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Abordaje enfermero inicial del Síndrome de Bridas Amnióticas

Objetivo: Analizar el papel del enfermero en el abordaje inicial del recién nacido afecto de síndrome de bridas amnióticas. Presentación del caso: Recién nacido prematuro con lesión por banda amniótica en muñeca derecha. Valoración: Según los 11 patrones funcionales de Gordon, se objetivó una alteración los patrones 2 y 6 en el neonato, y del 7 en los padres. Plan de Cuidados: Se identificaron los diagnósticos de Riesgo de perfusión tisular periférica ineficaz, Riesgo de deterioro de la integridad tisular, Dolor agudo y Ansiedad. Tras planificar los criterios de resultado y ejecutar las intervenciones pertinentes, se observó la no aparición de los riesgos identificados, resolución del dolor y disminución de la ansiedad de los padres. Discusión: El papel del enfermero en casos de este tipo, se basa en la inspección de la lesión para minimizar la aparición de complicaciones, el control del dolor y el apoyo emocional a la familia.

“Te echo de menos Papá” relato en primera persona de una cuidadora familiar y profesional

Es frecuente que pasar por un proceso de enfermedad, ingreso hospitalario o institucionalización, propio o de un familiar cercano, nos “abra los ojos” a los profesionales respecto a las necesidades de las personas que cuidamos y nos hagan ver de otra forma los cuidados. La siguiente narrativa está basada en la experiencia personal de una auxiliar de Enfermería que trabaja en un contexto de residencia y centro de día para Mayores con Alzheimer. La interacción entre el dolor por la pérdida, el sentimiento de que podía haber disfrutado más del cuidado de su familiar y la sensación de bloqueo caracterizan a esta narrativa que deja un trasfondo ambivalente entre el agradecimiento por el aprendizaje de vida y la sensación de haber podido hacer algo más por su familiar.

Transgender and nonbinary young adults' depression and suicidality is associated with sibling and parental acceptance‐rejection

Abstract

Introduction

Transgender and nonbinary young adults (TNB YA) report high rates of depression and more suicidality than their cisgender counterparts. Parental rejection is a known predictor of worse mental health among TNB YA; however, less is known about TNB YA experiences of sibling acceptance-rejection. The purpose of this study was to determine how TNB YA perception of sibling and parental acceptance-rejection are related to TNB YA depression and suicidality.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Methods

TNB YA (ages 18–25) who had disclosed their gender identity to an adult sibling were recruited to take part in an online study and completed measures of sibling and parent acceptance-rejection, depression, as well as lifetime and past year suicidality. Stepwise regressions were conducted to evaluate associations between acceptance-rejection and TNB YA depression and suicidality.

Results

The sample consisted of 286 TNB YA (Mage = 21.5, SD = 2.2) who were predominantly White (80.6%) and assigned female sex at birth (92.7%). Each family member's acceptance-rejection was associated with increased TNB YA depression scores when considered independently and combined. Independently, high rejection from each family member was associated with greater odds of reporting most suicidality outcomes. When all family members were considered together, only high rejection from a male parent was associated with four times greater odds of reporting lifetime suicidality. High rejection from both parents was associated with greater odds of reporting past year suicide attempt (OR: 3.26 female parent; 2.75 male parent).

Conclusion

Rejection from family members is associated with worse depression and suicidality, and rejection from male parents may be particularly damaging. Sibling acceptance uniquely contributes to TNB YA's depression symptoms alone and in the context of parental support.

Consumo de opiáceos durante el embarazo y gastrosquisis neonatal: a propósito de un caso

Objetivo principal: Analizar el papel de la enfermera pediátrica en el abordaje del neonato con gastrosquisis en un contexto de consumo de opioides durante el embarazo. Presentación del caso: Neonato con gastrosquisis, en cuyos antecedentes destaca el consumo de marihuana, por parte de la madre, durante el embarazo. Valoración: Según los 11 patrones funcionales de M. Gordon, se observó una alteración en los patrones 1, 2, 3, 5 y 7. Plan de cuidados: Destaca la identificación los diagnósticos NANDA Deterioro de la integridad tisular, Riesgo de motilidad gastrointestinal disfuncional y Síndrome de abstinencia neonatal. Se planificaron los criterios de resultado e intervenciones pertinentes, observándose una mejoría sustancial del paciente a las tres semanas. Discusión: El papel de la enfermera pediátrica en casos de este tipo, se basa en el cuidado integral del neonato, con intervenciones dirigidas, especialmente, al mantenimiento del confort y del estado hemodinámico, respiratorio y gastrointestinal del neonato.

Identification and validation of aging-related genes in atrial fibrillation

by Yong Zhou, Chao Sun, Yingxu Ma, Yunyin Huang, Keke Wu, Shengyuan Huang, Qiuzhen Lin, Jiayi Zhu, Zuodong Ning, Ningyuan Liu, Tao Tu, Qiming Liu

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in the clinic. Aging plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of AF. Herein, we aimed to identify the aging-related genes associated with AF using bioinformatics analysis. Transcriptome profiles of AF were obtained from the GEO database. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify AF-specific aging-related genes. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Subsequently, the LASSO, SVM-RFE, and MCC algorithms were applied to screen aging-related genes. The mRNA expression of the screened genes was validated in the left atrial samples of aged rapid atrial pacing-induced AF canine models and their counterparts. The ROC curves of them were drawn to evaluate their diagnostic potential. Moreover, CIBERSORT was used to estimate immune infiltration. A correlation analysis between screened aging-related genes and infiltrating immune cells was performed. A total of 24 aging-related genes were identified, which were found to be mainly involved in the FoxO signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, longevity regulating pathway, and peroxisome according to functional enrichment analysis. LASSO, SVM-RFE, and MCC algorithms identified three genes (HSPA9, SOD2, TXN). Furthermore, the expression levels of HSPA9 and SOD2 were validated in aged rapid atrial pacing-induced AF canine models. HSPA9 and SOD2 could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for AF, as evidenced by the ROC curves. Immune infiltration and correlation analysis revealed that HSPA9 and SOD2 were related to immune cell infiltrates. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the potential aging-related genes associated with AF. HSPA9 and SOD2 may play a significant role in the occurrence and development of AF.

Prevalence and determinants of high-risk human papilloma virus among men who have sex with men in Benin: a cross-sectional study embedded in a demonstration project on pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV

Por: Diabate · S. · Behanzin · L. · Guedou · F. · Olodo · M. · Goma-Matsetse · A. E. · Aza-Gnandji · M. · Dossouvo · A. · Akpaca · A. · Chagas · E. · Gangbo · F. A. · Zannou · D. M. · Alary · M.
Objectives

This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anal high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV).

Design

A cross-sectional study conducted from 24 August 2020 to 24 November 2020.

Setting

Primary care, Cotonou, Benin.

Participants

204 HIV-negative men who have sex with men initiating oral pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Primary outcome measure

Anal HR-HPV genotypes using GeneXpert HPV assay. Fourteen HR-HPV were evaluated: HPV-16 and HPV-18/45 in 2 distinct channels and the 11 other genotypes as a pooled result (31, 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68). The potential independent variables analysed included anal gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections, and sociodemographic and sexual behaviour factors. To assess the determinants of HR-HPV, univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were performed by using SAS V.9.4.

Results

Mean age±SD was 25.9±4.8 years. 131/204 men claimed insertive sex procured more pleasure. Thirty-two participants, accounting for 15.7% of the study sample, had gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia. The prevalence of any HR-HPV genotype was 36.3% (95% CI 30.0% to 43.0%). In total, 7.8% of men had HPV-16 and 7.4% had HPV-18/45. The prevalence for the pooled genotypes (31, 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68) was 29.9%. Receptive anal sex during the last 6 months was strongly associated with prevalent HR-HPV infections. The adjusted proportion ratio (aPR) was 1.93 (95% CI 1.31 to 2.83). Gonorrhoea and chlamydia were also associated with the outcome of interest; p value for both infections was

Conclusions

In Benin, anal HR-HPV was common among HIV-negative men who have sex with men. Among this highly vulnerable population, there is a need for integrated preventive and management strategies targeting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols and its relationship with adverse patient events

Abstract

Introduction

Ensuring patient safety is a critical component of healthcare delivery, and nurses play a vital role in adhering to patient safety protocols to prevent adverse events. However, studies linking nurses' adherence to these protocols with patient outcomes is scarce. This study has two-fold purposes: (1) to examine determinants of nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols, and (2) to investigate the relationship between nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols and adverse patient events.

Design

A cross-sectional design.

Methods

A total of 343 clinical nurses from five hospitals in the Philippines were included in this study. Two standardized scales were used to collect data, including the Patient Safety Adherence Scale and the Adverse Patient Events Scale. Data collection took place from April 2022 to August 2022.

Results

Adherence to patient safety protocols was generally moderate to high (M = 4.483), while nurse-reported adverse events occurred at a lower frequency (M = 1.150). Lower adherence rates were identified in areas such as reporting safety errors (M = 3.950), conducting fall risk assessments (M = 4.299), and adhering to pressure ulcer prevention guidelines (M = 3.979). Patients' and their families' complaints (M = 2.129) and abuses (M = 1.475) were the most frequently reported adverse events. Increased adherence to safety protocols was associated with higher reporting of adverse patient events (β = 0.115, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Higher adherence to patient safety protocols resulted in an increased reporting of adverse patient events. The factors identified that contributed to nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols can be utilized in the development of strategies aimed at improving compliance, especially in areas where adherence is currently low.

Clinical Relevance

Healthcare organizations should prioritize efforts to enhance adherence to patient safety protocols, particularly in areas with lower compliance rates, through relevant trainings, resource provision, and support systems. Promoting a culture of open communication and reporting can significantly contribute to reducing adverse events and improving patient safety.

Lost in translation: how can education about dementia be effectively integrated into medical school contexts? A realist synthesis

Por: Tullo · E. · Wakeling · L. · Pearse · R. · Kheng Khoo · T. · Teodorczuk · A.
Objectives

The prevalence of dementia in both community and hospital settings requires a clinical workforce that is skilled in diagnosis and management of the condition to competently care for patients. Though evidence of successful educational interventions about dementia exists, effective translation into medical school curricula is the exception rather than the norm.

Design

We adopted a realist synthesis approach following Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) guidelines to answer the following questions: (1) what are the barriers to integrating effective interventions about dementia into medical school curricula and (2) where they are successfully delivered, what are the contextual factors that allow for this enactment?

Data sources

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO using the MesH terms Schools, Medical; Students, Medical; Education, Medical AND Neurocognitive disorders or the closest possible set of terms within each database.

Eligibility criteria

Undergraduate or graduate entry medical school programme, teaching and learning focussing on dementia, evaluating student outcomes (satisfaction, knowledge, skills, attitudes or behaviours), interventions described clearly enough to classify teaching method, any research design (quantitative and qualitative), English language.

Data extraction and synthesis

We used a shared spreadsheet to enter key information about eligible studies and the reasons for excluding studies that did not fit eligibility criteria. We extracted descriptive data about the nature of educational interventions and narrative information as to barriers and facilitators to implementing those interventions.

Results

Our initial literature search identified 16 relevant papers for review. Systematic extraction of data informed the development of an initial programme theory (IPT) structured around four contextual barriers: ‘culture’, ‘concern for patient welfare’, ‘student attitudes’ and ‘logistics’ with associated facilitatory mechanisms embed medical education about dementia.

Conclusions

We outline the process of generating our IPT, including overlap with Cultural Historical Activity Theory. We outline our intention to refine our programme theory through ongoing review of the evidence base and collaboration with stakeholders, with the aim of finalising a model for successful integration of dementia education.

Social determinants of alcohol-related traumatic injury in young adults: a scoping review protocol

Por: Goodon · H. · Czyrnyj · C. · Comaskey · B. · Gawaziuk · J. · Logsetty · S. · Spiwak · R.
Introduction

Limited research examines alcohol-related injury in the context of social determinants of health (SDoH) to guide effective intervention and prevention programmes. SDoH are non-medical factors that impact health such as income, housing and childhood environment. This scoping review aims to explore the role SDoH in childhood have in alcohol-related injury in young adults.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review process will be guided by the methodology framework of Arksey and O’Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews Guidelines (PRISMA-ScR). The PubMed and SCOPUS databases will be systematically searched. Studies of various designs and methodologies (published in English since 1 January 2000) that examine certain SDoH of interest in relation to alcohol-related injury in adults aged 18–25 years old will be considered for inclusion in this review. Two reviewers will screen all articles identified from the databases independently. Titles and abstracts will be reviewed based on the initial search and included if eligibility criteria are met. Duplicate articles will be removed and full texts will be examined to create a final list of included studies. Any disagreements on the inclusion of any articles will be resolved through discussion and consultation with a third reviewer if necessary.

Ethics and dissemination

As this research does not involve human subjects, ethics approval is not required. The results of this study will be summarised quantitatively through numerical counts and qualitatively through a narrative synthesis. The results from this review will address an important literature gap and inform the development of targeted prevention programmes for alcohol-related injury.

Registration number

This protocol is registered with Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MYEXA).

Two distinct mechanisms lead to either oocyte or spermatocyte decrease in <i>C</i>. <i>elegans</i> after whole developmental exposure to γ-rays

by Elizabeth Dufourcq Sekatcheff, Christian Godon, Aymeric Bailly, Loïc Quevarec, Virginie Camilleri, Simon Galas, Sandrine Frelon

Wildlife is subject to various sources of pollution, including ionizing radiation. Adverse effects can impact the survival, growth, or reproduction of organisms, later affecting population dynamics. In invertebrates, reproduction, which directly impacts population dynamics, has been found to be the most radiosensitive endpoint. Understanding the underlying molecular pathways inducing this reproduction decrease can help to comprehend species-specific differences in radiosensitivity. From our previous studies, we found that decrease in reproduction is life stage dependent in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, possibly resulting from an accumulation of damages during germ cell development and gamete differentiation. To go further, we used the same experimental design to assess more precisely the molecular determinants of reproductive toxicity, primarily decreases in gamete number. As before, worms were chronically exposed to 50 mGy·h−1 external gamma ionizing radiation throughout different developmental periods (namely embryogenesis, gametogenesis, and full development). To enable cross species extrapolation, conserved molecular pathways across invertebrates and vertebrates were analysed: apoptosis and MAP kinase Ras/ERK (MPK-1), both involved in reproduction and stress responses. Our results showed that these pathways are life-stage dependent, resulting from an accumulation of damages upon chronic exposure to IR throughout the life development. The Ras/ERK pathway was activated in our conditions in the pachytene region of the gonad where it regulates cell fate including apoptosis, but not in the ovulation zone, where it controls oocyte maturation and ovulation. Additionally, assessment of germ cell proliferation via Ras/ERK pathway showed no effect. Finally, a functional analysis of apoptosis revealed that while the decrease of the ovulation rate is caused by DNA-damaged induced apoptosis, this process does not occur in spermatocytes. Thus, sperm decrease seems to be mediated via another mechanism, probably a decrease in germ cell proliferation speed that needs further investigation to better characterize sex-specific responses to IR exposure. These results are of main importance to describe radio-induced reprotoxic effects and contribute as weight of evidence for the AOP #396 “Deposition of ionizing energy leads to population decline via impaired meiosis”.

Predictors of triage pain assessment and subsequent pain management among pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department

by Rahim Valani, Fazila Kassam, Shauna Jose, Mario Hanna, Tanmay Sharma, Jhanahan Sriranjan, Yazad Bhathena, Umairah Boodoo, Aashna Agarwal, Suneel Upadhye

Background

Pediatric patients with pain of various causes present to the emergency department. Appropriate assessment and management of pain are important aspects of emergency department treatment. However, only a few studies have identified the predictors of both outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of pain assessment at triage and subsequent management and to identify the predictors of each outcome.

Methods

This was a multi-center retrospective study based at five community emergency departments. Pediatric patients ( Results

There were 4,128 patients with an average age of 9.6 years, and 49.1% of them were female. Only 74.2% of the patients underwent assessment for pain at triage, and 18.3% received analgesia. The median time to analgesia was 95 (IQR: 49–154) min. Most patients presented with head/neck (36.1%), upper limb (21.6%), and lower limb (19.9%) pain. The oral route was the most common analgesia delivery method (67.4%), and ibuprofen and acetaminophen were the primary agents used. Younger age, higher acuity, and presenting with head or neck pain were independent predictors of pain assessment at triage, while children 3–5 years and those with lower extremity pain were more likely to receive analgesia.

Conclusion

Although pain assessment at triage has improved in pediatric patients, there is still a major deficiency in adequate pain management. Our study highlights predictors of pain assessment and management that can be considered for improved pediatric care.

Qualitative interview study exploring the perspectives of pregnant women on participating in controlled human infection research in the UK

Por: Dorey · R. B. · Theodosiou · A. A. · Read · R. C. · Vandrevala · T. · Jones · C. E.
Introduction

Pregnant women have been historically excluded from interventional research. While recent efforts have been made to improve their involvement, there remains a disparity in the evidence base for treatments available to pregnant women compared with the non-pregnant population. A significant barrier to the enrolment of pregnant women within research is risk perception and a poor understanding of decision-making in this population.

Objective

Assess the risk perception and influences on decision-making in pregnant women, when considering whether to enrol in a hypothetical interventional research study.

Design

Semistructured interviews were undertaken, and thematic analysis was undertaken of participant responses.

Participants

Twelve pregnant women were enrolled from an antenatal outpatient clinic.

Results

Participants were unanimously positive about enrolling in the proposed hypothetical interventional study. Risk perception was influenced by potential risks to their fetus and their previous experiences of healthcare and research. Participants found the uncertainty in quantifying risk for new research interventions challenging. They were motivated to enrol in research by altruism and found less invasive research interventions more tolerable.

Conclusion

It is vital to understand how pregnant women balance the perceived risks and benefits of interventional research. This may help clinicians and scientists better communicate risk to pregnant women and address the ongoing under-representation of pregnant women in interventional research.

Exploring the impact of TGF‐β family gene mutations and expression on skin wound healing and tissue repair

Abstract

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) signalling pathway is of paramount importance in the processes of wound healing, epidermal integrity maintenance and development of skin cancer. The objective of this research endeavour was to clarify the impact of gene mutations and variations in expression within TGF-β family on mechanisms of tissue repair, as well as to identify potential targets for therapeutic purposes in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The methods utilized in this study involved obtaining RNA-seq data from 224 NMSC patients and paired normal skin tissues from the PRJNA320473 and PRJEB27606 databases. The purpose of the differential gene expression analysis was to identify genes whose expression had changed significantly. In order to evaluate the effects and interrelationships of identified gene variants, structural analysis with AlphaFold and PDB data and network analysis with the STRING database were both utilized. Critical gene expression was externally validated through the utilization of the GEPIA database. Tumour tissues exhibited a notable upregulation of genes associated with the TGF-β pathway, specifically MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, EGF, COL3A1 and COL1A2, in comparison with normal tissues. As indicated by the central node status of these genes in the network analysis, they play a crucial role in the progression of NMSCs. The results of the structural analysis suggested that mutations might cause functional disruptions. External validation of the upregulation confirmed the expression trends and emphasized the biomarker potential of the upregulated genes. In conclusion, this research offered thorough examination of molecular modifications that occur in TGF-β family genes, which are linked to cutaneous wound healing and NMSC. The modified expression of the identified hub genes may represent innovative targets for therapeutic intervention.

Cultural acceptability of STI screening guidelines and sexual positioning assessments among black sexual minority men

Abstract

Aim

To identify attitudes towards HIV/STI screening guidelines and explore the acceptability of assessing sexual positioning practices among Black sexual minority men (SMM).

Background

Risks for HIV/STIs vary by sexual positioning practices. However, clinicians and Black SMM do not always discuss sexuality with each other. Therefore, HIV/STI screening and testing remain suboptimal.

Design

Qualitative study using focus groups.

Methods

Data were obtained from 12 focus groups and one in-depth interview conducted in Baltimore, MD among HIV-negative Black SMM between October 2019 and May 2020 (N = 39). Groups were stratified into three age categories: 18–24, 25–34 and 35+. Participants were given the “5 P's” from the CDC's 2015 Sexual History Screening Guidelines and asked to discuss attitudes towards existing questions regarding sexual positioning practices. Themes were identified using an electronic pile sorting approach.

Results

Most identified as homosexual/gay/same gender-loving (68%), were employed (69%) and single (66%). Additionally, 34% had ever been diagnosed with an STI, of whom 38% had a history of repeated STI acquisition in their lifetime. Participants across age groups said clinicians should use the words “top” and “bottom” to demonstrate cultural familiarity and build trust. Some said that screening for sexual positioning was unnecessary and intrusive; others said that questions should be justified. Younger men wanted clinicians to ask questions in ways that make them feel cared for.

Discussion

Guidelines should include language for clinicians to use culturally specific language and better ways to prepare Black SMM patients for screening.

Impact to Nursing Practice

Some Black SMM will not discuss sexual positioning practices without clinicians' demonstration of cultural understanding and respect. Screening should incorporate culturally responsive language, justification and convey care.

Reporting Method

Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).

No Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.

Regional variation and temporal trends in transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement in Switzerland: A population-based small area analysis

by Carla Schenker, Maria M. Wertli, Lorenz Räber, Alan G. Haynes, Arnaud Chiolero, Nicolas Rodondi, Radoslaw Panczak, Drahomir Aujesky

Background

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and if severe, is treated with either transcatheter (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We assessed temporal trends and regional variation of these interventions in Switzerland and examined potential determinants of geographic variation.

Methods

We conducted a population-based analysis using patient discharge data from all Swiss public and private acute care hospitals from 2013 to 2018. We generated hospital service areas (HSAs) based on patient flows for TAVR. We calculated age-standardized mean procedure rates and variation indices (extremal quotient [EQ] and systematic component of variation [SCV]). Using multilevel regression, we calculated the influence of calendar year and regional demographics, socioeconomic factors (language, insurance status), burden of disease, and number of cardiologists/cardiovascular surgeons on geographic variation.

Results

Overall, 8074 TAVR and 11,825 SAVR procedures were performed in 8 HSAs from 2013 to 2018. Whereas the age-/sex-standardized rate of TAVR increased from 12 to 22 procedures/100,000 persons, the SAVR rate decreased from 33 to 24 procedures during this period. After full adjustment, the predicted TAVR and SAVR rates varied from 12 to 22 and 20 to 35 per 100,000 persons across HSAs, respectively. The regional procedure variation was low to moderate over time, with a low overall variation in TAVR (EQ 1.9, SCV 3.9) and SAVR (EQ 1.6, SCV 2.2). In multilevel regression, TAVR rates increased annually by 10% and SAVR rates decreased by 5%. Determinants of higher TAVR rates were older age, male sex, living in a German speaking area, and higher burden of disease. A higher proportion of (semi)private insurance was also associated with higher TAVR and lower SAVR rates. After full adjustment, 10.6% of the variance in TAVR and 18.4% of the variance in SAVR remained unexplained. Most variance in TAVR and SAVR rates was explained by language region and insurance status.

Conclusion

The geographic variation in TAVR and SAVR rates was low to moderate across Swiss regions and largely explained by differences in regional demographics and socioeconomic factors. The use of TAVR increased at the expense of SAVR over time.

Caregiving in the COVID‐19 pandemic: Family adaptations following an intensive care unit hospitalisation

Abstract

Aim and Objective

To identify how family caregivers adapt to the caregiving role following a relative's COVID-19-related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalisation.

Background

Family caregiving is often associated with poor health amongst caregivers which may limit their capacity to effectively support patients. Though severe COVID-19 infection has necessitated increasing numbers of persons who require caregiver support, little is known about these caregivers, the persons they are caring for, or the strategies used to effectively adjust to the caregiving role.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study design was adopted, and findings are reported using COREQ.

Methods

A secondary analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews conducted with recently discharged ICU patients who had COVID-19 (n = 16) and their family caregivers (n = 16) was completed using thematic analysis. MAXQDA 2020 and Miro were used to organise data and complete coding. Analysis involved a structured process of open and closed coding to identify and confirm themes that elucidated adaptation to family caregiving.

Results

Six themes highlight how family caregivers adapt to the caregiving role following an ICU COVID-19-related hospitalisation including (1) engaging the support of family and friends, (2) increased responsibilities to accommodate caregiving, (3) managing emotions, (4) managing infection control, (5) addressing patient independence and (6) engaging support services. These themes were found to be congruent with the Roy adaptation model.

Conclusions

Family caregiving is a stressful transition following a patient's acute hospitalisation. Effective adaptation requires flexibility and sufficient support, beginning with the care team who can adequately prepare the family for the anticipated challenges of recovery.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Clinical teams may improve post-hospitalisation care outcomes of patients by preparing families to effectively adjust to the caregiver role—particularly in identifying sufficient support resources.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participation of patients/caregivers in this study was limited to the data provided through participant interviews.

How do they cope? A national cross-sectional study of coping in hospital doctors in Ireland

Por: Doherty · A. · Prihodova · L. · Walsh · G. · Hayes · B.
Objectives

To measure coping strategies and associated psychological distress, burnout and work ability in hospital doctors in Ireland.

Design

National cross-sectional study of randomised sample of trainee and consultant hospital doctors.

Setting

Irish publicly funded hospitals and residential institutions.

Participants

1749 doctors returned surveys (55% response rate).

Outcome measures

Dependent variables were psychological distress (measured using 12-item General Health Questionnaire), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and work ability (single-item measure). Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies (Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) were covariates.

Results

The coping mechanism most frequently reported by this cohort was the adaptive strategy of active planning. Increased mean hours worked (MHW) (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03), a low Work Ability Score (OR 3.23; 95% CI 2.47 to 4.23) and maladaptive coping strategies (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.31) were significantly associated with psychological distress. Adaptive coping was associated with decreased psychological distress (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.00). Increased MHW (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99), insufficient work ability (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.80) and maladaptive coping (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.85 to 0.89) were significantly associated with burnout. Increased MHW (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.00) and maladaptive coping (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.92) were significantly associated with insufficient work ability.

Conclusions

Adaptive coping is associated with decreased psychological distress but does not mitigate the effect of increased work hours, which are associated with burnout, distress and insufficient work ability, regardless of a doctor’s coping style. The burden of psychological distress on doctors cannot be mitigated meaningfully unless workplace factors are addressed.

Coping profiles and their association with vicarious post‐traumatic growth among nurses during the three waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to examine (a) changes in coping strategies and vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) across three timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic among nurses; (b) discrete groups of nurses with unique coping profiles and (c) the association of these coping profiles with VPTG across the timepoints.

Background

Although literature abounds with the negative mental health consequences of the pandemic among healthcare professionals, much less is known about the positive consequences on nurses, the coping strategies that they use, and how these change over time.

Design

This was a cross-sectional web-based survey at three timepoints during the pandemic.

Methods

A sample of 429 nurses completed online the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE) to measure vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) and coping strategies, respectively. The STROBE checklist was used to report the present study.

Results

Significantly higher VPTG scores were observed during the third timepoint. Different coping strategies were employed across the three timepoints. Nurses responded to the pandemic either with an active, an avoidant or a passive coping profile. Significantly higher VPTG levels were reported by the nurses of the active profile compared to those of the passive profile, whereas the difference between active and avoidant profiles was not significant.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the preponderance of the nurses with the active coping profile in achieving high VPTG, the avoidant copers had more gains (VPTG) than the passive copers, suggesting that doing something to cope with the stressor—let it be trying to avoid it—was better than doing nothing.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The identification of distinct coping profiles among nurses and their association with VPTG is of particular use to policymakers and practitioners in developing tailored prevention and intervention efforts to help the nurses effectively manage the demands of the pandemic.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution since the study was exclusively conducted by the authors.

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