A Delphi Study to Construct an Index of Practice for Community Nurses Providing Transitional Home Care for Patients with Chronic Diseases.

Community nurses play a key role in providing continuous home care for patients with chronic diseases. However, a perfect system of responsibilities and requirements has not yet been formed, and nurses cannot provide high-quality nursing services for home-based patients. We attempted to construct an index of the scope of practice for community nurses providing home-based transitional care for patients with chronic diseases and to guide nurses in playing an active role in transitional care work. From March to May 2023, 14 representative community nurses from the Shanghai Community Health Service Center were selected for group interviews and 2 rounds of Delphi consultation. A total of 14 valid questionnaires were collected. The authority coefficients were 0.94 and 0.93, and the Kendall coefficients were 0.56 and 0.59 for the 2 rounds of expert consultation (P < .05). Finally, an index system, including 6 primary indices (transitional caring provider, patient self-management facilitator, community group intervention organizer, home caregiver supporter, family physician team collaborator and supervisor of home medical equipment use, and medical waste disposal) was constructed for community nurses involved in providing home-based transitional care for patients with chronic diseases. The weight values of the 6 indices were 0.19, 0.17, 0.21, 0.13, 0.14 and 0.16, respectively (CR = 0.035, and the consistency test was passed), and 16 secondary indicators and 42 tertiary indicators were identified. In this Delphi study, an index system that can be used to determine community nurses' roles in providing home-based transitional and continuous care for patients with chronic diseases was successfully established. The index system is considered reliable and easy to use and will provide a meaningful reference for community nurses and policy-makers.

The Early Morning Visit: A Visiting Nurse Remembers.

A young nurse braves a dangerous situation.

Capacity building skills in the implementation of evidence-based practice for community health nurses: an exploratory descriptive cohort study.

Background: While nurses are strategically placed to support the achievement of universal health, their practice may not always be informed by evidence, especially in a context where research evidence is not commonly used to inform practice.Objective/Aim/Hypothesis: Improve management of clients with CNCDs in Caribbean community through evidence-based practice (EBP) capacity building workshops.Design/Methods: A descriptive, quantitative design was used for this study. Participants included Community Based Nurses who attended an initial and recall workshop on EBP in a Caribbean island. All participants were included as the sample. Data were collected as a Pre-Test and Post Test before the initial workshop and at the recall workshop. Analysis was done quantitatively. Since the sample was small, only descriptive statistics were used.Results: Data showed 64% of participants had no experience with EBP, 55% needed more essential resources to participate in EBP and 55% recognized a need to include EBP to change their clinical practice effectively.Conclusions: The nurses and district supervisors observed a high level of interest and commitment to initiating and completing EBP projects. However, the reality of significant workplace demands, and limitations in consistent logistical and supervisory support impacted long-term sustainability.

Classifying Studies on Workplace Violence for Visiting Nurses Using the Social-Ecological Model: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: To prevent workplace violence (WV) against visiting nurses (VNs), understanding the influencing factors is crucial. To better comprehend potential violence prevention strategies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has presented the four-level social-ecological model (SEM) at the 1) individual, 2) relationship, 3) community, and 4) societal levels. This study aims to quantify WV studies against VNs, examine the influencing factors, identify gaps based on SEM levels, and propose future research and policy directions. DESIGN: A scoping review was conducted following the five-stage protocol proposed by Arksey and O'Malley in 2005. METHODS: Systematic searches, including manual searches, were performed using English and Korean databases. Published journal articles including editorials on WV against VNs were included, irrespective of the publication date. FINDINGS: Sixty journal articles were finally selected. Until the 1990s, most of the literature comprised editorials, with empirical research emerging after the 2000s. Classifying studies by SEM level, many studies have focused on individual (86.7%) and community (66.7%) factors, but fewer have addressed relationship (21.7%) and societal (16.7%) factors. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that much research has focused on individual-centered training, with gaps in risk assessment tool development, training incorporating relational aspects, standardized protocols, and understanding of the impact of legal rights and policies. This article advocates a comprehensive approach that considers all SEM levels to address WV against VNs. CLINICAL EVIDENCE: The findings confirm a research gap, which suggests the direction for future research and policies. Stakeholders should be urged to implement evidence-based strategies that contribute to safer work environments for VNs.

Roles of Visiting Nurses in Supporting Medically Dependent Children Living at Home.

The purpose of this study was to identify the fundamental roles of visiting nurses as a foundation for creating effective educational programs for nurses of medically dependent (MD) children being treated at home. The relationship among the statements representing 3 types of roles was analyzed using structural equation modeling. There were 296 participants involved in performing home-visit nursing for MD children. Their structural roles related to home-visit nursing systems and skills were strongly correlated with the interpersonal roles related to support for MD children and their families, arrangements for whole families, and interprofessional collaborations. The correlations between these roles and the role determination process demonstrated that their future vision and selfgrowth were weak. This study makes the following recommendations: the development of specialized approaches to nursing practices; training in interprofessional collaboration; the realization of professional self-growth; and the creation of educational programs to assist visiting nurses in improving the home-visit nursing systems.

Community health nurses leadership in advancing health equity.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the solutions community health nurses (CHNs) identify to address health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore what leadership competencies enable CHNs to enact these solutions. DESIGN: Online survey, distributed to all members of the Community Health Nurses of Canada and associated provincial and territorial networks. PARTICIPANTS: Inclusion criteria included all nurses who were working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. A total of 245 responses were included in the analysis. MEASUREMENT: The survey included 25 open ended and fixed response questions. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the quantitative data. Framework Analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. RESULTS: Solutions focused on advancing health equity and expanding community relationships and partnerships were identified as priorities. To enact these solutions system transformation, engaging others, and developing coalitions were identified as the main leadership competencies required by CHNs. CONCLUSION: Participants in this study clearly articulated structural and process solutions to address health inequities among priority populations during the pandemic. CHNs described with practice knowledge and confidence that solutions enacted in system transformation with community partners are necessary to advance health equity.

Assets for integrating task-sharing strategies for hypertension within HIV clinics: Stakeholder's perspectives using the PEN-3 cultural model.

BACKGROUND: Access to antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy and survival among people living with HIV (PLWH) in African countries like Nigeria. Unfortunately, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases are on the rise as important drivers of morbidity and mortality rates among this group. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders in Nigeria on the integration of evidence-based task-sharing strategies for hypertension care (TASSH) within existing HIV clinics in Nigeria. METHODS: Stakeholders representing PLWH, patient advocates, health care professionals (i.e. community health nurses, physicians and chief medical officers), as well as policymakers, completed in-depth qualitative interviews. Stakeholders were asked to discuss facilitators and barriers likely to influence the integration of TASSH within HIV clinics in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. The interviews were transcribed, keywords and phrases were coded using the PEN-3 cultural model as a guide. Framework thematic analysis guided by the PEN-3 cultural model was used to identify emergent themes. RESULTS: Twenty-four stakeholders participated in the interviews. Analysis of the transcribed data using the PEN-3 cultural model as a guide yielded three emergent themes as assets for the integration of TASSH in existing HIV clinics. The themes identified are: 1) extending continuity of care among PLWH; 2) empowering health care professionals and 3) enhancing existing workflow, staff motivation, and stakeholder advocacy to strengthen the capacity of HIV clinics to integrate TASSH. CONCLUSION: These findings advance the field by providing key stakeholders with knowledge of assets within HIV clinics that can be harnessed to enhance the integration of TASSH for PLWH in Nigeria. Future studies should evaluate the effect of these assets on the implementation of TASSH within HIV clinics as well as their effect on patient-level outcomes over time.

The effect of home nurse visits on infant weight and breastfeeding: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of home nurse visiting on infant weight and breastfeeding; the secondary aim is to determine the duration, frequency and content of home visits. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, Google Scholar and DergiPark databases for publications between September 2000 and January 2019 was conducted using established methods in compliance with the PRISMA-P declaration guideline. Two authors independently evaluated the studies for inclusion and bias, extracted the data and checked their accuracy. RESULTS: This meta-analysis includes a total of 34 studies, 28 on breastfeeding and nine on infant weight. The average effect size of the 28 studies investigating the effect on breastfeeding was found to be OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.73-2.90; p < 0.001. The average effect size of the nine studies investigating the effect on infant weight was found to be ES: 0.197; 95% CI: 0.027-0.368; p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: There is an association between nurse home visits and breastfeeding and infant weight. Home visits by nurses should continue to remain within the nursing role and be analysed appropriately for mother and baby health.

Impact of lack of knowledge on risk perception and protective practices of home nurses handling antineoplastic drugs.

Introduction: Health care workers handling antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are at risk of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxic risks (CMR). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the lack of knowledge (K) on risk perception (P) and on protective practices (PP) related to the handling of home-based chemotherapy (HC) by home nurses. Methods: This study was conducted in Normandy among home nurses. A questionnaire was developed to explore the K, P and PP related to handling ADs by home nurses working with four different providers from two hospitals. Results: Among the 28 home nurses included, 25.93% had received initial training on the specific treatment of ADs, 48.15% scored below average on risk management K, 52.00% scored below average on personal PP. Conclusion: This study reveals the importance of adapted and regular training on the handling of ADs. It will help develop a climate of safety and reinforce adherence to wearing personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from contamination.

Embedding Physical Activity Guidance During Pregnancy and in Postpartum Care: 'This Mum Moves' Enhances Professional Practice of Midwives and Health Visitors.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and after childbirth are well established, yet many health care professionals do not feel well equipped to provide physical activity guidance to these populations. As such, the objectives of this study were to explore the immediate and longer term effects of training on health care professionals' ability to provide physical activity guidance to pregnant women and new mothers (mums). METHODS: Midwives and health visitors from 5 locations in the United Kingdom were provided with training on the Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines for pregnancy and after childbirth (n = 393). Midwives and health visitors attended training to become This Mum Moves Ambassadors, then disseminated education to colleagues through a cascade training model. Changes in knowledge, confidence, and professional practice were assessed by survey before and immediately after training (n = 247), and follow-up surveys were completed 3 (n = 35) and 6 (n = 34) months posttraining. RESULTS: At all posttraining time points, health care professionals reported a significant increase in their confidence to communicate about physical activity (P < .001). The reported frequency of having conversations about physical activity increased significantly 3 and 6 months following training compared with baseline (pregnant women, P = .017; new mums, P = .005). There were changes in the types of advice and resources offered by health care professionals and an overall increase in health care professionals' own reported physical activity levels. DISCUSSION: The This Mum Moves cascade approach to delivering training in physical activity guidelines improved reported knowledge, confidence and professional practice of midwives and health visitors, both immediately following and 3 and 6 months after training.

Development of a web-based care networking system to support visiting healthcare professionals in the community.

BACKGROUND: The role of visiting health services has been proven to be effective in promoting the health of older populations. Hence, developing a web system for nurses may help improve the quality of visiting health services for community-dwelling frail older adults. This study was conducted to develop a web application that reflects the needs of visiting nurses. METHODS: Visiting nurses of public health centers and community centers in South Korea participated in the design and evaluation process. Six nurses took part in the focus group interviews, and 21 visiting nurses and community center managers participated in the satisfaction evaluation. Focus group interviews were conducted to identify the needs of visiting nurses with respect to system function. Based on the findings, a web application that can support the effective delivery of home visiting services in the community was developed. An artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm was also developed to recommend health and welfare services according to each patient's health status. After development, a structured survey was conducted to evaluate user satisfaction with system features using Kano's model. RESULTS: The new system can be used with mobile devices to increase the mobility of visiting nurses. The system includes 13 features that support the management of patient data and enhance the efficiency of visiting services (e.g., map, navigation, scheduler, protocol archives, professional advice, and online case conferencing). The user satisfaction survey revealed that nurses showed high satisfaction with the system. Among all features, the nurses were most satisfied with the care plan, which included AI-based recommendations for community referral. CONCLUSIONS: The system developed from the study has attractive features for visiting nurses and supports their essential tasks. The system can help with effective case management for older adults requiring in-home care and reduce nurses' workload. It can also improve communication and networking between healthcare and long-term care institutions.

The Process of Home-Visiting Nurses Supporting People with Mental Disorders.

The number of people with mental disorders (PMD) living in the community is increasing; however, it is unclear how home-visiting nurses (HVNs) supporting them in the community acquire their support skills. This study aimed to reveal the process of how HVNs learn support skills for PMD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 HVNs supporting PMD living in the community. The grounded theory approach was used for data analysis. As a result, two stages were present: "Explore the personal recovery of PMD" and "Believe in the potential of PMD and accompanying them". The first stage is further divided into two themes: "Overlapping the worlds of PMD and HVNs", and "Easing difficulty in living for PMD". In the first stage, HVNs gained a better understanding of PMD and obtained insight into the support they needed in their daily lives. In the second stage, HVNs became to provide the support that PMD truly needed. HVNs gained a deeper understanding of the reality of PMD through their support. After HVNs found the support PMD required, they sought to provide it, ultimately resulting in finding ways to facilitate the personal recovery of PMD.

Parental and health visitor perceptions on growth screening in early childhood: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Growth screening in early childhood can help identify children with a range of medical and psychosocial vulnerabilities. In the UK, childhood growth and development up to age 5 years are assessed through the Healthy Child Programme, delivered by health visitors. However, formal criteria to trigger referrals for onward investigation are unclear. There is a lack of qualitative data on the acceptability and feasibility of formal growth screening programmes. This study aimed to build understanding of the perceptions and motivations of caregivers and health visitors in relation to child growth and growth screening. METHODS: This longitudinal observational study was part of a larger study piloting an automated growth screening algorithm in Tower Hamlets, London. We conducted three separate qualitative focus group interviews with health visitors (n=10), English-speaking parents (n=6), and Sylheti-speaking parents (n=5). Participants were purposively sampled, and written informed consent was obtained. A bilingual researcher facilitated each group, using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed by two researchers using thematic analysis and assessed for intercoder reliability. The interview guide was translated into Sylheti, and data from the Sylheti group were translated into English by the same bilingual researcher. FINDINGS: Findings suggest that parents desire holistic care in which health visitors are empowered to refer to other health professionals and council services. Parents also want easier access to health visitors, frequent visits with the same health-care provider, and advice on raising their children. Health visitors were seen as well positioned to play an essential role in educating parents on health and developmental milestones and in helping them identify when their child might need additional support. Both parents and health visitors stressed that resources need to be in place not only to assess children but also to provide access to services when problems are identified. INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that implementing growth screening through health visitors is feasible and acceptable, provided health visitors are given the resources and capabilities to refer children to appropriate services. Interpretation is limited by the purposive nature of the sampling and possible response bias. FUNDING: Barts Charity.

[EB care by a home care nurse: mission impossible?] / La prise en charge d'une EB par une infirmière à domicile, mission impossible ?

Hereditary epidermolysis bullosa is also known as the "butterfly child" disease. By no means bucolic, the expression of this cruel pathology makes the lives of affected patients a daily struggle against sores covering the body, causing pain and requiring conscientious care. Like the disease itself, the care provided by a nurse at home is heavy, complex... and rare. Preventive care, education, assessment and dressing repairs are all part of nursing care, but are mainly carried out by relatives, or even by the patient him/herself. A further burden for these people, who are heavily impacted physically, psychologically and socially.

Support in acute situations when a community health nurse is called: experiences of older patients, their significant others, and involved healthcare professionals- a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Care decisions for older patients in acute situations are challenging to make, and there is limited knowledge of support in home healthcare settings, where older patients receive ongoing health care from, for example, community health nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the support for all involved in acute situations when a community health nurse was called, as experienced by older patients, their significant others and healthcare professionals involved. METHODS: The study was conducted using a phenomenological reflective lifeworld research approach, in which meanings of the study phenomenon were analyzed. The included participants were those who had been involved in acute situations. Twelve participants from four acute situations were interviewed. The participant included three older patients, one significant other, four community health nurses, one registered nurse student, one specialist in general practice, and two ambulance personnel, with one being a registered nurse and the other a specialist ambulance nurse. RESULTS: Support in decision-making was received from the knowledge of temporality, which provided a comprehensive understanding based on past and present knowledge of the older patient. The knowledge of temporality allowed for the early detection of new symptoms and facilitated care decisions tailored to the older patient. There was a dependency on pre-existing mutual interpersonal support, and confidence developed through relational, caring, and medical competence. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of temporality, confidence and mutual interpersonal support in acute situations highlight the importance of enhancing relational continuity in home healthcare settings and establishing a structural collaboration among community health nurses, specialists in general practice, and ambulance personnel. This collaboration aims to provide support for making decisions regarding tailored care.

Aplicación del Modelo de Adaptación de Roy en el contexto comunitario / Applying Roy's adaptation model to a community context

Introducción. Este artículo proporciona un aporte importante desde la aplicación del Modelo de Adaptación de Callista Roy a grupos. Objetivo. Promover comportamientos adaptativos a través de estrategias de atención primaria en salud dirigidas a un grupo de adultos mayores con enfermedad crónica que habitan en un municipio del departamento de Cundinamarca Colombia; Materiales y Métodos. Abordaje cualitativo tipo investigación-acción participativa. La enfermera utilizó la observación participante, y caracterizó la comunidad; además, con preguntas exploratorias les permitió reconocer sus problemas y proponer estrategias de mejora, incluso para su propia salud; posteriormente se aplicó el proceso de atención de enfermería. Resultados. Se logró valorar el comportamiento del grupo a través de los modos físico, auto-concepto o identidad grupal, la función del rol o unidad de funcionamiento de la sociedad e integridad social y la interdependencia o contexto social en el que funciona el grupo. Discusión. Aplicar el Modelo en la práctica permite reconocer situaciones negativas en los grupos para favorecer procesos de afrontamiento innovadores y controlar los estímulos ambientales en el contexto comunitario. Las habilidades en la valoración deben ser agudas ya que son la clave para la aplicación del modelo de Roy en la práctica comunitaria. Conclusiones. Se identificaron los estímulos que desencadenan los principales problemas de adaptación y se implementó un plan de cuidado con el desarrollo de estrategias para la adaptación, tales como la visita domiciliaria, encuentros intergeneracionales, participación comunitaria con grupos de apoyo creados por la municipalidad y la educación en salud con el fin de promover la adaptación del grupo.

Introduction: This article is an important contribution to the application of Callista Roy's Adaptation Model to groups. Objective: To promote adaptive behaviors through primary health care strategies for a group of chronically ill older adults living in a municipality in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. Materials and methods: A qualitative participatory action research approach was used. A nurse used participant observation and characterized the community; besides, with exploratory questions, the nurse enabled them to identify their problems and suggest strategies for improvement, including for their own health. Subsequently, the nursing care process was applied. Results: Group behavior was assessed through the following modes of adaptation: physiologic adaptation, self-concept or group identity, role-function adaptation or unit of social functioning and social integrity, and interdependence adaptation or social context in which the group functions. Discussion: Applying Roy's model in practice makes it possible to identify negative situations in groups, promote innovative coping processes, and control environmental stimuli in a community. Assessment skills must be sharp, as they are key to applying Roy's model to community practice. Conclusions: The stimuli that trigger the main adaptation problems were identified, and a nursing care plan was implemented developing adaptation strategies, such as home visits, intergenerational meetings, community participation with support groups created by the municipality, and health education, to promote group adaptation.

Introdução. Este artigo oferece uma contribuição importante da aplicação do Modelo de Adaptação de Callista Roy a grupos. Objetivo. Promover comportamentos adaptativos por meio de estratégias de atenção primária à saúde voltadas para um grupo de idosos com doenças crônicas que vivem em um município do departamento de Cundinamarca, Colômbia; Materiais e métodos. Abordagem de pesquisa de ação participativa qualitativa. A enfermeira utilizou a observação participante e caracterizou a comunidade; além disso, perguntas exploratórias permitiram que eles reconhecessem seus problemas e propusessem estratégias de melhoria, inclusive para sua própria saúde; posteriormente, foi aplicado o processo de assistência de enfermagem. Resultados. Foi possível avaliar o comportamento do grupo por meio de modos físicos, autoconceito ou identidade do grupo, função do papel ou unidade de funcionamento da sociedade e integridade social e interdependência ou contexto social no qual o grupo funciona. Discussão. A aplicação do Modelo na prática permite o reconhecimento de situações negativas em grupos para favorecer processos inovadores de enfrentamento e controlar os estímulos ambientais no contexto da comunidade. As habilidades de avaliação devem estar afiadas, pois são a chave para a aplicação do Modelo de Roy na prática comunitária. Conclusões. Os estímulos que desencadeiam os principais problemas de enfrentamento foram identificados e um plano de cuidados foi implementado com o desenvolvimento de estratégias de enfrentamento, como visitas domiciliares, encontros intergeracionais, participação comunitária com grupos de apoio criados pelo município e educação em saúde para promover o enfrentamento em grupo.