Swedish translation and psychometric testing of the Self-Conscious Emotions in COPD Questionnaire.

Assessment of self-conscious emotions is important to develop tailored interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous instruments have largely been developed for mental health populations. The Self-Conscious Emotions in COPD Questionnaire was the first instrument to assess self-conscious emotions in people with COPD, but it was only available in English. The aim was to translate the Self-Conscious Emotions in COPD Questionnaire into Swedish and to evaluate its psychometric properties and internal structure in a Swedish context. The translation process included forward and backward translation, a multidisciplinary meeting, assessment of content validity, and cognitive interviews. The translated instrument was tested in a sample of 173 people with COPD between September 2021 and September 2022. Parallel analysis (PA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and test-retest reliability was performed. The content validity index (CVI) for the instrument was 0.88. Based on the PA, an EFA with a two-factor solution was conducted, with a high Cronbach's alpha (0.786-0.821), and one item about self-blame was excluded. The two factors were labelled: The burden of living with a disability and The desire to hide vulnerability. Test-retest reliability showed no difference between scale scores on factor or item level, except for one item. The Swedish Self-Conscious Emotions in COPD showed good validity and reliability. One item was excluded from the two subscales, indicating that the instrument needs to be further developed to cover the concept of self-blame. The instrument is expected to be a valuable tool for assessing self-conscious emotions in people with COPD.

Moral distress thermometer: Swedish translation, cultural adaptation and validation.

BACKGROUND: Moral distress is a problem and negative experience among health-care professionals. Various instruments have been developed to measure the level and underlying reasons for experienced moral distress. The moral distress thermometer (MDT) is a single-tool instrument to capture the level of moral distress experienced in real-time. AIM: The aim of this study was to translate the MDT and adapt it to the Swedish cultural context. RESEARCH DESIGN: The first part of this study concerns the translation of MDT to the Swedish context, and the second part the psychometric testing of the Swedish version. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: 89 healthcare professionals working at a hospital in northern Sweden participated. Convergent validity was tested between MDT and Measure of Moral Distress-Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP), and construct validity was tested by comparing MDT scores among healthcare professionals. MDT was compared with responses to the final questions in MMD-HP. One-way ANOVA, Welch's ANOVA, Games-Howell post-hoc test and Pearson's correlation analysis were done. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study was approved by the Swedish Ethics Review Authority (dnr 2020-04120) in accordance with Helsinki Declaration. RESULTS: The translated Swedish version of MDT was described as relevant to capture the experience of moral distress. The mean value for MDT was 2.26, with a median of 2 and a mode value of 0. The result showed moderate correlations between the MDT and MMD-HP total scores. There was a significant difference when comparing MDT and healthcare professionals who had never considered leaving their present position with those who had left and those who had considered leaving but had not done so, with the latter assessing significantly higher moral distress. CONCLUSION: The MDT is an easily available instrument useful as an extension to MMD-HP to measure the real-time experience of moral distress among healthcare professionals in a Swedish context.

Psychometric testing of the Swedish version of the measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals (MMD-HP).

BACKGROUND: Moral distress has been described as moral constraints and uncertainty connected with guilty feelings of being unable to give care in accordance with one's values for good care. Various instruments to measure moral distress have been developed. The instrument measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals (MMD-HP) was developed to capture the experience and frequency of moral distress among various healthcare professionals. The MMD-HP has been translated and culturally adapted into the Swedish language and context; however, the translation has not been validated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals (MMD-HP). METHODS: Eighty-nine staff from various professions at a hospital in northern Sweden participated in the study. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to check for consistency with the original version of the MMD-HP. To evaluate internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was calculated for each domain and for the scale as a whole. RESULTS: The scale as a whole showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96, with a range between 0.84 and 0.90 between the different subscales. A confirmatory factor analysis based on the original four-factor structure showed good fit indices with a χ2/df of 0.67, CFI at 1.00, TLI at 1.02 and NFI at 0.97. RMSEA was at 0.00, and SRMR was at 0.08. A comparison of the total score between three equally large groups of years of experience at the present workplace showed no significant differences (F = 0.09, df = 2, p = 0.912). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the Swedish version of the MMD-HP has shown validity and reliability for use in a Swedish context for measuring moral distress among health personnel.

The Swedish Version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire: Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing digitalization in health care, an effective instrument is necessary to assess health care consumers' digital competencies-their "eHealth literacy." The 7-scale eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), based on the theoretically robust eHealth Literacy Framework, has shown strong psychometric properties in Denmark and Australia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the eHLQ. METHODS: We followed the Translation Integrity Procedure guidelines to translate and culturally adapt the questionnaire to Swedish using forward and backward translations, review by an expert panel, and cognitive interviewing. The psychometric properties of the Swedish eHLQ were investigated by evaluating its internal consistency (Cronbach α) and a priori-defined factor structure (confirmatory factor analysis). RESULTS: A total of 236 primary health care patients and parents of hospitalized children were included in the validation analysis. The mean age was 48.5 years, and 129 (55%) were women. All 7 eHLQ scales showed good internal consistency, with the Cronbach α ranging from .82 to .92. Single-factor and 7-factor confirmatory factor analysis showed satisfactory model-fit values. With one exception, all items demonstrated satisfactory loadings on their respective factors. CONCLUSIONS: The Swedish eHLQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties. It has the potential as a useful tool for a variety of purposes, including population surveys, intervention evaluations, and eHealth service implementations.

Experiences of Online COVID-19 Information Acquisition among Persons with Type 2 Diabetes and Varying eHealth Literacy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internet has been a major source of information for people to keep updated with news and guidelines. However, concerns have been raised about the 'infodemic', which includes the overabundance of online information and the spread of misleading information. Adequate eHealth literacy skills among world citizens have therefore been emphasized as vital during the pandemic. Persons with type 2 diabetes have been at increased risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 disease. This study aimed to explore online COVID-19 information acquisition experiences among persons with type 2 diabetes and varying eHealth literacy. Fifty-eight participants filled out the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), along with a qualitative questionnaire with free-text questions. Additionally, 10 participants were interviewed. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns in participants' experiences. Two domains were identified: perceived challenges with online information about COVID-19, and coping strategies to manage challenges. The perceived challenges were: being exposed to information overload, dealing with conflicting information, and being strongly emotionally affected. The related coping strategies were: protecting oneself, trusting authorities, taking command, and using common sense. These strategies often involved triangulation of the information obtained, including participants consulting their common sense, various sources, or family and friends. This paper highlights the crucial role of authorities in delivering online information, that according to health literacy principles, is easy to access, understand, and use. Furthermore, our results reinforce the importance of diabetes nurses, as well as healthcare professionals in general, in encouraging patients to share their Internet findings, promote information from reliable sources, and deliver tailored information that suits individual needs. Because our results underline the importance of social support in eHealth literacy and the assessment of online health information, the inclusion of family and friends needs to be increasingly considered in diabetes care. Due to the small homogenous sample, the results of this study cannot be generalized. However, the reader can assess the transferability to other situations and settings based on our contextual descriptions.

Evaluation of the Implementation Process of a Family Systems Nursing Approach in Home Health Care: A Mixed-Methods Study.

To support the incorporation of Family Systems Nursing (FSN) in clinical practice, more understanding is needed about the implementation of FSN in home health practice settings. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate nurses' perspectives about the implementation process of Family Systems Nursing Conversations (FSNCs) in home health care. A mixed-methods research design was used, integrating qualitative and quantitative data, and using triangulation as a methodological metaphor. The Quality Implementation Framework (QIF) was applied to guide the implementation process, and Proctor et al.'s taxonomy of implementation outcomes was used to evaluate the process. The findings demonstrated that FSN implementation was in progress. Overall, acceptability and appropriateness of FSNCs were evaluated as positive by home health nurses; however, some obstacles were found relating to feasibility, adoption, and fidelity. These results contribute to an increased understanding of the process and challenges of implementing FSNCs in home health care.

Experiencing improved assessment and control of pain in end-of-life care when using the Abbey Pain Scale systematically.

Aim: To describe staff's reflections on aspects influencing pain assessment at end-of-life (EoL) care in nursing homes before and after the implementation of the Abbey Pain Scale (APS). Background: People with cognitive impairment in the EoL care often suffer from underdiagnosed and undertreated pain due to the lack of knowledge and guidelines for systematic pain assessment. Methods: Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The staff described their experiences before the implementation of APS as striving to achieve control of pain by trusting in themselves and the team, while the experiences after the implementation of APS were described as improving symptom control with remaining weak confidence in the team. Conclusions: Implementation of APS was experienced as improving systematic pain assessment. Efforts to establish clear routines and improve confidence in the care team would be prioritized to optimize pain assessment and pain relief in EoL care.

Cardiovascular drug use among people with cognitive impairment living in nursing homes in northern Sweden.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe changes in the pattern of cardiovascular agents used in elderly people living in nursing homes between 2007 and 2013. Further, the aim was to analyse the use of cardiovascular drugs in relation to cognitive impairment and associated factors within the same population, where prescription of loop diuretics was used as a proxy for heart failure. METHODS: Two questionnaire surveys were performed including 2494 people in 2007 and 1654 people in 2013 living in nursing homes in northern Sweden. Data were collected concerning drug use, functioning in activities of daily living (ADL) and cognition, using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS). The use of different drugs and drug classes among people at four different levels of cognitive function in 2007 and 2013 were compared. RESULTS: The proportion of people prescribed ASA and diuretics was significantly lower at all four levels of cognitive function in 2013 compared to 2007. Among people prescribed loop diuretics, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs) increased from 37.8 to 45.6%, ß-blockers from 36.0 to 41.8% and warfarin from 4.4 to 11.4%. The use of warfarin, ACEI/ARBs, ß-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) were less common among individuals with more severe cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that cardiovascular drug treatment has improved between 2007 and 2013, but there is room for further improvement, especially regarding adherence to guidelines for heart failure. Increasing cognitive impairment had an effect on treatment patterns for heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Using the Self-Management Assessment Scale for Screening Support Needs in Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, most countries face a common challenge by moving toward a population-based structure with an increasing number of older people living with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This creates a considerable burden on health care services. The use of digital tools to tackle health care challenges established views on traditional nursing, based on face-to-face meetings. Self-management is considered a key component of chronic care and can be defined as management of the day-to-day impact of a condition, something that is often a lifelong task. The use of a screening instrument, such as the Self-Management Assessment Scale (SMASc), offers the potential to guide primary health care nurses into person-centered self-management support, which in turn can help people strengthen their empowerment and self-management capabilities. However, research on self-management screening instruments is sparse, and no research on nurses' experiences using a digitalized scale for measuring patients' needs for self-management support in primary health care settings has been found. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes diabetes specialist nurses' (DSNs) experiences of a pilot implementation of the SMASc instrument as the basis for person-centered digital self-management support. METHODS: This qualitative study is based on observations and interviews analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: From the perspectives of DSNs, the SMASc instrument offers insights that contribute to strengthened self-management support for people with type 2 diabetes by providing a new way of thinking and acting on the patient's term. Furthermore, the SMASc was seen as a screening instrument with good potential that embraces more than medical issues; it contributed to strengthening person-centered self-management support, and the instrument was considered to lead both parts, that is, DSNs and patients, to develop together through collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: Person-centered care is advocated as a model for good clinical practice; however, this is not always complied with. Screening instruments, such as the SMASc, may empower both nurses and patients with type 2 diabetes with more personalized care. Using a screening instrument in a patient meeting may also contribute to a role change in the work and practice of DSNs.

Gottfries' Cognitive Scale for Staff Proxy Rating of Cognitive Function Among Nursing Home Residents.

BACKGROUND: For research purposes, there is a need for tools to assess an individual's level of cognitive function. For survey-based investigations in nursing home contexts, proxy ratings allow the assessment also of individuals with severe cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility and psychometric properties of Gottfries' cognitive scale when used in a nursing home context for proxy rating of cognitive function. METHOD: The psychometric properties of Gottfries' cognitive scale were investigated in a sample of 8,492 nursing home residents in Västerbotten County, Sweden, using item response theory and classic scale theory-based approaches. RESULTS: Cognitive function could be scored in 97.1% of the assessed individuals. The scale had a negligible floor effect, it had items with a large spread in difficulties, it appeared linear, and it distributed the assessed individuals equally over the scale. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.967, and an exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors of the scale - interpreted to represent orientation to time, to place, and to person. CONCLUSION: Gottfries' cognitive scale is a feasible tool for grading cognitive function among nursing home residents using staff proxy ratings. The scale has excellent psychometric properties with a very high internal consistency, a favorable distribution of item difficulties producing an almost rectangular distribution of scores, and a negligible floor effect. The scale thus can be recommended for use in survey-based investigations in nursing home contexts.

Person-Centered Interactive Self-Management Support in Primary Health Care for People with Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing as the population ages. The development of new medical treatments is promising and important, but the basic treatment remains self-management, even if adherence to lifestyle advice is low. Electronic health (eHealth) or mHealth interventions can increase empowerment among people living with T2D and may compensate for the lack of professional resources and geographical distances. The interactive self-management support (iSMS) project aims at including digital tools to support people living with T2D in their self-management and facilitating their interaction with diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs). This protocol outlines a study with the purpose of developing and evaluating an intervention where people living with T2D can increase self-efficacy and empowerment through digital self-monitoring and interaction with DSNs. OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a person-centered iSMS intervention in primary health care for people with T2D in addition to their usual diabetes care. METHODS: This study is a 12-month, 3-armed, nonblinded randomized controlled trial (RCT), which will be conducted in 6 primary health care centers (HCCs) in northern Sweden. Eligible participants will be randomized to either an intervention group (n=46), a control group (n=46), or an external group (n=46) for comparison. The intervention group will receive the mobile app, and the control group will receive a minimal intervention (diabetes brochure) and the usual standard of care. Changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) will be the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: This trial is currently open for recruitment. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in Autumn 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This study, with its focus on iSMS, will provide insights regarding suitable ways to promote and develop a person-centered intervention. If successful, the intervention has the potential to become a model for the provision of self-management support to people with T2D. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/10250.

The Self-Management Assessment Scale: Development and psychometric testing of a screening instrument for person-centred guidance and self-management support.

AIM: To develop and psychometrically test the Self-Management Assessment Scale (SMASc), a screening instrument for person-centred guidance and self-management support of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D). BACKGROUND: T2D is a common and globally increasing chronic condition. Improved self-management is a vital and integral component of diabetes care to prevent complications from poorly managed diabetes. For diabetes nurses to better understand persons with diabetes experienced challenges and needs regarding self-management and further for persons with T2D to take an active role in managing their condition, an instrument measuring this is needed. DESIGN: Instrument development and psychometric testing of the content and construct validity, factor structure and reliability. METHOD: The SMASc was psychometric tested on a sample of participants (September 2017-November 2017) with a confirmed diagnosis of T2D (N = 104). RESULTS: Psychometric findings were satisfactory and supported the scale´s reliability. Cronbach's alpha, CVI and goodness-of-fit were acceptable. CONCLUSION: Self-Management Assessment Scale is a short validated screening instrument, which can indicate possible barriers for self-management that ought to be approached during the conversation between the person with T2D and the primary healthcare nurses. Therefore, it is a promising instrument to be used to facilitate person-centred guidance and to improve self-management of people living with T2D.

Constipation and laxative use among people living in nursing homes in 2007 and 2013.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common condition among older people, particularly among people living in nursing homes, and the use of drugs such as opioids is one of many factors that contribute to its high prevalence. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of constipation and the use of laxatives between 2007 and 2013, to analyze constipation and laxative use among people who are prescribed opioids, and to identify factors associated with constipation. METHODS: In 2007 and 2013, two surveys were performed in the county of Västerbotten in Northern Sweden, comprising all those living in nursing homes. The Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale was used to collect data regarding laxative, opioid and anticholinergic drug use, functioning in activities of daily living (ADL), cognition and symptoms of constipation. A comparison was made between 2820 people from 2007 and 1902 people from 2013. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms of constipation among people living in nursing homes increased from 36% in 2007 to 40% in 2013. After controlling for age, sex, ADL, cognitive impairment and use of opioid and anticholinergic drugs, this difference was found to be statistically significant. When controlled for demographic changes, there was a statistically significant difference in the regular use of laxatives between the respective years, from 46% in 2007 to 59% in 2013. People prescribed opioids and anticholinergic drugs were at increased risk of constipation, while people with a higher ADL score were at decreased risk. Further, among people prescribed opioids and rated as constipated, 35% in 2007 and 20% in 2013 were not prescribed laxatives for regular use, a difference that was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of symptoms of constipation increased between 2007 and 2013. Although there was a decrease between the years, there were still a number of people being prescribed with opioids and rated as constipated who were not treated with laxatives. This study therefore indicates that constipation remains a significant problem among people in nursing homes and also indicates that those prescribed opioids could benefit from an increased awareness of the risk of constipation and treatment, if required.

Development, validity and reliability testing the Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: An ethical climate has been described as a working climate embracing shared perceptions about morally correct behaviour concerning ethical issues. Various ethical climate questionnaires have been developed and validated for different contexts, but no questionnaire has been found concerning the ethical climate from an inter-professional perspective in a healthcare context. The Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire, based on Habermas' four requirements for a democratic dialogue, attempts to assess and measure the ethical climate at various inter-professional workplaces. This study aimed to present the construction of and to test the psychometric properties of the Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire. METHOD: An expert group of six researchers, skilled in ethics, evaluated the content validity. The questionnaire was tested among 355 healthcare workers at three hospitals in Sweden. A parallel analysis (PA), an exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The participants included in the psychometric analysis were informed about the study, asked to participate in person and informed that they could withdraw at any time without giving any reason. They were also assured of confidentiality in the reporting of the results. FINDINGS: The parallel analysis (PA) recommended one factor as a solution. The initial exploratory factor analysis with a four-factor solution showed low concordance with a four-factor model. Cronbach's alpha varied from 0.75 to 0.82; however, since two factors only consisted of one item, alpha could not be reported. Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale showed good homogeneity (α = 0.86). A confirmatory factory analysis was carried out based on the four requirements and showed a goodness-of-fit after deleting two items. After deletion of these items, Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. DISCUSSION: Based on the exploratory factor analysis, we suggest that the scale should be treated as a one-factor model. The result indicates that the instrument is unidimensional and assesses ethical climate as a whole. CONCLUSION: After testing the Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire, we found support for the validity and reliability of the instrument. We found the 10-item version of Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire satisfactory. However, we found no support for measuring different dimensions and, therefore, this instrument should be seen as assessing ethical climate as of whole.

Primary Health Care Nurses' Experiences of Consultations With Internet-Informed Patients: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Most people in modern societies now use the Internet to obtain health-related information. By giving patients knowledge, digital health information is considered to increase patient involvement and patient-centered interactions in health care. However, concerns are raised about the varying quality of health-related websites and low health literacy in the population. There is a gap in the current knowledge of nurses' experiences with Internet-informed patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore primary health care nurses' experiences of consultations with patients who present health-related information from the Internet. METHODS: This is a qualitative study based on interviews with 9 primary health care nurses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results are reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. RESULTS: The phenomenon of Internet-informed patients was considered to change the usual rules in health care, affecting attributes and actions of patients, patterns of interactions in consultations, and roles of nurses and patients. Three categories were identified: (1) Facing the downsides of Googling, (2) Patients as main actors, and (3) Nurse role challenged. Although the benefits of health-related Internet information were described, its negative consequences were emphasized overall. The problems were mainly ascribed to inaccurate Internet information and patients' inability to effectively manage the information. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests ambivalent attitudes among nurses toward health-related Internet information. In order to promote equitable care in the digital era, increased awareness in health care about useful strategies for overcoming the difficulties and embracing the benefits of conferring with Internet-informed patients seems to be a legitimate goal.

Perceptions of What Is Important for Appetite-An Interview Study With Older People Having Food Distribution.

The proportion of older people in the population increases and more and more continue living in their own homes. Appetite among the elderly people is important to their nutrition and health. The increased risk of unintended weight loss and malnutrition is linked to food distribution among home-living elderly people. The aim was to describe experiences and perceptions of what matters to appetite among home-living elderly people having food distribution. The design was qualitative where interview data were collected among 13 interviewees in 2017 to 2018. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results are presented in three domains: the food, the meal situation, and the adaptation to meal service with categories and themes responding to each domain. The six themes related to appetite among the elderly people concerned the following: eating tasty, savory, and culturally adapted food; eating healthy and sustainable food; eating alone or together with others; eating in a pleasant meal environment; having choices to make about the meal; and last, accepting disabilities and increased dependency. One conclusion is that many aspects should be taken into consideration when promoting appetites of people who also get food distribution. It is highly individual and an understanding of which aspects are relevant must be considered; consequently, person-centered care is suggested to promote appetite.

Perceptions of Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Treated in Swedish Primary Health Care: Qualitative Study on Using eHealth Services for Self-Management Support.

BACKGROUND: Digital health services are increasing rapidly worldwide. Strategies to involve patients in self-monitoring of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on a daily basis is of crucial importance, and there is a need to optimize the delivery of care such as self-management support. Digitalized solutions have the potential to modify and personalize the way in which people use primary health services, both by increasing access to information and providing other forms of support at a distance. It is a challenge to integrate core values of person-centered care into digitalized health care services. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe perceptions of using electronic health (eHealth) services and related technologies for self-management support among people with T2D treated in Swedish primary health care. METHODS: This is a qualitative study based on interviews analyzed using qualitative content analysis conducted among people diagnosed with T2D. RESULTS: Findings suggest that the participants had mixed feelings regarding the use of digital health services for self-management support. They experienced potentials such as increased involvement, empowerment, and security, as well as concerns such as ambivalence and uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: Digital health services for self-management are easily accessible and have the potential to reach a wide population. However, targeted training to increase digital skills is required, and personalized devices must be adapted and become more person-centered to improve patients' involvement in their own care.

Prevalence of pain and pharmacological pain treatment among old people in nursing homes in 2007 and 2013.

PURPOSE: Many elderly people living in nursing homes experience pain and take analgesic medication. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of pain and pharmacological pain treatment among people living in nursing homes in Sweden, in two large, comparable, samples from 2007 to 2013. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were performed in 2007 and 2013, including all residents in nursing homes in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. A total of 4933 residents (2814 and 2119 respectively) with a mean age of 84.6 and 85.0 years participated. Of these, 71.1 and 72.4% respectively were cognitively impaired. The survey was completed by the staff members who knew the residents best. RESULTS: The prescription of opioids became significantly more common while the use of tramadol decreased significantly. The staff reported that 63.4% in 2007 and 62.3% in 2013 had experienced pain. Of those in pain, 20.2% in 2007 and 16.8% in 2013 received no treatment and 73.4 and 75.0% respectively of those with pain, but no pharmacological treatment, were incorrectly described by the staff as being treated for pain. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a change in the pharmacological analgesic treatment between 2007 and 2013 with less prescribing of tramadol and a greater proportion taking opioids. Nevertheless, undertreatment of pain still occurs and in many cases, staff members believed that the residents were prescribed analgesic treatment when this was not the case.

Insomnia symptoms among old people in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia symptoms are common among old people, and hypnotics and sedative drugs are often prescribed in spite of small benefits. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and to analyze the association between insomnia symptoms, cognitive level, and prescription of hypnotics and sedatives among old people living in nursing homes. METHODS: The study comprised 2,135 people living in nursing homes in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Data concerning hypnotic and sedative drugs, cognitive function, and prevalence of insomnia symptoms were collected, using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS). RESULTS: The three most common insomnia symptoms were "sleeps for long periods during the day," "interrupted night-time sleep," and "wakes up early in the morning" with 57.8%, 56.4%, and 48.0%, respectively, of the residents exhibiting the symptoms at least once a week. Different insomnia symptoms showed different association patterns with sex and age. Most insomnia symptoms were more common among people with cognitive impairment compared to those with no cognitive impairment and seemed to reach their peak prevalence in people with moderate to severe cognitive impairment, subsequently decreasing with further cognitive decline. Of the study population, 24.0% were prescribed hypnotics and sedatives. Prescriptions were more common among those without cognitive impairment, and among those exhibiting the symptom "difficulty initiating sleep." CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia symptoms and prescription of hypnotics and sedatives are common among old people living in nursing homes. Considering the risk of adverse effects, it is important to regularly re-evaluate the need for these drugs.

Swedish primary healthcare nurses' perceptions of using digital eHealth services in support of patient self-management.

BACKGROUND: Nurses have expressed doubts about the ongoing digitalisation of Swedish primary health care. Given the potential role of eHealth in primary health care, including supporting interactive self-management for people with chronic conditions, it is important to highlight nurses' experiences. This study is part of a larger project aimed at implementing person-centred interactive self-management support (iSMS) in primary health care. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe Swedish primary healthcare nurses' perceptions of using digital eHealth systems and services to support patient self-management. METHODS: Focus group interviews were conducted with primary healthcare nurses (n = 20). The interview transcriptions were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the content analysis: caregiving in the midst of digital chaos; a lack of overview and control in daily work; and mixed feelings towards digitalisation. Each theme was subdivided into three subthemes. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study provide insight into a number of concerns that stand in the way of success when it comes to the implementation and use of digital technology. If nurses are to adapt to the new policies and practices that accompany the current digitalised development in Swedish primary health care, the concept of a nurse's traditional work role needs to be amended in terms of the scope of work tasks and established views of traditional nursing. The study also highlights the need for more research to enable eHealth systems/services to be designed to fulfil multiple requirements. The digitised systems should be a tool for achieving good quality self-management support as well as giving the primary healthcare nurses adequate resources to support patients' self-management while still maintaining the values associated with person-centred care.