Research priorities in haemato-oncology nursing: results of a literature review and a Delphi study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to review the nursing haemato-oncology literature followed by a Delphi study to determine research priorities of UK nurses working in haemato-oncology. METHODS AND SAMPLE: The review analysed relevant literature from 1996-2008. In the Delphi study, all members of the Royal College of Nursing (UK), Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Forum (n=1444) were invited to participate. Data were collected in three sequential rounds of postal questionnaires. Research topics identified in round 1 were used to compile subsequent questionnaires. KEY RESULTS: A final list of 33 research priorities was identified. Clear research themes emerged from the data including chemotherapy, psychosocial issues and information giving, psychological support needs of nurses, ethical considerations and palliative care, nurse-led services and guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Results show both similarities and differences to priorities identified in previous haemopoietic stem cell transplant and cancer nursing studies. Further exploration of priority areas is required but priorities identified in this study provide a good starting point for further exploration and development of research programmes.

The effect of hypnosis on pain relief during labor and childbirth in Iranian pregnant women.

This study describes the effect of hypnosis on pain relief during labor and childbirth. Using a qualitative approach, 6 pregnant women were trained to use self-hypnosis for labor. Outcomes were analyzed using Colaizzi's procedure. Women described their feelings about hypnosis during labor as: a sense of relief and consolation, self-confidence, satisfaction, lack of suffering labor pain, changing the feeling of pain into one of pressure, a decrease in fear of natural childbirth, lack of tiredness, and lack of anxiety. They expressed increased concentration on the uterus and cervical muscle, awareness of all the stages of labor, and having "positive thoughts." Births were perceived as being very satisfactory compared to their previous experiences.

Preparing for professional practice: how well does professional training equip health and social care practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice?

This paper reports on the findings of a study that aimed to explore how relevant initial training is in relation to evidence-based practice, and explore the perceptions of recently qualified practitioners about their confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. A cross-sectional postal survey was used to ascertain the views of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who had been qualified no longer than two years prior to the survey, and had qualified at one of three London Universities. Fifty questionnaires were sent out to each professional group (a sample of 200 overall) and there was a 43% response rate achieved. The results show a clear discrepancy between what are generally positive attitudes towards evidence-based practice and the value of research evidence and the infrequency with which they actually do make use of research resources and engage in evidence-based practice. A number of constraints to engagement in accessing and utilising evidence were identified.