Use of Text Messaging to Help Family Caregivers: An Integrative Review.

Text messaging is a promising family-centered intervention to promote health and prevent illness among children. Little is known about the effectiveness of texting parents of children with chronic conditions on health outcomes. The aims of this integrative review were to determine what ways texting has been used as an intervention to help family caregivers and examine the outcomes from the use of texting to help family caregivers. Applying Whittemore and Knafl's method of integrative review, 16 studies were reviewed. The majority of studies suggested that text message-based health interventions were feasible and acceptable for parents of children with chronic conditions. Of the studies that examined effectiveness of the interventions, six studies noted effectiveness, four studies noted results signifying no differences, and two studies obtained insignificant results. Although the state of the science regarding health providers' use of text messaging to support parents of children with chronic illness is in its early stage, text messaging demonstrates potential to assist parents to better manage their child's chronic disease. More research is warranted in the future to determine the effectiveness as well as best practices in text messaging.

Healthcare needs and experiences of foreign residents in Japan by language fluency.

OBJECTIVE: Two percent of the Japanese population is comprised of foreign residents with further increase expected due to immigration policy revisions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the healthcare needs and difficulties experienced by foreign residents in Japan by level of their Japanese language fluency. DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive design was used. SAMPLE: We surveyed foreign residents in the greater Tokyo area (N = 209). MEASUREMENTS: The research team created the survey questions and the contents of the survey include foreign residents' experiences during their visits or stays at medical and public health facilities in Japan. RESULTS: More than 90% of the participants or their families visited medical facilities in Japan regardless of Japanese language fluency; however, those with less Japanese language fluency experienced statistically significant uneasiness or inconvenience concerning communication compared to those with native Japanese language fluency (p = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses in Japan may benefit from additional training related to use of interpreters as well as education about diversity and cultural humility. Through better understanding of the specific communication barriers of foreign residents, nurses will be able to better anticipate difficulties and address them.

Psychological and Socioeconomic Burdens Faced by Family Caregivers of Children With Asthma: An Integrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma affects nearly 1 in every 12 children in the United States. Caring for a child with asthma poses significant challenges for the parent or caregiver. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify the psychological and socioeconomic burdens faced by family caregivers of children with asthma. METHOD: An integrative review was conducted to review and appraise 80 studies. RESULTS: Psychosocial burdens included decreased mental health, quality of life, sleep, family stress, educational deficits, cultural and health disparities, and health care communication challenges. Socioeconomic burdens included poor access to care, as well as work and financial challenges. Studies demonstrated a link between family caregiver health and child health outcomes. Facilitators included education and empowerment, social support, and use of technology. DISCUSSION: As the family caregiver's health directly affects the asthmatic child's health, addressing the burdens of family caregivers should be a key consideration in pediatric asthma care.

Medication Adherence of Latino Children and Caregivers: An Integrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: There are significant disparities in medication adherence among underserved minority groups such as Latinos. Adherence to medication is a primary determinant of treatment success. Little is known about medication adherence among Latino children. This integrated review aims to describe what is known about medication adherence among Latino children and explore barriers and facilitators to medication adherence. METHOD: This review was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's method of integrative review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. RESULTS: Of the 20 articles reviewed about medication adherence among Latino children, the analysis of these articles revealed four major themes: (1) low adherence, (2) low adherence associations, (3) child outcomes, and (4) effective interventions. CONCLUSION: Health practitioners should consider medication adherence associations and interventions when collaborating with the family caregiver to improve child outcomes.

A Theory of Cultural Humility.

Introduction: Leaders are realizing the importance of recognizing diversity and applying cultural humility for successful outcomes. When a difference in perspective is misunderstood or not adequately considered, the resulting conflict interferes with the accomplishment of goals and relationships. With the intent to advance mutual understanding and improve human interactions, a theory to guide nurses and other professions on how to appreciate diversity and apply cultural humility is presented. Method: Guided by Walker and Avant's strategies, the theory was developed from a synthesis of key concepts and constructs from research and scholarly works. Results: The theory of cultural humility is presented. Discussion: To foster a better understanding of the multiple considerations involved in being culturally humble, this theory provides clarity of the related concepts, influences, and outcomes. This theory may help learners recognize the multiple factors that lead to discordant perspectives and exude flexibility to foster positive outcomes.

Factors influencing nurse-to-parent communication in culturally sensitive pediatric care: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: To deliver quality healthcare to diverse patients, effective commmunication is key. Little evidence exists about what factors influence nurse-to-parent communication in culturally sensitive pediatric care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore factors that influence nurse-to-parent communication in the provision of culturally sensitive pediatric care. DESIGN: This study employed a qualitative content analysis. METHOD: The participants included 25 nurses and 9 parents from pediatric wards of hospitals located in Northwest and Central Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's method of content analysis. RESULTS: Factors that influenced the nurse-to-parent communication in pediatric culturally sensitive care were 1-organizational factors (inefficient policies and professional factors) and 2-human factors (nurse-related factors and unique characteristics of the family). Sub-categories included: lack of definitive policies for delivering cultural healthcare, insufficient cultural healthcare education, professional status of nursing in society, time, individual characteristics, cultural knowledge, cultural differences, and family's health literacy. CONCLUSION: The Iranian healthcare system requires a paradigm shift regarding the provision of culturally sensitive care.

The Relationship Between Magnet Designation, Electronic Health Record Adoption, and Medicare Meaningful Use Payments.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between nursing excellence and electronic health record adoption. Of 6582 US hospitals, 4939 were eligible for the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, and 6419 were eligible for evaluation on the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model. Of 399 Magnet hospitals, 330 were eligible for the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, and 393 were eligible for evaluation in the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model. Meaningful use attestation was defined as receipt of a Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program payment. The adoption electronic health record was defined as Level 6 and/or 7 on the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model. Logistic regression showed that Magnet-designated hospitals were more likely attest to Meaningful Use than non-Magnet hospitals (odds ratio = 3.58, P < .001) and were more likely to adopt electronic health records than non-Magnet hospitals (Level 6 only: odds ratio = 3.68, P < .001; Level 6 or 7: odds ratio = 4.02, P < .001). This study suggested a positive relationship between Magnet status and electronic health record use, which involves earning financial incentives for successful adoption. Continued investigation is needed to examine the relationships between the quality of nursing care, electronic health record usage, financial implications, and patient outcomes.