An Exploration of Resilience and Positive Affect among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to analyze the variation in resilience and emotional state scores in nursing students throughout the four years of training for the nursing degree. METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study of a paired and prospective cohort of 176 nursing students who enrolled in the first year of a bachelor's degree in 2019. The study followed up with the students in 2022 and examined several sociodemographic factors, including sex, marital status, date of birth, living arrangements and occupation. Additionally, the study investigated changes in negative affect, positive affect, and resilience. RESULTS: A total of 176 students participated in the study. The study found that resilience increased from 68.24 ± 10.59 to 70.87 ± 9.06 (p < 0.001), positive affect increased from 28.16 ± 4.59 to 33.08 ± 8.00 (p < 0.001), and the negative affect score decreased from 25.27 ± 5.12 to 21.81 ± 7.85 (p < 0.001). The study also found that married individuals experienced an increase in negative affect (p = 0.03) compared to singles or those in open relationships. Furthermore, the change in resilience was greater in men than in women (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout their four-year training, nursing students experience an increase in resilience and positive affect, as well as a decrease in negative affect.

Barriers and Facilitators to the Learning and Acquisition of Research Competencies among Nursing Students through Active Methodologies: A Qualitative Study Using Reflective Writing.

BACKGROUND: The development of educational research, critical thinking skills, and evidence-based practice requires proposals for educational innovation. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of undergraduate nursing students on the barriers and facilitators after the implementation of a novel activity within the course of research methodology, composed of three active learning strategies: (a) project-based learning; (b) small-group learning; and (c) self-directed learning. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study using reflective writing was conducted at the Nursing Department of the Red Cross School (Spain). Seventy-four nursing students participated in the study, enrolled in the research methodology course. Purposive sampling was used. Online reflective notes were collected from a script of open-ended questions. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The new proposals facilitated learning of the subject matter and its contents. They were useful and enabled the students to put the contents into practice. In addition, they improved the students' organization, planning, and involvement. The barriers identified were a lack of time, ambiguity, inadequate tutoring or novelty of the work, and inequity in the distribution of tasks and workloads. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings shed light on the barriers and facilitators identified by nursing students when implementing an educational innovation proposal, using three active learning methodologies as learning tools for the subject of nursing research.

Stressors inherent to clinical practices and their relationship with emotional intelligence in nursing students: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is a wide body of knowledge about Emotional Intelligence and its benefits in health care, generating better productivity, clinical performance and communication with work teams, patients and families. Its relationship with stress and with performance of clinical practices has also been studied, although the results are not conclusive or up-to-date. OBJECTIVES: To study and correlate the perception of Emotional Intelligence and the stressors inherent to Nursing students' clinical practices. DESIGN: A multicenter and observational study was carried out through cross-sectional surveys with Nursing students during the 2021/2022 academic year. PARTICIPANTS: 377 students were included in the study, recruited through non-probabilistic sampling in four Spanish universities. METHODS: Sociodemographic and academic variables were collected, as well as the following main variables: perceived Emotional Intelligence and stressors in clinical practices. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 377 students (89.1 % women; mean age of 23.15 ± 5.50). The perception of Emotional Intelligence obtained adequate ranges. The stressors that generate most concern are being attacked by the patients, lack of competence, and impotence and uncertainty. There are statistically significant differences in Emotional Intelligence by gender and university, as well as in stressors between each other. The Emotional Intelligence dimensions are weakly correlated with the stressors, although with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Emotional Intelligence slightly influences the stressors inherent to clinical practices, so that EI can help cope with the difficulties of clinical work. Specifically, emotional clarity has an inverse relationship with some stressors. However, the attention and repair dimensions do not present such a clear relationship in our study or in previous ones. This shows the need to include Emotional Intelligence training in Nursing training curricula.

Utilización de medicamentos off-label y unlicensed en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de un hospital de alta complejidad español. Estudio descriptivo / Off-label and unlicensed drug use in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care Spanish hospital. A descriptive study

Introducción. En las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos, se utiliza gran cantidad de medicamentos, muchos prescritos fuera de las condiciones establecidas en su ficha técnica (prescripciones off-label y unlicensed). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el uso de medicamentos y estimar la prevalencia de fármacos off-label y unlicensed en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de un hospital de tercer nivel español. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal, observacional, de una cohorte de niños ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. El estudio se llevó a cabo en 2017. Se revisó cada fármaco prescrito, sus condiciones de uso y administración. Además, se analizaron las fichas técnicas de los fármacos implicados con la finalidad de identificar si el uso de los medicamentos se realizaba según sus condiciones de autorización, o bien se hacía fuera de prospecto (off-label) o como unlicensed. Resultados. La muestra fue de 97 pacientes. El 74,2 % (n = 72) de los pacientes recibieron algún fármaco off-label o unlicensed. El 23,8 % (n = 243) de las prescripciones fueron off-label y el 8,7 % (n = 89), unlicensed. El subanálisis realizado por grupos de edad mostró que el grupo de edad que recibió mayor número de prescripciones totales (n = 611) y el mayor porcentaje de fármacos prescritos en condiciones off-label y/o unlicensed (38,4 %) fue el de menores de 2 años. Conclusiones. La prescripción de fármacos off-label y/o unlicensed es una práctica habitual en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Este estudio permite documentar la complejidad de la terapéutica en niños.

Introduction. In pediatric intensive care units, a large number of drugs are used, many of which are prescribed for condition beyond those established in their summary of product characteristics (off-label and unlicensed drug prescriptions). The objective of this study was to describe drug use and estimate the prevalence of off-label and unlicensed drugs in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care Spanish hospital. Population and methods. Cross-sectional, observational study with a single cohort of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. The study was conducted in 2017. Each drug prescription, its conditions of use and administration were reviewed. In addition, the summary of product characteristics of drugs used were analyzed in order to identify whether they were used according to their conditions of authorization, or whether they were used in an off-label or unlicensed manner. Results. The sample included 97 patients. At least one off-label or unlicensed drug was administered to 74.2% (n = 72) of patients; 23.8% (n = 243) corresponded to off-label prescriptions and 8.7% (n = 89), unlicensed prescriptions. A sub-analysis by age group showed that the age group that received a higher number of total prescriptions (n = 611) and a higher percentage of off-label and/or unlicensed drug prescriptions (38.4%) was under 2 years of age. Conclusions. Off-label and/or unlicensed drug prescription is a common practice in the pediatric intensive care unit. This study allowed us to document the complexity of therapeutics in children.

Off-label and unlicensed drug use in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care Spanish hospital. A descriptive study. / Utilización de medicamentos off-label y unlicensed en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de un hospital de alta complejidad español. Estudio descriptivo.

Introduction. In pediatric intensive care units, a large number of drugs are used, many of which are prescribed for condition beyond those established in their summary of product characteristics (off-label and unlicensed drug prescriptions). The objective of this study was to describe drug use and estimate the prevalence of off-label and unlicensed drugs in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care Spanish hospital. Population and methods. Cross-sectional, observational study with a single cohort of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. The study was conducted in 2017. Each drug prescription, its conditions of use and administration were reviewed. In addition, the summary of product characteristics of drugs used were analyzed in order to identify whether they were used according to their conditions of authorization, or whether they were used in an off-label or unlicensed manner. Results. The sample included 97 patients. At least one off-label or unlicensed drug was administered to 74.2% (n = 72) of patients; 23.8% (n = 243) corresponded to off-label prescriptions and 8.7% (n = 89), unlicensed prescriptions. A sub-analysis by age group showed that the age group that received a higher number of total prescriptions (n = 611) and a higher percentage of off-label and/or unlicensed drug prescriptions (38.4%) was under 2 years of age. Conclusions. Off-label and/or unlicensed drug prescription is a common practice in the pediatric intensive care unit. This study allowed us to document the complexity of therapeutics in children.

Introducción. En las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos, se utiliza gran cantidad de medicamentos, muchos prescritos fuera de las condiciones establecidas en su ficha técnica (prescripciones off-label y unlicensed). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el uso de medicamentos y estimar la prevalencia de fármacos off-label y unlicensed en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de un hospital de tercer nivel español. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal, observacional, de una cohorte de niños ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. El estudio se llevó a cabo en 2017. Se revisó cada fármaco prescrito, sus condiciones de uso y administración. Además, se analizaron las fichas técnicas de los fármacos implicados con la finalidad de identificar si el uso de los medicamentos se realizaba según sus condiciones de autorización, o bien se hacía fuera de prospecto (off-label) o como unlicensed. Resultados. La muestra fue de 97 pacientes. El 74,2 % (n = 72) de los pacientes recibieron algún fármaco off-label o unlicensed. El 23,8 % (n = 243) de las prescripciones fueron off-label y el 8,7 % (n = 89), unlicensed. El subanálisis realizado por grupos de edad mostró que el grupo de edad que recibió mayor número de prescripciones totales (n = 611) y el mayor porcentaje de fármacos prescritos en condiciones off-label y/o unlicensed (38,4 %) fue el de menores de 2 años. Conclusiones. La prescripción de fármacos off-label y/o unlicensed es una práctica habitual en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Este estudio permite documentar la complejidad de la terapéutica en niños.

Efficacy of the therapeutic use of video games on the depressive state of stroke patients: Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To assess the effects of virtual reality (VR) on the depressive state of patients with stroke admitted to neuro-rehabilitation units. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. METHODS: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) focusing on the effects of virtual reality on depressive state as a primary outcome will be included. Grey literature and the following databases will be consulted: PubMed, Cinahl, PsycInfo, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The recently revised Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of included studies. Data will be extracted and meta-analyses will be performed within the specific condition of the emotional state of stroke patients admitted to neurorehabilitation units. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be used to identify effective modes and patterns of therapy delivery. The approach of assessment, development and evaluation of recommendations will be applied to reach a convincing conclusion. DISCUSSION: An accurate, transparent and standardized review process is expected to provide recommendations on the use of VR technology in the healthcare of stroke patients. IMPACT: Emotional difficulties are common after stroke and have an impact on rehabilitation outcome. VR seems to have an important role in the treatment and depression in neurological patients, as it is able to improve levels of well-being, coping strategies and social relationships. The systematic review may contribute to a more convincing and specific conclusion compared to existing studies of this type. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration: CRD42022303968.

A Multicenter Study about the Population Treated in the Respiratory Triage Stations Deployed by the Red Cross during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Care demand exceeded the availability of human and material resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the reason why triage was fundamental. The objective is to know the clinical and sociodemographic factors of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in triage stations from different Ecuadorian provinces. METHOD: A multicenter study with a retrospective and descriptive design. The patients included were those who accessed the Respiratory Triage stations deployed by the Ecuadorian Red Cross in eight Ecuadorian provinces during March and April 2021. Triage allows for selecting patients that need urgent treatment and favors efficacy of health resources. RESULTS: The study population consisted of a total of 21,120 patients, of which 43.1% were men and 56.9% were women, with an age range between 0 and 98 years old. Severity of COVID-19 behaved differently according to gender, with mild symptoms predominating in women and severe or critical symptoms in men. Higher incidence of critical cases was observed in patients over 65 years old. It was observed that overweight predominated in critical, severe, and moderate cases, while the body mass index of patients with mild symptoms was within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The Ecuadorian Red Cross units identified some suspected COVID-19 cases, facilitating their follow-up and isolation. Fever was the most significant early finding.