Effectiveness of a theory-based foot care education program on self-efficacy and adaptation in patients with diabetes in Turkey: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Persons with diabetes often face significant foot problems due to inadequate foot care, and foot care training programs could be beneficial for these patients. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of diabetic foot care training on self-efficacy and adaptation based on Social Cognitive Theory and the Roy Adaptation Model. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, 80 patients treated in the endocrine polyclinic of an education and research hospital in Izmir, Turkey, were randomized to intervention (n = 40) or control (n = 40). The intervention group received diabetic foot care training at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Using a diabetic foot model, foot care training was given on diabetic foot care practices; in addition, a foot care training booklet prepared by the researchers was provided. Foot care behaviors, self-efficacy, and adaptation were reevaluated after the training and education. Data were collected at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months in both groups. RESULTS: Diabetic foot care training and telephone follow-up were effective in improving foot care behaviors and facilitating the coping and adaptation process of individuals with diabetes, as well as in increasing their self-efficacy regarding foot care. CONCLUSIONS: When providing theory-based diabetic foot education, the use of visual materials along with verbal instruction as well as telephone follow-ups to evaluate training effectiveness increases patients' self-efficacy and adaptation.

Relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life in Turkish nursing school students.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between life satisfaction and quality of life of nursing students. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with a research population of 396 nursing students who received education at a school of nursing. The research data were collected between May and June of the 2007-2008 academic year. The data collection tools included "Student Description Form," Life Satisfaction Scale, and WHOQOL-BREF (TR) Quality of Life (QOL) Scale. The mean score of life satisfaction was 22.90 ± 5.74. Participants' QOL mean scores were 67.16 ± 15.29 in the physical domain, 64.33 ± 14.72 in the psychological domain, 62.81 ± 19.12 in the social relationships domain, and 60.59 ± 12.59 in the environmental domain. There was a significant correlation between life satisfaction and the four main domains of quality of life scores (P < 0.05) and that there was a significant positive correlation between life satisfaction and quality of life among nursing students. In addition, it was determined that being a nursing student had a positive effect on students' life satisfaction and quality of life. Therefore, the education system is recommended to be redesigned in such a way as to make students more active and to improve their life satisfaction and quality of life.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: in Turkey.

This research sought to assess the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) amongst Turkish patients with cancer. The research sample included 94 adult patients with cancer who underwent chemotherapy at an outpatient clinic at the Adult Oncology Department of the University of Izmir between November 2006 and January 2007. Data was collected by questionnaire. Results suggest that the majority of Turkish oncology patients in the study had used herbal essences or herbal therapies. Socio-demographic factors associated with CAM use considered gender, age, education and economic status, health insurance, and whether CAM use had been recommended by friends, health care professionals or others. There appeared to be a link between CAM use, the diagnosis of cancer and where patients lived (p < 0.05). Patients reported that their primary sources of CAM information for use with their medical condition had come from friends and the media. Patients tended to use CAM therapies to reduce some of the physical symptoms of their condition and particular side effects arising from their medical treatment.

Theory-guided interventions for adaptation to heart failure.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine the effects of a Roy Adaptation Model-based experimental education, exercise and social support programme on adaptation in persons with heart failure. BACKGROUND: In the past 20 years, a large number of studies have evaluated heart failure. Several studies of other chronic diseases have been based on the Roy Adaptation Model and show that this approach is useful in promoting adaptation for patients. METHOD: A randomized, parallel, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2005 with 43 patients (21 intervention and 22 control patients). A booklet for patient training was given to those in the intervention group. Participants received a patient identification form, assessment form for physiological data, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List and the 6-Minute Walk Test. RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group adapted well to their condition and the four adaptive modes of Roy Adaptation Model were interrelated. Patients' quality of life was enhanced, their functional capacities increased and social support within the interdependence dimension improved in patients in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to use the Roy Adaptation Model in a study of patients with heart failure. Roy's model is an effective guide for nursing practice when caring for patients with heart failure.

The relationship between disability and self-care agency of Turkish people with rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: This study aims to determine the relationship between disability levels and self care agency scores in Turkish patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to investigate the factors affecting them. BACKGROUND: Self-care agency is the complex acquired ability to meet one's constant requirements for care that regulates life processes, maintains or promotes the integrity of human structure, functioning and development, and promotes well-being. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (M/F: 11/32; mean age 49.53 +/- 13.37 years; disease duration 118.32 +/- 76.55 months), being followed up by Ege University Rheumatology Outpatient Department and all fulfilling ACR 1987 criteria were included in this study. Data collection instruments used in this study were Informative-Demographic Data Form, Health Assessment Questionnaire (including disability index and pain scale) and Self-as-Carer Inventory. RESULTS: The mean disability index, the mean pain score and the mean self-care agency score of patients were 0.53 (SD 0.45), 1.48 (SD 0.74) and 80.95 (SD 27.80) were respectively. Self-care agency of patients found moderate level. It was found that a positive correlation between the disability index and the self-care agency scores (r = 0.488; p < 0.01). It was found that in male (t = 0.907; p = 0.000), in patients graduate from university (F = 0.271; p = 0.001), the self-care agency was better than other patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion we found that in Turkish patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the higher the disability rate was, the lower the self-care agency score was. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Disability, pain and their impact on self-care agency should be focused on in everyday care for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. These areas are most important in nursing care and should be considered while organizing the medical treatment and rehabilitation programme.

Self-care agency and factors related to this agency among patients with hypertension.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the self-care agency and factors regarding this agency among patients with hypertensions. DESIGN: This study, descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional in nature, was conducted to evaluate the self-care agency of 120 hypertensive patients at the Cardiology and Internal Diseases Polyclinic of University of Ege, Faculty of Medicine; izmir Atatürk State Hospital; University of Selçuk, Faculty of Medicine; and Karaman State Hospital between July and August 2003. METHODS: The data were collected by using the self-care agency scale and a questionnaire designed to determine the socio demographic features, and evaluated by means of percentage calculation and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The mean self-care agency rate of the patients in general was moderate. It was determined that educational situation and social insurance affected self-care. CONCLUSION: Self-care agency and health are related to economic, social and educational factors. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Data obtained could be used for policy formulation, health planning, outcome evaluation of instruments, better health education strategies and, ultimately, to demonstrate the worth of nursing in the marketplace.