Effect of acupressure applied to L4 point on the severity of fistula needle pain in patients: A randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients usually feel pain when a needle is inserted into the fistula. This acute pain can be relieved by acupressure, which is a nonpharmacological application method. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the effect of acupressure application to the Hegu point on the severity of acute pain caused by fistula needle insertion in patients with antecubital arteriovenous fistula. DESIGN: It is a randomised control study. PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted with 32 intervention and 32 control patients, recruited from a dialysis centre of a foundation university in Turkey between October 2021 and January 2022. MEASUREMENTS: Acupressure was applied 3 min before needle placement in the fistula area of the patients in the experimental group. RESULT: While there was no decrease in the severity of acute pain during fistula needle insertion in the patients in the control group, there was a significant decrease in the mean acute pain severity scores experienced by the patients in the experimental group, whose Hegu point acupressure was applied. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the effectiveness of Hegu point acupressure as an effective and low-cost way to reduce the acute pain of needle insertion put on dialysis patients with a fistula. In addition, the results provide a practical reference for acute pain management for dialysis nurses.

Turkish healthcare professionals' views on palliative care.

The concept of modern palliative care has been disseminating slowly in Turkey and has recently been included in the National Cancer Control Program. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' knowledge and views of palliative care. It was conducted at three hospitals with a sample of 369 healthcare professionals working in adult clinics. Data were collected via open-ended questions and 16 statements from healthcare professionals on their views of palliative care. Most respondents stated that there was a lack of in-service/continuing education in palliative care, and more than half said they had not received any education in palliative care. A majority stated that the meaning and goal of palliative care is "improving the quality of life of a patient who is in the terminal stage." Lack of awareness of palliative care and a lack of educational resources in that field are the most frequently reported barriers to the development of palliative care in Turkey. Palliative care should be included in curricula for healthcare professionals and in-service education programs should be established.