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Master's degrees for nurses have various foci including clinical practice, leadership and education, with some programs consisting of coursework, while others offer hybrid study that combines coursework and research. Multiple formats are associated with offering the research component. The research component is often termed the minor thesis. Limited knowledge exists regarding the supervision of the research component.
To capture the practices and perspectives of experienced nurse academics regarding effective supervision of the masters-level minor thesis in nursing coursework master degrees.
Qualitative descriptive.
Semi-structured interviews with 28 experienced nurse academics recruited from 15 Australian and three New Zealand universities linked to the Council of Deans in Australia and New Zealand. Inclusion criteria were having experience of supervising masters-level minor theses and higher degrees. Interviews were face-to-face using the internet platform Zoom©. Thematic analysis was undertaken.
The analysis revealed three themes and associated sub-themes: (i) establishing the framework (setting up the student's research; building the student–supervisor relationship; setting clear expectations), (ii) supervisors' knowledge and actions: driving for success (supervisors' knowledge for a satisfactory and timely outcome; supervisors' actions to develop students' capabilities; supervisors' actions of drawing in other expertise) and (iii) supervisor savviness: Attending to the finer points of supervision for student success (using your attributes as a supervisor; being savvy to teach and engage students; creatively seeking a smooth process for student success).
The findings highlight three themes crucial to effective supervision of masters-level minor theses in nursing: Establishing a strong research framework, emphasizing supervisors' knowledge and proactive engagement and attending to nuanced aspects of supervision for student success. These insights contribute to deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of supervising minor theses, providing a valuable foundation for refining supervisory practices and enhancing the educational experience within coursework nursing master degree programs.
The findings highlight the supervisors' pivotal practices in guiding students through the minor thesis. These insights will be useful for inexperienced and experienced supervisors and for degree program directors. The findings should inform supervision training and supervision practices in the future.
The study addressed a gap in knowledge about what experienced supervisors do to be effective and achieve success in the research component in a hybrid master degree for registered nurses. Effective supervision for student success in the minor thesis requires supervisors to establish and maintain a project and supervisory framework with appropriate boundaries and that is attuned to both the supervisor and student capabilities and preferences. Supervisors have an active role in directing the focus, scale and scope of a minor theses in keeping with university requirements and the short timeframe. Supervisors pay attention to the development of multiple student literacies (research, academic, professional, feedback and cultural) as core aspects of the masters research journey. Supervisors use their savviness and customize supervision to student contexts and capabilities as they guide development to achieve student success. The research findings have implications for targeted supervisor training and enhancing educational strategies for research supervision of minor thesis students.
COREQ reporting was adhered to as the relevant EQUATOR guideline.
No patient or public contribution.
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative research approach that equally engages researchers and community stakeholders throughout all steps of the research process to facilitate social change and increase research relevance. Community advisory boards (CABs) are a CBPR tool in which individuals with lived experience and community organisations are integrated into the research process and ensure the work aligns with community priorities. We seek to (1) explore the best practices for the recruitment and engagement of people with lived experiences on CABs and (2) identify the scope of literature on minimising power dynamics between organisations and community members with lived experience who work on CABs together.
This scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework, informed by Levac et al, and will be reported using a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) diagram. Detailed and robust search strategies have been developed for Embase, Medline and PsychINFO. Grey literature references and reference lists of included articles published between 1 January 1990 and 30 March 2023 will be considered. Two reviewers will independently screen references in two successive stages of title/abstract and full-text screening. Conflicts will be decided by consensus or a third reviewer. Thematic analysis will be applied in three phases: open coding, axial coding and abstraction. Extracted data will be recorded and presented in a tabular format and/or graphical summaries, with a descriptive overview discussing how the research findings relate to the research questions. At this time, a preliminary search of peer-reviewed and grey literature has been conducted. Search results for peer-reviewed literature have been uploaded to Covidence for review and appraisal for relevance.
Formal ethics approval is not required for this review. Review findings will inform ongoing and future CBPR community advisory board dynamics.
The protocol has been registered prospectively on the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QF5D3)
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and often face multiple HIV-related stigmas. Addressing these stigmas could reduce SGM HIV vulnerability but little is known about how the stigmas operate and intersect. Intersectional stigma offers a lens for understanding the experiences of stigmatised populations and refers to the synergistic negative health effects of various systems of oppression on individuals with multiple stigmatised identities, behaviours or conditions. This review aims to (1) assess how often and in what ways an intersectional lens is applied in HIV-related stigma research on SGM populations in SSA and (2) understand how intersectional stigma impacts HIV risk in these populations.
Scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews.
Public health and regional databases were searched in 2020 and 2022.
Articles in French and English on HIV-related stigma and HIV outcomes among men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women and/or transgender individuals in SSA.
Articles were screened and extracted twice and categorised by use of an intersectional approach. Study designs and stigma types were described quantitatively and findings on intersectional stigma were thematically analysed.
Of 173 articles on HIV-related stigma among SGM in SSA included in this review, 21 articles (12%) applied an intersectional lens. The most common intersectional stigmas investigated were HIV and same-sex attraction/behaviour stigma and HIV, same-sex attraction/behaviour and gender non-conformity stigma. Intersectional stigma drivers, facilitators and manifestations were identified across individual, interpersonal, institutional and societal socioecological levels. Intersectional stigma impacts HIV vulnerability by reducing HIV prevention and treatment service uptake, worsening mental health and increasing exposure to HIV risk factors.
Intersectional approaches are gaining traction in stigma research among SGM in SSA. Future research should prioritise quantitative and mixed methods investigations, diverse populations and intervention evaluation.
by Nelson Alfonso Gómez-Cruz, David Anzola, Aglaya Batz Liñeiro
In the socioeconomic sphere, the concept of informality has been used to address issues pertaining to economic dynamics, institutions, work, poverty, settlements, the use of space, development, and sustainability, among others. This thematic range has given way to multiple discourses, definitions and approaches that mostly focus on a single phenomenon and conform to traditional disciplinary lines, making it difficult to fully understand informality and adequately inform policymaking. In this article, we carried out a multilevel co-word analysis with the purpose of unveiling the intellectual structure of socioeconomic informality. Co-occurring document keywords were used, initially, to delimit the scope of the socioeconomic dimension of informality (macro level) and, later, to identify its main concepts, themes (meso level) and sub-themes (micro level). Our results show that there is a corpus of research on socioeconomic informality that is sufficiently differentiable from other types of informality. This corpus, at the same time, can be divided into six major themes and 31 sub-themes related, more prominently, to the informal economy, informal settlements and informal institutions. Looking forward, the analysis suggests, an increasing focus on context and on the experience of multiple ‘informalities’ has the potential, on the one hand, to reveal links that help unify this historically fragmented corpus and, on the other hand, to give informality a meaning and identity that go beyond the traditional formal-informal dualism.To elicit experiences of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals in intermediate care units (IMCUs) in an academic medical centre in Baltimore, MD related to the challenges and intricacies of multimorbidity management to inform development of a multimorbidity symptom management toolkit.
Experience-based co-design.
Between July and October 2021, patients aged 55 years and older with multimorbidity admitted to IMCUs at an academic medical centre in Baltimore, Maryland, USA were recruited and interviewed in person. Interdisciplinary healthcare professionals working in the IMCU were interviewed virtually. Participants were asked questions about their role in recognizing and treating symptoms, factors affecting the quality of life, symptom burden and trajectory over time, and strategies that have and have not worked for managing symptoms. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used for analysis.
Twenty-three interviews were conducted: 9 patients, 2 family caregivers, and 12 healthcare professionals. Patients' mean age was 67.5 (±6.5) years, over half (n = 5) were Black or Hispanic, and the average number of comorbidities was 3.67. Five major themes that affect symptom management emerged: (1) the patient–provider relationship; (2) open and honest communication; (3) accessibility of resources during hospitalization and at discharge; (4) caregiver support, training, and education; and (5) care coordination and follow-up care.
Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different priorities for multimorbidity management. It is imperative to identify shared priorities and target holistic interventions that consider patient and caregiver experiences to improve outcomes.
This paper addresses the paucity of research related to the shared experience of disease trajectory and symptom management for people living with multimorbidity. We found that patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different care and communication priorities. Understanding differing priorities will help better design interventions to support symptom management so people with multimorbidity can have the best possible quality of life.
We have adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guidelines in our reporting.
This study has been designed and implemented with patient and public involvement throughout the process, including community advisory board engagement in the project proposal phase and interview guide development, and member checking in the data collection and analysis phases. The method we chose, experience-based co-design, emphasizes the importance of engaging members of a community to act as experts in their own life challenges. In the coming phases of the study, the public will be involved in developing and testing a new intervention, informed by these qualitative interviews and co-design events, to support symptom management for people with multimorbidity.
by Kaitlin Nelson, Sonia Shirin, Dharani Kalidasan, Jerilynn C. Prior
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects many people and is often distressing. Much medical literature about diagnosis and treatment exists, but little is known about PCOS menstrual cycle-related experiences except that cycles tend to be far-apart and unpredictable. Our purpose was to examine the menstrual cycle and daily life experiences in those with PCOS having approximately month-apart cycles compared with age and BMI-matched cohort controls using data from the Menstruation & Ovulation Study 2 (MOS2) during the first 1.5 years of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We hypothesized that those with PCOS would experience lower self-worth and more negative moods. This is a single-cycle prospective case-control study in community-dwelling women ages 19–35 years. Eight reported physician-diagnosed PCOS and were matched (1:3 ratio) with controls by age (within .6 years) and BMI (within .19 BMI units). Experiences were recorded daily (Menstrual Cycle Diary©, Diary). All kept daily morning temperatures to assess luteal phase lengths by the validated Quantitative Basal Temperature© analysis method. From 112 in MOS2, 32 women were compared: eight with PCOS versus 24 controls. Demographic, socioeconomic, comorbidities and lifestyle variables were not different between the two groups. Cycle lengths were similar in PCOS and controls (one PCOS and control each had oligomenorrhea; most lengths were 21–35 days, P = .593). Unexpectedly, luteal phase lengths were also similar between PCOS and controls (P = .167); anovulation occurred in 5 with PCOS, and in 9 controls. There were no significant Diary differences between the two groups except for greater “outside stress” in the PCOS group (P = .020). In contrast to our hypotheses, there were no significant differences in feelings of self-worth, anxiety nor depression. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was a stressful time for women. MOS2 captured granular menstrual cycles, ovulation and daily experiences in women with PCOS compared with age- and BMI-matched controls. These pilot data in women with milder PCOS are the first of more research required to understand the daily experiences in those living with PCOS.The aim of this study was to systematically consolidate evidence on perspectives and thoughts of women living with HIV regarding the peer support they have encountered during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Mixed studies systematic review.
PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and ProQuest were sourced from 1981 to January 2022.
A convergent qualitative synthesis approach was used to analyse the data. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.
A total of 12 studies were included, involving 1596 pregnant women and 1856 new mothers living with HIV. An overarching theme, ‘From One Mother to Another: The Supportive Journey of Pregnant Women and New Mothers Living with HIV’, and two themes were identified: (1) Emotional support buddies and extended networks and (2) Link bridge to healthcare support and self-empowerment.
Peer support played an indispensable role in the lives of women living with HIV and served as a complementary support system to professional and family support.
What problem did the study address? Pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV face preconceived stigma and discrimination.
What were the main findings? Peer support was perceived to be beneficial in enhancing emotional support among women living with HIV and was well-accepted by them.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Healthcare providers and community social workers could develop or enhance peer support educational programmes tailored to pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV. Policymakers and administrators can leverage public awareness, advocacy and political will to formulate and implement policies and campaigns aimed at fostering awareness and receptivity towards peer support interventions.
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
No patient or public contribution.
Schizotypal disorder is associated with a high level of disability at an individual level and high societal costs. However, clinical recommendations for the treatment of schizotypal disorder are scarce and based on limited evidence. This review aims to synthesise the current evidence on treatment for schizotypal disorder making recommendations for clinical practice.
This systematic review protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic literature search will be performed in PsychArticles, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Additionally, we will search for relevant articles manually. Inclusion criteria are published studies including individuals diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria, or schizotypal disorder according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria. We will include interventional studies comprising any pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment trials for patients with schizotypal disorder, and all relevant outcome measures will be reported. Risk of bias will be assessed by Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. Data will be synthesised using narrative or thematic analysis and, if suitable, through meta-analysis.
No original data will be collected as part of this study and ethics approval is, therefore, not applicable. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presented at international scientific meetings. We will aim at submitting the final paper for publication within 4 months of completion of analyses. Furthermore, this systematic review will inform clinicians and researchers on the current state of evidence on treatment for schizotypal disorder. Findings may guide proposals for further research and potentially guide recommendations for clinical practice using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
CRD42022375001.
Iron-deficiency anaemia is common in gynaecological oncology patients. Blood transfusions are immunosuppressive and carry immediate and long-term risks. Oral iron replacement remains the standard of care but requires prolonged treatment courses associated with gastrointestinal side effects, poor compliance and variable absorption in cancer patients. Intravenous iron has been shown to decrease the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in gynaecological oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, but the efficacy of this treatment in the preoperative period is unknown. The goal of this pilot study is to determine the effect of intravenous ferric derisomaltose on preoperative haemoglobin in patients undergoing surgery for gynaecological malignancy.
We will conduct a pilot single-centre, parallel-arm randomised controlled trial of intravenous ferric derisomaltose versus placebo among consenting patients with iron-deficiency anaemia having elective major surgery on the gynaecological oncology service. Patients, clinicians and outcome assessors will be blinded. The intervention consists of a single infusion of 500–1000 mg of intravenous ferric derisomaltose administered a minimum of 21 days prior to the planned operation. The primary outcome is mean preoperative haemoglobin concentration measured 0–3 days prior to surgery in patients receiving intravenous ferric derisomaltose compared with those receiving placebo. Secondary outcomes include the following: change in haemoglobin concentration, postoperative haemoglobin concentration, perioperative blood transfusion rates, patient-reported quality of life scores (Quality of Recovery 15, Modified Short Form 36 v1, EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia), surgical site infection, complication rates, length of hospital stay and readmission rate. Analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles for all randomised participants. All patients will be followed up to 60 days following surgery.
Ethical approval has been granted by Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta (Project ID: HREBA.CC-22–0187) and Health Canada (HC6-024-c264013). Results will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publication and social and traditional media.
To refine the Rushton Moral Resilience Scale (RMRS) by creating a more concise scale, improving the reliability, particularly of the personal integrity subscale and providing further evidence of validity.
Healthcare workers are exposed to moral adversity in practice. When unable to preserve/restore their integrity, moral suffering ensues. Moral resilience is a resource that may mitigate negative consequences. To better understand mechanisms for doing so, a valid and reliable measurement tool is necessary.
Cross-sectional survey.
Participants (N = 1297) had completed ≥1 items on the RMRS as part of the baseline survey of a larger longitudinal study. Item analysis, confirmatory factor analyses, reliability analyses (Cronbach's alpha), and correlations were used to establish reliability and validity of the revised RMRS.
Item and confirmatory factor analysis were used to refine the RMRS from 21 to 16 items. The four-factor structure (responses to moral adversity, personal integrity, relational integrity and moral efficacy) demonstrated adequate fit in follow-up confirmatory analyses in the initial and hold-out sub-samples. All subscales and the total scale had adequate reliabilities (α ≥ 0.70). A higher-order factor analysis supports the computation of either subscale scores or a total scale score. Correlations of scores with stress, anxiety, depression and moral distress provide evidence of the scale's validity. Reliability of the personal integrity subscale improved.
The RMRS-16 demonstrates adequate reliability and validity, particularly the personal integrity subscale. Moral resilience is an important lever for reducing consequences when confronted with ethical challenges in practice. Improved reliability of the four subscales and having a shorter overall scale allow for targeted application and will facilitate further research and intervention development.
Data came from a larger study of Canadian healthcare workers from multiple healthcare organizations who completed a survey about their experiences during COVID-19.
FreshRSS 