Healthy work environment: A systematic review informing a nursing professional practice model in the US Military Health System.

AIM: The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for creating a healthy work environment based on current literature for nurses working within the US Military Health System (MHS). However, our findings would likely benefit other nursing populations and environments as well. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic literature search for articles published between January 2010 until January 2024 from five databases: PubMed, Joanna Briggs, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus. METHODS: Articles were screened, selected and extracted using Covidence software. Article findings were synthesized to create recommendations for the development, implementation and measurement of healthy work environments. RESULTS: Ultimately, a total of 110 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The articles informed 13 recommendations for creating a healthy work environment. The recommendations included ensuring teamwork, mentorship, job satisfaction, supportive leadership, nurse recognition and adequate staffing and resources. Additionally, we identified strategies for implementing and measuring these recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This thorough systematic review created actionable recommendations for the creation of a healthy work environment. Based on available evidence, implementation of these recommendations could improve nursing work environments. IMPACT: This study identifies methods for implementing and measuring aspects of a healthy work environment. Nurse leaders or others can implement the recommendations provided here to develop healthy work environments in their hospitals, clinics or other facilities where nurses practice. REPORTING METHOD: PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Recommendations From a Systematic Review of Leadership Development to Support a New Nursing Practice Model.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new nursing practice model for use within the US military, researchers aimed to create evidence-based recommendations for nursing leadership development based on current literature. BACKGROUND: The role of nursing leadership has many implications, including better nurse and patient outcomes. Therefore, an actionable compilation of recommendations informing how to develop effective nurse leaders could be helpful for current and aspiring nurse leaders. METHODS: Researchers conducted a systematic literature review of 5 databases searching for relevant articles published from 2001 to 2020. RESULTS: Seventy-eight articles were synthesized to develop a list of 5 broad yet actionable recommendations for leadership development. CONCLUSIONS: Leadership development is essential for current and future nurse leaders. The recommendations identified from this review can assist in developing leaders. Leaders can use these recommendations to guide leadership training initiatives, engage in self-development, or begin succession planning.

Development of a Joint Professional Practice Model for the Total Nursing Force of the United States Military: Describing an Evidence-Based Process Across Multiple Entities.

Professional practice models are a hallmark of professional organizations. Creating a model that can apply across contexts, however, can be a challenge. This article describes the process that a team of nurse leaders and researchers used to create a professional practice model that would serve active-duty and civilian nurses working in military treatment facilities.

Findings from the development of a nursing joint professional practice model for the U.S. military.

BACKGROUND: By 2022 the Defense Health Agency became responsible for administration of all military treatment facilities (MTFs), which were previously managed by their respective military services. However, three different service-specific nursing professional practice models currently govern nursing practice in MTFs. PURPOSE: To describe the literature search, review, and synthesis of evidence which informed the JPPM and provide some of the most actionable findings. METHODS: A team of tri-service nurses developed the JPPM by conducting six rigorous systematic reviews to synthesize evidence pertaining to relevant model components. DISCUSSION: A total of 51,360 titles and abstracts were initially screened. Data were extracted from 540 included articles. The team then developed standards for five JPPM components: evidence-based practice, safety and quality, leadership development, healthy work environment, and operational readiness. CONCLUSION: The JPPM is a meaningful framework that will help create a mutual professional identity and shared vision to promote a unified nursing force in U.S. military settings.

Components, Implementation, and Outcomes of a Nursing Professional Practice Model: A Systematic Review.

Nursing professional practice models (PPMs) are known to have beneficial effects on nurse and patient outcomes. Determining what components should be present in a PPM, how to implement a PPM, and evaluating the outcomes associated with a PPM is less certain. Therefore, as part of a larger project to develop a nursing PPM for use within the United States Military Health System, this study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review on nursing PPMs. Specifically, the review sought to investigate components, implementation, and outcomes of PPMs in current literature. A total of 37 articles were included in the review. The literature supported the development of 12 recommendations for creating, implementing, and evaluating a nursing PPM. As health care facilities develop their own PPMs or reassess their current PPMs, findings from this review may assist hospital leadership by providing the most recent evidence on the strategic value of nursing PPMs in contemporary health care.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Plus Usual Care Is Better than Usual Care Alone for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) results in pain-related disability and excessive healthcare costs. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown promise for decreasing both pain and disability related to PF. Purpose: The purpose was to assess the clinical impact of PBMT on pain and function in people with PF. Study Design: Prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: A convenience sample of adults with PF were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) usual care, (2) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 25W output power over three weeks, or (3) usual care plus nine doses of PBMT with 10W output power over three weeks. Both 10W and 25W PBMT participants received the same total dose (10J/cm2) by utilizing a simple area equation. Pain (with Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale) and function (by Foot and Ankle Ability Measure) were measured at baseline, weeks 3, and 6 for all groups, and at 13 and 26 weeks for PBMT groups. Results: PBMT groups experienced a reduction in pain over the first three weeks (from an average of 4.5 to 2.8) after which their pain levels remained mostly constant, while the UC group experienced a smaller reduction in pain (from an average of 4 to 3.8). The effects on pain were not different between PBMT groups. PBMT in both treatment groups also improved function more than the UC group, again with the improvement occurring within the first three weeks. Conclusions: Pain and function improved during the three weeks of PBMT plus UC and remained stable over the following three weeks. Improvements sustained through six months in the PBMT plus UC groups. Level of Evidence: Level II- RCT or Prospective Comparative Study.

Educate, Try, and Share: A Feasibility Study to Assess the Acceptance and Use of Reiki as an Adjunct Therapy for Chronic Pain in Military Health Care Facilities.

INTRODUCTION: Reiki, a biofield energy therapy, continues to struggle in finding its permanent place among the portfolio of complementary and alternative medicine modalities in many military health care facilities. Although it has been shown to help in the management of pain, lack of knowledge and limited first-hand experience impact its foothold. The purpose of this feasibility study was to (1) educate participants about the concept of Reiki, (2) give participants the opportunity to experience six Reiki therapy sessions and subsequently assess outcomes on chronic pain, and (3) assess participants' impression of and willingness to continue using and recommending Reiki therapy as adjunct for the treatment of chronic pain. METHODS: Using a prospective repeated measures pre- and postintervention design, a convenience sample of 30 military health care beneficiaries with chronic pain were educated about Reiki and received six 30-minute Reiki sessions over 2 to 3 weeks. Pain was assessed using a battery of pain assessment tools as well as assessment of impression of and willingness to share the concept of Reiki. This study was approved by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Institutional Review Board (No. M10617). RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA analyses showed that there was significant decrease (P < 0.001) in present, average, and worst pain over the course of the six sessions with the most significant effect occurring up to the fourth session. When a variety of descriptor of pain was assessed, Reiki had a significant effect on 12 out of the 22 assessed, with the most significant effect on pain that was described as tingling/pins and needles (P = 0.001), sharp (P = 0.001), and aching (P = 0.001). Pain's interference with general activity, walking, relationships, sleep, enjoyment of life, and stress significantly decreased (P < 0.001 to P = 0.002). Impression of improvement scores increased 27% by session 6, and one's knowledge about Reiki improved 43%. Eighty-one percent of the participants stated that they would consider scheduling Reiki sessions if they were offered with 70% desiring at least four sessions per month. CONCLUSION: A 30-minute Reiki session, performed by a trained Reiki practitioner, is feasible in an outpatient setting with possible positive outcomes for participants who are willing to try at least four consecutive sessions. Reiki has the ability to impact a variety of types of pain as well as positively impacting those activities of life that pain often interferes with. However, education and the opportunity to experience this energy healing modality are key for its acceptance in military health care facilities as well as more robust clinical studies within the military health care system to further assess its validity and efficacy.