Effect of animal assistant therapy on quality of life in older adults: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of animal-assistant therapy on the quality of life of older adults. This research systematically searched electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and the National Thesis Centre and ULAKBIM of the Council of Higher Education) for studies published between April - June 2021. Seven studies with experimental design were used, three were quasi-experimental and four were randomly controlled studies. The total sample size in the meta-analysis was 375 (experimental group: 177 and control group: 198). The mean duration of animal-assistant therapy was 38.5 ± 12.4 min. Animal-assistant therapy had a significant effect on the quality of life of older adults (mean difference: -4.59 p: 0.03, Z:2.23). Therefore, animal assistant therapy is an effective method to improve older adults' quality of life.

The effect of theoretical and simulation training on medical errors of nurse students in Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of theoretical training related to medical errors and patient safety and practical simulation training on students' knowledge and skill levels.. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted from March 28 to May 18, 2016, at nursing department of a university and comprised of students attending the third grade of the nursing school. The subjects were divided into two equal experimental and control groups. The experimental group, among other things, received simulation training that involved a demonstration and subsequent one-to-one practice. Data was collected on a proforma that included demographic information, pretest and post-test scores, checklists for pre-assessments and final assessments related to nursing practices. RESULTS: There were 62 nurses divided into two groups of 31(50%) each. The difference between post-test scores of the concerning theoretical training about medical errors and patient safety was statistically significant (p<0.05). Pre-assessment of the groups concerning practical training on nursing skills and medical errors revealed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05), while there was a significant difference between their final assessments (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Theoretical education increased students' levels of knowledge regarding medical errors and patient safety, and the the practical simulation training reduced malpractices by improving skills.

Protection of nurses rights in Turkey: A study on nurses' opinions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nurses' opinions on the violation and protection of their rights at public hospitals. METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted between May and November 2013 at 11 hospitals affiliated with the Association of Public Hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. Data was gathered using a questionnaire consisting of 59 questions on demographic characteristics, professions, and rights of nurses. RESULTS: Of the 1,808 respondents, 1,374(76%) said nurse's rights were not protected and 994(55%) believed that their rights were not protected at public hospitals. However, 1,027(56.8%) of the nurses stated that their right to job security was protected, while 1,448(80.1%) reported violation of their right to adequate pay and 1,289(71.3%) reported violation or non-recognition of the right to participate in the political decision-making processes that directly affect the nursing profession. Those who were middle-aged and those who had bachelor's degree believed their rights were not protected, and considered nursing as a weak profession that was unable to protect its rights (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses believed their rights, especially those about salary, were not sufficiently protected.

The development of the patient privacy scale in nursing.

BACKGROUND: The developments in technology and communication channels, increasing workload, and carelessness cause problems regarding patient privacy and confidentiality in nursing services. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to develop a patient privacy scale to identify whether nurses observe or violate patient privacy at workplace. RESEARCH DESIGN: This research was a methodological and descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: Participants were 354 nurses working at private hospitals and hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Istanbul/Turkey. Data were collected with a questionnaire about the demographic characteristics of nurses and their opinions about patient privacy and with patient privacy scale. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: After getting permission from the top management of hospitals, information about the study was given to nurses. Those willing to participate were informed that participation was voluntary and invited to give written consent before data collection. FINDINGS: The content validity index of scale was 0.91, Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, Spearman-Brown and Guttman coefficients were 0.85, the upper and lower 27% test was -29.65, and item-total correlation values ranged from 0.47 to 0.71. The scale had five subscales. In addition, 49% of the nurses stated that patient privacy was always observed in their services/units. They appraised with a mean score of 4.51 ± 0.49 for the total scale, 4.39 ± 0.61 for confidentiality of personal information and private life, 4.39 ± 0.70 for sexual privacy, 4.56 ± 0.57 for the privacy of those unable to protect themselves, 4.60 ± 0.59 for physical privacy, and 4.60 ± 0.52 for ensuring a favorable environment. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study were in contrast with the results of some international studies which determined the violation of the patient privacy. CONCLUSION: The patient privacy scale is a valid and reliable tool to collect data on whether nurses observe or violate patient privacy, and the nurses generally reported observing or paying attention to patient privacy in all hospitals and especially private hospitals.

Image of nursing held by nursing students according to gender: a qualitative study.

This paper is a report of a study to determine the nursing images of female and male nursing students. The study used a qualitative research design to determine nursing images of male (n = 20) and female (n = 20) nursing students. To analyse the data, the method used content analysis. Statements were organized under three categories and seven themes after content analysis. The first category, nursing concept, incorporates the two themes of: (i) female or sister; (ii) job definition. The second category, choosing, incorporates the four themes of: (i) Desire of Others; (ii) Guarantee of Work; (iii) Being Helpful to Others; and (iv) Limited to Academic Achievement. The third category, Gender, incorporates the one theme of: (i) Gendered Approach. Male students have started to take part in nursing programs relatively recently; therefore, more research is needed in the fields of academic accomplishments of male students.

Breathing therapy and emotional freedom techniques on public speaking anxiety in Turkish nursing students: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Public speaking is a common challenge that university students have to face. This study aims to determine the effects of Breathing Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on public speaking anxiety in Turkish nursing students. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 76 nursing students. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Speech Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: Before the administration of Breathing Therapy and EFT, the students' median scores from the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Speech Anxiety Scale were similar. However, the median scores of the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Speech Anxiety Scale scores significantly decreased in both of the experimental groups after the interventions (p <0.001). EFT (d = 3.18) was more effective than Breathing Therapy (d = 1.46) in reducing Speech anxiety. CONCLUSION: It was found that Breathing Therapy and EFT are effective methods to reduce stress, anxiety, and speaking anxiety.

The effect of acupressure on sleep quality of older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effects of acupressure on sleep quality and insomnia symptoms have been studied in various groups of haemodialysis patients, those undergoing surgery, and those living in elderly care homes. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of acupressure on sleep quality in elderly people. METHODS: This study was conducted with a systematic review and meta-analysis. In this study, electronic databases of PubMed, Science Direct, National Thesis centre, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO were systematically scanned between December 2020 and February 2021 using the keywords "older, elderly, sleep quality, acupressure". The study included 11 articles published in English and Turkish languages without any year limitation. This systematic review and meta-analysis were done by following the PRISMA reporting system. RESULTS: The total sample size of 11 randomized controlled trials included in this systematic review and meta-analysis was 722 (experiment: 363 and control: 359), and the mean duration of acupressure interventions applied was 19.65 ± 11.28 days. The sleep quality of the acupressure group in the elderly was significantly increased compared to the control group (MD: -1.71,%95 CI: -2.31 to -1.11, Z = 5.60, p< 0.00001, I2 = 91%). After the subjects received training for acupressure application and applied acupressure themselves, their sleep quality improved compared to the control group (MD: -0.86, 95% CI: -1.39 to -0.32, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We have utilized meta-analysis to try to reveal statistical significance by pooling small studies with high quality. This meta-analysis provided a potentially effective intervention on the quality of sleep in elderly people.

Crisis management: the activities of nurse managers in Turkey.

Crisis management is the process of preventing the organization from getting into a crisis and taking the organization out of the situation with minimum costs and losses in sudden crisis situations. A descriptive study design was used to determine the activities of nurse managers regarding crisis management. The most common type of crisis encountered at hospitals was natural disasters such as earthquakes. To cope with stress regarding crises, 71.6% of nurse managers stated they leave the resolution of crises to the top management, 64.7% noted they increase the number of the staff members, and 58.1% said they ignore crises. It was concluded nurse managers were partially prepared for crises or crisis management. Activities of nurse managers for more efficient crisis management in hospitals can be restructured according to the results and suggestions of the research. Crises can be coped with, turned into opportunities, and negative effects of crises can be minimized.

Reliability and construct validity of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II in an adult Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among Turkish people, who are experiencing a lifestyle transition from a developing country to one undergoing rapid modernization, although health promotion is receiving increasing attention regarding its prominent role in healthcare. Use of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) has the advantage of allowing comparison of different international populations, although cultural adaptations are needed. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to adapt the HPLPII culturally and to assess its psychometric properties. METHODS: Analyzed were internal reliability among 972 adults and test-retest stability among 160 adults. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Samples sizes for EFA and CFA were 420 and 500, respectively. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficients surpassed .70 for HPLPII and six subscales. All items, except one, had acceptable item-total correlations of >.20. Test-retest results showed stability for HPLPII and for subscales. Varimax rotation yielded five factors with eigenvalues >1, explaining 41% of the variance. Two items were excluded because their factor loadings differed by <.30 or they had cross-factor loadings. The CFA five-factor model based on EFA represented an acceptable fit. Testing of latent construct measurement models reduced the number of items from 52 to 48. The revised 48-item six-factor model had perfect fit. DISCUSSION: The HPLPII had satisfactory psychometric properties. It can be used to measure health-promoting lifestyle in the Turkish population.

The occupational safety and health in hospitals from the point of nurses.

Hospitals have many forms of danger due to many different working conditions. Hospital personnel also take risks whilst providing health care which may cause health problems to themselves. The research, related to health and safety of nurses and other staff was carried out in order to compare and determine the occupational health problems and evaluate the occupational safety precautions and applications of a private hospital accredited with JCI (Joint Commission International) and also a university hospital. The research took place amongst 162 nurses of a university hospital and 150 nurses of a private hospital, both in Istanbul, Turkey. The data was gathered between March and July 2007 using a survey consisting of 7 questions to find out the socio-demographic characteristics and 17 questions related to the occupational safety precautions and the occupational health problems of health personnel. According to the nurses, the safety applications and precautions of the private hospital were better than the university hospital. It was found out that the university hospital was poor at providing an ergonomic working environment and the private hospital was poor at planning the timetables of the nurses. In addition to this,--in both hospitals--sharp or pointed devices, blood/blood fluids and infected material were discovered to cause occupational diseases and other problems. In conclusion, the precautions and applications regarding occupational health and safety in the private hospital accredited with JCI were better than the university hospital.

Nursing satisfaction and job enrichment in Turkey.

Survey research was conducted with the aim of better understanding nurses' perceptions of organizational factors which relate to their job satisfaction and motivation in Turkey. Nurses (N = 290) who were employed at a training and research hospital, part of the Turkish Republic Ministry of Health, were included. The questionnaire used was developed for this study based on Hackman and Oldman's job enrichment theory. The results showed that only one third of the nurse leaders and one in five of the staff nurses reported being satisfied with their job. The participants saw the five core job dimensions of Hackman and Oldman's work design model: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback as important for nurses. Nursing was described by the participants as hard and challenging, but they also found it meaningful and said that it gave them the opportunity to use their skills and abilities.

Nursing education in Turkey: from past to present.

Nursing education in Turkey first began in 1912 with the introduction of a 6-month course to train voluntary medical attendants, with Dr. Besim Omer Pasha's advice to the Red Crescent Association regarding the inadequacy of healthcare services, as a crucial need for nursing services resulted due to significant losses given during Tripoli (1911) and the Balkan (1912) wars. Carrying out their duties in battlefields and hospitals with great devotion, the first nurses graduated from the course played a significant role in promoting the nursing profession and its importance. Nursing education which used to continue at the secondary and high-school levels increased to bachelor's level in 1955. Master's program in nursing was opened in 1968, and Ph.D. programs was opened in 1972. Professional members of the practice, well-equipped in accordance with the requirements of the age, who conduct their studies at the national and international levels, are trained as the consequence of the recent developments in nursing education. The number of nurses at the universities who offered higher levels of academic degree, and especially the number of nurses who gained 'science expert' title at the inpatient medical establishments has increased. This situation and globalization, which ensures an easier access to nursing literature through internet, enable a more systematic and of a better quality healthcare. This article explains the nursing education in Turkey from past to present. The developments in nursing education which have taken place in Turkey are expressed in a chronological order, starting from the Ottoman Empire, until the present. Compared with other countries, nursing education is given on different levels in Turkey. Recently, however, the obstacles regarding the differences especially at the bachelor's degree level were overcome, appropriate changes were made, and education melioration efforts gained speed.

The Hospital Ethical Climate Survey in Turkey.

This study was planned to assess the validity and reliability of the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (Olson, 1995) in Turkey and to determine how nurses perceive the ethical climate of their working environment. The study was conducted on 276 nurses working in university, social insurance, state, and private hospitals. Five subfactors measured: assessment of the relationships between unit/department, manager, hospital, colleague, and doctors based on ethical climate. Significant differences were found, showing that the type of hospital greatly affected the level of positive perception as did the age of the nurse and the unit on which they worked.