Analysis of Treatment Strategies and Outcomes in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Insights From a Multi-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic," clinicopathologic, and prognostic characteristics of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM), as well as the treatment options for the rare and heterogeneous MPeM population. METHODS: A retrospective multi-center observational cohort study was conducted to evaluate patients with MPeM. Due to the heterogeneity of the study population, the study divided them into two main groups in terms of treatments, follow-up periods, and prognostic features. The first group comprised the patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and the second group included the patients with metastatic disease for whom curative intent surgery was not possible. The patients' diagnostic procedures and treatments were identified from medical records. Patients older than 18 years old were included in the study regardless of asbestos exposure. Well-differentiated papillary and multicystic mesothelioma histologic types were not included in the study. RESULTS: The study evaluated 118 patients from five centers. Survival times, prognosis, and treatment responses were analyzed in both groups. The study showed that CRS-HIPEC was associated with longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Perioperative therapy was evaluated in subgroup analyses of this population and shown to provide survival benefits. The patients treated with chemotherapy (metastatic and medically inoperable patients and those for whom complete cytoreduction was not achievable) had a poorer prognosis than the surgery group. The study showed that life expectancy decreased significantly for the patients not suitable to undergo surgery for any reason. CONCLUSIONS: According to data from experienced centers, CRS-HIPEC is a treatment option recognized as effective, cost-effective, and safe, with better OS and PFS , as well as low morbidity and mortality rates similar to those in the literature. In addition, the platinum-pemetrexed combination continues to be an effective and acceptable treatment option for metastatic patients, those who are medically inoperable, and those for whom complete or near-complete cytoreduction is not achievable.

The Effectiveness of Telehealth Interventions on Medication Adherence Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health issue with an increasing frequency across the world and is an important disease in which medication adherence is a priority component for disease management. Several interventions are implemented to increase medication adherence in patients with type 2 DM, and telehealth interventions have become widespread thanks to technological advancements. This meta-analysis aims at reviewing the telehealth interventions applied to patients with type 2 DM and examining their effects on medication adherence. Methods: Relevant studies published in ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PubMed from 2000 to December 2022 were searched in this meta-analysis. Their methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Jadad scale. Total score for each study ranged from 0 (low quality) to 8 (high quality). Studies with four or more were of good quality. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for statistical analysis. Publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot and Egger regression test. Both subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed in the study. Results: A total of 18 studies were analyzed in this meta-analysis. All studies scored 4 or above in their methodological quality assessment and were of good quality. The combined results have shown that telehealth interventions significantly increased medication adherence in the intervention group (SMD = 0.501; 95% CI 0.231-0.771; Z = 3.63, p < 0.001). Our subgroup analysis has revealed that HbA1c value, mean age, and duration of intervention significantly affected the study results. Conclusion: Telehealth interventions are an effective method to increase medication adherence in patients with type 2 DM. It is recommended that telehealth interventions be expanded in clinical practices and included in disease management.

Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey: Relationship to Protective Behaviors and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches.

Context: Today, almost all countries have implemented programs to fight COVID-19, which has spread rapidly to every location around the world. In addition, the negative effects of COVID-19 on psychological health have also captured attention. Objective: The study aimed to determine the anxiety levels of individuals who used primary healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the relationship of anxiety levels to participants' demographic characteristics, protective behaviors, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. Design: The research team conducted a cross-sectional and correlational survey. Setting: This study took place in the Family Health Center in a province in western Turkey. Participants: Participants were 483 individuals who visited a Family Health Center in a province in western Turkey between October 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021, for reasons such as health services and vaccinations and who hadn't had a COVID-19 infection before visiting the center. Outcome Measures: The study research team collected data using an individual identification form that addressed participants' sociodemographic characteristics and their personal data about COVID-19 infections, protective behaviors, and CAM approaches during the pandemic. Participants also completed the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Results: Of the 12.2% of participants who had high-level anxiety, females had 2.4 times that of males and individuals with chronic diseases had a 2.3 times higher level of anxiety than people who didn't. Being female and having a chronic disease were significantly associated with COVID-19 anxiety (P < .05). Conclusions: Because the pandemic likely will continue in upcoming days, healthcare practitioners should develop protective and supportive psychosocial services for individuals facing COVID-19, providing them with information about evidence-based methods.

Associations of Nonmotor Symptom Burden, Activities of Daily Living, and Fear of Falling in Parkinson Disease.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Parkinson disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms, can affect the daily activities of individuals. This study was conducted to determine nonmotor symptom burden in patients with PD and to reveal the relationship of nonmotor symptom burden with activities of daily living and fear of falling. METHODS: This cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out with 309 patients given a diagnosis of PD. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the Fear of Falling Questionnaire. RESULTS: Whereas 70.2% of the patients had very high nonmotor symptom severity levels, 33.7% were semidependent or dependent in terms of performing their activities of daily living. The fear of falling was experienced by 32.7% of the patients. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between the mean Non-Motor Symptoms Scale scores of the patients and their mean Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale and Fear of Falling Questionnaire scores ( P < .05). Nonmotor symptom burden independently explained 66% of the total variance in the performance of activities of daily living and 69% of the total variance in fear of falling ( P < .01). CONCLUSION: Nonmotor symptom burden in PD patients is a significant determinant for participation in activities of daily living and fear of falling. Nurses should approach patients with PD with a focus not only on assessing motor symptoms but also on assessing nonmotor symptoms.

Do statins enhance the antitumor effect of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1)?: Real-life cohort.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting therapies have become crucial in the management of HER2-positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a microtubule inhibitor and HER2-targeted antibody conjugate. T-DM1 resistance is most likely influenced by factors involved in the biological mechanisms of T-DM1 action. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of statins, which influence HER-2-based therapies via the caveolin-1 (CAV-1) protein, in female breast cancer patients receiving T-DM1. Our study included 105 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with T-DM1. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients who received statins concurrently with T-DM1 versus those who did not were compared. During the median 39.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.6-43.5) months of follow-up, 16 (15.2%) patients received statins, and 89 (84.8%) patients did not. Median OS was significantly higher in patients using statins than in patients not using statins (58.8 vs 26.5 months, P = .016). The association between statin use and PFS did not reach statistical significance (34.7 vs 9.9 months, P = .159). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that better performance status (hormone receptor [HR]: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13-0.71, P = .006), use of trastuzumab plus pertuzumab prior to T-DM1 (HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.18-0.76, P = .007) and use of statins with T-DM1 (HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12-0.70, P = .006) were independent factors that prolong OS duration. Our study showed that T-DM1 is more effective at treating HER2-positive breast cancer in people who receive statins concurrently with T-DM1 than those who do not.

Religious Coping and Fatalism on Perception of Care Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Cerebral Palsy in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study.

Providing care to a patient with cerebral palsy can have many negative impacts upon caregivers. This study was carried out to define caregiving burden in the caregivers of cerebral palsy patients and determine the relationships between religious coping, fatalism, and burden of care. This cross-sectional and correlational study included 132 caregivers. Data were obtained using the Religious Coping Scale, the Fatalism Scale, and the Caregiver Burden Scale. It was determined that 18.9% of the participants experienced a heavy care burden. The luck and pessimism dimensions of the Fatalism Scale were positively and weakly correlated with caregiving burden (p < 0.01), while there was no correlation between caregiving burden and positive or negative religious coping styles (p > 0.05). Perception of fatalism explained 10% of the total variance in caregiving burden (R = 0.329, R2 = 0.109, F = 5.195, p = 0.002). It is recommended that caregivers be supported by religious experts to strengthen positive religious coping styles and advisable fatalism perceptions.

Emerging treatment strategies in hepatobiliary cancer.

INTRODUCTION: There have been significant advances in the treatment of hepatobiliary cancers, especially for advanced-stage disease. However, data is limited for optimal therapy selection in the first line and sequencing of available options. AREAS COVERED: This review covers the systemic treatment of hepatobiliary cancers with an emphasis on the advanced stage. The previously published and ongoing trials will be discussed to create an algorithm for the current practice and to give future perspectives on how the field could go forward. EXPERT OPINION: While there is no standard-of-care option in the adjuvant treatment of hepatocellular cancer, capecitabine is the standard of care for biliary tract cancer. The efficacy of adjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin and the added benefit of radiotherapy to chemotherapy are yet to be defined. For the advanced stage, immunotherapy-based combinations became the standard of care for both hepatocellular and biliary tract cancers. The molecularly targeted therapy has profoundly changed the second-line and later treatment for biliary tract cancers, while the optimal second-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular cancer is yet to be defined due to rapid advances in the first-line setting.

The association between pan-immune-inflammation value and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A significant portion of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) relapse despite multimodality treatment denoting the need for biomarkers. The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) is a recently developed blood count-based prognostic biomarker. We evaluated the relationship between PIV and survival in locally advanced HNSCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: A total of 199 patients who underwent CRT at Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital were included. The relationship between clinical and laboratory parameters with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed by multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The median age was 59 years and 90.5% of the patients were male. 66.8% of the patients had laryngeal primaries, and 78.9% had T3-T4 disease. 84.9% of the patients received CRT with cisplatin. The optimal PIV threshold value was calculated as 404 in ROC analyses. This PIV value had 75.8% sensitivity and 70.4% specificity for OS prediction (AUC 0.781; 95% CI 0.715-0.846; p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, high PIV levels (≤ 404 vs. > 404, HR 2.862; 95% CI 1.553-5.276; p = 0.001), higher NLR (≤ 2.5 vs. > 2.5, HR 1.827; 95% CI 1.017-3.281; p = 0.044) levels and ECOG performance score of 2 (HR 2.267; 95% CI 1.385-3.711; p = 0.001) were associated with shorter OS. These factors were associated with shorter DFS also (HR for PIV 2.485, 95% CI 1.383-4.467, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We observed shorter OS and DFS in locally advanced HNSCC patients with high PIV levels. If prospective studies support our findings, the PIV score could be a prognostic biomarker in HNSCC.

Alexithymia and Coping With Stress in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparative Study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is frequently seen in young adults, affects mental health because of disease symptoms and cognitive disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of alexithymia and problem- or emotion-focused coping strategies with stress in MS patients, determine the relationship between these variables, and compare the results of MS patients with those of healthy individuals. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative study was carried out with the participation of 120 MS patients presenting to a neurology clinic and outpatient clinic of a university hospital and 120 healthy individuals. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Ways of Coping Scale. RESULTS: The 40.8% rate of alexithymia in the MS patients was higher than that in the healthy individuals (21.7%). Compared with healthy individuals, MS patients use emotion-focused coping methods, such as a lack of self-confidence approach and a submissive approach, more frequently ( P < .05). A significant negative correlation was found between the alexithymia and problem-focused coping strategies of MS patients ( P < .01). CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is more common in MS patients than in healthy individuals. Alexithymia negatively affects the methods patients use to cope with stress. In the treatment and care of MS patients, nurses should plan interventions for the ability of these patients to recognize and express their emotions and develop positive coping methods.

Medical Device-Related Pressure injuries in adult intensive care units.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the development, characteristics, and risk factors of medical device-related pressure injury (MDRPI) in intensive care units (ICU). BACKGROUND: The number of individuals admitted to ICU increased in the last years all over the world. In parallel with this need, the frequency of the use of life-support and therapeutic medical devices in the ICU also increases. This situation may lead to the development of MDRPI in the ICU and an increase in its prevalence. METHOD: The study, which was conducted observationally, prospectively and descriptively, included 302 patients who were hospitalised in an ICU within a year. The study was reported according to the STROBE Declaration. RESULTS: It was observed that MDRPI developed in 27.2% of the patients. It was found that MDRPI developed the most in the nose (26.8%) and mouth (15.9%) regions of the patients. It was determined that MDRPI was diagnosed in 28% of the patients within 3-5 days. It was determined that mostly orthopaedic devices (plaster, cervical collar, splint) (62.5%), fasteners (57.1%), non-invasive ventilation/oxygen masks (51.2%) caused the development of MDRPI. It was found that the number of medical devices used was higher, and the number of hospitalisation days in the ICU was also higher, and these factors explained 28.3% of the total variance in the development of MDRPI. CONCLUSION: It was determined that MDRPI developed in approximately one of four patients in the ICU and that the numbers of medical devices and hospitalisation days were important determinant risk factors. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The high rate of development of MDRPI is worrying in terms of nursing care quality. It is recommended that nurses recognise risk factors in order to prevent the development of MDRPI, evaluate the suitability, necessity, and safety of the devices to be used is located.

Blood Based Biomarkers as Predictive Factors for Hyperprogressive Disease.

Purpose: With the widespread use of immunotherapy agents, we encounter treatment responses such as hyperprogression disease (HPD) that we have not seen with previous standard chemotherapy and targeted therapies. It is known that survival in patients with HPD is shorter than in patients without HPD. Therefore, it is important to know the factors that will predict HPD. We aimed to identify HPD-related factors in patients treated with immunotherapy. Methods: A total of 121 adult metastatic cancer patients treated with immunotherapy for any cancer were included. Baseline demographics, the ECOG performance status, type of tumors and baseline blood count parameters were recorded. Possible predisposing factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The median age was 62.28 (interquartile range (IQR) 54.02−67.63) years, and the median follow-up was 12.26 (IQR 5.6−24.36) months. Renal cell carcinoma (33%) and melanoma (33.8%) were the most common diagnoses. Twenty patients (16.5%) had HPD. A high LDH level (p: 0.001), hypoalbuminemia (p: 0.016) and an NLR > 5 (p: 0.007) were found to be associated with hyperprogression. Sex (female vs. male, p: 0.114), age (>65 vs. <65, p: 0.772), ECOG (0 vs. 1−4, p: 0.480) and the line of treatment (1−5, p: 0.112) were not found to be associated with hyperprogression. Conclusions: In this study, we observed HPD in 16.5% of immunotherapy-treated patients and increased HPD risk in patients with a high LDH level (p: 0.001), hypoalbuminemia (p: 0.016) and an NLR > 5 (p: 0.007).

Assessment the effect of diabetes education on self-care behaviors and glycemic control in the Turkey Nursing Diabetes Education Evaluating Project (TURNUDEP): a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes education in Turkey is provided by diabetes nurse educators in almost all healthcare organizations. However, the education is not standardized in terms of learning content, duration, and methods. This multi-center study was performed to assess the self-care behaviors and glycemic control following education provided to the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by diabetes nurse educators. METHODS: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study and included 1535 patients admitted to 28 public hospitals for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The education was assessed by using a Patient Identification Form and Self-care Scale. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals who received diabetes education within the last year was 78.5%, with 46.7% of them having received it once. Of the patients, 84.8% reported that they received diabetes education individually. It was found that the proportion of individuals who received education about oral antidiabetics (78.5%) and glucose testing at home (78.5%) was higher than the proportion of individuals who received education about exercise (58.8%) and foot care (61.6%). The status of diabetes education, education intervals, and the correlation of the education method with self-care and glycemic control was evaluated. Self-care and glycemic control levels were better among the patients who received diabetes education thrice or more and in patients who received education both individually and in a group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately three-quarters of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus received education by diabetes nurse educators in Turkey. Diabetes education is positively correlated with self-care and glycemic control levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Efforts for generalization and standardized education for all diabetes patients are necessary.

Depression and Religious Coping in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Turkey.

Psychological health problems such as depression, anxiety and feelings of distress are often seen in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Religious coping in dealing with psychological health problems is one of the methods commonly used by cardiac patients. This study was conducted to determine the depression levels and religious coping methods of individuals diagnosed with ACS and identify the relationship between their positive or negative religious coping methods and their depression levels. The descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 253 ACS patients. In the study, the depression levels of most patients were low, but 19.8% showed moderate-severe depressive symptoms. It was found that the patients adopted positive religious coping styles on a high level, but there was no significant relationship between positive religious coping and depression levels (p > 0.05). It is recommended that health professionals also closely monitor ACS patients for depressive symptoms after their diagnosis, encouraging patients to use positive religious coping styles to support their well-being and recovery against this life-threatening disease.

The Effect of Religious Coping on the Satisfaction with Life Among Turkish Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with life-threatening features due to uncomfortable symptoms such as dyspnea decreases satisfaction with life. This study aims to determine the effect of religious coping methods on satisfaction with life in patients with COPD in Turkey. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with patients who had COPD for at least a year (n = 149). The positive religious coping levels of the patients were high while their negative religious coping levels were low and their levels of satisfaction with life were below average. A positive correlation was found between the positive religious coping levels and satisfaction with life of the patients (p < 0.05). The patients' age, general health levels, economic status, state of meeting their daily needs and usage of positive religious coping were the factors that significantly affected their levels of satisfaction with life, and these factors explained 38% of the total variance in the patients' satisfaction with life. It is important to evaluate religious coping in increasing the satisfaction with life of COPD patients who receive treatment in health institutions.

The Effect of Religious Coping on Disease Acceptance and Management Among Patients with Diabetes in Turkey.

Religious coping is considered an important factor for assisting with the management of chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious coping and disease acceptance and management among patients with diabetes. A total of 504 individuals with type 2 diabetes were included in this descriptive-correlational study. In this study, individuals who did not use their medications regularly, those who did not pay attention to their diet and those who did not exercise regularly had higher levels of positive religious coping. No significant relationship was found between the level of acceptance of illness and religious coping styles among participants with diabetes. However, it was found out that there was a positive relationship between HbA1C levels and the mean score of positive religious coping and positive religious coping accounted for 7% of the total variance in the glycemic control parameter.

Alexithymia in diabetes patients: its relationship with perceived social support and glycaemic control.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess whether there is an association between alexithymia in patients with diabetes and the levels of perceived social support and glycaemic control. BACKGROUND: In the literature, whether inadequate perceived social support is a cause or effect of alexithymia has also not been clearly explained. It is stated that it is difficult to determine from where these contradictions arise, and there is a need for more studies on this topic. METHOD: This cross-sectional and correlational study included 537 patients with type I and type 2 diabetes. The data were collected using a Patient Information Form including the patient's HbA1c value that reflected their glycaemic control level, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The study was reported according to the STROBE Declaration. RESULTS: Among the patients with diabetes, 63.9% showed signs of alexithymia. Alexithymia had a negative relationship with perceived social support and a positive relationship with HbA1c. Additionally, it was determined that the patients who showed signs of alexithymia had lower levels of perceived social support in comparison with those who did not show such signs, whereas the HbA1c levels of the former were also higher than those of the latter. Moreover, it was found that the duration of the disease, HbA1c levels and levels of perceived social support from family and a significant other explained 30% of the total variance in the level of alexithymia. CONCLUSION: Alexithymia was seen prevalently among the patients with diabetes, and it was associated with a reduced level of perceived social support and weak glycaemic control. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is recommended to provide patients with psychosocial support in the scope of holistic care and include the individuals who provide care for and support the patient in the patient's management of the disease.

Complete response in a frail patient with high-grade B-cell lymphoma to only one cycle of R-CHOP or to prolonged COVID-19?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection increases mortality in hematological malignancies. In a large meta-analysis, patients aged 60 years and older had a significantly higher risk of death than patients under 60 years of age [1]. Furthermore, a high risk of death and reduced survival in patients receiving B cell depletion therapy with prolonged COVID-19 infection was reported in a recent study [2]. High-grade B-cell lymphomas are classified as morphologically aggressive lymphomas with the presence of a high mitotic index and Ki-67 proliferation rates. They demonstrate aggressive behavior clinically as well as morphologically, and COVID-19 infection is an important factor that increases mortality in these patients. Herein, we present an elderly patient with a diagnosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma, in whom a complete response was observed after prolonged COVID-19 infection. CASE SUMMARY: An 81-year-old female patient received her first cycle of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone) treatment after being diagnosed with high- grade B-cell lymphoma. After being discharged from the hospital, the patient was referred to the emergency department with complaints of fever and fatigue when she came for the second cycle of chemotherapy. Her COVID-19 PCR test was found positive. She was admitted to the infectious diseases service and favipiravir treatment was started. On the 24th day of hospitalization, it was decided to perform interim FDG-PET/CT (Fluorodeoxyglucose - Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) scan at a time that her PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test was still positive. A complete metabolic response was detected in her imaging. On the 26th day, the PCR test became negative and the patient was transferred to the oncology service and received the second cycle of R-CHOP treatment. CONCLUSION: Our case emphasizes that antitumor effect could be seen in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection and a hematologic malignancy. It also highlights being alert to prolonged COVID-19 infection in patients receiving B-cell depletion therapy.

The Relation Between Religious Coping, Adjustment to Fertility, Being Affected by Infertility, and Satisfaction with Life in Turkish Women with Infertility.

Religion has been an important tool in treating the difficulties expereinced by infertile females. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious coping styles and infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life in a group of women with infertility problems. The study was a cross-sectional study that involved a convenience sample of 168 women with infertility living in Turkey. A weak negative correlation was found between women's positive religious coping and infertility distress. There was no significant correlation between women's negative religious coping and their infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life.

The effect of the clinical nurses' compassion levels on tendency to make medical error: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Compassion is considered the cornerstone of nursing practices and professionalism. However, a decrease in compassion may increase medical errors and adversely affect patient safety. AIMS: The study was conducted to determine clinical nurses' compassion levels and their tendency to make medical errors, and to find whether their compassion levels affect their tendency to make medical errors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design was used. The study was conducted with 309 nurses working at a university hospital. The study data were collected by using the Compassion Scale and Medical Error Tendency Scale in Nursing. RESULTS: The nurses' compassion levels were moderate, and their medical error tendency levels were low. The comparison of the mean scores obtained from the Compassion Scale and Medical Error Tendency Scale in Nursing revealed a weak positive significant relationship (p < .001). No statistically significant difference was determined between the mean scores obtained from the Compassion Scale by the participants who made medical errors at least once during their professional life and the mean scores obtained by the participants who did not (p > .05). It was found that the mean score for the mindfulness subscale of the Compassion Scale and the length of service were determined to be the factors that significantly affected the participants' tendency to make medical errors (R = 0.42, R2 = 0.181, F = 3.771, p = .000). CONCLUSION: The nurses' tendency to make medical errors decreased as their compassion levels increased, and that compassion was an important predictor of tendency to make medical errors.

Investigation of the relationship between nursing students' disgust sensitivity and caring behaviours.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the disgust sensitivity of nursing students, the factors affecting this sensitivity, their caring behaviors and the relationships between these components. BACKGROUND: Disgust sensitivity has been conceptualized as the degree of disgust felt in response to various stimuli. Nursing students often encounter recognized disgust triggers in clinical practice, such as feces, mucus, urine, foul-smelling wounds and contact with the dead. The nursing students' disgust sensitivity can affect the way they think and may affect their care behaviors. DESIGN: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and was conducted with nursing students in a Turkish university nursing program (n = 577). METHODS: The study data was collected through the Disgust Sensitivity Scale-Revised Form and the Caring Assessment Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the students in the study, 59.6% stated that they experienced disgust while providing care. A negative relationship was found between students' total scores from the Disgust Scale and the Caring Assessment Questionnaire (p < 0.01). The students' disgust sensitivity level was high and the higher the disgust sensitivity, the fewer caring behaviors they exhibited. CONCLUSIONS: In light of these findings, it can be said that the caring behaviors of nursing students are negatively influenced by disgust sensitivity. Hence, nurse educators need to evaluate students' disgust sensitivity, help students to identify and address their disgust emotions, deal with disgust management strategies together and be aware of when students need support.