Risk Groups by the Needs for Help: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

To supply proper and sufficient information and coaching through cancer education, it is important to decide who are risk groups among a target population. A decision tree analysis could help decide the characteristics of the risk groups. This study aimed to identify the combined characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors that were closely linked to high needs for help during their breast cancer survivorship process. The data on the needs for help among 185 Asian American breast cancer survivors from a parent clinical trial were included in this analysis. The instruments included the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34 (SCNS-SF34) and multiple scales to measure the factors influencing the women's needs for help. The data were analyzed using latent profile analyses and decision tree analyses. The characteristics of the group with the highest needs for help were different depending on the types of needs. For instance, the group with the highest patient care/support needs for help score had high global symptom distress scores (cut point = 2.25) and high physical symptom distress (cut point = 1.57) and did not have regular access to health care (mean = 95.00; node 10). The findings suggest several risk groups to target in future interventions for cancer education to reduce the needs for help among this specific population. Multiple factors that could influence the needs for help among Asian American breast cancer survivors need to be considered in future intervention development for cancer education.

Five Dimensions of Needs for Help: The Efficacy of a Technology-Based Intervention Among Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

Cancer survivors including Asian American breast cancer survivors have reported their high needs for help during their survivorship process. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of technology-based programs to address their needs for help without face-to-face interactions has been highlighted. The purpose of this randomized intervention study was to determine the efficacy of a technology-based program in reducing various types of needs for help among this specific population. This was a randomized clinical trial with repeated measures. A total of 199 participants were included in the data analysis. The recruitment settings included both online and offline communities/groups for Asian Americans. The needs for help were assessed using the Support Care Needs Survey-34 Short Form (SCNS) subscales measuring psychological, information, physical, support, and communication needs. Data analysis was conducted through an intent-to-treat approach. In the mixed effect models, psychological needs, information needs, physical needs, and communication needs decreased over time (P < .001). However, there were no significant group * time effects. Social support significantly mediated the effects of a technology-based intervention on psychological, information, and support needs at the pre-test and the post-1 month. This study supported significant decreases in the needs for help of Asian American breast cancer survivors by a technology-based intervention. Further studies are needed with other racial/ethnic groups of cancer survivors to confirm the efficacy of a technology-based intervention in reducing cancer survivors' needs for help during their survivorship process.

Recruitment and Retention Issues in a Technology-Based Intervention Among Korean American Midlife Women With Depressive Symptoms.

The number of health technology-based intervention studies has grown significantly. However, issues in the recruitment and retention for such studies, especially of Asian Americans, have rarely been discussed. The purpose of this paper was to discuss issues in the recruitment and retention of a specific group of Asian Americans-Korean American midlife women with depressive symptoms-into a technology-based intervention study using computers and mobile devices with a measurement device and to provide directions for future participant recruitment and retention in technology-based intervention studies. The written memos of research team members and the written records of research team meetings were analyzed using a content analysis. The issues in the recruitment and retention process included (1) low recruitment and retention rates; (2) the perceived long intervention period; (3) strict inclusion/exclusion criteria; (4) concerns related to the use of a measurement device; and (5) the perceived adequacy of monetary incentives. Based on the issues identified in the study, several suggestions are made for future recruitment and retention of racial/ethnic minorities in technology-based intervention studies (eg, appropriate intervention period, innovative and creative motivation strategies, acceptable measurement scales and devices, and adequate monetary reimbursement).

The Characteristics of Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors with Low Quality of Life: a Decision Tree Analysis.

To provide appropriate and adequate information and support for Asian American breast cancer survivors, it would be essential to identify risk groups among them to target in future cancer education interventions. In this secondary analysis, the characteristics of risk groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors who had low quality of life were identified using a decision tree analysis. For this analysis, only the pre-test data of 185 women from a parent study were selected. Multiple instruments including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) were used in the parent study. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and decision tree analyses. The decision tree analyses showed six combined characteristics associated with lower quality of life scores than the total mean quality of life scores. For instance, the women with lower quality of life scores (than the total mean quality of life scores) had high perceived barriers (cut point = 1.84), low self-efficacy for coping (cut point = 81.50), and high global symptom distress (cut point = 2.27). Also, the characteristics linked to the lowest quality life scores were different depending on the dimensions of the quality of life. The characteristics associated with the quality of life of Asian American breast cancer survivors need to be considered in future education programs for this specific population.

Lessons from a Customer Discovery Study: a Technology-Based Cancer Support Program for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE: A culturally tailored technology-based cancer support program was recently developed and tested among Asian American breast cancer survivors. To explore future opportunities to sustain the program, the research team participated in the SPeeding Research-tested INTervention (SPRINT) program sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of this discussion paper is to share the lessons that the research team gained from a customer discovery study through the SPRINT program. METHODS: During the SPRINT program, a total of 73 stakeholders were recruited through a snowball sampling across the globe. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for customer discovery through WebEX, phone calls, and in-person visits (50 in-person interviews, 4 phone interviews, and 19 WebEx interviews). All the interviews were recorded using audio-taping or writing memos. Also, the research team wrote memos on the issues/concerns related to the project during the interview process. Then, the transcripts and memos were analyzed using a content analysis to provide evidence for the lessons. RESULTS: The themes reflecting the lessons from the customer discovery study included (a) "who are the stakeholders"; (b) "depending on stakeholders"; (c) "what works or not"; (d) "personal versus family responsibilities"; and (e) "depending on countries' situations." CONCLUSION: These lessons could provide directions for future development and implementation of technology-based cancer support programs for Asian American breast cancer survivors.

Immigration Transition and Symptom Distress Changes by a Technology-Based Intervention: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

Technology-based programs using computers and mobile devices are known to be effective in providing information and support to marginalized populations including immigrants. Yet, little is still known on the factors that may influence the effectiveness of technology-based programs in improving symptom experience, including immigration transition, especially among Asian American breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to identify the characteristics related to immigration transition that significantly affected the symptom distress changes by a technology-based information and coaching/support program among Asian American breast cancer survivors. This secondary analysis was conducted with the data from 102 Asian American breast cancer survivors from a randomized clinical trial in progress. Multiple instruments were used: the questions on background characteristics and immigration transition and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form. The data were analyzed using repeated-measurement analyses and decision tree analyses. The mean changes in the symptoms distress scores were as follows: -0.12 (SD, 0.47) in the Global Distress Index scores; -0.08 (SD, 0.43) in the physical symptom distress scores; and -0.15 (SD, 0.65) in the psychological symptom distress scores. The characteristics with the highest impact on the symptom distress score changes included the immigration age for Global Distress Index and physical symptom distress score and the level of acculturation for psychological symptom distress score.

Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression among Korean midlife women: a cross-sectional analysis study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression is higher among midlife women, and they have less control over their diabetes during the menopausal transition. However, there is limited evidence on the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression among Korean women in their midlife. This study aimed to examine the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression and explore the levels of awareness and treatment of depression among Korean midlife women with T2DM. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis study conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of 2014, 2016, and 2018. Korean women aged 40-64 years who randomly participated in the surveys were included, and 4,063 midlife women were selected as study participants. The diabetes progression status of the participants was classified into diabetes, pre-diabetes, and non-diabetes. Furthermore, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used for screening depression. Participants' awareness rate, treatment rate among incident cases of depression, and treatment rate among awareness cases of depression were also analyzed. For data analysis, the Rao-Scott χ2 test, multiple logistic regression, and linear regression were conducted using SAS 9.4 software program. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression significantly differed between diabetes, pre-diabetes, and non-diabetes groups. However, depression awareness, treatment/incident, and treatment/awareness rates did not differ statistically between the diabetes progression status groups. Compared to the non-diabetes group, diabetes group had a higher odds ratio of depression after adjusting for general and health-related factors. Thus, the diabetes group had significantly higher PHQ-9 scores than the non-diabetes group after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Women in their midlife who have type 2 diabetes mellitus tend to have higher levels of depressive symptoms and are at risk of depression. However, we found no significant differences between diabetes and non-diabetes regarding the awareness and treatment rates of depression in South Korea. We recommend that future studies focus on developing clinical practice guidelines aimed at additional screening and intervention for depression in midlife women with type 2 diabetes mellitus to ensure prompt treatment and improved outcomes.

Health Behavior Profiles Among Midlife Women: Identifying At-Risk Subgroups for Metabolic Syndrome Using Latent Class Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is known as a lifestyle disease that results from poor health behaviors. Yet, little is known about the subgroups of midlife women with distinct health behavior profiles who are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome. PURPOSE: This study aims to identify latent subgroups of midlife women with distinct health behavior profiles (physical activity, alcohol, diet, and smoking), to describe the characteristics of latent subgroups, and to examine the association between latent class membership and future development of metabolic syndrome. METHOD: This is a secondary data analysis using baseline and follow-up data from years 1, 3, 5, and 7 (N = 3,100) from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Latent class analysis was used to identify latent subgroups of midlife women based on their distinct health behavior profiles. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the individual characteristics of each latent subgroup and its association with the future development of metabolic syndrome. RESULT: A 4-class model was selected: Class 1 (Healthy), Class 2 (Healthy except alcohol), Class 3 (Healthy except diet), and Class 4 (Unhealthy). Significant differences in individual characteristics were found among the four latent classes (p < .001). The regression analysis found that Class 2 had lower odds of developing metabolic syndrome at all future visits with statistical significance reached at visit 3 (p < .05) while Class 4 had higher odds of developing metabolic syndrome at all visits except visit 3 when both compared to Class 1. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should use the study findings to offer personalized approach to promote healthy behaviors and to guide future development of health promotion programs for midlife women.

Symptom Clusters and Key Symptoms Among Midlife Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women With and Without Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Midlife perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome experience multiple symptoms concurrently. OBJECTIVE: The study objectives were to examine the relationship among symptoms through network visualization and identify and compare symptom clusters and key symptoms across symptom occurrence and symptom severity dimensions in midlife perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (Visit 5) were used for analysis. A machine-learning-based network analysis and the Walktrap algorithm were used to fulfill the study objectives. RESULTS: The number and types of symptom clusters differed between the groups. Midlife perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome experienced the psychological/somatic/genital cluster (key symptom: frequent mood change), the sleep/urinary cluster (sleep disturbance), and the vasomotor cluster (cold sweat) in the symptom occurrence dimension and the psychological/somatic/sexual cluster (anxiety), the sleep/urinary cluster (sleep disturbance), and the vasomotor/genital cluster (night sweat) in the symptom severity dimension. In contrast, midlife perimenopausal and postmenopausal women without metabolic syndrome experienced the psychological cluster (anxiety), the sleep/somatic/genitourinary cluster (sleep disturbance), and the vasomotor cluster (night sweat) in the symptom occurrence dimension and the psychological/somatic cluster (anxiety), the sleep/urinary cluster (sleep disturbance), the vasomotor cluster (night sweat), and the sexual/genital cluster (vaginal dryness) in the symptom severity dimension. DISCUSSION: The study findings may serve as a knowledge basis for effective assessment and management of symptom clusters and key symptoms in clinical settings and provide directions for future development of targeted symptom management interventions.

Information Needs of Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors: a Decision Tree Analysis.

Through a decision tree analysis, this study aimed to determine the characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors who had higher decreases in their need for information by a technology-based information and coaching/support program compared with their counterparts. This is a part of a larger randomized controlled trial; only the data from 99 Asian American breast cancer survivors were used for this analysis. The measurement scales included the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form, the Cancer Behavior Inventory, the Questions on Attitudes, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioral Control and Behavioral Intention, and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34. The data analysis was done using t-tests, chi-square tests, repeated measurement analyses, and a decision tree analysis. The information needs scores of all the participants decreased during the 3-month intervention period (p < .005). However, only the intervention group had statistically significant decreases in the information needs scores during the 3 months (dif. = - 8.545; p < .005). Those with low social influence scores and high self-efficacy scores had significantly larger decreases in their information needs scores compared with the average change scores (100%, p < 01). Asian American breast cancer survivors with low social influences and high self-efficacy would highly benefit from a technology-based intervention for their need for information.

A Decision Tree Analysis on the Impact of a Technology-Based Program on Symptom Distress: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors.

Using a decision tree analysis, this study aimed to identify the characteristics of the groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress scores were effectively improved by a technology-based program. This was a secondary analysis of the data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial among 115 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The instruments were questions on background factors; the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form; the Cancer Behavior Inventory; the Questions on Attitudes, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Behavioral Intention; and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34. The data were analyzed using chi-square tests, t tests, repeated measurement analyses, and decision tree analyses. The decrease in the global distress index scores was the largest (1.253 points) among those with high psychological support needs. The decrease in the physical symptom distress scale scores was the largest (1.133 points) among those with high physical and daily living support needs who had a short US residence period and who were young. The decrease in the psychological symptom distress scores was the largest (1.511) among those with high psychological support needs. The findings suggest several characteristics of the groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress could be highly improved by a technology-based intervention.

Attitudes toward Alzheimer's disease and dementia caregiving and health outcomes: Racial and ethnic differences.

This study aimed to explore racial/ethnic differences in the attitudes toward Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and dementia caregiving among midlife women who were family caregivers of persons living with AD (MWPLAD) in the U.S. and examine the associations of the attitudes to their health outcomes. This was a cross-sectional online survey study among 172 MWPLAD. The instruments included: the Attitude toward AD and Related Dementias Scale, the Questions on Attitudes toward AD Caregiving, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the EQ-5D-5L and the Midlife Women's Symptom Index. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. There were significant racial/ethnic differences in caregivers' attitudes toward dementia caregiving, health-related quality of life, and total severity scores of symptoms (p < .01). Controlling for covariates including race/ethnicity, caregivers' positive attitudes toward dementia caregiving were significantly associated with their health outcomes (p ≤ .05). Interventions for MWPLAD need to consider racial/ethnical differences in their attitudes toward dementia caregiving.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Cardiovascular Health in South Korea: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: To improve the cardiovascular health of those with socioeconomic disadvantages, the nature of their disparities must be explored to inform targeted interventions for this group. However, these efforts have been scarce in all areas of nursing research and practice in South Korea. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to examine the nature of socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular health in South Korea. METHODS: Multiple electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane (2009-2019.06) were searched. A total of 42 articles published in English or Korean that examined socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular health in South Korea were selected, reviewed, and analyzed using a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Socioeconomic disparities existed in cardiovascular health among Korean populations across the disease continuum from risk factors to mortality. The magnitudes, directions, and significance of the observed associations between socioeconomic status and cardiovascular health varied by socioeconomic status indicators, gender, and age groups. Five studies (12%) explained the mediation and moderation of multiple factors to the associations. CONCLUSION: This body of knowledge will serve as a basis to inform strategies, interventions, or policies to reduce disparities in cardiovascular health.

The Contribution of Material, Behavioral, Psychological, and Social-Relational Factors to Income-Related Disparities in Cardiovascular Risk Among Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the factors underlying health disparities is vital to developing strategies to improve health equity in old age. Such efforts should be encouraged in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study explored how material, behavioral, psychological, and social-relational factors contribute to income-related disparities in cardiovascular risk among Korean adults 65 years and older. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013-2017), targeting 7347 older adults (≥65 years). Socioeconomic position, defined as income, was the primary indicator. The outcome was binary for predicted cardiovascular risk (<90 vs ≥90 percentile). Disparities were measured using relative index of inequality (RII). The contributions of material, behavioral, psychological, and social-relational factors were estimated by calculating percentage reduction in RII when adjusted for these factors. RESULTS: Among men aged 65 to 74 years and women 75 years or older, the largest reductions in RII were achieved after adjusting for social-relational factors. Among men 75 years or older and women aged 65 to 74 years, adjusting for material factors resulted in the largest reductions in RII. Adjustments for behavioral factors also reduced RII for both genders aged 65 to 74 years. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the social, material, and behavioral circumstances of lower-income older adults may help address income-related disparities in cardiovascular risk in old age.

A technology-based information and coaching/support program and self-efficacy of Asian American breast cancer survivors.

Women's self-efficacy for coping with breast cancer is one of the key factors that lead to successful breast cancer survivorship. Due to the cultural stigma linked to breast cancer (e.g., breast cancer is a genetic disease), Asian Americans are known as a high-risk group within breast cancer survivors. However, healthcare providers are challenged to promote women's self-efficacy while considering their cultural beliefs and attitudes. In this study, the efficacy of a technology-based information and coaching/support program was examined in improving self-efficacy for coping with breast cancer among Asian American survivors. A randomized repeated measures control group study was conducted with 67 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The questions on background characteristics, the Personal Resource Questionnaire, the Perceived Isolation Scale, the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34, and the Cancer Behavior Inventory were used. The data were analyzed using repeated measurement analyses, χ2 tests, and decision tree analyses. There were significant increases in the self-efficacy scores of both control and intervention groups over time (p = .017). However, the increase in the control group's self-efficacy scores was only up to post 1 month, and there was a decrease in the scores by post 3 months. When the participants were divided into high and low-change groups based on the changes in their self-efficacy scores for 3 months, the intervention group had more participants who belonged to the high-change group (p = .036). The technology-based intervention was effective in improving self-efficacy for coping with breast cancer among Asian American breast cancer survivors.

COVID-19 and nursing research across five countries/regions: Commonalities and recommendations.

With the recent impact by the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing research has gone through unexpected changes across the globe. The purpose of this special report is to present the commonalities in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing research across four countries, including the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and one region, that is, Hong Kong, and to make recommendations for future nursing research during the immediate postpandemic period and future pandemic situations. To identify the commonalities, seven researchers/leaders from the five countries/regions had discussions through 3 days of an international workshop. The content for this discussion paper derived from: (a) the exemplars/cases of the COVID-19 impact on the research process, (b) researchers/leaders' presentations on the COVID-19 impact, and (c) memos from the workshop. The materials were analyzed using a simple content analysis. The commonalities included: (a) "a heavy emphasis on teaching and fluctuating productivity," (b) "increased funding opportunities and governmental support," (c) "gendered experience complicated by professional differences," (d) "delays and changes/modifications in research process," (e) "limited research settings and difficulties in getting access," and (f) "increased online dissemination activities with positive changes in the image of nursing." With all collective wisdom that nurse researchers have obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing research will evolve again for the successful future of the nursing discipline.

The Reproductive Health Priorities, Concerns, and Needs of Women in Midlife: A Feminist Poststructuralist Qualitative Analysis.

Reproductive health research rarely involves the inclusion of women over 40, creating a large knowledge gap regarding women in midlife. Women continue to have reproductive health needs, concerns, and priorities up to the point of menopause that should be examined to improve reproductive health outcomes and provide individualized care. In-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women between the ages of 40 and 55 who had not reached menopause and did not have a permanent method of sterilization. Using the feminist poststructuralist tenets, three major themes were identified: (a) knowledge acquisition during the perimenopause, (b) subjectivity regarding family planning, and (c) the agency of aging. Participants spoke to a need for reproductive health that listens to their lived experience, addresses menopause clinically and positively, and encourages autonomously driven health priorities. Further research on effective nonhormonal contraception, education on perimenopausal symptoms, and healthy aging is necessary.

The efficacy of a technology-based information and coaching/support program on pain and symptoms in Asian American survivors of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common problem, especially in the first few years of breast cancer survivorship. Asian American survivors of breast cancer reportedly have inadequate cancer pain management, and subsequently report a lower quality of life compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Technology-based programs could improve the cancer pain management process. The purpose of the current study was to examine the efficacy of a technology-based information and coaching/support program on cancer pain and its accompanying symptoms among Asian American survivors of breast cancer. METHODS: The current study adopted a randomized pretest/posttest group design. The sample included 115 Asian American survivors of breast cancer (49 in the control group and 66 in the intervention group). The participants' background features, pain (frequency and distress), accompanying symptom distress (global, physical, and psychological), and 4 theory-based mediators (attitude, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and social influence) were measured using multiple instruments at 3 time points (pretest, after 1 month, and after 3 months). The current study used an intent-to-treat approach and conducted linear mixed model growth curve analyses. RESULTS: There were significant decreases noted in all outcome variables, including pain and symptoms over time in both groups. There were greater decreases in physical symptom distress scores among the intervention group compared with the control group (P = .0229). The mediators as a whole significantly explained overall decreases in general, physical, and psychological symptom distress scores after 3 months in both groups and the intervention group's greater decreases in general, physical, and psychological symptom distress scores after 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The technology-based program described herein could help to reduce cancer pain and its accompanying symptoms among Asian American survivors of breast cancer.

Maternal Age Patterns of Preterm Birth: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Chronic Stress and Race/Ethnicity.

BACKGROUND: Despite the suggested contribution of cumulative chronic stress to the racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth (PTB), it is unclear how chronic stress, maternal age, and race/ethnicity are linked underlying PTB. PURPOSE: We investigated the moderating effect of chronic stress on the maternal age-PTB association among non-Hispanic (N-H) White, N-H Black, Hispanic, and Asian women. METHODS: We analyzed the Washington State's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data linked with birth certificates. The sample included women aged 18 years or older who birthed the first, singleton baby without birth defects. Chronic stress was measured by race/ethnicity-specific chronic stress indices. A maternal age-chronic stress interaction was modeled to predict PTB by logistic regression stratified by race/ethnicity. In subanalysis, the moderating role of racism was investigated in the maternal age-chronic stress interaction among three minority groups combined. RESULTS: Women's maternal age trajectory of PTB varied by their race/ethnicity and chronic stress level. N-H White and N-H Black women showed a steeper maternal age-related increase in PTB (weathering) under higher chronic stress, indicating a chronic stress' cumulative effect with maternal age. Besides, the extent of weathering was amplified by racism on top of chronic stress, particularly among N-H Black women. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that both chronic stress and racism may develop accelerated PTB risk among minority women. Future research should use more objective and accurate chronic stress measures to ascertain the complex relationships among chronic stress, racial discrimination, and maternal age underlying the racial/ethnic differentials in PTB.

Current Trends in Nursing Research Across Five Locations: The United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong.

PURPOSE: Despite the importance of research in the discipline of nursing, current trends in nursing research have rarely been discussed across countries. The purpose of this article was to identify current trends in nursing research across five countries, including the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong, in order to provide directions for future global nursing research. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCT: A discussion article. METHODS: To identify the current trends, seven leaders from the five countries had discussions through a series of workshops and conference presentations. After the most recent conference, all the leaders reflected for a month on their presentations and compiled the exemplars and cases from their experience and the existing literature in individual countries into a table. The tables and supporting references were collected at the completion of the reflection period. Then, the PowerPoint (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) slideshows of the conference presentations by the leaders and the collected tables were analyzed using a content analysis. FINDINGS: Six themes reflecting the current trends in nursing research were extracted: (a) demographic alterations; (b) increasing diversities and globalization; (c) technology innovation; (d) individualized or personal care and population health initiatives; (e) health policies and regulations; and (f) nursing workforce changes. CONCLUSIONS: Future directions for nursing research across the countries were proposed: (a) cost-effectiveness research; (b) implementation science; (c) data science; (d) training of the future generation of nurse researchers; (e) population health; and (f) team science. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This topic could be applied to any clinical settings.