Nursing Practice Today

Modernising health and nursing workforces to prepare for future emergencies and disasters

Elizabeth Cookson-Butler — 2024-10-26

The Article Abstract is not available.

Technology for preventing work-related musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare professionals: A scoping review

Ana Sofia Teixeira — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: This scoping review aims to identify and summarize how technology can help prevent work-related musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare professionals.

Methods & Materials: We conducted a scoping review following the steps provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The PRISMA® - Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses model was used to organize the information, following the recommendations described in PRISMA-ScR (PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews) for the article presentation. A search of PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases was conducted for all articles in December 2023.

Results: Of the 964 initial articles identified, 7 met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies highlight the effectiveness of various technological interventions in reducing musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare professionals. Wearable technologies, such as inertial measurement units, have been effective in promoting correct posture and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. However, the studies also identified significant challenges, including the generalizability of findings, the need for more robust empirical evidence, and issues related to the long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of these technologies.

Conclusion: The conclusion of this analysis highlights the need for scalable, effective, and customized therapies and calls for more study and development in gamification, wearable technologies, and tailored mobile applications.

Dermatology life quality index in vitiligo patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Reza Ghanei Gheshlagh — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: Vitiligo is a chronic and unpredictable condition. The absence of effective treatments, coupled with fears of rejection and stigma, can adversely affect patients' coping abilities and their social and psychological adjustment. This study aimed to assess the overall quality of life score of vitiligo patients using DLQI to evaluate the disease's impact on their quality of life.

Methods & Materials: This meta-analysis adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and thoroughly searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science/ISI, and Scopus databases from their inception to January 2023. All observational studies reporting the quality of life score based on the DLQI were included in the analysis. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using the I2 index and Cochrane’s Q-statistic. Data were analyzed using the random effects model using STATA software version 12.

Results: Our analysis included a total of 58 studies involving 9277 individuals. The pooled DLQI score was 8.07 (95% CI: 7.22-8.91). The lowest and highest scores were observed in Europe (5.52, 95% CI: 4.18-6.87) and Africa (10.95, 95% CI: 7.77-14.15), respectively. The DLQI score was 7.17 (95% CI: 6.04-8.31) in men and 8.63 (95% CI: 7.44-9.82) in women. No significant correlation was found between the DLQI score and the publication year of the articles (p=0.219), patients’ age (p=0.119), and disease duration (p=0.203).

Conclusion: Vitiligo moderately impacts patients' quality of life. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide psychological and social training for these patients

Perceptions of nursing graduates regarding artificial intelligence interviews: A Q-methodology study

So Young Park — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment processes is increasingly prevalent, particularly within medical institutions. AI interviews are becoming a common practice, and their impact on the perceptions and experiences of candidates is a subject of growing interest. Nursing graduates, who are often at the forefront of medical practice, frequently encounter these AI-driven evaluations during their job searches. This study attempted to examine the perception of AI interviews among nursing graduates who have experienced AI interviews in medical institutions.

Methods & Materials: The Q-methodology was applied by selecting 34 Q samples from the 102 concourses extracted through a literature review and in-depth clinical interviews with nursing graduates. The P sample consisted of 35 nursing graduates who had experienced AI interviews. Data were collected using the PQ Method's Q-methodology program, measured on a 9-point scale frame, and Q samples were normally distributed.

Results: The study identified four factors of perception: Proactive AI Interview Preparation, Negative Perception of AI Interviews, Positive Perception of AI Interviews, and Critical Acceptance of AI Interviews.

Conclusion: In conclusion, perceptions of AI interviews can be categorized into four main types, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of this technology. The positive aspects include efficiency, fairness, and convenience, while the negative aspects involve concerns about privacy, bias, and the lack of human elements. To design AI interview programs tailored to specific job roles, it is crucial to balance these pros and cons. Additionally, reducing the burden of AI interviews through informative resources and pre-training programs is essential. For successful implementation, ongoing improvements, transparency, and a balanced integration of human judgment are necessary.

Essential public health competencies in nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Delphi study

Consuelo Burbano López — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: Nursing practice, characterized by its multifaceted nature, encompasses diverse settings and situations in public health, making it difficult to clearly define the role of nurses in this setting. The study aimed to determine the applicability and relevance of the Regional Core Competency Framework for Public Health in nursing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods & Materials: Study based on the Delphi methodology, a structured approach to the systematic collectión of expert opinions, to obtain group agreements. Twenty-one nurses working in public health areas during the pandemic participated.

Results: The competencies most applied by the nurses were in the domain of health situation analysis and surveillance and risk and damage control. 95% of the nurses were involved in care actions to prevent contagion; 71% analyzed social determinants of health, 100% were involved in the domain of policies, planning, regulation, and control, and 86% in the domain of health promotion. 89% made decisions to favor access to preventive and health care services. 78% valued social participation actions and 76% implemented immediate responses to COVID-19.

Conclusion: The main public health competencies used by nursing for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic are the management of educational processes, health promotion, primary health care, analysis of social determinants, management of health policies, information analysis, and management of immediate responses to challenges generated by COVID-19.

Readiness for hospital discharge on people after hip replacement surgery in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

Huu Phuoc Nguyen — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: Readiness for hospital discharge is closely linked to post-operative complications, readmission rates, and the post-discharge health status of patients after hip replacement surgery. This study aimed to assess discharge readiness and identify the factors that predict it in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 112 patients who had undergone hip replacement surgery at Hospital X in Middle Vietnam. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method, and data were collected within 4 hours before hospital discharge. The Readiness for Discharge Scale, developed by Weiss et al. was used to measure discharge readiness. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 statistical software.

Results: The average discharge readiness score was 6.06± 2.10, indicating a low discharge readiness level. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that age, living conditions, planned admission, previous admission for the same diagnosis, and length of hospital stay significantly predicted 78.5% of the variance in discharge readiness (F= 77.626, p< 0.001). Among these factors, the strongest predictor was previous admission for the same diagnosis (β= 0.341, p< 0.001), followed by planned admission (β= 0.324, p< 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that patients' readiness for discharge after hip replacement surgery remains low, with various factors influencing their readiness. Nurses caring for these patients should consider these factors to improve discharge readiness and patient outcomes.

Sleep quality and associated factors in older outpatients with hypertension in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

Le Thi Hong Tham — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: Sleep plays a crucial role in controlling blood pressure. Older adults commonly suffer from poor sleep quality which results in several negative health outcomes, such as cognitive impairment, depression, and increased risk of falling. However, limited research exists on sleep quality in older Vietnamese adults. This study aimed to investigate sleep quality and its associated factors in older adults with hypertension in Central Vietnam.

Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Central Vietnam with 235 outpatients who were aged 60 years or older, diagnosed with hypertension, and without cognitive impairment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was utilized to assess the participants' sleep quality. Multiple binary logistic regression was computed to identify factors associated with sleep quality with a P value less than 0.05.

Results: The mean sleep quality score was 8.2 (±3.9), with 71.9% of participants reporting poor sleep quality. Participants with a high school education or less were more likely to report poor sleep quality than those with higher education (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.46; p= 0.034). Additionally, the presence of musculoskeletal disease increased the risk of poor sleep quality (OR= 2.26; 95% CI: 1.04 - 4.87; p= 0.038).

Conclusion: The majority of participants suffered from poor sleep quality, which was strongly associated with educational level and the presence of musculoskeletal diseases. Strategies for early detection, prevention, and treatment of poor sleep quality are essential for improving health outcomes in this population.

Cross-cultural and psychometric validation of the Fraboni scale of ageism in Peruvian nursing students

Jack Roberto Silva Fhon — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: The elderly population has increased in the last decades and they are often discriminated against in society due to their age. This study aimed to perform the cross-cultural and psychometric validation of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism in Peruvian nursing students.

Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional methodological study, carried out in four universities in Peru in which 959 nursing students participated. For the adaptation process, the forward-backward method of the original English version into Spanish was used. For the content analysis, the study was carried out with the participation of specialist judges, while confirmatory factor analysis was used for the internal structure of the construct as invariance of measurement. Reliability was estimated by internal consistency for categorical items.

Results: The total content validity estimated with CVI was 0.97. The internal structure of the construct was found to be appropriate for the respecified 20-item model (CFI and TLI=0.94, RMSEA=0.07, and SRMR=0.05). The 20-item bi-factor model presented excellent fit indices (CFI=0.96 and TLI=0.95, RMSEA=0.06 and SRMR=0.04), being the best model for construct validity. Measurement invariance by sex was confirmed for all four models (configural, metric, strong, and strict). The three-dimensional model (ω=0.93) as well as the bi-factor model (ωH=0.88) showed high reliability for the scale scores.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the 20-item Peruvian version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism shows validity and reliability for its scores. In addition, the scale score is invariant by sex.

Role transition experiences of female novice head nurses: An analysis using hermeneutic phenomenology

Mei-Hua Huang — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: In Taiwan—where the collective tends to be prioritized over the individual—gentleness, sacrifice, and obedience are prized qualities in the overwhelmingly female nursing workforce. Nevertheless, role changes and overlapping hierarchical boundaries often lead to stress. This study examined the role transition experiences of female novice head nurses in Taiwan.

Methods & Materials: This study adopted an approach of hermeneutic phenomenology. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were used to identify participants on Facebook who met the inclusion criteria. Considering the study purpose, the sampling criteria were as follows: female, seniority of an incumbent head nurse of 6–30 months, ability to communicate in Mandarin, willingness to participate in the study, and willingness to participate in recorded interviews. Nurses working at the same hospital as the researcher were excluded. The participants were interviewed to gain information regarding their experiences during the role transition process.

Results: Ten female novice head nurses were recruited. The adjustment process of novice head nurses revealed the hierarchical culture of Taiwanese nursing. During this process, the participants encountered conflicts in role transition, adjusted their approaches, established their roles, and achieved professional success. The introduction of Western management styles to Taiwan inevitably creates cultural conflict that complicates the transition of novice head nurses into their new roles.

Conclusion: Nursing organizations must consider cultural factors when helping novice head nurses transition to their new roles. Support systems and role models should be provided to help novice head nurses navigate the transition to their new roles.

Context and practices of health advocacy role by nurses in Ghana: A qualitative study

Luke Laari — 2024-10-26

Background & Aim: Nurses play a crucial role in health advocacy, which is both morally obligatory and has significant consequences for the clinician. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence regarding its context and practices. The location, method, and rationale behind nurses fulfilling their health advocacy duties are crucial in hospital settings. This study explored and described where and under what circumstances nurses fulfill their health advocacy responsibilities in Ghana.

Methods & Materials: The study employed an inductive qualitative exploratory descriptive design to gather and analyze data from 24 nurses and midwives. Using a semi-structured interview guide, participants were selected from three regional hospitals in the upper, middle, and southern zones of Ghana, and qualitative content analysis was performed.

Results: Nurses and midwives carried out their health advocacy roles both inside and outside of healthcare institutions, using both proactive and reactive advocacy practices to initiate their role performance. Although reactive advocacy roles were reported more, the nurses and midwives identified unfair client treatment, health professionals' errors or omissions of procedure, and social injustice as the driving forces behind their advocacy.

Conclusion: Although health advocacy is performed by both nurses and midwives in hospitals and outside the hospitals, they are mostly reacting to situations. Teaching biopsychosocial assessment techniques to students during training and providing them with coaching and mentoring during clinical practice may enhance their ability to assess clients for unmet advocacy needs, enabling them to be proactive in their role performance.