Conectar
To describe patient outcomes for patients at high risk of mortality (with a prognosis of three months or less to live) where a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant (PCNC) was embedded in a General Medicine team. To explore patients and/or their carers feedback and allied health, nursing professionals' perspectives on integrating a palliative care approach in the General Medicine ward.
Prospective exploratory study.
SQUIRE reporting guidelines was adopted for the study reporting. This study was conducted over six weeks in a general medicine ward at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were 20 patients aged > 65 years with non-malignant, chronic conditions at high risk of mortality within three months and had 18 nursing and allied health professionals involved in their care. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative survey data were analysed thematically.
Twenty patients participated, with an average age of 87 years. 55% spoke a language other than English. PCNC interventions, focused on care coordination and family liaison, were found to facilitate timely referrals to other support services, improve communication and better address end-of-life care needs. Healthcare professionals recognised the benefits of PCNC involvement; however, a key qualitative theme was staff reluctance to raise palliative care needs due to perceived role boundaries and limited confidence. While PCNC presence improved communication and advocacy, barriers included time constraints and patient/family resistance.
Embedding a PCNC in a general medicine team appears to enhance care coordination and support timely palliative care integration. Addressing barriers and optimising workflow can improve patient, carer and clinician experience as well as improve resource utilisation.
The model has the potential to enhance patient-centred care and clinician support in acute general medicine settings.
The research will have an impact on acute care settings, particularly general medicine units, by informing models of integrated palliative care for patients with complex needs and enhancing staff capability and confidence in providing timely, person-centred care.
Patients or members of the public were not involved in the design, conduct, analysis or manuscript preparation of this study. The project was a prospective observational study with limited scope and resources, which did not include a formal patient or public involvement component.
To develop and psychometrically test a comprehensive Cancer Nurse Self-Assessment Tool (CaN-SAT).
Modified Delphi to assess content validity and cross-sectional survey to assess reliability and validity.
Phase 1: An expert group developed the tool structure and item content. Phase 2: Through a modified Delphi, cancer nursing experts rated the importance of each element of practice and assessed the relevance and clarity of each item. Content Validation Indexes (CVI) were calculated, and a CVI of ≥ 0.78 was required for items to be included. Phase 3: Cancer nurses participated in a survey to test internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha coefficients) and known-group validity (through Mann–Whitney U tests). This study was reported using the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS) checklist.
The CaN-SAT underwent two rounds of Delphi with 24 then 15 cancer nursing experts. All elements of practice were rated as important. Only three items achieved a CVI < 0.78 after round one; however, based on open-ended comments, 26 items were revised and one new item added. After round two, all items received a CVI above 0.78. The final tool consisted of 93 items across 15 elements of practice. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between 0.92 and 0.98 indicating good reliability. Mann–Whitney U tests demonstrated significant differences between clinical nurses and advanced practice nurses across 13 out of 15 elements of practice.
The CaN-SAT is a comprehensive, valid and reliable tool that can be used for cancer nurses to self-assess current skill levels, identify their learning needs and inform decisions about educational opportunities to optimise cancer care provision.
The research team included three patient advocates from Cancer Voices NSW, who were actively involved in all aspects of the study and are listed as authors.
To investigate the association between the New Early Warning Score (NEWS) and 28-day mortality in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).
A cross-sectional derivation and validation study.
A total of 382 SFTS patients were included in retrospective and prospective studies. The primary outcome was short-term (28-day) mortality. Cox regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and Kaplan–Meier analysis were utilised in the retrospective study to assess the association between NEWS and mortality. The prospective study assessed the applicability of the NEWS.
This study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Among 219 SFTS patients in the retrospective study, 27 (12.3%) died within 28 days. NEWS was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (4.00 [1.00, 5.00] vs. 1.00 [1.00, 2.00]). The ROC curve for MEWS predicting 28-day mortality showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757 (95% confidence interval: 0.65–0.87), with a cut-off of 3.5 (sensitivity: 90.6%; specificity: 55.6%). SFTS patients were stratified into low (NEWS < 4), medium (NEWS 4–6), and high (NEWS > 6) risk groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly lower survival rates in medium and high risk groups compared to the low risk group. The prospective study included 63 SFTS patients, of whom 11 (17.5%) died. 28-day mortality significantly increased across NEWS categories: [low risk (4/50, 8.0%), medium risk (4/8, 50.0%), high risk (3/5, 60.0%)].
NEWS was a quicker, simpler, and valuable parameter to identify SFTS patients at risk of 28-day mortality.
An elevated NEWS at admission is associated with a higher risk of poor short-term prognosis in SFTS patients. Incorporating NEWS into emergency nursing practice may aid in the early identification of SFTS patients at risk of adverse prognosis.
Emergency nurses performed the NEWS for the SFTS patients at admission.
Children experience significant psychological and physical stress during medical procedures. Picture books can help reduce anxiety by familiarising children with their upcoming procedures.
To synthesise and evaluate the effectiveness of picture books on reducing preoperative anxiety in children and their parents.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials reported following the PRISMA guidelines.
PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to January 1, 2024. This review includes randomised controlled trials published in Chinese or English that evaluate the efficacy of picture book interventions in reducing preoperative anxiety among children undergoing elective surgery. Studies were excluded if: (1) they were conference abstracts, protocols or repetitive publications; (2) they were not available in full text; (3) the data reported in the study could not be obtained from the authors; and (4) they were not published in Chinese or English. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4.
Five studies with a total of 418 patients were included in the analysis. Picture books can significantly reduce children's preoperative anxiety (SMD = −0.57, 95% CI = −0.76 to −0.37; p < 0.001). The certainty of the evidence for the effectiveness of picture books on preoperative anxiety was considered moderate.
Picture books can effectively reduce preoperative anxiety in children by familiarising them with the unknown. It has shown the potential to serve as preoperative educational material for paediatric patients.
Not applicable.
This meta-analysis highlights the effectiveness of picture books in reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing medical procedures. Healthcare professionals should consider integrating these interventions into preoperative health education.
CRD42023435105 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023435105)
To analyse the risk factors for central venous catheter-related infections in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) patients, construct a risk prediction model and propose preventive strategies to reduce infection rates and improve patient outcomes.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify risk factors and develop a predictive model for central venous catheter-associated infections in PICU patients.
Clinical data from 312 PICU patients with central venous catheters hospitalised between September 2020 and August 2022 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into an infection group (55 cases) and a no-infection group (257 cases). Univariate analysis identified potential risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression was used to construct a predictive model. The model's performance was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves and decision curve analysis.
The incidence of central venous catheter-related infections in PICU patients was 17.26%. Prolonged catheter retention and repeated catheterisation were identified as independent risk factors, while heparin sealing and increased frequency of auxiliary material changes were protective factors. The predictive model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.793, demonstrating good accuracy and clinical utility.
The risk prediction model for central venous catheter-associated infections in PICU patients is simple, accurate and clinically valuable. It supports early identification of high-risk patients and informs targeted preventive measures to reduce infection rates and improve patient outcomes.
To explore the association of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) with in-hospital mortality and costs in older inpatients and to compare these associations between cancer and non-cancer patients to inform clinical practice.
Retrospective observational study.
A hospital-based study was conducted in Southwest China between January 2018 and December 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and anthropometric data of inpatients aged 65 and over, along with hospitalisation deaths and costs, were collected through the Hospital Information System of a general hospital and its affiliates. GNRI was calculated at admission to assess nutritional risk. Marginal structural models and stratified analyses estimated hospitalisation outcomes for older inpatients with and without various types of cancer across different nutritional risk grades.
Among 37,267 participants, in-hospital mortality and costs increased with higher nutritional risk. Older inpatients with major nutritional risk had significantly higher mortality and costs than those with no nutritional risk. Older cancer inpatients with major nutritional risk had the highest mortality and costs, significantly exceeding those of non-cancer inpatients. For each cancer type, increased nutritional risk was associated with higher in-hospital mortality and costs. Respiratory cancer inpatients with major nutritional risk had the highest mortality, while digestive cancer inpatients had the highest costs.
Higher GNRI-assessed nutritional risk was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and costs in older inpatients, with stronger associations observed in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients. Integrating GNRI into routine nursing practice could have significant clinical and economic benefits by promoting early nutritional screening in patient care and targeted interventions to reduce mortality and healthcare costs in high-risk populations.
Integrating GNRI assessment into routine patient care can effectively identify patients at high risk for in-hospital mortality and costs, allowing for timely nutritional support to enhance patient outcomes. GNRI, as a simple and globally applicable tool, can be integrated into diverse healthcare settings, providing an effective method for nutritional risk screening in older patients. When applying GNRI in clinical nursing and medical practice, special consideration should be given to the presence and type of cancer, as cancer patients with severe nutritional risk may benefit the most from targeted interventions.
What problem did the study address? This study investigated the association between GNRI-assessed nutritional risk and in-hospital mortality and costs in older inpatients. It further examined whether these associations differ between cancer and non-cancer patients and among different cancer types to improve clinical application.
What were the main findings? The study found that higher nutritional risk assessed by GNRI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and costs in older inpatients. These associations were stronger in older cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients, with respiratory cancers showing the highest mortality and digestive cancers incurring the highest costs. These findings emphasise the important role of nutritional screening using GNRI in patient care with varying clinical profiles and informing nursing and medical strategies globally, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The findings are relevant to older inpatients in hospital settings worldwide, particularly those with cancer, as well as to nurses and healthcare professionals. GNRI provides a practical and easily implementable tool for them to assess nutritional risks upon admission and guide timely nutritional support strategies based on clinical profiles including cancer presence and type in older inpatients. Incorporating GNRI into routine nursing care, nurses and healthcare professionals will be better equipped to address nutritional risks, ultimately improving patient care and optimising clinical and economic outcomes for older patients.
We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines, specifically following the STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) guidelines for reporting this observational study.
No public contribution was required in the design or conduct of this research. Patients contributed through data collected from the Hospital Information System, which was used for analysis.
Workplace violence toward nurses is a significant global issue affecting their mental and physical health, job satisfaction and performance, and can ultimately lead to decisions to leave the profession. As the least experienced caregivers in the health workforce, nursing students are particularly vulnerable to experiencing workplace violence and are often powerless to deal with WPV incidents.
To examine clinical facilitators' insights into how to support nursing students following experiences of workplace violence during their clinical placement.
An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design.
Data were collected between September and November 2022 using semi-structured interviews with 11 clinical facilitators working in South Australia, each lasting about 1 h. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Clinical facilitators identified that many students found support and solace from avenues outside of the CFs and university staff, including ward staff, family, friends and other students. However, students are limitedly prepared for the realities of clinical work, particularly concerning workplace violence, and that the university supports available were reactive to events in the clinical environment.
Addressing workplace violence requires systemic changes, better support for clinical facilitators and a steadfast commitment by all stakeholders to student safety.
Solid collaborations between universities and clinical facilities with clear guidelines and direct lines to address potential violence issues are essential. Zero-tolerance policies regarding workplace violence could provide a safer environment that promotes nursing student learning outcomes, safer placements, better student experiences and optimal healthcare provision.
COREQ guidelines were adhered to for reporting qualitative research.
This paper specifically explores the perspective of the clinical facilitator's experience of WPV in their role of supporting student learning during clinical placement.
To develop and psychometrically test two newly developed Cancer Nurse Self-Assessment Tools for early and metastatic breast cancer (CaN-SAT-eBC and CAN-SAT-mBC).
Instrument development and psychometric testing of content validity, reliability and construct validity.
A three-phase procedure was conducted. Phase 1: An expert working group was formed to design and develop each tool using Benner's Model of Clinical Competence. Phase 2: The Content Validation Index (CVI) was used to assess the relevance and clarity of each item on the tools with breast cancer nurse experts and nursing educators. A CVI ≥ 0.78 was required for an item to be included in each tool. Phase 3: The tools were tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and construct validity using principal component analysis (PCA). The Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies were followed in reporting this study.
Each tool underwent two rounds of content validation. Ten experts were involved in the content validation for the CaN-SAT-eBC and 12 experts involved for CaN-SAT-mBC. The final versions comprised 18 (CAN-SAT-eBC) and 22 elements (CaN-SAT-mBC). All items obtained a satisfactory CVI of 0.83–1.0. Data from 159 and 126 nurses were analysed to evaluate reliability for CaN-SAT-eBC and CaN-SAT-mBC, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all elements were between 0.83 and 0.98. The PCA supported that each element was unidimensional and composed of internally correlated items, with the exception of the ‘Diagnostics’ element of practice which has a two-component structure measuring basic and advanced diagnostic tasks.
The two CaN-SATs are comprehensive, valid and reliable. They can be used for self-assessment by nurses in relation to breast cancer care and for identifying learning needs for long-term professional development. The self-assessment tools can also be used to develop education initiatives for specialised breast cancer nurses.
No patient or public contribution.
To develop a deep learning-based smart assessment model for pressure injury surface.
Exploratory analysis study.
Pressure injury images from four Guangzhou hospitals were labelled and used to train a neural network model. Evaluation metrics included mean intersection over union (MIoU), pixel accuracy (PA), and accuracy. Model performance was tested by comparing wound number, maximum dimensions and area extent.
From 1063 images, the model achieved 74% IoU, 88% PA and 83% accuracy for wound bed segmentation. Cohen's kappa coefficient for wound number was 0.810. Correlation coefficients were 0.900 for maximum length (mean difference 0.068 cm), 0.814 for maximum width (mean difference 0.108 cm) and 0.930 for regional extent (mean difference 0.527 cm2).
The model demonstrated exceptional automated estimation capabilities, potentially serving as a crucial tool for informed decision-making in wound assessment.
This study promotes precision nursing and equitable resource use. The AI-based assessment model serves clinical work by assisting healthcare professionals in decision-making and facilitating wound assessment resource sharing.
The STROBE checklist guided study reporting.
Patients provided image resources for model training.
Extended reality (XR) interventions have the potential to benefit patients undergoing elective cardiac surgical and interventional procedures. However, there are no systematic reviews with meta-analyses to guide clinical care.
To critically evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of XR interventions on patient anxiety and pain and other associated outcomes.
Systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 statement.
A systematic search of five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus) from inception to July 2023.
Screening and data extraction was conducted independently by multiple reviewers. Stata (Version 17) was used to conduct meta-analyses for patient anxiety and pain. Secondary patient outcomes were summarised in a synthesis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (Version 2) tool was applied to trials and the NHLBI Study Quality Assessment tools to all other study designs.
Of the 3372 records identified, 22 were included, 10 of which were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analyses. Fifty-seven percent of randomised trials were rated as high risk of bias. Virtual reality (VR) was the only XR technology evaluated. VR significantly reduced pre-procedural anxiety (standardised mean difference: −1.29; 95% confidence interval − 1.96, −0.62, p < 0.001), and peri-procedural anxiety (standardised mean difference: −0.50; 95% confidence interval − 0.83, −0.18, p < 0.003) but did not reduce pain levels, compared with usual care. VR increased pre-procedural knowledge and postsurgical physical and pulmonary function. VR interventions may also improve emotional wellbeing, care delivery and physiological outcomes, but evidence was inconsistent.
XR potentially benefits cardiac patients undergoing elective invasive procedures and surgery by reducing pre- and peri-procedural anxiety and increasing procedural knowledge and physical function.
Cardiac nurses' role can be supported by VR interventions to improve the patient experience and several aspects of patient care.
Not applicable as this is a systematic review.
To evaluate the accuracy of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) assignments by GPT-4, a large language model (LLM), compared to senior emergency department (ED) nurses and physicians.
An observational study of 100 consecutive adult ED patients was conducted. ESI scores assigned by GPT-4, triage nurses, and by a senior clinician. Both model and human experts were provided the same patient data.
GPT-4 assigned a lower median ESI score (2.0) compared to human evaluators (median 3.0; p < 0.001), suggesting a potential overestimation of patient severity by the LLM. The results showed differences in the triage assessment approaches between GPT-4 and the human evaluators, including variations in how patient age and vital signs were considered in the ESI assignments.
While GPT-4 offers a novel methodology for patient triage, its propensity to overestimate patient severity highlights the necessity for further development and calibration of LLM tools in clinical environments. The findings underscore the potential and limitations of LLM in clinical decision-making, advocating for cautious integration of LLMs in healthcare settings.
This study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines for reporting observational studies.
To investigate interns' and junior nurses' perceptions, coping confidence and attitudes towards workplace violence in China.
Cross-sectional survey study involving 622 interns or nurses with < 5 years of hospital experience.
Data were gathered from the largest tertiary hospital in southwestern mainland China using a general information questionnaire, the Perception of Aggression Scale, the Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression Instrument and the Management of Aggressive and Violence Attitude Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to understand relationships and pathways between the nurses' perceptions of, confidence in dealing with and attitudes towards managing workplace violence.
The average scores for the perception of workplace violence, confidence in coping with workplace violence and attitudes towards violence management were 37.44 (±11.60), 29.84 (±8.23) and 81.87 (±23.72), respectively. Perceptions of workplace violence, confidence in coping with workplace violence and attitudes towards violence management show low to moderate correlations; confidence in coping with workplace violence was the mediating variable in the interactions among the three variables.
Interns and junior nurses have weaker perceptions of workplace violence, lower confidence in their ability to cope with violence and more negative attitudes towards violence management. Perceptions of workplace violence affected attitudes towards violence management through the intermediary role of confidence in coping with workplace violence.
Nursing managers should increase education and training to improve interns' and junior nurses' awareness and confidence in dealing with workplace violence. Healthcare organisations should prevent and manage workplace violence to develop nurses' positive attitudes towards violence management.
The study adhered to the STROBE checklist of cross-sectional studies.
Interns and nurses with < 5 years of experience participated by voluntarily completing a paper questionnaire.
To explore the mediating roles of family resources (at the individual [parental self-efficacy], family [family resilience] and social level [social support]) and parental problem-solving skills in the association between family functioning and family adaptation in families of children with cancer.
A cross-sectional study.
This study recruited 318 parents of children with cancer from three tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data on key variables, including family functioning, parental self-efficacy, family resilience, social support, parental problem-solving skills and family adaptation. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical linear regression and bootstrapping.
Family functioning was significantly and positively correlated with family adaptation. Family resources (parental self-efficacy at the individual level, family resilience at the family level or social support at the social level) and parental problem-solving skills both independently mediated the relationship between family functioning and family adaptation. Additionally, family resources at all three levels mediated the relationship through their effects on cumulatively parental problem-solving skills, constructing a chain mediating model.
The study underscores the significance of family functioning, family resources at the individual, family and social levels and parental problem-solving skills in promoting adaptation in families of children with cancer. It highlights the need for family-centred interventions targeted at these factors to improve family adaptation.
This study extended related theories and previous studies to confirm the mediating role of family resources and parental problem-solving skills, both independently and sequentially. Moreover, parental problem-solving skills were confirmed as key elements that can be incorporated into future interventions, suggesting that problem-solving skills training may serve as a highly promising program for families of children with cancer.
This study was reported according to the STROBE checklist.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
To systematically search, evaluate and synthesise the most robust evidence regarding pressure injury prevention in orthopaedic patients admitted to general wards.
The present study provides an evidence-based summary of the most robust findings, adhering to the evidence guidelines established by the Center for Evidence-Based Nursing of Fudan University.
According to the “6S” model, a systematic search was conducted for literature on pressure injury prevention among orthopaedic patients in general wards. The types of literature included guidelines, clinical decisions, expert Consensus, evidence summaries, etc. The search period covered the time from the beginning of the database up to December 2023.
The following databases and resources were systematically searched: Up To Date, JBI, NICE, WOCN, NZWCS, etc.
Fifteen literature sources were included, comprising one clinical decision, eight guidelines, one systematic review, and one expert Consensus. In these sources, a comprehensive collection of 34 pieces of best evidence was formed across six key topics: risk assessment, position management, skin care, device used for device-related pressure injury, nutritional assessment, and support, as well as health education and training. Among the evidence gathered, a strong recommendation was made for 18 pieces, while the remaining 16 received a weak recommendation.
This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the most robust evidence on pressure injury prevention in orthopaedic patients, encompassing 34 pieces of evidence that can serve as valuable references for clinical practice. Before implementing this evidence, it is crucial to evaluate the specific contextual factors within different countries and medical institutions, as well as the facilitators and barriers influencing its application by healthcare professionals and patient's preferences. Furthermore, targeted evidence selection should be conducted through careful screening and subsequent adjustments in implementation, thereby offering a more scientifically grounded basis for clinical nursing practice. Future research endeavours should prioritise investigating strategies for effective evidence utilisation.
The prevention of pressure injuries poses a significant challenge for orthopaedic patients. This study presents a synthesis of 34 pieces of best evidence to provide guidance on preventive measures for pressure injuries in orthopaedic patients. Adhering to and implementing these 34 pieces of evidence can effectively aid in preventing pressure injuries in clinical practice. This evidence encompasses risk assessment, position management, skin care, device usage for device-related pressure injuries, nutritional support and evaluation, and health education and training, establishing a comprehensive and systematic implementation process. Assessing the risk of pressure injuries during interventions serves as an essential prerequisite for developing effective strategies to prevent such injuries among orthopaedic patients. Ultimately, this study will offer valuable guidance to healthcare professionals worldwide regarding preventing pressure injuries in orthopaedic patients.
Upon admission to the hospital, it is essential to conduct a risk assessment and implement evidence-based, individualised prevention measures for pressure ulcers in patients to prevent their occurrence. This study will provide valuable insights into preventing pressure injuries in orthopaedic patients admitted to orthopaedic wards for healthcare workers worldwide.
The PRIMA manifest is utilised during the text preparation process.
Trail Registration: ES20245365
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between symptom clusters and self-management among maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients.
MHD patients experience disease progression and multiple symptom burdens that severely impact quality of life, and self-management of symptoms may significantly improve patient-reported outcomes.
A cross-sectional study.
This cross-sectional descriptive study included 194 patients undergoing MHD. The patients were assessed using the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) and the Haemodialysis Self-Management Instrument (HD-SMI). We used descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis and linear regression analysis to examine (1) the level of individual self-management, (2) the presence of symptom clusters by symptom severity and (3) the correlation between symptom clusters and self-management behaviours. This study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE checklist.
The top five most severe symptoms among the patients were itching, feeling tired or lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth and dry skin. We identified five groups of symptoms: (1) poor sleep, (2) neuromuscular, (3) gastrointestinal, (4) skin irritation and (5) psychological. In the present study, MHD patients reported low to moderate levels of self-management behaviours (50.84 ± 10.56), and low self-management ability was correlated with greater severity of the five symptom clusters (p < 0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that all five symptom clusters were included in the regression equation, explaining 30% of the total variance in self-management skills among MHD patients.
Enhanced awareness of symptom clusters and comprehensive symptom management are necessary to improve patients' quality of life.
Nursing practices should incorporate comprehensive symptom assessments to help patients develop effective self-management strategies to improve quality of life.
FreshRSS 