Afetividade e ambiente de trabalho dos enfermeiros: estudo transversal / Afectividad y ambiente de trabajo de enfermeros: estudio transversal / Affectivity, and nurses' work environmente: a cross-sectional study

Objetivo:identificar as relações de afetividade estabelecidas no ambiente de trabalho dos enfermeiros. Método:estudo quantitativo, do tipo analítico, transversalcomposto por 72 Enfermeiros a trabalharem nos serviços de internamento e de urgência. Foram aplicadas as escalas do "Bem-estar Psicológico", "Estilo de Vida Fantástico" e "Ambiente de Trabalho da Prática de Enfermagem". Resultados:a amostra é constituída maioritariamente por enfermeiras (80,6%);solteiras (61,1%);94,4% quase sempre tem alguém com quem conversar sobre assuntos importantes e 88,9% relatamquase sempre dar e receber carinho. Falta de afetoimpacta negativamente na perceção da colaboração entre médicos e enfermeiros, atualização dos planos de cuidados de enfermagem e relevância do diagnóstico de enfermagem. Conclusão:verificou-se um desequilíbrio nas dimensões afetividade e relações interpessoais, as quais influenciam negativamente a qualidade no ambiente de trabalho.

Objective:explore the relationship between affectivityand the nurses' work environment. Method:quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional studycomposed of 72 nurses working in inpatient and emergency services. The scales of "Psychological Well-being", "Fantastic Lifestyle" and "Nursing Practice Work Environment" were applied. Results:the sample consists mostly of nurses (80,6%), single (61,1%), 94,4% almost always have someone to talk to about important matters and 88.9% report almost always giving and receiving affection. Lack of affection negatively impacts the perception of collaboration between doctors and nurses, updating of nursing care plans, and the relevance of the nursing diagnosis. Conclusion:there was an imbalance in the affectivityand interpersonal relationships,which negatively influence the quality of the work environment.

Objetivo:explorar la relación entre la afectividady el ambiente de trabajo de los enfermeros. Método:estudio cuantitativo, analítico, transversalcompuesto por 72 enfermeros que actúan en servicios de hospitalización y urgencias. Se aplicaron las escalas de "Bienestar Psicológico", "Estilo de Vida Fantástico" y "AmbienteLaboral de la Práctica de Enfermería". Resultados:la muestra está compuesta en su mayoría por enfermeras (80,6%), solteras (61,1%), el 94,4% casi siempre tiene con quien hablar de asuntos importantes y el 88,9% refiere casi siempre dar y recibir cariño. La falta de afecto impacta negativamente en la percepción de colaboración entre médicos y enfermeras, la actualización de los planes de atención de enfermería y la pertinencia del diagnóstico de enfermería. Conclusión:hubo un desequilibrio en las dimensiones afectividad y relaciones interpersonales, que influyen negativamente en la calidad del ambiente de trabajo.

Intervenções não farmacológicas implementadas por enfermeiros no controlo da dor em cuidados paliativos: protocolo scoping review / Non-pharmacological pain-relief interventions implemented by nurses in palliative care: scoping review protocol

Objetivo: Identificar e mapear a evidência científica existente no âmbito das intervenções não farmacológicas implementadas por enfermeiros, com o objetivo de proporcionar controlo da dor, da pessoa em situação paliativa. Metodologia: Protocolo de Scoping review com base na metodologia proposta pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. Na pesquisa e identificação dos estudos, serão usadas as bases de dados eletrónicas MEDLINE (via Pubmed), CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scielo, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus. Adicionalmente, a pesquisa de estudos não publicados incluirá o Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP) e o OpenGrey. A estratégia de pesquisa abrangerá todos os artigos publicados em português, espanhol e inglês, nos últimos 5 anos. Resultados: Os resultados serão apresentados em formato narrativo, recorrendo a tabelas, de acordo com o objetivo, foco e questão de revisão. O mapeamento das intervenções não farmacológicas implementadas por enfermeiros, no âmbito do controlo da dor, irá contribuir para a disseminação da evidência disponível. Conclusão: Espera-se que a presente scoping review contribua para a análise crítica das intervenções não farmacológicas implementadas pelos enfermeiros neste âmbito, dado o potencial impacte destas no controlo da dor e na qualidade dos cuidados prestados.

Objetivo: Identificar y mapear la evidencia científica existente en el ámbito de las intervenciones no farmacológicas implementadas por enfermeras, con el objetivo de proporcionar el control del dolor a la persona en situación paliativa. Método: Protocolo de scoping review, según la metodología de Instituto Joanna Briggs. En la estrategia de investigación e identificación de estudios, se utilizarán las bases de datos electrónicas CINAHL Complete (vía EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (vía Pubmed), Registro Cochrane Central de Ensayos Controlados, Base de Datos Cochrane de Revisiones Sistemáticas, Scielo, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews. Scopus. A su vez, la búsqueda de estudios inéditos incluirá el Repositorio Científico de Acceso Abierto de Portugal (RCAAP) y OpenGrey. La estrategia de búsqueda incluirá todos los artículos publicados en portugués, español e inglés en los últimos 5 años. Resultados: Los resultados se presentarán en formato narrativo, mediante tablas, de acuerdo con el objetivo, enfoque y pregunta de revisión. El mapeo de las intervenciones no farmacológicas, en el ámbito del control del dolor, contribuirá para la difusión de la evidencia disponible. Conclusión: Se espera que la presente revisión contribuya para el análisis crítico de las intervenciones no farmacológicas en esta área, dado el potencial impacto de estas en el control del dolor y en la cualidad de los cuidados prestados.

Aim: To identify and map the existing scientific evidence within the scope of non-pharmacological interventions implemented by nurses with the objective of providing pain relief to the people in a palliative situation. Method: This study followed the scoping review protocol based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. In regard to the research strategy and identification of studies, the following electronic databases were consulted: MEDLINE (via Pubmed), CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scielo, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. In addition, the search for unpublished studies included the Scientific Repository for Open Access of Portugal (RCAAP) and OpenGrey. The research strategy included all the articles published in Portuguese, Spanish and English in the last 5 years. Results: Following the main objective, focus and research question, the results will be presented in a narrative format, using tables. The mapping of the non-pharmacological interventions implemented by nurses focused on pain relief will contribute to the dissemination of the available evidence. Conclusion: It is expected that the present scoping review will contribute to the critical analysis of non-pharmacological interventions implemented by nurses in this area given the potential impact of these on pain relief and the quality of care provided.

Physical Rehabilitation Programs for Bedridden Patients with Prolonged Immobility: A Scoping Review.

Bedridden patients usually stay in bed for long periods, presenting several problems caused by immobility, leading to a long recovery process. Thus, identifying physical rehabilitation programs for bedridden patients with prolonged immobility requires urgent research. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to map existing physical rehabilitation programs for bedridden patients with prolonged immobility, the rehabilitation domains, the devices used, the parameters accessed, and the context in which these programs were performed. This scoping review, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) methodology and conducted in different databases (including grey literature), identified 475 articles, of which 27 were included in this review. The observed contexts included research institutes, hospitals, rehabilitation units, nursing homes, long-term units, and palliative care units. Most of the programs were directed to the musculoskeletal domain, predominantly toward the lower limbs. The devices used included lower limb mobilization, electrical stimulation, inclined planes, and cycle ergometers. Most of the evaluated parameters were musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, or vital signs. The variability of the programs, domains, devices and parameters found in this scoping review revealed no uniformity, a consequence of the personalization and individualization of care, which makes the development of a standard intervention program challenging.

Nursing focuses and interventions that promote the autonomy of the elderly / Enfoques e intervenciones de enfermería promotoras de la autonomía del anciano / Focos e intervenções de Enfermagem promotoras da autonomia dos idosos

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe the meaning attributed to the experiences of the clinical experience of specialist nurses in the implementation of nursing care focuses and respective interventions that promote the autonomy of the elderly. Method: Qualitative study based on Giorgi's method. Eighteen specialist nurses were interviewed, recruited for convenience in two hospitals in the northern region of Portugal, between March and December 2018. Results: In the clinical experience of specialist nurses, regarding the nursing process, three themes emerged: focuses of nursing care; implementation of nursing interventions and hindering factors. Conclusions: The specialist nurses, most of whom are rehabilitation specialists, essentially promote the physical capacity of the elderly, within the scope of autonomy, revealing that working conditions, such as lack of time and information systems, are the limiting factor of their promotion.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Describir el significado atribuido a las vivencias de la experiencia clínica de enfermeros especialistas en la implementación de los enfoques de atención de enfermería y las respectivas intervenciones que promueven la autonomía del anciano. Método: Estudio cualitativo basado en el método de Giorgi. Se entrevistaron dieciocho enfermeras especializadas, reclutadas por conveniencia en dos hospitales de la región norte de Portugal, entre marzo y diciembre de 2018. Resultados: En la experiencia clínica de los enfermeros especialistas, en relación con el proceso de enfermería, surgieron tres temas: focos de atención de enfermería; implementación de intervenciones de enfermería y factores obstaculizadores. Conclusiones: Los enfermeros especialistas, en su mayoría especialistas en rehabilitación, promueven fundamentalmente la capacidad física de las personas mayores, en el ámbito de la autonomía, revelando que las condiciones laborales, como la falta de tiempo y sistemas de información, son el fator limitante para su promoción.

RESUMO Objetivos: Descrever o significado atribuído às vivências da experiência clínica dos enfermeiros especialistas na implementação de focos do cuidado de enfermagem e respetivas intervenções promotoras da autonomia dos idosos. Método: Estudo qualitativo com base no método de Giorgi. Foram entrevistados 18 enfermeiros especialistas, recrutados por conveniência em dois hospitais da região a norte de Portugal, entre março e dezembro de 2018. Resultados: Na experiência clínica dos enfermeiros especialistas, quanto ao processo de enfermagem, emergiram três temas: focos do cuidado de enfermagem; implementação de intervenções de enfermagem e fatores dificultadores. Conclusões: Os enfermeiros especialistas, em sua maioria em reabilitação, promovem essencialmente a capacidade física dos idosos, no âmbito da autonomia, revelando que as condições de trabalho, como a falta de tempo e os sistemas de informação, constituem o fator limitador da sua promoção.

[Palliative rehabilitation interventions in palliative care: a scoping review]. / Interventi di riabilitazione palliativa in cure palliative: una scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Palliative rehabilitation is defined as the process of helping a person with a progressive, commonly advanced, and/or incurable disease reach their physical, psychological, and social potential consistent with physiological and environmental limitations and life preferences. However, the evidence on this subject is dispersed in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To examine and map interventions of palliative rehabilitation, implemented and evaluated in palliative care. METHODOLOGY: A scoping review, using the Joanna Briggs Institute's guideline, was conducted. Multiple databases were searched: CINAHL Complete; PubMed; Scopus; SciELO; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; PEDro, as well as grey literature for studies that focus on qualified healthcare professionals caring for patients 18 years of age or older, working in palliative care, that focus on the concepts of palliative rehabilitation interventions. RESULTS: Of the 314 studies retrieved, two were included in this review. Both were conducted with physiotherapists, and none mentioned nursing rehabilitation. One of the studies implemented and evaluated an intervention of exclusively physical domain and another of physical and emotional domain. The interventions still differ in the number of treatments which ranged from 4 to 7 sessions. Both studies were implemented in oncological and non-oncological patients. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to explore the rehabilitation strategies used by healthcare professionals working in palliative care that help patients. Moreover, since nurses are often the healthcare professionals who are in closest proximity to, and who spend the most time with, the patient, which rehabilitation interventions do these professionals should be focus of intervention.

Nonpharmacological interventions used in the perioperative period to prevent anxiety in adolescents: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review was to examine and map the range of nonpharmacological interventions used in the perioperative period to prevent anxiety in adolescents. INTRODUCTION: Undergoing surgery involves experiencing fears and uncertainties that lead to an increase in anxiety levels. The interventions used to prevent anxiety in the perioperative period in adolescents must be appropriate to their developmental stage. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies involving adolescents (10 to 19 years of age) undergoing any type of surgical procedure and specifying any nonpharmacological interventions administered to prevent anxiety, implemented in the perioperative period, were included in this review. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy using multiple databases was employed to find relevant studies. The databases search included MEDLINE via PubMed; CINAHL Plus with Full Text via EBSCO; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; LILACS; Scopus; Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts; PsycINFO; JBI Connect+; and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Sources of unpublished studies and gray literature were TDX - Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa (Spain); RCAAP - Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal; OpenGrey - System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe; and MedNar. Studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were included. There was no date restriction, or geographical or cultural limitation applied to the search. The relevant studies and their reported outcomes were organized and analyzed. RESULTS: The database search yielded 1438 articles, and three additional records were added after hand searching. Title, abstract, and full-text review identified 11 papers that met the inclusion criteria. The final data set represented 947 participants. The data were analyzed according to the type of nonpharmacological intervention, population, concept (outcome measured and tool used), context (physical location; preoperative vs. postoperative), frequency and duration of the intervention, and which professional team member implemented the intervention. Eight nonpharmacological interventions were identified, applied either in the preoperative or postoperative context. The nurses were the main professionals administering the nonpharmacological interventions to the adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of nonpharmacological interventions were used in the perioperative period to prevent anxiety in adolescents. The most common interventions were music/musicotherapy and hypnosis/guided imagery. However, other interventions such as therapeutic play, preoperative preparation program, mothers' presence during the anesthesia induction, distraction, relaxation training, massage therapy, and reading were also identified. These interventions were used alone or in a combination of two interventions, either preoperatively or postoperatively. The adolescents in the early stage (10 to 14 years) were the most studied group and the adolescents in the late stage (17 to 19 years) were the least studied. Future research should focus on the implementation of nonpharmacological interventions in the perioperative period involving adolescents, particularly late adolescents. A systematic review on the effect of nonpharmacological interventions for anxiety management in adolescents in the perioperative period should be conducted. SCOPING REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/jhwca/.

Percepção de enfermeiros frente à promoção da autonomia dos idosos no contexto da covid-19: estudo descritivo correlacional / La percepción de los enfermeros ante la promoción de la autonomía del anciano en covid-19: un estudio correlacional descriptivo / Nurses' perception regarding the promotion of older people's autonomy at covid-19: a descriptive correlational study

RESUMO Objetivo identificar e comparar a percepção dos enfermeiros de cuidados gerais e enfermeiros especialistas sobre o desenvolvimento de intervenções promotoras da autonomia dos idosos Método estudo descritivo-correlacional, transversal. Foi aplicada aos enfermeiros portugueses a Escala de Autoavaliação da Promoção da Autonomia dos Idosos, em setembro e outubro de 2020 Resultados a amostra foi composta por 356 enfermeiros, especialistas e generalistas. Todos tiveram a percepção de promover a autonomia dos idosos, com menos visibilidade no desenvolvimento de intervenções de atividades instrumentais de vida diária. Os enfermeiros especialistas percebem promover mais a autonomia dos idosos, através do desenvolvimento de intervenções físicas e cognitivas (p<0,01), de intervenções de atividades instrumentais de vida diárias (p<0,05) e da capacitação do cuidador (p<0,05) Conclusão este estudo permitiu enfatizar a potencial relevância do desenvolvimento de intervenções promotoras da autonomia dos idosos, assim como a importância da consciencialização dos enfermeiros para a sua realização

RESUMEN Objetivo identificar y comparar la percepción de enfermeros de cuidados generales y enfermeros especializados sobre el desarrollo de intervenciones que promuevan la autonomía de los ancianos Método estudio descriptivo-correlacional, transversal. La Escala de Autoevaluación para la Promoción de la Autonomía de las Personas Mayores se aplicó a enfermeros portugueses en septiembre/octubre de 2020 Resultados la muestra estuvo conformada por 356 enfermeros, especialistas y generales. Todos los enfermeros tuvieron la percepción de promover la autonomía de los ancianos, con menor visibilidad en el desarrollo de intervenciones que involucren actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria. Los enfermeros especialistas perciben promover más autonomía para los ancianos, a través del desarrollo de intervenciones físicas y cognitivas (p <0.01), intervenciones en actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (p <0.05) y en la formación del cuidador (p <0.05). 0,05) Conclusión este estudio permitió enfatizar la potencial relevancia de desarrollar intervenciones que promuevan la autonomía de los ancianos, así como la importancia de sensibilizar a los enfermeros para que las lleven a cabo

ABSTRACT Objective to identify and compare the perception of general care nurses and specialist nurses about the development of interventions promoting older people's autonomy Method descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study. The Self-Assessment Scale for the Promotion of Older People's Autonomy was applied to Portuguese nurses in September/October 2020 Results the sample consisted of 356 nurses, specialists and general practitioners. All nurses had the perception of promoting older people's autonomy, with less visibility in the development of interventions involving instrumental activities of daily living. Specialist nurses have a perception of more promotion of autonomy to older people through the development of physical and cognitive interventions (p<0.01), of interventions of instrumental activities of daily living (p<0.05), and in the training of the caregiver (p<0.05) Conclusion this study allowed emphasizing the potential relevance of developing interventions that promote older people's autonomy, as well as the importance of raising nurses' awareness to carry them out

Palliative rehabilitation interventions in palliative care: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to examine and map interventions of palliative rehabilitation that are implemented and evaluated in palliative care. INTRODUCTION: Palliative rehabilitation is defined as the process of helping individuals with a progressive, often advanced or incurable disease reach their physical, psychological, and social potential consistent with physiological and environmental limitations and life preferences. Rehabilitation may prolong functional independence and improve quality of life. Information on palliative rehabilitation interventions, their characteristics, contexts, and population is dispersed throughout the literature, hence the need for a scoping review. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This scoping review will consider all studies that focus on qualified health care professionals working in palliative care who are caring for patients 18 years of age or older, and studies that focus on the concepts of palliative rehabilitation interventions. This scoping review will consider all palliative rehabilitation interventions implemented and evaluated in the context of palliative care. METHODS: The search strategy aims to find published and unpublished studies. The databases to be searched will include CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PEDro. The search for unpublished studies will include DART-Europe, OpenGrey, and RCAAP. Studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese carried out from 2009 onward will be considered for inclusion. Retrieved papers will be screened for inclusion by two reviewers. Data will be extracted and presented in tabular form and a narrative summary that aligns with the review's objective. Any disagreements that arise between the reviewers will be resolved through discussion or with a third reviewer.

Efficacy of reminiscence in cognition, depressive symptoms and quality of life in institutionalized elderly: a systematic review / Efectividad de la reminiscencia en la cognición, síntomas depresivos y calidad de vida en ancianos institucionalizados: revisión sistemática / Eficácia da reminiscência na cognição, sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida em idosos institucionalizados: revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the best available evidence on the efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy in cognition, depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. Method: The methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute was used. Studies focused on group Reminiscence Therapy aimed at institutionalized elderly people with cognitive impairment aged 65 or over were considered. The critical analysis, extraction and synthesis of results was performed by two independent researchers. Results: Four randomized clinical trials and two quasi-experimental studies (n=296) were included. Given the heterogeneous characteristics of studies found, it was impossible to perform a meta-analysis. Of the six studies included, two presented statistically significant results for efficacy in cognition, and three for efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. In none of the studies was evaluated the elderly's quality of life. Conclusion: Reminiscence Therapy has potential efficacy for maintaining cognition and decrease of depressive symptomatology in the target population.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar la mejor evidencia disponible acerca de la efectividad de la Terapia de Reminiscencia en la cognición, sintomatología depresiva y calidad de vida en ancianos con compromiso cognitivo. Método: Se utilizó la metodología propuesta por el Joanna Briggs Institute. Fueron considerados estudios centrados en la Terapia de Reminiscencia en grupo, dirigida a personas mayores con edad superior o igual a 65 años, con compromiso cognitivo e institucionalizadas. El análisis crítico, extracción y síntesis de resultados los desarrollaron dos investigadores independientes. Resultados: Fueron incluidos cuatro ensayos clínicos randomizados y dos estudios cuasi-experimentales (n=296); las características heterogéneas de los estudios encontrados imposibilitaron el metaanálisis. De los seis estudios incluidos, dos presentaron resultados estadísticamente significativos para la efectividad en la cognición y tres para la efectividad en la reducción de sintomatología depresiva. En ninguno de los estudios se evaluó la calidad de vida de los ancianos. Conclusión: La Terapia de Reminiscencia presenta potencial efectividad en el mantenimiento de la cognición y disminución de la sintomatología depresiva en la población meta.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a melhor evidência disponível sobre a eficácia da Terapia de Reminiscência na cognição, sintomatologia depressiva e qualidade de vida em idosos com compromisso cognitivo. Método: Utilizou-se da metodologia proposta pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. Foram considerados estudos centrados na Terapia de Reminiscência em grupo, dirigida a pessoas idosas com idade superior ou igual a 65 anos, com compromisso cognitivo e institucionalizadas. A análise crítica, extração e síntese de resultados foi desenvolvida por dois investigadores independentes. Resultados: Foram incluídos quatro ensaios clínicos randomizados e dois estudos quasi-experimentais (n=296); as características heterogéneas dos estudos encontrados impossibilitaram a metanálise. Dos seis estudos incluídos, dois apresentaram resultados estatisticamente significativos para a eficácia na cognição e três para a eficácia na redução de sintomatologia depressiva. Em nenhum dos estudos foi avaliada a qualidade de vida dos idosos. Conclusão: A Terapia de Reminiscência apresenta potencial eficácia na manutenção da cognição e diminuição da sintomatologia depressiva na população-alvo.

Caring in Palliative Care: A Phenomenological Study of Nurses' Lived Experiences.

Providing palliative care involves serious challenges for nurses, such as end-of-life decisions, contact with people's suffering and dying, and increased risk of burnout. However, studies have revealed that the burnout level of health professionals working in palliative care is lower than that of health professionals working in other settings. This study aimed to describe the lived experiences of nurses caring in a palliative care unit. A phenomenological descriptive study was undertaken. Nine nurses were recruited from a palliative care unit in Portugal. Data were collected using individual interviews and analyzed following the method of Giorgi. Five themes reflect the essence of the lived experience: (1) experience centered on the relationship with the other (ie, the patient and the family), (2) experience centered on the relationship with one's own self, (3) exhausting experience, (4) rewarding experience, and (5) the team as a pillar. These findings can be valuable for understanding the challenges and strategies experienced by nurses caring in palliative care and for designing interventions that focus on reducing the risk of burnout among nurses-not only those working in palliative care but also those working in other contexts who experience regular contact with suffering and death.

The Effects of Guided Imagery on Comfort in Palliative Care.

Guided imagery (GI) is a nonpharmacological intervention that is increasingly implemented in different clinical contexts. However, there have been no studies on the effect of GI on the comfort of inpatients of palliative care (PC) units. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GI on the comfort of patients in PC. A 1-group, pretest-posttest, pre-experimental design was used to measure differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, pain, and comfort in patients (n = 26) before and after a 2-session GI program. The intervention featuring GI increased comfort, measured by an Abbreviated Holistic Comfort Scale and the visual analog comfort scale (P < .001), and decreased heart rate (P < .001), respiratory rate (P < .001), and pain, as measured by the (numerical) visual analog pain scale (P < .001). This study demonstrates that the use of an intervention featuring GI increases the comfort of oncology patients admitted to a PC unit. The use of GI by nurses is inexpensive, straightforward to implement, and readily available and may result in the provision of comfort care.

Use of non-pharmacological interventions for comforting patients in palliative care: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care aims to provide the maximum possible comfort to people with advanced and incurable diseases. The use of non-pharmacological interventions to promote comfort in palliative care settings has been increasing.However, information on implemented and evaluated interventions, their characteristics, contexts of application, and population is scattered in the literature, hampering the formulation of accurate questions on the effectiveness of those interventions and, consequently, the development of a systematic review. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to examine and map the non-pharmacological interventions implemented and evaluated to provide comfort in palliative care. INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS: This scoping review considered all studies that focused on patients with advanced and incurable diseases, aged 18 years or older, assisted by palliative care teams. CONCEPT: This scoping review considered all studies that addressed non-pharmacological interventions implemented and evaluated to provide comfort for patients with advanced and incurable diseases.It considered non-pharmacological interventions implemented to provide not only comfort but also well-being, and relief of pain, suffering, anxiety, depression, stress and fatigue which are comfort-related concepts. CONTEXT: This scoping review considered all non-pharmacological interventions implemented and evaluated in the context of palliative care. This included home care, hospices or palliative care units (PCUs). TYPES OF SOURCES: This scoping review considered quantitative and qualitative studies, and systematic reviews. SEARCH STRATEGY: A three-step search strategy was undertaken: 1) an initial limited search of CINAHL and MEDLINE; 2) an extensive search using all identified keywords and index terms across all included databases; and 3) a hand search of the reference lists of included articles.This review was limited to studies published in English, Spanish and Portuguese in any year. EXTRACTION OF RESULTS: A data extraction instrument was developed. Two reviewers extracted data independently. Any disagreements that arose between the reviewers were resolved through discussion, or with a third reviewer. When necessary, primary authors were contacted for further information/clarification of data. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included covering 10 non-pharmacological interventions implemented and evaluated to provide comfort. The interventions included one to 14 sessions. The interventions lasted between five and 60 minutes. Most of the interventions were implemented in PCUs and hospice settings. Ten of the 18 interventions were implemented and evaluated exclusively in cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ten non-pharmacological interventions were identified, of which the most common were music therapy and massage therapy. Their characteristics differed significantly across interventions and even in the same intervention. They were mostly implemented in palliative care units and hospices, and in patients with a cancer diagnosis. These data raise questions for future primary studies and systematic reviews. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research should focus on the implementation of interventions not only with cancer patients but also with non-cancer patients and patients receiving palliative care at home. Systematic reviews on the effect of massage therapy and music therapy should be conducted.

Prevalence of burnout in health professionals working in palliative care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: More than ever, the current increasing need for palliative care leads to health professionals providing this type of care which further leads to multiple challenges, and stressful and demanding situations. The multiple challenges of working in palliative care put health professionals working in this context at the risk of burnout. OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence on the prevalence of burnout among health professionals working in palliative care. INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS: The current review included studies that encompass qualified health professionals working in palliative care, caring for patients 18 years of age or older. CONDITION: The current review considered studies reporting on the point prevalence of burnout, measured by a burnout scale, such as, but not limited to, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Burnout Measure and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. CONTEXT: The current review considered studies conducted in the context of specialist palliative care, more specifically, palliative care units, specialized palliative home care or hospices. TYPES OF STUDIES: The current review considered observational study designs, including prospective and retrospective cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies. SEARCH STRATEGY: An initial search of MEDLINE (via PubMed) and CINAHL was undertaken, followed by a second search for published and unpublished studies since 1975 in major healthcare-related electronic databases. Studies written in English, Spanish and Portuguese were included. METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY: Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of studies using the standardized critical appraisal instrument from the Joanna Briggs Institute. No studies were excluded from the review based on the methodological appraisal. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted using a data extraction table, taking into account the review questions. DATA SYNTHESIS: Significant differences were found between condition measures, thus we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1406 health professionals. The sample was limited to nurses, physicians and social workers. None of the included articles presented data about other health professionals. Seven of the included studies assessed the prevalence of burnout using the same instrument - the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data revealed a prevalence of burnout of 17.3% among health professionals. Personal Accomplishment was the sub-scale from the Maslach Burnout Inventory that had the highest prevalence (19.5%). Nurses had higher levels of Emotional Exhaustion (19.5%) and Depersonalization (8.2%), and physicians had lower levels of Personal Accomplishment (41.2%). The prevalence of burnout was, however, higher in social workers (27%). The palliative care context with the highest prevalence of burnout was home care (19.6%). CONCLUSION: The current systematic review contributes to a body of empirical knowledge that can facilitate the professional development of palliative care teams by highlighting the prevalence of burnout in health professionals, which staff category is the most affected (social workers), and which palliative care context has the highest prevalence (home care).

Comfort experience in palliative care: a phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care aims to provide maximum comfort to the patient. However it is unknown what factors facilitate or hinder the experience of comfort, from the perspective of inpatients of palliative care units. This lack of knowledge hinders the development of comfort interventions adjusted to these patients. The aim of this research is to describe the comfort and discomfort experienced by inpatients at palliative care units. METHODS: A phenomenological descriptive study was undertaken. Ten inpatients were recruited from a Spanish palliative care unit and seven from a Portuguese palliative care unit. Data were collected using individual interviews and analysed following the method of Giorgi. RESULTS: Four themes reflect the essence of the lived experience: The Palliative Care as a response to the patient's needs with advanced disease, attempt to naturalize advanced disease, confrontation with their own vulnerability, openness to the spiritual dimension. CONCLUSIONS: Informants revealed that they experience comfort through humanized care, differentiated environment, symptomatic control, hope and relationships. The discomfort emerges from the losses and powerlessness against their situation. Even if such findings may seem intuitive, documenting them is essential because it invites us to reflect on our convictions about what it means to be comfortable for these patients, and allows incorporating this information in the design of focused interventions to maximize the comfort experience.

The prevalence of burnout in health professionals working in palliative care: a systematic review protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to examine the evidence on the prevalence of burnout among health professionals working in palliative care.More specifically, the review focuses on the following questions: What is the prevalence of burnout among health professionals working in palliative care? Is there a difference in the prevalence of burnout in different subgroups of health professionals working in palliative care (such as, but not limited to, nurses, physicians, social workers, psychologists)? Is there a difference in the prevalence of burnout among health professionals working in different contexts of palliative care (palliative care units, home care, hospices)?