The effect of the preceptorship training program on the participation of clinical nurses in training nursing internship students: a quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical education is a fundamental part of nursing professional education. One method of education is the implementation of the preceptorship program, in which clinical nurses are responsible for educating nursing students. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the preceptorship training program for the participation of clinical nurses in the education of nursing students. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2023 at the teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. The sample consisted of 66 nurses from a teaching hospital selected using the accessible method and randomly were put into two groups. The workshop addressed the educational needs of preceptors and students, their readiness for their role, and strategies to effectively support students. Prior to the study, the nurses' level of participation was assessed utilizing a valid IMSOC questionnaire that gauged their involvement in guiding nursing students. The participation rate was reassessed after one month using the same questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. FINDINGS: The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics. The average score for nurses' participation in the education of students before the intervention was 101.84 ± 15.42 in the test group and 107.24 ± 10.53 in the control group; these two groups were not significantly different (P = 0.10). After the intervention, the scores reached 118.90 ± 15.11 in the test group and 106.21 ± 11.96 in the control group, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.001). A comparison of the nurses' participation scores in the test group indicated a significant difference from the pretest to the posttest, with the improvement in all nurses's participation scores (P < 0.001). However, in the control group, this difference was not significant (P = 0.41). CONCLUSION: The preceptorship training program is effective in light of increasing the participation of clinical nurses in the education of nursing students. This program can improve various aspects, such as motivation, satisfaction, commitment, implementation, and obstacle removal. Considering the importance of clinical training for nursing students and the essential role of preceptors, it is recommended that managers and health trustees in all university hospitals implement a preceptorship training program to increase the participation of clinical nurses in the education of nursing students.

Effect of short-term magnesium supplementation on anxiety, depression and sleep quality in patients after open-heart surgery

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of magnesium supplementation on anxiety, depression and sleep quality of patients after openheart surgery. Materials and Methods: Based on a clinical trial, 60 candidates for open-heart surgery were separated into control and intervention groups. In the intervention group, 500 mg of magnesium was administered daily in the form of two 250-mg magnesium oxide tablets for five days, and routine care was performed in the control group. Patients' demographic information and assessment based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Petersburg Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) were documented at the beginning of the study, after surgery and endotracheal intubation, and at the end of the study. Data were statistically analysed using Stata software version 13. Results: After the intervention, the mean level of magnesium in the intervention group was significantly higher (p=0.001). At the end of the study, the mean level of anxiety and depression was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (p=0.007), moreover, mean sleep quality improved in the intervention group (8.3 ± 2.1) compared to the control group (10.3 ± 2.0) (p=0.001). Conclusion: Due to the effects of magnesium supplementation in patients after heart surgery, it is recommended that this supplement be included in the treatment plan in order to prevent anxiety and depression in these patients after surgery and improve their quality of sleep.

Pre-hospital Emergency Service Challenges in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: With the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the workload of the Iran's health-care system along with the Pre-hospital Emergency Service (PHES) increased significantly so that Iranian fledgling emergency system had never experienced such a crisis. With regard to the importance of the function of PHES as the front-line staff of Iran's health system and its role in controlling the recent epidemic crisis, this study was conducted to identify the challenges of PHES function in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study was conducted with qualitative approach through content analysis in 2021. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Sampling was purposive and continued until data saturation. After 24 interviews, the data were saturated. The extracted codes were thoroughly prepared as a data pool. After encoding all available data, the related codes were categorized into a single theme. After extracting the themes, a network of themes, related to the research topic, was drawn, and then, the relationship between the themes was analyzed. RESULTS: Data analysis undertaken for the qualitative study resulted in the identification of 4 main themes included: challenges related to facilities and equipment, living with uncertainty, professional and organizational capabilities, and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: PHES personnel have an important and key role in providing care to patients during COVID-19 epidemic period. Individual and systemic challenges were among the most important issues in the experiences of these personnel. These challenges require organizational planning and special attention of health policy-makers to maintain the staff's physical and mental health during the pandemic and the possible crises ahead.

Relationship Between COVID-19 and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2: A Scoping Review.

Following the outbreaks of SARS-CoV in 2002 and MERS-CoV in 2012, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become an increasing threat to human health around the world. Numerous studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 appears similar to the SARS-CoV as it uses angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor to gain entry into cells. The main aims of this scoping review were to identify the primary hosts of coronaviruses, the relationship between the receptor binding domain of coronaviruses and ACE2, the organ specificity of ACE2 expression compared with clinical manifestations of the disease, and to determine if this information can be used in the development of novel treatment approaches for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional Responsibility and Its Related Factors among Bachelor Degree Nursing Students in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Professional responsibility is important for bachelor degree nursing students, but it has not been measured specifically among these students and findings of the studies on its related factors are inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the level of professional responsibility and its related factors among bachelor degree nursing students in selected public nursing schools in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, 388 bachelor degree nursing students from 8 selected public nursing schools in Iran were selected through convenience sampling (2018-2019). The participants completed the demographic questionnaire and Responsibility among Bachelor Degree Nursing Students Scale (RABDNSS). This valid and reliable scale consists of 45 items that determine professional responsibility and its 5 subscales. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods in SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean (SD) total score of professional responsibility was 175.26 (23.58), indicating a high level of responsibility. The highest and lowest mean (SD) scores were obtained in the subscales of situational self-mandatory 4.20 (0.52) and positive professional attitude 3.71 (0.82), respectively. Students' educational grade average and level of interest in nursing were significantly correlated with professional responsibility and its subscales (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of students' interest in nursing and students' educational grade average with professional responsibility can be useful for planning admission policies and evaluating and promoting professional responsibility related behaviors among nursing students. However, further research in these areas is recommended.

Professional responsibility-acquiring process among bachelor degree nursing students: A grounded theory study.

INTRODUCTION: Professional responsibility-acquiring process among bachelor degree nursing students is important for their current and future performance and educational and health-care system, but this process has not been explored in the literature. The aim of the current study is to explore the process of acquiring professional responsibility among bachelor degree nursing students. METHODOLOGY: The study design was based on grounded theory (Corbin and Strauss 2015). Purposive and theoretical sampling led to the inclusion of 18 individual interviews and a focus group interview with bachelor degree nursing students, their instructors, and key informants in a nursing school and university, an educational hospital, and a health comprehensive service center in Tehran in 2019-2020. RESULTS: After data analysis, 6 categories, 17 primary categories, 64 subcategories, and 1747 initial codes were extracted. Trying to optimal use of the educational period was the main category of this study and its primary categories were responsible learning and performance management strategies, there were facilitators and inhibitors categories for applying these strategies. Personal, educational, and professional context factors were primary categories that may lead to the main concern (uncertain productivity of the educational period) with regard to acquiring professional responsibility. Protection of the students and others versus irresponsibility was consequence category of this process. CONCLUSION: Knowing the process of acquiring professional responsibility among bachelor degree nursing students can be used to facilitate the formation, promotion, and evaluation of professional responsible behaviors. Further researches in these areas are recommended.

Psychometric properties of self-assessment clinical competency questionnaire in baccalaureate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: One of the main challenges of nursing student education is the lack of clinical competence that reduces the quality of patients care. Measuring the clinical competency of undergraduate nursing students is effective in curriculum developing, planning, and learning evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To validate self-assessment clinical competence questionnaire of undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study at Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, 2015-2016. The original version of the self-assessment questionnaire for baccalaureate nursing graduates was translated to Persian by the World Health Organization's (WHO) method. The psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire was conducted on 300 nursing students. The participants were selected by convenience sampling. The tool validity was confirmed by exploratory factor analyses. The reliability was investigated by internal consistency and test-retest. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.96 (0.82-0.91). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98 (0.88-0.99). Five factors were extracted by analysis of clinical competency tool of undergraduate nursing students. The factors included technical competence, advanced competence, ethical competence, care management and safety competence. CONCLUSIONS: The Persian version of the clinical competence assessment tool has acceptable psychometric characteristics in the Iranian nursing students' community. This questionnaire can be used as a valid tool in planning and research management areas.

Comparing the Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage, Foot Bath and Their Combination on Quality of Sleep in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction: Many patients in coronary care unit (CCU) suffer from decreased sleep quality caused by environmental and mental factors. This study compared the efficacy of foot reflexology massage, foot bath, and a combination of them on the quality of sleep of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was implemented on ACS patients in Iran. Random sampling was used to divide the patients into four groups of 35 subjects. The groups were foot reflexology massage, foot bath, a combination of the two and the control group. Sleep quality was measured using the Veran Snyder-Halpern questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13. Results: The mean age of the four groups was 61.22 (11.67) years. The mean sleep disturbance in intervention groups (foot reflexology massage and foot bath groups) during the second and third nights was significantly less than before intervention. The results also showed a greater reduction in sleep disturbance in the combined group than in the other groups when compared to the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the intervention of foot bath and massage are effective in reducing sleep disorders and there was a synergistic effect when used in combination. This complementary care method can be recommended to be implemented by CCU nurses.

The effect of the physical and mental exercises during hemodialysis on fatigue: a controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite regular treatment by hemodialysis, patients on hemodialysis are affected by uremic syndrome, which is marked by fatigue. Fatigue is supposed as the most common and the most severe symptom ever reported by patients with chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVES: This controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of intradialytic physical and mental exercises on fatigue in patients on hemodialysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 66 patients on long-term hemodialysis were selected via purposive sampling and were assigned to two groups, namely, control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in a intradialytic training program twice a week for two months. The program was designed by a senior expert in physical education. Their fatigue was measured via a fatigue severity scale questionnaire before as well as one and two months after the intervention in both groups. RESULTS: The mean of the fatigue score within the research units was 42.37. Overall, 42.2% and 56.1% of the participants experienced medium and severe fatigue, respectively. The scores of fatigue decreased significantly from the beginning through two months after intervention in the experiment group. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the findings of the study, this method of treatment is recommended due to being cost efficient, easy, applicable, and flexible for alleviating the effect of fatigue on the personal, psychological, and social aspects of life quality in patients on hemodialysis.