 patients completed the instrument and were divided into two groups for further analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that 15 items remained in four factors (social activity restrictions, physical and psychological disturbance, wound burden and daily life limitation), which accounted for 64.87% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable fit of the hypothesized factor structure and the convergent and discriminant validities were achieved. Cronbach's α coefficients for each factor were .807, .773, .799 and .713, respectively.
The Chinese version of a chronic wound health-related QoL instrument consists of 15 items in four subscales and demonstrates good reliability and validity.
This instrument can be used intermittently or continuously to evaluate the treatment effect of chronic wounds by assessing health-related QoL. Scholars in Chinese-speaking regions may find this culturally compatible instrument useful when conducting studies related to chronic wounds.
Two hundred twenty-six participants provided their perspectives on health-related QoL.
To gain staff feedback on the implementation and impact of a novel ambulatory monitoring system to support coronavirus patient management on an isolation ward.
Qualitative service evaluation.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 multidisciplinary isolation ward staff in the United Kingdom between July 2020 and May 2021. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.
Adopting Innovation to Assist Patient Safety was identified as the overriding theme. Three interlinked sub-themes represent facets of how the system supported patient safety. Patient Selection was developed throughout the pandemic, as clinical staff became more confident in choosing which patients would benefit most. Trust In the System described how nurses coped with discrepancies between the ambulatory system and ward observation machines. Finally, Resource Management examined how, once trust was built, staff perceived the ambulatory system assisted with caseload management. This supported efficient personal protective equipment resource use by reducing the number of isolation room entries. Despite these reported benefits, face-to-face contact was still highly valued, despite the risk of coronavirus exposure.
Hospital wards should consider using ambulatory monitoring systems to support caseload management and patient safety. Patients in isolation rooms or at high risk of deterioration may particularly benefit from this additional monitoring. However, these systems should be seen as an adjunct to nursing care, not a replacement.
Nurses valued ambulatory monitoring as a means of ensuring the safety of patients at risk of deterioration and prioritizing their workload.
The findings of this research will be useful to all those developing or considering implementation of ambulatory monitoring systems in hospital wards.
This manuscript follows the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines with inclusion of relevant SQUIRE guidelines for reporting quality improvement.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The aims of the study were to gain insight in the transfer process from hospital to homecare or rehabilitation centre from a patient's perspectives and to describe the experienced involvement, information provision and information needs patients.
A multiple case study with a phenomenological approach.
Observations and interviews were employed, between May 2019 and August 2019, to capture the patient's perspectives and experiences on involvement, information provision and needs. Observations were executed during the discharge process from hospital to homecare (n = 6) or revalidation centre (n = 1) and during admission interviews with community nurses (n = 6). Interviews were conducted at the patient's home and the revalidation centre.
Eight themes were identified within three phases of the transfer process. The Sign-up phase contained two themes: ‘organizing follow-up care’ and ‘planning the moment of discharge from the hospital’. The two themes in the Transfer phase were, ‘verbal information provision’ and ‘written information provision’. Four themes were identified in the End phase: ‘nursing supplies’, ‘medication’, ‘the electronic patient portal’ and ‘continuation of (para)medical care’.
Patient participation in the transition process from the hospital to follow-up care can be improved. This study indicates that unsafe situations could be prevented by patient involvement and clear perceptions of the role and responsibilities of patients, family and healthcare professionals.
Patient and family involvement has the potential to improve transition of care and techniques for shared decision-making can be applied to a greater extent.
This paper highlights that patients and families should be acknowledged as key figures in the transfer process and gives direction to healthcare professionals on how to increase involvement in the transfer process by actively inviting patients to participate in the transfer process.
COREQ guidelines for qualitative reporting.
No patient or public contribution.
This paper gives insights in patients’ and families’ perspectives on transition of nursing care and their involvement during the whole transfer process. This paper gives direction how to improve patient participation during the discharge process from hospital to follow-up care.
To examine the concept of preparedness over time in research with informal caregivers of older adults.
Concept analysis.
Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis was used to guide this theoretical paper due to the dynamic nature of preparedness, which is influenced by both context and time. Using Rodgers' inductive approach, concept elements were derived from a content analysis of included studies. In the final step, to generate hypotheses and implications regarding the concept, the conceptual structure of preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults was connected to a theoretical problem in the nursing discipline using the Caregiving Stress Process Framework.
Four databases (EBSCO CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched in November 2022 and updated in September 2023. No date limits were set for searching, as the intent was to analyse possible variations of the concept over time.
The attributes of preparedness include self-confidence, having knowledge, skills and abilities to perform daily tasks, handling emotions and developed over time. These attributes can be compared with the stressors outlined in the Caregiving Stress Process Framework (i.e., the moment the caregiver identifies some ‘stressor’; something that prevents them from feeling confident in their preparedness).
The concept of preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults is defined as caregiver's self-confidence about their current competence related to the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform daily tasks, and to handle emotions over time. To link the concept to a theoretical perspective, we propose adaptations to a well-known theory, the Caregiving Stress Process Framework. Future research on caregiving preparedness needs to avoid circular definitions and work with the attributes of preparedness to support caregivers.
This paper contributes to the development of interventions that focus on the health and preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults. Clarifying the concept of preparedness helps nurses to support caregivers since it is then known which aspects are included in the preparedness of caregivers (e.g., daily tasks and handling emotions). A more fulsome understanding of preparedness supports us to see beyond stressors of caregiving.
This study addresses informal caregivers of older adults' preparedness to provide care. We synthesized existing definitions that have been used in research with this population to propose a robust conceptualization of the concept of preparedness, which contributes to better understanding of how preparedness can be supported.
We were unable to locate a reporting method related to this kind of work (concept analysis).
Not applicable as no new data generated.
To describe the application of selected creative and participatory research methods in nursing science.
Research methodology paper.
Researcher-initiated role play, stimulated recall interviews, the Storycrafting method, painting and drawing. Altogether, 11 children (5–7 years old) and 12 parents participated in the research.
Each small group (n = 3) acted differently during the data collection. Not every child wanted to play, draw or tell stories, but they all expressed their views through some method. Although the same themes emerged from children's narratives, they could not have been verified by just one method.
Using creative and participatory methods and the principles of studies of child perspectives are applicable ways of conducting research in nursing science. Children must be treated as individuals during the research process, and they must have opportunities to use several communication methods to express their views.
Understanding different ways to interact with children and hear children's views will help nurses to encounter children.
In this article, we present a valid way of conducting research with children. By following our protocol, nursing research from a child perspective can be implemented.
Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).
The child participants were involved in choosing physical places for data collection and the usage and order of the selected methods. Both the children and the adult participants took part in interpreting the research data.
FreshRSS 