Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Expectation Questionnaire for Thalassaemia Major Patients.

Nowadays, thalassaemia major (TM) patients are surviving into mature young adulthood; however, no published instrument exists to measure the expectations' dimensionality among older TM patients in their thirties. This study seeks to validate a novel multidimensional expectation questionnaire suitable for TM patients (MEQ-TMP) reaching their fourth decade of life. In order to establish the psychometric properties of the instrument, data analysis was carried out. The principal component analysis revealed four components ('Supportive social network'; 'Raising one's own family'; 'Career advancement'; 'Ability of daily activities'). Their cumulative contribution rate was 66.32%. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.87. Each subscale had an alpha value above 0.70; three subscales were in the 0.80 range. MEQ-TMP reliability was proved to be good. The known-group method served as a strategy in examining the operationalisation of the questionnaire's constructs. The present MEQ-TMP, developed for the aged group of TM patients, would be a useful tool for clinical personnel providing care to TM patients in understanding their outlook on life as they are growing up, to have better psychosocial adjustment to illness chronicity, live life as normally as possible, and fulfill their ambitions; thus enhancing their life satisfaction and quality of life.

Association Between Characteristics of Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients With Their Needs.

INTRODUCTION: During recent years that life expectancy of heart failure patients has been increased, health professionals put more emphasis on assessing their needs in daily clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between characteristics of hospitalized heart failure patients with their needs. METHODS: A sample of 190 hospitalized patients with HF, recruited from public hospitals in Greece, was enrolled in the study. Data were collected by the completion of a questionnaire which included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and the questionnaire "Needs of hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease" which is consisted of 6 subscales. Statistical methods used were Kruskal wallis-test or Mann-Whitney test and Spearmans' rho coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate the association between patients' characteristics and the significance of their needs. RESULTS: 124 (65.3%) of hospitalized heart failure participants were men and 89 (46.8%) of participants were more than 70 years old. 145 (76.3%) had prior experience of hospitalization due to heart failure. The need for support and guidance was statistically significantly associated with the degree of information, (p=<0.001). The need for information from the medical and nursing staff was significantly associated with marital status and degree of information (p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). The need for need for being in contact with other patient groups, and ensuring communication with relatives was statistically significantly associated with the professional status and degree of information, (p=0.037 and p=<0.001 respectively). The need for individualized treatment and the need for patient's personal participation to his/her treatment as well as the need to meet the emotional and physical needs were statistically significant associated with the degree of information, (p=<0.001, p=<0.001 respectively). Lastly, the need to trust the medical and nursing staff was statistically significantly associated with the place of residence and the degree of information, (p=0.023 and p<0.001). These results were confirmed by the multiple linear regression after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Information seems to be of vital importance when assessing the needs of heart failure patients. Therefore, providing elaborate information should be an integral part of their therapeutic regimen.