Workplace bullying in the OR: Results of a descriptive study.

This study describes the incidence of workplace bullying among perioperative RNs, surgical technologists, and unlicensed perioperative personnel in two academic medical centers. The study sought to determine whether the demographic variables of gender, ethnicity, hospital, years of experience on the unit, years in the profession, and job title predict the experience of workplace bullying; whether a relationship exists between workplace bullying and emotional exhaustion; and whether bullying is associated with perceptions of patient safety in the OR. The cross-sectional design included perioperative nurses, surgical technologists, and unlicensed perioperative personnel (N = 167). Fifty-nine percent of the study participants reported witnessing coworker bullying weekly, and 34% reported at least two bullying acts weekly. Having one's opinion ignored is the most common bullying act, with 28% of respondents experiencing being ignored. Differences in the experience of bullying can be found between hospitals and among ethnicities. Emotional exhaustion also was correlated with bullying. The participants did not perceive bullying as affecting patient safety.

A self-report instrument that describes urogenital atrophy symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

Urogenital atrophy affects the lower urinary and genital tracts and is responsible for urinary, genital, and sexual symptoms. The accurate identification, measurement, and documentation of symptoms are limited by the absence of reliable and valid instruments. The Urogenital Atrophy Questionnaire was developed to allow self-reporting of symptoms and to provide clinicians and researchers an instrument to identify, measure, and document indicators of urogenital atrophy. A pilot study (n = 30) measured test-retest reliability (p < .05) of the instrument. Subsequently, a survey of women with (n = 168) and without breast cancer (n = 166) was conducted using the Urogenital Atrophy Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Instrument, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, Breast, Endocrine Scale. Exploratory factor analysis (KMO 0.774; Bartlett's test of sphericity 0.000) indicated moderate-high relatedness of items. Concurrent (p > .01) and divergent validity (p < .000) were established. A questionnaire resulted that enables women, regardless of sexual orientation, partner status, and levels of sexual activity to accurately report symptoms.

Urogenital atrophy in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the symptoms of urogenital atrophy in breast cancer survivors, influencing factors, and their effects on performance. DATA SOURCES: Review of qualitative and quantitative research data that describe pain, function, satisfaction, and quality of life related to urologic, genital, and sexual function. DATA SYNTHESIS: Breast cancer treatment can induce or exacerbate symptoms related to urogenital atrophy. The lower urinary and genital tracts are affected by physiologic alterations, the potential abrupt onset of menopause, and treatment side effects. Symptoms of urogenital atrophy often are more prevalent and severe in women treated for breast cancer than in age-matched women without breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms related to urogenital atrophy are common in breast cancer survivors and can be affected by physiologic, situational, and psychological influences with negative effects on performance. Research is essential to the understanding of how transient or permanent hormonal alterations affect the urogenital system and the role of these symptoms on quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses must listen with sensitivity to breast cancer survivors and their descriptions of these significant and life-altering symptoms. Personalized discussion enables the nurse to explore issues, assess symptoms, recommend interventions, and evaluate at follow-up visits. Nurses are integral to the provision of survivorship care planning that can address the short- and long-term effects of a cancer diagnosis and related treatments.