Validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire: A national survey

AIM

To describe psychometric validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional quantitative study.

METHODS

The development of the questionnaire followed an adapted version of the seven steps described in the guide by the Association for Medical Education in Europe. A nationwide online survey tested the construct and structural validity and internal consistency using an exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the hypotheses.

RESULTS

We received 222 questionnaires between January and September 2020. The factor analysis produced a seven-factor solution as suggested in Hamric's model. However, not all item loadings aligned with the framework's competencies. Cronbach's alpha of factors ranged between .795 and .879. The analysis confirmed the construct validity of the Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire. The tool was able to discriminate the competencies of guidance and coaching, direct clinical practice and leadership across the three advanced practice nurse roles clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or blended role.

CONCLUSION

A precise assessment of advanced practice nurse tasks is crucial in clinical practice and in research as it may be a basis for further refinement, implementation and evaluation of roles.

IMPACT

The Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire is the first valid tool to assess tasks according to Hamric's model of competencies independently of the role or the setting. Additionally, it distinguishes the most common advanced practice nurse roles according to the degree of tasks in direct clinical practice and leadership. The tool may be applied in various countries, independent of the degree of implementation and understanding of advanced nursing practice.

REPORTING METHOD

The STARD 2015 guideline was used to report the study.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

[Advanced nursing practice model for head and neck cancer: A practice development project]

Advanced nursing practice model for head and neck cancer: A practice development project Abstract. Background: Head and neck cancer confronts patients and their families with big challenges due to complex treatments as well as changes in vital functions and appearance. They require multifaceted support and benefit from coordinated, interprofessional collaboration and advanced nursing practice. Problem/aim: In a tertiary head and neck cancer center, a coordinating contact person was missing for patients, families and the care team. Therefore, a project was launched to develop an advanced nursing practice program. Methods: Methods included an advanced nursing practice concept, approaches for practice development, and action research. The project consisted of four phases: Stakeholder analysis and literature review were followed by the definition of the advanced nursing practice program, which was then tested during a pilot phase, and evaluated using structural/process data and stakeholder interviews. Results: Evidence-based, continuous, person-centered care was improved across the care continuum for patients/families. The nurses' expertise was supported and the collaboration with internal/external clinicians was facilitated. Patients/families valued the continuity offered by the advanced practice nurse. Discussion: The methodological approaches supported a goal-oriented approach; especially participatory practice development helped to address employees' concerns. Limitations/transfer: To date, a sustainable program cannot yet be warranted. For similar projects, an approach with stakeholder analysis, multidisciplinary focus, and early evaluation planning is recommended.

[Care provided by an advanced practice nurse: Experiences of patients with sarcoma and family members. A qualitative study]

Care provided by an advanced practice nurse: Experiences of patients with sarcoma and family members. A qualitative study Abstract. Background: Sarcomas are a rare, heterogeneous group of malignant tumors with different trajectories, which cause significant burden to patients and families. Due to the complex nature of treatment, an interprofessional team at the sarcoma center of a Swiss university hospital provides care to affected individuals. This interprofessional team includes an advanced practice nurse (APN) who cares for patients and family members throughout the trajectory of the disease. To date, there are limited descriptions within literature of APN care from the perspective of patients with sarcoma and their family members. Aim: To investigate how patients with sarcoma and their family members experienced APN care. Methods: The study was guided by the qualitative research methodology "Interpretive Description". Individual interviews with seven patients and five family members were conducted and analyzed in an iterative process. Results: For patients and family members, the time from diagnosis to therapy and follow-up was very stressful. They experienced the APN's care during this time as a great support and described her as a compassionate, trustworthy and continuous contact person who expertly provided information and advice while acting as a coordinator. Conclusions: Patients with sarcoma and their family members require continuous contact with a person who is compassionate, while also professional, confident and competent. Providing APN care can meet all of these essential requirements.

Exploring learning processes associated with a cancer pain self-management intervention in patients and family caregivers: A mixed methods study

AIM

Explore learning processes associated with a psychoeducational pain selfmanagement intervention.

BACKGROUND

Self-management of cancer pain is challenging for patients and their family caregivers (FCs). While psychoeducational interventions can support them to handle these tasks, it remains unclear how learning processes are hampered or facilitated.

METHODS

A convergent parallel mixed methods design with qualitative data collection embedded in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was used. Outpatients with cancer and FCs were recruited from three Swiss university hospitals. The six-week intervention consisted of education, skills building, and nurse coaching. Quantitative data on pain management knowledge and self-efficacy were analyzed using multilevel models. Patients and FCs were interviewed post-RCT regarding their learning experiences. Qualitative data analysis was guided by interpretive description. Finally, quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using case level comparisons and a meta-matrix.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients and seven FCs completed this study. The group-by-time effect showed increases in knowledge (p = 0.035) and self-efficacy (p = 0.007). Patients' and FCs' learning through experience was supported by an intervention nurse, who was perceived as competent and trustworthy. After the study, most intervention group participants felt more confident to implement pain self-management. Finally, data integration showed that declining health hampered some patients' pain self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

Competent and trustworthy nurses can support patients' and FCs' pain self-management by providing individualized interventions. Using a diary, jointly reflecting on the documented experiences, and addressing knowledge deficits and misconceptions through the use of academic detailing can facilitate patients' and FCs' learning of critical skills.

Betreuung durch ein Advanced Nursing Practice-Team - Erfahrungen Lymphombetroffener und ihrer Angehörigen

Support by an advanced nursing practice team - Experiences of patients with lymphoma and their family members. A qualitative study Abstract. Background: Patients with lymphomas who are treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are confronted with a life-threatening disease and a stressful therapeutic procedure. An advanced nursing practice (ANP) team was established at the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital to provide continuous, need-based care to these patients and their family members throughout the entire course of therapy. Little is known about experiences of concerned persons. Objective: With this study, patients' with lymphomas treated with HDC and ASCT and their family members' experiences of the care provided by the ANP team were explored. Methods: The qualitative research approach "interpretive description" provided orientation. Eight couple interviews with patients and their family members were conducted and evaluated by means of reflexive thematic analysis. Results: The participants experienced continuous caring by the nurse consultants throughout the entire course of therapy and received professional, administrative, and emotional support. They felt competently informed as well as advised, and had an easily accessible contact person for questions to whom they had built up an emotional relationship. This not only encouraged and strengthened them, but also provided security and the feeling of being in good hands. Conclusion: It is recommended to offer an ANP service to those affected, as for them the continuous support of a proficient, compassionate, familiar and committed contact person was essential.

A Longitudinal Study of Predictors of Constipation Severity in Oncology Outpatients With Unrelieved Pain

CONTEXT

Although constipation is a common symptom in oncology patients, it often goes unrecognized and untreated. In addition, little is known about characteristics associated with interindividual differences in constipation severity.

OBJECTIVES

To describe prevalence, characteristics, and management of constipation; evaluate interindividual differences in constipation severity over 10 weeks; and identify demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics associated with higher constipation severity scores.

METHODS

In this prospective, longitudinal study, 175 oncology patients with unrelieved pain were recruited from eight outpatient cancer settings in the U.S. Patients completed demographic and symptom questionnaires at enrollment. Constipation severity was evaluated over 10 weeks using the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to identify characteristics associated with higher CAS scores.

RESULTS

At enrollment, 70.1% of the patients reported constipation [i.e., CAS score of >2; mean CAS score: 3.72 (±3.11)]. While over the first week of the study patients used one to two constipation treatments per day, a large amount of interindividual variability was found in CAS scores. Higher percentage of days with no bowel movement, higher number of constipation treatments, higher state anxiety scores, and higher analgesic side effects scores were associated with higher CAS scores at enrollment. Higher percentage of days with no bowel movement was associated with interindividual differences in the trajectories of constipation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the high prevalence of and large amount of interindividual variability in constipation severity. The characteristics associated with worse CAS scores can assist clinicians to identify high-risk patients and initiate prompt interventions.

Parental emotional and hands-on work-Experiences of parents with a newborn undergoing congenital heart surgery: A qualitative study

PURPOSE

To explore both mothers' and fathers' experiences from prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of their newborn's congenital heart disease (CHD) to the first discharge after heart surgery in a Swiss university children's hospital.

DESIGN AND METHOD

A qualitative research approach, based on a constructivist paradigm, was applied to explore participants' experiences and perceptions. Parents of nine children with moderate to severe CHD participated in semistructured joint couple interviews. Data were analyzed inductively via an iterative process, following the steps of thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Between the child's CHD diagnosis and hospital discharge after neonatal cardiac surgery, the overarching theme for parents was being confronted with demanding emotional and hands-on work. This parental work included four themes with subthemes: Parents had to tackle a route through an unknown hospital world from receiving the CHD diagnosis and experiencing delivery to attending to their child in the pediatric intensive care unit and during surgery, as well as during the transfer to and the stay on the pediatric cardiac unit. They experienced an at times challenging interplay with health care professionals, performed teamwork as the nuclear family and managed concerned relatives and friends.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Health care professionals should establish trustful relationships with parents, while accompanying families continuously, providing consistent, straightforward information, and expressing appreciation for the parents' exceptional emotional and hands-on work. Health care professionals' awareness of parent's experiences is vital to compassionate family-centered care.

A master of nursing science curriculum revision for the 21st century - a progress report

BACKGROUND

Preparing a 21^st century nursing workforce demands future-oriented curricula that address the population's evolving health care needs. With their advanced clinical skill sets and broad scope of practice, Advanced Practice Nurses strengthen healthcare systems by providing expert care, especially to people who are older and/or have chronic diseases. Bearing this in mind, we revised our established Master of Nursing Science curriculum at the University of Basel, Switzerland.

METHODS

Guided by the Advanced Nursing Practice framework, interprofessional guidelines, fundamental reports on the future of health care and the Bologna declaration, the reform process included three interrelated phases: preparation (work packages (WPs): curriculum analysis, alumni survey), revision (WPs: program accreditation, learning outcomes), and regulations (WPs: legal requirements, program launch).

RESULTS

The redesigned MScN curriculum offers two specializations: ANP and research. It was implemented in the 2014 fall semester.

CONCLUSIONS

This curriculum reform's strategic approach and step-by-step processes demonstrate how, beginning with a solid conceptual basis, congruent logical steps allowed development of a program that prepares nurses for new professional roles within innovative models of care.

Testing a pain self-management intervention by exploring reduction of analgesics' side effects in cancer outpatients and the involvement of family caregivers: a study protocol (PEINCA-FAM)

Background

Pain is one of cancer patients’ most frequent and distressing symptoms; however, analgesics’ side effects often increase symptom burden. Further, with the home rapidly becoming the primary cancer care setting, family caregivers (FCs) commonly play central roles in patients’ pain self-management, but with little or no preparation. One US-tested intervention, the PRO-SELF© Plus Pain Control Program (PCP), designed to support cancer outpatients and their FCs in pain self-management, is currently being tested in the Swiss multi-centre PEINCA study. The current PEINCA-FAM study is a sub-study of PEINCA. The aims of PEINCA-FAM are: a) to test the efficacy of the adapted German PRO-SELF © Plus PCP to reduce side effects of analgesics; b) to enhance patients’/FCs’ knowledge regarding cancer pain; and c) to explore FCs’ involvement in patients’ pain self-management.

Methods

This mixed methods project combines a multi-centre randomized controlled clinical trial with qualitative data collection techniques and includes 210 patients recruited from three oncology outpatient clinics. FCs involved in patients’ pain self-management are also invited to participate. After baseline evaluation, eligible participants are randomized to a 6-week intervention group and a control group. Both groups complete a daily pain and symptom diary. Intervention group patients/FCs receive the weekly psychoeducational PRO-SELF© Plus PCP interventions; control group patients receive usual care. After completing the six-week study procedures, a subsample of 7–10 patients/FCs per group and hospital (N = 42–60) will be interviewed regarding their pain management experiences. Data collection will take place from April 2016 until December 2018. An intent-to-treat analysis and generalized linear mixed models will be applied. Qualitative data will be analysed by using interpretive description. Quantitative and qualitative results will be combined within a mixed method matrix.

Discussion

In clinical practice, specially trained oncology nurses in outpatient clinics could apply the intervention to reduce side effects and to enhance patients’/FCs’ self-efficacy and pain management knowledge.

Trial registration

The PEINCA study is registered in the Clinical Trials.gov site (code: NCT02713919, 08 March 2016).

[Anxiety during the chronic critical illness in the intensive care unit - an interpretive phenomenological study]

Anxiety during the chronic critical illness in the intensive care unit - an interpretive phenomenological study Abstract.

BACKGROUND

Patients with a chronic critical illness (CCI) are persons who are dependent on life-sustaining therapies in the intensive care unit (ICU) for an extended period of time following a life-threatening, acute illness. In the ICU they are exposed to numerous physical and psychological stressors. Anxiety, one of the distressing symptoms, has received little attention.

AIM

This study aims to examine anxiety in adult patients who have developed CCI while treated in an ICU to further understand this phenomenon.

METHOD

An interpretive phenomenological approach was taken. Using an iterative process, data from guided interviews with seven participants were analysed.

RESULTS

The anxiety experienced by the patients with CCI fluctuated with the level of consciousness: anxiety in another reality, anxiety caused by nightmares, anxiety at first awakening and anxiety during wakeful periods. Anxiety was often accompanied by feelings of powerlessness, being lost, insecurity, helplessness and uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that health care professionals caring for patients, especially nurses, may influence anxiety experienced by patients with CCI. Nurses who are able to recognize anxiety in patients with CCI have a better chance of caring for them in a sensitive manner.

Gezielte Entwicklung von Advanced Practice Nurse-Rollen für spezifische Patient(inn)engruppen in einem Schweizer Universitätsspital

Zusammenfassung.Hintergrund: Um den zukünftigen Bedarf der Bevölkerung an medizinischen Leistungen abzudecken, sind neue Versorgungsmodelle gefragt. Der Aufbau von Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) bietet eine Möglichkeit, diesen Herausforderungen mit neuen Angeboten zu begegnen. Im Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern werden seit 2011 ANP-Angebote und entsprechende Advanced Practice Nurse-Rollen aufgebaut. Ziel: Es wird angestrebt, innovative und evidenzbasierte ANP-Angebote zu entwickeln, um die Versorgung für spezifische Patient(inn)engruppen und ihre Angehörigen auszubauen und mehr Sicherheit sowie bessere Ergebnisse zu erreichen. Methode: ANP-Angebote werden im Rahmen von Projekten, in enger Zusammenarbeit von Klinik und Bereich Fachentwicklung (BFE) der Direktion Pflege entwickelt. Zur Evaluation werden Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisdaten erhoben. Ergebnisse: Heute sind fünf ANP-Angebote etabliert, acht weitere befinden sich im Aufbau. Die meisten Angebote sind auf eine langfristige Betreuung von Patient(inn)en mit chronischen Erkrankungen und ihre Angehörigen ausgerichtet. Zehn APN haben Anstellungen von 10 % bis 80 %, drei führen ein ANP-Team. Sie arbeiten zu über 50 % in der direkten klinischen Praxis, primär beratend. Ein ANP-Netzwerk verbindet APN und BFE, um Synergien und Austausch zu fördern. Schlussfolgerungen: Herausfordernd bei der Entwicklung von ANP-Angeboten sind oft die Ressourcen. Wesentlich für den nachhaltigen Erfolg sind ein adäquater Stellenumfang, die Unterstützung durch die Klinikleitung, das spitalweit gültige Konzept und der Aufbau im Rahmen von Projekten.

[Not Available]

Zusammenfassung. Krebsbedingte Schmerzen sind häufig, für Betroffene sehr belastend und oft ungenügend behandelt. Krebs ist zur chronischen Krankheit geworden; viele Patienten sind gefordert zu Hause selber oder mit Unterstützung von Angehörigen mit Therapien und Auswirkungen der Erkrankung zurechtzukommen. Dazu gehört auch das Schmerz-Selbstmanagement. Dieses ist komplex und verlangt spezifisches Wissen und Können, um eine Schmerztherapie im Alltag erfolgreich umzusetzen. Oft gelingt dies nicht, weil patientenbezogene Barrieren wie Bedenken gegenüber Opiaten eine gute Schmerzkontrolle verhindern. Mit getesteten Interventionen konnten teilweise moderate Schmerzreduktionen erreicht werden. Wegen unterschiedlichen methodischen Ansätzen und Interventionen bleibt offen, wie eine Unterstützung von Patienten und pflegenden Angehörigen am wirksamsten erfolgt. Es empfiehlt sich, Patienten zu informieren, dabei bekannte Barrieren anzugehen, Können zu vermitteln und pflegende Angehörige einzubeziehen.

Experiences of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Family Members in an Advanced Practice Nurse-Led Counseling Service

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem worldwide, but not enough is known about effective self-management interventions. In this qualitative study, we explore how outpatients with CKD Stages 1-5 (without renal replacement therapy) and their family members experienced an individually tailored CKD counseling service led by an advanced practice nurse (APN). Using thematic analysis, 10 pair interviews (N = 20) were conducted and analyzed stepwise. Findings revealed iterative processes along the course of the disease. Participants struggled with an incomprehensible diagnosis. An APN assisted them in their efforts to master CKD. The APN offered information, insights, and understanding. This support helped the families achieve a new outlook and filled some gaps in CKD care. Future development of the service should focus on slowing down CKD progression more effectively. Healthcare providers are encouraged to acknowledge the importance of ongoing guidance and the continuity of care in treating patients with CKD.

Advancement of the German version of the moral distress scale for acute care nurses-A mixed methods study

AIM

Moral distress experienced by nurses in acute care hospitals can adversely impact the affected nurses, their patients and their hospitals; therefore, it is advisable for organizations to establish internal monitoring of moral distress. However, until now, no suitable questionnaire has been available for use in German-speaking contexts. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a German-language version of the Moral Distress Scale.

DESIGN

We chose a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, followed by a second quantitative cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

An American moral distress scale was chosen, translated, culturally adapted, tested in a pilot study and subsequently used in 2011 to conduct an initial web-based quantitative cross-sectional survey of nurses in all inpatient units at five hospitals in Switzerland's German-speaking region. Data were analysed descriptively and via a Rasch analysis. In 2012, four focus group interviews were conducted with 26 nurses and then evaluated using knowledge maps. The results were used to improve the questionnaire. In 2015, using the revised German-language instrument, a second survey and Rasch analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The descriptive results of the first survey's participants (n = 2153; response rate: 44%) indicated that moral distress is a salient phenomenon in Switzerland. The data from the focus group interviews and the Rasch analysis produced information valuable for the questionnaire's further development. Alongside the data from the second survey's participants (n = 1965; response rate: 40%), the Rasch analysis confirmed the elimination of previous deficiencies on its psychometrics. A Rasch-scaled German version of the Moral Distress Scale is now available for use.

Adolescents' with congenital heart disease and their parents' experiences of a nurse-led transition program. An interpretive phenomenological study

Background: Up to 90 % of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) now reach adulthood. To avoid lapses in care during the change from pediatric to adult care, a nurse-led transition program (TP) was implemented at a Swiss University Hospital. Aim: This study explored the experiences and expectations of adolescents with CHD and their parents regarding a nurse-led TP. Method: This qualitative study used an interpretive, phenomenological approach. Individual interviews were conducted with seven adolescent CHD patients in the transition period and their parents (six mothers, two fathers). Analysis followed an iterative process. Results: For most study participants, the transfer from pediatric to adult medicine as part of the TP went smoothly. They experienced the TP positively. Patients valued the provision of a constant contact person to provide CHD-related information; parents welcomed the support of an informed, neutral clinician for their children. To varying degrees, adolescents were willing to take over self-responsibility; conversely, parents found it difficult to turn their responsibility over to their children. Parents wished to give the adolescent as much time as needed to act responsibility on their own. Conclusions: A transition program is a key element for establishing a continuous care in adolescents with a chronic disease. It facilitates the parents' process of allowing their youths to assume increasing responsibility for their own health.

A guideline for adults with an indwelling urinary catheter in different health care Settings - methodological procedures

Background: People with an indwelling urinary catheter often suffer from complications and health care professionals are regularly confronted with questions about catheter management. Clinical guidelines are widely accepted to promote evidence-based practice. In the literature, the adaptation of a guideline is described as a valid alternative to the development of a new one. Aim: To translate a guideline for the care for adults with an indwelling urinary catheter in the acute and long term care setting as well as for home care. To adapt the guideline to the Swiss context. Method: In a systematic and pragmatic process, clinical questions were identified, guidelines were searched and evaluated regarding clinical relevance and quality. After each step, the next steps were defined. Results: An English guideline was translated, adapted to the local context and supplemented. The adapted guideline was reviewed by experts, adapted again and approved. After 34 months and an investment of a total of 145 man working days, a guideline for the care for people with an indwelling urinary catheter is available for both institutions. Conclusions: Translation and adaptation of a guideline was a valuable alternative to the development of a new one; nevertheless, the efforts necessary should not be underestimated. For such a project, sufficient professional and methodological resources should be made available to achieve efficient guideline work by a constant team.

Interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit Pflegefachpersonen und Ärzteschaft

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Im klinischen Alltag stellt die interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit zwischen Pflegefachpersonen und Ärzt(inn)en immer wieder eine Herausforderung dar. Quantitative oder qualitative Studien haben das Ziel, Erkenntnisse zu einer verbesserten Zusammenarbeit aufzuzeigen. Diese Erkenntnisse sind jedoch aus methodischen Gründen oft begrenzt. Ziel: Mittels Triangulation quantitativer und qualitativer Daten beschreibt diese Studie die interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit aus Sicht der Pflegefachpersonen. Methode: Die Datenerhebung erfolgte in einem Mixed Methods-Design im Rahmen der interprofessionellen Sinergia DRG-Begleitforschung. Zunächst erfolgte eine separate Analyse der quantitativen und qualitativen Daten. Durch die Triangulation entstand in vier Schritten eine „Meta-Matrix“. Ergebnisse: Die „Meta-Matrix“ bildet alle relevanten quantitativen und qualitativen Ergebnisse sowie ihre Zusammenhänge modellähnlich auf einer Seite ab. Die Relevanz, die Einflussfaktoren sowie die Folgen der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit für Mitarbeitende, Patient(inn)en, Angehörige und Systeme werden deutlich. Schlussfolgerung: Die interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit aus Sicht der Pflegefachpersonen in fünf Spitälern wird erstmals umfassend in einer „Meta-Matrix“ aufgezeigt. Die Folgen ungenügender Zusammenarbeit zwischen Pflegefachpersonen und Ärzt(inn)en sind beträchtlich, weshalb in interprofessionelle Konzepte investiert werden muss. Aus der „Meta-Matrix“ ist ersichtlich, welche Faktoren für die interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit hinderlich bzw. förderlich sind.

[Family members' experiences of caring for persons with dementia and outreach counseling--an interpretative phenomenological study]

BACKGROUND

Almost two-thirds of the 110,000 people living with dementia in Switzerland receive home care from family members. Outreach counselling can reduce the burden for family caregivers and delay nursing home placement. However, little is known of how this works and how caregivers experience the counselling. The Canton of Aargau Alzheimer's Association has been conducting a pilot project to demonstrate the necessity, effectiveness and practicability of outreach counselling in (their canton).

AIM

As a part of the evaluation of the project this study explored how family members experience the process of caring for a relative with dementia and outreach counselling.

METHOD

Interpretive phenomenology–a qualitative approach–was used to analyse data from interviews with twelve family caregivers.

RESULTS

Most family members felt supported in caregiving by outreach counselling. Three aspects of the counselling were especially important to the participants: being understood and taken seriously by the counsellor; receiving answers to their most pressing questions concerning the illness and being supported when difficult decision had to be taken; regaining personal time and learning how to better interact with the person with dementia. Two participants would have wished for more help by the counsellor.

CONCLUSIONS

To meet the needs of the family members, consultants should have sufficient experience in dementia patient care and should be strongly networked across the local health and welfare system. This study shows that family members can experience outreach counselling as a great support in their caregiving roles.

Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Practice Nursing Roles

PURPOSE

To address the gap in evidence-based information required to support the development of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles in Switzerland, stakeholders identified the need for guidance to generate strategic evaluation data. This article describes an evaluation framework developed to inform decisions about the effective utilization of APN roles across the country.

APPROACH

A participatory approach was used by an international group of stakeholders. Published literature and an evidenced-based framework for introducing APN roles were analyzed and applied to define the purpose, target audiences, and essential elements of the evaluation framework. Through subsequent meetings and review by an expert panel, the framework was developed and refined.

FINDINGS

A framework to evaluate different types of APN roles as they evolve to meet dynamic population health, practice setting, and health system needs was created. It includes a matrix of key concepts to guide evaluations across three stages of APN role development: introduction, implementation, and long-term sustainability. For each stage, evaluation objectives and questions examining APN role structures, processes, and outcomes from different perspectives (e.g., patients, providers, managers, policy-makers) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

A practical, robust framework based on well-established evaluation concepts and current understanding of APN roles can be used to conduct systematic evaluations.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The evaluation framework is sufficiently generic to allow application in developed countries globally, both for evaluation as well as research purposes.

[Nursing care in the run-up to Swiss DRG – Nurses' experiences with interprofessional collaboration, leadership, work load and job satisfaction]

BACKGROUND

The literature reports critically on the consequences of the introduction of case-based hospital reimbursement systems, which hamper the delivery of professional nursing care. For this reason, we examined the characteristics of nursing service context factors (work environment factors) in acute care hospitals with regards to the introduction of the new reimbursement system in Switzerland.

AIM

This qualitative study describes practice experiences of nurses in the context of the characteristics of the nursing service context factors interprofessional collaboration, leadership, workload and job satisfaction.

METHODS

Twenty focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 146 nurses in five acute care hospitals.

RESULTS

The results indicated that for quite some time the participants had observed an increase in complexity of nursing care and a growing invasiveness of clinical diagnostics and treatment. At the same time they noticed a decrease in patient length of stay. They strived to offer high quality nursing care even in situations where demands outweighed resources. Good interprofessional collaboration and supportive leadership contributed substantially to nurses' ability to overcome daily challenges. Job satisfaction was bolstered by interactions with patients. Also, the role played by the nursing team itself is not to be underestimated.

CONCLUSIONS

From the participants' point of view, context factors harbor great potential for attaining positive patient outcomes and higher job satisfaction and have to be monitored repeatedly.

[Transition from childhood to adolescence-a qualitative study on experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their mothers]

BACKGROUND

In Germany every year approximately 2.200 children under the age of 14 come down with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). While parents manage diabetes for infants, children take over some tasks over time. During the transition from childhood to adolescence, between 8 - 13 years of age, children become more independent. Children with T1DM experience an additional transition in diabetes management. So far, however, research focused on the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

AIM

With the study, experiences of adolescents with T1DM and their mothers with the transition from childhood to adolescence and the meaning of independence were explored.

METHOD

This interpretive phenomenological study was conducted in two diabetes walk-in clinics in the south of Germany. Six adolescents and their mothers participated in interviews with open-ended questions. Data were evaluated using case and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Taking over diabetes tasks for longer periods and the increased independence was perceived as liberating by young people. Mothers learned to have confidence in their children. Their biggest concern was a possible hypoglycemia. Family members as well as teachers were involved in the diabetes management differently. The continuous care by the same physicians was experienced as supportive.

CONCLUSION

A continuous care by the same professional persons can positively influence the transition from childhood to adolescence for children with T1DM.

[Complex drug regimen in multimorbid elderly patients after hospital discharge - a qualitative study]

BACKGROUND

Older people often have multimorbidity requiring a complex regime of medications, which may change following hospital discharge, thus presenting new challenges. The experiences of older people, who manage their own medications, in particular following hospital discharge, have rarely been studied.

AIM

This study investigates the experiences of older people with multimorbidity taking multiple medications after hospital discharge and how they cope with medication-taking.

METHOD

A qualitative-descriptive approach with ten interviews was chosen. The data were coded openly into two groups according to Saldaña (2013).

RESULTS

It is important for older people, in spite of their multimorbidity, to maintain their independence and maintain responsibility for taking their medications. Routines are developed from taking medications over many years and the new medications are easily integrated. Unclear information by the medical staff and the inability of the older people to obtain the medications after discharge may lead to mistakes or interruptions in the drug therapy at home. The key person for this group is the general practitioner, even concerning the drug therapy initiated in hospital.

CONCLUSION

It is advisable to adapt discharge education to the needs of older people, especially with regard to their drug therapy, to its integration into their daily routine, and to any possible shortcomings in their medication management.

Monitoring von Pflegekontextfaktoren – Erste deskriptive Studienresultate einer Querschnittserhebung der schweizerischen DRG Begleitforschung Pflege vor Einführung der SwissDRG

Hintergrund: Mit der Einführung der DRG-basierten Finanzierung erhalten Spitäler einen kleineren finanziellen Spielraum, was Prozessoptimierungen notwendig macht. Internationale Erfahrungen zeigen, dass solche Restrukturierungen Einfluss auf für die Pflege notwendige Kontextfaktoren haben können. Dadurch können auch Pflegequalität und Patientensicherheit beeinträchtigt werden. Ziel: Ziel der «DRG Begleitforschung Pflege» ist, ein Monitoringmodell samt dazugehörenden Instrumenten zur kontinuierlichen Überwachung des Einflusses der DRG-Finanzierung auf zentrale Pflegekontextfaktoren zu entwickeln. Methode: Die vorliegenden deskriptiven quantitativen Resultate wurden im Rahmen der in einem Mixed-Methods-Design durchgeführten Untersuchung mittels einer Online-Befragung erhoben, an der sich Pflegefachpersonen aus fünf Spitälern beteiligten. Ergebnisse: Die Resultate zeigen, dass die untersuchten Pflegekontextfaktoren «Komplexität der Pflege», «Arbeitsumgebungsqualität», «Führungsverhalten», «Moralischer Stress» und «Zufriedenheit mit der Arbeitsstelle» in allen Fachbereichen hinsichtlich der Arbeitsumgebung und Leistungserbringung der Pflege relevant sind. Es lassen sich Muster erkennen, die im Einklang mit der Literatur stehen, und die Hinweise auf die im Modell angenommenen Beziehungen zwischen diesen Kontextfaktoren geben. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie hat einerseits für die beteiligten Betriebe nützliche Daten geliefert, auf deren Basis sie Maßnahmen zur Sicherung der Qualität und Entwicklung der Pflege diskutieren können, andererseits konnten wichtige Informationen zur Weiterentwicklung des Modells und zu den eingesetzten Instrumenten gesammelt werden.

[Transition - how adolescents with cystic fibrosis their parents experience the change from paediatric to adult care]

BACKGROUND

Cystic Fibrosis is the most common autosomal-recessive hereditary disease among white Europeans. The average survival of CF patients has increased to above 40 years and transition from paediatric to adult care has therefore become a significant issue.

AIM

With this study, experiences of adolescents with CF and their parents with the transition from the paediatric to the adult care were explored.

METHODS

At a Swiss university CF centre, six adolescents and their mothers were recruited. Twelve narrative interviews were conducted on how the phase of transition was experienced. The transcribed interviews were analysed according to the method of hermeneutic phenomenology.

RESULTS

Positive and negative experiences with long term routine care in the paediatric service, general themes of adolescence and the quality of the relationship with paediatric doctors influenced the families' experience during transition significantly. For mothers, insensitive information on the CF diagnosis might have influenced the transition experience. The adolescents welcomed an individualized and age appropriate care. Continuity in care, the announcement of, and involvement in the planning of the transfer were of great importance. The families particularly appreciated the timed adaptations of the transfer to individual needs.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexibility and a strong collaboration between paediatric and adult CF teams are most relevant in the care of families.

[How do family members of haemodialysis patients with dementia experience nursing care on a haemodialysis unit: a qualitative study]

BACKGROUND

Up to 70 % of dialysis patients over 55 years suffer from some degree of dementia. For a patient with dementia eventually agitated, staying at rest during the whole haemodialysis session could be difficult, which represents a real challenge for the haemodialysis team. Although relatives of patients with dementia or haemodialysis patients were described as care experts because of their support in everyday life, the perspective of relatives of haemodialysis patients with dementia has not yet been researched.

AIM

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of nursing care of relatives of haemodialysis patients with dementia in a haemodialysis unit.

METHODS

Data were collected through eight interviews with relatives. Content analysis was used to analyse data.

RESULTS

Relatives knew that the patients were in good hands with their nurses. Their own attendance of the dialysis sessions was of variable duration, frequency and regularity, and they were hardly involved in the care. Relatives and nurses rarely communicated regarding the patients' situation. Although relatives described symptoms of dementia, it was important for them to attest that the patients were still "mentally all right".

CONCLUSIONS

Relatives of patients with dementia have diverse needs concerning their attendance during the therapy and the exchange of information with clinicians. Nurses should approach relatives and assess their individual needs to achieve a better collaboration.

Complexity of nursing care in acute care hospital patients: results of a pilot study with a newly developed questionnaire

AIM

The aim of this pilot study was to develop an instrument for measuring complexity of nursing care in hospitalised acute care patients as well as to examine its comprehensibility, its feasibility, the effort required for data collection, and its inter-rater reliability as well as its face validity.

METHODS

This pilot study was designed as a descriptive, explorative cross-sectional survey with multiple measurements of the patient-related complexity of nursing care and a supplemental qualitative questionnaire conducted on six units of a Swiss university hospital. The instrument to assess complexity of nursing care was developed on the framework of Perrow and encompasses on three subscales a total of 15 items with a 5-point Likert scale.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study was reviewed and approved by the Cantonal Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

In total, 866 assessments of complexity of nursing care were carried out on 234 patients. The variability of the results of the six units, from three different specialties, suggests that the sampling was suitable for capturing a wide spectrum of complexity. The results of the three subscales are consistent and the discussion of them with the participating units shows that they are also plausible. The verification of the inter-rater reliability has satisfactory to high intersubjective correlation of the values. There were also a few suggestions for improving comprehensibility as well as on how to support user application. The time expenditure for the assessment between 2 to 5 minutes per patient was accurately.

CONCLUSION

With the newly developed questionnaire to measure the complexity of nursing care in acute care hospitals it seems to be possible to assess and to quantify the complexity of nursing care in various acute care hospital settings. Based on the findings and the feedback of the participating users, the questionnaire needs to be improved for large-scale application.

Moral distress in nurses at an acute care hospital in Switzerland: results of a pilot study

BACKGROUND

In the context of new reimbursement systems like diagnosis-related groups, moral distress is becoming a growing problem for healthcare providers. Moral distress can trigger emotional and physical reactions in nurses and can cause them to withdraw emotionally from patients or can cause them to change their work place.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study was to develop an instrument to measure moral distress among acute care nurses in the German-speaking context, to test its applicability, and to obtain initial indications of the instrument's validity.

METHOD

The study was designed in 2011 as a cross-sectional pilot survey. Conducted on eight units of one university hospital in German-speaking Switzerland, 294 registered nurses were asked to fill out a web-based questionnaire on moral distress.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study proposal was approved by the cantonal ethics committee. All participating nurses provided informed consent and were assured of data confidentiality.

RESULTS

The survey had a response rate of 55%. The results show the prevalence of statements on the questionnaire indicating situations with the potential to trigger moral distress. The entire range of answers was used in the responses. Most participants found the questionnaire comprehensible, while some criticized the phraseology of certain statements. Many more found the registration process prior to online access to be too time consuming. Nurses confirmed that the results reflect their subjective assessment of their situation and their experience of moral distress.

CONCLUSION

The newly developed moral distress questionnaire appears to produce face validity and is sufficiently applicable for use in our study. The results indicate that moral distress appears to be a relevant phenomenon also in Swiss hospitals and that nurses were experiencing it prior to the introduction of Swiss diagnosis-related groups.

Monitoring the impact of the DRG payment system on nursing service context factors in Swiss acute care hospitals: Study protocol

Aims: With this study protocol, a research program is introduced. Its overall aim is to prepare the instruments and to conduct the first monitoring of nursing service context factors at three university and two cantonal hospitals in Switzerland prior to the introduction of the reimbursement system based on Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) and to further develop a theoretical model as well as a methodology for future monitoring following the introduction of DRGs.

Background: DRG was introduced to all acute care hospitals in Switzerland in 2012. In other countries, DRG introduction led to rationing and subsequently to a reduction in nursing care. As result, nursing-sensitive patient outcomes were seriously jeopardised. Switzerland has the opportunity to learn from the consequences experienced by other countries when they introduced DRGs. Their experiences highlight that DRGs influence nursing service context factors such as complexity of nursing care or leadership, which in turn influence nursing-sensitive patient outcomes. For this reason, the monitoring of nursing service context factors needs to be an integral part of the introduction of DRGs. However, most acute care hospitals in Switzerland do not monitor nursing service context data. Nursing managers and hospital executive boards will be in need of this data in the future, in order to distribute resources effectively.

Methods/Design: A mixed methods design in the form of a sequential explanatory strategy was chosen. During the preparation phase, starting in spring 2011, instruments were selected and prepared, and the access to patient and nursing data in the hospitals was organized. Following this, online collection of quantitative data was conducted in fall 2011. In summer 2012, qualitative data was gathered using focus group interviews, which helped to describe the processes in more detail. During 2013 and 2014, an integration process is being conducted involving complementing, comparing and contrasting quantitative and qualitative findings.

Conclusion: The research program will produce baseline data on nursing service context factors in Swiss acute care hospitals prior to DRG introduction as well as a theoretical model and a methodology to support nursing managers and hospital executive boards in distributing resources effectively.

The study was approved by the ethics committees of Basel, Bern, Solothurn and Zürich.

Skin and mucosa care in systemic sclerosis--patients' and family caregivers' experiences and expectations of a specific education programme: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Skin and mucosal manifestations such as skin thickening, pruritus, reduced microvascular circulation, digital lesions, appearance-related changes, and dryness of the eyes and mucosa are common in systemic sclerosis (SSc). A specific skin and mucosa care education programme for patients and their family caregivers should increase their self-efficacy and improve coping strategies.

AIMS

The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the participants' experiences of both everyday life with skin and mucosal manifestations and the programme itself, while identifying unmet needs for programme development.

METHODS

Narrative interviews were conducted with eight SSc patients and two family caregivers of individuals with SSc. Using qualitative content analysis techniques, the transcribed interviews were systematically summarized and categories inductively developed.

RESULTS

The findings illustrated participants' experiences of skin and mucosal symptoms and revealed them to be experts in finding the right therapy mix alone (before diagnosis) and also in collaboration with health professionals (after diagnosis). Participants emphasized that the programme gave them useful education on skin and mucosa care. They described how they had to cope alone with the lack of information on pathophysiology, people's reactions, and the impact on their family and working lives. Nevertheless, participants said that they maintained a positive attitude by not dwelling on future disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and family caregivers benefited from the individualized and SSc-specific education on skin and mucosa care. Future improvements to the programme should focus on imparting understandable information on SSc pathophysiology, dealing with disfigurement and seeking reliable disease information, as well as facilitating peer support.

Responding to a crying infant - you do not learn it overnight: a phenomenological study

OBJECTIVE

to examine the views and practices of first-time and experienced mothers in response to infant crying during the first 12 weeks post birth.

DESIGN

longitudinal, qualitative study using an interpretive, phenomenological approach.

SETTING

postnatal hospital and home settings in Switzerland.

PARTICIPANTS

maximum variation sampling of 15 new mothers of diverse parity and educational background who had given birth to a full-term healthy neonate.

METHODS

participant observations in the postnatal ward and two narrative interviews at participants' homes at 6-8 and 12-14 weeks post partum. Data analysis used interpretive approaches of case analysis, thematic analysis and exemplars.

FINDINGS

first-time mothers showed some soothing skills from the beginning, but fine-tuned their practices of handling the crying infant and managing their own reactions. With growing experience mothers acquired a differentiated understanding of the crying's reason and urgency and used more successful soothing techniques. At the same time they learned to assess and mitigate their own stress reactions by self-soothing and adopting realistic expectations of normal infant behaviour. Experienced mothers knew the infant's frequent crying would diminish after a while whereas first-time mothers coped without this positive expectation.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

with increasing child-care experience mothers' skills and attitudes towards crying changed, leading to a calmer and less escalating response to their crying infant.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

inexperienced mothers need information on neonatal crying behaviour and on parents' stress response. They should be taught how to recognise and respond to the new-born's signals, and how to cope with their own stress. Postnatal care should provide novice mothers to learn from experienced role models.

[Living with a multitude of medicaments: experiences of patients with cancer]

The ability to handle a complex medication regimen is important for patients with cancer being treated on an outpatient basis, because many of them have to take drugs for oral chemotherapy, against cancer-related symptoms, side effects of the treatments, and preexisting conditions. This qualitative study examined how patients experienced a complex medication regimen and how they managed it at home. Interviews were conducted with 12 patients from oncology outpatients units and analysed by means of content analysis. Patients knew their medications. They took them mainly as prescribed because they regarded them as a safeguard against deterioration and a life-saver. In addition, they trusted their doctors and felt obliged to them to take the medications. The doctor-patient relationship was supported by constant treatment settings. Even so, the patients would rather have taken less or no medications at all, primarily because of fear of side effects. In order to guarantee a regular intake, the patients linked the medications with specific places, times, and activities and developed routines and rituals. Nurses were hardly perceived with regard to medications and medication management. It is recommended that patients with complex medication regimens are assigned to constant mentors amongst health professionals. These mentors should check patients' medication knowledge, attitudes and management strategies on a regular basis and either encourage sound performance or assist patients in developing an acceptable way of medication taking and handling.

[Oncological patients' decision making processes concerning their pain medication at home: a qualitative secondary analysis]

Unrelieved pain affects up to 75 % of cancer patients. Possible reasons for the undertreatment of pain are, amongst others, patient-related barriers towards cancer pain management. However the way patients decide on the use of analgesics remains unclear. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore decision-making processes of four women and four men with diverse cancers concerning their pain medications. Audiotaped protocols of the 10-week-intervention and interviews of the PEINCA-pilot study provided data for a secondary analysis. This pilot study was conducted at a comprehensive cancer centre in Germany to test the German version of a cancer pain self-management intervention to enhance oncology patients' pain self-management for the first time. The data of purposively selected patients were analysed using content analysis. The results showed that these patients were very ambivalent about their analgesic use. The need to relieve severe pain conflicted with the desire to avoid opioids at any price. Decisions were reconsidered and overturned even after good experiences with analgesics. This study seems to provide a first look into decision-making processes over 10 weeks during a self-management education. Individually tailored counselling by a professional within the education programme helped the patients adopt new attitudes towards analgesics and gradually reduce their pain levels. Previous experiences of the patients and their possible ambivalence towards analgesics should be considered in a pain therapy, and patients should be coached by professionals.

Results of a randomized controlled pilot study of a self-management intervention for cancer pain

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

This paper reports findings from a randomized controlled pilot study evaluating the PRO-SELF Plus Pain Control Program, a U.S.-developed cancer pain self-management intervention, regarding feasibility and effect sizes in a German patient sample.

METHODS AND SAMPLE

Thirty-nine German oncology outpatients were randomized to intervention (n = 19) and control (n = 20) groups. The intervention group received the PRO-SELF Plus Pain Control Program in 6 visits and 4 phone calls a 10-week period. The control group received standard education and care. The intervention employed three key strategies: information provision, skills building, and nurse coaching. Primary outcomes were changes in average and worst pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included changes in pain-related knowledge, opioid intake, and self-efficacy. Data were collected at enrollment, then at 6, 10, 14, and 22 weeks.

KEY RESULTS

The group-by-time effect showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge (week 10: p = 0.04; week 22: p < 0.01). Despite slight reductions in average and worst pain, no statistically significant changes were found for pain, opioid intake, or self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to evaluate and demonstrate the feasibility of a U.S.-developed cancer pain self-management intervention in a German patient population. Pain self-management related knowledge improved significantly and effect sizes for pain reduction were determined. Findings from this pilot RCT provide the basis for planning a larger RCT.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00920504.

A systematic evaluation of content, structure, and efficacy of interventions to improve patients' self-management of cancer pain

CONTEXT

Cancer pain continues to be extensively undertreated, despite established guidelines. Although the efficacy of interventions that support patients' self-management of cancer pain has been demonstrated in several studies, the most effective components of these interventions remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this review of experimental and quasi-experimental studies was to systematically describe the structure and content components, as well as the efficacy of various components, of interventions designed to improve patients' self-management of cancer pain.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was done that supplemented the 2009 meta-analysis of Bennett et al. Intervention components were categorized using content analysis. The intervention components were compared based on their calculated largest effect sizes (ESs) within each study (i.e., Hedges G(u) for between-group differences in pain intensity scores).

RESULTS

Based on 34 publications (i.e., 24 interventions), seven structure and 16 content components were identified. In 11 studies with statistically significant ESs, the largest ES within each study ranged from -1.87 to -0.44, which represented clinically meaningful effects. No single component was found to have a discernable influence on ES.

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides researchers and clinicians with a detailed overview of the various structural and content components, as well as various combinations that were tested in intervention studies to improve cancer pain management. However, because of a variety of limitations, the most efficacious intervention components or combination of components remain to be determined in future studies.

Prevalence of symptoms, with a focus on fatigue, and changes of symptoms over three months in outpatients receiving cancer chemotherapy

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY

Prevalence of symptoms, with a focus on fatigue, and changes of symptoms were explored over three months in outpatients with lymphoma, lung, breast or colorectal cancer, receiving chemotherapy in the oncology outpatient clinic of a Swiss tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

Prospective, descriptive design; symptom prevalence was measured at start of chemotherapy (T1), and one week prior to the third and fourth cycle (T2, T3). Included were patients starting chemotherapy, with expected survival of >3 months, irrespective of stage of disease. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to assess 32 symptoms; fatigue was measured with the FACIT-Fatigue Scale (negative scale). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and random-intercept regression models.

RESULTS

77 patients participated at T1, 58 and 50 at T2 and T3. Patients experienced on average 9.8, 14.4, and 13.7 symptoms, showing a significant increase over time. Lack of energy and feeling drowsy were most frequent. Symptom scores for lack of energy, changes in skin, pain, and feeling drowsy remained >2 over time (scale 0-4, higher scores = more symptoms). Fatigue mean scores were 36.3, 30.2, and 31.3, showing a significant increase of fatigue over time. Individual symptom trajectories varied widely within and among patients.

CONCLUSIONS

High symptom prevalence at start of chemotherapy as well as over time and great variability in symptom experience call for an individual, systematic symptom assessment and management that does not focus solely on side-effects of therapy but includes disease-related symptoms to achieve satisfactory control of symptoms in outpatients receiving chemotherapy.

Experiences of Parents With Caring for Their Child After a Cancer Diagnosis

Children and adolescents with cancer are increasingly treated and cared for at home; hospital stays are reduced to a minimum. Taking care of a sick child at home has an impact on the entire family: the sick child, the siblings, and the parents. This qualitative study examines the experiences of parents taking their child home for the first time after the diagnosis. Parents of 10 children newly diagnosed with cancer were interviewed twice around the time of the first discharge; data were analyzed using content analysis methodology. Findings illustrated parents’ preparation of and experiences around their child’s first discharge, the huge amount of new and changed tasks parents have to fulfill at home when caring for their child with cancer, and consequences for the parents. By providing individualized information and instruction, by having parents anticipate potential problems and solutions, and by describing available community support and integrating district nurses as well as other parents with the same experiences more frequently, health care professionals in the hospital can optimize discharge planning for these parents.

Wie Angehörige von Patientinnen mit Demenz deren Aufenthalt auf einer Akutstation und ihre eigene Zusammenarbeit mit Fachpersonen erleben: Eine qualitative Studie

Rund ein Drittel der geriatrischen Patientinnen im Spital leiden unter Demenz als Zweitdiagnose. Ein Spitalaufenthalt kann für solche Patientinnen negative gesundheitsbezogene Auswirkungen haben und für Angehörige zusätzliche Belastungen mit sich bringen, denn strukturelle und organisatorische Bedingungen erschweren oft eine demenzgerechte Pflege. Diese qualitative Forschungsarbeit untersuchte, wie Angehörige den Aufenthalt von Patientinnen mit Demenz auf einer akutgeriatrischen Station erlebten. Mit 12 Angehörigen wurden Interviews durchgeführt und mittels Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sich Angehörige unabhängig vom Schweregrad der demenziellen Symptome um die Patientin sorgten: Findet sie sich zurecht? Trägt man ihren Bedürfnissen Rechnung? Angehörige fühlten sich in besonderem Maße verantwortlich. Sie schätzten das rehabilitative und pflegerische Betreuungsangebot, konnten dadurch meist Verantwortung abgeben und fühlten sich temporär entlastet. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Fachpersonen erlebten sie unterschiedlich: Erleichterung, wenn sie einbezogen und wertgeschätzt wurden, aber Ernüchterung beziehungsweise Enttäuschung, wenn sie sich nicht verstanden und übergangen fühlten. Für manche Angehörige hing die Qualität von Pflege und Zusammenarbeit von Einzelpersonen ab. Es empfiehlt sich, Maßnahmen, die von Angehörigen positiv erfahren werden, zu verstärken und für ganze Teams eine Kultur der bewussten Beziehungspflege und Zusammenarbeit mit den Angehörigen von Patientinnen mit Demenz zu entwickeln.

Crying babies, tired mothers - challenges of the postnatal hospital stay: an interpretive phenomenological study

Background

According to an old Swiss proverb, "a new mother lazing in childbed is a blessing to her family". Today mothers rarely enjoy restful days after birth, but enter directly into the challenge of combining baby- and self-care. They often face a combination of infant crying and personal tiredness. Yet, routine postnatal care often lacks effective strategies to alleviate these challenges which can adversely affect family health. We explored how new mothers experience and handle postnatal infant crying and their own tiredness in the context of changing hospital care practices in Switzerland.

Methods

Purposeful sampling was used to enroll 15 mothers of diverse parity and educational backgrounds, all of who had given birth to a full term healthy neonate. Using interpretive phenomenology, we analyzed interview and participant observation data collected during the postnatal hospital stay and at 6 and 12 weeks post birth. This paper reports on the postnatal hospital experience.

Results

Women's personal beliefs about beneficial childcare practices shaped how they cared for their newborn's and their own needs during the early postnatal period in the hospital. These beliefs ranged from an infant-centered approach focused on the infant's development of a basic sense of trust to an approach that balanced the infants' demands with the mother's personal needs. Getting adequate rest was particularly difficult for mothers striving to provide infant-centered care for an unsettled neonate. These mothers suffered from sleep deprivation and severe tiredness unless they were able to leave the baby with health professionals for several hours during the night.

Conclusion

New mothers often need permission to attend to their own needs, as well as practical support with childcare to recover from birth especially when neonates are fussy. To strengthen family health from the earliest stage, postnatal care should establish conditions which enable new mothers to balance the care of their infant with their own needs.