Impact of hospitalization on nutritional status in persons aged 65 years and over (NUTRIFRAG Study): Protocol for a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a recurring problem that has become more relevant in recent years. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of malnutrition and nutritional status on admission and its evolution until discharge in patients aged 65 and over admitted to medical and surgical hospitalization units in hospitals of the Spanish National Health System. METHODS: Prospective observational study to be carried out in the medical-surgical hospitalization units of 9 public hospitals between 01/09/2022 and 31/12/2024. Using consecutive sampling, a total of 4077 patients will be included (453 in each hospital). Variables included are related to the care process, functionality, cognition and comorbidity, risk profile, nutritional status and dysphagia; as well as frailty, dietary quality and contextual variables. The incidence of risk of malnutrition, undernutrition and dysphagia during the care process and at discharge will be calculated. The association with risk factors will be studied with logistic regression models and multivariate Cox regression models. In addition, an analysis of participants' satisfaction with food services will be carried out. The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee on 30/09/2020, approved for funding on 02/12/2021 and with registration number RBR-5jnbyhk in the Brazilian clinical trials database (ReBEC) for observational studies. DISCUSSION: Some studies address nutritional status or dysphagia in older people in various care settings. However, there is a lack of large sample studies including both processes of the impact of hospitalization. The results of the project will provide information on the incidence and prevalence of both pathologies in the study subjects, their associated factors and their relationship with the average length of stay, mortality and early readmission. In addition, early detection of a problem such as malnutrition related to the disease and/or dysphagia during a hospital stay will favor the action of professionals to resolve both pathologies and improve the health status of patients.

Reasons for choosing and completing nursing studies among incoming and outgoing students: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of nurses is causing instability and crisis in health systems and will continue. The WHO reinforced the importance of recruiting and retaining new students. Authors of various studies recommend the need to identify and understand the reasons for pursuing a nursing degree. OBJECTIVES: To determine students' preference for nursing studies and to identify the reasons for choosing, continuing, and completing a bachelor's degree in nursing. DESIGN: Qualitative, descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS: 106 nursing students at the University of Huelva (Spain) participated during their first year (2017) and final year (2021) of the nursing degree. METHODS: This study was conducted with the same group of students in two phases. Data were collected in writing in a document with open-ended questions and no maximum wordcount. The responses were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 76.4 % of participants stated that nursing had been their first choice. The main reasons for choosing a nursing degree were associated with fulfilment, and a desire to help others and interact with them. The reasons for completing their studies were primarily related to an interest in providing professional care, showing a deeper and more concrete knowledge of nursing care work. CONCLUSION: For most participants, nursing was their first choice due to a strong intrinsic motivation related to self-satisfaction in helping others. The reasons for completing this degree had extrinsic motivations linked to nursing activity in hospital. Areas such as management, teaching, or research were not interesting to our students. Knowing the causes of this lack of interest could help us attract them to these areas.

Current Stereotypes Associated with Nursing and Nursing Professionals: An Integrative Review.

Nursing and nursing professionals are associated with social stereotypes, which may hinder the profession's development and future prospects as a scientific discipline. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the stereotypes associated with the nursing profession-students and professionals. Therefore, we carried out an integrative review. The search was conducted using PubMed, WOS, and CINAHL databases, and its search strategy was based on a combination of standardised keywords and natural vocabulary, with a temporal limit between 2016 and 2021. The data extraction and analysis was based on the conceptual framework developed by Whittemore and Knafl. Twenty-seven studies were included in the review, and their results were classified and coded. Two categories emerged, namely, stereotypes relating to the professionals' gender and stereotypes relating to the profession itself. We concluded that the nursing profession is viewed as female with low skills, social status, salary, academic level and entry requirements, and with little autonomy. Male nurses' professional competencies and masculinity are questioned, while the work carried out by female nurses is viewed as unprofessional. To reduce these stereotypes and bias we must present the nursing profession as a scientific discipline, developed by both men and women. Specific channels for this awareness-raising work include interventions from universities and the media, and participation in health policies.

Current Social Perception of and Value Attached to Nursing Professionals' Competences: An Integrative Review.

In order to develop nurses' identities properly, they need to publicise their professional competences and make society aware of them. For that, this study was conducted to describe the competences that society currently attributes to nursing professionals and how nursing is valued in society. This review was based on the conceptual framework by Whittemore and Knafl. The literature search was conducted using PubMed, WOS, and CINAHL databases, and the search strategy was based on a combination of natural language and standardised keywords, with limits and criteria for inclusion, exclusion, and quality. The results of the studies were classified and coded in accordance with the competence groups of the professional profile described in the Tuning Educational Structures in Europe programme. Fourteen studies were selected. The most commonly reported competence groups were as follows: nursing practice and clinical decision making; and communication and interpersonal competences. Nursing is perceived as a healthcare profession dedicated to caring for individuals. Its other areas of competence and its capacity for leadership are not well known. In order to develop a professional identity, it is essential to raise awareness of the competences that make up this professional profile.

Components of the nursing role as perceived by first-year nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and acquiring the nursing role is key to the development of nurses' professional identity. Understanding nursing students' perceptions in this regard will enable nursing educators to choose teaching strategies that lead to positive development of their students' professional identity. OBJECTIVES: To describe how nursing students perceive the different components of the nursing role at the beginning of the nursing degree. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. PARTICIPANTS/SETTINGS: 106 first-year nursing students at the University of Huelva, Spain. METHODS: Data on social and academic variables and variables relating to the instrumental and expressive roles were collected via an adapted, pilot-tested questionnaire assessed by experts. RESULTS: For participants, caregiving is the core of the nursing role in the clinical setting, including both technical execution and patient care aspects. They highlighted the disease prevention, health promotion, restoration, and education profiles of nurses rather than their teaching, professional, and technical profiles. They were acquainted with the concept of postgraduate professional development, but were unaware of the academic pathways leading to it. They considered nurses to be decision-makers, who are nevertheless subordinate to doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Students did not consider nursing to be an autonomous profession, although they highlighted its decision-making capacity. They placed greater emphasis on the traditional profile of primary care nurses than on their technical profile, and were able to identify the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Communication on Safe Caregiving between Community Nurse Case Managers and Family Caregivers.

Dependent elderly individuals are usually cared for at home by untrained family members who are unaware of the risks involved. In this setting, communication on safe caregiving is key. The aim of this study is to describe the factors influencing the process followed by community nurse case managers to provide communication on safe caregiving to family members caring for dependent elderly individuals. A phenomenological study, by focus group, was done in urban healthcare facilities. Key informants were seven community nurses, case managers with more than 12 years' experience. We did a thematic analysis and we identified the units of meaning to which the most relevant discourses were assigned. The concepts expressed were grouped until subcategories were formed, which were then condensed into categories. Four categories of analysis emerged: communication-related aspects; professional skills of nurse case managers; communication on safety and the caregiving role. To planner interventions, for the prevention of adverse events at home, is essential to consider these aspects: nurses' professional communication skills, factors inherent to safe caregiving, the characteristics of the home where care is provided, the personal and family circumstances of the caregiver, and whether or not the caregiver's role has been assumed by the family caregivers.

El lugar social del conocimiento enfermero: los editoriales científicos como artefactos lingüísticos desde la perspectiva de Certeau / O lugar social do conhecimento em enfermagem: editores científicos como artefatos lingüísticos na perspectiva de Certeau / The social place of Nursing knowledge: scientific editorials as linguistic artifacts read from a Certeau´s perspective

Resumen: El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el proceso de producción del conocimiento enfermero. Este propósito se ha acometido desde una perspectiva filosófica, basada en el concepto de lugar social desarrollado por Michel de Certeau. El lugar social incluye la dimensión institucional, los procedimientos utilizados para generar conocimiento y los valores que lo sostienen. Para aplicar este marco epistemológico a la enfermería, los autores se han centrado en el estudio del Journal of Nursing Scholarship (JNS), a través de un análisis textual en el que se han estudiado los editoriales escritos por Susan Gennaro en JNS desde 2007 hasta mayo de 2018, aplicandoles las categorías epistemológicas certeaunianas. Después de una lectura atenta es posible afirmar que JNS puede ser visto como una institución del conocimiento, que mantiene una estrecha relación con el poder, establece acuerdos con autores y revisores, y que escribe su propio discurso sobre la realidad. También han sido identificados los procedimientos clave que marcan cómo ha de ser escrito un artículo para JNS. Finalmente, la práctica, la significación social, la eficiencia, la universalidad, la buena ciencia y el liderazgo han aparecido como los principales valores de JNS. Las aportaciones de este trabajo pueden ayudar a los enfermeros a comprender que ningún conocimiento (ni los artefactos lingüísticos asociados al mismo) está completamente libre de influencias sociales.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o processo de produção de conhecimento de enfermagem. Esse objetivo foi realizado a partir de uma perspectiva filosófica, baseada no conceito de lugar social desenvolvido por Michel de Certeau. O lugar social inclui a dimensão institucional, os procedimentos utilizados para gerar conhecimento e os valores que o sustentam. Para aplicar esse quadro epistemológico à enfermagem, os autores se concentraram no estudo da Journal of Nursing Scholarship (JNS), através de uma análise textual na qual os editoriais escritos por Susan Gennaro no JNS foram estudados de 2007 a maio de 2018, aplicando as categorias epistemológicas certeaunianas. Após uma leitura cuidadosa, é possível afirmar que a SNJ pode ser vista como uma instituição do conhecimento, que mantém uma estreita relação com o poder, estabelece acordos com autores e revisores e escreve seu próprio discurso sobre a realidade. Os principais procedimentos que marcam como um artigo para o JNS deve ser escrito também foram identificados. Finalmente, a prática, o significado social, a eficiência, a universalidade, a boa ciência e a liderança apareceram como os principais valores da SAN. As contribuições deste trabalho podem ajudar os enfermeiros a entender que nenhum conhecimento (ou os artefatos lingüísticos a ele associados) está completamente livre de influências sociais.

Summary: The purpose of this article is to analyze the process by which nursing knowledge is produced. It takes a philosophical perspective based on the concept of social place developed by Michel de Certeau. Social place comprises an institutional dimension, the procedures used to create knowledge and the values underlying it. In applying this epistemic framework to nursing, the authors focused on the Journal of Nursing Scholarship (JNS). The study took the form of a textual analysis, using Certeau's epistemic categories, of all JNS editorials by Susan Gennaro from 2007 to 2018. The results of this analysis support the Certeaunian view that the JNS can be regarded as a knowledge institution, which maintains a tight relationship with power, makes contracts with authors and reviewers, and generates its own discourse about reality. The key procedures and conventions for contributing papers to the JNS were also identified. Finally, practice, social significance, efficiency, universality, good science and leadership emerged as the core values of the JNS. The findings of this study can help researchers to appreciate that knowledge (and linguistic artifacts associated with it) is never absolutely free from social constraints.

Coping strategies and quality of life in caregivers of dependent elderly relatives.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of coping in caregiving, there are few studies on the relationship between coping and quality of life in caregivers of the frail dependent elderly. Thus, this study aims to analyze the relationship between coping strategies and quality of life dimensions in primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 86 caregivers. Predictive variables were coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused, socially-supported, and dysfunctional); dependent variables were quality of life dimensions (psychological, physical, relational, and environmental); and potential confounding variables were age, gender, perceived health and burden of caregiver, and functional capacity of care receiver. Correlation coefficients were calculated and multiple linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounders, dysfunctional coping was related to worse quality of life in the psychological dimension, while emotion-focused and socially-supported coping were related to superior psychological and environmental dimensions of quality of life. The physical and relational dimensions of quality of life were not related to coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: 1) it is important to consider coping strategies in the assessment of primary caregivers of dependent elderly relatives; 2) the quality of life of caregivers is related to their coping strategies, 3) their quality of life can be worsened by avoidance-type coping, and 4) their quality of life can be improved by active emotion-focused coping and socially-supported coping.

El bajo peso al nacer: comportamiento de algunos factores asociados / The low birth weight: behavior of some associated factors

El peso al nacer es un importante elemento que influye en que un recién nacido experimente un crecimiento y desarrollo satisfactorio, por cuanto constituye una preocupación mundial de primera magnitud. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar los fac- tores asociados al bajo peso al nacer en la provincia de Villa Clara, Cuba, en el período entre enero-2010y septiembre-2012. Se estudiaron un total de 140 nacimientos del Hospital Universitario-Gineco-Obstétrico Mariana Grajales de Villa Clara; 80 correspondieron a neonatos sanos a término y 60 a neonatos bajo peso, estos últimos divididos según el tiempo de terminación del embarazo en recién nacidos a término y pre-término. La información se obtuvo medianterevisión de las historias clínicas obstétricas y del recién nacido. Las variables analizadas fueron: tiempode gestación en el momento del parto, edad materna, antecedentes de paridad, enfermedades durante elembarazo, vía de parto, sexo y peso del neonato, test de Apgar y omplicaciones perinatales. Los resultados se expresaron en valores absolutos y porciento. Se encontró que la edad gestacional en que se produjo el parto inferior a 37 semanas, la edad maternaextrema <20 y ≥35 años, la hipertensión inducida porel embarazo entre las enfermedades más comunes que afectaron a las madres durante la gestación, y lasafecciones respiratorias como principal complicación en los neonatos con insuficiencia ponderal; están aso-ciadas con un resultado desfavorable en el peso del recién nacido. Estos resultados permitieron confirmarque el bajo peso al nacimiento es de causa multifactorial, relacionándose con características demográficas(AU)

Síndrome del estrés de traslado en estudiantes de Enfermería / Relocation Stress Syndrome in Nursing Students

El abandono del hogar para comenzar los estudios universitarios puede ser considerado una potencial fuente de estrés descrita por la NANDA como el “síndrome de estrés de traslado” (SET).Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia del SET en estudiantes de la titulación de Enfermería y su relación con factores sociodemográficos, apoyo social y desarrollo personal. Método: se efectuó un estudio descriptivo con estudiantes de primer año de la titulación de Enfermería en la Universidad de Huelva, agrupados en función de si se habían tenido que trasladar para realizar sus estudios. Se aplicó un cuestionario que recoge indicadores del SET agrupados en diez dimensiones diferentes y los indicadores del resto de variables. Se estableció una puntuación mínima y máxima para cada dimensión y se fijó el punto de corte para adjudicar la etiqueta diagnóstica SET. Resultados: se obtuvo información de 111 estudiantes (69 trasladados),con una prevalencia de SET de 1,45%. Las dimensiones más alteradas fueron el patrón de sueño (91,9%), las dificultades de concentración(91,2%) y el patrón alimentario (73,9%). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la puntuación en la escala de SET y el sexo (F= 5,92, p< 0,018), la autopercepción de salud (F= 4,26, p<0,018) y características de la personalidad (F= 1,82; p< 0,043). También se observaron diferencias significativas en algunos de los indicadores de estrés general entre los estudiantes trasladados y los que residen en el hogar familiar. Conclusiones: globalmente, la prevalencia del SET es muy baja, pero se observan indicadores alterados en una alta frecuencia, que permiten identificar la situación de traslado como una fuente de malestar en el alumnado (AU)

Leaving home to start a university career may be considered a potential source of stress, described by NANDA as “Relocation Stress Syndrome”(RSS).Objective: to determine the prevalence of RSS in Nursing Degree students, and its relationship with socio-demographic factors, social support and personal development. Method: a descriptive study was conducted with students in the first year of their Nursing degree in the Universidad de Huelva, classified according to their having to move in order to study. A questionnaire was applied, which collects RSS indicators grouped into ten different dimensions, and the indicators for the rest of variables. Minimal and maximum scores were established for each dimension, and the cut-off point was determined in order to assign the RSS diagnostic label. Results: information was obtained from 111 students (69 moves),with a 1.45% prevalence of RSS. The most altered dimensions were sleep pattern (91.9%), difficulties in concentration (91.2%) and eating pattern (73.9%). There were significant differences between the score in the RSS scale and gender (F= 5.92, p< 0.018), the self-perception of health (F= 4.26, p< 0.018) and personality characteristics(F= 1.82; p< 0.043). Significant differences were also observed in some of the general stress indicators between students who had moved and those living at the family home. Conclusions: overall, the prevalence of RSS is very low; but altered indicators can be observed with high frequency, which allow identifying the relocation situation as a source of discomfort for students (AU)

Evaluación de la calidad de vida en el periodo postoperatorio inmediato en cirugía general / Quality of life measurement in the postoperative period in general and gastrointestinal surgery

Introducción: La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud es un resultado aceptado en cirugía para medir efectividad y para ajuste de riesgos, si bien su medición en el postoperatorio precoz ha presentado limitaciones. El propósito de este estudio es probar que es posible medir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en dicho periodo mediante un instrumento específico. Material y método: Se obtuvo un cuestionario específico estructurado en dominios con el uso consecutivo de 3 fuentes: la revisión bibliográfica, la entrevista con pacientes (n=30) y métodos de consenso Delphi con profesionales. Finalmente el instrumento es validado sometiéndolo a preprueba (n=36) y mediante un estudio clínico observacional prospectivo (n=250) analizando su capacidad de discriminar cohortes de pacientes por tipo de intervención, complicaciones, estado clínico, su evolución temporal y sus propiedades como medida, comparándolo con el short form-36. Resultados: El instrumento mostró buena sensibilidad al cambio y capacidad de discriminación para las diferentes cohortes de pacientes, además de facilidad de uso, alta coherencia interna (alfa de Cronbach 0,88), ausencia de redundancia entre dominios (rho de Spearman entre 0,29–0,84) y adecuada convergencia con la opinión de los pacientes. En cambio el short form-36 no mostró adecuada capacidad de discriminación, ni idoneidad para su uso en dicho periodo. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que el cuestionario elaborado es válido para evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en el periodo postoperatorio inmediato, siendo más sensible y específico que el short form-36 (AU)

Introduction: Health related quality of life measurement (HRQL) is widely accepted as an appropriate outcome of surgical care for assessing effectiveness and for risk adjusted outcomes. Nevertheless its use in the immediate postoperative period has show limitations. The aim of this study is to prove that is possible, with a specific new tool, to assess the HRQL during this period. Patients and Methods: The study is designed to create a specific close questionnaire related to the patient's condition after surgery, structured in domains, with the subsequent use of: literature searches, patient interviews (n=30), and a Delphi survey with health care providers. Finally the tool was validated using a pre-test (n=36) and a prospective observational cohort trial (n=250), to assess the discriminant validity for different cohorts of patients, reliability, responsiveness, and convergent validity, and to compare with the widely used generic tool, Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: The questionnaire was shown to have good sensitivity to change (single index and domains score), as well as good sensitivity to distinguish cohorts of patients, a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88), absence of redundancy between domains (Spearman's rho range, 0.29–0.84), and good convergent validity with patient opinion. The SF-36 questionnaire showed poor discriminant validity, and lack of convergent validity with patient opinion. Conclusions: These results support that the created questionnaire is appropriate to assess HRQL in the immediate postoperative period; and was more specific than SF-36 (AU)

[Quality of life measurement in the postoperative period in general and gastrointestinal surgery]. / Evaluación de la calidad de vida en el periodo postoperatorio inmediato en cirugía general.

INTRODUCTION: Health related quality of life measurement (HRQL) is widely accepted as an appropriate outcome of surgical care for assessing effectiveness and for risk adjusted outcomes. Nevertheless its use in the immediate postoperative period has show limitations. The aim of this study is to prove that is possible, with a specific new tool, to assess the HRQL during this period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study is designed to create a specific close questionnaire related to the patient's condition after surgery, structured in domains, with the subsequent use of: literature searches, patient interviews (n=30), and a Delphi survey with health care providers. Finally the tool was validated using a pre-test (n=36) and a prospective observational cohort trial (n=250), to assess the discriminant validity for different cohorts of patients, reliability, responsiveness, and convergent validity, and to compare with the widely used generic tool, Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: The questionnaire was shown to have good sensitivity to change (single index and domains score), as well as good sensitivity to distinguish cohorts of patients, a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88), absence of redundancy between domains (Spearman's rho range, 0.29-0.84), and good convergent validity with patient opinion. The SF-36 questionnaire showed poor discriminant validity, and lack of convergent validity with patient opinion. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that the created questionnaire is appropriate to assess HRQL in the immediate postoperative period; and was more specific than SF-36.

Ancianos válidos institucionalizados / Institutionalized, non-invalid old people

El ingreso en residencias ha sido denominado con el concepto de institucionalización, para diferenciarlo de la atención comunitaria y denotar su carácter de especialización. Los ancianos válidos al ingreso en un centro dejan de realizar tareas por un mecanismo de ajuste de su conducta a la vez que pueden adoptar una actitud pasiva; efecto generador de dependencia. Todos los ancianos al ingresar por primera vez en un centro geriátrico se someterán a un período de adaptación y observación establecido en 20 días tras el cual serán valorados por una Comisión Técnica. Objetivo general: Evaluar la influencia que ejerce la institucionalización en la autonomía de un anciano en el momento de su ingreso en una residencia geriátrica de válidos y compararlo con el obtenido tras el período de adaptacion. Materiales y método: Diseño preexperimental con estudio pretest-postest de un solo grupo en dos momentos diferentes, es decir, medición previa y posterior a una intervención, que en este caso sería el tiempo. Variables dependientes: Grado de autonomía: medir la capacidad del anciano/a referente a actividades cotidianas. Mediante el índice de Banhel: (ABVD). Actividades Básicas de la Vida Diaria y el índice de Lawton: (AIVD). Actividades Instrumentales de la Vida Diaria. Variable independiente: Ingreso del anciano/a en la Institución. Es la variable que puede modificar o no su grado de autonomía. Variables sociodemográficas: edad, sexo, procedencia, estado civil, capacidad adquisitiva, motivo de ingreso. Sujetos de estudio: Todos los ancianos ingresados la Residencia Mixta de Pensionistas de Huelva durante enero y la ultima semana de abril de 2002, muestra aproximada de 30 ancianos. Análisis de datos: El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante el programa Epi-info 6.0 y SPSS V 10. El test aplicado ha sido el test no paramétrico o de libre distribución de medias de muestras apareadas test de Wilcoxon, al no cumplirse las condiciones de distribución normal y ser la muestra obtenida menor de 30. Para comparar proporciones se usó el test de McNemman. En todos casos se consideraron significativos los niveles de probabilidad inferiores a 0,05. Resultados: El 40 por ciento de los residentes ingresados tiene entre 75 y 79 años, ninguno es menor de 70 años. Ingresan más hombres que mujeres. El índice de Barthel en el momento del ingreso refleja una media de 97 puntos con una DE: 3. Y tras el período de adaptación disminuyó con un valor de 92 y con DE: 6. En el Índice de Lawton en la primera medición presentaba independencia total un 45 por ciento de los casos. Tras los 20 días el 100 por ciento de los residentes era dependiente o necesitaba ayuda, no permaneciendo ninguno totalmente independiente. Discusión: Existe una relación significativa entre la autonomía e independencia de un anciano y su deterioro debido a la institucionalización. Las actividades que han sufrido mayor deterioro funcional han sido la deambulación y el subir y bajar escaleras, el lavado de la ropa, al igual que en el cuidado de la casa, preparación de comidas o la realización de compras. Conclusiones: Dentro de una institución el programa de adaptación del anciano debería tener como prioridad la adaptación organizativa del centro a las verdaderas necesidades de los usuarios y no al revés, implicando en este proceso siempre a la familia... todo en pro de fomentar en todo momento la autonomía tanto física como psicológica del anciano (AU)

Enfermería y el presente de las terapias complementarias / Nursing and the present for supplementary therapies

La situación actual de la enfermería es de claro avance, resultado de la búsqueda de lo que cada vez más enfermeros se plantean: el verdadero fin de la enfermería, "los cuidados" para mantener la salud o recuperarla. Para ello debemos utilizar todos los medios útiles a nuestro alcance. Sabemos que con una caricia de nuestras manos liberamos endorfinas que ayudan a disminuir el dolor, que la música nos relaja, que el color ilumina nuestra vida, que la reflexología nos libera de tensiones y que, en definitiva, tenemos a nuestro alcance un gran número de recursos que ofrecen alivio y bienestar a nuestros pacientes sin efectos secundarios y a bajo coste. Estos cuidados complementarios "no especializados de salud" se enseñan de forma no sistematizada y de forma optativa en las escuelas de enfermería españolas. Los profesionales de enfermería manifiestan un gran interés por las terapias alternativas y muchos de ellos son hoy especialistas en alguna de ellas. Sin embargo, a pesar de que las terapias alternativas están incluidas en los actuales planes de estudio, la producción científica de los enfermeros españoles en esta materia es escasa. Las líneas de investigación trazadas como prioritarias por el Instituto Carlos III y por el Comité Europeo de Salud, no reflejan de forma específica el estudio de estas formas de cuidados; pero sí está en nuestras manos demostrar, con líneas de investigación propias, hasta dónde llegan los beneficios de estas terapias (AU)

[Nursing and the current situation of complementary treatments]. / Enfermería y el presente de las terapias complementarias.

The present situation in nursing is one of a clear advance, as the result of the search which more and more nurses consider: a real end to nursing, "the treatments" to maintain health or to recuperate it. To this end, we should make use of all the useful methods available to us. We know that with a caress of our hands we loose endorphins which help reduce pain, that music relaxes us, that color illuminates our lives, that reflexology frees us from tensions, and that, definitely, we have available to us a large number of resources which offer relief and well-being to our patients without secondary efforts, and at a low cost. These supplementary non-specialized health treatments are taught in a non-systematic manner and an optional manner in Spanish nursing schools. Nursing professionals demonstrate great interest in alternative therapies and many nurses are specialists in some of these today. However, in spite of the fact that alternative therapies are included in current study programs, scientific production by Spanish nurses en these fields is scarce. The research and development guidelines published as priorities by the Carlos III Institute and by the European Health Committee do no reflect the study of these treatment methods in a specific manner; but we have the opportunity in our own hands to demonstrate by means of our own research the extent of the benefits which these therapies may provide.