Nurses' Knowledge, Perceived Barriers and Practices Regarding Cancer Pain Management: A Scoping Review.

Nursing care plays a crucial role in the management of cancer pain, but nurses often face challenges due to inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes towards opioid use, and suboptimal pain evaluation practices. This scoping review aims to examine nurses' level of knowledge and practices in cancer pain management and identify the barriers they encounter when caring for patients with cancer. A comprehensive search of 50 articles was conducted using multiple databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Classic + EMBASE (Ovid), The Cochrane Library (Wiley), and CINAHL. English-language scholarly publications from various countries with peer-reviewed content searched from 2018 to 2023, resulting in the identification of 25 articles for full text evaluation. After excluding five articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 20 articles were analyzed in detail. Three primary themes emerged regarding nurses' knowledge and practices in cancer pain. The findings underscore the need for enhanced education initiatives and a multidisciplinary approach to improve nurses' competency in managing cancer pain. By expanding their understanding and expertise in pain management, oncology nurses can greatly contribute to improving the well-being of cancer patients. It is crucial to address the identified barriers through educational interventions, enabling nurses to provide optimal pain control and high-quality care. Let's empower nurses to conquer cancer pain with knowledge, compassion, and unwavering dedication! Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of cancer patients.

Correlation between Illness Perception and Medication Adherence among Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of illness perception and medication adherence among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on understanding how these two factors may be related. Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlation study included all adult patients with T2DM attending the Jeddah Care Centre for Diabetes and Hypertension at King Abdulaziz Hospital between January and April 2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire that elicited sociodemographic and clinical information, and the Arabic versions of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 365 patients were included (mean age: 50.9 ± 15.9 years), with the majority being female (53.4%). Overall, the level of medication adherence was moderate (mean score: 5.36 ± 1.73). Patients with lower medication adherence perceived the consequences of T2DM as more severe, had a stronger association with the illness identity, and experienced more intense emotional responses (for all, P < 0.001). Conversely, patients with higher adherence had a greater sense of personal control, a stronger belief in treatment effectiveness, and a better understanding of the illness (for all, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found a correlation between illness perception and medication adherence in patients with T2DM. Addressing patients' perceptions may enhance their ability to manage the condition more effectively.

The Role of Illness Perception and Self-Efficacy in Determining Quality of Life among Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The quality of life for people with chronic illnesses like cancer has been shown to be significantly impacted by self-efficacy and perceptions of their illness. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the relationship between cancer patients' perceptions of their illness, their self-efficacy beliefs, and their quality of life. METHOD: Conducted from December 2022 to February 2023, this research involved 120 adults undergoing cancer treatment. We utilized the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), the Arabic version of the Cancer Behavioral Inventory Brief (CBI-B), and the Arabic EORTC QLQ-C30, alongside clinical data collection. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Breast cancer emerged as the most common type among participants. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and quality of life, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, particularly in relation to symptom management. Interestingly, all dimensions of illness perception correlated with quality of life, except for control and concerns. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the vital role of nurses and healthcare providers in aiding cancer patients to develop and utilize self-management strategies effectively. The study reveals that a patient's capacity to manage their illness is significantly influenced by their confidence, understanding of their condition, and overall quality of life. Addressing these aspects can greatly enhance healthcare professionals' contribution to improving the resilience and well-being of individuals battling cancer.

The readiness of Saudi nursing interns for the professional role.

BACKGROUND: The nursing education program offers opportunities to prepare nursing students with the knowledge and skills required for their professional roles. The level of their readiness and confidence will affect their ability to provide effective and sufficient nursing care. The purpose of this study is to assess nursing interns readiness for professional roles. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To accomplish the study's objectives, a cross-sectional, descriptive design was employed. All nursing interns who graduated from the KAU School of Nursing in the academic year 2018-2019 were recruited from different hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 2019 until May 2019. Participants completed the Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey. Descriptive statistics were conducted to answer the research questions. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that the students felt ready and confident to assume their professional nursing roles. The students had some difficulties with managing multiple patients and certain skills, such as how to deal with dying patients and prioritize patient care needs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed the students felt entirely ready for the professional nursing role. The nursing college at King Abdul-Aziz University is making a great effort to prepare its students for their professional roles. We still need to develop skills and clinical competencies in preparation for effective professional roles. In addition, continuous assessment is considered important for patient safety, to increase nurses' work retention, and to enhance professional nurse confidence and the quality of care they must provide.

Illness Perception and Medication Adherence among Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review.

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global disease with a compelling impact on developed and developing economies across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2020) reported a global prevalence of 8.5% in 2014 among adults aged at least 18 years. Consequently, the condition led to a 5% increase in premature mortality from 2000 to 2016. Aim: The scoping review sought to examine illness perception and medication adherence among adult patients with T2DM. (2) Methods: The study was conducted in 2021 and covered articles published in English in the last five years. PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect were the primary search engines used to generate the required scholarly records. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: The 20 studies selected for the scoping review covered different themes on the overall concept of illness perception and medication adherence in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Each study presented unique implications for research and influence on the policymaking relating to the treatment or the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults of different aged groups. (4) Conclusions: The studies reveal both high and low adherence to medications in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The management and treatment of the condition depend on the uptake of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin as well as the recommended therapies to enhance the clinical outcomes of the patients.

Chronic Illness Patients' Perceptions of Quality of Care During Hospitalization: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: The rising prevalence of patients living with chronic illnesses and frequent hospitalizations represent many challenges in delivering high-quality care. Assessing patients' perceptions and needs regarding the quality of health care services is a critical step in improving quality of care. Objective: This study sought to explore the perception of quality of care from the perspectives and experiences of chronically ill patients during hospitalization. Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive design. Face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 chronically ill patients at their bedside during their current hospital admission. Analysis followed Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. Results: Overall patients were pleased with their hospitalization experience; however, they highlighted many aspects of care that can be addressed to improve the quality of care provided. Five themes were identified from the analysis as follows: defining quality of care; aspects related to the healthcare providers; unmet care needs; patient's involvement in healthcare decisions and care expectations and outcomes. Conclusion: A key finding of this study was the association between quality of care and healthcare providers' skills, clinical competence, and attitudes. Poor communication and discoordination of care were the most significant impediment expressed. Actively involving patients in care may be effective when combined with meeting expectations. The findings of this study helped to identify the strength points and areas of improvement that are the cornerstone for developing tailored and patient-centered strategies to improve the quality of care during hospitalizations among chronically ill Saudis.

Nurses' perception and self-confidence of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Researchers have investigated the presence of families during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to determine its benefits and barriers and the points of view of healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is debatable. Many professional health organizations worldwide, such as the Emergency Nurses Association, have suggested that healthcare facilities implement rules and policies that encourage the attendance of families and relatives during CPR. However, this does not consider the nurses' points of view or self-confidence during FPDR. The main aim of this study is to evaluate nurses' perceptions and self-confidence related to family presence during CPR in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive correlation study was conducted between March and April 2022 at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah. A survey was completed by participants to collect their sociodemographic data. The relationship between Family Presence Risk-Benefit Scale (FPS-BS) and the Family Presence Self-Confidence Scale (FPS-CS) was analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: The study's participants consisted of 147 nurses. Regarding the FPDR, nurses had a moderately positive perception and level of confidence. Moreover, the level of self-confidence varied significantly by age group and years of experience. The results of the Pearson correlation indicated that there was a significant association between FPS-CS and FPR-BS (r = 0.221, P < .001). When implementing FPDR, nurses who see more benefits from it are more confident. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the nurses who felt more comfortable including patients' families in resuscitation efforts also saw FPDR as having more advantages. FPDR has several effects on the healthcare team providing CPR. Nursing leaders should develop policies for their teams and instruct nurses and other healthcare professionals. Considering the clear benefits of clinical practice and family involvement in resuscitation, it is suggested to give this experience first using simulation and role-playing.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers of Organ Donation in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study.

Organ donation is considered a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure worldwide. However, the severe organ shortage in Saudi Arabia creates a gap between patients in need of transplantation and the availability of organs. In Saudi Arabia, a limited number of studies have assessed knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation, especially in Jeddah City. Thus, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to organ donation and to determine the factors that may hinder or facilitate organ donation. Our findings indicated that almost half of the participants (49.2%) obtained their information from online resources. Fear of the unknown (31.2%) and a lack of knowledge (28.5%) were the main barriers to organ donation. A high percentage of the participants (73%) were unaware of any local or international legislation regarding organ donation. Half of the study participants were willing to donate their organs, with insignificant differences in age, gender, occupation, and education level. Only 5.4% of the respondents had an organ donor card. The study indicated that half of the participants were willing to donate organs, but they were unaware of local and international legislation. Therefore, an intensive education program and campaigns are recommended to increase public awareness about organ donation.

The Effect of Social Isolation Types on Quality of Life during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic that has spread rapidly to six continents, with over 2.5 million deaths from December 2019 to March 2021. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is still growing worldwide, and quarantines have been recommended to prevent the disease's spread. However, quarantines affect people's quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to assess the effect of social isolation-quarantine-on QOL during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used in the present study. We obtained data from an online survey conducted in Saudi Arabia. We included a convenience sample of 775 participants in the study. Most of the participants were female (67%), with a mean age of 46 years ranging from 18 to 75 years. Many participants were government employees (n = 308, 39.7%) and had a bachelor's degree or greater (n = 513, 66.2%). Most of the participants (n = 629, 81%) were free from any chronic disease. Nearly 88% of participants were partially isolated socially owing to COVID-19. Concerning QOL, the means of both the Physical Health Composite Scale and the Mental Health Composite Scale SF-12 scores were 44.7 and 34.6, respectively. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that partially socially isolated participants appeared to have significantly better physical health statuses (M = 44.96, SD = 5.90) than completely socially isolated participants (M = 42.87 ± 7.26). There was no significant social isolation effect on mental health status (t (773) = 2.5, p = 0.115). Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic considerably influenced various aspects of QOL including physical and mental health. Community-based interventions such as online counseling services and wellness programs are required to reduce the pandemic's negative impact and enhance overall health status and QOL.

The relationship between knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses regarding early initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated defibrillation in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation are the most common procedures performed by nurses as the first responders to cardiac arrest patients in the hospital setting. Therefore, nurses are demanded to have high skills for effective performance. Self-efficacy and knowledge are considered significant factors affecting early initiation of CPR and automated defibrillation. However, previous studies mostly focused on nursing students instead of frontline nurses. Objective: This research aimed to assess the relationship between nurses' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding the early initiation of CPR and automated defibrillation of cardiac arrest patients. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational survey. Using convenience sampling, two hundred eighty-seven nurses working in critical areas and inpatient and outpatient departments, King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Saudi Arabia, were selected. Resuscitation Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Scales were used for data collection (using Google Form) from November 2020 to January 2021. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used for data analysis. Results: Overall, 61.3% of participants had moderate knowledge (13.659 ± 2.175), and 63.8% had high self-efficacy (44.627 ± 58.397). The highest domain of self-efficacy was responding and rescuing, while the lowest domain was debriefing and recording. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and self-efficacy (p <0.001; r = 0.207). Conclusion: The positive relationship explained a high level of self-efficacy if there was a high level of knowledge. Thus, it is recommended that nursing programs apply CPR and automated defibrillation curricula during nurses' internships, clear policies and procedures about CPR and automated defibrillation, continual updates about CPR and automated defibrillation, and knowledge and continuance training (on-job-training) about CPR and automated defibrillation, which can enhance and improve knowledge and self-efficacy among health care workers, especially for nurses.

Relationship between Provider Communication Behaviors and the Quality of Life for Patients with Advanced Cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Context: Patients with advanced cancer from Saudi Arabia are often not well informed about diagnoses, prognoses, and treatment options. Poor communication can lead to health-care decisions that insufficiently meet patients' preferences, concerns, and needs and that subsequently affect patients' quality of life. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between provider communication behaviors and the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Method: A cross-sectional, correlation design was used in the present study, in which 159 patients with confirmed diagnoses of stage III or IV solid cancer were surveyed. Results: The mean summary score of the patients' quality of life was 57.31. We found a significant relationship between provider communication behaviors and patient quality of life (ß = 0.18, b = 0.35, SE = 0.15, p = 0.021). In addition, R2 shows that only 3.4% of variance in patient quality of life is predicated on provider communication behaviors. Conclusions: The relationship between provider communication behaviors and patient quality of life was low (r = 0.18). A possible reason for this is that provider communication behaviors are not the only factor that affects patient quality of life; other variables, such as the patient's age, cancer type, and level of awareness, can also have an effect. Another possible explanation is that communication behaviors between patients and providers may vary depending on the level of cultural contact.

Quality of Life (QoL) among Health Care Workers with Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping literature review explores the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of health care workers (HCWs). HCWs play a vital role in the global health care system, with the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating their effectiveness and worth beyond any doubt. However, HCWs are among the most vulnerable members of the health care system because they are most susceptible to stress, exhaustion, and occupational health risks. METHOD: The review was conducted in 2021 and included articles published in English in the past five years that explore diabetic HCWs' QoL and studies intended to assess the relationship between work stress and DM. In total, 27 relevant articles were found that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were critically and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Most DM studies have focused on the clinical management of patients, but researchers have paid little attention to the high-risk group of HCWs with diabetes. In addition to fulfilling their job mandate, HCWs are burdened with various sociological stressors that affect their QoL. CONCLUSION: This literature review suggests DM has a significant impact on QoL in the work-life context. However, there is limited evidence to demonstrate the impact of DM on the QoL of HCWs. Thus, further research is needed in this area to improve the provision of integrated care.

Perception of Heath Care Providers About COVID-19 and Its Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of health care providers about the COVID-19 and its vaccine in Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we used a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive design. We recruited healthcare providers (HCPs) from social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and emails that was distributed from March 15, 2021, to April 14, 2021. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorized data between health care workers. RESULTS: A total of 390 health care providers from different regions of the country began the online survey. A total of 298 respondents (77.8%) accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 85 (22.2%) HCP disapproved. There was a significant difference in the degree of acceptance of COVID-19 immunization among health care providers (P<0.001). Moreover, the results showed 200 females (52.63%) were more likely to accept the COVID-19 immunization; 97 (25.5%) males were planning on getting one as soon as possible. CONCLUSION: As shown in the results, 77.8% of health care providers agreed to receive the vaccine. Since COVID-19 is still ongoing, we must increase the number of HCPs who get vaccinated. In addition, a comprehensive immunization campaign is necessary to achieve maximum acceptance by the general public.

Reviewing opioid use, monitoring, and legislature: Nursing perspectives.

The phenomena of prescription opioid misuse and abuse have a complicated history of contributing factors including policies, practices, and prescribing leading to contemporary phenomena. Some factors implicated in the opioid drug abuse problem include inefficient prescribing and improper use, lack of knowledge related to interpretation and assessment of pain levels, and decreased oversight and regulation from government and policy agents. Nurses, often frontline providers, need to be knowledgeable and embrace the guidelines, and necessary implications associated with both prescribing and administration of opioids. Additionally, all providers including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and bedside nurses must have a firm understanding of the improper use and abuse of opioids. The examination and review of opioid policies at the state and federal level has revealed inconsistency with regulations, policies, and guidelines that have lead to the current situation. The use of an interdisciplinary team with nurses and various other practitioners is a good strategy to help reduce this problem.