Nursing students' pain management self-efficacy and attitude towards patients with chronic pain: What can be done better in education? A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study has been conducted to determine nursing students' pain management self-efficacy and attitudes towards patients with chronic pain. BACKGROUND: Pain is a significant phenomenon that often leads individuals to seek medical attention, influenced by various factors and commonly encountered by healthcare professionals. Adequate knowledge and positive attitudes among nurses play a crucial role in the thorough assessment and effective management of pain, resulting in favorable outcomes for hospitalized individuals. DESIGN: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. METHODS: The research was conducted with 322 undergraduate students who were continuing their education in the autumn semester of the 2023-2024 academic year at Aksaray University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. Data have been collected by using Student Information Form, Pain Management Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PMSEQ) and the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals towards Patients with Chronic Pain Scale. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis significance test and Spearman Correlation analysis have been used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The mean total score of the PMSEQ was 62.91 (SD 15.58) and the mean total score of the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Patients with Chronic Pain Scale was 3.94 (SD.52). Those students who willingly opted for the nursing profession, perceived themselves as proficient in managing chronic pain, administered care to patients experiencing pain during clinical placements, believed they received sufficient education in pain management throughout their studies and rated their overall health status as "very poor" demonstrated higher levels of self-efficacy in pain management (p<0.05). As a result of the analysis performed according to the mean scores of the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Chronic Pain Patients Scale and its sub-dimensions of the students participating in the study, a statistically significant difference has been found according to their gender, academic year and self-sufficiency in pain management (p<0.05). It has been determined that there is a weak positive correlation between the total mean scores of the participants' PMSEQ and the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Patients with Chronic Pain scale (r=.260; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, as nursing students' self-confidence in pain management self-efficacy increased, their attitudes towards patients with pain also increased positively. In the nursing curriculum, there is a necessity for integrating pain management education and fostering awareness to adequately equip nursing students in addressing the pain requirements of patients.

The effect of model-based telephone counseling on HbA1c and self-management for individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: This study was conducted to examine the effect of telephone counseling based on the Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model on HbA1c and self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2019 and September 2019 with a total of 63 (31 interventions, 32 controls) T2DM patients. The intervention group was followed-up for a total of 12 weeks, after 45-60 min of patient training based on IMB, a weekly reminder message and a phone call every two weeks. No intervention was made to the control group. Data were collected at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 12th week. The data were obtained using a Patient Information Form, the Type 2 Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), the Perceived Diabetes Self Management Scale (PDSMS) and glycemic control (HbA1c). RESULTS: Participants were on average 54 years old and the majority were female (58.1%). According to the results of the covariance analysis (ANCOVA), there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-post-test HbA1c (F:13.589; p < 0.001), weight (F:32.176; p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (F:7.109; p = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between the intervention and control groups (F:2.686; p = 0.106). Also, after three months of follow-up, self-efficacy (F:26.632; p < 0.001), self-management (F:44.487; p < 0.001) and self-management perceptions (F:71.132; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The researchers concluded that telephone counseling based on the IMB model could be a suitable method to improve glycemic control and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Investigation of the effects of interventions made according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model on the care outcomes of Alzheimer patients and their families: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the non-pharmacological methods used to reduce behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the negative emotions accordingly experienced by caregivers consists of interventions performed according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model. METHODS: This randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effect of interventions performed according to PLST on the care burden, care satisfaction, and life satisfaction of caregivers of middle and advanced stage Alzheimer's disease patients, and on the neuropsychiatric symptoms and agitation levels of these patients. The research was conducted with a total of 29 caregivers divided into intervention (15) and control (14) groups. Data were collected using an Introductory Information Form, plus the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Carer's Assessment of Satisfaction Index, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Three home visits were made to the caregivers by the researchers in the first, second, and twelfth weeks of the intervention. During the home visits, face-to-face training was given as necessary to the individual caring for problems identified in the nursing care plan according to PLST. RESULTS: As a result of the PLST training, there was a decrease in the behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients, along with a decrease in the care burden of the caregivers and an increase in their care satisfaction. When the scale total scores of the individuals in the intervention and control groups were compared, it was found that only caregivers' care satisfaction increased at a statistically significant level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: At the end of the training given according to PLST, it was found that behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the care burden of caregivers had decreased, and the care satisfaction of caregivers increased. It is recommended that Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers be given training and interventions according to PLST.

Effect of progressive muscle relaxation on adaptation to old age and quality of life among older people in a nursing home: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Changes occurring in the aging process, the presence of decline in physical and cognitive functions, and the limitations of participation in activities affect adaptation to old age and the quality of life. This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on adaptation to old age and the quality of life of older people. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial design was used. The sample consisted of 45 older residents (21 intervention subjects, 24 controls) from a nursing home in a city of Turkey. The intervention group received progressive muscle-relaxation sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks, while the control group received routine care. All PMR exercises were led by the researcher. All participants were evaluated at baseline and after 8 weeks using the Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly and the Nottingham Health Profile. RESULTS: As a result of PMR exercises performed for 8 weeks, the Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly and Nottingham Health Profile total mean scores of the intervention group improved significantly (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed, however, when comparing the intervention and control groups in terms of the level of adjustment to old age and health-related quality of life, either at baseline or following the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that progressive muscle relaxation can increase adaptation to old age and the quality of life and of older people in a nursing home.

The effect of back massage on physiological parameters, dyspnoea, and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the intensive care unit: A randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of back massage on physiological parameters, dyspnoea and anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving noninvasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a randomised controlled trial. Patients in the intervention group received back massage (15 minutes) between 16.00 and 20.00 every day for four days in the intensive care unit. The control group received no intervention. The data was collected using a personal information form, Baseline Dyspnoea Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Physiological Parameters Chart. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant change between systolic-diastolic blood pressures, heart rates and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and dyspnoea level of the intervention and control groups (p > .05), while there was a significant reduction in the anxiety scores of patients in the intervention group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study found that back massage applied in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving noninvasive mechanical ventilation was effective in decreasing anxiety. Back massage is a low-cost intervention with benefits for patients, and it may be a useful intervention in the anxiety management of intensive care patients.

The effect of spiritual well-being on adaptation to chronic illness among people with chronic illnesses.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the effect of spiritual well-being on the adaptation to chronic illness, among people with chronic illnesses. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study comprised of 466 patients hospitalized in the internal medicine clinics of internal diseases, cardiology, neurology, and chest diseases, at the training and research hospital of a university. FINDINGS: There was a significant positive relationship between spiritual well-being and adaptation and how spiritual well-being affected patients' adaptation to chronic illness. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Study results indicated that adaptation to chronic illness increased in direct relation to an increased level of spiritual well-being, among people with chronic illnesses.

Usage of complementary and alternative medicine in women with urinary incontinence at a hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a health problem that is common in women of all ages. Besides pharmacological and surgical treatments, there are lifestyle changes and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve UI symptoms. This study aimed to examine lifestyle arrangements and CAM use by women with UI. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 352 women with UI. The study sample consisted of female patients that were aged 18 and above. We asked patients whether they experienced urine leakage, and included all patients with UI in the sample regardless of UI type or severity. We collected the study data by using the personal information form and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS: In this study, 7.1% of women with UI used CAM while 92.9% did not. We found that only the women with mixed incontinence used CAM more (p < 0.05). The CAM techniques commonly preferred by women included prayer (48.0%), hot application (36.0%) and herbal teas (24%). While 52.2% of women stated that they benefited from CAM use, all of them (100%) stated that they experienced no side effects of CAM. The most common lifestyle changes was losing weight. CONCLUSION: Turkish women with UI had a low rate of CAM use in this study. The use of CAM was related to age and education, and women with mixed UI used CAM more.

Relationship between the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death.

PURPOSE: This descriptive study aims to identify the relationship between the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 224 nursing students took part in this study. A personal data from, the "assessment scale of attitudes towards principles about dying with dignity" and the "spiritual support perception scale" were used in the data collection. FINDINGS: This study found that the nursing students' attitudes towards spiritual care and the principles of a good death were positive. As the students' attitudes towards the principles of a good death increased, their attitudes towards spiritual care also increased. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended that the principles of a good death and spiritual care should be included in the nursing curriculum.