Developing a competence framework for gerontological nursing in China: a two-phase research design including a needs analysis and verification study.

BACKGROUND: China faces a serious shortage of competent nurses who can address the healthcare needs of older people in an ageing society. Chinese higher education institutes face serious challenges when it comes to developing new curricula that are capable of educating sufficient numbers of competent gerontological nurses. Therefore, the aim of this research study was to identify and verify competencies for gerontological nurses in China that are needed to provide nursing care for the growing number of older people in all care settings. This study takes into account the possible opportunities that trends and developments may offer in the near future. METHODS: In this study, a two-phase research design was used. The first phase concerned needs analysis, including a situational analysis, a trend analysis and a competence analysis. This process resulted in a draft competence framework. The second phase addressed the verification of the competence framework through a two-round Delphi study with a panel of Chinese and European experts. This process led to the final competence framework. RESULTS: The final competence framework for gerontological nursing in China included six competencies divided into 13 essential and five relevant learning outcomes. The competencies are: 'providing gerontological care', 'communication and collaboration', 'organization of gerontological nursing care', 'health promotion', 'evidence-based nursing and lifelong learning' and 'professional behaviour'. CONCLUSION: The framework comprehensively covers the six core competencies that nurses who care for older people should possess. These competencies are well-embedded in a Chinese context. The framework therefore offers concrete, practical suggestions for the competencies and skills that nursing graduates will need to work in current and future professions related to gerontological nursing education and practice.

The cardiac patients' perceptions of their responsibilities in adherence to care: a qualitative interview study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe cardiac patients' perceptions of their responsibilities in adherence to care. BACKGROUND: The responsibilities of cardiac patients' adherence to care is a topical issue because of the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in Western countries, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Responsibilities for cardiac patients' care have been studied, but little is described about patients' perspectives in this study. DESIGN: A qualitative, hermeneutic inquiry. METHODS: We used face-to-face individual semistructured interviews with 21 cardiac patients (76% male) aged 58-86 in an urban area of Finland in winter 2013. The data were analysed hermeneutically with inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Based on our results, patients with cardiac disease understood that autonomy provided a basis for their responsibility in adherence to care. It included being able to make independent decisions, in collaboration with health professionals, or even to entrust that responsibility to healthcare professionals. Responsibilities were understood to be an expression of adherence, perceived to benefit the patient and included the duty to adopt a healthy lifestyle and care for their own medical condition. The main factors that influenced patients' responsibilities around adherence to care were their individual resources and motivation, relationships with healthcare professionals and the resources of the healthcare system. CONCLUSION: Autonomy is an inherent part of cardiac patients' adherence to care, but there has been little focus on their responsibilities in the literature. More attention needs to be paid to the healthcare providers' abilities to support patients' duties and responsibilities in clinical practice and to future research.

Patients have unwritten duties: experiences of patients with type 1 diabetes in health care.

AIM: To describe the perceptions and experiences of patients with type 1 diabetes, examine their duties and responsibilities for their own care and increase our understanding of the value-based role of patients in the changing healthcare environment. BACKGROUND: Current type 1 diabetes care highlights the importance of self-care and of patient involvement, which implies the need to evaluate the patients' role. Little is known about patients' views about their own role, and related responsibilities and duties for their own care. This is essential if we are to promote efficient patient involvement. DESIGN: This study had a qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: We conducted one-to-one themed interviews with 20 patients with type 1 diabetes during summer 2013 at a diabetes polyclinic in Finland. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: Patients with type 1 diabetes believed that their well-being and self-care required them to consider their own responsibilities and their duties towards themselves, family members, society and healthcare professionals. These duties were seen to have implications for care outcomes, quality of life, and effectiveness and economy in health care. However, patients' background, motivation, relationships with healthcare staff and patient counselling influenced whether they fulfilled those duties, which are all crucial elements in type 1 diabetes care. CONCLUSION: Patient duties are significant for the well-being of patients with type 1 diabetes, but also for their successful involvement in their care. This study can be used to inform the development of individual care planning and support of patient involvement.