Nurses, assuming a wide range of clinical and patient care responsibilities in a healthcare team, are highly susceptible to direct and indirect exposure to traumatic experiences. However, literature has shown that nurses with certain traits developed a new sense of personal strength in the face of adversity, known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). This review aimed to synthesize the best available evidence to evaluate personal and work-related factors associated with PTG among nurses.
Mixed studies systematic review.
Studies examining factors influencing PTG on certified nurses from all healthcare facilities were included. Published and unpublished studies were identified by searching 12 databases from their inception until 4th February 2023. Two reviewers independently screened, appraised, piloted a data collection form, and extracted relevant data. Meta-summary, meta-synthesis, meta-analysis, as well as subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Integration of results followed result-based convergent design.
A total of 98 studies with 29,706 nurses from 18 countries were included. These included 49 quantitative, 42 qualitative, and seven mixed-methods studies. Forty-six influencing factors were meta-analyzed, whereas nine facilitating factors were meta-summarized. A PTG conceptual map was created. Four constructs emerged from the integration synthesis: (a) personal system, (b) work-related system, (c) event-related factors, and (d) cognitive transformation.
The review findings highlighted areas healthcare organizations could do to facilitate PTG in nurses. Practical implications include developing intervention programs based on PTG facilitators. Further research should examine the trend of PTG and its dynamic response to different nursing factors.
Research on trauma-focused therapies targeting nurses' mental health is lacking. Therefore, findings from this review could inform healthcare organizations on the PTG phenomenon and developing support measures for nurses through healthcare policies and clinical practice.
This study explores the experiences of interprofessional collaboration of Canadian midwives and obstetricians from midwives' perspective.
A concurrent mixed-methods approach that combined a small validation study and qualitative thematic analysis was used to provide evidence of the nature and importance of collaboration between Registered Midwives (RMs) and obstetricians.
Eighteen RMs across Canada completed a demographic survey and the Midwifery-Obstetrician Collaboration (MOC) scale in 2023. The quantitative analyses were conducted to assess the reliability of the Midwifery-Obstetrician Collaboration (MOC) and accumulate preliminary evidence to support its validity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants. After completing the interviews, themes were identified using thematic analysis.
The primary themes identified were knowledge of midwifery scope affects collaboration, collaboration is necessary for effective patient care, midwife-physician collaboration is impacted by power differentials and hierarchies, and proposed methods to improve physician-midwife collaboration. Although a small sample size did not permit extensive statistical testing, the quantitative results supported the reliability of the MOC scale. In addition, a strong correlation between the MOC and the communication subscale of the Inter-Professional Collaboration (IPC) scale provided evidence of the MOC's concurrent validity as a measure of collaboration between midwives and physicians.
This study provides support for the Midwifery-Obstetrics Collaboration (MOC) Scale as an assessment tool to evaluate collaboration between midwives and OB/GYNs in obstetrics care. While the 18 RMs recruited for this study provided a fulsome analysis for the qualitative portion, a larger study is necessary to provide more extensive quantitative analysis to validate the MOC scale for continued use among RMs and OBs.
The implications of this study are to foster strong interprofessional relationships between midwives and OBs and to improve the health outcomes of pregnant women and newborns.
The authors adhered to Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).
To evaluate the outcomes of a low-cost hospital-grade breast pump hire program for women experiencing financial hardship with infants in neonatal intensive care.
A multi-method evaluation including data audits and surveys.
Twenty-four electric breast pumps were purchased and rented to mothers at a cost of $1/day. To be eligible, mothers needed to have given birth to an infant <32 weeks and/or <1500 g and self-identified as experiencing financial hardship. Data were collected by (1) a retrospective audit to evaluate infant feeding and clinical outcomes at hospital discharge; (2) prospective telephone surveys to evaluate women's satisfaction with the program; and (3) analysis of the breast pump register to determine any loss or damages.
Twenty-four mothers of 26 infants participated in the program. More than half of the infants were exclusively breastmilk fed at hospital discharge, and more than three-quarters were fed a combination of breastmilk and formula. Women who intended to formula feed were supported to provide breastmilk to their infants in the first few weeks of life.
Most participants were highly satisfied with the program. Women reported that accessibility to a hospital-grade breast pump improved their ability to provide expressed breastmilk to their infants. Most participants were ‘extremely satisfied’ with the performance of the breast pump. One-quarter of the women reported that they would have exclusively formula-fed if they did not have access to the breast pump hire program. The audit of the equipment register showed no reported technical issues, loss or damages.
The findings suggested that the low-cost breast pump hire program supported equitable care, increasing women's ability to provide expressed breastmilk for their infants.
Providing access to low-cost hospital-grade breast pumps to mothers of vulnerable infants is likely to prevent poor infant clinical outcomes and improve women's care satisfaction.
Nil.
To obtain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences, values, and beliefs of Taiwanese women with breast cancer who withdrew from cancer treatment.
Fear of side effects, negative experiences and personal beliefs were identified as reasons for withdrawing from cancer treatments. Body–mind consciousness and body autonomy play a crucial role in cancer treatment decisions.
Descriptive phenomenological approach.
We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face and in-depth interviews with 16 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Participants were purposefully selected from the Cancer Registry database. Employing a phenomenological approach, our aim was to explore the lived experiences of these individuals. Data analysis followed Giorgi's five-step process. To ensure a comprehensive report the COREQ checklist was applied.
‘The Determination to Preserve Me’ is the essence of treatment withdrawal, identified by three themes and seven sub-themes. ‘Raising Body-Mind Consciousness’ was generated using body autonomy and preventing repeated psychological trauma from the participant's view. Their lifestyles, maintaining the family role, and returning to a normal trajectory help develop ‘Maintaining Stability for Being a Patient and a Family Carer’. ‘Self-Defending Against the Body Harm’ was generated by concerns about maintaining health and preventing harm.
Women's behaviours became transformed by suffering. Actions were influenced by physical and psychological distress, misconceptions about treatments, and appearance changes by self-determination through self-protection.
Healthcare professionals should respect women's autonomy and work collaboratively to ensure their decision-making with accurate information and awareness of the potential risks and benefits of treatment withdrawal need to concern.
To measure the association of leader–member exchange and team–member exchange with nurses' innovative behaviours through social exchange theory.
The field of nursing is actively advocating innovation. Other fields have proven that leader–member exchange and team–member exchange can promote innovative behaviour, but such an association is not clear in nursing.
A cross-sectional study.
A total of 560 nurses were selected from five tertiary hospitals in Henan Province (China) by multistage sampling. Data were collected from a self-report questionnaire. Thirty nurses in the pre-survey were used to verify the validity of the questionnaire. SPSS PROCESS macro was used to verify the association of leader–member exchange and team–member exchange with nurses' innovative behaviours.
Leader–member exchange and team–member exchange were significantly associated with nurses' innovative behaviours, and team–member exchange had a mediating effect on the relationship between leader–member exchange and innovative behaviour.
Leader–member exchange and team–member exchange positively affect nurses' innovative behaviours. Leader–member exchange can promote nurses' innovative behaviours through the mediating role of team–member exchange.
This study indicated that leader–member exchange and team–member exchange should be given more attention in promoting nurses' innovative behaviours. This finding has implications for the promotion of innovative behaviours in nurses. Leaders need to focus on the innovative needs of nurses and offer support. Meanwhile, leadership training programs are necessary for managers to create positive team relationships.
No patient or public involvement.
The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for creating a healthy work environment based on current literature for nurses working within the US Military Health System (MHS). However, our findings would likely benefit other nursing populations and environments as well.
Systematic literature review.
We conducted a systematic literature search for articles published between January 2010 until January 2024 from five databases: PubMed, Joanna Briggs, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus.
Articles were screened, selected and extracted using Covidence software. Article findings were synthesized to create recommendations for the development, implementation and measurement of healthy work environments.
Ultimately, a total of 110 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The articles informed 13 recommendations for creating a healthy work environment. The recommendations included ensuring teamwork, mentorship, job satisfaction, supportive leadership, nurse recognition and adequate staffing and resources. Additionally, we identified strategies for implementing and measuring these recommendations.
This thorough systematic review created actionable recommendations for the creation of a healthy work environment. Based on available evidence, implementation of these recommendations could improve nursing work environments.
This study identifies methods for implementing and measuring aspects of a healthy work environment. Nurse leaders or others can implement the recommendations provided here to develop healthy work environments in their hospitals, clinics or other facilities where nurses practice.
PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
No patient or public contribution.
In 2015, the term ‘intrinsic capacity’ (IC) was proposed by the World Health Organisation to promote healthy aging. However, the factors associated with IC are still discrepant and uncertain.
We aim to synthesise the factors connected with IC.
This scoping review followed the five-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley and was reported using PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
In all, 29 articles were included. IC of older adults is associated with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, disease conditions, behavioural factors, and biomarkers. Age, sex, marital status, occupation status, education, income/wealth, chronic diseases, hypertension, diabetes, disability, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were emerged as important factors related to the IC of older adults.
This review shows that IC is related to multiple factors. Understanding these factors can provide the healthcare personnel with the theoretical basis for intervening and managing IC in older adults.
The influencing factors identified in the review help to guide older adults to maintain their own intrinsic capacity, thereby promoting their health and well-being. The modifiable factors also provide evidence for healthcare personnel to develop targeted intervention strategies to delay IC decline.
As this is a scoping review, no patient or public contributions are required.
This study explores the situation of workload, work–family conflict and job burnout among primary health workers in China in the context of COVID-19 and identifies the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.
Since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary health workers have been working on the frontline of the epidemic and may experience increasing workload, work–family conflict and job burnout. It is important to focus on the issue of how to alleviate job burnout of primary health workers.
A cross-sectional study (STROBE) was used.
Data were collected from 785 primary health workers in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.
18.7%, 10.4% and 39.5% of respondents had high job burnout in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment, respectively. 34.6% of the respondents had high or very high workload, and 12.8% of the respondents had high or very high work–family conflict. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that work–family conflict mediated the relationship between workload and job burnout. Workload (β = .163, CI = .207–.549) and work–family conflict (β = .211, CI = .311–.640) positively influenced job burnout, and workload (β = .428, CI = .375–.508) positively influenced work–family conflict.
The study indicated that primary health workers experienced a high level of job burnout, especially in the personal accomplishment dimension. Furthermore, this study verified the mediating effect of work–family conflict between workload and job burnout.
Some interventions for alleviating workload, work–family conflict and job burnout should be taken, including workplace assistance programmes, family-friendly policies and a well-integrated healthcare system.
This study does not involve patient or public contribution in any part.
Nurses and other primary health workers are health gatekeepers of residents and play a vital role in the healthcare system. Due to the breakout of COVID-19, they have taken more work and are more vulnerable to work overload, work–family conflict and the consequent job burnout. Some interventions should be taken to effectively alleviate their job burnout and improve their health and performance.
In this study, we aimed to characterize the impact of long COVID on quality of life and approaches to symptom management among Black American adults.
As a novel condition, qualitative evidence concerning long COVID symptoms and their impact on quality of life can inform the refinement of diagnostic criteria and care plans. However, the underrepresentation of Black Americans in long COVID research is a barrier to achieving equitable care for all long COVID patients.
We employed an interpretive description study design.
We recruited a convenience sample of 15 Black American adults with long COVID. We analysed the anonymized transcripts from race-concordant, semi-structured interviews using an inductive, thematic analysis approach. We followed the SRQR reporting guidelines.
We identified four themes: (1) The impact of long COVID symptoms on personal identity and pre-existing conditions; (2) Self-management strategies for long COVID symptoms; (3) Social determinants of health and symptom management; and (4) Effects on interpersonal relationships.
Findings demonstrate the comprehensive ramifications of long COVID on the lives of Black American adults. Results also articulate how pre-existing conditions, social risk factors, distrust due to systemic racism, and the nature of interpersonal relationships can complicate symptom management.
Care approaches that support access to and implementation of integrative therapies may be best suited to meet the needs of long COVID patients. Clinicians should also prioritize eliminating patient exposure to discrimination, implicit bias, and microaggressions. This is of particular concern for long COVID patients who have symptoms that are difficult to objectively quantify, such as pain and fatigue.
While patient perspectives and experiences were the focus of this study, patients were not involved with the design or conduct of the study, data analysis or interpretation, or writing the manuscript.
While previous research has established that resilience is affected by various factors, these studies have primarily focussed on individual variables associated with resilience, without providing insights into how to influence the rate of change in resilience.
To examine the trajectory of resilience and identify the factors associated with changes in resilience among spousal caregivers of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer receiving treatment during the first 6 months.
An observational longitudinal study.
A total of 312 spousal caregivers of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer were recruited from January 2022 to December 2022 in Yancheng, China. Three data collection points were established, spanning from the first month to 6 months after initial cancer treatment. A latent growth model was employed to depict the resilience trajectory at various time points. A latent growth model with time-invariant covariates was adopted to determine the factors influencing resilience trajectory. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for proper reporting.
Throughout the follow-up period, the participants experienced a significant increase in resilience. Gender, family income, the patient's health status, spirituality and belief in familism were significantly associated with the baseline resilience level. Moreover, family income, the patient's health status, spirituality, caregiver burden and belief in familism were significantly associated with the rate of resilience change over time.
Spousal caregivers demonstrated a linear increase in resilience during the first 6 months after initial treatment. Meanwhile, changes in resilience were influenced by multiple factors during the early phase of cancer treatment. Thus, more attention should be paid to early identification and implementation of targeted interventions.
Healthcare professionals should understand the change in resilience among spousal caregivers and conduct timely mental health interventions to enhance the resilience of families affected by cancer.
The Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public-Short Form reporting checklists were used to improve patient and public involvement.
Providing a favourable practice environment has been regarded as an essential to improve the job outcomes of newly graduated nurses (NGNs). However, little is known about how and when NGNs can best utilize their practice environment to produce optimal job outcomes.
The aim of this study, which is based on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Social Cognitive Model of Career Self-Management, is to investigate whether NGNs who have a higher level of personal growth initiative are more likely to benefit from their practice environment and achieve better job outcomes by increasing their occupational self-efficacy.
A cross-sectional study.
From 1 September 2022, to 30 September 2022, 279 NGNs from five Chinese state-owned hospitals were recruited for this study. The participants completed measures of practice environment, personal growth initiative, occupational self-efficacy, job stress, job satisfaction, turnover intention and quality of care. A descriptive analysis and a moderated mediation model were computed. Reporting adhered to the STROBE statement.
The influence of the practice environment on job outcomes was significantly mediated by occupational self-efficacy, with personal growth initiative acting as a moderator of this mediation effect.
NGNs who exhibited a higher degree of personal growth initiative were more likely to derive benefits from their practice environment and attain positive job outcomes by enhancing their occupational self-efficacy. To boost NGNs' occupational self-efficacy and achieve optimal job outcomes, hospital administrators may not only provide a supportive practice environment for them but also conduct interventions that promote their personal growth initiative.
This study was designed to examine the psychosocial factors associated with NGNs' job outcomes. The study was not conducted using suggestions from the patient groups or the public.
Our findings indicate that favourable practise contexts may not always benefit the nursing job outcome if NGNs do not exhibit a high level of personal growth initiative and produce increased occupational self-efficacy. Therefore, hospital administrators should consider implementing an intervention to improve the personal growth initiative of NGNs so that they can take full advantage of the practice environment and gain resources at work to create optimal job outcomes.
To explore nurses' experiences of providing support to South Asian (SA) people with dementia and their family carers and to identify barriers and enablers of good transcultural care.
A qualitative, phenomenological design was used.
Fifteen registered community and in-patient nurses were recruited via one NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust. Nurses were from diverse backgrounds (Black, Ghanaian, Irish, Mauritian and White), 13 females and 2 males, and had been qualified from between 2 and 49 years. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and October 2019.
A thematic analysis identified three themes. ‘Communication challenges’ highlighted the impact of language barriers and the consequences of misunderstandings due to a dissonance in cultural values between nurses and interpreters. ‘The bi-directional impact of culture’ identified the two-way dynamics of transcultural work, the process of countering mutual stigma, and revealed an original perspective on how ‘cultural desire’ grows through practice experiences rather than being a prior motivation for learning. ‘Learning experiences’ showed that most learning was informal, experiential and prolonged, with nurses feeling they had unmet learning needs.
Nurses have minimal training opportunities and are under-supported in their transcultural work, potentially perpetuating the disadvantages that SA people with dementia and their families face in relation to healthcare. Enhanced cultural understanding of self and others and application of specific communication strategies could support nurses, together with interpreters, to build rapport and effective working relationships with each other and service users.
Transcultural nursing is a key competency, but nurses experience difficulties with providing care which is recognized as effective by SA family carers. The development of more acceptable and effective services requires improved mutual cultural understanding between nurses, interpreters and families, underpinned by joint brief training interventions, leading to more effective professional communication, better care outcomes and improved satisfaction with services.