Involving families in the care of Indigenous infants: A philosophical exploration of Indigenous ways of knowing to inform nursing research and practice in the neonatal intensive care unit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of Indigenous philosophies and ways of knowing as a means to critique, understand and improve the care of Indigenous infants and families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). BACKGROUND: The ability of health professionals to provide culturally safe and equitable care to Indigenous infants and their families can affect infant development and long-term health outcomes. Research suggests that family involvement in care benefits both the infant and their family, but there is limited research that addresses the experience of Indigenous families in the NICU and advances understanding of how nurses involve Indigenous families in their infants' care. DESIGN: A discursive, critical review will be presented to outline the assumptions of Indigenous philosophies and to explore how the consideration and implementation of Indigenous ways of knowing can improve the nursing care of Indigenous infants and their families in the NICU. METHOD: First, our subjective positioning as Indigenous nurses and as health researchers is described. Second, our understanding of Indigenous philosophical frameworks and how these approaches fit in the context of the philosophy of science is defined. Third, the key elements of an Indigenous philosophical paradigm are described. Fourth, an application of Indigenous paradigms to supporting the care of Indigenous infants and families in the NICU context is made. CONCLUSIONS: An Indigenous philosophical approach to nursing is ideal for understanding and improving the experiences of Indigenous infants and families in the NICU. This approach allows nurses to critically analyse the history and legacy of colonialism and its impact on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples. By prioritising the voices and concerns of Indigenous families in the clinical setting and in nursing research, nurses can better understand the experiences of these families in the NICU and use strengths-based approaches to facilitate family involvement in care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The application of Indigenous philosophies in the nursing context can be used to inform the care of Indigenous infants and families in the NICU. Potential benefits include improved therapeutic relationships between nurses and Indigenous families, and increased uptake of parent-led interventions in nursing practice, which may lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous infants in the NICU and throughout their subsequent development.

Occurrence of and referral to specialists for pain-related diagnoses in First Nations and non-First Nations children and youth.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous youth have higher rates of chronic health conditions interfering with healthy development, including high rates of ear, dental, chest and musculoskeletal pain, as well as headache, arthritis and mental health issues. This study explores differences in pain-related diagnoses in First Nations and non-First Nations children. METHODS: Data from a study population of age- and sex-matched First Nations and non-First Nations children and youth were accessed from a specific region of Atlantic Canada. The primary objective of the study was to compare diagnosis rates of painful conditions and specialist visits between cohorts. The secondary objective was to determine whether there were correlations between early physical pain exposure and pain in adolescence (physical and mental health). RESULTS: Although ear- and throat-related diagnoses were more likely in the First Nations group than in the non-First Nations group (ear 67.3% v. 56.8%, p < 0.001; throat 89.3% v. 78.8%, p < 0.001, respectively), children in the First Nations group were less likely to see a relevant specialist (ear 11.8% v. 15.5%, p < 0.001; throat 12.7% v. 16.1%, p < 0.001, respectively). First Nations newborns were more likely to experience an admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than non-First Nations newborns (24.4% v. 18.4%, p < 0.001, respectively). Non-First Nations newborns experiencing an NICU admission were more likely to receive a mental health diagnosis in adolescence, but the same was not found with the First Nations group (3.4% v. 5.7%, p < 0.03, respectively). First Nations children with a diagnosis of an ear or urinary tract infection in early childhood were almost twice as likely to have a diagnosis of headache or abdominal pain as adolescents (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.0, and OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.3, respectively). INTERPRETATION: First Nations children were diagnosed with more pain than non-First Nations children, but did not access specific specialists or mental health services, and were not diagnosed with mental health conditions, at the same rate as their non-First Nations counterparts. Discrepancies in pain-related diagnoses and treatment are evident in these specific comparative cohorts. Community-based health care access and treatment inquiries are required to determine ways to improve care delivery for common childhood conditions that affect health and development.

Empathy in paediatric intensive care nurses part 1: Behavioural and psychological correlates.

AIM: To determine if differences exist between paediatric intensive care nurses and allied health professionals in empathy, secondary trauma, burnout, pain exposure and pain ratings of self and others. Early and late career differences were also examined. BACKGROUND: Nurses are routinely exposed to patient pain expression. This work context may make them vulnerable to adverse outcomes such as desensitization to patient pain or a compromise in personal well-being. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected from a convenience sample of paediatric intensive care nurses (n = 27) and allied health professionals (n = 24), from September 2014-June 2015, at a Canadian health centre. Both groups completed one demographic and three behavioural scales. Participants underwent fMRI while rating the pain of infant and adult patients in a series of video clips. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric methods. fMRI results are reported in a second paper. RESULTS: Nurses were significantly more likely to be exposed to pain at work than allied health professionals and scored significantly higher on dimensions of empathy, secondary trauma and burnout. Nurses scored their own pain and the pain of infant and adult patients, higher than allied health participants. Less experienced nurses had higher secondary trauma and burnout scores than more experienced nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric intensive care work demands, such as patient pain exposure, may be associated with nurse's higher report of empathy and pain in self and others, but also with higher levels of secondary trauma and burnout, when compared with allied health professionals.

Empathy in paediatric intensive care nurses part 2: Neural correlates.

AIMS: To determine if there are brain activity differences between paediatric intensive care nurses and allied health professionals during pain intensity rating tasks and test whether these differences are related to the population observed (infant or adult) and professional experience. BACKGROUND: The underestimation of patients' pain by healthcare professionals has generally been associated with patterns of change in neural response to vicarious pain, notably reduced activation in regions associated with affective sharing and increased activation in regions associated with regulation, compared with controls. Paediatric nurses, however, have recently been found to provide higher estimates of infants' pain in comparison to allied health controls, suggesting that changes in neural response of this population might be different than other health professionals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Functional MRI data were acquired from September 2014-June 2015 and used to compare changes in brain activity in 27 female paediatric care nurses and 24 allied health professionals while rating the pain of infants and adults in a series of video clips. RESULTS: Paediatric nurses rated infant and adult pain higher than allied health professionals, but the two groups' neural response only differed during observation of infant pain; paediatric nurses mainly showed significantly less activation in the medial prefrontal cortex (linked to cognitive empathy) and in the left anterior insula and inferior frontal cortex (linked to affective sharing). CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of neural activity to vicarious pain may vary across healthcare professions and patient populations and the amount of professional experience might explain part of these differences.

Breast-Feeding Analgesia in Infants: An Update on the Current State of Evidence.

To provide an updated synthesis of the current state of the evidence for the effectiveness of breast-feeding and expressed breast milk feeding in reducing procedural pain in preterm and full-term born infants. A systematic search of key electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE) was completed. Of the 1032 abstracts screened, 21 were found eligible for inclusion. Fifteen studies reported on the use of breast-feeding or expressed breast milk in full-term infants and 6 reported on preterm infants. Direct breast-feeding was more effective than maternal holding, maternal skin-to-skin contact, topical anesthetics, and music therapy, and was as or more effective than sweet tasting solutions in full-term infants. Expressed breast milk was not consistently found to reduce pain response in full-term or preterm infants. Studies generally had moderate to high risk of bias. There is sufficient evidence to recommend direct breast-feeding for procedural pain management in full-term infants. Based on current evidence, expressed breast milk alone should not be considered an adequate intervention.

Staff Nurse Utilization of Kangaroo Care as an Intervention for Procedural Pain in Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND: Skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant, commonly referred to as Kangaroo Care (KC), has demonstrated efficacy as a pain-relieving strategy for infants, yet, it remains underutilized in clinical practice. PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in neonatal intensive care unit staff nurse beliefs, utilization, and challenges related to practice change in implementing KC as an intervention for management of procedural pain in preterm infants between 2 time points. METHODS: Nurses who participated in a larger clinical trial examining the sustained efficacy of KC were asked to complete a questionnaire at 2 time points: 1- and 6 month(s) following study initiation. Identified benefits, expectations, frequency of use, and challenges related to practice change uptake were described using frequencies and percentages. Data from the 2 different time points were compared using χ analysis. RESULTS: Of the 40 nurses approached, all completed the questionnaire (19 at the 1-month and 21 at the 6-month time point). Of the sample (n = 40), 97% of participants indicated that they expected KC to provide good pain relief or better. Staff nurses reported significantly improved preconceived ideas (χ = 22.68, P < .01) and significantly fewer concerns (χ = 22.10, P = .01) related to using KC as a pain-relieving intervention between the 2 time points. No significant differences were seen in the frequency of using KC as an intervention between time points. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: Despite increasingly positive preconceived ideas and reduced concerns, the frequency of using KC for procedural pain relief remained unchanged. Further research addressing ways to overcome barriers to utilizing KC as an intervention for procedural pain is warranted.

Trial of repeated analgesia with Kangaroo Mother Care (TRAKC Trial).

BACKGROUND: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mother and infant, commonly referred to as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), is recommended as an intervention for procedural pain. Evidence demonstrates its consistent efficacy in reducing pain for a single painful procedure. The purpose of this study is to examine the sustained efficacy of KMC, provided during all routine painful procedures for the duration of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospitalization, in diminishing behavioral pain response in preterm neonates. The efficacy of KMC alone will be compared to standard care of 24% oral sucrose, as well as the combination of KMC and 24% oral sucrose. METHODS/DESIGN: Infants admitted to the NICU who are less than 36 6/7 weeks gestational age (according to early ultrasound), that are stable enough to be held in KMC, will be considered eligible (N = 258). Using a single-blinded randomized parallel group design, participants will be assigned to one of three possible interventions: 1) KMC, 2) combined KMC and sucrose, and 3) sucrose alone, when they undergo any routine painful procedure (heel lance, venipuncture, intravenous, oro/nasogastric insertion). The primary outcome is infant's pain intensity, which will be assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). The secondary outcome will be maturity of neurobehavioral functioning, as measured by the Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant (NAPI). Gestational age, cumulative exposure to KMC provided during non-pain contexts, and maternal cortisol levels will be considered in the analysis. Clinical feasibility will be accounted for from nurse and maternal questionnaires. DISCUSSION: This will be the first study to examine the repeated use of KMC for managing procedural pain in preterm neonates. It is also the first to compare KMC to sucrose, or the interventions in combination, across time. Based on the theoretical framework of the brain opioid theory of attachment, it is expected that KMC will be a preferred standard of care. However, current pain management guidelines are based on minimal data on repeated use of either intervention. Therefore, regardless of the outcomes of this study, results will have important implications for guidelines and practices related to management of procedural pain in preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01561547.

Impact of parent-targeted eHealth educational interventions on infant procedural pain management: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to determine whether electronic health (eHealth) educational interventions about infant procedural pain and pain management impact parental outcomes (eg, mental health, knowledge uptake), eHealth outcomes (eg, acceptance, use), and pain management outcomes (eg, parental involvement, infant pain response). INTRODUCTION: Pain in infants is a common concern for parents. Routine postpartum care for infants in early life requires them to endure painful procedures, such as immunizations, yet infants often receive little to no pain management. Parents are an essential component of effective pain management, although they may not be aware of the roles they play. Despite the increased number of eHealth resources available to educate parents about infant pain management, their impact has yet to be synthesized. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered studies that evaluated eHealth educational interventions targeted at parents during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum. Interventions included, but were not limited to, mobile applications, web-based applications, websites, videos, interactive training, hands-on direct simulation, short message service (SMS), and desktop applications. Primary outcomes included parental outcomes (eg, stress or anxiety, self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes), eHealth outcomes (eg, acceptance, use), and pain management outcomes (eg, parental involvement, infant pain response). Experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational study designs were included. METHODS: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO were searched for studies published in English up to June 14, 2021. Citation lists of relevant reviews and included studies were also searched for additional peer-reviewed articles. Two independent reviewers conducted critical appraisal using standardized tools from JBI, and data extraction, using a data extraction form designed by the authors. Statistical pooling of quantitative data was not possible due to heterogeneity; thus, the findings were reported narratively. RESULTS: A total of 4163 unique studies were screened, with 11 studies ultimately included for synthesis. Five articles were randomized controlled trials, 5 articles were analytical cross-sectional studies, and 1 article was quasi-experimental. Studies reported on 4 unique eHealth educational interventions, all of which used video format and primarily targeted the postnatal period. The findings for all primary outcomes were mixed but suggested either improvements in outcomes or no impact. The certainty of evidence was determined as low or very low across primary outcomes for reasons related to imprecision, risk of bias, and indirectness. CONCLUSIONS: Although heterogeneity of findings limited quantitative synthesis of data, this review suggests that short and engaging educational videos have the potential to positively impact parents' knowledge, confidence, and desire to be involved in procedural pain management for their children. Most of the interventions presented in this review describe evidence-based information about procedural pain management strategies that are known to be effective for infant populations. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that infant pain response should be lower when parents appropriately apply the strategies. However, the findings of this review were not able to confirm this assumption. More research is needed to evaluate the impact of parent-targeted pain management education on infant pain response. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020151569.

Clinical Strategies to Develop Connections, Promote Health and Address Pain From the Perspectives of Indigenous Youth, Elders, and Clinicians.

In this article we discuss findings from a community based, participatory action research study. The aim was to understand how Indigenous youth describe, experience, manage pain and hurt and how they seek care. A critical analysis guided by Two-Eyed Seeing and Medicine Wheel frameworks highlighted important clinical strategies for Indigenous youth to balance their health and reduce pain. This study is a partnership project with an Aboriginal Health Centre in Southern Ontario and the Canadian Institute of Health Research funded Aboriginal Children's Hurt and Healing Initiative (ACHH). The study gathered perspectives of Indigenous youth, Elders, and health clinicians using conversation sessions guided by a First Nations doctoral student and nurse researcher. Using the medicine wheel framework three main thematic areas emerged across the three groups and include (1) Predictors of Imbalance; (2) Indicators of Imbalance; and (3) Strategies to re-establish balance health in relation to pain. The main strategy includes considerations for clinicians using the acronym LISTEN (Language, Individual, Share, Teachable moments, Engage, and Navigate) approach that outlines strategies for clinicians that will be a safe guide to manage pain and hurt.

A balancing act: An interpretive description of healthcare providers' and families' perspective on the surgical experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder.

LAY ABSTRACT: Children with an autism spectrum disorder (autism) often have negative experiences within the surgical setting. We conducted individual interviews with 8 parents of children with autism who had recently undergone surgery, and 15 healthcare providers (HCPs) with experience caring for children with autism. We asked open-ended questions on the approaches used to support children with autism around the time of surgery, how effective they were, suggestions for improvement, and the barriers and facilitators to improvement. Three main themes emerged within an overarching metaphor of a balancing act. The first theme, finding your footing through an uncertain journey, described individual factors (e.g. anticipatory anxiety) that set the foundation for experiences. The second theme, relationships can help to keep everyone steady, highlighted how personal interactions (e.g. collaboration and empathy) influence the experience. Finally, the systems shape the experience theme captured how systemic factors (e.g. the hospital environment) affected the balancing act. These findings enriched our understanding of the surgical experiences of children with autism, families, and HCPs by demonstrating the importance of individual characteristics, relationships, and systemic factors. Future interventions should consider this complexity and intervene not just with children, but also their parents, healthcare providers, and in policy to improve experiences.

Epidemiology and management of painful procedures in children in Canadian hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Children being cared for in hospital undergo multiple painful procedures daily. However, little is known about the frequency of these procedures and associated interventions to manage the pain. We undertook this study to determine, for children in Canadian hospitals, the frequency of painful procedures, the types of pain management interventions associated with painful procedures and the influence of the type of hospital unit on procedural pain management. METHODS: We reviewed medical charts for infants and children up to 18 years of age who had been admitted to 32 inpatient units at eight Canadian pediatric hospitals between October 2007 and April 2008. We recorded all of the painful procedures performed and the pain management interventions that had been implemented in the 24-hour period preceding data collection. We performed descriptive and comparative (analysis of variance, χ(2)) analyses. RESULTS: Of the 3822 children included in the study, 2987 (78.2%) had undergone at least one painful procedure in the 24-hour period preceding data collection, for a total of 18 929 painful procedures (mean 6.3 per child who had any painful procedure). For 2334 (78.1%) of the 2987 children who had a painful procedure, a pain management intervention in the previous 24 hours was documented in the chart: 1980 (84.8%) had a pharmacologic intervention, 609 (26.1%) a physical intervention, 584 (25.0%) a psychologic intervention and 753 (32.3%) a combination of interventions. However, for only 844 (28.3%) of the 2987 children was one or more pain management interventions administered and documented specifically for a painful procedure. Pediatric intensive care units reported the highest proportion of painful procedures and analgesics administered. INTERPRETATION: For less than one-third of painful procedures was there documentation of one or more specific pain management interventions. Strategies for implementing changes in pain management must be tailored to the type of hospital unit.

Examining nurse empathy for infant procedural pain: Testing a new video measure.

BACKGROUND: Research reporting effective pain care strategies exists, yet it is not translated to care. Little is known about how repeated pain exposure has affected nurses' ability to be empathetic and use their knowledge to provide evidence-based care. Concerns have been raised regarding the validity of self-report empathy instruments; therefore, a novel video program was developed for testing. It was hypothesized that those who viewed infants in painful and nonpainful states would have a measureable empathy (pain rating) response correlating to the level of pain expressed by the infants. OBJECTIVE: To validate the newly developed Empathy for Infant Pain video program (EIPvp) by determining whether nurse and non-nurse control groups' pain scores of 24 video clips showing infants undergoing real medical procedures were equal. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional video judgement study. METHODS: Fifty female participants (25 nurses and 25 allied health controls) were asked to score the infant procedural pain level displayed in the EIPvp using a visual analogue scale and a composite score of known infant pain cues. Participants also scored their own sensitivity to painful events. RESULTS: Participants rated the videos contained in the EIPvp similarly in three categories (no, low or high pain); however, there were consistent differences between groups within the categories. Nurses scored facial cues for all categories higher than the control group. Nurses scored their own pain in hypothetical situations and that of the infants consistently higher than the control group. CONCLUSION: The EIPvp yielded predictable responses from both the nurse and non-nurse control groups when scoring the pain expressed in the video clips. Nurses' detection of pain more often than controls may have been an indication that they have greater knowledge of pain cues, or their empathy levels may have been different as a result of their exposure to, or their perceived relationship with, patients. The EIPvp was validated and has promising potential for training and research purposes.

Communities take the lead: exploring Indigenous health research practices through Two-Eyed Seeing & kinship.

Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing (E/TES) is foundational in ensuring that Indigenous ways of knowing are respected, honoured, and acknowledged in health research practices with Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This paper will outline new knowledge gleaned from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and Chronic Pain Network funded Aboriginal Children's Hurt & Healing (ACHH) Initiative that embraces E/TES for respectful research. We share the ACHH exemplar to show how Indigenous community partners take the lead to address their health priorities by integrating cultural values of kinship and interconnectedness as essential components to enhance the process of community-led research. E/TES is conceptualised into eight essential considerations to know in conducting Indigenous health research shared from a L'nuwey (Mi'kmaw) perspective. L'nu knowledge underscores the importance of working from an Indigenous perspective or specifically from a L'nuwey perspective. L'nuwey perspectives are a strength of E/TES. The ACHH Initiative grew from one community and evolved into collective community knowledge about pain perspectives and the process of understanding community-led practices, health perspectives, and research protocols that can only be understood through the Two-Eyed Seeing approach.

The influence of breastfeeding on cortical and bio-behavioural indicators of procedural pain in newborns: Findings of a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to compare the influence of breastfeeding and 24% oral sucrose on pain-related electrophysiologic activity, bio-behavioural pain scores, physiologic recovery, and adverse events during heel lance. STUDY DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: 39 full-term infants were randomized to receive breastfeeding or 0.24 mL of 24% oral sucrose plus offered non-nutritive sucking 2 min prior to heel lance. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of pain-related potential was recorded on electroencephalogram. Secondary outcomes included Premature Infant Pain Profile - Revised (PIPP-R) score, physiologic recovery, and adverse events. Data were analyzed per protocol (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03272594). RESULTS: Between November 2017 and January 2019, 20 infants were randomized to breastfeeding and 19 infants to receive oral sucrose. Infants who were breastfeeding had an appreciably smaller, yet not statistically different (F[1,15.9] = 0.58, p = 0.64, SE = 11.79), amplitude pain-related potential (peak amplitude 0.29 µV) following heel lance compared to infants who received oral sucrose (peak amplitude 8.97 µV). Mean PIPP-R scores were not statistically significantly different between groups following heel lance, however, they were indicative of low pain across groups. Mean time in seconds to physiologic recovery was faster in breastfeeding infants (M = 17.5, SD = 31.1) compared to oral sucrose (M = 70.8, SD = 144.3). There were no safety concerns. DISCUSSION: Breastfeeding and oral sucrose both reduce bio-behavioural responses to pain, however, may differentially modulate pain response in the infant brain. Further research to understand the neurophysiologic effects of these interventions during acute painful procedures is needed.

Are we walking the talk of participatory Indigenous health research? A scoping review of the literature in Atlantic Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Participatory research involving community engagement is considered the gold standard in Indigenous health research. However, it is sometimes unclear whether and how Indigenous communities are engaged in research that impacts them, and whether and how engagement is reported. Indigenous health research varies in its degree of community engagement from minimal involvement to being community-directed and led. Research led and directed by Indigenous communities can support reconciliation and reclamation in Canada and globally, however clearer reporting and understandings of community-led research is needed. This scoping review assesses (a) how and to what extent researchers are reporting community engagement in Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada, and (b) what recommendations exist in the literature regarding participatory and community-led research. METHODS: Eleven databases were searched using keywords for Indigeneity, geographic regions, health, and Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada between 2001-June 2020. Records were independently screened by two reviewers and were included if they were: peer-reviewed; written in English; health-related; and focused on Atlantic Canada. Data were extracted using a piloted data charting form, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was performed. 211 articles were retained for inclusion. RESULTS: Few empirical articles reported community engagement in all aspects of the research process. Most described incorporating community engagement at the project's onset and/or during data collection; only a few articles explicitly identified as entirely community-directed or led. Results revealed a gap in reported capacity-building for both Indigenous communities and researchers, necessary for holistic community engagement. Also revealed was the need for funding bodies, ethics boards, and peer review processes to better facilitate participatory and community-led Indigenous health research. CONCLUSION: As Indigenous communities continue reclaiming sovereignty over identities and territories, participatory research must involve substantive, agreed-upon involvement of Indigenous communities, with community-directed and led research as the ultimate goal.

How has Indigenous Health Research changed in Atlantic Canada over two decades? A scoping review from 2001 to 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Indigenous communities across Canada report that transformations in Indigenous health research are needed, where the benefits of research shift intentionally, collaboratively, and with transparency from the researchers directly to Indigenous communities and partners. Despite its challenges and potential for harm, research, if done ethically and with respect and partnership, can be a force for change and will strengthen the efficacy of data on Indigenous Peoples' health and wellbeing. PURPOSE: To characterize the nature, range, and extent of Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada, and to identify gaps. METHODS: Eleven databases were searched using English-language keywords that signify Indigeneity, geographic regions, health, and Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada between 2001 and May 2020. All references were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Of the 9056 articles identified, 211 articles were retained for inclusion. Data were extracted using a collaboratively developed data charting form. RESULTS: Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada has increased over time, covering a diverse range of health topics. The main areas of research included climate change, child and youth health, and food and water security, with the majority of research deriving from Newfoundland and Labrador. Rates of reported community engagement remain relatively low and steady between 2001 and 2020, however there was an increase in researchers seeking Indigenous ethics approvals for such engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review synthesizes 20 years of Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada. The results indicate that although there are increases in Indigenous ethics approvals, there is more work needed to ensure that Indigenous Peoples lead, design, and benefit from research conducted in their homelands.

Individual nurse and organizational context considerations for better Knowledge Use in Pain Care.

Nurses are involved in many of the painful procedures performed on hospitalized children. In collaboration with physicians, nurses have an exceptional responsibility to have knowledge to manage the pain; however, the evidence indicates this is not being done. Issues may be twofold: (a) opportunities to improve knowledge of better pain care practices and/or (b) ability to use knowledge. Empirical evidence is available that if used by health care providers can reduce pain in hospitalized children. Theory-guided interventions are necessary to focus resources designated for learning and knowledge translation initiatives in the area of pain care. This article presents the Knowledge Use in Pain Care (KUPC) conceptual model that blends concepts from the fields of knowledge utilization and work life context, which are believed to influence the translation of knowledge to practice. The four main components in the KUPC model include those related to the organization, the individual nurse, the individual patient, and the sociopolitical context. The KUPC model was conceptualized to account for the complex circumstances surrounding nurse's knowledge uptake and use in the context of pain care. The model provides a framework for health care administrators, clinical leaders, and researchers to consider as they decide how to intervene to increase knowledge use to reduce painful experiences of children in the hospital.

When respect deteriorates: incivility as a moderator of the stressor-strain relationship among hospital workers.

AIM: To test whether incivility at work exacerbates the relationship between stressors and strain for hospital workers. BACKGROUND: A climate of incivility and disrespect among colleagues was expected to heighten the impact of work stressors on the mental and physical health of care providers. METHODS: Members of 17 care-providing units from five hospital systems in Canada completed surveys, before and after a civility intervention (eight intervention vs. nine comparison units). Analyses tested whether (1) incivility moderated the stressor-strain relationship at baseline (n=478), and (2) the stressor-strain relationship decreased for the intervention units relative to comparison units 6 months later (n=361). RESULTS: (1) Pre-intervention, individuals reporting more incivility on their unit showed a stronger stressor-strain relationship. (2) The negative relationship between work overload and mental health was mitigated among intervention group staff 6 months after the introduction of a colleague-based civility programme. CONCLUSIONS: Besides being a stressor itself, incivility exacerbates the relationship between existing job role stressors and strain among health care workers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Colleague civility and respect have an important ripple effect of buffering inevitable work stressors, helping health care providers respond to stress with greater health and resiliency.

University Students' Self-Rated Health and Use of Health Services: A Secondary Analysis.

BACKGROUND: University students belonging to various ethnic groups have specific health needs that influence their self-rated health and health service use. PURPOSE: To examine which determinants of health serve as key predictors of self-rated health and health service use in a sample of ethnically diverse undergraduate students. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the 2012 Maritime Undergraduate Student Sexual Health Services Survey (N = 10,512). Logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of self-rated health and use of university-based health services according to ethnicity. RESULTS: Social support (Caucasian: odds ratio (OR) = 1.018; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.008, 1.028]; African: OR = 1.890; 95% CI [1.022, 1.160]; Other: OR = 1.096; 95% CI [1.023, 1.175]), and depression risk (Caucasian: OR = .899; 95% CI [.844, .914]; Indigenous: OR = .904; 95% CI [.844, .969]; Asian: OR = .894; 95% CI [.839, .953]; Multiracial: OR = .892; 95% CI [.812, .980]) were the most frequent predictors of self-rated health across the different ethnic groups; while year of study (Caucasian: OR = 1.855; 95% CI [1.764, 1.952]; African: OR = 2.979; 95% CI [2.068, 4.291]; Indigenous OR = 1.828; 95% CI [1.371, 2.436]; Asian: OR = 1.457; 95% CI [1.818, 1.797]; Middle Eastern: OR = 1.602; 95% CI [1.088, 2.359]; Other: OR = 1.485; 95% CI [1.093, 2.018]; Multiracial: OR = 2.064; 95% CI [1.533, 2.778]) was found to be the most significant predictor of health service use. CONCLUSION: Findings from this research shed light on the various factors that impact university students belonging to different ethnic groups, their health, and their access to healthcare that addresses their distinct health needs. Nurses can advocate for the development of health promotion and illness prevention strategies that target the needs of the diverse student population.

Co-creating better healthcare experiences for First Nations children and youth: The FIRST approach emerges from Two-Eyed seeing.

To achieve health, Indigenous people seek a life that balances mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, yet the scope of these four dimensions is not typically considered in the Western-based health system. Indigenous people experience ongoing pain and hurt in all these dimensions as a result of a colonial legacy that persists in current-day policy and care contexts. Exploring ways to support Indigenous people to embrace ways of being well and reducing chronic pain has not been a priority area in health research. This community-based, qualitative study in four First Nations communities involved conversation sessions with 188 First Nations children, youth, parents, and Elders and 32 professionals who practice in those communities. The purpose was to gather perspectives related to pain expression, care experiences, and the strategies to improve the healthcare encounter. Thematic analysis was used to identify a more culturally thoughtful approach for clinicians to consider when First Nations people seek care. Two-Eyed Seeing consisting of four iterative steps was used to co-create the FIRST approach validating for community members that their perspectives were heard and providing a clinical approach for culturally safe practices with children, youth, and families. An overarching theme in the results was a clearer understanding about how pain and hurt translate into participants' health experiences and their desire to have their knowledge reflected in their health care. Participants describe experiencing pain and hurt in all four dimensions of health and from a historical, cultural, and spiritual identity, as well as from a community, family, and individual perspective. The FIRST approach captures Indigenous knowledge relating to Family, Information, Relationship, Safe-Space, and Two-Eyed treatment in the healthcare encounter. Considerations of this approach in clinical practice could enhance respectful and trusting relationships, knowledge exchange for better care experiences, and potentially improvement of culturally sensitive outcomes for Indigenous people.