To assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a tailored exercise intervention compared with usual care for people aged 80 years and older with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA) and comorbidities.
Two-arm, parallel-design, multicentre, pragmatic, feasibility RCT.
Four National Health Service outpatient physiotherapy services across England.
Adults aged 80 years and over with clinical hip and/or knee OA and ≥1 comorbidity.
Participants were randomised 1:1 via a central web-based system to be offered: (1) a 12-week tailored exercise programme or (2) usual care. Participants and outcome assessors were not blinded to treatment allocation.
(1) Ability to screen and recruit participants; (2) retention of participants at 14-week follow-up; (3) intervention fidelity (proportion of participants who received ≥4 intervention sessions as per protocol) and (4) participant engagement (assessed by home exercise adherence).
Between 12 May 2022 and 26 January 2023, 133 potential participants were screened, of whom 94 were eligible. The main reasons for ineligibility were symptoms not consistent with hip or knee OA (10/39, 25.6%) or already having had a physiotherapy appointment (8/39, 20.5%). 51 of 94 (54%) eligible participants were recruited. Participants had a mean age of 84 years (SD 3.5), 31 (60.8%) were female and 96.1% reported their ethnicity as White British (n=49/51). 45 of 51 participants (88%) provided outcome data at the 14-week follow-up time point. Four or more intervention sessions were attended by 13/25 (52%) participants. Home exercise log completion declined over time: 6/23 participants (26.1%) returned completed exercise logs for all 12 weeks. The median number of days home exercises were recorded each week was 5 (range 0–7).
This study demonstrated that a definitive trial would be feasible. Before proceeding, modifications to ensure recruitment of a diverse population and intervention fidelity should be addressed.
To explore the familial, emotional, social and school-related challenges experienced by school-aged siblings of children with cancer, focusing on how these challenges intersect across hospital, home and school in their everyday lives.
Qualitative, two-phase, multi-site study.
Fieldwork was conducted at two distinct paediatric oncology wards, followed by semi-structured interviews with 11 siblings (aged 7–19 years) and 20 parents, recruited through criterion-based sampling. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Analysis showed that siblings were often marginalised in hospital life due to (1) family logistics; (2) hospital-induced restrictions, rules and physical spaces and (3) perceptions of their presence as ‘problematic’, ultimately limiting their access. In family life, siblings experienced peripheral roles because (1) they were cared for by others, (2) had their needs subordinated and (3) faced shifting expectations. At school, siblings encountered (1) limited understanding from classmates and teachers and (2) insufficient support resources.
Siblings of children with cancer face significant, interconnected challenges, often amplified by the structural frameworks of healthcare, family and school contexts.
Siblings of children with cancer are often marginalised in their own lives. In healthcare, a family-centred approach to care should formally and actively include siblings. Nurses are well-positioned to promote this, ensuring whole-family support. Siblings would benefit from coordinated support bridging hospital, home and school.
This study adheres to the SRQR Checklist.
Parents helped shape the study focus by discussing preliminary observations and potential support needs.
To explore siblings' and parents' experiences of, and perceived impacts of, a nurse-led school-based intervention (SUPREME) for siblings of children with cancer in Denmark.
A qualitative process evaluation.
Fifteen siblings (aged 6–14 years) and 16 parents were recruited through criterion-based sampling following siblings' participation in the SUPREME intervention. Data consisted of semi-structured interviews and open-ended responses from an evaluation form, and were analysed thematically. Data were collected between May 2024 and February 2025.
The intervention created a sense of normality for siblings by providing age-appropriate and credible information in the familiar school context, thereby strengthening the understanding of the family's cancer journey. The SUPREME nurse played a key role in easing the communication burden on siblings and parents, while also promoting recognition of siblings within the hospital setting as active participants in the family's cancer journey. Additionally, the intervention was perceived to accommodate varying levels of support needs across families.
The SUPREME intervention benefited siblings—and, by extension, their families—by equipping siblings with essential information, guiding their class communities on how to offer appropriate support and fostering siblings' inclusion in the family's cancer journey. The SUPREME intervention constitutes a new strategy for accessible, universal sibling support.
The healthcare system should formally ensure that professionals working with families affected by severe paediatric conditions provide family-centred care that actively includes siblings.
What problem did the study address? The position of siblings of children with cancer is often complex, as they may simultaneously serve as visible front figures of the family while remaining overlooked. This study explored how parents and siblings of children with cancer experienced participating in a new sibling support intervention.
What were the main findings? Nurses play a central role in supporting siblings of children with cancer by bridging family, hospital and school contexts.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Nurse-led, cross-sectoral interventions such as SUPREME may help normalise siblings' everyday lives and promote their inclusion in the family's cancer journey.
This study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.
No patients, participants, or members of the public were involved in the design of this specific study.
To better develop and understand the practice of rooming-in in adult care, this study aims to explore the perceptions of the three most important stakeholders: nurses, patients, and family members.
A cross sectional survey study in a university medical centre in the Netherlands.
A convenience sample was drawn from nurses, adult patients, and family members across ten general wards. Data of patients and family members were collected through online questionnaires, developed and validated prior to the study. Their responses were summarised using descriptive statistics. For the nurses, data were obtained by analysing responses to an open-ended question from an existing questionnaire, using thematic analysis.
The sample consisted of 364 nurses, 26 patients, and 35 family members. Thematic analysis of the nursing data revealed four themes: (1) reducing the workload of nurses, (2) optimising patient recovery, (3) unclear policy and inadequate facilities, and (4) complexities for nurses. Regarding the perceptions of patients and family members, more than 75% perceived that rooming-in enhanced patients' sense of safety. Additionally, 54.1% of family members indicated that rooming-in improved their understanding of medical information. For most patients (57.7%) and family members (62.9%), the rules and conditions for rooming-in were not clear. Moreover, 65.7% of family members reported experiencing physical burden. Both patients and family members rated rooming-in with a median of 8 out of 10.
According to nurses, patients, and family members, rooming-in may be beneficial in reducing nurses' workload, enhancing patient safety, and improving family understanding of medical information.
Given the ambiguity surrounding rooming-in policies in adult care, clear guidelines and their implementation are essential for ensuring their success.
Rooming-in can positively contribute to adult care by facilitating family involvement.
STROBE statement.
No patient or public contribution.
To analyse the incidence of physical restraint use during painful and stressful procedures in hospitalised children, as well as the factors associated with its use.
Observational, longitudinal and prospective study.
Children aged between 28 days and 10 years in a public hospital in Brazil were each observed undergoing clinical procedures over a 6-h period. Data were collected on demographics, observed pain using validated measures, stress behaviours, and the use of physical restraint. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. National ethical guidelines were strictly followed.
1210 procedures were observed on 75 children, including 351 painful and 859 stressful procedures. Physical restraint was used in 270 (22.3%) procedures; of these, 131 (48.5%) were painful procedures and 139 (51.5%) were stressful procedures. In stressful procedures, at least one stress-related behaviour was observed before the initiation of physical restraint. Factors associated with increased use of physical restraint during painful procedures were younger children, with higher levels of care dependency, higher pain scores during procedures, and those who underwent intravenous medication administration, airway suctioning, tube insertion, and fixation changes. In stressful procedures, the factors associated with higher use of physical restraint were younger children, hospitalisation due to respiratory conditions, those who underwent physical examinations, inhaled medication, and nasal lavage; and the child's expression of stress behaviour before the procedure starts. Predictors of physical restraint included morning period, younger age group, male or female sex, and transfer from the Intensive Care Unit.
A high incidence of physical restraints was observed across multiple painful and stressful procedures performed within a 6-h period, associated with variables related to both the child's characteristics and the procedures.
This study aims to encourage reconsideration of the frequent use of physical restraint in paediatric procedures, calling for a reframing of its application as an unquestioned practice toward an approach that prioritises protecting and respecting a child as a subject with needs, rights, and desires.
Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE).
Nos enfocamos en conocer las representaciones de los curanderos náhuatl de los estados de Colima y Jalisco, en relación con el mundo, la salud, la enfermedad, los enfermos; y las prácticas que realizan para tratar de recuperar la salud. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, fenomenológico, y la recolección de datos se realizó a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Para la organización y análisis de los datos, se siguieron las directrices del Modelo Dialéctico Estructural del Cuidado (MDEC), estructurando los datos en tres estructuras: unidad funcional, marco funcional y elemento funcional. Teniendo como resultado, el curandero describe dimensiones de contacto visual y corporal con el paciente, crea un canal no convencional, poniendo en juego pasiones, deseos y sentimientos, en conclusión, El curandero ofrece servicios más cercanos al individuo, proporcionando una «explicación» a los acontecimientos desde la perspectiva biológica, psicológica, ecológica y sobrenatural.
To explore the experiences and perceptions of people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers of shared decision-making, including how they and nurses are involved.
Exploratory interview study.
Semistructured, individual interviews conducted in 2023 were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Twenty-four participants (15 people with cancer and 9 caregivers) participated in this study. The analysis generated five themes; (1) Decisions are ultimately about living or dying, (2) Desires and expectations for involvement in decision-making, (3) Uncertainty about potential and capacity for shared decision-making, (4) Good quality information and communication are key for involvement and (5) Nurses' contributions are unclear.
Overall, our participants were unsure about how decision-making about the complex and existential decisions in palliative cancer care was shared, or how it included them, or nurses.
People receiving care could benefit from more clarity on what shared decision-making is, how they can be involved and how nurses can facilitate and support shared decision-making.
Part of the nursing role is to support and involve people with cancer and family caregivers in decisions about treatment and care. Our findings suggest that people receiving care may be unclear about the concept of shared decision-making, and so also about how nurses potentially or actually support decision-making. Our study further clarifies the challenges and possibilities for involving all stakeholders in shared decision-making. This additional insight may help in future development and implementation of shared decision-making.
COREQ.
Adds to knowledge and understanding of the complexity of shared decision-making in palliative cancer care and how nurses can contribute to this and advancing a person-centred approach.
A patient and public involvement group participated in all phases of planning and conducting this study.
by Morgan Boncyk, Krystal K. Rampalli, Marian N. Winters, Muskaan K. Makkar, Silver Nanema, Gideon S. Amevinya, Amos Laar, Edward A. Frongillo, Christine E. Blake
Food marketing has increased volume, precision, and reach to influence viewers’ food attitudes, beliefs, and eating behaviors. What and how much people eat has implications for health. While many countries regulate food advertising to protect consumers and encourage healthy eating, Ghana has none. Understanding the content and framing of food and beverage advertisements can inform the development of effective policies and practices that encourage healthier diets. This content analysis examines the foods and beverages advertised, their timing, and marketing techniques on Ghanaian television. From February to May 2020, 486 hours of advertisements were recorded. Advertisements with ≥1 actors were coded for food type, actor characteristics (i.e., body size, gender, age, race), and marketing techniques (i.e., promotional characters, premium offers, goal frames). A total of 607 advertisements with 2,043 actors were analyzed. Two-thirds (66.8%) promoted foods categorized as unhealthy. Sugar-sweetened beverages (22.6%) were most frequent, followed by grains high in sugar and low in fiber (13.2%), recipe additions (13.1%), and supplements (10.2%). Half (52.9%) of advertisements used persuasive marketing strategies. Most actors were classified as underweight (72.1% v. 20.5% normal weight, 7.4% overweight/obese) with a balanced gender distribution (49.1% female). Most advertisements aired during evenings (37.7%) and weekdays (69.5%). Morning advertisements promoted more healthy foods, whereas evening and night advertisements promoted more unhealthy foods. Gain goal frames were most common for healthy foods (pSudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Hospitals have implemented infant safe sleep programs with varying measures and degrees of success, but few have demonstrated improvements in hospital-based and home safe sleep practices with nurse subject matter experts (SMEs) and community SUID prevention campaigns.
This project evaluated the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based infant safe sleep program for birthing hospitals using nurse SMEs and a community awareness campaign on nurse knowledge, safe sleep environments, and trends in infant sleep-related deaths.
Between 2016 and 2021, a pre- and post-test quality improvement intervention-based design was used to enroll hospitals and train and embed SMEs to educate peers, conduct practice surveillance and audits, and address practice deviations. A website housed comprehensive resources, and a large-scale community-based social and print media campaign on safe sleep practices occurred. Nurse and practice data from 12 hospitals that fully implemented the program were compared pre- and post-implementation. State-wide survey data for key safe sleep indicators reported by parents were compared from our 12 birthing hospitals to other facilities.
Of trained nurses (N = 902), 83.4% reported making substantial or exceptional progress in being proactive in surveillance of safe sleep environments. Pre- and post-implementation environmental audits showed a significantly higher proportion of infants in safe sleep positions post-implementation (94.3%) than pre-implementation (89.6%) (p = 0.001). Statewide survey data from birth parents discharged from our program hospitals significantly outperformed those discharged from other state facilities. Multi-media campaigns resulted in over 1.4 million impressions on our website. Sleep-related deaths for infants born at four program hospitals dropped 16.1% from 31 in 2018 to 26 in 2021.
A safe sleep program improved hospital-based nurses' knowledge and practice and birth parent's knowledge and behaviors, and it was associated with a decrease in infant sleep-related deaths.
Parastomal hernia or bulging is a long-recognised complication in relation to a stoma. Around half of patients develop a parastomal bulge and up to 75% experience symptoms. Only a minority is offered surgical treatment; thus, most patients manage the bulge on their own or by interventions provided by stoma care nurses.
To identify and present the available information on nursing interventions for the management of symptoms caused by the parastomal bulge.
This scoping review followed the framework by the Joanna Briggs Institute, conducting searches in 11 databases and through stoma organisations. Literature on nursing management of parastomal bulges was included. Two authors independently screened and selected the studies, with data-charting performed by one author and verified by another. The PAGER framework depicted the state of the evidence and the PRISMA-ScR checklist guided the process.
Of 8361 screened publications, 44 were included. Management of the parastomal bulge and related symptoms were described in eight nursing interventions: appliances, support garments, irrigation and regulation of stool, strangulation, disguise and intimacy, physical activity, support and education, record keeping, follow-up and referral. Most evidence was based on expert opinion with only ⅓ of papers using study designs, such as cross-sectional, qualitative, review, before and after study, Delphi and RCT.
This scoping review highlights the complexity of providing nursing interventions for parastomal bulging. It shows that one intervention can manage multiple symptoms and potentially several symptoms simultaneously, whereas several interventions may be needed to address a single symptom. Therefore, decisions on interventions must be based on the underlying cause of the problem. Due to the limited number of studies on the effects of nursing interventions, more rigorous research is needed in the future.
The results can be used as an inspirational guide for clinical practice.
by Wenbo Wu, Sherry Wu, Sim Berlene Mariano, Richard E. Burney, Jonathan P. Kuriakose
BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant preventable cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality after major abdominopelvic surgery that calls for extended VTE prophylaxis (eVTEp). Literature suggests that significant racial disparities may exist in post-operative care.
ObjectiveThe study sought to examine if racial disparities exist in the administration of eVTEp after hysterectomy in a statewide collaborative.
MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of post-hysterectomy patients across 69 hospitals in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative from January 2016 to February 2020. The variable of interest was race (Black/African or White American). The primary outcome was administration or absence of eVTEp. Descriptive statistics and mixed effects logistic regression were performed for risk adjustment with covariates such as age, cancer occurrence, inflammatory bowel disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, perioperative VTE prophylaxis, postoperative VTE prophylaxis, surgical approach, and surgical duration, among other variables.
ResultsIn total, 24,513 patients underwent hysterectomy. Of these patients, 1,107 (4.45%) received eVTEp, 153 (13.24%) of which were Black and 954 (82.53%) of which were White. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis suggested that Black patients were significantly less likely to receive eVTEp than White patients (odds ratio = 0.776; 95% CI: 0.615–0.979; P = 0.039). Additionally, tobacco use, coronary artery disease, bleeding disorder, cancer occurrence, functional status, perioperative VTE prophylaxis, surgical duration, length of stay, and surgical approach were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving eVTEp.
ConclusioneVTEp is recommended for the prevention of post-discharge VTE in select patients after hysterectomy. Regression analysis showed that, compared to their White counterparts, Black females were significantly less likely to receive eVTEp. The underlying reasons for this disparity require further investigation into possible socioeconomic influences and inherent biases.
To explore long-term care recipients' perceptions of high-quality care and how person-centred approaches are applied in the services.
A descriptive explorative qualitative design.
Data were collected through individual interviews with 19 care recipients and 197 h of participant observation at 10 nursing homes and home care units in three Norwegian municipalities. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
The analysis revealed a main theme—to be seen and cared for as an individual—describing the core of the recipients' perceptions of high-quality care. This main theme encompassed two sub-themes. The first—individually adapted care—showed that the recipients valued whether their healthcare workers understood them and their individual care needs and preferences. The second theme—interpersonal encounters—captured the recipients' appreciation of their healthcare workers' presence and ability to create moments where they were seen and treated as human beings.
From the perspective of care recipients, high-quality care services depend on how they are treated as individuals and how the care they receive is adapted to their individual needs and preferences. These recipients' perceptions of individualised care delivered by healthcare workers are consistent with the goal of person-centred care. These results highlight the value of and need for non-standard approaches to providing high-quality care.
Despite the long-term care services' extensive caregiving tasks and time pressure, they should enable healthcare workers to be present in the moment with care recipients.
Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines are used for this study (Tong, Sainsbury, and Craig 2007).
Long-term care recipients and the units where they received care contributed to this study. The recipients' perceptions of the care and the units' arrangements facilitating participant observation played significant roles in this research.
To assess the proportions and associated factors of different post-discharge referrals among adolescents treated in the emergency department after a suicide attempt.
Observational, cross-sectional retrospective study.
We conducted a study using the medical records of 140 adolescents treated for a suicide attempt between January 2015 and May 2023 in a Brazilian emergency department, focusing on post-discharge referrals, defined as discharge without referral, unaddressed referral and referral addressed to the network. Associations between the outcomes and other variables were analysed using a Poisson regression model.
Discharges without referrals prevailed, followed by addressed and unaddressed referrals. Regression models showed associations between post-discharge and age, prior continuous use of psychotropic medications, location of care, continued suicidal ideation at discharge and evaluation by a multi-professional team.
A high number of adolescents were discharged from emergency departments without co-ordination with the mental health network, and the involvement of the multi-professional team was positively associated with addressed referrals.
This study informs healthcare professionals by raising awareness of their practices in discharging adolescents after suicide attempts in emergency departments, with the possibility of improving care quality and reducing the likelihood of readmission.
STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE).
No patient or public contribution.
Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is a subjective experience, and can only be assessed by patient-reported outcomes. These instruments should be reliable, valid and responsive.
To identify and critically appraise the available evidence for the measurement properties of specific patient-reported outcome measures used for dysmenorrhea.
The PRISMA statement was used to report this systematic review. Databases searched were PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (April 2021; updated on February 2023). Original studies with primary data collection, with no restriction on language and publication date that reported psychometric properties of one or more dysmenorrhea-related patient-reported outcome measure. The literature searches, selection of studies, data extraction and assessment of the risk of bias were performed independently by two reviewers and followed the COSMIN guidelines.
Thirty studies were analysed in this review, and 19 patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated. The instruments varied in relation to the measured construct and measurement properties (validity, reliability and responsiveness). The methodological quality of the studies and the quality of evidence of the patient-reported outcome measures were variable. Among the 13 studies that reported the development of patient-reported outcome measures, most had inadequate methodological quality, and the overall rating was insufficient or inconsistent.
The Dysmenorrhea Symptom Interference (DSI) scale was the only identified patient-reported outcome measure that has the potential to be recommended because of its sufficient rating combined with moderate quality of evidence for content validity. Future studies should further evaluate the measurement properties of the existing patient-reported outcome measures, or develop new patient-reported outcome measures following the COSMIN methodology.
Not applicable as this is a systematic review.
PROSPERO protocol: CRD42021244410. Registration on April 22, 2021.
To analyse the qualitative evidence on the role of critical care nurses in rapid response teams.
Qualitative systematic review.
This qualitative systematic review employed Bettany-Saltikov and McSherry’s guidelines and is reported according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research checklist. Two pairs of blinded researchers screened the articles. The data were synthesised using a thematic analysis approach.
A systematic literature search was conducted using the CINAHL, Embase and MEDLINE databases.
Seven studies were included, and three main roles were identified: (1) balancing between confidence and fear in clinical encounters, (2) facilitating collaboration and (3) managing challenging power dynamics in decision-making.
Critical care nurses possess extensive knowledge and skills in providing critical care to patients experiencing deterioration on general wards. They play a vital role in facilitating collaboration between team members and ward staff. Furthermore, within the rapid response team, critical care nurses assume leadership responsibilities by overseeing the comprehensive coordination of patient care and actively engaging in the decision-making process concerning patient care.
Highlighting the central role of critical care nurses in rapid response teams as well such a team’s benefits in healthcare organisations can promote applications for funding to support further quality assurance of rapid response teams and thus enhance patient safety.
Health care organisations can assure the quality of rapid response team by providing economical resources and training. The education providers should facilitate and standardise curriculum for critical care nursing students to achieve necessary knowledge and skills as members in rapid response teams.
No patient or public contribution.
by Francesco Di Gennaro, Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Giacomo Guido, Mariacristina Poliseno, Laura De Santis, Alessandra Belati, Carmen Rita Santoro, Irene Francesca Bottalico, Carmen Pellegrino, Roberta Novara, Luisa Frallonardo, Mariangela Cormio, Michele Camporeale, Sergio Cotugno, Vincenzo Giliberti, Stefano Di Gregorio, Valentina Totaro, Nicola Catucci, Anna De Giosa, Roberta Giusto, Ilaria Viviana Lanera, Gioacchino Angarano, Sergio Lo Caputo, Annalisa Saracino
High School students, recognized as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), were the focal point of an educational campaign in Southern Italy to share information and good practices about STIs and HIV/AIDS. A baseline survey comprising 76 items was conducted via the REDCap platform to assess students’ initial knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to STIs and HIV/AIDS. Sociodemographic variables were also investigated. The association between variables and KAP score was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis’ or Spearman’s test, as appropriate. An ordinal regression model was built to estimate the effect size, reported as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), for achieving higher KAP scores among students features. On a scale of 0 to 29, 1702 participants achieved a median KAP score of 14 points. Higher scores were predominantly reported by students from classical High Schools (OR 3.19, 95% C.I. 1.60–6.33, p