Patient Perceptions and Experiences With Maggot Debridement Therapy for Managing Chronic Wounds.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe patient experiences and satisfaction with use of maggot debridement therapy (MDT) for hard-to-heal wounds. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 60 participants, 60% were male (n = 36). Their mean age was 62.9 (SD = 20) years. Almost half of participants had lower extremity wounds (n = 26; 43.3%), diabetic foot ulcers (n = 18; 30%), and pressure injuries (n = 9; 15%). Most received maggot therapy via biobags (n = 36; 60%). METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire designed for purposes of the study that queried demographic and pertinent clinical characteristics, current health status including current topical therapies, and duration of their chronic wound. Nine items queried emotional responses prior to MDT, the amount and method of the maggot therapy, discomfort experienced during therapy, and sources of information regarding this treatment. RESULTS: Emotional responses before starting MDT included disgust (n = 30, 50%), anxiety (n = 26, 43.3%), doubts about its effectiveness (n =20, 33.3%), and disbelief (n = 11, 18.3%). Approximately one-third of participants reported feelings of biting, itching, and fear of the maggots. Despite these feelings, a majority (n = 38, 63.3%) indicated that they were pleased with treatment outcome and willing to undergo additional MDT if needed. CONCLUSIONS: While a majority of participants with nonhealing chronic wounds reported negative emotions association with MDT, more than half indicated that they were pleased with the outcome of treatment and willing to undergo repeat treatment if indicated.

Analysis of self-care strategies among nurses in southern Poland - a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the self-care strategies undertaken by Polish nurses, and more specifically: to assess the participants' self-care strategies; to check self-medication patterns in the study group; and to analyze compliance with medical recommendations regarding pharmacotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the phenomenon of interest. The study employed a questionnaire survey with an independently designed questionnaire as a research tool. A total of 446 registered nurses taking part in different professional training courses for nurses in January-June 2018 who agreed to participate were included in the study. RESULTS: The findings of this study reveal generally poor self-care strategies and compliance with medical recommendations among Polish nurses. The most frequent health behaviors among the surveyed nurses were caring for personal hygiene and a healthy diet. About 31% of the nurses confirmed supplements use. The most common reasons for taking supplements concerned the prevention of vitamin and mineral deficiencies (77.5%), and boosting of the immune system (49.3%). The most popular supplements included packs of vitamins (57.2%), single vitamin D3 (33.3%) and magnesium (31.2%). The vast majority of participants (79.8%) took some kind of over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) in the last 6 months, most often painkillers and flu medications, relying most frequently on the information included on the drug leaflets. The analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between declared OTC use and age, marital status, years of professional experience and economic status. Overall, 26.9% of the study participants declared the use of both supplements and OTCs, while 16.4% of the participants used neither supplements nor OTCs. CONCLUSIONS: Self-care strategies undertaken by nurses should be seen as an essential factor in their positive therapeutic relationship with patients. The ageing nursing workforce should make all of us increasingly aware that their self-care needs will increase as well. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(1):13-25.

Reporting of workplace violence towards nurses in 5 European countries - a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess country-specific evidence of physical and non-physical acts of workplace violence towards nurses working in the health sector in 5 European countries, and then to identify reasons for not reporting violence experienced at work. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 participating countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Turkey, and Spain). All registered nurses working in selected healthcare settings for at least 1 year were invited to participate in the study. A questionnaire adapted from the Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study - Questionnaire, developed jointly by the International Labour Office, the International Council of Nurses, the World Health Organization and Public Services International, was used. The selection of healthcare settings and the distribution of the questionnaire were conducted according to the recommendations of the questionnaire authors. RESULTS: In total, 1089 nurses submitted completed questionnaires which could be included in the study. Of these, 54% stated that they had been exposed to non-physical violence and 20% had been exposed to physical violent acts. A total of 15% of the surveyed nurses experienced both forms of workplace violence. In addition, 18% of the respondents confirmed having witnessed physical violence in their workplace. The most common perpetrators were patients and patients' relatives. In about 70% of these cases, no actions were taken after the act of violence to investigate its causes. About half of the study group did not report workplace violence as they believed it was useless or not important. The most common consequences of workplace violence included being "superalert" or watchful and on guard. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses internationally are both victims of and witnesses to workplace violence. Workplace violence is often seen by nurses as an occupational hazard and, as such, it remains not reported. The first step in preventing workplace violence is not only to acknowledge its existence but also to ensure the appropriate reporting of violent acts. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(3):325-38.

Violence against nurses working in the health sector in five European countries-pilot study.

AIM: To provide initial data regarding country-specific evidence of workplace violence towards nurses working within the health sector in five European countries. METHODS: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional pilot study, conducted in June 2016. The sample consisted of 260 nurses working in selected health care settings in five participating countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Spain). The questionnaire used was adapted from the International Labour Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organisation/Public Services International Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study-Questionnaire. RESULTS: A large number of participants confirmed that they had been physically attacked or verbally abused in the workplace in the last 12 months. In most cases, the physical and verbal abuse was inflicted by patients and to a lesser degree by relatives of patients, staff members, or managers/supervisors. In the majority of cases, no action was taken to investigate the causes of the incidents. In most cases, participants believed there was no point in reporting the incidents. However, the reasons for not reporting or discussing incidents of workplace violence varied depending on the country. CONCLUSION: Workplace violence towards nurses is a serious problem internationally, and violence prevention strategies need to be implemented.

Job Satisfaction and Subjective Well-Being Among Midwives: Analysis of a Multinational Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: There is a considerable amount of empirical evidence to indicate a positive association between an employee's subjective well-being and workplace performance and job satisfaction. Compared with nursing research, there is a relative lack of consistent scientific evidence concerning midwives' subjective well-being and its determinants related to domains of job satisfaction. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between the domains of job satisfaction and components of subjective well-being in hospital midwives. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 1190 hospital midwives from 7 countries. Job satisfaction was measured by the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale. Subjective well-being was conceptualized in the study by the 2 components (the affective and the cognitive component). The affective component of subjective well-being (ie, emotional well-being) was assessed by the Positive and the Negative Affect Scale. The cognitive component of subjective well-being (ie, life satisfaction) was measured by the Personal Well-Being Index. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to determine associations between variables. RESULTS: Findings from correlation and regression analyses indicated an overall weak association between the domains of job satisfaction and components of subjective well-being. Satisfaction with extrinsic rewards, coworkers, and interaction opportunities accounted for only 13% of variance in the cognitive component (life satisfaction). The affective component (emotional well-being) was weakly associated with satisfaction with control and responsibility. DISCUSSION: The low amount of variance suggests that neither component of subjective well-being is influenced by the domains of job satisfaction. Further studies should focus on identifying other predictors of subjective well-being among midwives. A better understanding of how specific job facets are related to the subjective well-being of midwives might assist employers in the design of counseling and intervention programs for subjective well-being of midwives in the workplace and workplace performance.

Job satisfaction and leaving intentions of midwives: analysis of a multinational cross-sectional survey.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between turnover intentions and job satisfaction among hospital midwives from seven countries and to determine how the related variables differ between countries. BACKGROUND: Studies investigating professional turnover and job satisfaction among midwives are limited in scope. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was used to investigate the intended turnover and job satisfaction relationship among 1190 hospital midwives in European and Asian countries. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires that included questions regarding the leaving intentions of midwives and the McCloskey/Mueller satisfaction scale. RESULTS: Midwives were least satisfied with their extrinsic rewards and professional opportunities and with the balance between family and work. Significant differences were found in all domains of job satisfaction according to midwives' intentions to leave their current workplace in hospital or profession of midwife, and to work abroad. CONCLUSION: There are some general satisfying and dissatisfying elements for the profession of midwife across different countries. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The results highlight the importance of understanding midwives' leaving intentions and related factors across different countries. To prevent midwife turnover, health-care managers should gain greater insight into the early stage of midwives' turnover intention.

Accuracy of self-reported and measured anthropometric data in the inpatient population.

Self-reported body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to assess nutritional status. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of self-reported and measured data obtained from the inpatient population. A total of 296 individuals admitted to five hospital wards were included in the study. Patients provided details of their height and weight, and measurements of height and weight were subsequently taken. BMI measurements were calculated from both the self-reported and the measured data. In general, the study participants overestimated their height and underestimated their weight. Older people and women were significantly more likely to overestimate their height, whereas better educated people were more likely to underestimate their weight. Inaccurate height and weight reporting led to BMI values being underestimated. The findings of this study support previously published research questioning the accuracy of self-reported height and weight measurements.

[The level of job satisfaction and its relation to midwives' subjective quality of life]. / Analiza poziomu satysfakcji zawodowej oraz jej zwiazku z subiektywnie oceniana jakoscia zycia poloznych.

BACKGROUND: According to the so called Transactional Model of Quality of Life, job satisfaction is a part of subjective well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between professional commitment, expressed as job satisfaction or dissatisfaction, consideration of leaving the profession or/and workplace, and subjective assessment of well-being among midwives working at hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a part of the international research project, coordinated by the University of Ostrava. The group of respondents consisted of 176 midwives working at selected hospitals in the Silesian region. The study was conducted using the method of diagnostic survey, questionnaire techniques and standardized research tools, such as McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale (MMSS), Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A) and Subjective Emotional Habitual Wellbeing Scale (SEHP). RESULTS: The overall midwives' job satisfaction was found to be at a medium level. Respondents less satisfied with various aspects of work (interaction, co-workers, professional opportunities, praise/recognition, control/responsibility) and life (standard of living and achievements in life) were significantly more often considering changing their jobs. Dissatisfaction with the extrinsic rewards (salary, vacation, benefits package) had additionally influenced the frequency of considering changing the profession. The respondents were characterized by much lower sense of present and future security than that observed in Western countries, as well as by low satisfaction with standard of living and feeling part of the society. CONCLUSIONS: Job satisfaction and subjective well-being remain in strong relationship, and although it is difficult to determine the direction of these relationships, they seem to have a significant impact on each other.