Evidence-based healthcare competence of social- and healthcare educators: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe social and healthcare educators' evidence-based healthcare competence and explore the associated factors. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. METHODS: The research spanned 5 universities, 19 universities of applied sciences, and 10 vocational colleges in Finland from September to December 2022. Social and healthcare educators (n = 256), of which 21 worked at universities, 176 worked at universities of applied sciences, and 49 worked at vocational colleges. Data collection employed a self-assessed instrument that was designed to measure evidence-based healthcare competence based on the JBI Model of Evidence-based Healthcare. Competence profiles were formed using K-cluster grouping analysis. RESULTS: The educators' self-evaluations of their level of evidence-based healthcare competence were generally at a satisfactory level, with subsequent analyses identifying four distinct profiles of evidence-based healthcare competence. The profiles demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of evidence synthesis and evidence transfer competencies. The factors associated with evidence-based healthcare competence included level of education, the year in which a professional had obtained their highest degree, current organization of employment, and participation in continuing education. CONCLUSIONS: Educators require various types of support for developing high levels of evidence-based healthcare competence. The identification of distinct competence profiles can be pivotal to providing educators with training that is tailored to their exact needs to provide an individualized learning path. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Educators value the role of evidence in teaching, which reinforces the need to integrate aspects of the JBI Model of evidence-based healthcare into educators' competencies. Aspects of the JBI Model of evidence-based healthcare have not been holistically measured, with only certain components of the model considered separately. Educators need to better understand the global healthcare environment so they can identify research gaps and subsequently develop healthcare systems through their educational role. Higher academic education, work experience, organizational support, and continuous education play essential roles in the development of educators' evidence-based healthcare competence. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Educators generally have high levels of competence in evidence-based healthcare. Educators have mastered the different components of the JBI model of evidence-based healthcare but need to improve in areas such as the transfer and implementation of evidence. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Determining evidence-based healthcare competence profiles for educators can be used to provide individualized learning paths for the development of evidence-based healthcare competence. Educators need to further develop their competence in evidence-based healthcare to ensure successful implementation and high-quality education in the future. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Frontline nurse leaders' competences in evidence-based healthcare: A scoping review.

AIM: To identify evidence on frontline nurse leaders' competences in evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) and the instruments measuring these competences. DESIGN: A scoping review. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted in June 2021 and complemented in June 2022. The CINAHL, ProQuest, Medline (Ovid), Scopus, Web of Science databases and MedNar along with the Finnish database Medic were searched. REVIEW METHOD: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs institute methodology for scoping reviews. Titles, abstracts and full-text versions were screened independently by two reviewers according to the inclusion criteria. Deductive-inductive content analysis was used to synthesize data. RESULTS: A total of 3211 articles published between 1997 and 2022 were screened, which resulted in the inclusion of 16 articles. Although frontline nurse leaders had a positive attitude towards EBHC, they had a lack of implementing EBHC competence into practice. Part of the instruments were used in the studies, and only one focused especially on leaders. None of instruments systematically covered all segments of EBHC. CONCLUSION: There is a limited understanding of frontline nurse leaders' competence in EBHC. It is important to understand the importance of EBHC in healthcare and invest in the development of its competence at all levels of leaders. Frontline nurse leaders' support is essential for direct care nurses to use EBHC to ensure the quality of care and benefits to patients. Leaders must enhance their own EBHC competence to become role models for direct care nurses. It is also essential to develop valid and reliable instruments to measure leaders' competence covering all EBHC segments. The results can be utilized in the assessment and development of frontline nurse leaders' EBHC competence by planning and producing education and other competence development methods.

Advanced practice nurses' evidence-based healthcare competence and associated factors: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) enables consistent and effective healthcare that prioritises patient safety. The competencies of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are essential for implementing EBHC because their professional duties include promoting EBHC. AIM: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesise the best available evidence concerning the EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors. DESIGN: A systematic review. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic, ProQuest, and MedNar. METHODS: Databases were searched for studies (until 19 September 2023) that examined the EBHC competence and associated factors of APNs were included. Quantitative studies published in English, Swedish and Finnish were included. We followed the JBI methodology for systematic review and performed a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The review included 12 quantitative studies, using 15 different instruments, and involved 3163 participants. The quality of the studies was fair. The APNs' EBHC competence areas were categorised into five segments according to the JBI EBHC model. The strongest areas of competencies were in global health as a goal, transferring and implementing evidence, while the weakest were generating and synthesising evidence. Evidence on factors influencing APNs' EBHC competencies was contradictory, but higher levels of education and the presence of an organisational research council may be positively associated with APNs' EBHC competencies. CONCLUSION: The development of EBHC competencies for APNs should prioritise evidence generation and synthesis. Elevating the education level of APNs and establishing a Research Council within the organisation can potentially enhance the EBHC competence of APNs. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: We should consider weaknesses in EBHC competence when developing education and practical exercises for APNs. This approach will promote the development of APNs' EBHC competence and EBHC implementation in nursing practice. REGISTRATION, AND REPORTING CHECKLIST: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021226578), and reporting followed the PRISMA checklist. PATIENT/PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: None.

Randomised controlled trials addressing how the clinical application of information and communication technology impacts the quality of patient care-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of people with chronic and long-term conditions has increased during recent decades; this has been addressed by leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to develop new self-care solutions. However, many of the developed technological solutions have not been tested in terms of impact(s) on patients' quality of care. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to identify the current best evidence on the types of interventions that have been developed to improve the quality of patient care through the clinical application of ICT in primary, tertiary or home care. DESIGN: A systematic review, including a meta-analysis, was conducted according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Relevant data were identified from four electronic databases: CINAHL, PUBMED, SCOPUS and MEDIC. REVIEW METHODS: The eligibility criteria were formatted according to PICOS inclusion and exclusion criteria. At least two researchers performed the screening process separately, after which they agreed upon the results. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment and JBI Critical Appraisal tool for randomised controlled studies (RCTs) were used to assess research quality. Data were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed if the research met quantitative requirements. RESULTS: Of the 528 initially identified studies, 11 studies were chosen for final data synthesis. All of the interventions integrated ICT solutions into patient care to improve the quality of care. Patients across all of the RCTs were educated through direct training, the provision of information relevant to their disease or one-to-one educational coaching. The interventions included various interactions, e.g. nurse expert visits and support, and support provided by peers, groups or family members. These interactions occurred through face-to-face coaching, virtual human coaching or virtual coaching that relied on an algorithm. The performed meta-analysis included 6 of the 11 identified studies. The overall effect was nonsignificant, with three studies demonstrating a significant postintervention effect on patients' quality of care and quality of life and three studies a nonsignificant effect. CONCLUSIONS: The presented results suggest that ICT-based care should be developed in collaboration with nurses and other health care professionals, involve patients in decision-making and combine ICT solutions with human interaction and coaching. ICT education was found to be essential to the success of an intervention.

Health care managers' competence in knowledge management: A scoping review.

AIM: To identify current evidence on health care managers' competence in knowledge management. BACKGROUND: Although successful knowledge management improves the quality of care and performance of health care organisations, there is limited evidence on health care managers' competence in knowledge management EVALUATION: A scoping review was conducted by including original published and unpublished studies (qualitative, quantitative, and experimental) and review designs in English, Finnish, or Swedish. The studies were retrieved from six databases (CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Mednar, and Finnish database Medic) in November 2020 and then complemented in January 2022. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesize data. KEY ISSUES: A total of 21 articles was included in the review. The main themes of managers' competence in knowledge management presented in these were system management, professional development, and leadership behaviour and attitude. No valid and reliable instruments were described in the included studies. CONCLUSION: At present, there is a limited understanding of health care managers' competence in knowledge management. A comprehensive understanding of this topic can provide a direction for future research. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The results can be utilized in the assessment and development of managers' competence in knowledge management, as well as the formulation of education and in-service training for health care managers.

The ward manager role in the context of nursing and midwifery students' clinical learning: Testing a model.

AIM: To test a model of clinical learning that focuses on the role of the ward manager. BACKGROUND: The ward manager's role in supporting clinical learning indirectly focuses on the ward climate connected to students' clinical placements. In this way, the ward manager influences both nursing care and the pedagogical atmosphere in the ward. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary analysis. METHODS: The sample included nursing and midwifery students (N = 5,776, n = 1,900) who had completed their clinical placement. Data were collected with the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher scale. Structural equation modelling was adopted to test the hypotheses. RESULTS: Estimates of the model parameters demonstrated that a ward manager's leadership style influences both the premises of nursing at the ward (0.84, p < .001) and the pedagogical atmosphere (0.93, p < .001), although the pedagogical atmosphere affects the mentoring relationship (0.87-0.86, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Ward managers exert a significant influence on the clinical learning environment via their support for an effective pedagogical atmosphere and, consequently, effective mentoring. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Leadership style guides both the premises of nursing at the ward and pedagogical atmosphere. These findings recommend that ward managers should be involved in promoting a supportive learning climate, which supports the mentor-student relationship and, eventually, leads to effective clinical learning.

Healthcare professionals' competence in stroke care pathways: A mixed-methods systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The challenges of caring for stroke patients are growing due to population ageing and improved survival rates. Healthcare professionals' competence development in stroke care is a necessity to ensure high-quality patient care. OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the competence areas of healthcare professionals working in the stroke patient care pathway and factors influencing these competences. DESIGN: A mixed-methods systematic review. METHODS: The review was conducted according to the JBI guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020204062). PRISMA checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were identified by searching four databases-CINAHL (EBSCO), PubMed, Scopus and Medic. After researcher consensus was reached, 32 studies were selected for inclusion and subjected to content analysis and data tabulation. RESULTS: Competence in care processes, clinical competence, competence in using self-management strategies, interaction skills, skills in acknowledging family and competence in integrating the available evidence base into patient care were identified as key competence areas. Organisation of services, specialisation in stroke care, continuous development and education, family and carer and training in oral care and cognitive rehabilitation were identified as factors that influence healthcare professionals' competence. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse clinical and interaction competencies are needed throughout the stroke care pathway, and various factors affect healthcare professionals' competence. Further research on healthcare professionals' stroke care competence will be needed to respond to changing healthcare demand. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We recommend organisational support and formulation of stroke care patient guidelines in line with healthcare competence requirements. Focus should be added for nursing professions in developing interactive communication competence since nurses spend the majority of the time providing individual patient care. Also, organisations should integrate continuing training in specialised stroke care for healthcare professionals' competence development.

Frequent attenders' experiences of encounters with healthcare personnel: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Rather than measure demographic factors such as socioeconomics, the aim of this study was to examine the lived experience of frequent attenders by synthesizing findings on their encounters with healthcare personnel. The Scopus, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, and PubMed (Medline) databases were searched in May 2020 in order to screen studies by title and abstract (n = 1794) and full-text (n = 20). Findings from the included studies (n = 6) were then pooled using meta-aggregation, yielding the following results: difficulties in resolving frequent attenders' situations may create "service circles," frustrating patients with their situation; frequent attenders' own expertise regarding their condition should be recognized and valued alongside that of healthcare professionals when performing collaborative care; a lack of empathy and disparagement may make frequent attenders feel misunderstood and unappreciated; frequent attenders should be recognized as individuals by taking their circumstances into account and providing support accordingly. Frequent attenders' experiences demonstrate the importance of shared decision-making, continuity of care, and acknowledging these patients' individual circumstances. Identifying the variety of frequent attenders' service needs by synthesizing their experiences is a practical way of organizing patient-centered healthcare services.

Interventions to improve nurses' job satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: To identify current best evidence on the types of interventions that have been developed to improve job satisfaction among nurses and on the effectiveness of these interventions. DESIGN: The systematic review is a quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis following a profile-likelihood random-effects model. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, Medic, and Pubmed (Medline). REVIEW METHODS: PICOS eligibility criteria were used to select original studies published between 2003-2019. The articles were screened by title (N = 489), abstract (N = 61), and full-text (N = 47). A total of 20 articles remained after the full-text screening process and further assess on risk of bias. The screening process was conducted by two authors independently and finally agreed together. A meta-analysis was performed to determine how the identified interventions influence nurses' job satisfaction. RESULTS: The interventions were primarily educational and consisted of workshops, educational sessions, lessons, and training sessions. The postintervention differences between intervention and control groups in meta-analysis revealed that two interventions significantly improved nurses' job satisfaction. Notably, the spiritual intelligence training protocol and Professional Identity Development Program were found to be effective in improving job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Healthcare organizations and managers should consider implementing effective interventions to improve nurses' job satisfaction and reduce turnover. The results reported in this study highlight that nurse managers should focus on organizational strategies that will foster the intrinsic motivation of employees. IMPACT: The current nursing shortage and increased turnover intentions are proving to be a global problem. For this reason, it is imperative that nurse managers plan strategies to improve nurses´ job satisfaction. The effective interventions detected in this study are a first step for developing human resource strategies for healthcare organizations. These findings propose that extrinsic factors (e.g., salary and rewards) will never be as effective in maintaining job satisfaction as intrinsic factors (e.g., spiritual intelligence, professional identity, and awareness).

Clustering clinical learning environment and mentoring perceptions of nursing and midwifery students: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This study aimed to explore nursing and midwifery students' evaluation of the clinical learning environment and mentoring and to identify distinct student profiles relating to their perceptions. DESIGN: This study employed a cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: The study population included nursing and midwifery students in a university hospital in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: All nursing and midwifery students who completed their clinical placement were invited to take part in the study in the academic year 2017-2018. METHODS: The data (N = 2,609) were gathered through an online survey using the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher scale. The data were analysed using a K-mean cluster algorithm to identify nursing and midwifery students' profiles. RESULTS: The findings from this study indicate four distinct profiles (A, B, C, & D) of nursing and midwifery students in relation to the clinical learning environment and mentoring. Profile A (N = 1,352) students evaluated their clinical learning environment and mentoring to the highest level (mean varied from 9.44-8.38); and Profile D (N = 151)- to the lowest (mean varied from 5.93-4.00). CONCLUSION: The findings highlight that nursing and midwifery students evaluate their clinical learning environment and mentoring more highly when: they have a named mentor, student and mentor discuss learning goals, there is a final assessment in clinical learning, the mentor's guidance skills support student learning, the clinical learning supports the student's professional development and pre-clinical teaching in an educational institution supports learning in the clinical placement. IMPACT: Clinical learning plays an important role in nurse and midwifery education. Mentoring of clinical practice was shown to have a great influence on students' perceptions of their success in clinical learning. We suggest that clinical practice should be strengthened by the building of collaboration between nursing teachers and registered nurses.

Mentors' self-assessed competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice: A systematic review of quantitative studies.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine registered nurses' self-evaluation of their competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: Clinical mentors have significant roles and responsibility for nursing students' clinical learning. Moreover, the mentors' role is becoming increasingly important internationally, as the role of nurse teachers in mentoring students in clinical practice has declined. However, in most EU countries there are no specific educational requirements for clinical mentors, although they need targeted education to increase their competence in mentoring nursing students. DESIGN: The systematic review of quantitative studies was designed according to guidelines of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and PRISMA protocol. METHODS: Studies published during 2000-2019 that met inclusion criteria formulated in PiCOS format were systematically reviewed by three independent reviewers. CINAHL (Ebsco), PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, ERIC and Medic databases were used to retrieve the studies. Three independent reviewers conducted the systematic review process. The studies were tabulated, thematically compared and narratively reported. RESULTS: In total, 16 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies identified various dimensions of mentors´ competence and associated environmental factors. Generally, participating mentors rated competences related to the clinical environment, mentoring, supporting students' learning processes and relevant personal characteristics fairly high. They also rated organisational practices in their workplaces, resources in the clinical environment and their mentor-student and mentor-stakeholder pedagogical practices, as respectable or satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The results indicate considerable scope for improving mentors' competence, particularly through enhancing organisational mentoring practices and relevant resources in clinical environments. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Pedagogical practices of mentors in relations with both students and stakeholders should be enhanced to improve future nurses' learning. This systematic review addresses a gap in knowledge of mentors' self-evaluated competence that could assist the formulation of effective educational programmes for mentors internationally and improving clinical environments.

How mentoring education affects nurse mentors' competence in mentoring students during clinical practice - A quasi-experimental study'.

BACKGROUND: Mentors need diverse competencies, sources of motivation and characteristics to successfully mentor nursing students and support students' learning processes. Effective mentoring education can benefit future nursing professionals, students' satisfaction and learning, as well as the general perception of the nursing profession. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how an educational intervention affects nurse mentors' competence in mentoring nursing students during clinical practice. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study design with pre- and post-tests was used. SETTINGS: Educational interventions were conducted in one university hospital and two central hospitals in Finland between 2013 and 2017. The intervention was conducted twice per year with a duration of 3 months for each group. The inclusion criteria for the participants were as follows: volunteer participation to mentor education employment at the university hospital or central hospitals in Northern Finland. METHODS: The intervention aimed to increase Registered Nurses' competence in mentoring nursing students. The education lasted 3 months and included online learning as well as three face-to-face teaching sessions. A total of 120 nurse mentors completed the Mentor Competence Instrument (MCI), which includes 10 subscales that describe various competence areas, before and after the education. RESULTS: Nurse mentors' mentoring competence increased across all mentoring competence areas after the educational intervention. More specifically, the participating nurses showed a statistically significant increase in their competence regarding knowledge of mentoring practices in the workplace, student-centred evaluation, identifying student needs, mentoring practices between mentor and student, supporting students' learning processes, goal orientation in mentoring and constructive feedback. CONCLUSIONS: On an international level, nurse mentors are not typically required to have completed mentoring education prior to the mentoring of nurse students. Since mentoring education increased nurses' competence at mentoring nursing students, we recommend that all nurse degree programs include mentoring education to prepare future nurses for the important future role in mentoring.

Mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students during clinical placement.

AIMS: To describe mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students during clinical placement and identify the factors that affect mentoring. BACKGROUND: Healthcare education is confronted by several challenges in a time characterized by globalization and increasing international migration. Nursing students from diverse backgrounds continue to experience difficulties during clinical placement. Students can overcome these difficulties and assume responsibility for their learning when mentored by supportive and competent mentors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive explorative study design was used. METHODS: Data were collected during spring 2016 through a survey sent to mentors (n = 3,355) employed at five university hospitals in Finland. Mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students was measured with the self-assessment Mentors' Competence Instrument and the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Mentoring scale. The analysis included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Mentors with experience mentoring nursing students from diverse backgrounds rated their overall competence in mentoring as good. However, the results show continued challenges related to competence in linguistic diversity in mentoring. Seven factors that affect mentors' competence in linguistic diversity were identified. Despite high evaluations by mentors of competence related to cultural diversity in mentoring, there are still opportunities for improvement in this area. CONCLUSION: Innovative and effective strategies are needed to develop mentors' competence in mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students. Educational and healthcare organizations should strive to enhance collaboration and increase the competence of both mentors and nursing students to work in increasingly diverse healthcare environments.

Competence of healthcare professionals in stroke care pathways: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To describe healthcare professionals' self-assessed competence in stroke care pathways based on their self-evaluation and identify the factors associated with competence. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive explorative study design was used. METHODS: The data were collected during May and September 2021 through a survey sent to healthcare professionals (N=1200, n=215) working in neurological care. Competence in stroke care pathways was measured using the RN-STROKE, PT-STROKE and OT-STROKE instruments defined by four-factor model. The instruments' validity and reliability were confirmed through exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. K-means clustering, one-way ANOVA, Chi Square, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis were used to analyze the data. The results were reported as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The results were reported according to STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: Four main areas of healthcare professionals' competence in stroke care pathways were identified: (1) counseling and interaction competence (2) competence to use evidence-based information, (3) self-management and development competence, and (4) multiprofessional and collaboration competence. The study then identified three competence profiles of healthcare professionals working in the stroke care pathway. Professionals in Profile A evaluated their competence at the highest level, those in Profile B at the average level, and those in Profile C at the lowest level. Healthcare professionals' occupation and participation in their organisation's expert network were found to be associated with competence profiles. CONCLUSION: The overall competence of healthcare professionals in the stroke care pathway was rated as good, but competence to use evidence-based information in clinical practice, in particular, should be improved. Organisations should, therefore, increase education and training in this area and provide adequate resources to enable the use of evidence-based information in clinical work. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The study identifies three profiles relating to healthcare professionals' competence in the stroke care pathway, which can be used to create continuous education and ensure better patient care according to participants' profiles. REPORTING METHOD: The study was reported using the STROBE Statement checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Parent and carer experiences of health care professionals' communication about childhood obesity: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the systematic review is to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the best available qualitative evidence on parent and carer experiences of health care professionals' communication about childhood obesity. INTRODUCTION: Parents and carers play a key role in a child's environment and healthy development, which is why they can find it confronting to discuss their child's weight. This review will provide an insight into the experiences of parents and carers with health care professionals' communication about their child's overweight or obesity. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This qualitative review will consider participants who are parents and carers with a child with overweight or obesity (birth to 12 years). The phenomenon of interest is parents' and carers' lived experiences of childhood obesity communication from a health care professional, and the context is health care settings. Communication includes verbal or written communication about a child's obesity from health care professionals received by a parent or carer. METHODS: The proposed review will systematically search the following databases: MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (Ovid), Scopus, LILACS, and the Finnish health sciences database MEDIC. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) will be searched for unpublished articles. A manual search will supplement the database searches. The quality of included studies will be assessed independently by 2 reviewers, and the qualitative data will be extracted from papers by 2 independent reviewers using the standardized JBI data extraction tool. The recommended JBI approach to critical appraisal, study selection, data extraction, and data synthesis meta-aggregation will be used. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42022297709.

Effectiveness of technology-based interventions compared with other non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain in hospitalized neonates: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for relieving procedural pain among hospitalized neonates compared with other non-pharmacological interventions. INTRODUCTION: Neonates who require hospital care often experience acute pain during medical procedures. The current best practice for relieving pain in neonates is the use of non-pharmacological interventions, such as oral solutions or intervention-based human touch. Technological solutions (eg, games, eHealth applications, mechanical vibrators) have become more commonplace in pediatric pain management over recent years; however, there is a sizeable knowledge gap around how effective technology-based interventions are for relieving pain in neonates. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered experimental trials that include technology-based, non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain among hospitalized neonates. The primary outcomes of interest include pain response to a procedure measured by a pain assessment scale validated for neonates, behavioral indicators, and changes in physiological indicators. METHODS: The search strategy aimed to identify both published and unpublished studies. MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MedNar, and EBSCO Open Dissertations databases were searched for studies published in English, Finnish, or Swedish. Critical appraisal and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent researchers who adhered to JBI methodology. Meta-analysis could not be performed due to considerable heterogeneity in the studies; as a result, the findings are presented narratively. RESULTS: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 618 children were included in the review. The staff members delivering the interventions and the outcome assessors were not blinded in all of the studies, which introduced a potential risk of bias. The presented technology-based interventions were diverse, including laser acupuncture, noninvasive electrical stimulation of acupuncture points, robot platform, vibratory stimulation, recorded maternal voice, and recorded intrauterine voice. In the studies, pain was measured using validated pain scales, behavioral indicators, and physiological variables. In the studies in which pain was assessed with a validated pain measure (N=8), technology-based pain relief was significantly more effective than the comparator in 2 studies, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed in 4 studies and the technology-based intervention was less effective than the comparator in 2 studies. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of technology-based interventions in relieving neonatal pain, either as a standalone method or in combination with another non-pharmacological method, was mixed. Further research is needed to provide reliable evidence on which technology-based, non-pharmacological pain relief intervention is most effective for hospitalized neonates. SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT: A Finnish-language version of the abstract of this review is available as supplemental digital content [ http://links.lww.com/SRX/A19 ]. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021254218.

Effectiveness of distraction-based interventions for relieving anxiety, fear and pain in hospitalized children during venous blood sampling: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of active compared with passive distraction-based interventions in relieving anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized preschool and school-age children during venous blood sampling. INTRODUCTION: Venous blood sampling remains the most common procedure that causes anxiety, fear, and pain among the pediatric population. It is important that health care professionals relieve a child's pain and the related emotions because untreated pain may have long-term effects on children's growth and development. It is necessary to determine which interventions are effective in relieving these outcomes in preschool and school-age children during blood sampling. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will include randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that include active and passive distraction-based interventions for relieving hospitalized preschool and school-age children's anxiety, fear, and pain during venous blood sampling. METHODS: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases will be searched for published studies. MedNar, Google Scholar, and PsycEXTRA databases will be searched for in-progress and unpublished studies. Two independent researchers will perform critical appraisal and data extraction using JBI methodology. Data describing randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies will be pooled in a statistical meta-analysis. If statistical analysis is not possible, the findings will be reported narratively. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to assess certainty in the quality of evidence. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42023455617.

Effectiveness of mentoring education on health care professionals´ mentoring competence: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Different types of educational approaches are needed to build a mentor's competence in guiding students during clinical practice; this education should be provided in an interprofessional setting. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to evaluate how effective mentoring education interventions are at improving mentoring competence among health care professionals. DESIGN: A systematic review. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Medic. The search did not have any time limitations and included original studies published in English, Finnish or Swedish. REVIEW METHODS: JBI critical appraisal tools for quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials were used to assess the quality of the selected studies. The eligibility of potentially relevant studies was assessed by two independent researchers based on title, abstract, and full text, along with overall methodological quality. The study findings were synthesized using data tabulation and narrative analysis. RESULTS: A total of two randomized controlled trials and six quasi-experimental studies were included in the review. The described mentoring education interventions were carried out in university hospitals, central hospitals, tertiary care centers, and other health service settings. All of the described educational interventions involved the pedagogical method of blended learning, while three studies also involved web-based learning. The presented educational interventions included versatile pedagogical frameworks, e.g., interactive practical training sessions, teaching workshops, and technology-mediated interactions. One study contained a control group. CONCLUSION: This systematic review can provide insight and evidence-based that can be used to design effective mentoring education. Further research is needed and would ideally include randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with reference groups; this type of research could further elucidate which aspects of mentoring education are most important for improving the guidance skills of health care professionals.

eHealth competence building for future doctors and nurses - Attitudes and capabilities.

BACKGROUND: Digitalisation is rapidly changing health care processes and the health care sector, thus increasing the need to improve the digital competence of future health care professionals. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes of medical and nursing students towards digital health based on self-evaluation as well as to compare the differences in perceptions between the two student groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey using the Webropol in April 2021 at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences in Finland. The survey questionnaire consisted of seven background questions and 16 statements on a five-point Likert scale (fully disagree to fully agree) to survey student attitudes towards eHealth, and their digital capabilities. RESULTS: A total of 250 medical and nursing students were invited to participate in the study and 170 of them took the survey (response rate 68 %). Of those answered, 38 % (n = 64) were nursing and 32 % (n = 106) medical students. Students generally had a positive attitude towards eHealth and health care digitalisation. The differences in perceptions and preparedness between medical and nursing students were surprisingly small in the two student groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in three out of 16 statements: these were related to changes in the roles of health care professionals and patients as well as the students' knowledge of information contained in the national patient portal. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide a good starting point for further harmonisation of the curriculum for both health professional groups regarding the teaching of eHealth and telemedicine.

Experiences of people with progressive memory disorders participating in non-pharmacological interventions: a qualitative systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence on the experiences of people with progressive memory disorders who are involved in non-pharmacological interventions. INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacological interventions are widely used to improve the quality of life and general well-being of people with progressive memory disorders. While many intervention effects have been studied, a systematic review of experiences is needed. First-hand knowledge and experience provides insight into noteworthy aspects of the use and timing of non-pharmacological interventions both in the community and institutionalized care. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review included studies of people of all ages with progressive memory disorders who described their experiences participating in professionally delivered non-pharmacological interventions. Interventions delivered in all settings were eligible, with the aim of supporting the well-being of people with progressive memory disorders. METHODS: The search strategy used a three-step approach and sought to locate both published and unpublished studies. Key databases included MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), Medic, Scopus (Elsevier), and PsycArticles (ProQuest). MedNar was used to search for unpublished studies. The databases were searched from the date of inception of the database to May 2020, and a mix of controlled vocabulary (ie, MeSH, CINAHL headings) and keywords were used to capture all existing qualitative studies related to the experiences of people of all ages with progressive memory disorders participating in non-pharmacological interventions. Only English, Swedish, and Finnish studies were included during the screening of the study titles and abstracts. The recommended JBI approach was used for study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis. RESULTS: Forty-six studies were included in the review. The study designs included qualitative descriptions (n = 31), mixed methods (n = 8), grounded theory (n = 5), and ethnography (n = 2). The total number of participants was 444. The overall quality of the studies was rated as low or very low on the ConQual score, with dependability rated as low or moderate and credibility as moderate. Altogether, 189 findings were aggregated into eight categories and three synthesized findings. The synthesized findings describing the experiences of people with progressive memory disorders participating in a non-pharmacological intervention were as follows: i) it strengthened the sense of personhood; ii) it lightened up my life; and iii) what I find meaningful is that it was meant for us. CONCLUSIONS: People with progressive memory disorders welcome non-pharmacological interventions. It is noteworthy that, regardless of what the interventions entailed, the participants experienced strengthened self-esteem and positive alterations to their daily life. To achieve the desired benefits, intervention development should embody communication based on equality and respect for those with memory disorders. However, the level of evidence of the review findings was evaluated as low or very low, which needs to be considered when applying the results in clinical practice.