Measurement properties and factor analysis of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-short form (DFS-SF).

The purpose of this paper is to provide measurement properties evaluation and factor analysis of the Brazilian version of the diabetic foot ulcer scale-short form (DFS-SF). This methodological study evaluated the measurement properties of the DFS-SF by ceiling and floor effect reliability, responsiveness, and structural construct validity. The study included 290 people with diabetic foot under regular follow-up in a specialised outpatient clinic in inland São Paulo. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability. Ceiling and floor effects were assessed by the percentage of participants who scored the 15% worst (floor) and 15% best (ceiling) possible scale results. Validity was tested by correlating the instrument values with the domains of the Brazilian version of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Responsiveness (n = 34) was accessed through the wound area obtained by photography and evaluated by the Image J Features program and the DFS-SF score at two moments, with a 4-week interval between them. The instrument had good evidence of reliability, shown by adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha in domains >0.70) and compound reliability (0.84 > CC > 0.92); and of convergent validity, by significant positive correlations of moderate to strong magnitude with SF-36. Structural construct validity was examined by applying the DFS-SF confirmatory factor analysis, which indicated that the Brazilian version of the instrument is properly fitted to the original dimensional structure. The ceiling and floor effect analysis showed no ceiling or floor effects. Responsiveness was observed in the wound area, but not in the DFS-SF scores in the times. The Brazilian version of the DFS-SF presented evidence of validity and reliability, suggesting that this instrument is a valid tool for assessing the quality of life of people with diabetic foot in the Brazilian population.

Musculoskeletal symptoms, work ability, and disability among nursing personnel.

Nursing personnel are at risk for developing musculoskeletal symptoms, which can result in persistent pain and inability to work. This study was designed to investigate the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and their association with work role as well as to verify the relationship between pain intensity and disability among symptomatic individuals. Three hundred one nursing personnel, of whom 80.7% had musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body part, participated in the study. The mean work ability score of symptomatic personnel was lower for physical demands. A significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic personnel was found for each demand measured by the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire, except social demand. Correlations were moderate but significant between pain intensity and disability. The results suggest that musculoskeletal symptoms interfere with work life.

Validity and reliability of a job factors questionnaire related to the work tasks of physical therapists.

Physical therapists engage in work tasks that expose them to occupational risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders. Due to the gap in the literature on instruments focused on those workers, this study adapted a job factors questionnaire to physical therapists, and assessed its psychometric properties. The questionnaire was adapted and its content validity was established. The psychometric properties were evaluated among 142 physical therapists. Reliability was verified using the temporal-stability design and internal consistency. Construct validity was assessed with the known-groups technique. Test-retest results demonstrated intraclass correlation coefficients between .82 and .90 (p < .001). Cronbach's α of .91 verified the reliability of the questionnaire. The known-groups technique demonstrated a statistically significant difference on the scores of the items when physical therapists were compared to office workers. The results indicated that the adapted questionnaire had acceptable psychometric properties for assessing problematic job factors among physical therapists working in hospitals.

Publicaçöes em enfermagem: levantamento de prioridades / Nursing publications: a survey of priorities

A comissäo especial do Livro-Texto da ABEn concretizou um levantamento sobre as prioridades de publicaçäo em enfermagem no Brasil. Dos objetivos constaram: levantar os temas mais carentes de literatura na opiniäo de docentes das escolas de enfermagem do país; verificar as principais dificuldades encontradas para a elaboraçäo de trabalhos e as formas de apresentaçäo da literatura preferida pelos docentes. Ao questionário responderam 47,6% das escolas e 39,5% dos docentes. Näo houve unanimidade nas respostas pois a falta de literatura atinge todas as áreas. Destacaram-se a necessidade em Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e em Saúde Pública e a preferência dos docentes recaiu sobre os livros-texto e revistas. Como dificuldades maiores para a divulgaçäo do conhecimento responsabilizaram as condiçöes de trabalho, a falta de tempo e recursos financeiros

[Nursing publication - a survey of priorities]. / PUBLICAÇÕES EM ENFERMAGEM: LEVANTAMENTO DE PRIORIDADES.

The Special Comission on Text-Book of the Nursing Brasilian Association (ABEn) developed a survey to stablish priorities for nursing publication in Brazil. A questionnaire was sent to three teachers of every brazilian school of nursing and the following subjects were emphasized: areas that needed coverage; difficulties encountered by professors in the edition of nursing texts; and their preference for available vehicles. 47,6% of the schools returned the questionnaires, but only 39,5% of the professors answered. A general lack of pertinent literature was recognized, but Psychiatric Nursing and Public Health were areas most frequently indicated. Professors expressed a general lack of both, the available time and financial resources, that were recognized as major difficulties for an effective dissemination of professional information.

Publicações em enfermagem: levantamento de prioridades

A Comissão Especial do Livro-Texto da ABEn, concretizou um levantamento sobre as prioridades de publicação em enfermagem no Brasil. Dos objetivos constaram: levantar os temas mais carentes de literatura na opinião de docentes de escolas de enfermagem no país; verificar as principais dificuldades encontradas para a elaboração de trabalhos e as formas de apresentação da literatura preferida pelos docentes. Ao questionário responderam 47,6das escolas e 39,5dos docentes. Não houve unanimidade nas resposta pois a falta de literatura atinge todas as áreas. Destacaram-se a necessidade em Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e em Saúde Pública e a preferência dos docentes recaiu sobre os livros-texto e revistas. Como dificuldades maiores para a divulgação do conhecimento responsabilizaram as condições de trabalho, a falta de tempo e recursos financeiros.