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AnteayerInternacionales

Examining the long‐term effects of COVID‐19 in surgical nurses: Case of Aegean Region

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the long-term effects of COVID-19 on surgical nurses.

Background

Individuals contaminated with COVID-19 may face several metabolic or psychological issues, primarily in the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal and renal systems during the late period. However, the long-term epidemiology is still not clear.

Design

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods

The study included nurses (n = 509) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at least 12 weeks before and worked in surgical departments. We collected the study data via an online survey using the snowball sampling method between December 2021 and May 2022. This study followed the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guideline.

Results

The mean age of the nurses was 31.66 ± 8.74 years. Nurses stated that they were diagnosed with COVID-19 approximately 36 weeks before participating in this study. We found that the nurses mostly experienced palpitation (83.5%), headache (73.5%), dyspnea (64.1%), anosmia (57.6%), arthralgia (55.7%) and burnout (58.4%) during the late period after COVID-19.

Conclusion

The long-term effects of COVID-19 were related to multiple organ dysfunctions.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Since the study was conducted with healthy individuals who had previously experienced COVID-19, there is no patient contribution.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study focuses on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on nurses. The results support the long-term effects of COVID-19 and are thought to contribute to the literature.

‘Been there, experienced that’: A qualitative study on the experiences and perceptions of online peer volunteers in supporting Singaporean mothers at risk of depression

Abstract

Background

Online peer support is a useful source of support for parents during the perinatal period, associated with improved psychological outcomes. Past research has found that peer support providers themselves gain from providing peer support as well, making it mutually beneficial. As current maternity care services are insufficient to meet the support needs of parents, the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) intervention was developed to offer them informational, appraisal and emotional support during the perinatal period. It consists of mobile health application-based educational support and online peer support provided by trained peer volunteers, to prevent the development of postnatal depression.

Objective

To explore the experiences of peer volunteers with providing online peer support to parents during the perinatal period, as well as to identify areas of improvement for the SPA intervention.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. This study took place from October 2020 to August 2021 in two tertiary public healthcare institutions in Singapore. A total of 18 peer volunteers were invited for individual semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Four themes were emerged as follows: (1) ‘Being there’: Reminiscing about and healing of own postnatal depression experience; (2) Building rapport with parents; (3) Parents in mind: Mutual sharing of knowledge and how to support new parents better; (4) Ensuring good quality peer support.

Conclusions

The peer volunteers felt that their experience was fulfilling and healing. Frequent contact, sharing of SPA resources and self-disclosure were found to help engage the new parents and build rapport between peer volunteers and parents. Challenges described by the peer volunteers have identified possible areas in which the SPA intervention can be improved.

Implications for care

Communication between peer program facilitators, managers and peer volunteers can be enhanced to ensure that peer volunteers are more sensitive and precise when providing support or information. This can improve rapport building between parents and peer volunteers, which will in turn maximize the benefits that parents can reap through online peer-to-peer support.

Impact

This study explored the perceptions of peer volunteers who provided online peer support to parents across the perinatal period. Peer volunteers felt that the SPA intervention was meaningful and that providing peer support was a healing experience. They were able to learn about the experiences of other mothers with postpartum depression while sharing their own past experiences. Thus, both parents and peer volunteers can benefit from engaging in online peer support programs. Technology-based interventions like the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) can be a suitable complement to maternity care services by providing parents access to medically accurate information and social support. Additionally, more experienced mothers can engage in fulfilling experiences through volunteering for new mothers who may benefit from informational, appraisal and emotional support.

Reporting method

This study follows the reporting guidelines as stated by the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

Parents and peer volunteers contributed ideas that aided with the design of the mobile app. Many topics added to the educational materials were suggested by these parents as well.

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?

This study showed that sufficient training can be provided to lay peer volunteers to help them support other parents, buffering the pressure exerted on the healthcare industry due to the rising demand for healthcare services. The provision of such support is also beneficial for the peer volunteers themselves, as they find it meaningful and educational. Program developers of parenting and peer volunteering interventions can draw on the findings of this study to improve the effectiveness of these programs.

Staff's experiences of a culturally specific DEmentia Competence Education for Nursing home Taskforce (DECENT) programme: A qualitative process evaluation

Abstract

Aim

To understand participants' experiences with a culturally specific DEmentia Competence Education for Nursing home Taskforce programme within the contexts which was delivered.

Design

An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted within one week with the participants upon their completion of the programme from July 2020 to January 2021. A purposive sample of participants with different demographic characteristics in five nursing homes was recruited to maximize the sample variation. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for qualitative content analysis. Participation was on voluntary and anonymous basis.

Results

Four major themes were identified, including perceived benefits of the programme (i.e., enhanced sensitivity to the needs of residents with dementia, increased communication with families of residents with dementia, facilitated guidance on care for residents with dementia), facilitators (i.e., comprehensive content, active learning, qualified trainer, intrinsic motivation and organizational support), barriers (i.e., busy working schedules, discrimination against care assistants' learning capability) and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion

The results suggested the acceptability of the programme. The participants positively appraised the programme in enhancing their dementia-care competence. The facilitators, barriers and suggestions identified provide insights on improving programme implementation.

Impact

The qualitative findings from the process evaluation are pertinent to support the sustainability of dementia competence programme in nursing home setting. Future studies could address the modifiable barriers to enhance its effectiveness.

Reporting Method

This study was reported in adherence to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitatve studies (COREQ) checklist.

Patient and Public Contribution

Nursing-home staff was involved in intervention development and delivery.

Implications for Practice/Policy

The educational programme could be integrated into the routine practice in nursing homes to improve staff's dementia-care competence. More attention should be paid on the educational needs of the taskforce when implementing the educational programme in nursing homes. Organizational support is the precondition for the educational programme and cultivates a culture for practice change.

Insights of healthcare professionals regarding waterbirths and water immersion during labour: A mixed studies review

Abstract

Aim

To consolidate healthcare professionals' insights about waterbirths and water immersion during labour.

Design

Mixed studies review.

Data Sources

Seven electronic databases were searched from their inception dates till June 2023: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and Pluye and Hong's mixed studies review framework guided this review. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesized using the convergent qualitative synthesis method, and results were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework.

Results

Three main themes were identified from the 22 included studies: (1) believing in waterbirths, (2) opposing forces and (3) plotting the course ahead.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals reported different views about waterbirths and water immersion practices; midwives were most likely to support these practices, followed by nurses and lastly, few physicians supported them. Reasons for opposing waterbirths include insufficient training and support from colleagues as well as concerns about work efficiency, waterbirth safety and litigation issues.

Impact

The available evidence suggests the need to provide waterbirth training for healthcare professionals, equip healthcare facilities with necessary waterbirth-related infrastructure and develop appropriate waterbirth policies/guidelines. Healthcare professionals could also consider providing antenatal waterbirth education to women and obtain women's feedback to improve current policies/guidelines. Future research should explore the views of different types of healthcare professionals from more diverse cultures.

Reporting Method

The PRISMA guidelines.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Systematic review.

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