Investigating the fundamental levels of a signature pedagogy in nursing education: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: A signature pedagogy is a unique approach that provides a blueprint for curricular decision-making, as it reflects how we teach (surface structures), why we teach (deep structures), and what we believe are vital concepts or values all learners should embody (implicit structures). OBJECTIVE: To investigate what is known from the existing literature about a signature pedagogy to support undergraduate nursing education. DESIGN: This scoping review adopted Arksey and O'Malley's framework to guide the analysis of data. Two electronic databases were used to explore studies on educational strategies, content, and values published in Arabic, English, Filipino, French, Portuguese, and Spanish between 1972 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 258 articles were included in this review. The analysis revealed that the majority of articles were at the surface (n = 189), followed by the deep (n = 123), with the least number examining the implicit level (n = 90) associated with signature pedagogy levels. Results reflect a limited focus on implicit level; the core concepts and values that all learners should understand and grasp for their future practice to construct their professional identity and engage in healthcare transformation. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this scoping review, should not be an isolated movement within nursing education. The first step is to engage in discourse amongst all stakeholders, educational and healthcare nurse leaders, regarding the state of the profession. As a profession we need to understand what is the preferred future of nursing and what are the necessary educational processes to ensure the profession is actualizing their mandate. A call to action to develop a unique signature pedagogy should provide synergy between education and practice to enhance learner's competencies as a future professional.

Mindfulness Practice Reduces Hair Cortisol, Anxiety and Perceived Stress in University Workers: Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and stress are common mental health conditions reported by university workers. Practices of mindfulness represent one promising approach as an effective and feasible means to reduce stress, improve mental health and promote well-being; however, there are no clinical trials that have combined long-term stress biomarkers (hair cortisol) and psychometric assessments in a sample of university workers. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program on long-term stress, by measuring hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress and anxiety among workers who were undergoing high levels of stress. METHOD: We conducted a randomized clinical trial at work among the employees of a public university. We compared a group that received the eight-week mindfulness intervention with the wait list group who received no intervention. RESULTS: A total of 30 participants were included in the study, with n = 15 subjects in the intervention group and n = 15 in the control group. Hair cortisol, perceived stress and anxiety significantly reduced after the intervention compared to the control group, which had no appreciable decline in the measured variables. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial showed the effectiveness of a mindfulness program on mental health psychometric measures (perceived stress and anxiety) and on a long-term stress biomarker (hair cortisol). It can be concluded that an eight-week mindfulness program could be implemented as an effective strategy to reduce stress biomarkers (hair cortisol) as well as perceived stress and anxiety, improving the mental health of university workers.

The Influence of Social Media on Alcohol Consumption of Mothers of Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

Alcohol misuse is a common problem in many countries, where alcohol is often portrayed as a fun and interactive coping strategy for mothers to manage the demands of motherhood. Social media platforms have established themselves as a popular forum for mothers to share information and create an environment in which mothers may be exposed to and influenced by alcohol-related content. Given the increased social acceptance and normalization of drinking among mothers, especially during the recent pandemic, a critical analysis of social media influences on alcohol behaviours and consumption is warranted. A scoping review mapped the evidence on social media influences and alcohol consumption among mothers of children and teenagers younger than eighteen years old. Several databases were consulted, and the evidence was collated into two themes and seven subthemes. Factors related to alcohol consumption in motherhood include (1) community and social support, (2) coping and mental health, (3) motherhood expectations and identity, (4) alcohol consumption, (5) marketing strategies, (6) everyday issues, and (7) social media influence. Numerous social, economic, and health problems are associated with alcohol misuse. The current literature suggests that social media is a powerful tool to disseminate messages about alcohol and normalize mothers' drinking behaviours.

The Impact of an Online Mindfulness-Based Practice Program on the Mental Health of Brazilian Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This quantitative, before-after study was developed to evaluate the usefulness of an online mindfulness practices program to help nursing professionals deal with stress in the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic through the assessment of perceived stress, anxiety and depression, levels of mindfulness, and participants' satisfaction with the program. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline to receive the online mindfulness training program for eight weeks and were appraised again at the end of the program. Standardized measures of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and one-dimensional and multidimensional mindfulness were performed. Participant satisfaction was also studied. Adherence to treatment was 70.12%. The perceived stress, depression, and anxiety scores were significantly lower after the intervention. The mindfulness measure increased significantly, as well as the sense of well-being and satisfaction with life, study, and/or work. The participants showed high satisfaction with the program and would recommend it to other professionals. Our results indicate that mindfulness-based interventions represent an effective strategy for nurses in the face of the need for self-care with mental health and mechanisms that guarantee the sustainability of their capacities to continue exercising health care.

Alcohol Health Warning Labels: A Rapid Review with Action Recommendations.

A rapid review of research on health warning labels located on alcohol containers (AWLs) was conducted. Using five search engines (Embase, Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, Psyinfo), 2975 non-duplicate citations were identified between the inception date of the search engine and April 2021. Of those, 382 articles were examined and retrieved. We selected 122 research papers for analysis and narrative information extraction, focusing on population foci, study design, and main outcomes. Research included public opinion studies, surveys of post-AWL implementation, on-line and in-person experiments and real-world quasi-experiments. Many studies focused on the effects of the 1989 United States Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act on perceptions, intentions and behavior. Others focused on Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, England or Scotland, Italy and France. There was substantial variation in the design of the studies, ranging from small-scale focus groups to on-line surveys with large samples. Over time, evidence has been emerging on label design components, such as large size, combination of text and image, and specific health messaging, that is likely to have some desired impact on knowledge, awareness of risk and even the drinking behavior of those who see the AWLs. This body of evidence provides guidance to policy-makers, and national and regional authorities, and recommendations are offered for discussion and consideration.

Factors associated with alcohol use and abuse in Brazilian primary health care settings.

The main goal of this study was to identify the prevalence of alcohol use and associations with selected variables among clients in a primary healthcare setting. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was carried out using structured questionnaires to measure the pattern of alcohol consumption, quality of life and common mental disorders. The results showed that men, people between 18 and 40 years old, with income between $300.00 and 1200.00 and smokers were at a higher risk of problematic alcohol use. Healthcare professionals should include alcohol screening questions to identify the hazardous consumption of alcohol at an early stage and prevent negative consequences.

Care management instruments used by nurses in the emergency hospital services.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the instruments used by nurses for the management of care in face of the demands of the emergency hospital service. METHOD: This is a qualitative study, with triangulation of data from interviews, focus groups, and documents, conducted with nurses from an Emergency Hospital Service in a state in southern Brazil. Data were subjected to thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen nurses participated in the study. The categories emerging from this study were view of the whole picture, definition of priorities, and physical instruments. These instruments are used by nurses to manage multiple tasks and provide adequate care to patients with different levels of complexity, in the face of an intense and unpredictable work process due to the constant demand for care. CONCLUSION: The instruments used by nurses in their work process are mainly skills and attitudes developed as a coping strategy at an intense and complex work environment.

Care management instruments used by nurses in the emergency hospital services / Instrumentos de gestión del cuidado utilizados por enfermeros en el servicio hospitalario de emergências / Instrumentos de gestão do cuidado utilizados por enfermeiros no serviço hospitalar de emergência

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the instruments used by nurses for the management of care in face of the demands of the emergency hospital service. Method: This is a qualitative study, with triangulation of data from interviews, focus groups, and documents, conducted with nurses from an Emergency Hospital Service in a state in southern Brazil. Data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: Seventeen nurses participated in the study. The categories emerging from this study were view of the whole picture, definition of priorities, and physical instruments. These instruments are used by nurses to manage multiple tasks and provide adequate care to patients with different levels of complexity, in the face of an intense and unpredictable work process due to the constant demand for care. Conclusion: The instruments used by nurses in their work process are mainly skills and attitudes developed as a coping strategy at an intense and complex work environment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir los instrumentos utilizados por los enfermeros para la gestión del cuidado en función de las demandas del servicio hospitalario de emergencias. Método: estudio cualitativo, con triangulación de datos provenientes de entrevistas, grupo focal y documentos, realizado con enfermeros de un Servicio Hospitalario de Emergencias de una provincia al sur de Brasil. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: Participaron 17 enfermeros. Las clases que resultaron tras el estudio fueron: visión global, definición de prioridades e instrumentos físicos. Esos instrumentos son utilizados por los enfermeros para manejar múltiples tareas y proporcionar un cuidado adecuado a los pacientes con diferentes niveles de complejidad ante un proceso de trabajo intenso e imprevisible debido a la demanda constante de atendimiento. Conclusión: Los instrumentos utilizados por los enfermeros en su proceso de trabajo son principalmente habilidades y actitudes desarrolladas como estrategia de enfrentamiento al ritmo intenso y ambiente complejo de trabajo.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever os instrumentos utilizados pelos enfermeiros para a gestão do cuidado frente às demandas do serviço hospitalar de emergência. Método: Estudo qualitativo, com triangulação de dados advindos de entrevistas, grupo focal e documentos, realizado com enfermeiros de um Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência de um estado do sul do Brasil. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: Participaram 17 enfermeiros. As categorias que emergiram deste estudo foram: visão do todo, definição de prioridades e instrumentos físicos. Esses instrumentos são utilizados pelos enfermeiros para gerenciar múltiplas tarefas e proporcionar um cuidado adequado aos pacientes com diferentes níveis de complexidade, diante de um processo de trabalho intenso e imprevisível em função da demanda constante de atendimento. Conclusão: Os instrumentos utilizados pelos enfermeiros em seu processo de trabalho são principalmente habilidades e atitudes desenvolvidas como estratégia de enfrentamento ao ritmo intenso e complexo ambiente de trabalho.

Nurses' work process in an emergency hospital service.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the nurses' work process in an Emergency Hospital Service. METHODS: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research conducted with 17 nurses from the emergency service of a high complexity hospital in southern Brazil. Data were collected through interviews, focus group and document analysis. Data analysis followed the thematic content analysis framework. RESULTS: four categories emerged: Work environment characteristics; Assistance dimension; Management dimension; Care management. Final Considerations: the nurses' work process in Emergency Hospital Service is characterized by the peculiarities of the setting, with centrality in care and care management aiming at quality care and safety to patients.

Nurses' work process in an emergency hospital service / Proceso de trabajo de enfermería en un servicio de hospital de emergencia / Processo de trabalho do enfermeiro em um serviço hospitalar de emergência

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the nurses' work process in an Emergency Hospital Service. Methods: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research conducted with 17 nurses from the emergency service of a high complexity hospital in southern Brazil. Data were collected through interviews, focus group and document analysis. Data analysis followed the thematic content analysis framework. Results: four categories emerged: Work environment characteristics; Assistance dimension; Management dimension; Care management. Final Considerations: the nurses' work process in Emergency Hospital Service is characterized by the peculiarities of the setting, with centrality in care and care management aiming at quality care and safety to patients.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar el proceso de trabajo de las enfermeras en un Servicio de Urgencia em Hospital. Métodos: investigación cualitativa, exploratoria y descriptiva realizada con 17 enfermeras del servicio de emergencia de un hospital de alta complejidad en el sur de Brasil. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas, grupos focales y análisis de documentos. El análisis de datos siguió el marco de análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: surgieron cuatro categorías: Características del ambiente de trabajo; Dimensión del cuidado; Dimensión gerencial; Gestión de la atención. Consideraciones Finales: el proceso de trabajo de las enfermeras en el Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital se caracteriza por las peculiaridades del escenario, centrado en la atención y la gestión de la atención con el objetivo de una atención de calidad y seguridad para los pacientes.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar o processo de trabalho do enfermeiro em um serviço hospitalar de emergência. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, realizada com 17 enfermeiros do serviço de emergência de um hospital de alta complexidade da região Sul do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas, grupo focal e análise documental. A análise de dados seguiu o referencial da análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: emergiram quatro categorias: Características do ambiente de trabalho; Dimensão assistencial; Dimensão gerencial; Gerenciamento do cuidado. Considerações Finais: o processo de trabalho do enfermeiro no serviço hospitalar de emergência caracteriza-se pelas peculiaridades do cenário, com centralidade na assistência e no gerenciamento do cuidado visando um cuidado de qualidade e segurança aos pacientes.

Studying ICD-11 Primary Health Care bodily stress syndrome in Brazil: do many functional disorders represent just one syndrome?

Objective: Disorders characterized by "distressing unexplained somatic symptoms" are challenging. In the ICD-11 Primary Health Care (PHC) Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Mental Disorders (ICD-11 PHC), a new category, bodily stress syndrome (BSS), was included to diagnose patients presenting unexplained somatic symptoms. The present study investigated the association of BSS with anxiety, depression, and four subgroups of physical symptoms in a Brazilian primary health care (PHC) sample. Methodology: As part of the international ICD-11 PHC study, 338 patients were evaluated by their primary care physicians, followed by testing with Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, Version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). BSS was diagnosed in the presence of at least three somatic symptoms associated with incapacity. The association between anxiety, depression, and four subgroups of physical symptoms with being a BSS case was analyzed. Results: The number of somatic symptoms was high in the overall sample of 338 patients (mean = 8.4), but even higher in the 131 BSS patients (10.2; p < 0.001). Most BSS patients (57.3%) had at least three symptoms from two, three, or four subgroups, and these were associated with anxiety and depression in 80.9% of these patients. The symptom subgroup most strongly associated with "being a BSS" case was the non-specific group (OR = 6.51; 95%CI 1.65-24.34), followed by musculoskeletal (OR = 2,31; 95%CI 1.19-4.72). Conclusion: Somatic symptoms were frequent in a sample of PHC patients in Brazil. In the present sample, one third were BSS cases and met the criteria for at least two symptom subgroups, supporting the hypothesis that different functional symptoms are related to each other.

Relationship Between Depression and Subtypes of Early Life Stress in Adult Psychiatric Patients.

Numerous studies have researched the aggravating and maintainer effect of Early Life Stress in patients adults with psychiatric disorders. This study examined the relationship between depression and subtypes of early life stress among 81 psychiatric patients treated at the inpatient Day Hospital Unit of a University General Hospital. Psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed according to the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for evaluating as retrospective assessment of the presence of ELS on these patients, and we also evaluated the severity of hopelessness with the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Our results suggested that the occurrence of depression in adulthood is related to situations of emotional abuse, sexual, and physical neglect during childhood. The analysis between depression and childhood emotional abuse was significant after a multiple logistic regression analysis OR (IC 95%): 4.4 (1.7-11.2), even accounting for gender adjusted OR [AOR] 4.0; (IC 1.5-10.5); psychiatry family history AOR 3.8 (1.4-10.5); previous suicide attempted AOR 3.7; (1.4-10.5) and Hopelessness AOR 3.2 (1.11-9.4). Thus, these findings demonstrate emotional abuse as a significant risk factor to be part of the mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of depression related to early life stress.

Eventos adversos e incidentes sem dano em unidades de internação de um hospital especializado em cardiologia / Adverse events and near misses in hospitalization units of a specialized hospital in cardiology / Eventos adversos e incidentes sin daño en unidades de internación de un hospital especializado en cardiología

Objetivo: caracterizar os eventos adversos em unidades de internação de um hospital referência em Cardiologia no estado de Santa Catarina. Método: o estudo teve enfoque quantitativo, exploratório, descritivo, tendo como cenário uma instituição hospitalar pública referência cardiovascular para Santa Catarina. Utilizou-se para a coleta das informações um instrumento adotado pela instituição para controle das notificações de eventos adversos, considerando o período de setembro de 2014 a setembro de 2015. Resultados: foram analisados 193 casos de eventos adversos ocorridos em 155 pacientes, os quais estavam relacionados predominantemente a hematoma no local de aplicação de medicação por via subcutânea, flebite em punção venosa, queda do leito e lesão de pressão grau II. Considerações finais: para o controle desses eventos é de extrema importância conhecer o perfil dos incidentes e dos pacientes acometidos, visando garantir a gestão da qualidade da assistência e o cuidado seguro.(AU)

Objective: characterize the adverse events in hospitalization units of a reference hospital in cardiology in the state of Santa Catarina. Method: the study had quantitative, exploratory, descriptive approach, having as scenario a public hospital institution reference in cardiovascular care to para Santa Catarina. For data collection we used an instrument adopted by the institution to control notifications of adverse events, considering the period from September 2014 to September 2015. Results: this study analyzed 193 cases of adverse events occurred in 155 patients, which were predominantly related to a hematoma at the subcutaneous injection site, phlebitis in venipuncture, bed fall and stage II pressure ulcer. Final considerations: for the control of these events is of extreme importance to know the profile of these incidents and the affected patients, aiming to guarantee the quality management of the healthcare and a safe assistance.(AU)

Objetivo: caracterizar los eventos adversos en las unidades de internación de un hospital de referencia en cardiología del estado de Santa Catarina. Método: estudio exploratorio, cuantitativo, descriptivo realizado en un hospital público de referencia de Santa Catarina. La recogida de información se realizó de septiembre de 2014 a septiembre de 2015 através de un instrumento adoptado por el hospital para controlar las notificaciones de eventos adversos. Resultados: se analizaron 193 casos en 155 pacientes, básicamente vinculados a hematomas en el sitio de aplicación de la medicación subcutánea, flebitis en la punción venosa, caídas de la cama y lesiones de presión grado II. Consideraciones finales: para controlar eventos adversos es sumamente importante conocer el tipo de incidentes y de...(AU)

Studying ICD-11 Primary Health Care bodily stress syndrome in Brazil: do many functional disorders represent just one syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: Disorders characterized by "distressing unexplained somatic symptoms" are challenging. In the ICD-11 Primary Health Care (PHC) Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Mental Disorders (ICD-11 PHC), a new category, bodily stress syndrome (BSS), was included to diagnose patients presenting unexplained somatic symptoms. The present study investigated the association of BSS with anxiety, depression, and four subgroups of physical symptoms in a Brazilian primary health care (PHC) sample. METHODOLOGY: As part of the international ICD-11 PHC study, 338 patients were evaluated by their primary care physicians, followed by testing with Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, Version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). BSS was diagnosed in the presence of at least three somatic symptoms associated with incapacity. The association between anxiety, depression, and four subgroups of physical symptoms with being a BSS case was analyzed. RESULTS: The number of somatic symptoms was high in the overall sample of 338 patients (mean = 8.4), but even higher in the 131 BSS patients (10.2; p < 0.001). Most BSS patients (57.3%) had at least three symptoms from two, three, or four subgroups, and these were associated with anxiety and depression in 80.9% of these patients. The symptom subgroup most strongly associated with "being a BSS" case was the non-specific group (OR = 6.51; 95%CI 1.65-24.34), followed by musculoskeletal (OR = 2,31; 95%CI 1.19-4.72). CONCLUSION: Somatic symptoms were frequent in a sample of PHC patients in Brazil. In the present sample, one third were BSS cases and met the criteria for at least two symptom subgroups, supporting the hypothesis that different functional symptoms are related to each other.

Diagnostic validity of biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, saliva, and urine. METHOD: The studies were collected from the Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OpenGrey, ProQuest and Google Scholar databases starting from May 3, 2016 and updated on March 20, 2017. Twenty-two studies were evaluated, by the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies and Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Evidence shows that serum antibodies can be used as highly specific and accurate biomarkers for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease at the outset. Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid are related to increased motor severity, postural instability, gait abnormality, and cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Serum and cerebrospinal antibodies can be used as diagnostic biomarkers at the onset of the disease.

Diagnostic validity of biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease: systematic review and meta-analysis / Validad diagnóstica de biomarcadores en la enfermedad de Parkinson: una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Validade diagnóstica de biomarcadores na doença de Parkinson: revisão sistemática e meta-análise

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, saliva, and urine. Method: The studies were collected from the Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OpenGrey, ProQuest and Google Scholar databases starting from May 3, 2016 and updated on March 20, 2017. Twenty-two studies were evaluated, by the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies and Review Manager 5.3. Results: Evidence shows that serum antibodies can be used as highly specific and accurate biomarkers for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease at the outset. Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid are related to increased motor severity, postural instability, gait abnormality, and cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Serum and cerebrospinal antibodies can be used as diagnostic biomarkers at the onset of the disease.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar los biomarcadores para la enfermedad de Parkinson, el líquido cefalorraquídeo, la sangre, la saliva y la orina. Método: Los estudios fueron recolectados en las bases de datos Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OpenGrey, ProQuest y Google Scholar, a partir del 3 de mayo de 2016 y actualizados el 20 de marzo de 2017. Se seleccionaron 22 estudios, evaluados por la Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies y el Review Manager 5.3. Resultados: La evidencia muestra que los anticuerpos séricos pueden ser utilizados como biomarcadores altamente específicos y precisos para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson en su inicio. Los biomarcadores en el líquido cefalorraquídeo están relacionados con el aumento de la severidad motora, la inestabilidad postural, el disturbio de la marcha y la declinación cognitiva. Conclusión: Los anticuerpos séricos y cefalorraquídeos pueden utilizarse como biomarcadores de diagnóstico al inicio de la enfermedad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar os biomarcadores para a doença de Parkinson, no líquido cefalorraquidiano, sangue, saliva e urina. Método: Os estudos foram coletados nas bases de dados Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OpenGrey, ProQuest e Google Scholar, a partir de 3 de maio de 2016 e atualizados em 20 de março de 2017. Foram selecionados 22 estudos, avaliados pelo Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies e o Review Manager 5.3. Resultados: A evidência mostra que os anticorpos séricos podem ser usados como biomarcadores altamente específicos e precisos para o diagnóstico da doença de Parkinson em seu início. Os biomarcadores no líquido cefalorraquidiano estão relacionados ao aumento da severidade motora, à instabilidade postural, ao distúrbio da marcha e ao declínio cognitivo. Conclusão: Os anticorpos séricos e cefalorraquidianos podem ser utilizados como biomarcadores de diagnóstico no início da doença.

Factors Associated With Barcode Medication Administration Technology That Contribute to Patient Safety: An Integrative Review.

In an effort to prevent medication errors, barcode medication administration technology has been implemented in many health care organizations. An integrative review was conducted to understand the effect of barcode medication administration technology on medication errors, and characteristics of use demonstrated by nurses contribute to medication safety. Addressing poor system use may support improved patient safety through the reduction of medication administration errors.

Addressing Gaps in Mental Health and Addictions Nursing Leadership: An Innovative Professional Development Initiative.

Mental health and addictions services are integral to Canada's healthcare system, and yet it is difficult to recruit experienced nurse leaders with advanced practice, management or clinical informatics expertise in this field. Master's-level graduates, aspiring to be mental health nurse leaders, often lack the confidence and experience required to lead quality improvement, advancements in clinical care, service design and technology innovations for improved patient care. This paper describes an initiative that develops nursing leaders through a unique scholarship, internship and mentorship model, which aims to foster confidence, critical thinking and leadership competency development in the mental health and addictions context. The "Mutual Benefits Model" framework was applied in the design and evaluation of the initiative. It outlines how mentee, mentor and organizational needs can drive strategic planning of resource investment, mentorship networks and relevant leadership competency-based learning plans to optimize outcomes. Five-year individual and organizational outcomes are described.

Problematic alcohol and tobacco use among healthcare professionals / Uso problemático de álcool e de tabaco por profissionais de saúde / Uso problemático de alcohol y tabaco por los profesionales de salud

The objective was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of alcohol and tobacco use among healthcare professionals working in the Family Health Strategy. Was realized a cross-sectional study, with healthcare professionals from the Alto Uruguay Catarinense region, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in March/2011. The dependent variables studied were the problematic use of alcohol and tobacco use and analyzed from socio-demographic, socio-economic and health conditions. It was observed that 6.2% professionals had problematic alcohol use and 8,5% use tobacco. It is essential that employers develop specific services and actions targeting healthcare professionals’ mental health.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência e características do uso problemático de álcool e tabaco entre profissionais de saúde atuantes na Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com profissionais de saúde do Alto Uruguai Catarinense, Santa Catarina, Brasil. As variáveis dependentes foram o uso problemático de álcool e o uso de tabaco e as variáveis independentes foram as características sociodemográficas, socioeconômicas e condições de saúde. Observou-se que 6,2% apresentavam uso problemático de álcool e 8,5% usavam tabaco. Torna-se essencial que os serviços de saúde estruturem políticas e ações específicas o desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção e tratamento específicos para este grupo de profissionais, aumentando a qualidade dos serviços prestados aos usuários neste nível de atenção.

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia y las características del uso problemático de alcohol y tabaco entre los profesionales de la salud activos en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia. Se realizó un estudio transversal de profesionales de salud en el Alto Uruguay Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brasil en marzo / 2011. Las variables dependientes fueron el uso problemático de alcohol y el consumo de tabaco y las variables independientes fueron las características demográficas, socioeconómicas y de salud. Se observó que 6,2% tenían uso problemático de alcohol y 8,5% utiliza tabaco. Es esencial que la estructura de la salud y las acciones políticas, el desarrollo de estrategias específicas de prevención y tratamiento para este grupo de servicios profesionales específicos, el aumento de la calidad de los servicios prestados a los usuarios este nivel de atención.

Help seeking by health professionals for addiction: A mixed studies review.

BACKGROUND: When health professionals practice with active and untreated addiction, it is a complex occupational and professional issue impacting numerous stakeholders. Health professionals are responsive to evidence-based addiction interventions and their return-to-work has been demonstrated to be achievable, sustainable and safe. Facilitating help seeking in health professionals with addiction is a priority for reducing associated risks to their health and to patient safety. AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the process by which health professionals seek help for addiction, and factors that facilitate and deter help seeking, through a review of the qualitative and quantitative literature. METHODS: Both phases of this sequential mixed studies review followed the standard systematic review steps of: (1) identifying the review question, (2) defining eligibility criteria, (3) applying an extensive search strategy, (4) independent screening of titles and abstracts, (5) selecting relevant studies based on reviewing the full text, (6) appraising the quality of included studies, and (7) synthesizing the study findings. Our two searches of five databases from 1995 to 2015 resulted in the inclusion of eight qualitative and twenty-three quantitative studies. We first conducted a meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature to garner an understanding of the help seeking process for health professionals for addiction. We then conducted a narrative synthesis of the quantitative studies to generalize these findings through examining the data for convergent, complementary or divergent results. RESULTS: Synthesis of the included qualitative studies revealed that the professional and experiential context of healthcare compromised the health professional's readiness to seek help for addiction. Typically, a pivotal event initiated the help seeking process. The studies in the quantitative review identified that help seeking most often resulted from reports of adverse events to formal organizations such as their employer and regulatory bodies. This process does not adequately address the scope of health professionals requiring help for addiction. Informal sources such as colleagues and family, often aware of the addiction earlier, preferred referral to voluntary, confidential treatment programs. CONCLUSIONS: Facilitating the help seeking process for health professionals with addiction in as effective strategy to reduce the associated risks to the health professional, their families and colleagues, their employers and regulatory bodies, and to the general public. Our findings suggest that intervention is possible at multiple points in the help seeking process for health professionals with addiction. Confidential, compassionate and supportive alternatives offer potential for closing this gap.