To describe and compare the Evidence-Based HealthCare (EBHC) competence of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), and the factors associated with it in Finland and Singapore.
A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study.
Data were collected from APNs working in healthcare in Finland (n = 157) or Singapore (n = 99) between May 2023 and October 2023 using a self-assessment instrument to measure EBHC competence (EBHC-Comp-APN) and an EBHC knowledge test. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, K-mean cluster and multivariate analyses.
The self-assessments of APNs working in Finland and Singapore regarding their EBHC competence level varied and three distinct profiles of APNs' EBHC competence were identified in both countries. The strongest EBHC competence was in ‘The Knowledge Needs Related to Global Health’, while the weakest in ‘Evidence Synthesis and Transfer’. The country-specific differences were identified in factors associated with EBHC competence.
The EBHC competencies of APNs vary widely and require planned and needs-driven development. In connection with the development of EBHC competence, the factors related to competence should be considered country-by-country.
The APN's EBHC competence should be systematically developed considering the factors associated with and the current level of EBHC competence.
The level of EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors should be identified when developing their competence and role in collaboration with APNs, leaders of healthcare and education organisations and policy makers. In addition, research into APNs' EBHC competence should continue.
The STROBE checklist was used in the reporting of the study.
No patient or public contribution.
Evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) enables consistent and effective healthcare that prioritises patient safety. The competencies of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are essential for implementing EBHC because their professional duties include promoting EBHC.
To identify, critically appraise, and synthesise the best available evidence concerning the EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors.
A systematic review.
CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic, ProQuest, and MedNar.
Databases were searched for studies (until 19 September 2023) that examined the EBHC competence and associated factors of APNs were included. Quantitative studies published in English, Swedish and Finnish were included. We followed the JBI methodology for systematic review and performed a narrative synthesis.
The review included 12 quantitative studies, using 15 different instruments, and involved 3163 participants. The quality of the studies was fair. The APNs' EBHC competence areas were categorised into five segments according to the JBI EBHC model. The strongest areas of competencies were in global health as a goal, transferring and implementing evidence, while the weakest were generating and synthesising evidence. Evidence on factors influencing APNs' EBHC competencies was contradictory, but higher levels of education and the presence of an organisational research council may be positively associated with APNs' EBHC competencies.
The development of EBHC competencies for APNs should prioritise evidence generation and synthesis. Elevating the education level of APNs and establishing a Research Council within the organisation can potentially enhance the EBHC competence of APNs.
We should consider weaknesses in EBHC competence when developing education and practical exercises for APNs. This approach will promote the development of APNs' EBHC competence and EBHC implementation in nursing practice.
The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021226578), and reporting followed the PRISMA checklist.
None.
To describe patients' experiences of the quality of counselling to develop new digital counselling solutions for patients with cerebrovascular disease.
A descriptive, qualitative approach.
Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted among 22 patients diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular disease and treated as inpatients at a single university hospital in Finland between September 2021 and February 2022. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis.
The identified facilitators, barriers and possible solutions for the development of new digital counselling solutions were deductively categorized into five main categories: (1) background factors, (2) resources, (3) implementation, (4) sufficiency, and (5) effects and 12 generic categories. Patients with cerebrovascular diseases worry about symptoms affecting their ability to receive information and valued a supportive atmosphere. Staff should have more time for counselling and use motivational digital counselling solutions in plain language, moderate length and with multimedia content. Patients desired reminders, easy search functions and possibilities for two-way communication.
New digital counselling solutions could be beneficial in supporting the patients' knowledge, emotions and adherence. For the success of such solutions, patients' special needs concerning different levels of cognitive impairment need to be considered.
The results of this study may benefit healthcare organizations in the development of digital counselling solutions that meet the patients' needs.
We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines with the COREQ reporting method.
Patients were involved as the study population.
To identify and synthesise nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings.
Modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Lifestyle counselling is part of nurses' role which enables them to make a significant contribution to patients' long-term health in various healthcare contexts, but requires particular competence.
Qualitative systematic literature review and meta-aggregation.
The review was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for conducting synthesis of qualitative studies. PRISMA-checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were search from databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic and Psych Articles, Ebscho Open Dissertations and Web of Science). After researcher consensus was reached and quality of the studies evaluated, 20 studies were subjected to meta-aggregation.
From 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 findings were extracted and categorised into 13 groups based on their meaning, resulting in the identification of 5 synthesised findings for competence description: Supporting healthy lifestyle adherence, creating interactive and patient-centred counselling situations, acquiring competence through clinical experience and continuous self-improvement, collaborating with other professionals and patients, planning lifestyle counselling and managing work across various stages of the patient's disease care path.
The review provides an evidence base that can be used to support nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling when working with adult patients in healthcare settings. Lifestyle counselling competence is a complex and rather abstract phenomenon. The review identified, analysed and synthesised the evidence derived from nurses' experience which shows that lifestyle counselling competence is a multidimensional entity which relates to many other competencies within nurses' work.
Recognising the competencies of nurses in lifestyle counselling for adult patients can stimulate nurses' motivation. The acquisition of these competencies can have a positive impact on patients' lives and their health.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The research may enhance nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling, leading to improved health outcomes, better adherence to recommendations and overall well-being. It may also drive the development of interventions, improving healthcare delivery in lifestyle counselling.
The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines.
Blinded for the review.