Nurse Training in Gender-Based Violence Using Simulated Nursing Video Consultations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious global public health problem that becomes aggravated during public health emergencies that involve quarantine measures. It is important to train nursing students on GBV, especially in vulnerable situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of our study is to explore the perceptions of third-year nursing students about simulated nursing video consultations for providing assistance to potential cases of GBV victims using a high-fidelity clinical simulation methodology. After all of the simulated scenarios were completed, 48 scripted interviews were carried out following a guide composed of four open-ended questions to facilitate in-depth discussion. A descriptive qualitative study based on the interpretative paradigm was conducted. The nursing students indicated that they improved their knowledge on GBV victim management (mainly their awareness of the problem, recognition of the role of nursing professionals, and performance of non-technical skills), although they also mentioned the need for continuous training (particularly in socio-emotional skills, interview techniques, a holistic nursing care approach, and not presupposing). This innovative high-fidelity simulation methodology allows nursing students to improve their awareness of the GBV problem, acquire a realistic view about their role in addressing GBV, and build their non-technical skills (such as active listening, communication skills, empathy, and generating confidence) required to adequately care for victims of GBV.

Evaluation of the effect of relaxation therapy in patients with arterial hypertension. / Evaluación del efecto de la terapia de relajación en pacientes con hipertensión arterial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the application of a relaxation therapy reduces the blood pressure in hypertensive patients and whether there is improvement in several parameters which can influence blood pressure such as anxiety, quality of life and sleep. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study (measures before-after) was performed in 25 Primary Care patients with hypertension poorly controlled by pharmacological treatment. The intervention consisted of relaxation therapy composed of 3techniques: passive relaxation of Schwartz-Haynes, diaphragmatic breathing and imaginary visualization. A total of 14 group sessions of 30min each (2/week) were conducted. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were taken at the beginning and end of the relaxation programme implemented and after each of the programme sessions. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality, Quality of Life Hypertension, State-Trait Anxiety and Perceived Stress questionnaires were used to measure psychosocial parameters. RESULTS: After intervention, a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 20mmHg (p<.001) and of 8mmHg (p<.001) in diastolic blood pressure was observed. Regarding other factors, sleep quality (p<.001), quality of life (p<.001) and state anxiety (p=.004) were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Relaxation therapy had positive effects in improving blood pressure parameters, as well as the other factors evaluated. In our opinion, such strategies should be evaluated more thoroughly to consider their inclusion in Primary Care.