Self- screening using the Edinburgh post natal depression scale for mothers and fathers to initiate early help seeking behaviours.

The forthcoming birth of a new baby and the life changes that occur can present parents with a range of challenges. While recognised in mothers, postnatal depression is not well researched in fathers; especially considering that up to 25% of men report experiencing depression in the ante and postnatal periods. The aim of this study was to test a self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet for expectant women and their partners. We used a single blinded randomised controlled study design. The sample, comprised 70 dyads, was randomised to either care as usual or to the self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet intervention. The self-screening tool included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Other questionnaires used to survey the dyads were the Kessler Psychological Distress (Kessler-10) and the Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS). The gender differences in the EPDS, Kessler-10 and MSSS scales are represented by differences of 1.0 points on EPDS, 1.0 points on Kessler-10, fathers were reporting less psychological distress than mothers in all cases. No difference was observed in perceived social support. The attrition between time-points was mostly men. Cultural and socio-demographic factors may affect generalisability of the findings. The self-screening tool and referral pathway pamphlet provided to dyads may have some benefit in assisting couples in the perinatal period to detect and seek help for early symptoms of distress.

Analysis of the experiences of nurses who return to nursing after cancer.

BACKGROUND: understanding the impact of role ambiguity (both professional and patient) can be a factor in deepening the understanding of the ongoing personal, professional and organisational requirements of nurses who are cancer survivors. PURPOSE: the aim of this qualitative study was to elucidate an in-depth description of nurses' experiences of surviving cancer. METHOD: an exploratory qualitative research design was used (n=8), with participants recruited between September 2014 and December 2016. DISCUSSION: data analysis led to the emergence of six themes: being practical about the diagnosis and treatment, empathy and compassion, a 'new normal' and the role of organisational support, medical knowledge and treatment experiences, coping in silence and denial, and being resilient. CONCLUSION: nurses as cancer survivors who return to work offer a richness of experience related to enhanced empathetic responses to patients in their care and have the potential to be great practice role-models for other staff.