Trans people perceptions of care received from healthcare professionals - A phenomenological study.

Introduction: Trans people have unique health needs and turn to the public health system to meet them. Offering them a more inclusive assistance requires health professionals to know these needs and work on cultural competence. Understanding trans people perceptions of service received will improve therapeutic relationships and the assistance provided to them. Objective: To understand trans patients experiences with health care and their perception of care rendered by the Andalusian Public Health System. Design: A qualitative phenomenological study according to Ricoeur's hermeneutic approach. Methodology: 18 in-depth interviews were conducted between January and April 2022 with trans adult users of the Andalusian Public Health System. These interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the steps proposed by Tan. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was used for writing the study report. Results: Three themes were generated from trans patients experiences in the Andalusian Public Health System related to the assistance provided to them: 1) Positive and negative feelings during their pass through the public health system, 2) The importance of being able to receive the care they need, and 3) Having the chosen identity in official documents in order to utterly complete their transition. Conclusion: Care rendered by healthcare professionals to trans people was received as positive in mostly cases. However, trans people think these professionals need more training in order to avoid some behaviors they perceive as discriminatory and which they believe tends to pathologize gender identity. They also require more information about the treatments in particular they are about to receive and they demand to end drug shortages. Administrative procedures to change identity are also problematic. So the healthcare system must undergo some modifications in order to become more inclusive.

Young Women's Attitudes and Concerns Regarding Pornography and Their Sexual Experiences: A Qualitative Approach.

This study explores female university students' attitudes toward and concerns about pornography, based on their experience watching it and on sexual encounters with men. It used a qualitative descriptive design. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants between March and April 2020. Thematic data analysis was performed using COREQ reporting guidelines. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) the sexual learning process, (2) the role of pornography in women's sexuality, and (3) sexual experiences. Participants reported how they learned about sexuality and how pornography influenced sexual experiences. Self-esteem issues and societal norms regarding hair removal and difficulty saying "no" to unwanted or humiliating sexual practices were found. The young women were not comfortable with women's representations in mainstream pornography. They blamed pornography for negative sexual experiences and claimed it influenced them and young men. Participants usually assumed submissive roles during sex and permitted aggressive sexual behaviors. The study reveals valuable information on how young women learn about sex and their difficulty in refusing unwanted sexual activities and even aggressive practices. Sexual education programs should include assertiveness training to improve sexual health, consent, and well-being.

Experiences of poverty amongst low-income older adults living in a high-income country: A qualitative study.

AIM: To understand the experience of low-income older adults living in poverty in a high-income country. DESIGN: A qualitative study based on Gadamer's hermeneutic phenomenology. METHODS: A convenience sample of twenty-seven low-income older adults were interviewed in-depth between September 2021 and January 2022. Fleming's method for conducting phenomenological qualitative studies was followed and ATLAS.ti software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were extracted from the analysis: (i) 'living in the shadow of poverty', (ii) 'unprotected by the 'social shield' of the welfare state' (iii) 'the struggle to attain good health'. CONCLUSION: Living in poverty affects all spheres of life. Older adults living in poverty feel excluded from social support policies and laws. This has a negative impact on the older adults' mental health and can lead to social isolation. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nursing interventions to promote health amongst older adults living in poverty should include an assessment of the patient's social determinants and a focus on increasing social participation. Older people living in poverty experience difficulties accessing formal social support so nurses should implement patient navigation interventions that aim to help them overcome the complexities of the system. Nursing interventions to improve mental health amongst older adults living in poverty are much needed. IMPACT: Living in poverty increases older adults' vulnerability. Older adults living in poverty suffer from mental health issues as they live under constant pressure to meet their basic needs and lack formal social support. These findings are important for nurses, who play a pivotal role in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and interventions that promote health equity. REPORTING METHOD: The study has been conducted following the COREQ guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There has been no public or patient involvement in the design or development of the study.

Lived experiences and opinions of women of sub-Saharan origin on female genital mutilation: A phenomenological study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe and understand the lived experiences and opinions of sub-Saharan women living in Spain in relation to female genital mutilation. BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation is a bloody procedure with serious consequences for the health of women and girls. Understanding mutilated women's lived experiences plays a crucial role in the management of health consequences and could help healthcare professionals to provide assistance to these women. DESIGN: A descriptive phenomenological study was carried out. The COREQ checklist was followed as guidance to write the manuscript. METHODS: A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using ATLAS.ti 9.0. RESULTS: Two themes with four subthemes were identified from the data analysis: 1) 'The traumatic experience of female circumcision' with the subthemes 'Female mutilation is a physical and psychological torture procedure' and 'recognising and coping with negative emotions'; 2) 'The fight for the eradication of female genital mutilation' which contains the subthemes 'the need for a real sociocultural change at the origin' and '"I want to be the last": Personal development leads to sociocultural change'. CONCLUSIONS: Female genital mutilation was experienced by women as a very aggressive and traumatic event. It causes considerable negative emotions that last over time. Although there is a tendency to reject the practice, in women's countries of origin, there is social pressure for girls to be mutilated. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Caring for women who have suffered from female genital mutilation requires awareness of the traumatic experience they underwent when they were girls. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in eradicating female genital mutilation. Apart from education, preventive measures may include specific recommendations when girls are travelling to the country of origin and participatory action research.

Nursing students in Saharan refugee camps: Expectations and options of professional future from a qualitative perspective.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore and understand the perceptions of the expectations of the professional future of nursing students who study in Saharan refugee camps. BACKGROUND: Part of the Saharan population live in refugee camps with a precarious healthcare system, which depends on nursing professionals who are trained in the only nursing school in the world that exists inside a refugee camp. DESIGN: An interpretive qualitative research methodology using Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. METHODS: A qualitative study with nursing students (n = 14) of different years from the nursing school in a Saharan refugee camp (Algeria) in 2021. Focus groups recorded in audio for subsequent transcription and analysis by two researchers through Fleming´s stages. RESULTS: Three themes were identified as important aspects of the personal and professional expectations perceived by this population group: (1) studying nursing as a moral obligation; (2) Culture as a determinant for dropping out of school; and (3) aspirations for a professional future in the Saharan refugee camps. The participants highlighted the role of social and cultural aspects to complete their studies and develop a professional career. CONCLUSIONS: These Saharan nursing students can study a nursing speciality or work in healthcare. However, they struggle to choose between the moral obligation of doing so and the social and cultural factors that lead some of them to abandon their studies. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The possibility of studying for a career and the professional future of Saharan nursing studies are conditioned by the environment, culture and the socio-economic situation. Their work is especially important in the refugee camps where they live.

Primary School Teachers' Perspective of Sexual Education in Spain. A Qualitative Study.

Sexual education is a part of the teaching-learning process that addresses cognitive, psychological, physical and social aspects of sexuality. The purpose of sexual education is to provide people with knowledge, abilities, attitudes and values that will help them to have good sexual health, well-being and dignity. The objective of this study was to explore the perspective of primary school teachers regarding Sexual Education in school. A descriptive qualitative study was designed based on content thematic analysis. Fifteen open-ended interviews with primary school teachers were carried out, followed by inductive data analysis using ATLAS.ti software. Two key themes emerged from the analysis: "In search of a comprehensive approach to Sexual Education" and "Barriers to Sexual Education in schools: From the lack of training to fear of the families". We conclude that despite the efforts to implement a comprehensive approach to Sexual Education that recognises sexuality as a right, primary school teachers face difficulties in delivering Sexual Education in schools due to a lack of training and the fear that parents will reject their children being spoken to about sexuality.

Sexuality amongst heterosexual men with morbid obesity in a bariatric surgery programme: A qualitative study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To describe and understand the experiences of sexuality amongst heterosexual men diagnosed with morbid obesity (MO) who are in a bariatric surgery programme. BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that affects men's physical, psychological and sexual health. Evidence suggests that MO could be linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sexual life and social disorders. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for weight loss in patients with MO. DESIGN: This is a qualitative study based on Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology, and the COREQ checklist was employed to report on the current study. METHODS: Convenience and purposive sampling was carried out and included 24 in-depth interviews with heterosexual men with MO in a bariatric surgery programme between October 2018-March 2019 in Spain. RESULTS: Two main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) a corporality which is judged and condemned; and (b) adapting sexual practices to bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Men with MO reject a body that limits their physical, social and sexual life. A negative body image and low self-esteem, which do not respond to the traditional masculine role or new masculinities, reduce men's self-concept. Men with MO feel rejection, stigma and isolation. Support from their partner is fundamental to adapt. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of the study draw attention to how heterosexual men with MO experience their sexuality in a bariatric surgery programme and the challenges nurses face. Recognising the problem, helping to develop coping strategies or referring to specialists in sexuality could improve the quality of life in patients and their partners.

A Qualitative View of Homecare Support Workers on Unmet Health Needs of People with Dependency.

BACKGROUND: Longevity and population growth generate an increase in the number of people with dependency, who require homecare assistance to meet their health needs. Homecare support workers provide this care in Spain, and they may have unique insights into the unmet health needs of those receiving homecare assistance. The aim of this study was to determine the unmet health needs of people with dependency based on the perspective of homecare support workers. METHODS: Qualitative exploratory-descriptive study. Through convenience sampling, homecare support workers from a Spanish province were selected, following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four focus groups, transcription and thematic analyses were performed using Atlas.ti. Coding triangulation was carried out, applying criteria for scientific rigour. RESULTS: The six themes obtained were classified into the material, psychoemotional, socioeconomical and psychosocial needs of people with dependency from the point of view of homecare support workers, along with the contributions of improvements and the need of these professionals for continuous training. CONCLUSIONS: People with dependency need complex technical assistance, materials, psychological attention due to their situation, and more effective assessments of their health and disability status. Homecare support workers perceive themselves to be essential in these assessments. They ask for psychological assistance, due to the emotional burden of their work, and believe this help would contribute to improving the quality of their service. Homecare support workers perceive that they are capable of performing their job, although they believe that some delegated activities are beyond their levels of competency.

Economic Problems and Loneliness as Factors Related to Subjective Unmet Health Needs in People with Chronic Diseases and Dependency.

Background: The continuous increase of people with chronic diseases is one of the greatest challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Population growth and life expectancy means that an increasing number of people with chronic diseases and dependency need some kind of assistance to meet their needs. Determining these subjective unmet needs helps to understand the situation of these people. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of chronic patients over 65 years of age from the day-care center toward subjective health needs that are not being met by the socio-health system. Methods: Qualitative exploratory-descriptive study. Through convenience sampling, we selected people with chronic diseases and dependency who used day-care centers and met the inclusion criteria. Focus groups were performed. The data were transcribed and a thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas.ti software. Results: The topics resulting from the analysis were classified into dissatisfaction of biological/physiological needs, psychological needs, social needs, and other issues that arose in both groups of participants which referred to the types of needs previously indicated. The issues related to social and psycho-social needs stood out. Conclusions: People with chronic diseases and dependency have their physiological needs covered with the help they receive, but their situation of dependency generates additional costs that worsen their economic situation. However, their greatest need is due to the loneliness they feel and the feeling they have of "being a burden" on their families.

Experiências sexuais após prostatectomia radical não poupadora de nervos / Experiencias sexuales después de prostatectomía radical sin conservación de bandeletas neurovasculares / Sexual experiences after non-nerve sparing radical prostatectomy

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar as experiências e expectativas de pacientes submetidos a prostatectomia radical não poupadora de nervos. Métodos Estudo qualitativo, descritivo-exploratório, baseado na fenomenologia hermenêutica. Foram realizadas dezesseis entrevistas em profundidade entre fevereiro e dezembro de 2017 e análise indutiva dos dados. Resultados Dois temas que refletem as experiências dos pacientes emergiram da análise: (1) As mudanças sexuais como fator-chave da resposta adaptativa, com os subtemas "Dificuldades sexuais após a cirurgia" e "Questões com relacionamentos íntimos e bem-estar psicossocial"; (2) Prostatectomia: a necessidade de adaptação a uma sexualidade holística, com os subtemas "Questionamento das experiências a partir do comportamento sexual atual" e "Adaptação da sexualidade e a intimidade após a cirurgia". Conclusão Pacientes submetidos à prostatectomia enfrentam dificuldades sexuais como disfunção erétil. Essas mudanças causam problemas nos relacionamentos sexuais e íntimos que afetam seu bem-estar. Diante dessa situação, alguns participantes questionam suas práticas sexuais habituais e tentam se adaptar a uma sexualidade holística não centrada no coito, incorporando formas inovadoras de sexualidade. Conhecer as experiências de homens submetidos a prostatectomia radical pode ajudar os profissionais de saúde a oferecer novas estratégias para lidar com as mudanças ambientais envolvidas na cirurgia da próstata.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las experiencias y expectativas de pacientes sometidos a prostatectomía radical sin conservación de bandeletas neurovasculares. Métodos Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo-exploratorio, basado en la fenomenología hermenéutica. Se realizaron 16 entrevistas en profundidad entre febrero y diciembre de 2017 y un análisis inductivo de los datos. Resultados A partir del análisis, surgieron dos temas que reflejan las experiencias de los pacientes: (1) Los cambios sexuales como factor clave de la respuesta adaptativa, con dos subtemas "Dificultades sexuales después de la cirugía" y "Cuestiones sobre relaciones íntimas y bienestar psicosocial" y (2) Prostatectomía: necesidad de adaptación a una sexualidad holística, con los subtemas "Cuestionamiento de las experiencias a partir del comportamiento sexual actual" y "Adaptación de la sexualidad e intimidad después de la cirugía". Conclusión Los pacientes sometidos a prostatectomía enfrentan dificultades sexuales como disfunción eréctil. Estos cambios causan problemas en las relaciones sexuales e íntimas que afectan su bienestar. Ante esta situación, algunos participantes cuestionan sus prácticas sexuales habituales e intentan adaptarse a una sexualidad holística no centrada en el coito, incorporando formas innovadoras de sexualidad. Conocer las experiencias de hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical puede ayudar a los profesionales de la salud a ofrecer nuevas estrategias para lidiar con los cambios ambientales relacionados con la cirugía de próstata.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and expectations of patients who underwent non-nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. Methods A qualitative descriptive, exploratory, study, based on hermeneutic phenomenology. Sixteen in-depth interviews were carried out between February and December 2017. An inductive analysis of data was performed. Results Two themes reflecting the patients' experiences emerged from the analysis: (1) Sexual changes as a key factor of the adaptive response, with the subthemes "Sexual difficulties after surgery" and "Issues with intimate relationships and psychosocial wellbeing". (2) Prostatectomy: the need of adaptation to a holistic sexuality, with the subthemes "Questioning the experiences from the current sexual behavior" and "Adapting sexuality and intimacy after surgery". Conclusion Patients undergoing prostatectomy face sexual difficulties such as erectile dysfunction. These changes cause problems in sexual and intimate relationships that affect their wellbeing. Given this situation, some participants question their usual sexual practices and try to adapt to a holistic sexuality not centered on coitus by incorporating innovative forms of sexuality. Knowing the experiences of men who underwent radical prostatectomy might help healthcare workers to provide new strategies for coping with the environmental changes involved in prostate surgery.

Should We Be Trained to Train? Nursing Students' and Newly Qualified Nurses' Perception on Good Lecturers and Good Clinical Preceptors.

Background: The reform of the Spanish higher education studies from the Bologna Declaration did not entail the necessary changes in the teaching methodologies used. The clinical preceptor emerged as the main guiding professional in the practical training of nursing students. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand fourth-year nursing students' and newly qualified nurses' (NQNs) perception on their lecturers' and clinical preceptors' effectiveness. Methods: Exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was carried out at a Spanish University. By convenience sampling and according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, twelve newly qualified nurses and twelve fourth-year students of the Degree in Nursing were included in order to contrast the results. A thematic analysis of data was carried out, to later be coded by two researchers. Results: Two main themes were identified: the good lecturer and the good clinical preceptor, with several subthemes in each. These included the characteristics that both should have, both in teaching, nursing and interpersonal-relation skills. Conclusions: The need of preceptorship training programs has been highlighted in our context. Educators all over the world should be properly qualified in order to train and educate competent nurses for the future.

Newly Qualified Nurses' Perception of Their Competency Achievement on Leaving University: A Qualitative Study.

Background: After implementing the Tuning Educational Structures in Europe Project, numerous efforts have been made to define, establish, and evaluate nursing competences. The European Federation of Nurses Association played a key role in enacting the nursing competences included in Directive 2013/55/EU. Nevertheless, assessing competences remains elusive, and there is little research into nurses' perceptions of the competency training provided by their universities. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of newly qualified nurses about the competences they acquired during their university education. Methods: A qualitative research study was developed in a Spanish university. Twelve semi-structured interviews with newly qualified nurses were conducted, and two focus groups made up of twelve students were carried out in order to triangulate the results. Participants were recruited through email contact. Interviews focused on clinical training, theoretical content, and the reality of healthcare. Data was analyzed thematically. Results: Two main themes emerged: (1) improving theoretical content and (2) rethinking practical lessons and clinical training. A lack of knowledge about mental health, pharmacology, or critical care has been found; in addition, it was highlighted, among others, the need to improve communication skills in difficult and conflictive situations. Conclusions: Considering the participants' perception of deficiency in some aspects of most of the competences established by the European Federation of Nurses Association, further research has been suggested to include other stakeholders' views.

Is It Possible to Become a Nurse in a Refugee Camp?

The history of the Western Sahara has been marked by several events that have contributed to the protracted refugee situation in which the Sahrawi people have found themselves since 1975: the Spanish colonization and the subsequent decolonization process, the armed struggles between the indigenous population and the states of Morocco and Mauritania to occupy Western Saharan territory, assassinations and repression of the Sahrawi population, and the economic interests of external agents with regards to mineral resources. Twenty-five years ago, in the hostile environment of the Sahrawi refugee camps, a nursing school was founded. Essentially depending on foreign aid, this school has been responsible for training nursing professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the population. The aim of this paper is to provide an approach to the origin and evolution of nursing education for the Sahrawi refugee camps. The Sahrawi are the only refugee camps in the world to host such nursing schools.

Assessment of Nursing Care and Teaching: A Qualitative Approach.

BACKGROUND: The reform of the Spanish higher education to adapt to the European Higher Education Area involves, among other issues, the students' participation in the curriculum assessment. The aim is to understand the insights of both nursing professionals and current undergraduate students of nursing on the connection between the knowledge acquired throughout the degree and the professional healthcare practice. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was carried out at a Spanish University. By convenience sampling, twelve nursing professionals and twelve 4th-year students of the Degree in Nursing were included. In two phases, twelve semi-structured interviews and two focus groups were conducted in order to triangulate data. A thematic analysis of data was carried out, later to be coded by two researchers. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: Evidence-based nursing vs. experience-based nursing, and a theory-practice gap. The topics that were specifically highlighted were the coexistence between professionals who work according to evidence and those whose work is based on experience, and the lack of connection between the training received during the degree and actual healthcare practice. CONCLUSION: Nursing care work varies in terms of the implementation of evidence-based care. Nursing training is perceived as being affected by a theory-practice gap. To achieve the linking between nursing theory and practice, a great effort on stakeholders would be needed.

Is it possible to become a midwife in a refugee camp?

The historical backdrop of Western Sahara has meant that, for the last 43 years, part of its indigenous population has survived in refugee camps located in the Algerian desert. International aid from abroad has become the main source of sustenance for all people living in this hostile environment. Since the beginning of this type of settlement, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has been concerned with creating the necessary infrastructures to meet the health needs of the people living in these conditions. As a result, the Ahmed Abdel-Fatah School of Nursing was created in the Sahrawi refugee camps, which began to train midwives to care for women during the stages of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in 2002. The aim of this paper is to provide an approach to the origin and evolution of midwifery education for the Sahrawi refugee camps, in the only school of nursing that exists worldwide in a refugee camp.

Quality Assurance in Nursing Education: A Qualitative Study Involving Students and Newly Graduated Nurses.

Background: Assuring quality training for future nursing professionals is essential to preserving population health and socio-economic development. Quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area places students in a leading role to transform and improve higher education programs. Therefore, an innovative way of reviewing strengths and weaknesses of the nursing education program of a Spanish university has been developed. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to explore the perceptions and opinions of nursing students and newly-qualified nurses regarding the contents of the nursing curriculum in order to improve its quality. Methods: Descriptive and exploratory qualitative research was carried out involving 12 newly-qualified nurses and 12 student nurses. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were performed. Results: Based on the thematic analysis, two themes emerged: improving clinical practices and reviewing the theoretical curriculum. Conclusions: Among the improvements suggested by the participants, the most relevant ones were establishing a clear structure of learning contents in the practicum, and redistributing the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ECTS credits in various courses of the study program. However, additional evidence is needed prior to proceeding with any changes.

Understanding Sociocultural Factors Contributing to HIV Risk Among Ayoreo Bolivian Sex Workers.

The Bolivian indigenous Ayoreo ethnic people are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Ayoreo women who also work in sex trades belong to an extremely high-risk group, and prevention programs are not delivering effective outcomes for them. The aim of our study was to explore, describe, and understand behavioral and cultural patterns related to sexual and reproductive health in Ayoreo sex workers. A qualitative-ethnographic study was designed; data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with sex workers and key informants. Two fundamental themes contributing to HIV risk for female Ayoreo sex workers in Bolivia emerged: reproductive/sexual freedom and sociocultural risk determinants. We concluded that the in-depth examination of the sexual-reproductive culture amongst the Ayoreo has provided useful information, which might contribute to the cultural adaptation and design of future policies and prevention programs for sexually transmitted infections and HIV in this group.

Perception of HIV prevention programs among Ayoreo sex workers in Bolivia.

The Ayoreo population constitutes one of Bolivia's most vulnerable ethnic groups in terms of HIV/AIDS. Being a woman, indigenous, and a sex worker signifies belonging to a high-risk group. The aim of this study is to explore the Ayoreo sex workers' and health agents' perceptions of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in order to identify variables that could influence their success or failure. This study used an ethnographic methodology that included participant observation and semistructured interviews. In the data collection, participant observation and semistructured interviews with sex workers and key informants were conducted. Three themes emerged from the inductive data analysis: health prevention efforts, cultural inadequacy of prevention programs, and the eventuality of interventions. We conclude that nursing can develop culturally-adequate HIV/AIDS prevention interventions and programs as well as promote health within these populations.