Importance of Soft Skills in Health Sciences Students and Their Repercussion after the COVID-19 Epidemic: Scoping Review.

Soft skills (SKs) are skills related to the interaction among people and their way of dealing with tasks. Increasingly valued in the workplace, they are especially relevant in health professionals due to the importance of the relationship among them and their patients and families. Given their importance, the university training of healthcare professionals must promote the development of SKs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in many areas, changing the learning process and, even more, the use of these soft skills as a fundamental ingredient in human relationships. The aim of this study was to analyse the available evidence regarding SKs in health science students, specifically nursing students, and to describe whether there is a worsening in the development of such skills after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the PRISMA-ScR methodology for systematic reviews, this study included articles on social skills and possible changes in these skills as a consequence of the pandemic in health sciences students The results highlight the importance of these emotional competences for future nurses, being particularly relevant for communication and emotional self-awareness and showing their influence on academic aspects, such as academic performance or mental health and coping skills. A major limitation of the present study was not considering aspects such as compassion or empathy. However, the novelty provided by this work is the analysis of the changes in SKs produced as a consequence of the pandemic. It is definitely clear that there is a need to enhance emotional intelligence, and thus soft skills, in future health professionals.

Caring for the Elderly Enhances Positive Attitudes Better Than Knowledge in Nursing Students.

Background and Objectives: There is a growing interest in the measurement of attitudes towards older people in healthcare professionals, as there is a need to implement interventions to improve ageist attitudes. A one group pretest-posttest study was carried out to explore the change in nursing student attitudes towards the elderly during their university careers. Materials and Method: A total of 97 nursing students were enrolled. Attitudes were analyzed using Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale. Results: The attitude was positive from the beginning of the study, with a score of 110.06 (12.92). No differences were observed after completing the subject "Care of the elderly" (106.21 (10.77)), though a significant increase was recorded after the completion of clinical placement (142.88 (12.64)), with a large effect size (η2p = 0.754). The score of the positive items was significantly increased, but not that of the negative items, as ageist attitude was not reduced. Conclusion: The current curricular design, that includes taking the theoretical course before clinical placement in the geriatric area, increases positive attitudes in nursing students but does not reduce ageist attitudes.

Interventions to improve attitudes toward older people in undergraduate health and social sciences students. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which interventions are the most effective in improving attitudes toward older persons in undergraduate health and social sciences students. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was made in PubMed, EBSCO and SCOPUS and additional records were identified by manual searching. The selection criteria were studies that evaluated an intervention designed to improve positive attitudes; studies in undergraduate health and social sciences students; and studies using direct instruments to measure attitudes. REVIEW METHODS: Two independent reviewers extracted study-level data from records using a common data collection spreadsheet. Two reviewers also assessed study quality by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The primary outcome was the effect of an intervention upon attitudes toward older people, while the secondary outcome was the effect upon knowledge about aging and older people in those studies that had previously assessed subject attitude. The meta-analysis was carried out based on mixed statistical models. RESULTS: The search identified 53 eligible studies published during 1982-2020, comprising 35 pre-post studies and 18 randomized clinical trials, of which 14 were included in the meta-analysis. A strongly significant effect upon attitudes was observed for empathy-based interventions (differences of standardized mean differences (dSMD) = 1.26; 95%CI: 0.04-2.48; p = 0.04), knowledge + empathy-based interventions (dSMD = 0.22; 95%CI: 0.05-0.39; p = 0.01), and knowledge + clinical skills-based interventions (dSMD = 0.22; 95%CI: 0.01-0.43; p = 0.04). The overall effect was dSMD = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.01-0.43; p = 0.004. In addition, a positive effect in terms of increased knowledge about the older was observed after knowledge + empathy-based and knowledge + clinical skills-based interventions (dSMD = 0.24; 95%CI: 0.07-0.40; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to improve attitudes in health and social sciences students are effective, with those based on empathy having the greatest impact. Improving attitudes among future professionals could improve the management and quality of care of older people. More rigorous and better designed studies are recommended to determine the effect of the interventions. Registered on PROSPERO ID: CRD42021220677. TWITTABLE ABSTRACT: Ageism is present in healthcare settings. Empathy-based interventions are the most effective strategies in health and social sciences students.

Factors Affecting Attitudes towards Older People in Undergraduate Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: The population of older people is increasing worldwide. The social and healthcare systems need many nurses to care for the elderly. Positive attitudes increase the preference to work with older people and improve the quality of care. This study describes attitudes towards the elderly in a sample of nursing students, and analyzes the potential factors influencing these attitudes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in nursing students during the academic course 2017-2018. Kogan's Attitude Toward Old People Scale was used to assess student attitudes towards older people. RESULTS: The study included 377 undergraduate nursing students, of which 75.9% were women. The mean age was 22.23 (5.69) years. Attitude proved positive, with a mean Kogan's score of 131.04 (12.66). Women had higher scores than men, with a mean difference of 7.76 (95% CI: 4.87-10.66; p < 0.001). The male sex, age ≥ 25 years, and previous experience with institutionalized older adults worsened attitudes, while studying the subject of geriatrics, each higher course within the degree, work placements in hospitals and nursing homes, and previous experience with community older adults or with older relatives favored a more positive attitude. Participants with no interest in working with older adults yielded lower scores. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes towards the elderly among nursing students are positive. Women have a more positive attitude. Analyzing the factors that improve attitudes in nursing students is suggested, as it may contribute to improve nursing care.

Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire (LEQoL): Development and Psychometric Properties.

Lupus erythematosus (LE) affects patients' quality of life. Nevertheless, no instrument has been developed to assess the quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) patients. This study aims to develop and psychometrically test the "Quality of Life of Patients with Lupus Erythematosus Instrument" (LEQoL) and study the quality of life of these patients. Finally, percentiles for interpreting scores of LEQoL in patients with LE are provided. This study is cross-sectional, with a sample of 158 patients recruited from a lupus association for the psychometric evaluation of the final version of LEQoL. The scale's reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE). Validity was examined through exploratory factorial analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factorial analyses (CFA). The definitive model, composed of 21 items grouped into five factors, presented good psychometric properties. Mean levels of quality of life were observed in patients with systemic LE, with higher values in patients with cutaneous LE. The LEQoL instrument is a useful tool for assessing the quality of life of patients with LE, allowing the evaluation of current clinical practices, the identification of educational needs, and the assessment of the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve the quality of life of patients with LE, SLE, and CLE.

Empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication in Nursing: The moderating effect of the organizational factors.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the relation and the moderating effect of the organizational factors on the attitudes towards communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence in the nurses. METHOD: a cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 268 nurses from Valencia, Spain. The attitudes towards communication were evaluated by means of the specifically designed instrument, those towards empathy with the Jefferson's Scale of Empathy for Nursing Students, and those towards emotional intelligence by means of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale, consisting of 24 items. The effect of the studied variables was assessed by means of ANOVA, multiple linear regression models were applied, and the moderating effect was analyzed using PROCESS. RESULTS: there are statistically significant differences based on the type on contract (permanent); and statistically significant differences were found in the cognitive dimension of the attitudes towards communication. Regarding the regression models, the perspective taking dimension of empathy was the main predictive variable tn the dimensions of the attitudes towards communication. Finally, a moderating effect of the type of contract was evidenced in the effect of emotional reparation over the cognitive dimension of the attitudes towards communication. CONCLUSION: the organizational factors exert an influence on the attitudes towards communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

What Academic Factors Influence Satisfaction With Clinical Practice in Nursing Students? Regressions vs. fsQCA.

Clinical practices are considered one of the cornerstones in nurses' education. This study provides a framework to determine how factors in the academic environment, influence nursing student's satisfaction with their practices. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in a convenience sample of 574 nursing students at a private university in Valencia, during the 2016/2017 academic year, 79% (456) were women. Two statistical methodologies were used for data analysis: hierarchical regression models (HRM) and fuzzy sets qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The HRM indicate that the students' mean score influences all dimensions of satisfaction. Furthermore, in the fsQCA, the type of service and center, as well as the type of management, the preference in the choice of the practice center and the number of students per period per clinical educator influence satisfaction with clinical practices. These results could be used to understand how academic factors influence nursing students' satisfaction with their clinical practices and to create intervention programmes that improve it. This will help prepare students to be the future nursing workforce.

Empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication in Nursing: The moderating effect of the organizational factors / Empatia, inteligência emocional e comunicação em enfermagem: efeito moderador de fatores organizacionais / Empatía, inteligencia emocional y comunicación en enfermería: efecto moderador de los factores organizacionales

Objective: to evaluate the relation and the moderating effect of the organizational factors on the attitudes towards communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence in the nurses. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 268 nurses from Valencia, Spain. The attitudes towards communication were evaluated by means of the specifically designed instrument, those towards empathy with the Jefferson's Scale of Empathy for Nursing Students, and those towards emotional intelligence by means of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale, consisting of 24 items. The effect of the studied variables was assessed by means of ANOVA, multiple linear regression models were applied, and the moderating effect was analyzed using PROCESS. Results: there are statistically significant differences based on the type on contract (permanent); and statistically significant differences were found in the cognitive dimension of the attitudes towards communication. Regarding the regression models, the perspective taking dimension of empathy was the main predictive variable tn the dimensions of the attitudes towards communication. Finally, a moderating effect of the type of contract was evidenced in the effect of emotional reparation over the cognitive dimension of the attitudes towards communication. Conclusion: the organizational factors exert an influence on the attitudes towards communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

Objetivo: avaliar a relação e o efeito moderador dos fatores organizacionais nas atitudes dos enfermeiros em relação à comunicação, empatia e inteligência emocional. Método: estudo transversal em amostra de conveniência de 268 enfermeiros de Valência, Espanha. As atitudes em relação à comunicação foram avaliadas usando o instrumento desenvolvido para esse fim, a empatia com a Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Nursing Student e a inteligência emocional usando a Trait Meta-Mood Scale de 24 itens. O efeito das variáveis estudadas foi avaliado por meio de ANOVA, modelos de regressão linear múltipla foram realizados e o efeito moderador foi analisado por PROCESS. Resultados: existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas dependendo do tipo de contrato (permanente); e diferenças estatisticamente significantes foram encontradas na dimensão cognitiva das atitudes em relação à comunicação. Em relação aos modelos de regressão, a dimensão tomada de perspectiva da empatia foi a principal variável preditora nas dimensões das atitudes em relação à comunicação. Finalmente, um efeito moderador do tipo de contrato foi demonstrado no efeito do reparo emocional sobre a dimensão cognitiva das atitudes em relação à comunicação. Conclusão: fatores organizacionais influenciam atitudes em relação à comunicação, empatia e inteligência emocional.

Objetivo: evaluar la relación y el efecto moderador de los factores organizacionales sobre las actitudes hacia la comunicación, empatía e inteligencia emocional de los enfermeros. Método: se realizó un estudio transversal en una muestra por conveniencia de 268 enfermeros de Valencia, España. Las actitudes hacia la comunicación se evaluaron mediante el instrumento diseñado para tal fin: la empatía con la Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Nursing Student y la inteligencia emocional mediante la Trait Meta-Mood Scale de 24 ítems. El efecto de las variables estudiadas se evaluó mediante ANOVA, se realizaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple y el efecto moderador se analizó mediante PROCESS. Resultados: existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del tipo de contrato (permanente); se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la dimensión cognitiva de las actitudes hacia la comunicación. Con respecto a los modelos de regresión, la dimensión toma de perspectiva de la empatía fue la principal variable predictora en las dimensiones de las actitudes hacia la comunicación. Finalmente, se evidenció un efecto moderador del tipo de contrato en el efecto de la reparación emocional sobre la dimensión cognitiva de las actitudes hacia la comunicación. Conclusión: los factores organizacionales influyen en las actitudes hacia la comunicación, empatía e inteligencia emocional.

Ansiedad ante los exámenes en estudiantes de Enfermería: factores de riesgo emocionales y de sueño / Test anxiety in nursing students: Emotional and sleep risk factors

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La literatura científica ha evidenciado diversos predictores de tipo psicoemocional de la ansiedad ante los exámenes. Sin embargo, no se ha estudiado el efecto conjunto que tienen sobre la ansiedad ante los exámenes variables psicoemocionales relativas a la ansiedad-rasgo y al burnout académico, y a la satisfacción con diversos aspectos personales (consigo mismo -autoestima-, con la vida y con el sueño). El objetivo de este estudio ha sido determinar si un grupo de variables de tipo psicoemocional (ansiedad-rasgo, autoestima, burnout académico, satisfacción con la vida), de sueño (satisfacción subjetiva de sueño) y sociodemográfico (edad) constituyen predictores significativos de la ansiedad ante los exámenes en estudiantes de Enfermería. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, mediante encuesta, llevado a cabo en un grupo de 494 estudiantes de Enfermería. Se analizan los datos mediante pruebas de correlación, de comparación de medias y un modelo de regresión. RESULTADOS: El análisis de regresión explica un 39,3% de la varianza (p < .01) de la ansiedad ante los exámenes debido a los factores de riesgo estadísticamente significativos: ansiedad-rasgo, burnout académico, satisfacción subjetiva de sueño y edad. Las mujeres obtuvieron una media más alta en ansiedad ante los exámenes que los hombres. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio revela que altas puntuaciones en ansiedad-rasgo, burnout académico, insatisfacción con el sueño y tener menos edad fueron predictores de ansiedad ante los exámenes. Las mujeres padecen mayor ansiedad ante los exámenes que los hombres. Se discute la necesidad de equipos de atención psicológica en las facultades de Enfermería para reducir la incidencia de ansiedad ante los exámenes en los estudiantes

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The scientific literature has shown several psychoemotional predictors of test anxiety. However, the combined effect that psychoemotional variables relating to trait anxiety and academic burnout, and satisfaction with several personal aspects (self-esteem, life and sleep) have not been studied. The objective of this study was to determine if a group of psychoemotional variables (trait anxiety, self-esteem, academic burnout, satisfaction with life), sleep variables (subjective sleep satisfaction) and sociodemographic parameters (age) have a significant predictive effect on test anxiety in Nursing students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based study carried out on a group of 494 nursing students. The data are analysed using correlation tests, mean comparison tests and a regression model. RESULTS: Regression analysis explains 39.3% of the variance (p < .01) of test anxiety due to statistically significant risk factors: trait anxiety, academic burnout, subjective sleep satisfaction, and age. Women showed a higher average in test anxiety than men. CONCLUSIONS: the study reveals that high scores on trait anxiety, academic burnout, sleep dissatisfaction and being younger were predictors of test anxiety. Women experienced greater test anxiety than men. The need for psychological care teams in Nursing faculties to reduce the incidence of test anxiety in students is discussed

The relations of quality of life in patients with lupus erythematosus: Regression models versus qualitative comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disease that can have negative repercussions on the quality of life (QL) of those who suffer from it. The QL can be influenced by socio-demographic factors are related to the disease itself. AIMS: To analyse the associative power of socio-demographic (age and sex) and medical variables (type of lupus, diagnostic time and symptomatically associated with lupus) on the QL in patients with lupus by comparing linear relations models and models based on comparative qualitative fuzzy analysis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cross-sectional design. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 161 patients (88.4% female) diagnosed with LE between the ages of 18-66 years. METHODS: Data were collected between 2015 - 2017 using the Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire. Two different statistical methodologies were used: traditional regression models and qualitative comparative analysis models of fuzzy sets. RESULTS: The results of the regression model suggest that none of the variables considered could explain the QL of these patients. On the other hand, the results of the fuzzy models suggest that being female, young and a shorter time to diagnosis explain higher levels of QL in these types of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Since nurses are the people who interact most with patients, detecting risk groups of patients with lupus respect to their QL. This can help develop intervention programs from a nursing perspective.