Reliability and validity assessment of the Chinese version of the Intrahospital Transport Safety Scale (IHTSS) in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients is a common practice in intensive care units (ICUs), where patients' safety is constantly challenged in high-intensity and dynamic environments. While Intrahospital Transport Safety Scale (IHTSS) is widely used internationally to evaluate the intrahospital transport safety, it has not been introduced in China. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the IHTSS scale among critical care nurses in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a cluster sampling method. A total of 544 critical care nurses from 25 ICUs in 10 tertiary hospitals were recruited. We employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the questionnaire's underlying factor structure, ensuring construct validity. Additionally, internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, test-retest reliability, and corrected item-total correlation. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the scale displayed robust psychometric properties, with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.976, a split-half reliability of 0.906, and a test-retest reliability of 0.856. EFA revealed a robust four-factor model that accounted for 75.970% of the variance, with the factor loadings of the items ranging from 0.433 to 0.951. CFA indicated a strong model fit, with a chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio (CMIN/DF) of 2.765, comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.943, incremental fit index (IFI) of 0.943, and goodness-of-fit index (GFI) of 0.845, supporting the efficacy of the four-factor model in assessing intrahospital transport safety for critically ill patients. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the IHTSS demonstrated favourable reliability and validity among critical care nurses in China, making it a suitable tool for measuring the level of intrahospital transport safety for critically ill patients.

Factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise: a qualitative study based on theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: Early postoperative exercise is effective in improving the prognosis of postoperative lung cancer patients, but compliance was lower than expected. Factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise were unclear. PURPOSE: To discuss the factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. METHODS: This was a qualitative study. Twenty-five lung cancer patients were recruited using purposive sampling, and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were performed. The reflexive intuitive thematic analysis method was used, and triangulation was employed to ensure the credibility of the study. RESULTS: Results of this study identified 8 themes from 3 aspects. For behavioral attitudes, two themes emerged: (1) Aware of the benefits of postoperative exercise, (2) Underestimate the importance of postoperative exercise. For subjective norms, four themes emerged: (1) Influence of caregiver support on carrying out postoperative exercise, (2) Short-term supervision of medical staff, (3) Positive driving effect from other patients, and (4) Motivation due to family responsibility. For perceived behavior control, two themes and six sub-themes emerged: (1) Obstacles before actual exercise (Lack of adequate knowledge of postoperative pulmonary exercise, Less active in seeking related knowledge about rehabilitation exercise, and Misconceptions about rehabilitation exercise); (2) Unpleasant experiences during exercise (Physical discomfort, Limited space and depressive atmosphere, and Psychological burden). CONCLUSIONS: Several factors could affect lung cancer patients' early postoperative exercise behavior. Healthcare professionals should fully understand these factors from patients' perspectives. Special interventions should be designed for the patients and their caregivers to correct cognitive bias, reduce obstacles, and promote compliance with exercise.

Gender differences in empathy, emotional intelligence and problem-solving ability among nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Empathy, emotional intelligence (EI) and problem-solving ability are three important characteristics that influence effective communication in clinical practice. Previous studies have not adequately explored the specific relationships between these three abilities and their gender differences among nursing students. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the current state of emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving ability in nursing students and to identify whether gender differences affect these three characteristics and how gender differences can be used to educate nurses on empathy. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 993 nursing students from two grade A tertiary hospitals in Hunan, China participated in this study. METHODS: Data were collected using the Empathy of Clinical Nurse Scale (ENCS), Emotional Intelligence Scale of Clinical Junior Nurses (EIS) and Social Problem-Solving Inventory (SPSI). Data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple linear regression. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the ENCS and SPSI scores between male and female nursing students, but male nursing students had lower EIS scores (P < 0.05). A significant association was found between ENCS, EIS and SPSI on most dimensions among female nursing students, but no significant association was found between ENCS and EIS for total scores among males. We found that problem-solving ability was the most important factor affecting the variation in empathy for both male and female nursing students through hierarchical multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences are reflected not only in the level of emotional intelligence but also in the relationships between emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving ability. Nursing educators should be aware of how gender differences can affect these three traits; this is particularly important for teaching based on students' aptitudes.

How to achieve self-growth as an intern nursing student in Intensive Care Unit: A qualitative study.

AIMS: To explore the clinical experiences of the intern nursing students who did their internship in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at least two months. The key point is to investigate how nursing students achieved self-development in ICUs. METHODS: Using qualitative study based on the grounded theory, we enrolled 15 intern nursing students from November 2021 to April 2022 in a Grade A hospital in Hunan Province, China. RESULTS: This study developed an explanatory theoretical framework of the interns' experience in ICUs, which was described as a comprehensive growth process for ICU interns. In this process, the intern nursing students often go through three stages: pressure period, adjustment period and growth period. Self-regulation and social interaction play a key role to help them get over the negative experiences they experienced in the stress period and achieve personal development. CONCLUSION: Clinical nursing educators could make appropriate interventions based on the characteristics of students at different intership stages in ICUs. The target training of intern nursing students should focus on their theoretical knowledge, emotion regulation, communication skills and personality optimization. In addition, clinical tutors should be trained regularly to prepare well for their important roles.

Stigma and related influencing factors in postoperative oral cancer patients in China: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To examine the level of stigma and identify its influencing factors among postoperative oral cancer patients in China. METHODS: In total, 274 postoperative oral cancer patients were recruited from a Grade A Tertiary Hospital in China using convenience sampling methods. Patients completed the Social Impact Scale (SIS), Medical Coping Mode Questionnaire (MCMQ), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE). RESULTS: Stigma reported by postoperative oral cancer patients was moderate (50.17 ± 21.24). Stepped multiple linear regression showed that the related factors influencing their feelings of stigma were educational level (ß = - 0.110, P = 0.001), smoking (ß = - 0.152, P < 0.001), betel quid (ß = - 0.120, P = 0.001), tumor location (ß = - 0.390, P < 0.001), tumor stage (ß = 0.219, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (ß = - 0.253, P < 0.001), and confrontation (ß = - 0.117, P = 0.001) and avoidance (ß = 0.123, P < 0.001), which explained 74.2% of the total variation in stigma (F = 99.378, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Stigma was positively predicted by tumor stage and avoidance but negatively predicted by education level, smoking, betel quid, tumor location, confrontation, and self-efficacy. Further work should focus on developing interventions to reduce stigma by improving protective factors and decreasing risk factors.