Aim
To explore the experiences and perceptions of recent nursing graduates working in emergency departments during the COVID‐19 outbreak.
Background
Overcrowding in emergency departments has been one ...of the most prominent issues arising in these units for more than 20 years. However, it has become even more problematic due to the novelty of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced hospitals to recruit larger numbers of beginner nursing staff as the number of quarantined health professionals increases.
Methods
Sixteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted in Spanish emergency departments, which were analysed and synthesized using content analysis.
Results
Three major themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) Fears and concerns, (b) Organisational issues and (c) Support for novice nurses.
Conclusions
Our findings may help to understand how shadowing periods as a learning programme for nurses, continuing professional development, evidence‐based apps and better planning are needed to ensure both novice nurses’ confidence in emergency departments and expert emergency room nurses’ ability to cope with complications in critical situations.
Implications for Nursing Management
Training periods that include shadowing expert emergency room nurses, along with evidence‐based technology, provide an opportunity to support novice nurses’ transition into the workplace. These measures would provide a safety net and would increase novice nurses’ confidence as well as high‐quality care.
Aim
To explore the experiences and perceptions of midwives in the treatment of sex trafficking victims.
Design
The study was qualitative with a hermeneutic‐phenomenological approach, using ...semi‐structured interviews and focus groups.
Methods
Two focus groups and six interviews were carried out on 14 midwives in primary care, delivery and emergency rooms. Data were collected in three hospitals in Spain in June 2021. ATLAS.ti 9 software was used to conduct a content analysis of the focus group and interview data.
Results
The results revealed two primary themes and six subthemes. The two primary themes were (i) sex trafficking: a camouflaged reality on the invisible spectrum, and (ii) a thirst for attention in the aftermath of violence. Representative quotations were used to illustrate both the main themes and the subthemes.
Conclusions
This study provides new insight into midwives' experiences treating sex trafficking victims. Professionals view this type of violence as a silent issue that negatively impacts victims' health and livelihood. However, a number of different factors stand in the way of correctly identifying and treating victims. Therefore, healthcare workers must be provided with practical tools and continuous professional development on this topic.
Impact
This study indicates the importance of the midwives' key role in identifying and assisting victims of sex. Not only do measures in the healthcare setting, such as on‐going specific‐related content training or up‐to‐date protocols, need to be implemented to ensure proper care for those affected by sexual exploitation, but also focusing on suspicious characteristics and reducing obstacles to patient communication will help bring the true situation to light and better respond to patients' priority needs.
Aim
To explore the experiences and perceptions of final‐year nursing students in assessing and managing acute pesticide poisoning using a socio‐environmental care approach in a primary health care ...simulation‐based scenario.
Design
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus groups.
Methods
Twelve focus groups were held, with 114 fourth‐year nursing students. The study was carried out from September to November 2021. To grant an in‐depth analysis of the collected data, a thematic analysis was used.
Results
After our data analysis, three main themes emerged: (i) experiences of an acute pesticide poisoning case in a simulation‐based scenario; (ii) environmental health nursing competencies for a culturally competent practice and (iii) social factors in prevention strategies.
Conclusions
Using a socio‐environmental care approach with a primary care simulation‐based poisoning case can provide a realistic public health clinical experience for local problems and prepare the context for the development of global citizenship values, as well as offer numerous opportunities to facilitate transformative learning, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local nursing clinical practice.
Impact
Nurse managers, policymakers and educators must collaborate together to broaden their reach in teaching the role of the environment and social determinants of health through evidence‐based care models, as well as actively contributing to the achievement of the SDGs to promote “glocal” competencies among nursing professionals.
Aim
The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of final‐year nursing students on the acceptability and feasibility of using a chatbot for clinical decision‐making and patient ...safety.
Background
The effective and inclusive use of new technologies such as conversational agents or chatbots could support nurses in increasing evidence‐based care and decreasing low‐quality services.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative study was used through focus group interviews. The data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis.
Results
This study included 114 participants. After our data analysis, two main themes emerged: (i) experiences in the use of a chatbot service for clinical decision‐making and and (ii) integrating conversational agents into the organizational safety culture.
Conclusions
The findings of our study provide preliminary support for the acceptability and feasibility of adopting SafeBot, a chatbot for clinical decision‐making and patient safety. Our results revealed substantial recommendations for refining navigation, layout and content, as well as useful insights to support its acceptance in real nursing practice.
Implications for Nursing Management
Leaders and managers may well see artificial intelligence‐based conversational agents like SafeBot as a potential solution in modern nursing practice for effective problem‐solving resolution, innovative staffing and nursing care delivery models at the bedside and criteria for measuring and ensure quality and patient safety.
Aim
To synthesize and describe the emotional and psychological implications for healthcare professionals who provided care in a mass casualty incident or disaster.
Background
The experience of ...healthcare providers immersed in the actual uncertainty of an ongoing disaster is real, challenging, complex and strongly connected with emotions. Identifying these implications for healthcare professionals is essential for developing strategies to help these professionals deliver high‐quality care.
Evaluation
A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Nursing & Allied Health Database and PsycINFO using published data until February 2021 and following the PRISMA guidelines.
Key issues
Nineteen articles were included. Factors associated with negative psychological implications were identified and different strategies have been synthesized to prevent or reduce them when caring for the victims of a disaster.
Conclusions
Feelings of sadness, helplessness, fear and blockage, among others, were identified as common reactions among nurses and other healthcare professionals dealing in mass casualties or disasters. These reactions may lead to post‐traumatic disorder, turning professionals into hidden victims.
Implications for nursing management
Organizations, senior charge nurses and other health service managers need to foster resilience and flexibility among their workforce to improve self‐care during a disaster, as well as ensure policies to address a lack of emotional preparedness among their personnel. Some strategies to consider include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoeducation or meditation.
Aging is a process that includes changes in cognitive and emotional functions, as well as changes in the diversity and integrity of gut microbiota. Probiotic treatments have recently been studied as ...a potential new therapeutic approach to alleviate a wide range of problems in other populations; however, clinical studies in older adults remain insufficient and limited. Thus, the aim of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a multispecies probiotic formulation as a therapeutic strategy for attenuating the emotional and cognitive decline associated with aging in adults over the age of 55. This is a double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled crossover trial involving at least 32 older adults and comparing two conditions: (a) probiotic, providing a multispecies probiotic for 10 weeks (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis); and (b) placebo, receiving a harmless substance (potato starch). Despite the increasing use of probiotics for the treatment of cognitive and emotional problems, no study has yet focused on this group, to the best of our knowledge. Therapeutic strategies of the kind outlined in this protocol will help to shed light on the current state of knowledge about this topic, as well as promote health programs tailored to this population, which would encourage active aging and healthy lifestyles. Not only do we expect improvements in the emotional dimension in terms of anxiety, stress, depression, and sleep quality, we also expect improvements in the cognitive dimension in terms of attention, memory, and decreased impulsivity.
Aim
To know the perspectives of nursing students in trans patients’ care and their access to health services and how to improve the quality of care in trans patients, related to the barriers ...identified by nursing students.
Background
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and plus (LGBTQ+) find barriers related to the health care access, including stigma, discrimination and lack of education. In addition, to the transphobia reported in some health care providers.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative study was performed through 12 focus group interviews in nursing students. Data analysis was based on content analysis.
Results
124 first‐year nursing students participated. The qualitative analysis resulted in three major themes: (a) Exposing an invisible reality, (b) Interprofessional communication: a starting point to arise awareness and (c) Care with pride as a link between individuality and professionalism.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that both LGBTQ+ content and institutional resources are the cornerstone for nursing students and professionals’ practice in order to develop and provide a well‐informed and high‐quality care delivery to these patients.
Implications for Nursing Management
Policymakers, senior charge nurses and other managers should be aware of the structural‐level changes identified and ongoing mentoring needed to guarantee trans patients’ privacy and safety.
Stress and the gut microbiota-brain axis Molina-Torres, Guadalupe; Rodriguez-Arrastia, Miguel; Roman, Pablo ...
Behavioural pharmacology,
04/2019, Volume:
30, Issue:
2 and 3-Spec Issue
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand imposed upon it, disrupting the body homoeostasis and manifested with symptoms such as anxiety, depression or even headache. These responses ...are quite frequent in the present competitive world. The aim of this review is to explore the effect of stress on gut microbiota. First, we summarize evidence of where the microbiota composition has changed as a response to a stressful situation, and thereby the effect of the stress response. Likewise, we review different interventions that can modulate microbiota and could modulate the stress according to the underlying mechanisms whereby the gut-brain axis influences stress. Finally, we review both preclinical and clinical studies that provide evidence of the effect of gut modulation on stress. In conclusion, the influence of stress on gut microbiota and gut microbiota on stress modulation is clear for different stressors, but although the preclinical evidence is so extensive, the clinical evidence is more limited. A better understanding of the mechanism underlying stress modulation through the microbiota may open new avenues for the design of therapeutics that could boost the pursued clinical benefits. These new designs should not only focus on stress but also on stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression, in both healthy individuals and different populations.
Aim
To explore nursing students' perceptions of the identification and medical care of sex trafficking victims and how to improve the care provided based on the identified barriers.
Background
...Despite the fact that more than 87% of sex trafficking victims establish contact with health professionals, their lack of awareness and training hinders their ability to assist victims properly.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative study was carried out using 11 focus groups of nursing students after a simulated case of sex trafficking victim. The analysis of results was conducted through content analysis.
Results
A total of 110 fourth‐year nursing students participated in this study. After performing the data analysis, three main categories emerged: (i) making a health issue visible, (ii) identifying sex trafficking victims: resources based on evidence‐based practice, and (iii) educational resources on sex trafficking in nursing degree.
Conclusions
Our results show that through clinical simulation, integrating content regarding the medical care of vulnerable groups can be useful for developing the skills necessary to provide effective care from a trauma‐informed approach.
Implications for nursing management
Health institutions, senior charge nurses, and other health service managers should be aware of the current need for sex trafficking training, structural‐level changes, and updated evidence‐based guidelines and protocols with other service providers and law enforcement to provide high‐quality care.
During their clinical practice, nursing students face a number of complex clinical situations, which may include treating victims of sex trafficking. These clinical experiences can lead to stress for ...the nursing students, which may hinder their learning process. Nonetheless, there is very little educational training provided in nursing programmes on this topic. The objective of this study was to identify the coping strategies and stressors perceived by nursing students in the care of sex trafficking victims. A pre‐post study of a single group was carried out. The TREND guidelines were followed. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Coping Behavior Inventory (CBI) were used for data collection. On the PSS, the average scores were lower after the intervention in all dimensions, except related to teachers and nursing staff and peers and daily life. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the results of the total average score of the PSS and the time of measurement (pre/post‐intervention) (t(106) = 38.811; P < 0.001). Regarding the Coping Behavior Inventory, the average scores in each dimension increased after the intervention, except transference behaviours. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the total average score of the questionnaire and the time of measurement (Z = −13.357; P < 0.001). The total stress levels and coping strategies of nursing students in caring for victims of sex trafficking improved significantly after the intervention. Nursing educators should promote the training of future nursing professionals as a potential effective strategy for the rapid identification and adequate care of sex trafficking victims.
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