To analyse the comfort needs of patients following renal transplantation, guided by Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort.
A qualitative design was employed.
This study was conducted at a Brazilian university hospital's renal transplant outpatient clinic. Forty-six post-transplant patients were purposively sampled by age, transplant time and clinic attendance. Face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and conducted using a semi-structured script. Data were analysed through thematic content analysis, guided by Kolcaba's Comfort Theory and relevant literature.
Participant narratives were categorised according to the contexts outlined by Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort: Physical, Environmental, Sociocultural and Psychospiritual. In the physical context, pain was identified as a major factor diminishing comfort after renal transplantation. In the environmental context, elements such as light, odour, sound, temperature and uncomfortable furnishings contributed to discomfort. In the sociocultural context, family support was highlighted as essential. In the psychospiritual context, religiosity played a key role in enhancing the comfort of transplant recipients.
Spirituality, strengthened social support networks and non-pharmacological comfort measures are essential for promoting comfort among patients following renal transplantation. These findings underscore the importance of integrated care approaches that address physical, emotional and social aspects to improve quality of life for this population.
Conceptual models in nursing provide a critical perspective for care and support the delivery of effective, evidence-based interventions. By identifying the multidimensional comfort needs of post-renal transplant patients, this study informs the development of targeted, holistic strategies for nursing and multidisciplinary practice in outpatient settings.
This study examined the multidimensional comfort needs of post-renal transplant patients and found that comfort is shaped by physical, environmental, sociocultural and psychospiritual factors. The results may guide global nursing and multidisciplinary outpatient care by informing integrated approaches that enhance the quality of life of transplant recipients.
This study was reported according to the COREQ framework.
No patient or public contribution.
To examine clinical nurses' attitudes towards and self-reported experiences of family nursing in Japan following the relaxation of COVID-19 visitation restrictions. Particular attention is paid to early career nurses whose formative training occurred during visitation bans. The study focused on nurses' negative perceptions and emotional burdens associated with family involvement.
A quantitative-dominant mixed-methods cross-sectional study reported in accordance with the STROBE guideline.
Using a convenience sampling approach, a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire was distributed to clinical nurses in four general hospitals in Japan between January and May 2024. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: demographic and professional background, learning methods related to family nursing, 17 items including negatively valenced statements adapted from the Families' Importance in Nursing Care–Nurses' Attitudes (FINC-NA) scale, and one open-ended question. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-tests, and qualitative responses were thematically analysed.
Of 1921 nurses invited, 957 responded (response rate: 49.8%), and data from 892 valid responses were analysed. Overall, the nurses demonstrated positive recognition of family nursing as a professional value but also reported lingering emotional burdens and practical challenges when interacting with families. Early-career nurses who began practice during the pandemic showed greater uncertainty and lower affective engagement. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: relational disruption, emotional stress, moral conflict, reappraisal of family engagement and ongoing barriers.
The findings underscore the need to structurally and educationally reintegrate families into nursing care. Simulation-based training, clear institutional policies and hybrid communication models are essential to rebuild relational continuity and support nurses' emotional and ethical capacity for family nursing.
The findings highlight the need to structurally and educationally reintegrate families into clinical care to address the emotional burden and ambivalence reported by nurses. Organisational support—such as clear visitation policies, simulation-based education and reflective opportunities—can help rebuild nurses' relational competence and confidence in engaging with families. Creating supportive learning environments, including on-the-job mentoring and team-based reflection, may further facilitate the restoration of family nursing.
This study addressed how prolonged COVID-19 visitation restrictions disrupted family nursing practice in Japan, created generational differences in nurses' competencies, and shaped nurses' perceptions of family involvement. Nurses reported emotional strain, feelings of being monitored and lack of time when families were present. Early career nurses showed lower relational engagement, while experienced nurses expressed moral distress. ‘Latent indifference’ was also noted. The findings provide valuable insights for healthcare organisations, nurse educators and policymakers by informing strategies to reintegrate families into patient care, improve discharge planning and strengthen training models.
The STROBE checklist.
No patient or public contribution.
To contextualise an existing suicide prevention programme, and to assess the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of the contextualised suicide prevention programme among secondary school students in eastern Nepal.
A multi-method study is planned across four phases. The study will be informed by the Socio-Ecological Model. The first phase is a systematic review to identify available suicide prevention programmes, their effects and their contextualisation status. The second phase will be a descriptive qualitative study to contextualise the safeTALK suicide prevention programme for use among adolescents in a public school of Eastern Nepal, involving adolescents, teachers, parents, healthcare providers and policymakers. The third phase will be a single-group pre-post-test design to test the preliminary effects of the contextualised safeTALK programme among 110 adolescents at the public school. Outcomes measured in the third study will be suicidal ideation and help-seeking behaviours, using the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale, and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. The final phase will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the safeTALK suicide prevention programme through in-depth interviews with adolescents, teachers, parents, healthcare providers and policymakers. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences v.30 and NVivo v.14 respectively.
Ethical approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee and the Nepal Health Research Council. The findings will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
There are no reported structured suicide prevention programmes for adolescents in low-middle-income countries, including Nepal. This study is expected to assist in mitigating the shortfall of contextualised adolescent suicide prevention programmes in low-middle-income countries. Additionally, evidence will be added to the global nursing literature, helping to contribute to evidence-based nursing practice.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 12624000634572
This study aimed to develop and validate a standardised transitional care programme for postoperative gynaecologic cancer patients utilising the Omaha system framework.
A preliminary transitional care programme was constructed through literature review, semi-structured interviews and multidisciplinary team discussions. The programme was refined via two rounds of Delphi expert consultations involving 17 oncology nursing specialists. Consensus criteria included expert authority coefficient (Cr), Kendall's W test and coefficient of variation (CV).
The Delphi consultation demonstrated robust expert consensus, with high authority coefficients (Cr: 0.886 in Round 1; 0.906 in Round 2), exceptional participation rates (88.2% and 100% response rates across two rounds) and statistically significant concordance as evidenced by Kendall's W values (0.233–0.358 and 0.326–0.383; all p < 0.01). All coefficients of variation (CV) metrics fell within acceptable ranges (0.09–0.42 in the initial phase; 0.08–0.27 post-refinement).
The Omaha system-based transitional care programme exhibits strong expert consensus, scientific rigour and clinical applicability, providing a structured approach to improving postoperative recovery in gynaecologic cancer patients.
This protocol standardises postoperative care transitions for gynaecologic oncology patients by integrating multidimensional assessments (physiological, psychosocial and health behaviour domains) and family-centred education. Clinicians can utilise its evidence-based framework to reduce preventable complications, enhance caregiver preparedness and improve continuity of care between hospital and home settings.
Six postoperative gynaecologic cancer patients and eight family caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews to identify unmet transitional care needs. Their insights informed the design of intervention components, including self-management education and psychosocial support strategies. Patients reviewed draft materials for clarity and cultural appropriateness during Delphi Round 2.
To examine residential aged care staff's experience of death and grief, and their support needs.
A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, using an online cross-sectional survey that included the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief and the Grief Support in Health Care Scale. Followed by semi-structured interviews with direct care workers and managers working in residential aged care homes were conducted.
Over 60% of participants experienced five or more resident deaths in the previous 12 months. Although, different levels of grief were experienced among different roles, the importance of open communication and opportunities for farewells after resident death was highlighted. Participants suggested support and education to normalise grief and promote self-care.
Recognising staff grief following the resident death is important. Providing support and education may help improve staff wellbeing and contribute to the delivery of high-quality care for both residents and their families.
Staff grief after a resident death needs to be recognised, and continuing education and support are required for their wellbeing.
The STROBE and SRQR checklists were applied.
No Patient or Public contribution.
To explore implementation patterns and perceived value of the SEXIT (SEXual health Identification Tool) method in the school health care (SHC) setting in Sweden.
Mixed method survey using an online questionnaire with closed and free-text response options.
115 SHC professionals who had completed SEXIT training responded to an online questionnaire (response rate 26%), between March and May 2024. Closed questions were answered on a five-point Likert scale, and responses trichotomised. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative data with a deductive qualitative content analysis. CROSS guideline was used.
70 of 115 SHC professionals used SEXIT in their work. Findings suggest that SEXIT is appropriate and useful, supporting communication about topics such as sexual health and violence that both pupils and professionals may avoid addressing. Implementation patterns showed that 61% of those who had completed training also used SEXIT. 63% of those used SEXIT during regular health dialogues, but some did not use it with all pupils. The perceived value was that most SHC professionals felt that SEXIT helped them get a better understanding of the pupil's situation, an objection that it was too time-consuming.
Most SHC professionals who had completed SEXIT training used the method regularly and perceived the method as valuable and facilitating discussions about sexual ill health and experiences of violence with pupils. There are indications that SHC services fail to identify particularly at-risk young people. Sexual health inequity persists, as some structurally marginalised and vulnerable youths are excluded from the SEXIT dialogues. A follow-up study will focus on pupils' experiences.
This study validates SEXIT in a new setting, SHC, and is relevant for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health for all, and for preventing violence and sexual ill health among young people.
To explore challenges parents of children with cancer encounter while providing complex medical care at home.
Design: Cross-sectional convergent mixed-methods study. Instruments: Questionnaire and open interviews that mirrored and complemented each other.
Parents (n = 32), with no prior medical training, were expected to remain constantly vigilant as they monitored and managed rapidly changing situations. Regardless of time from diagnosis, they detected a mean of 3.3 ± 1.4 (0–6) symptoms, reported administering up to 22 daily medications, including cytotoxics, narcotics and injections, and dealt with many related challenges. Parents described needing responsive communication channels, especially when dealing with bleeding and infection emergency situations during off-hours.
Findings highlight the constantly shifting demands when managing a child with cancer at home. Educational programmes that address parental needs throughout treatment, tailored to protocol changes and individual circumstances, should be expanded and further developed.
Parents need continual education regarding home management throughout their children's illness and treatment.
This study addresses challenges parents of children with cancer encounter while providing complex medical care at home. The findings demonstrated that parents, responsible for administering numerous medications via various routes and managing symptoms and side effects, did not feel confident performing these tasks regardless of time from diagnosis. Nurses should adapt ongoing parental education regarding complex medical tasks, symptoms, side effects, emergency detection and management for children with cancer at home. The study adhered to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and STROBE reporting method.
Parents of children with cancer participated in the design and questionnaire validation.
To explore the factors affecting the sustainable improvement of nurses' evidence-based practice (EBP) competency after receiving an EBP training program.
A sequential mixed-methods study.
Thirty-seven ICU nurses participated from an adult ICU in Egypt. The qualitative phase used a category-generating approach with focus group interviews and content analysis. The quantitative phase followed a cross-sectional descriptive design using self-report questionnaires. The study adhered to the Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) guidelines and was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05941364).
Qualitative analysis generated six subcategories, organised into three overarching themes: working environment challenges, job dissatisfaction and organisational obstacles. Quantitative findings revealed low levels of motivation (M = 19.1, SD = 2.2, out of 60), self-efficacy (M = 18.4, SD = 8.66) and self-regulation (M = 124.9, SD = 52.6). The highest mean score was observed for the Sustained Implementation Support Scale (M = 94.7, SD = 5.0, out of 140). These variables showed negative correlations with the sustainability gap. Integration of findings through a joint display demonstrated a convergence of results regarding training program burden and low motivation.
Sustaining nurses' EBP literacy requires addressing long-term obstacles such as inadequate job satisfaction, limited workplace support and lack of team cohesion. Sustained organisational support and leadership development are essential for EBP clinical integration.
The study highlights key strategies for nurses' development to enhance care quality, including improving self-efficacy through mentorship and fostering a supportive work environment. Health policies should establish EBP as a core competency, offer flexible schedules, ongoing training, adequate resources, and empower nurse leaders for successful implementation.
This study addresses the critical challenge of sustaining nurses' competency improvements after EBP training. The findings are crucial for healthcare administrators, policymakers and educators aiming to design effective EBP training programs. By addressing these factors, the study has the potential to improve patient outcomes.
No patient or public contribution.
To describe patient outcomes for patients at high risk of mortality (with a prognosis of three months or less to live) where a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant (PCNC) was embedded in a General Medicine team. To explore patients and/or their carers feedback and allied health, nursing professionals' perspectives on integrating a palliative care approach in the General Medicine ward.
Prospective exploratory study.
SQUIRE reporting guidelines was adopted for the study reporting. This study was conducted over six weeks in a general medicine ward at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were 20 patients aged > 65 years with non-malignant, chronic conditions at high risk of mortality within three months and had 18 nursing and allied health professionals involved in their care. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative survey data were analysed thematically.
Twenty patients participated, with an average age of 87 years. 55% spoke a language other than English. PCNC interventions, focused on care coordination and family liaison, were found to facilitate timely referrals to other support services, improve communication and better address end-of-life care needs. Healthcare professionals recognised the benefits of PCNC involvement; however, a key qualitative theme was staff reluctance to raise palliative care needs due to perceived role boundaries and limited confidence. While PCNC presence improved communication and advocacy, barriers included time constraints and patient/family resistance.
Embedding a PCNC in a general medicine team appears to enhance care coordination and support timely palliative care integration. Addressing barriers and optimising workflow can improve patient, carer and clinician experience as well as improve resource utilisation.
The model has the potential to enhance patient-centred care and clinician support in acute general medicine settings.
The research will have an impact on acute care settings, particularly general medicine units, by informing models of integrated palliative care for patients with complex needs and enhancing staff capability and confidence in providing timely, person-centred care.
Patients or members of the public were not involved in the design, conduct, analysis or manuscript preparation of this study. The project was a prospective observational study with limited scope and resources, which did not include a formal patient or public involvement component.
To (1) examine the attitudes of community-dwelling adults towards death and their ability to cope with death, as well as (2) understand the influence of advance care planning on community-dwelling adults' death attitudes and coping with death.
A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted in Singapore.
In Phase I, a case–control study was conducted to examine the differences in death attitudes and coping with death ability between community-dwelling adults who have completed advance care planning and those who have not. A univariate general linear model was used to compute the mean difference in death attitudes and coping with death scores. In Phase II, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of the influence of advance care planning among community-dwelling adults. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis. Mixed-methods analysis was conducted to integrate the quantitative and qualitative data.
In Phase I, 80 community-dwelling adults who had completed advance care planning and 81 community-dwelling adults who did not have advance care planning were included. Adults who had completed advance care planning had significantly higher coping with death scores (t = 4.14, p < 0.01). In Phase II, a purposive sample of 24 adults who had completed advance care planning was selected for individual semi-structured interviews. From the thematic analysis, three themes were developed: (1) Advance care planning enables coping with death, (2) overcoming fear of death with advance care planning and (3) confronting death with advance care planning.
Advance care planning may influence death attitudes and coping with death. Further work on longitudinal designs and among individuals from different age groups should be used to gain further in-depth understanding of the impacts of advance care planning.
Strategies to enhance one's coping abilities with death and death attitudes should be developed to stimulate the uptake of advance care planning.
This paper was reported according to the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study framework.
Community-dwelling adults participated in the survey and interviews.
This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences with the Braden Scale, assess their readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and understand the innovations they envision for clinical practice.
Explanatory sequential mixed design.
The study included 118 nurses in the quantitative data and 42 in focus groups. Quantitative data were collected using the MAIRS-MS. Qualitative data were analysed using phenomenological approaches and MAXQDA.
The average age was 33.38 ± 7.42 years and 88.1% were women. The average length of professional experience is 11.66 ± 8.22 years. The average time to administer the Braden Scale was 5.02 ± 4.36 min. While 55.1% of the participants found the Braden Scale inadequate, 55.9% stated that a more comprehensive risk assessment scale was needed and the MAIRS-MS score was 78.48 ± 16.66. The sub-themes were identified: Simple and quick applicability, early risk identification, validity and reliability issues, neglecting other risk factors, making it more comprehensive and specific, developing of a new risk assessment scale, technological improvements, patient data treasure chest, creating avatars and converting speech-to-text.
This study highlights critical gaps in the Braden Scale's effectiveness. Nurses identified significant shortcomings, including non-specificity and the neglect of key risk factors, which undermine its utility in clinical settings. They emphasised that stronger risk predictions and personalised care plans can be achieved by AI technology.
This study emphasises the need to revise the Braden Scale or develop a new one due to its limitations in risk assessment, providing crucial information to improve patient care and offering new perspectives on AI integration in PI risk assessment for nursing practice.
This study highlights nurses' experiences and suggestions for improving the Braden Scale in clinical practice, emphasising their expectations for AI technology and its potential to revolutionise patient care.
The study report was prepared following the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist.
No patient or public contribution.
First, to investigate residential aged care staff's knowledge and understanding of residents after viewing their digital life story. Second, to examine the stability of this knowledge and understanding. Third, to explore staff's self-reported care practices following digital life story viewing.
Australian aged care quality standards include person-centred care practices, although opportunity for residents' identity expression can be limited by the facility environment. Staff cannot implement such practices without first understanding residents' history, preferences, and values.
The study used a convergent mixed methods design.
Residential aged care staff (n = 61) viewed a resident's digital life story and completed a measure of their knowledge and understanding of the resident at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. At post-test and follow-up, staff were also asked to indicate if viewing the story had improved their interactions and care practices with the resident and to describe changes in their practice. Pre-test, post-test and follow-up scores of the measure were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc comparisons. Qualitative responses were analysed using thematic analysis.
Scores at post-test and follow-up were significantly higher than at pre-test, showing a stable improvement in knowledge and understanding of residents. Staff responses indicated their knowledge and understanding of residents' life story enhanced their care towards the residents.
Watching digital life stories was associated with stable improvements in staff's knowledge of residents, with staff feeling better equipped to personalise care practices.
Digital life stories about aged-care residents may support staff's improved knowledge and understanding of their care-recipients. With such understanding, staff are more equipped to implement person-centred care practices by Australian aged care quality standards.
The study adhered to guidelines for Revised Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0).
No patient or public contribution.
Little is known about the advanced practice contribution health professionals make when working with People with Intellectual Disability and Autism. This paper shares the findings from a study investigating the delivery and impact of two university-led online postgraduate certificates. These programmes specifically focused on preparing health professionals to practice at an advanced level, with people with intellectual disability and autism across the lifespan.
The aim was to evaluate the opportunities and challenges the programmes provided, reviewing the online delivery capacity and its usefulness for preparing this group of health professionals at an advanced level across two cohorts of learners.
A concurrent mixed methods approach was adopted, collating descriptive and qualitative data virtually between February 2023 and January 2024. Adults with intellectual disability and autism were involved in the panel deciding the outcome of the research tender, as steering group members and as members of a national workforce advisory panel. No computerised software was used for the data analysis.
Observations from minimal descriptive data, virtual focus group, nine one-to-one interviews, text-based and a jam-board data revealed online pedagogical decisions through multi-professional action learning sets. This supported enhanced practice confidence, enquiry-based practice and inter-professional capability.
Policy and decision makers should invest in more advanced practice programmes in this field, as they strengthen the care contribution for people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Advanced practice learning can raise both practice confidence levels and improve opportunities for evidence-based service change for a group of people with complex needs.
Mixed Methods Reporting in Rehabilitation Health Science.
This study aims to understand the experiences of elderly patients in the acute phase of stroke, to determine the factors that predict the level of psychological resilience, and to examine the moderating role of rumination between illness perception and psychological resilience.
A mixed-method of embedded design was employed in this study. In the qualitative study, 13 elderly patients with acute stroke were interviewed based on semi-structured interview guides and recordings. The data were transcribed, and thematic content analysis was conducted. In the quantitative study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 240 elderly acute stroke patients using paper-based questionnaires, and data analysis was performed using SPSS25.0 and AMOS24.0.
From the qualitative analysis, we identified risk factors affecting the psychological status of elderly patients with acute stroke, which can be summarised into four major themes and six categories. The content of the four major themes is: lack of disease cognition, facing disease threats and challenges, prominent psychological issues, sense of disease gain. The content of the six categories is: lack of stroke-related disease knowledge and cognitive bias, single source of disease information; significant sequelae, concern about medical expenses; apparent symptoms of anxiety and depression, disease uncertainty and fear. In the Quantitative analysis, results indicated that illness perception had a direct effect on psychological resilience (β = −0.34, p < 0.01) and rumination (β = 0.51, p < 0.01). Also, rumination was directly related to psychological resilience (β = −0.24, p < 0.01). In addition, illness perception was indirectly related to psychological resilience (β = 0.51*−0.24 = −0.12, p < 0.01) mediated through rumination.
Improving the level of rumination in elderly patients with acute stroke can mitigate adverse Illness perception and enhance psychological resilience. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing relevant intervention measures.
This study uses a convergent mixed methods approach to investigate the frailty phenotypes and risk factors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
A cross-sectional mixed methods research study was employed.
This study follows the MMR-RHS reporting guidelines. From November 2023 to August 2024, 213 patients were recruited from the PD centre of a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China. Quantitative data were collected using a general information questionnaire and standardised scales, including Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Concurrently, 19 PD patients in pre-frail or frail states participated in semi-structured interviews. The quantitative and qualitative findings were then integrated for analysis.
Amongst the 213 PD patients, 46.5% were non-frail, 41.3% were pre-frail and 12.2% were frail. Integrated analysis indicated that fatigue and low muscle strength were the primary frailty phenotypes amongst the patients. Age, sedentary behaviour, comorbidities, nutritional status, cognitive function, polypharmacy, psychological state and social connections were identified as risk factors for frailty in this patient population.
Many factors influence the frailty of PD patients. Future research should further explore the complex interactions amongst these factors and effective modulation strategies to mitigate the frailty progression. Incorporating the patients' perspectives in designing comprehensive intervention programmes will help identify key challenges and focal points for intervention.
This study identifies risk factors for frailty in PD patients, offering healthcare professionals a basis for designing targeted interventions. These factors encompass multiple dimensions, indicating the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in managing frailty.
The PD patients in this study provided valuable quantitative data and shared their frailty experiences, enhancing the research conclusions' practical value.
Patient safety in undergraduate nursing studies is an indispensable component of the curriculum. The process of experiential learning from practice is of high value not only in terms of personal development but also enables students to identify and address critical areas of patient safety that require improvement.
To explore Czech undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of patient safety culture during clinical practice through a mixed-method sequential study.
Data were collected between 2021 and 2024 using a mixed-method approach. The quantitative phase utilised the hospital survey on patient safety culture for nursing students. Four hundred and eighty-two undergraduate nursing students from 16 faculties across the Czech Republic participated. The subsequent qualitative phase employed semi-structured interviews with 12 undergraduate nursing students from one faculty in the Czech Republic. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse quantitative results, complemented by a reflective thematic analysis of qualitative data.
The most negatively rated survey dimensions were ‘Frequency of events reported’ (37.0%) and ‘Nonpunitive responses to errors’ (42.4%). Predictors for reporting adverse events in clinical practice were ‘Indicators of good practice’ (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the quantitative phase, the interpretive journey of nursing students' experiences from Exposure to adverse events, through Feeling disconnected and Cognitive dissonance, to the necessity of Speaking up for patient safety culture was captured in the qualitative phase.
Nursing students struggle to engage in a patient safety culture, particularly in reporting adverse events during clinical practice. Strengthening education on reporting and standards is essential for students, along with professional development for clinical staff to align practices and cultures.
To examine the relationship between hospital nurses' self-perceived risk when caring for patients with infectious diseases and their moral distress, and how this relationship affects their emotional labour, while examining the moderating role of professional ethos.
Mixed methods research using quantitative and qualitative approaches.
The research was conducted in a hospital in northern Israel among 139 nurses from 11 inpatient departments. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires, including socio-demographic questions and measures examining risk perception, moral distress, professional ethos and emotional labor. Two open-ended questions were included for qualitative analysis.
A significant positive correlation was found between risk perception and moral distress. Nurses showed an intermediate level of risk perception, demonstrating a balanced awareness of occupational hazards while maintaining a high professional ethos and experiencing relatively low moral distress. Our analysis revealed that risk perception, along with experienced emotions and emotional gaps, were significant predictors of emotional labor. The qualitative findings revealed a wide spectrum of emotions among the nursing staff. Positive emotions included empathy, identification with patients, caring, compassion and tolerance, while negative emotions included anger, fear, frustration and helplessness. Participants described various coping strategies, both emotional and practical, including the use of protective equipment, adherence to hand hygiene, participation in workshops and conversations with colleagues for emotional processing of nursing experiences.
The research raises awareness of the moral distress that nursing staff experience, not only during emergencies like a global pandemic but also in routine situations where they regularly care for patients with various infectious diseases. Significant organisational support and implementation of effective coping strategies are required to maintain nurses’ well-being.
The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines and used the Good Reporting of a Mixed Method Study (GRAMM).
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The research illuminates the unique challenges experienced by nursing staff in treating infectious diseases both in routine and emergency situations. The findings indicate the need for systemic support and the development of effective coping strategies. The research is relevant to all nursing staff in hospitals and healthcare system decision-makers.
The aim of this study was to (i) identify barriers and enablers and (ii) inform mitigating or strengthening strategies for implementing nurse-initiated care protocols at scale in emergency departments (EDs).
Embedded mixed methods.
The study included four clusters with a total 29 EDs in NSW, Australia. Concurrent quantitative and qualitative data were collected via electronic nursing and medical staff surveys and analysed. Barriers and enablers to implementation were identified and mapped to the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Selection of intervention functions and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) enabled development of implementation strategies.
In total, 847 responses from nursing and medical staff (43%) reported four enablers for use and implementation: (i) knowing or being able to learn to use simple nurse-initiated care; (ii) protocols help staff remember care; (iii) carefully considered education programme with protected time to attend training; and (iv) benefits of nurse-initiated care. Nine barriers were identified: (i) lack of knowledge; (ii) lack of skills to initiate complex care (paediatric patients, high-risk medications and imaging); (iii) risk for inappropriate care from influence of cognitive bias on decision-making; (iv) punitive re-enforcement; (v) protocols that are too limited, complex or lack clarity; (vi) perceived lack of support from medical or management; (vii) perception that tasks are outside nursing role; (viii) concern nurse-initiated care may increase the already high workload of medical and nursing staff; and (ix) context. The barriers and enablers were mapped to nine TDF domains, five intervention functions and 18 BCTs informing implementation using strategies, including an education programme, pre-existing videos, audit and feedback, clinical champions and an implementation plan.
A rigorous, systematic process generated a multifaceted implementation strategy for optimising nurse-initiated care in rural, regional and metropolitan EDs.
Staff wanted safe interventions that did not lead to increased workload. Staff also wanted support from management and medical teams. Common barriers included a lack of knowledge and skill in advanced practice. Clinicians and policymakers can consider these barriers and enablers globally when implementing in the ED and other high-acuity areas. Successful strategies targeting barriers to advanced practice by emergency nurses can be addressed at the local, state and national levels.
Implementation of new clinical practices in the ED is complex and presents challenges. Key barriers and enablers, including those related to initiating care and workloads in the ED were identified in this study. This research broadly impacts ED staff and policymakers globally.
Mixed Methods Reporting in Rehabilitation & Health Sciences (MMR-RHS).
Site senior nurse researchers for each cluster worked closely with site stakeholders, including local consumer groups. Consumer councils were engaged at all the sites. Site visits by the research nurses have been an important strategy for discussing the study with key stakeholders.
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial: ACTRN12622001480774p
The efficacy of radiotherapy and the satisfaction of patients can be significantly improved by adequately addressing their information needs. This process is impeded by the current lack of a comprehensive tool for assessing these needs.
To develop an Information Needs Questionnaire for patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy and to assess its reliability and validity.
The initial item pool for the questionnaire was developed through a literature analysis and semi-structured interviews with 12 patients with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. The Delphi method was employed to consult 16 experts and the questionnaire content was refined based on expert feedback and item ratings to form the first draft. A pre-investigation was conducted on 30 patients with breast cancer treated with radiotherapy to refine the item expression. From March–October 2024, item analysis, factor analyses, and reliability tests were conducted on 220 patients. This study adhered to STROBE guidelines.
The final questionnaire comprised 36 items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 dimensions, with all item factor loading within their respective dimensions being ≥ 0.4 and no items exhibiting multiple loadings. These five factors accounted for 72.805% of the total variance. The overall content validity index was 0.980, with item-level content validity index ranging from 0.900 to 1.000. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.959, and the coefficients for each dimension ranged from 0.786 to 0.958.
The Information Needs Questionnaire demonstrated excellent reliability and validity in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. It can effectively guide medical staff to accurately assess the information needs of patients with breast cancer who are undergoing radiotherapy.
Identifying the authentic informational needs of breast cancer patients throughout the entire radiotherapy process is instrumental in enabling medical staff to devise personalised and targeted information support interventions.
A total of 220 participants provided perspectives on their information needs.
To examine the factors affecting the ability of ostomates to perform activities of daily living and manage ostomy self-care.
Mix method design.
This study was undertaken through survey (descriptive and clinical characteristics form and Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL)) for collecting the quantitative data (n = 60) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients unable to perform ostomy self-care for collecting qualitative data (n = 12) between January 2023 and December 2023.
Factors hindering the ability to perform ostomy self-care were physical reasons (68.3%) and psychological reasons (66.7%). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that individuals with a chronic disease have a Katz ADL score 12.6 times higher than those without a chronic disease (p = 0.004, OR = 12.665, 95% CI: 2.304–69.614). Qualitative analysis identified three themes as challenges, taking over ostomy care and factors improving the quality of life with ostomy.
The findings indicate that having an ostomy impairs individuals' ability to perform daily activities independently and manage their ostomy. Additionally, the presence of a chronic disease in ostomates predicts greater dependence in daily activities. In this regard, support mechanisms should be identified and activated based on the needs of ostomates and chronic diseases, with nursing interventions tailored to address those needs.
A dedicated team of specialised ostomy nurses can offer valuable support by focusing on ostomy management and assessing factors that affect both self-care and daily activities.
This study highlights the impact of coping with an ostomy on daily life and self-care, underscoring the need for targeted support for vulnerable groups and guiding ostomy care nurses in post-discharge follow-up and support group organisation.
STROBE and GRAMMS checklists.
Patients contributed to the study by sharing their experiences through face-to-face interviews during data collection process.