Benefits and Barriers of Using Virtual Reality in Teaching Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have been conducted using virtual reality (VR) in nursing education, evidence distinguishing the benefits and barriers of adopting VR pedagogical methods to teach undergraduate nursing students is not well-defined in nursing literature. PURPOSE: To identify current evidence on the benefits and barriers of adopting VR as a pedagogical method in nursing education. METHODS: A scoping review of 6 databases using PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Data were managed using Covidence® software. Table of Evidence illustrates the themes. RESULTS: Seventeen articles identified 5 thematic benefits of VR (knowledge acquisition, student engagement, improved self-confidence, teaching strategy, and cost factors) and 4 barriers (physical discomfort, learning outcome challenges, challenges to integrating into curricula, and technology challenges). CONCLUSIONS: VR is an effective teaching-learning strategy to reinforce nursing concepts and build competencies. It is not a substitute for clinical education.

A Study of Immigrant Latinas Perspectives of Caring for their Diabetes.

Hispanic-Americans are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Five million adult Hispanic Americans are estimated to have been diagnosed with T2D. Among US Hispanics, Mexicans have the highest rate (14.4%) of diabetes. Further, Hispanics are also twice as likely as non-Hispanics Whites to die from diabetes, making it the fifth leading cause of their death and a serious health problem in Hispanic communities. Yet, little is understood of what rural immigrant Latinas do to care for their diabetes health. In-depth interviews (3 focus groups) and thematic analysis found 16 Latinas had T2D on average for 9 years; all emigrated to the USA from Mexico, lived in the USA for an average of 27 years, and worked (60%). Within the domain of "What do you do to take care of your health?" Latinas desired to adhere to exercise, controlled diet, and medications, but perceived a powerful barrier to a healthy life was the American lifestyle that included long work days, more money to purchase unhealthy foods and a desire for them, and a lack of time for other forms of exercise. Despite the Latina participants' years of experience about living with T2D in the US, they still struggled to adhere to healthy behaviors. Future research should address the longer time Hispanic immigrants live in the US with the more at-risk they become for diminished health.

Barriers to Access to Care in Hispanics With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major cause of death in the United States. Hispanics living in America suffer disproportionally with diabetes and is the fifth cause of death for them. A systematic review was conducted that highlighted barriers to access to care for Hispanics with T2D during the early years of the Affordable Care Act. METHOD: PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched (2010-2015) using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. From 84 studies, seven qualitative/mixed methods studies were reviewed based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Barriers were placed into three categories set a priori. RESULTS: All study samples were from different states, representing barriers across the United States. Persistent barriers were self (100%), provider (100%), and environment (71%). Covariates (culture and genetics), individual resources (cost factors, time, and social support), lack of providers or providers specializing in T2D, and environmental factors (lack of diabetes education, nutrition, and exercise programs) were found to affect Hispanics with T2D access to care. CONCLUSION: Cost factors, time, lack of social support, providers, and relevant programs remain prevalent barriers. As the Hispanic population increases and changes in the health care system are evolving, additional barriers to access to care are likely to emerge and must be explored.

A Systematic Review of Barriers to Access-to-Care in Hispanics With Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: A systematic review was conducted to highlight current barriers to access-to-care for Hispanics with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHOD: PubMed and CINAHL databases (2010-2015) using PRISMA guidelines. 84 studies were identified, 12 quantitative studies were selected for review remained based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. There were five research questions: (1) What samples/settings were included? (2) What theories guided each study? (3) What were the study aims and (4) designs? (5) What barriers of access-to-care were identified? Barriers were placed into three categories set a priori. RESULTS: The word "barrier" was in one study aim. Barriers of self (92%), provider (50%), and environment (25%) were identified. Self-care behaviors (diet and exercise), individual resources (cost factors), lack of providers specializing in T2D, and environmental factors affect Hispanics with T2D access-to-care. DISCUSSION: These barriers to access underscore current importance to Hispanics with T2D. A follow-up review should be conducted as new barriers are expected to emerge.

Seeking and Utilizing a Curandero in the United States: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to address two key questions: "Why do Hispanics seek a curandero?" And "How do Hispanics utilize the curandero?" METHODS: The literature was reviewed using two databases-PubMed and CINAHL-during the period January 2000 to September 2012-and reference lists for potentially relevant studies. The search terms used were Hispanics/Latinos, curandero, CAM use, and traditional healers/medicine. Terms were searched in the keywords, title, and abstract. FINDINGS: Of the 30 articles reviewed, 9 reflected the two key questions. Hispanics seek curanderos because they are affordable and are Spanish literate. Less common reasons include immigration status, culturally appropriate, spiritual healing, acculturation, and dissatisfaction with Western medicine. Hispanics utilize curanderos for a range of illnesses, including folk illnesses and treatments that may be unfamiliar to health care practitioners. IMPLICATIONS: Utilization of a curandero among the U.S. Hispanics was the focus of only four nursing articles on the practice of curanderos, but these did not address nursing implications. Knowledge of Hispanic folk illnesses and treatments is important in providing culturally appropriate holistic care. Furthermore, patient disclosure about the use of curanderos and folk remedies given may be critical to Western medical providers and the treatments they give.