Caregiving Preparedness and Caregiver Burden in Omani Family Caregivers for Patients with Acquired Brain Injury.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the caregiving preparedness and caregiver burden among Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the neurology clinic at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from April 2019 to December 2021. Data were collected from 119 FCs and their patients at the time of discharge from the hospital and 16 weeks post-discharge during follow-up care. The questionnaire comprised the Zarit Burden Index, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, the Short-Form-12 Health Survey, and a patient symptom scale. Results: The FCs were predominantly female (53.8%), and the mean age was 38.27 ± 9.11 years. Most patients had moderate to severe ABI (95.8%) due to stroke (56.3%) and trauma (30.3%). The most common patient symptoms were loss of muscle strength, speech problems, mood problems, memory loss, and change in behaviour. Most FCs were found to have low caregiving preparedness (58%) at discharge, and 19.1% were found to have a high level of caregiver burden at 16 weeks post-discharge. The length of time post-injury (P <0.01), symptom severity (P <0.01) and the FCs' physical and mental health status (P <0.01 each) were found to be significant predictors of caregiving preparedness, whereas caregiver preparedness (P <0.01), symptom severity (P <0.01), and caregivers' mental health (P = 0.028) were seen as the predictors of caregiver burden. Conclusion: Omani FCs of patients with ABI tend to commence the caregiver role with inadequate preparation, and shortly after, a significant number suffer high caregiver burden. Interventions focusing on the caregiver's health and training in symptom management may improve the outcomes of FCs and patients.

Predictors of Quality of Life Among Omani Family Caregivers of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the quality of life (QoL) of Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). After acute care, the burden of caring for patients with TBI is mainly shouldered by FCs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Patient data were collected at the time of discharge and 8 weeks post-discharge between April 2019 and December 2021. The SF-12 General Health Survey and Preparedness for Caregiving scale were used to measure the caregivers' QoL and preparedness, respectively. The Disability Rating and TBI Symptom scales were used to measure the patients' disability and symptoms, respectively. Results: A total of 36 FCs and patients with TBI were recruited. Most caregivers were the parent (41.7%) or child (27.8%) of the patient with TBI. Overall, the caregivers had good physical QoL (PQoL) and mental health QoL (MHQoL) but low caregiving preparedness at the time of discharge. At 8 weeks post-discharge, there were significant improvements in caregiving preparedness (P <0.01) and patient disability (P <0.05) but a depreciation in caregivers' MHQoL (P <0.05), with no change in their PQoL. The caregiver's employment status and the severity of the patient's sleep and mood problems were modifiable predictors of the caregivers' PQoL. Caregiver's preparedness, the patient's inability to live independently, and the severity of the patient's mood and behavioural problems were predictors of caregivers' MHQoL. Conclusion: Caring for patients with TBI negatively impacts the QoL of Omani FCs; this correlates with the physical, emotional, and mental health symptoms of the patient.

The needs of families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review was conducted to synthesize existing literature into a map of the common needs of families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at home. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of studies published between January 2012 and December 2022 was conducted across databases. The selected studies reported the needs or unmet needs of patients with TBI and/or their family caregivers (FCs). RESULTS: A total of 12 publications were identified. The results suggest that the common needs of families caring for patients with TBI at home include: information about TBI as a disease; information about the continuum of TBI healthcare services; information about adaptive technologies; education and skilling of FCs; psychological support and counseling; physical and occupational therapy services; follow-up care and transitional care management; respite care; peer support; financial assistance, advocacy, and legal services; emotional support from the family and community; and assistance with physical patient care and instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: The mapped needs provide insight into supportive interventions required to enhance the health outcomes of patients with TBI and their families during and after rehabilitation. The needs also highlight directions for research and healthcare services for patients with TBI.

The families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury at home end up living in situations characterized by multiple unmet needs, and these can be a source of poor health outcomes for the family and patients with traumatic brain injury.The identified needs of families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury reveal gaps in the discharge planning and care coordination after acute and rehabilitation care.Addressing these needs requires a multidisciplinary approach and planning.Interventions using a holistic approach to address the identified needs may significantly improve the health outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury and their families.

The effects of an olive-oil massage on hemodialysis patients suffering from fatigue at a hemodialysis unit in southern India - a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects that an olive oil massage has on fatigue among patients undergoing hemodialysis, and the associated sociodemographic factors that can reduce fatigue. METHODS: The study used true experimental pre- and post-test research design. A total of 200 patients were recruited in a selected hemodialysis unit in southern India and were allocated to either a study or control group by randomization, with 100 patients in each group. All the patients in the intervention group were given a lower back and lower leg massage using olive oil at the beginning, and after every hour, of their hemodialysis using olive oil for a period of eight weeks. In contrast, the control group continues to receive routine care. The level of fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale both before and after massage therapy. RESULTS: Between 73 and 80% of patients were suffering from severe fatigue and the mean fatigue score was 5.53 (SD 1.82) and 5.56 (SD 1.57) for the study and control group, respectively. After eight weeks of massage therapy, the results showed that 53% of patients in the study group showed borderline fatigue, with a mean score of 4.39 (SD 2.37), whereas in the control group 73% patients showed severe fatigue, with a mean score of 5.17 (SD 2.00). The independent t-test between the study and the control group showed a statistically significant reduction in fatigue in the study group with a mean difference (MD) of 3.56 (t=-1.24; p=0.000). There were also statistically significant changes noted in gender and in the duration of the hemodialysis (χ 2 = 6.043; p=0.049) and (χ 2 = 6.611; p=0.046) respectively. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that patients undergoing hemodialysis experienced moderate to severe levels of fatigue. In patients with no or mild anemia, massage has been shown to decrease fatigue and increase energy levels among patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease.

Traditional clinical training combined with high-fidelity simulation-based activities improves clinical competency and knowledge among nursing students on a maternity nursing course.

BACKGROUND: Providing adequate and quality clinical training to student nurses is a major issue in nursing education. In the Middle East, this issue is more prominent because providing intimate healthcare to women in maternity nursing, especially by male nursing students, remains a challenge. PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of a combination of traditional clinical training with high-fidelity simulation (TCT+HFS) activities vs TCT alone on the clinical competency and knowledge among students enrolled in a maternity nursing course in a Middle Eastern public university. METHOD: A quasi-experimental research design was adopted in the study. The sample consisted of 74 students (40 in the TCT group and 34 in the TCT+HFS group) from a cohort of nursing students in a Middle Eastern university. The Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument and a 29-item, researcher-designed knowledge scale was used to measure the relevant outcomes. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the knowledge (F = 1.064, P = 0.306) or clinical competency scores (F = 0.168, P = 0.683) between the TCT+HFS group and the TCT group. CONCLUSION: Substituting 25% of the clinical hours with HFS may yield similar learning outcomes (knowledge and clinical competency) as TCT.

Foot care behaviors among adults with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing foot care behaviors among adults with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A correlational descriptive study was conducted with a random sample of 160 adults with type 2 diabetes from the public hospital between April and July 2014. RESULTS: Just over 15% of the sample had a history of foot ulcers and almost 42% had numbness/tingling and pain in their feet. Positive foot care behaviors were correlated with higher income, higher educational attainment, lower body weight, positive attitude and higher awareness of diabetes and its management. CONCLUSION: Targeting type 2 diabetes people with low level of education, low income and overweight may help to enhance their foot care and reduce foot complications in similar populations, Implications. Those most at risk of foot problems should be targeted for education to increase their awareness of ways to prevent and to manage foot problems.

Health Related Quality of Life among Omani Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to explore predictors of health related quality of life (HRQoL) among men and women with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of a random sample of 300 adults with type 2 diabetes in a selected public hospital. Euro-QoL and Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities scales were used to collect data between January and June 2010. Schooling and ability to manage positively were highly significant predictors of quality of life (QoL) among women as compared to men. Age, prevention of activities of daily living and knowledge/management of diabetes were significant predictors of Health state among women as compared to men. Findings demonstrate that 30.6% (versus 35.7%) of the variance in the total QoL and 14% (versus 23%) of the variance in health state could be explained by personal and clinical characteristics among women and men, respectively. The study underlines the importance for nurse educators to assess HRQoL among men and women and to develop effective self-care management strategies based on personal and clinical characteristics.