Healthcare service use for children with chronic complex diseases: A longitudinal six-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The objective was analysed the patterns use of healthcare services of this population and the influence of their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. DESIGN AND METHODS: A six-year longitudinal follow-up study was performed to evaluate the annual healthcare resources use and clinical data among children with complex chronic diseases in Spain between 2015 and 2021. The sample trends in healthcare usage and the associated factors were analysed using ANCOVA and multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: Patients had high attendance during the follow-up period, with >15 episodes year. This trend decreased over time, especially in children with oncological diseases compared with other diseases (F (16.75; 825.4) = 32.457; p < 0.001). A multivariable model showed that children with a greater number of comorbidities (ß = 0.17), shorter survival time (ß = -0.23), who had contact with the palliative care unit (ß = 0.16), and whose mothers had a higher professional occupation (ß = 0.14), had a greater use of the healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a higher number of comorbidities and the use of medical devices made a greater frequentation of health services, showing a trend of decreasing use over time. Socioeconomic factors such as mothers' occupational status determine healthcare frequentation. These results suggest the existence of persistent gaps in care coordination sustained over time. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Systematized and coordinated models of care for this population should consider the presence of inequalities in health care use.

Nursing students' experience of approaching risk for suicide behaviour through simulated environments: A content analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health problem, especially among the young population. Nurses are in a unique position to prevent it due to their constant contact with patients. However, addressing suicidal behaviour can be complicated by the emotional responses it elicits. Simulation has been shown to be an effective tool to increase the self-confidence of nursing students in dealing with these sensitive situations in a safe environment prior to dealing with real patients. AIM: To explore nursing students' perceptions, thoughts, and emotions about their performance in dealing with risk for suicidal behaviour through simulated scenarios. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Students of Mental Health and Psychiatric II in the third year of the Nursing course at the University of Málaga were invited to explain their experience by answering a questionnaire of three open-ended questions following their participation in the simulated scenarios of the course. RESULTS: A total of 72 students participated. Content analysis of the written responses identified three main themes: (i) Emotions experienced during the simulation; (ii) Self-criticism of the performance/intervention; (iii) Student evaluation of the learning experience. Most of the students indicated at some point during the clinical scenario, they had felt anxiety, proposing possible improvements in their own performance. The clinical scenario that elicited the most negative emotions was that of a person diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. CONCLUSION: Clinical simulations contribute to a better understanding of nursing practice with mental health patients and the need for training in emotional and therapeutic communication skills among students.

Predictive model for the risk of paediatric intensive care utilization in children with medical complexity: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Children with medical complexity (CMC) are at increased risk of admission in intensive care. Despite improvements in mortality rates, there remains a burden of morbidity, long-term health care needs and hospital readmissions. Beyond clinical factors, socio-demographic determinants could impact utilization of acute services. AIM: To identify risk factors that can differentiate CMC who are admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). STUDY DESIGN: A 6-year longitudinal retrospective cohort study evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and health care utilization. RESULTS: A total of 248 CMC were included, with a median age of 13 years (9.75-17.00). Intensive care admission rate was 47.2%. The risk of PICU admission was higher for children undergoing surgical interventions (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.34-1.86, p < .001) and those using medical devices (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.54-2.13, p < .001). Mother's higher educational level was a protective factor (HR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.79, p < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between risk of admission and the presence of malignancy, comorbidities, home medical devices, surgical procedures and higher health care utilization. Children's age and higher maternal educational level acted as protective factors. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors should be considered in the provision of care to CMC. Individualized assessments to guide supportive interventions adapted to socio-economic factors may prevent PICU admissions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the importance of integrating individualized assessments of socio-demographic risk factors, such as maternal educational level, into the clinical practice of paediatric nurses. Moreover, targeted interventions, including educational resources and community support programmes, may optimize care.

Components of case management in caring for patients with dementia: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Case management has shown improvements in some health outcomes for dementia patients and their families. However, despite its benefits the components of case management in order to provide effective patient and family care remain unknown at present. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the specific components of case management in caring for patients with dementia and to determine the necessary intensity of its deployment to enhance outcomes for these patients and their caregivers. METHODS: Mixed-methods study with a qualitative phase to characterise forms of service provision, according to the case management components involved, followed by a quantitative phase to analyse the correlations between different patterns of service provision, adverse events in patients and caregiver overload. This study will be based on the variables described in the RANGE.COM register. DISCUSSION: This research is expected to achieve a reproducible, evaluable set of interventions that can be modelled to optimise case management effectiveness for patients with dementia. Interactions between patients with dementia, their family caregivers and case management healthcare services, the components of these interactions and their association with the conditions of the individuals concerned are issues of great interest in the field of case management, which is constantly evolving.

Competency Gradients in Advanced Practice Nurses, Specialist Nurses, and Registered Nurses: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Identifying differences in the competencies of different areas of nursing is a crucial aspect for determining the scope of practice. This would facilitate the creation of a formal structure for clinical practice in advanced and specialised services. The aims of this study are to analyse the distribution of advanced competencies in registered, specialist and advanced practice nurses in Spain, and to determine the level of complexity of the patients attended by these nurses. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed on registered, specialist and advanced practice nurses, all of whom completed an online survey on their perceived level of advanced competencies and their professional characteristics. (3) Results: In total, 1270 nurses completed the survey. Advanced practice nurses recorded the highest self-perceived level of competency, especially for the dimensions of evidence-based practice, autonomy, leadership and care management. (4) Conclusions: Among registered, specialist and advanced practice nurses, there are significant differences in the level of self-perceived competencies. Patients attended by advanced practice nurses presented the highest levels of complexity. Understanding these differences could facilitate the creation of a regulatory framework for clinical practice in advanced and specialized services.

Nursing students' perceptions on the use of clinical simulation in psychiatric and mental health nursing by means of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

BACKGROUND: In view of the rising incidence and prevalence of mental disorders, and the stigma often attached to persons with these pathologies, the question of specific, appropriate training for nursing students is one of great importance. Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and clinical simulation may provide a useful means of introducing the student to this environment. OBJECTIVES: To examine the perceptions and satisfaction of nursing students after their participation in a targeted mental health course in which the main specialist skills were acquired via clinical simulation. DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive, transversal study was conducted, in which the participants in a mental health course completed a questionnaire on their satisfaction with the experience. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 141 nursing students enrolled in a mental health course and currently in the third year of their Nursing Degree studies at the University of Málaga (Spain). RESULTS: The overall satisfaction expressed was more than 8 out of 10 (mean score = 8.43, SD = 1.25) and the students' satisfaction with specific aspects of the procedure exceeded 4 out of 5. The study results show that these nursing students considered the methodology in question to be useful preparation for clinical practice (mean score = 4.78, SD = 0.45), that they appreciated the participation of an expert (mean score = 4.72, SD = 0.60) and that receiving the opinions of their peers about their performance was an enriching part of the experience (mean score = 4.54, SD = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The participants reported a high degree of satisfaction with the OSCE procedure and observed that this method should be implemented more frequently. Debriefing is viewed as a vital contribution to the learning process and to the participants' satisfaction. However, further research is needed to study the impact of stress and anxiety on the acquisition of skills via OSCEs.

Utilization of Parallel Resources and Sociodemographic Factors in Treating Children with Complex Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Children with complex chronic conditions have a high need for health and social care resources. Many parents explore parallel resources such as alternative therapies, associations, psychological support, private medical consultations, and other out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. The use of these alternative health resources is sometimes unclear and may lead to health inequalities. To characterize the use made of alternative healthcare resources for children with complex chronic conditions. Additionally, we evaluate the influence of sociodemographic factors on the distribution of this utilization of resources; (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study. Children with complex chronic diseases were treated at a tertiary hospital in Granada, Spain in 2016. We analyzed their use of healthcare resources and socioeconomic variables. This research complies with STROBE guidelines for observational studies; (3) Results: In total, 265 children were analyzed (mean age 7.3 years, SD 4.63). A total of 105 children (39.6%) attended private consultations with specialists, and 12.1% (n = 32) of the children had additional private health insurance. One out three parents belonged to a mutual support association (n = 78), and 26% (n = 69) of the children used alternative therapies. Furthermore, 75.4% (n = 199) of the children received no psychological support. Children whose parents had a higher educational level and occupations status made greater use of parallel healthcare resources.; (4) Conclusions: A significant proportion of children used multiple health resources in addition to the public healthcare system depending on sociodemographic determinants. Studies are needed to determine whether the use of these alternative services achieves better levels of health.

Socioeconomic Factors and Quality of Life Perceived by Parents and Children with Complex Chronic Conditions in Spain.

Health-related quality of life of children with complex chronic conditions could be affected by sociodemographic factors. Most studies focus exclusively on the parents' perceptions of quality of life. This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life of these children, according to their parents and the children themselves. A cross-sectional study was developed on children aged over five years with complex chronic conditions. Health-related quality of life, educational attainment, and social status were evaluated. A total of 101 children were included with a mean age of 10.48 years, and 35.6% were female. The most frequent disease was oncological (28.7%). Children perceived a better health-related quality of life, compared to their parents' assessment: median difference -8.4 (95%CI: -9.2 to -3.8). Moreover, differences were observed by socioeconomic factors. Parents and children with complex chronic conditions perceive differently the health-related quality of life. Social determinants associate with an uneven perceived quality of life.

Competences of specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses. / Competencias en enfermeras Especialistas y en Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the distribution of advanced competences in specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses and to evaluate their association with some characteristics of their professional profile. METHOD: Multicentre analytical cross-sectional study. Nurses who worked as advanced practice nurses and specialist nurses were included. Their level of perceived advanced competences was measured, as well as sociodemographic and professional characterization variables. RESULTS: A total of 277 nurses participated (149 practised as advanced practice nurses and 128 as specialists), with an average of 13.88 (11.05) years as a specialist and 10.48 (5.32) years as an advanced practice nurse. In the sample, 28.8% had a master's or doctorate level qualification, 50.2% worked in Primary Care, 24.9% in hospitals and 22.7% in Mental Health. The self-perceived global level was high in the different competences, the lowest dimensions being research, evidence-based practice, quality and safety management and leadership and consulting. The advanced practice nurses obtained a higher level of competence globally and in the dimensions of leadership and consulting, interprofessional relations, care management, and health promotion. There were no differences based on experience or possession of a master's degree or doctorate. In the advanced practice nurses, the practice context did not influence competence levels, although in the specialist nurses it did, in favour of those practicing in Mental Health. CONCLUSIONS: Specialist and advanced practice nurses have different competences that should be adequately managed for the development of advanced and specialist nursing services.

Competencias en enfermeras Especialistas y en Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada / Competences of specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses

Objetivo: Analizar la distribución de competencias avanzadas en enfermeras especialistas y enfermeras de práctica avanzada y evaluar su asociación con algunas características de su perfil profesional. Método: Estudio transversal analítico multicéntrico. Se incluyeron enfermeras que ejercían como Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada y enfermeras Especialistas. Se midió su nivel de competencias avanzadas percibidas, así como variables de caracterización profesional. Resultados: Doscientas setenta y siete enfermeras participaron (149 ejercían práctica avanzada y 128 especialistas), con una media de 13,88 (11,05) años como especialista y 10,48 (5,32) años como Enfermera de Práctica Avanzada. Un 28,8% tenía nivel de máster o doctorado. El 50,2% ejercía en atención primaria, el 24,9% en hospitales y el 22,7% en salud mental. El nivel global autopercibido fue elevado en las distintas competencias, siendo las dimensiones más bajas las de investigación, práctica basada en la evidencia, gestión de la calidad y seguridad y liderazgo y consultoría. Las Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada obtuvieron mayor nivel competencial de forma global y en las dimensiones de liderazgo y consultoría, relaciones interprofesionales, gestión de cuidados y promoción de salud. No hubo diferencias en función de la experiencia o la posesión de nivel de máster o de doctorado. En las Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada el contexto de práctica no influía en los niveles competenciales, aunque en las enfermeras especialistas sí, a favor de las que ejercían en salud mental. Conclusiones: Las enfermeras especialistas y de práctica avanzada tienen competencias distintas que deberían ser gestionadas adecuadamente para el desarrollo de los servicios enfermeros avanzados y especializados

Objective: To analyse the distribution of advanced competences in specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses and to evaluate their association with some characteristics of their professional profile. Method: Multicentre analytical cross-sectional study. Nurses who worked as advanced practice nurses and specialist nurses were included. Their level of perceived advanced competences was measured, as well as sociodemographic and professional characterization variables. Results: A total of 277 nurses participated (149 practised as advanced practice nurses and 128 as specialists), with an average of 13.88 (11.05) years as a specialist and 10.48 (5.32) years as an advanced practice nurse. In the sample, 28.8% had a master's or doctorate level qualification, 50.2% worked in Primary Care, 24.9% in hospitals and 22.7% in Mental Health. The self-perceived global level was high in the different competences, the lowest dimensions being research, evidence-based practice, quality and safety management and leadership and consulting. The advanced practice nurses obtained a higher level of competence globally and in the dimensions of leadership and consulting, interprofessional relations, care management, and health promotion. There were no differences based on experience or possession of a master's degree or doctorate. In the advanced practice nurses, the practice context did not influence competence levels, although in the specialist nurses it did, in favour of those practicing in Mental Health. Conclusions: Specialist and advanced practice nurses have different competences that should be adequately managed for the development of advanced and specialist nursing services