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AnteayerJournal of Clinical Nursing

Impact of caregiver relationship on self‐care in patients with Parkinson's disease: A cross‐sectional study using Riegel's theory of self‐care of chronic illness

Abstract

Aims

To explore how the characteristics of patients and caregivers affect self-care in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Design

A multicentre cross-sectional study.

Method

We followed the STROBE checklist. Parkinson's disease patients aged 50 years and older and their caregivers were recruited from two tertiary hospitals and the Korean Parkinson's Disease Association website. Patient characteristics, including social support, relationship quality with caregivers, self-care efficacy and self-care, were analysed. Caregiver characteristics were also evaluated, including caregiving duration, social support, relationship quality with patients, contribution to patients' self-care efficacy and contribution to patients' self-care.

Results

The characteristics of patients and caregivers (103 pairs) were hierarchically regressed into patient self-care domains (maintenance, monitoring and management). Most patients and caregivers gave a self-care efficacy and self-care management rating of moderate. In three regression models, patient self-care efficacy was positively related to three domains of patient self-care. Self-care maintenance decreased as patients' disease duration increased. Self-care monitoring was positively related to the education level of patients and caregiving duration. Self-care management showed an inverse relationship with caregiving duration and a positive relationship with caregiver contribution.

Conclusion

Self-care efficacy was important in promoting PD patients' self-care maintenance, monitoring and management. The contributions of caregivers were also critical in increasing PD patients' self-care management.

Implications for the profession and patient care

To increase patients' self-care efficacy and self-care, educational interventions containing information about the disease, symptom management, and problem-solving should be implemented. Since caregivers are deeply involved in patients' self-care, educational interventions for caregivers should also be provided.

Impact

This study closed the literature gap by examining the self-care efficacy and self-care of Korean PD patients. Findings demonstrated the importance of caregiver roles on patients' self-care and health.

Patient or public contribution

Two tertiary hospitals and the Korean Parkinson's Disease Association assisted during the recruitment process.

Association between health literacy and nursing care in hospital: A retrospective study

Abstract

Aims

To describe the health literacy (HL) levels of hospitalised patients and their relationship with nursing diagnoses (NDs), nursing interventions and nursing measures for clinical risks.

Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

The study was conducted from December 2020 to December 2021 in an Italian university hospital. From 146 wards, 1067 electronic nursing records were randomly selected. The Single-Item Literacy Screener was used to measure HL. Measures for clinical risks were systematically assessed by nurses using Conley Index score, the Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score, Braden score, and the Barthel Index. A univariable linear regression model was used to assess the associations of HL with NDs.

Results

Patients with low HL reported a higher number of NDs, interventions and higher clinical risks. HL can be considered a predictor of complexity of care.

Conclusions

The inclusion of standardised terms in nursing records can describe the complexity of care and facilitate the predictive ability on hospital outcomes.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

HL evaluation during the first 24 h. From hospital admission could help to intercept patients at risk of higher complexity of care. These results can guide the development of interventions to minimise needs after discharge.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution was required to design or undertake this research. Patients contributed only to the data collection.

Short‐term professional bereavement reactions and their links with the meaning of patient death: Evidence from network analyses

Abstract

Objectives

Taking a dimensional view, this study aims to understand, among professional caregivers after patient deaths, the symptom distribution and development of the short-term bereavement reaction (SBR) network and the node-level links between the meaning of patient death (MPD) and the SBR network.

Methods

A cross-sectional secondary analysis was conducted with existing data from 220 Chinese urban hospital nurses and physicians who experienced the most recent patient death within a month. MPD was measured by the 10 formative items of the meaning of patient death model, and SBR was measured by the Short-term Bereavement Reactions Subscale of the Professional Bereavement Scale. Both Gaussian graphical network analysis and Bayesian network analysis were applied to the SBR network, and Gaussian graphical network analysis was used to estimate the MPD-SBR network.

Results

Frustrated and guilty are central nodes in the regularized partial correlation SBR network. Meanwhile, a traumatic event and failure at work are important bridge nodes between the MPD network and the SBR network. In the Bayesian SBR network, moved by the family's understanding, moved by the family's gratitude and sad mainly drive other nodes.

Conclusion

After a patient death, nurses' and physicians' SBR networks feature professional-dimension symptoms at their core, while they follow ‘personal to professional’ and ‘concrete to abstract’ symptom development patterns. The personal meaning of a traumatic event and the professional meaning of a failure at work play key roles in bridging the MPD and SBR networks, and meanings of both the personal and the professional dimensions can link to professional-dimension reactions.

Reporting Method

The manuscript followed the STROBE checklist for reporting cross-sectional studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Living with pulmonary sequelae of COVID‐19 and the implications for clinical nursing practice: A qualitative systematised review

Abstract

Aim

To synthesise qualitative research on pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 and identify patient needs and experiences to develop nursing care strategies.

Background

Qualitative research on long COVID by subtype has not yet occurred. As pulmonary sequelae constitute a serious long COVID subtype, exploring patient experience and needs can generate knowledge to guide nursing practice.

Design

Systematised review methodology utilised on a purposive sample of published articles and reported using the PRISMA guidelines and checklists. Searched MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Google Scholar, for English or French articles published from February 2020 to June 2022; qualitative research with adults recovering from COVID-19 with evidence of pulmonary sequelae.

Methods

Established principles for data extraction followed related to data reduction, data presentation, data comparison, and conclusion formulation and verification. Analysis was informed by Thorne's Interpretive Description and extended with Meleis' transitions theory, Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory and Moore et al.'s holistic theory of unpleasant symptoms. The quality of included studies was assessed Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for qualitative research.

Results

Four articles with six pooled participants provided data to yield three main themes: (1) a novel health-illness transition, (2) lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis as antecedent to illness uncertainty, (3) and pulmonary symptoms that are compounded by fatigue and weakness.

Conclusion

Pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 confers a unique health-illness transition, uncertainties and symptoms that can be addressed by theory informed nursing practice.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Advocacy, optimising the nurse–patient relationship, offering up-to-date information and addressing uncertainty may help patients cope with pulmonary sequelae, a complex subtype of long COVID with important considerations for clinical nursing care. Despite a lack of evidence-informed clinical pathways, nurses can support patients to understand novel treatments, support discharge planning and acknowledge the synergistic nature of pulmonary symptoms and fatigue to support health-illness transitions.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This article involved analysis of previously published works.

Issue Information

Journal of Clinical Nursing, Volume 32, Issue 21-22, Page 7645-7646, November 2023.

Flow of information contributing to medication incidents in home care—An analysis considering incident reporters' perspectives

Abstract

Aim

To describe the contributing factors and types of reported medication incidents in home care related to the flow of information in different phases of the medication process, as reported by multi-professional healthcare groups.

Design

This descriptive, qualitative study used retrospective data.

Methods

An incident-reporting database was used to collect 14,289 incident reports from 2017 to 2019 in a city in Finland. We used this data to select medication incidents (n = 1027) related to the flow of information in home care and between home care and hospitals. Data were divided into five groups based on the medication phase: (1) prescribing, (2) dispensing, (3) administration, (4) documentation and (5) self-administration. In addition, the types of medication-related incidents were described. The data were examined using abductive content analysis. The EQUATOR SRQR checklist was used in this report.

Results

Four main categories were identified from the data: (1) issues related to information management, (2) cooperation issues between different actors, (3) work environment and lack of resources and (4) factors related to healthcare workers. Cooperation issues contributed to medication-related incidents during each phase. Incomplete communication was a contributing factor to medication incidents. This occurred between home care, remote care, hospital, the client and the client's relatives. Specifically, a lack of information-sharing occurred in repatriation situations, where care transitioned between different healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals, organisations, clients and their relatives should focus on the efficient and safe acquisition of medications. Specifically, the use of electronic communication systems, together with oral reports and checklists for discharge situations, and timely cooperation with pharmacists should be developed to manage information flows.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

These findings demonstrate that healthcare professionals require uniform models and strategies to accurately and safely prescribe, dispense and administer medications in home care settings.

No patient or public contributions.

Nonpharmacological tactile activity interventions for reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in the acute hospital setting: An integrative review

Abstract

Aim

To review existing research on nonpharmacological tactile activity interventions for reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in the acute hospital setting.

Background

When people living with dementia are admitted to hospital, they often experience an exacerbation of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Pharmacological interventions are often used to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia despite the low success rate and the heightened risk of morbidity and mortality. Low-cost alternatives that are implementable at the bedside are nonpharmacological interventions such as tactile activity interventions.

Design

An integrative review of the literature.

Methods

Four databases were searched using the PRISMA framework to guide the search and screening. Eligible studies were identified and the quality of each was evaluated using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify and analyse key themes across all articles. The PRISMA checklist was used to evaluate the current study.

Results

Seven studies examined the use of tactile activity interventions to reduce the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and the barriers and facilitators to implementation.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence exploring tactile activity interventions for reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in acute hospital settings. Individualised approaches in combination with staffing expertise appear central to implementation.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Acute hospital settings can result in increased behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia which can be distressing for patients and family and challenging for nursing staff. Tactile activity interventions may offer a low resource bedside option to support people with dementia in acute health settings.

Patient or Public Contribution

No direct patient or public contribution to the review.

‘There is always good fortune in misfortune to encourage us in coping with difficulties’—The lived experiences of family caregivers of people with dementia during the COVID‐19 outbreak in China: A phenomenological study

Abstract

Aim

To describe the lived experiences of family caregivers of individuals with dementia during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China.

Design

This study used a descriptive phenomenological research method.

Methods

Between May and September 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 family caregivers of people with dementia. Colaizzi's method was used for manual analysis.

Results

Qualitative data revealed an overarching experience of finding ‘There is always good fortune in misfortune to encourage us in coping with difficulties’. Three themes emerged: family reactions to the COVID-19 outbreak, feeling supported by multiple resources performing respective functions and resilient adaptation to new situations.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 outbreak, family caregivers of people living with dementia in China looked for positive aspects among difficulties and experienced corresponding reactions, social support resources and resilient adapted coping styles.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Nurses in China and other countries facing similar pandemic characteristics, cultures or economic development levels, can guide family caregivers to look at family hardships from a positive perspective, develop interventions to rapidly respond to families' reactions after a disaster and help them identify social support resources and form adapted coping styles.

Impact

We identified the resilience and the positive experiences of Chinese family caregivers of individuals with dementia during the COVID-19 outbreak. The results can inform countries with similar cultures and economic levels, offering measures to support their adaptation to pandemics.

Reporting Method

This study followed the COREQ guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

Family caregivers of people with dementia who met the inclusion criteria and who were interested in sharing their understanding of their experiences, participated in the study.

Symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder in early career nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A longitudinal survey study

Abstract

Aim

To investigate the mental well-being of early career nurses working in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular emphasis on symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Design

A longitudinal survey study.

Methods

Data were acquired at three timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic (between May 2020 and March 2021) to determine whether symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder persisted over time. Quantitative measures of well-being were supplemented with survey data on the nurses' experiences of working during the pandemic.

Results

Twenty-seven per cent of participants suffered from persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress while working as nurses during the pandemic. The nurses' baseline resilience, as well as their perception of the quality of their work environment, were significant negative predictors of symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Participants identified a range of strategies that would have helped them during the crisis, including visible, consistent and empathetic leadership, adequate training and a supportive work environment.

Conclusion

The context of the pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of the psychological well-being of early career nurses in the workforce. Immediate implementation of some of the more simple interventions suggested in this paper would provide early career nurses with rapid support. More complex support mechanisms should be given immediate consideration, with a view to implementation in the longer term.

Implications for the Profession

This study contributes new knowledge about the psychological well-being of early career nurses working during the pandemic and suggests support mechanisms that will be crucial for the retention of these nurses in the profession. A measurement of resilience may be useful for determining the appropriate level of support to provide to early career nurses.

Impact

Early career nurses are vulnerable to attrition from the profession. This could be exacerbated if the psychological well-being of these nurses is not being supported. Around 25% of early career nurses suffered from persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder while working as nurses during the height of the pandemic, which is a novel finding compared to other longitudinal studies. Understanding the psychological well-being of early career nurses working during a crisis period (such as a pandemic) equips nurse managers with appropriate strategies to improve nurses' emotional health and to enhance their retention within the workforce. The current findings may be of interest to clinical practitioners who have responsibility for the retention of nursing staff.

No patient or public contribution.

One of the authors is a statistician.

Instruments for assessing the spiritual needs of cancer patients: A systematic review of psychometric properties

Abstract

Aims and Objectives

To identify available instruments for assessing cancer patients' spiritual needs and to examine their psychometric properties using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology.

Background

Cancer patients frequently have significant spiritual needs. The nurse plays an integral role in assessing the patient's spiritual needs as part of providing holistic care. It is crucial to assess these needs using appropriate and reliable instruments.

Design

A systematic review based on COSMIN methodology.

Methods

Seven electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest, CNKI and WANFANG) were systematically searched from inception until 14 February 2023. Two authors independently screened eligible literature, extracted data and evaluated methodological and psychometric quality. This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA checklist.

Results

Sixteen studies have reported 16 different versions of the instruments. None of the instruments were properly assessed for all psychometric properties, nor were measurement error, responsiveness and cross-cultural validity/measurement invariance reported. All of the instruments failed to meet the COSMIN quality criteria for content validity. The quality of evidence for structural validity and/or internal consistency in five instruments did not meet the COSMIN criteria. Eventually, five instruments were not recommended, and 11 were only weakly recommended.

Conclusion

Instruments to assess spiritual needs exhibited limited reliability and validity. The Spiritual Care Needs Scale is provisionally recommended for research and clinical settings, but its limitations regarding content validity and cross-cultural application must be considered in practice. Future research should further revise the content of available instruments and comprehensively and correctly test their psychometric properties.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The review findings will provide evidence for healthcare professionals to select instruments for recognising spiritual needs in cancer patients.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This study is a systematic review with no patient or public participation.

Needs assessment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the encounter and communication with healthcare professionals: A fieldwork study

Abstract

Aim

To explore how patients with Inflammatory bowel disease experienced encounters with healthcare professionals in two gastrointestinal outpatient clinics to demonstrate what matters in the communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

Design

This fieldwork study is part of a larger study developing an application for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a framework inspired by Participatory Design. Participatory design consists of three phases and this study focused on the first phase, needs assessment. A phenomenological hermeneutic approach and qualitative methods were applied to obtain an understanding of patients' needs.

Methods

Three weeks of participant observations and three focus groups with 14 subjects were conducted at two university hospitals in Denmark. Field notes and interview transcripts were analysed using condensation of meaning and interpreted based on interactional nursing practice theory. The reporting method adhered to the EQUATOR guideline: COREQ.

Results

Four themes emerged: Easy and dependable access to healthcare professionals. Predictability of follow-up appointments. Importance of privacy during patient exams and Quality of time spent with healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Easy, dependable access, privacy, presence and predictability of follow-up appointments were important to patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Implications for the profession and patient care

In communication with patients with inflammatory bowel disease, healthcare professionals must be aware of privacy and the importance of predictable follow-up agreements. They must be aware that presence and easy, reliable access positively affect patients' self-care skills.

Patient contribution

This study is part of a larger project based on Participatory design involving patients and healthcare professionals in the development of technology to support communication.

The global prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses: A systematic review and meta‐analyses

Abstract

Background

Several studies have reported the prevalence of overweight and obesity in various countries but the global prevalence of nurses with overweight and obesity remains unclear. A consolidation of figures globally can help stakeholders worldwide improve workforce development and healthcare service delivery.

Objective

To investigate the global prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Setting

29 different countries across the WHO-classified geographical region.

Participants

Nurses.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were searched for articles published from inception to January 2023. Two independent reviewers performed the article screening, methodological appraisal and data extraction. Methodological appraisal was conducted using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Inter-rater agreement was measured using Cohen's Kappa. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool the effect sizes on overweight, obesity and waist circumference using random effects model and adjusted using generalised linear mixed models and Hartung–Knapp method. Logit transformation was employed to stabilise the prevalence variance. Subgroup analyses were performed based on methodological quality and geographical regions. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic.

Results

Among 10,587 studies, 83 studies representing 158,775 nurses across 29 countries were included. Based on BMI, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity were 31.2% (n = 55, 95% CI: 29%–33.5%; p < .01) and 16.3% (n = 76, 95% CI: 13.7%–19.3%, p < .01), respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that the highest prevalence of overweight was in Eastern Mediterranean (n = 9, 37.2%, 95% CI: 33.1%–41.4%) and that of obesity was in South-East Asia (n = 5, 26.4%, 95% CI: 5.3%–69.9%). NOS classification, NOS scores, sample size and the year of data collected were not significant moderators.

Conclusions

This review indicated the global prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses along with the differences between regions. Healthcare organisations and policymakers should appreciate this increased risk and improve working conditions and environments for nurses to better maintain their metabolic health.

Patient or Public Contribution

Not applicable as this is a systematic review.

Registration

PROSPERO (ref: CRD42023403785) https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=403785.

Tweetable Abstract

High prevalence of overweight and obesity among nurses worldwide.

A qualitative study exploring partner involvement in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus: The experiences of women and partners

Abstract

Aims

The aims of the study were to explore the experiences of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their partners and examine the factors influencing partner involvement in GDM management, seeking to inform a targeted couple-based intervention.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women with GDM and their partners. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, China. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes and 12 subthemes were identified. Theme I: Women's expectations of their partner's involvement in GDM management—practical support and emotional support. Theme II: Partner involvement in GDM management—constructive involvement, unhelpful involvement with good intentions and insufficient involvement. Theme III: Factors that influence partner involvement in GDM—knowledge of GDM, GDM risk perception, health consciousness, attitudes towards the treatment plan, couple communication regarding GDM management, family roles and appraisal of GDM management responsibility.

Conclusion

Women desired practical and emotional support from partners. The types of partner involvement in GDM management varied. Some partners provided constructive support, while some partners' involvement was limited, non-existent or actively unhelpful. By combining these results with the factors influencing partner involvement, our findings may help healthcare professionals develop strategies to involve partners in GDM care and enhance women's ability to manage GDM.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

Partner involvement in GDM care may help them understand and better attend to women's needs, thus improving their experience and potential outcomes. This study highlights novel factors that need to be considered in developing couple-based interventions for this population.

Reporting Method

The reporting follows the COREQ checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

Some patients were involved in data interpretation. There is no public contribution.

Advance care planning to patients with chronic kidney disease and their families: An intervention development study

Abstract

Aim

To develop an advance care planning intervention based on the needs of patients with chronic kidney disease, families and healthcare professionals.

Background

Patients with chronic kidney disease and their families request early advance care planning that continues throughout their illness trajectory. Healthcare professionals experience barriers to initiating advance care planning. Involvement of stakeholders in development of health interventions is important, to identify priorities, understand the problem and find solutions.

Method

The development was inspired by the Medical Research Council's framework, and codesign was applied. One future workshop and one design workshop were conducted with the consumers. The process was iterative, and data were analysed using the action research spiral. The Guidance for reporting intervention development studies in healthcare (GUIDED) was used.

Results

Five areas were considered significant to an advance care planning intervention; a biopsychosocial approach, early palliative care, a family-focused approach, early and continuous advance care planning and a consumer-centred approach. Based on these, a conversation process with healthcare professionals was designed to give patients and families the opportunity to share values, preferences and wishes for treatment and their family and everyday life.

Conclusion

Codesign facilitated a collaborative process that allowed the consumers to have a significant impact on the design of an advance care planning intervention. A conversation process concerning everyday life, illness and treatment was designed for patients and families. The intervention included an advance care planning tool to guide the healthcare professionals.

Practice Implications

The intervention has the intention to improve the communication between healthcare professionals, patients and families. The study provides important knowledge about the significance of giving the patients and their families support in sharing their values, preferences and wishes for treatment and everyday life, thus, to improve care and treatment in their illness trajectory.

Impact

What problem did the study address Patients with chronic kidney disease and their families strongly request early initiation of advance care planning that continues throughout the illness trajectory. Healthcare professionals experience barriers to the initiation of the advance care planning and request a more systematic approach. What were the main findings Development of a conversation process about everyday life, illness and treatment for patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and families, including an advance care planning tool to guide the healthcare professionals. Where and on whom will the research have an impact The study contributes an advance care planning intervention to patients in the early stages of chronic kidney disease and their families. We believe that the intervention could be included during consultations with healthcare professionals in other stages of chronic kidney disease as well as other chronic disease.

Reporting Method

To strengthen the reporting of the development of the advance care planning intervention, we used the Guidance for reporting intervention development studies in healthcare (GUIDED).

Patient or Public Contribution

The development of the intervention in this study was a collaborative process between patients, families, healthcare professionals and representatives from the Danish Kidney Association, the department's user council and the research team.

The relationship between perception of COVID‐19, fear of COVID‐19 and self‐care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process in Turkey

Abstract

Aims

To determine the relationship between perception of COVID-19, fear of COVID-19 and self-care management in individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process.

Background

Individuals with chronic diseases are a sensitive group during the COVID-19 pandemic process; it is thought that self-care management may be adversely affected as a result of their more intense exposure to the psychological, physiological and economic effects of the pandemic. In the literature, there is no study examining the effect of perception of COVID-19 and fear of COVID-19 on self-care management in individuals with chronic diseases.

Design

Descriptive study.

Methods

The study was conducted with 322 individuals who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinics of a university's Health Practice and Research Center, met the inclusion criteria, agreed to participate in the study and had a chronic disease. Questionnaire form, Perception of COVID-19 Scale (P-COVID-19), The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Self-Care Management Process in Chronic Illness Scale (SCMP-G) were used to collect data. STROBE checklist was used to report the present study.

Results

In the study, it can be stated that individuals with chronic diseases had a moderate to the high perception of contagiousness and dangerousness of COVID-19, they had a moderate-high level of fear of COVID-19 and their self-care care management was above moderate level. There was a significant positive correlation between P-COVID-19, FCV-19S and SCMP-G in the study.

Conclusions

It was found that the perception of COVID-19 contagiousness and the fear of COVID-19 had a positive effect on the self-care management of individuals with chronic diseases.

Relevance to clinical practice

Determining the level of COVID-19 perception and fear of COVID-19 and their effects on the life of the individual, and evaluating self-care management during the difficult pandemic process will increase the success in the holistic nursing care and management of chronic diseases.

Should oral care be about more than a gut feeling? A qualitative study investigating patients' and healthcare professionals' experiences

Abstract

Aim

To explore patients' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of oral care during hospitalisation to identify needs and challenges.

Background

Daily oral care is important to patients' health and well-being, to prevent diseases in the oral cavity, systemic infections and increased morbidity, which subsequently can lead to prolonged hospitalisation and, at worst, increased mortality. Despite this knowledge, oral care is a neglected part of nursing practice. Studies do not clearly identify barriers regarding oral care, as the existing knowledge is inadequate.

Design

A qualitative study exploring participants' experiences to gain new in-depth knowledge of oral care among hospitalised patients.

Methods

A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was applied. Participant observations were conducted on five hospital wards, combined with individual semi-structured interviews with 16 patients and 15 HCP. Data analysis was based on Ricoeur's theory of narrative and interpretation.

Results

Four themes describing the challenges regarding oral care emerged: Oral care as a gut feeling; oral care fades into the background; even self-reliant patients need help with oral care; and the mouth reflects the life lived.

Conclusions

The identified challenges show there is a need for improvement in the health professional approach to oral care in nursing practice. Focus on increasing HCPs' knowledge, skills and competences can increase their nursing agency and support patients' self-care capacity.

Impact

Investigation of oral care during hospitalisation revealed four main challenges concerning both patients' and HCPs' lack of knowledge and awareness of oral care. Thus, patients and HCPs should be included in developing solutions to improve oral care in nursing practice.

Reporting methods

The COREQ criteria for reporting qualitative research were adhered to.

Patient contribution

A patient representative was involved in the discussion of the proposal, conduct and results of the study.

The choice for colostomy following spinal cord injury: A grounded theory study

Abstract

Aim

Explore experiences and choices related to bowel management following spinal cord injury.

Background

In one UK spinal centre, more are choosing a colostomy soon after injury in contravention of professional guidelines. Reasons for this were unknown.

Methods

Grounded theory study using semi-structured interviews with 12 individuals living with spinal cord injury.

Results

All ‘Experienced Loss’ related to bowel function. Those who chose colostomy later ‘Progressed into Suffering’. Colostomy transformed lives and was likened to ‘Being Alive Again’. ‘Failures of Care’ contributed to experiences and decision-making.

Conclusion

Possessing information and choice emerge as key in transforming lives following spinal cord injury. They allow individuals to make choices from a lifeworld perspective, which may differ from those professionals assume. Present neurogenic bowel management guidelines fail to account for the wider lifeworlds of those they are designed for.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

An imperative emerges to make information and choice available and involve patients in the reconstruction of guidelines.

Impact

Unique knowledge emerges about patient experiences and motivations, and points to a patient-led revolution in how bowel management following spinal cord injury is understood and managed. The imperative for adequate access to information and choice is demonstrated.

Reporting Method

EQUATOR Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were adhered to.

Patient or Public Contribution

The methodology facilitated discussion of areas important to patients and made them co-constructors of theory.

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