Conectar
To explore and gain a deeper understanding of how registered nurses in palliative care develop personal and professional approaches in confidential conversations with patients.
A qualitative study using focus groups.
Between March and May 2024, 22 registered nurses working in specialised palliative care in the northern region of Sweden participated in five focus groups. The discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive description.
Registered nurses pursued meaningful, supportive interactions during confidential conversations. Their reflections revealed vulnerabilities and the importance of continuous self-reflection, fostering growth, resilience and professional development. They sought ways to process emotional challenges, from individual reflection to peer discussions and structured supervision, refining their approaches. Four themes emerged: balancing external demands with inner motivation, recognising personal limitations, managing compassion with professional responsibility and gradually building trust.
Reflection and continuous professional development are essential for navigating confidential conversations in palliative care. These practices help registered nurses balance empathy with boundaries whilst managing emotional and professional challenges. Peer support and shared learning, as well as fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience can enhance care quality and promote sustained professional growth across healthcare settings.
This study highlights the emotional challenges registered nurses face in confidential conversations with patients at the end of life. Reflection and support help them handle these challenges and promote person-centred care by enabling patients to express their inner thoughts and wishes. The findings apply to palliative care and other settings caring for patients at the end of life.
Findings were reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
Research consistently underscores the importance of mentoring and a supportive work environment for nurse retention and well-being. Previous research on nurse mentoring has primarily focused on mentees' perspectives. Research is scarce on the prerequisites for mentoring from the perspective of mentors—experienced registered nurses who guide and support their new colleagues, mentees.
To explore nurse mentors' perspectives on the prerequisites for mentoring, following their participation in a mentoring intervention.
Qualitative study design with an inductive approach using focus group interviews as a data collection method.
A total of 19 experienced registered nurses, appointed as mentors, were interviewed in four focus groups and one individual interview, in May and June 2022, following the conclusion of the intervention period. Focus groups consisted of three to six participants. The transcribed interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
The main theme identified in the results was that mentors needed organisational structure and leaders' support to facilitate the mentoring process. Participants underscored the necessity of a comprehensive support system that spans the entire mentoring process, as described in three themes: creating foundations for mentoring; navigating mentoring challenges in everyday work routines; and post-mentoring reflection and learning.
This study underscores the importance of integrating mentoring into daily healthcare routines by addressing barriers and facilitators, such as organisational structure and support from first line leaders. Key results highlight the need for pre- and post-mentoring phases to create a sustainable, continuous learning process. Further research should focus on developing sustainable frameworks for implementing mentoring.
Policies should explicitly support the dual role of experienced registered nurses as both caregivers and mentors, acknowledging the demands on their time and responsibilities. Policymakers should integrate mentoring frameworks into nursing roles. This could play a critical role in stabilising the work environment.
What problem did the study address?
Mentoring plays a critical role in helping newly qualified nurses transition into their professional roles, contributing to their retention and overall well-being. Although there is limited research on mentoring from the perspective of mentors.
What were the main findings?
Mentors needed organisational structure and leaders' support to facilitate the mentoring process. We identified that mentoring structures should include clear responsibilities, pre-mentoring preparation and post-mentoring reflections to ensure full implementation of the mentoring process.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact?
The findings of this study can support organisations in creating sustainable mentoring structures for registered nurses, in which both mentors and mentees collaborate within a community of practice. The mentoring findings can also be applicable to other contexts and professions.
Reporting of this study was guided by the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).
No patient or public contribution.
The use of technology to support nurses' decision-making is increasing in response to growing healthcare demands. AI, a global trend, holds great potential to enhance nurses' daily work if implemented systematically, paving the way for a promising future in healthcare.
To identify and describe AI technologies for nurses' clinical decision-making in healthcare settings.
A systematic literature review.
CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Medic were searched for studies with experimental design published between 2005 and 2024.
JBI guidelines guided the review. At least two researchers independently assessed the eligibility of the studies based on title, abstract, and full text, as well as the methodological quality of the studies. Narrative analysis of the study findings was performed.
Eight studies showed AI tools improved decision-making, patient care, and staff performance. A discharge support system reduced 30-day readmissions from 22.2% to 9.4% (p = 0.015); a deterioration algorithm cut time to contact senior staff (p = 0.040) and order tests (p = 0.049). Neonatal resuscitation accuracy rose to 94%–95% versus 55%–80% (p < 0.001); seizure assessment confidence improved (p = 0.01); pressure ulcer prevention (p = 0.002) and visual differentiation (p < 0.001) improved. Documentation quality increased (p < 0.001).
AI integration in nursing has the potential to optimise decision-making, improve patient care quality, and enhance workflow efficiency. Ethical considerations must address transparency, bias mitigation, data privacy, and accountability in AI-driven decisions, ensuring patient safety and trust while supporting equitable, evidence-based care delivery.
The findings underline the transformative role of AI in addressing pressing nursing challenges such as staffing shortages, workload management, and error reduction. By supporting clinical decision-making and workflow efficiency, AI can enhance patient safety, care quality, and nurses' capacity to focus on direct patient care. A stronger emphasis on research and implementation will help bridge usability and scalability gaps, ensuring sustainable integration of AI across diverse healthcare settings.
Nurses are pivotal in EBHC implementation; however, its adoption remains limited, highlighting the need to investigate nurses' experiences and perceptions of their EBHC competence.
To critically appraise and synthesise qualitative evidence of nurses' experiences and perceptions of EBHC competence.
A qualitative systematic review.
The review followed the JBI methodology for qualitative systematic reviews. Inclusion criteria were qualitative studies published in Finnish, Swedish or English that explored nurses' experiences and perceptions of EBHC competence. Data were synthesised using JBI's meta-aggregation method and the findings were graded with the ConQual approach.
CINAHL, Medic, PubMed, Scopus and grey literature from EBSCO Open Dissertations and MedNar, searched in December 2023.
Seventeen qualitative studies were included. The study findings were generated from four synthesised findings with low confidence scores. The synthesised findings were: (1) Nurses' competence in Global Health, (2) Nurses' competence in enhancing Evidence generation, (3) Nurses' competence in optimising Evidence Transfer and (4) Nurses' competence in effective implementation of evidence. A new finding of this systematic review was that nurses did not express their experiences or perceptions on evidence synthesis.
Nurses' experiences of EBHC competence focus mainly on evidence implementation and global health. The lack of findings to evidence synthesis suggests that core principles of the EBHC model are not yet fully embedded in nursing practice. Nurses emphasised the need for greater support for developing EBHC competence.
Integration of EBHC into education, mentoring and adequate resources enhances nurses' competence, motivation and commitment to EBHC sub-dimensions, while also strengthening their professional confidence and development.
Strengthening nurses' EBHC competencies contributes to supporting the delivery of high-quality, effective and sustainable healthcare services.
PRISMA guidelines followed.
None.
PROSPERO-registered: CRD42021285179
To explore Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care.
An inductive, descriptive qualitative study.
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 purposively sampled Registered Nurses of varying levels of experience from eight regions in Sweden. The audiotaped interviews were conducted over a 5-month period (December 2023–April 2024), transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive description.
Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are described by three themes (seven subthemes): Patient continuity (Building personal relationships: Being accessible and enabling trust and confirmation), Collaborator continuity (Having a colleague to lean on: Colleagues can lean on me: Feeling alone with my expertise) and Continuity with myself (Trusting my own competence: Carrying a burden alone).
Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guidelines.
This study provides an understanding of Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care in primary care. The results may help improve future care since nurses play an essential role in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within primary care.
To enhance continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the relationship between the nurse and the patient is important, as is collaboration with colleagues. This collaborative approach allows these nurses to maintain continuity with both the patients and themselves, fostering a more stable and effective care environment.
This study offers valuable insights into the experiences of Registered Nurses in maintaining continuity of care within primary care, particularly for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By highlighting the critical role of Registered Nurses in managing these patients, the study underscores the importance of strong nurse–patient relationships and effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
To describe the co-creation of the ‘Desired Dementia Care Towards End of Life’ (DEDICATED) approach to improve person-centred palliative care for individuals with dementia and to describe the experiences of healthcare professionals during the approach's implementation.
A needs assessment, comprising both qualitative and quantitative studies, informed palliative care needs of healthcare professionals, family caregivers and individuals with dementia. The approach was co-created with healthcare and education professionals, guided by the findings. Then, healthcare professionals were trained to implement the approach in their organizations. From April to June 2022, semi-structured interviews with actively engaged professionals were analysed using Conventional Content Analysis.
The needs assessment yielded six key themes: (1) raising palliative care awareness, (2) familiarization with a person with dementia, (3) communication about future care preferences, (4) managing pain and responsive behaviour, (5) enhancing interprofessional collaboration in advance care planning and (6) improving interprofessional collaboration during transitions to nursing homes. Interviews with 17 healthcare professionals revealed that active involvement in co-creating or providing feedback facilitated implementation. Overall, the DEDICATED approach was perceived as a valuable toolkit for optimizing palliative care for people with dementia and their loved ones.
Co-creating the DEDICATED approach with healthcare professionals facilitated implementation in daily practice. The approach was considered helpful in enhancing person-centred palliative dementia care.
This study underscores the importance of active involvement of healthcare professionals in the research and development of new interventions or tools for palliative care, which can influence the successful implementation, dissemination and sustained usage of the developed tools.
The developed approach can improve person-centred palliative care for individuals with dementia, ultimately improving their quality of life and that of their loved ones.
This study used the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
No patient or public contribution.
Commentary on: Farfán-Zúñiga, X abd Jaman-Mewes, P. Reflections of nursing students on the care of the person’s dignity at the end of life: a qualitative study. Nurse Education Today 2024; 133: 106067.
Implications for practice and research Dignity is one of the main values at the end of life. Reflection of dignity and the meaning of such should be an obligatory part of nursing education, particularly when caring for people at the final stage of life, where vulnerability is more palpable. Research on nursing students’ reflections regarding meeting the dignity needs of dying people is essential to improve the quality of end-of-life care.
Dignity is a cornerstone in healthcare and nursing research, not least it is an important concept when caring for people and their relatives at the end of life. Yet, there is a lack of research about nursing education, reflective...
To explore aspects of interpersonal relationships in palliative care nursing, focusing on confidential conversations between patients and registered nurses (RN).
A qualitative study employing focused ethnography.
Data were collected through unstructured participant observations, field notes and interviews with patients and RN in specialist palliative care. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis.
Confidential conversations in palliative care are founded on trust that is fragile and develops dynamically through consistent interactions. Small talk, presence and silence are essential for initiating and maintaining trust and the interpersonal relationship. The environment, patient condition and RN emotional presence and competence shape these conversations. As the relationship evolves, conversations adapt to the patient's changing needs. Missed signals or interruptions can disrupt flow, but the potential for repair remains, allowing for restoration and strengthening of trust and connection.
Confidential conversations in palliative care are grounded in fragile, dynamic trust, necessitating ongoing presence, sensitivity and adaptability from RN. To support these interactions, healthcare environments must prioritise privacy, relational continuity and communication training. Future research should investigate how organisational structures and clinical settings influence confidential conversations.
Healthcare environments should facilitate confidential conversations by ensuring relational continuity and minimising distractions. Communication training that emphasises presence and management of silence can strengthen nurse–patient relationships, enhancing patient care and emotional support.
This study explores key aspects of confidential conversations in palliative care, emphasising trust and emotional sensitivity. It addresses a research gap in palliative care using rare observational methods to deepen understanding of nursing relational aspects. The findings offer practical guidance for enhancing communication and relational skills, informing training and policy development and ultimately, improving emotional support and care.
Findings are reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.
This study did not involve patient or public participation in its design, conduct or reporting.
A skilled and diverse healthcare workforce is essential in nursing homes, yet recruitment and retention remain a major challenge. Gaining insight into the well-being of different care worker groups and how they perceive their work environment can highlight areas of concern and opportunities for improvement.
To compare the perceived work environment and well-being among different care worker groups in nursing homes.
This descriptive study used cross-sectional survey data from the Flanders Nursing Home (FLANH) project, collected from February–July 2023. A total of 1521 care workers from 25 Flemish nursing homes participated (64.4% response rate), including care assistants (43.7%), registered nurses (20.5%), support staff (15.4%), allied health professionals (14.8%), and team leaders (5.7%). Chi-squared tests were used to compare the percentages of the care worker groups reporting the work environment items and well-being outcomes (job satisfaction, intention to leave, burnout). Post hoc analyses were conducted to identify which groups contributed to the significant differences observed.
Significant differences among care worker groups were found for almost all work environment items and well-being outcomes. Staffing adequacy was perceived least among care assistants and registered nurses. More registered nurses and team leaders perceived high workload and emotional burden compared to the other groups. Work–life interference and involvement were perceived most among team leaders. A person-centered vision, work autonomy, and salary satisfaction were reported most among allied health professionals and team leaders. Skill use and training opportunities were reported least among support staff. Work-related well-being appeared to be experienced most among allied health professionals and least among care assistants.
These findings highlight key differences in work environment perceptions and well-being among care worker groups, offering valuable insights for tailored initiatives to foster a supportive workplace that benefits the well-being of all types of care workers in nursing homes.
To evaluate the quality of care from the patients' perspective after receiving either person-centred, nurse-led follow-up or standard care after surgical treatment of intermittent claudication.
Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.
Patients at two centres for vascular surgery in Stockholm, Sweden were randomised to either a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme (intervention group) or a standard follow-up programme with surgeons. During their visits at 4 to 8 weeks and 1 year after surgery, they received the questionnaire Quality from patients' perspective with 28 items. The patients responded to each item from two aspects: (1) how they perceived the quality of received care and (2) subjective importance (how important the care was for them).
A total of 104 of 138 patients at 4–8 weeks and 159 of 193 patients at 1 year after surgery completed the questionnaire. At 4–8 weeks, the intervention group scored significantly higher perceived quality of care regarding five items: receiving useful information about “How I should take care of myself” and “Which nurse were responsible for my care”, “Nurses were respectful towards me”, “Nurses showed commitment/cared about me” and “Easy to get in contact with the clinic through telephone”. At 1 year, the intervention group scored higher regarding two items: “Which nurses were responsible for my care” and “Next of kin treated well”.
Person-centred, nurse-led follow-up as implemented in this study has been shown to lead to a higher perception of quality of care regarding information about self-care, the experience of being respected, and knowing the care provider responsible for their care. Thus, it could contribute towards improved patient satisfaction without compromising the perception of quality of care regarding other factors such as receiving the best medical care or timeliness.
This study addresses how patients with intermittent claudication, who underwent revascularisation, perceive a follow-up care that is person-centred and nurse-led compared to standard care delivered by surgeons. The results indicate that patients find the person-centred and nurse-led follow-up programme satisfactory, with equal or higher quality of care and that follow-up can be delivered by nurses with retained patient safety. Thus, vascular units may consider transitioning follow-up care from surgeons to nurses while maintaining positive patient's perception of quality of care, patient satisfaction and safety.
Reporting of the work was made using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement.
No patient or public contribution.
Study Details | Person-centred Follow-up and Health Promotion Programme After Revascularization for Intermittent Claudication | ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03283358
Explore how previous patient safety research has described issues related to patient participation in psychiatric hospital care.
Integrated literature review.
The literature review was conducted according to Cooper's framework with the following five-step protocol: problem identification, a literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and the presentation of results.
CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus databases, years 2005–2023. After quality appraisal, a total of 62 articles were reviewed.
Three main categories related to patient participation in psychiatric hospital care were identified: communication (having information, being heard, therapeutic relationships and interaction quality), decision-making (treatment planning, treatment decisions, activities and working on behalf of patients) and restrictive measures (setting limits, exercising power, balancing patient autonomy and safety).
Psychiatric hospital care nursing staff continuously balance patients' autonomy, self-determination, and safety, taking into account their well-being and issues of responsibility. Wider use of positive risk-taking is needed to increase patient participation and safety in psychiatric hospital care.
Nursing staff should create favourable facilities for patient participation, foster an atmosphere of trust, respect, and encouragement, provide patients individual time to improve patient safety and recognise that they can exert power over patients due to constantly balancing patient autonomy and safety.
PRISMA guidelines.
No patient or public contribution.
Evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) enables consistent and effective healthcare that prioritises patient safety. The competencies of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are essential for implementing EBHC because their professional duties include promoting EBHC.
To identify, critically appraise, and synthesise the best available evidence concerning the EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors.
A systematic review.
CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic, ProQuest, and MedNar.
Databases were searched for studies (until 19 September 2023) that examined the EBHC competence and associated factors of APNs were included. Quantitative studies published in English, Swedish and Finnish were included. We followed the JBI methodology for systematic review and performed a narrative synthesis.
The review included 12 quantitative studies, using 15 different instruments, and involved 3163 participants. The quality of the studies was fair. The APNs' EBHC competence areas were categorised into five segments according to the JBI EBHC model. The strongest areas of competencies were in global health as a goal, transferring and implementing evidence, while the weakest were generating and synthesising evidence. Evidence on factors influencing APNs' EBHC competencies was contradictory, but higher levels of education and the presence of an organisational research council may be positively associated with APNs' EBHC competencies.
The development of EBHC competencies for APNs should prioritise evidence generation and synthesis. Elevating the education level of APNs and establishing a Research Council within the organisation can potentially enhance the EBHC competence of APNs.
We should consider weaknesses in EBHC competence when developing education and practical exercises for APNs. This approach will promote the development of APNs' EBHC competence and EBHC implementation in nursing practice.
The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021226578), and reporting followed the PRISMA checklist.
None.
To describe patients' experiences of the quality of counselling to develop new digital counselling solutions for patients with cerebrovascular disease.
A descriptive, qualitative approach.
Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted among 22 patients diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular disease and treated as inpatients at a single university hospital in Finland between September 2021 and February 2022. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis.
The identified facilitators, barriers and possible solutions for the development of new digital counselling solutions were deductively categorized into five main categories: (1) background factors, (2) resources, (3) implementation, (4) sufficiency, and (5) effects and 12 generic categories. Patients with cerebrovascular diseases worry about symptoms affecting their ability to receive information and valued a supportive atmosphere. Staff should have more time for counselling and use motivational digital counselling solutions in plain language, moderate length and with multimedia content. Patients desired reminders, easy search functions and possibilities for two-way communication.
New digital counselling solutions could be beneficial in supporting the patients' knowledge, emotions and adherence. For the success of such solutions, patients' special needs concerning different levels of cognitive impairment need to be considered.
The results of this study may benefit healthcare organizations in the development of digital counselling solutions that meet the patients' needs.
We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines with the COREQ reporting method.
Patients were involved as the study population.
To identify and synthesise nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings.
Modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Lifestyle counselling is part of nurses' role which enables them to make a significant contribution to patients' long-term health in various healthcare contexts, but requires particular competence.
Qualitative systematic literature review and meta-aggregation.
The review was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for conducting synthesis of qualitative studies. PRISMA-checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were search from databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic and Psych Articles, Ebscho Open Dissertations and Web of Science). After researcher consensus was reached and quality of the studies evaluated, 20 studies were subjected to meta-aggregation.
From 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 findings were extracted and categorised into 13 groups based on their meaning, resulting in the identification of 5 synthesised findings for competence description: Supporting healthy lifestyle adherence, creating interactive and patient-centred counselling situations, acquiring competence through clinical experience and continuous self-improvement, collaborating with other professionals and patients, planning lifestyle counselling and managing work across various stages of the patient's disease care path.
The review provides an evidence base that can be used to support nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling when working with adult patients in healthcare settings. Lifestyle counselling competence is a complex and rather abstract phenomenon. The review identified, analysed and synthesised the evidence derived from nurses' experience which shows that lifestyle counselling competence is a multidimensional entity which relates to many other competencies within nurses' work.
Recognising the competencies of nurses in lifestyle counselling for adult patients can stimulate nurses' motivation. The acquisition of these competencies can have a positive impact on patients' lives and their health.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The research may enhance nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling, leading to improved health outcomes, better adherence to recommendations and overall well-being. It may also drive the development of interventions, improving healthcare delivery in lifestyle counselling.
The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines.
Blinded for the review.
The International Classification for Nursing Practice is a comprehensive terminology representing the domain of nursing practice. A categorization of the diagnoses/outcomes and interventions may further increase the usefulness of the terminology in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to categorize the precoordinated concepts of the International Classification for Nursing Practice into subsets for nursing diagnoses/outcomes and interventions using the structure of an established documentation model. The aim was also to investigate the distribution of the precoordinated concepts of the International Classification for Nursing Practice across the different areas of nursing practice. The method was a descriptive content analysis using a deductive approach. The VIPS model was used as a theoretical framework for categorization. The results showed that all the precoordinated concepts of the International Classification for Nursing Practice could be categorized according to the keywords in the VIPS model. It also revealed the parts of nursing practice covered by the concepts of the International Classification for Nursing Practice as well as the parts that needed to be added to the International Classification for Nursing Practice. This has not been identified in earlier subsets as they covered only one specific area of nursing. 
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