Enhancing feedback by health coaching: the effectiveness of mixed methods approach to long-term physical activity changes in nurses. An intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Although knowledge of the barriers and motivators to physical activity participation among nurses is increasing, the factors influencing motivation methods' effectiveness are not completely defined. This study aimed to identify the methods that support increasing the level of daily physical activity and the factors that influence the effectiveness of motivation methods among nurses. METHODS: This study was based on an intervention study protocol. All registered nurses in clinical settings were invited to participate in the study. The study involved 71 professionally active nurses. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and employment data. The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the daily number of steps was assessed using a pedometer. Body composition was measured using a bioimpedance method, and the 5-year risk of cardiovascular events was assessed using the Harvard Score. The intervention included self-monitoring daily steps using a pedometer and completing a diary daily for one month. Additionally, a few-minute speech was sent to each participant via email on the intervention's 7th, 14th, and 21st days. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a higher value of physical activity recorded in the follow-up compared to the initial and final measurement in the Recreation domain [Met] (p < 0.001) and a higher value of daily steps in the follow-up compared to the final measurement (p = 0.005). Participants with a higher Harvard Score were more likely to increase their daily number of steps (OR = 6.025; 95% CI = 1.70-21.41), and nurses working in hospital wards were less likely to do so (OR = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.00-0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for physical activity in the nursing population should focus on increasing leisure time physical activity and regular risk assessment of cardiovascular events. A mixed methods approach, such as feedback enhanced by health coaching, effectively achieves long-term physical activity changes in nurses.

Education and attitudes toward geriatric care: Impact for nursing graduates and their career decisions - study protocol.

The demanding and challenging nature of care for geriatric patients requires appropriate preparation of health care professionals. However, the willingness of nursing students to work in geriatric nursing care is mostly at a low level. The EAging_C project has been developed to investigate the relationship between nursing teachers' and students' attitudes towards older people and its impact on career decisions regarding working in a geriatric setting. This study uses an explanatory sequential mixed-method. The study has been conducted in a Polish academic setting in teams of geriatric nursing practical training teachers and their students. Quantitative and qualitative data have been collected in three stages. Kogan's Attitudes Towards Older People questionnaire has been used to collect quantitative data among teachers and students. By developing two questionnaires for the semi-structured interviews (one for students and one for teachers) qualitative data was collected that deepened the quantitative data collected. The investigation conducted in this project allows us to provide an insight into the issue of the unwillingness to work in a geriatric setting by nursing graduates. Based on the identified variables that are crucial to promoting work with older people, further research can be carried out based on testing the intervention.

The Relationship between Sociodemographic, Professional, and Incentive Factors and Self-Reported Level of Physical Activity in the Nurse Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Research indicates that while nurses are aware of the benefits of physical activity (PA), their adherence to PA is low. The results of workplace interventions that increase PA are inconsistent. The study aim was identification the sociodemographic, professional, and incentive factors influencing nurses' PA and investigation its relationship with the level of PA that they report. This study was based on observational cross-sectional research conducted among professionally active nurses working in a clinical setting (n = 350). The self-reported questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and employment data and motivators and barriers of participating in PA. The level of PA was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The analysis revealed significant differences in the Total Physical Activity Score (TPAS) depending on the variables related to professional activity (working in a management position: p = 0.015; workplace: p = 0.01; shift type: p ≤ 0.002). Cluster analysis revealed that the most important statement in the group division about motivation was fear of the pain occurring after exercise. Nurses who were more motivated to be active showed a higher level of leisure-time PA than less motivated nurses. The recommendation of PA in the nursing population should be focused on increasing the leisure time PA, ensuring the appropriate time to recovery, and compliance with the principles of work ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

A Comparative Analysis of Antibiotic Usage in Diabetic Foot Infections Against Healing Time.

The study aimed to analyze bacterial flora in diabetic foot infection, empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy, and factors influencing wound healing duration. The study we undertook a review analysis of data in 118 cases of diabetic foot among 98 patients who reported to the Wound Care Clinic in Warsaw, Poland between 01/2014 and 12/2018. Collected data included sociodemographic data, wounds information, used treatment, results of the microbiological examination, and empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy. For purposes of identifying the empirical and targeted antibiotic compatibility, the patients were divided into subgroups: ETA+ (compatibility of empiric-targeted antibiotic), ETA- (non-compatibility of empiric-targeted antibiotic), NEA (no empiric antibiotic), and NTA (no targeted antibiotic). The study group consisted of men, N = 71 (72.4%) and women, N = 27 (27.6%). Twenty patients (20.4%) were diagnosed as obese according to the body mass index classification. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were identified in most cases [N = 53 (24.4%), and N = 41 (18.9%), respectively]. Sixteen patients (13.6%) received gentamycin locally. Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, clindamycin, and levofloxacin were the most frequently used antibiotics as empiric therapy; meanwhile, in targeted therapy, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and levofloxacin were most frequently used. Empiric and targeted antibiotic therapies were compatible in 65 (55.1%) cases. The duration of healing did not differ between selected subgroups, and was longer in obese patients (p = .001). Other variables did not influence the healing time. The use of empiric antibiotic therapy before targeted therapy and the topical use of gentamycin did not reduce the healing time of diabetic foot infection. The healing time of diabetic foot infection was longer in obese patients than in nonobese patients.

Venous leg ulcer healing time is increased with each subsequent bacterial strain identified in the ulcer. A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze bacterial flora in venous leg ulcers, empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy, and factors influencing healing time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 30 patients with venous leg ulcers were retrospectively analyzed. Collected data included: sociodemographic data, wounds information, number of comorbidities, results of the microbiological examination, and empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy. To compare the empiric and targeted treatment in terms of their compatibility, the group of patients was divided into the four subgroups: NEA (no empiric antibiotics), NA (no antibiotics), ETA+ (compatibility of empiric and targeted antibiotic), ETA- (no compatibility of empiric and targeted antibiotic). RESULTS: The average ulcer healing time was 163.4 ± 97.1 (range 51.0 to 426.0) days and increased by 28 days with each additional bacterial strain in the ulcer (p = 0.041). Healing time did not differ between the four groups. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most frequent bacteria. Amoxicillinium/acidum clavulanicum was the most common empirical antibiotic and amoxicillinium/acidum clavulanicum, and levofloxacinum was the most common targeted antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS: Venous leg ulcer healing time was prolonged with each subsequent bacterial strain in the ulcer, and it was independent from systemic antibiotic therapy.

The correlation of patients' anxiety after a liver or kidney transplantation with functional and self-reported work ability.

Organ transplantation has become the treatment of choice for end-stage organ failure, including renal and liver failure. The benefits of patient employment after transplantation are numerous, but factors determining the ability to work among these patients are not clearly defined. The growing interest in these factors has strong practical implications for organizations creating vocational rehabilitation programs. Given the interconnection between psychological and physical functioning in patients after transplantation, the present study examined the impact of anxiety on vocational rehabilitation and its relationship with functional tests. A total of 100 patients after liver or kidney transplantation underwent functional tests, including the 6-minute walking test and 30-second chair stand test (30"CST), and psychological tests, specifically the Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives, Work Ability Index, and State-Train Anxiety Inventory. Working ability was affected by psychological factors. State and trait anxiety exhibited inverse relationships with subjective readiness to occupational activity (P < .001, r = -.59 and P < .001, r = -.56, respectively). The level of anxiety was negatively related to the results of the 30"CST. State-Train Anxiety Inventory, State Anxiety subscale and State-Train Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety subscale vs 30"CST: P < .001, r = -.43 P < .001, r = -.44). Thus, state and trait anxiety influence perceived work ability and partially functional status. These observations may indicate the potential benefits of including psychologists in interdisciplinary teams for physical and especially vocational rehabilitation of patients after liver or kidney transplantation.

Multivariate analysis of biopsychosocial determinants of professional activity among patients after kidney or liver transplantation in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the employment rate among kidney and liver transplant recipients in Poland and identify the predictors of employment. SETTINGS: The study was based on a self-prepared questionnaire containing five parts: demographic data and professional, medical, physical and psychological factors. This is a multicentre study involving four hospitals in Poland. PARTICIPANTS: The investigated group consisted of 285 individuals (92 women and 185 men; 8 no sex given) aged between 18 and 45 years who underwent kidney or liver transplantation 1-5 years prior. Because of missing data, 279 questionnaires were considered regarding employment status after transplantation and 277 when sex differences were considered. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (43%) worked full-time, 42 (15%) part-time and 117 (42%) remained unemployed, with a higher employment rate post-transplantation among men than women (60% vs 55%, p=0.04). More women performed white collar work (74% vs 41%, p=0.0003) and had to modify their working position than men (22% vs 7%, p=0.0118). Factors determining employment after transplantation included higher level of education (OR=27.08; p=0.0096), employment 1 year prior to transplantation (OR=11.05; p<0.001) and good psychological adaptation (OR=4.23; p<0.001). Men working the year before transplantation had higher education (OR=9.66; p=0.0356). Among men, more kidney recipients worked compared with liver recipients (OR=3.567; p=0.0417). Among women, age determined employment status (OR=0.89; p=0.0234). CONCLUSION: Higher education is the most important predictor of employment after transplantation. Therefore, rehabilitation programmes including vocational activity should be directed to increase the level of education, both pretransplantation and post-transplantation if possible.