ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the factors that affect the participation of elderly care nurses in home-based elderly care services, in order to provide reference for the targeted improvement of human problems in home-based elderly care services.Methods:The phenomenological research method of qualitative research was used to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews, on-site recordings and transcripts with 14 nurses in the geriatrics department of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical College from September to October, 2021. The collected data were analyzed and the theme was refined by using the 7-step analysis method of Colaizzi phenomenology.Results:Through sorting and analysis, four themes and six sub themes were extracted as follows: language behavior factors including environmental discomfort and differences in living habits, freedom was limited; psychological and emotional factors including high psychological pressure and loneliness, not respected; career development factors; social security factors including the definition of work scope is unclear, the division of responsibility for the accident was unclear and the protection of relevant rights and interests was insufficient.Conclusions:The intention of elderly care nurses to participate in home-based elderly care services is affected by many factors. These factors need to be accurately identified and targeted support measures should be taken to improve their enthusiasm to participate in home-based elderly care services and improve the human problems in home-based elderly care services.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sports science is making an important contribution to health services research and supports the development of tailored interventions, e.g., in nursing settings. Working in elderly care is associated with a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). Due to the diverse requirements and high strains, multicomponent programs are essential to address all relevant factors. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a tailored ten-week ergonomics and twelve-week strength training on lifting behavior, strength endurance, LBP, functional impairment and adherence. METHODS: n = 42 nurses were randomly assigned to the intervention (IG; n = 20) or control group (CG; n = 22). They were eligible for participation if they were active in residential care and if they provided written informed consent. Other employees were excluded. The data were collected at baseline, at ten weeks (after ergonomics training), at 22 weeks (after strength training), and at 34 weeks (follow-up). The analysis combined physical tests with questionnaires (Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation, PILE-Test; Biering-Sørensen-Test; Visual Analog Scale Pain, VAS; Oswestry Disability Index, ODI; self-developed questionnaire for adherence). Group differences were analyzed by Chi2-Tests, ANOVA, and Linear Mixed Models. RESULTS: The IG showed an improved lifting performance (PILE-Test; 95% CI 1.378-7.810, p = .006) and a reduced LBP compared to the CG (VAS; 95% CI - 1.987 to 0.034, p = .043) after ergonomics training (PILE-Test, F(1,34) = 21.070, p < .001; VAS, F(1,34) = 5.021, p = .032). The results showed no differences concerning the Biering-Sørensen-Test and the ODI. Positive adherence rates were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This approach and the positive results are essential to derive specific recommendations for effective prevention. The study results can be completed in future research with additional strategies to reduce nurses' burden further. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at DRKS.de (DRKS00015249, registration date: 05/09/2018).
ABSTRACT
This systematic review focuses on the current evidence on interventions to promote physical and mental health in elderly care nurses. The literature was identified through the electronic databases Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL using a combination of synonyms of the terms "elderly care nurses", "physical activity", "stress management", "occupational stress", "musculoskeletal diseases" and "incapacity to work". The search was performed in January 2020 and repeated in November 2020. Nâ¯=â¯6 randomized controlled studies were included investigating the effect of physical activity interventions, cognitive-behavioral interventions, organizational interventions and multicomponent interventions on physical and mental health in elderly care nurses. Both, the content of the interventions and the used outcome measures were heterogeneous. Four of the included studies had a high quality. They scored same or higher than seven (out of a maximum quality score of 14) with low risks of performance and attrition bias. Results suggest that cognitive-behavioral and multicomponent interventions seem to have an influence on physical and mental health factors such as job satisfaction, burnout, mental health symptoms and neck complaints. This systematic review demonstrated the potential of health promotion programs in elderly care nurses. Nevertheless, high quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Further research should consider the bottom-up approach for planning programs as well as recommended and standardized outcome measures and interventions.
