Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-care and health condition of the older adults. CUIDAMOS+75. A mixed methods study protocol.

Aims: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health condition of people ≥75 years of age and on their family caregivers in Spain. Design: Multicentric, mixed method concurrent study. Methods: This work, which will be conducted within the primary care setting in 11 administrative regions of Spain, will include three coordinated studies with different methodologies. The first is a population-based cohort study that will use real-life data to analyze the rates and evolution of health needs, care provision, and services utilization before, during, and after the pandemic. The second is a prospective cohort study with 18 months of follow-up that will evaluate the impact of COVID-19 disease on mortality, frailty, functional and cognitive capacity, and quality of life of the participants. Finally, the third will be a qualitative study with a critical social approach to understand and interpret the social, political, and economic dimensions associated with the use of health services during the pandemic. We have followed the SPIRIT Checklist to address trial protocol and related documents. This research is being funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III since 2021 and was approved by its ethics committee (June 2022). Discussion: The study findings will reveal the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the older adults and their caregivers. This information will serve policymakers to adapt health policies to the needs of this population in situations of maximum stress, such as that produced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial Registration: Identifier: NCT05249868 [ClinicalTrials.gov].

Impact of telenurse-led intervention in clinical trials on health literacy, empowerment, and health outcomes in patients with solid tumours: a pilot quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, decentralised clinical trials incorporated self-monitoring, self-reporting, and telenursing tools to address health literacy and health empowerment of patients enrolled in clinical trials. We aimed to determine the impact of an educational intervention using telenursing consultations on health literacy, health empowerment, and health-related quality of life in cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials by measuring the level of satisfaction with the care received and assessing the views of healthcare professionals concerning the advanced practice nurse (APN) role in oncology clinical trials. METHODS: In this pilot analytical, descriptive, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, and pre-post test study, an educational intervention was conducted by 5 visits with an APN using synchronous teleconsultation in patients starting cancer treatment for the first time in a clinical trial (n = 60), and health professionals working with the APN (n = 31). A descriptive analysis of the samples and questionnaires were utilised along with statistical comparisons. RESULTS: After the intervention, patients' health literacy (31.7%), health empowerment (18.3%), and health-related quality of life (33.3%) increased (p < 0.05), with a decrease and trend towards resolution of care needs (p < 0.05). Satisfaction with the quality and care received in terms of perceived convenience, transition, and continuity of care showed positive results in 64.9 ± 20.7, 77.6 ± 19.5, and 72.1 ± 20.4 of respondents, respectively. On the overall assessment of the APN role, healthcare professionals expressed a high level of agreement with the statements related to their work performance. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicates that a clinical trial APN-led telenursing educational intervention results in an overall increase in health literacy, an improvement in health empowerment and health-related quality of life, and a decrease in care needs of oncology clinical trials patients. Patients stated that they received a high quality of care and health professionals indicated high levels of acceptance with APNs. Based on these results, we suggest that the APN role should gain more recognition in the Spanish healthcare system and their professional competencies should be aligned with those of other countries.

Competencias profesionales de las enfermeras oncológicas: reconociendo la Práctica Avanzada en Enfermería / Professional competencies of oncology nurses: Recognizing advanced practice in nursing

Objetivo: Identificar el perfil competencial de las enfermeras de práctica avanzada que intervienen en el proceso asistencial del paciente oncológico. Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal. El estudio incluyó a todas las enfermeras que intervienen en el proceso asistencial del paciente oncológico en un hospital terciario de Barcelona. Se recogieron los datos del perfil competencial a través del instrumento de definición del rol de la enfermera de práctica avanzada (IDREPA), así como las variables sociodemográficas y laborales. Se compararon datos sociodemográficos y laborales con el desempeño de actividades de práctica avanzada. Resultados: Participaron un total de 29 (82,9%) enfermeras con una media de edad de 42,6± 12,54 años. Se han identificado 9 (31%) enfermeras que alcanzan el estándar en los 6 dominios en la escala IDREPA para considerarse enfermeras de práctica avanzada (EPA). De estas 9 (31%), cumplían los estándares de formación requeridos por el CIE, 7 (24,1%) con máster oficial y 2 (6,9%) con doctorado. Conclusiones: Existen enfermeras que desarrollan su actividad en el ámbito oncológico del Hospital del Mar con perfil de EPA. La identificación de EPA en nuestro sistema de salud es esencial para poder reconocer las competencias de dichas profesionales y crear puestos específicos que ayuden a abordar la cronicidad, la calidad de vida de los pacientes, su supervivencia y la optimización de los recursos sanitarios. Este estudio pone en relieve la importancia de la cronicidad y el cáncer como ámbitos para el desarrollo de la EPA.(AU)

Objective: To identify the competency profile of advanced practice nurses involved in the care process of cancer patients. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study included all nurses involved in the cancer patient care process in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona. Competence profile data were collected using the instrument for defining the role of the advanced practice nurse (APRD), as well as sociodemographic and occupational variables. Sociodemographic and occupational data were compared against the performance of advanced practice activities. Results: A total of 29 (82.9%) nurses participated with a mean age of 42.6±12.54 years. Nine (31%) nurses were identified as meeting the standard in all 6 domains on the APRD scale to be considered advanced practice nurses. Of these 9 (31%) nurses, 7 (24.1%) met the training standards required by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) with an official master's degree and 2 (6.9%) with a PhD. Conclusions: There are nurses who carry out their activity in the oncology field of the Hospital del Mar with the EPA profile. The identification of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in our health system is essential to be able to recognize the competencies of these professionals and create specific positions that help to address chronicity, patients’ quality of life, their survival, and the optimization of health resources. Our study highlights the importance of chronicity and cancer as areas for the development of the APNs.(AU)

Professional competencies of oncology nurses: Recognizing advanced practice in nursing.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the competency profile of advanced practice nurses involved in the care process of cancer patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study included all nurses involved in the cancer patient care process in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona. Competence profile data were collected using the instrument for defining the role of the advanced practice nurse (APRD), as well as sociodemographic and occupational variables. Sociodemographic and occupational data were compared against the performance of advanced practice activities. RESULTS: A total of 29 (82.9%) nurses participated with a mean age of 42.6±12.54 years. 9 (31%) nurses were identified as meeting the standard in all 6 domains on the APRD scale to be considered advanced practice nurses. Of these 9 (31%) nurses, 7 (24.1%) met the training standards required by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) with an official master's degree and 2 (6.9%) with a PhD. CONCLUSIONS: There are nurses who carry out their activity in the oncology field of the hospital analyzed with the EPA profile. The identification of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in our health system is essential to be able to recognize the competencies of these professionals and create specific positions that help to address chronicity, patients' quality of life, their survival, and the optimization of health resources. Our study highlights the importance of chronicity and cancer as areas for the development of the APNs.

Relationship between Falls and the Use of Medications and Diseases in an Otago Exercise Programme in Old People Living in the Community in Spain.

(1) Background: Falls are a significant health problem among older adults, and can result in severe injuries, disability, and even death. In Spain, the prevalence of falls is lower if the person lives in the community than if they are institutionalized. Research has shown that exercise is an effective strategy for reducing the risk of falls among older adults. The objective of this study was to study the influence of a multicomponent exercise intervention on falls in people between 65 and 80 years of age despite the presence of diseases and drug use that are risk factors for falls; (2) Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study that focuses on people aged 65-80 who attended 21 primary healthcare centres. Target: Inclusion criteria were people between 65 and 80 years of age, living in the community with independent ambulation, and who were served by the healthcare centre of their region. Variables analysed: The number and characteristics of falls, sociodemographic, drug use, and previous diseases; (3) Results: The drugs associated with falls are benzodiazepines (OR 2.58), vasodilators (OR = 2.51), and psychotropics (OR = 1.61). For one of the years, a relationship was found between the consumption of antidepressants and falls (OR = 1.83). The associated diseases were mental and behavioural (OR = 2.53); (4) Discussion: The intervention has been related to the reduction in falls in people who consumed benzodiazepines, vasodilators, and psychotropics and in people with mental disorders; (5) Conclusion: This research concludes the importance of the implementation of the Otago Exercise Programme in the prevention of falls in the elderly.

Evaluation of the Implantation of the Good Practices Guideline for Vascular Access in the Euskadi Regional Host of Osakidetza-Basque Health Service: A Descriptive Studio of the Process / Evaluación de la implantación de la guía de buenas prácticas de acceso vascular en el Host Regional Euskadi de Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud: estudio descriptivo de proceso / Avaliação da implementação do guia de boas práticas para acesso vascular no Host Regional Euskadi de Osakidetza-Serviço Vasco de Saúde: estudo descritivo do proceso

Introduction. Intravenous treatments are necessary in multiple situations; however, they do have complications. The vascular access guideline provides assessed and synthesized evidence to be transferred to care. The aim of this study is to describe the process of implementation of the vascular access guideline in the organizations of Euskadi Regional Host by monitoring the use of alternative catheters, early removal and the presence of complications. Methodology. Descriptive study of process. The cut-off times are 3 months pre- implementation and 6, 12, 48 months post- implantation. Descriptive and comparative analysis with Chisquare. Results. A total of 7,074 patients and 12,363 devices were evaluated; The short peripheral catheter is the most frequently used. The use of alternative catheters increased over time, showing a significant difference in the 3 months pre- implementation period with the 48-month post-implantation period (from 6.81% preimplementation to 10.58% post 48 months). The percentage of short intravenous catheters removal in les than 48 hours increased from 53.25% to 57.54% of the pre-implantation of the 48 months post-implantation. Discussion. The results obtained after the implementation of the guideline highlight the impact of the use of alternative catheters and their early removal. Further work needs to be done to reduce complications and rates of peripheral venous catheter phlebitis. Conclusions. The implementation of the good practices guidelines for vascular access care improves the results in the use of alternative catheters or the reduction in peripheral venous catheters in days. Keywords: Implementation Science; Vascular Access Devices; Practice Guideline; Evidence-Based Practice; Nursing

Introducción. Los tratamientos endovenosos son necesarios en multitud de situaciones; sin embargo, presentan complicaciones. La guía de acceso vascular ofrece evidencia valorada y sintetizada para ser trasladada al cuidado. El objetivo del estudio es describir el proceso de implantación de la guía de acceso vascular en las organizaciones del Host Regional Euskadi monitorizando uso de catéteres alternativos, retirada precoz y presencia de complicaciones. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo de proceso. Se establecen como momentos de corte 3 meses preimplantación y 6, 12 y 48 meses postimplantación. Análisis descriptivo y de comparación con Chi cuadrado. Resultados. Se evaluaron 7,074 pacientes y 12,363 dispositivos; siendo el catéter periférico corto el de uso más frecuente. La utilización de catéteres alternativos aumentó a lo largo del tiempo, mostrando diferencias significativas en el periodo 3 meses preimplantación con el de 48 meses postimplantación (del 6.81% preimplantación al 10.58% post 48 meses). El porcentaje de catéteres venosos periféricos cortos retirados en menos de 48h aumentó del 53.25% al 57.54% de la preimplantación a los 48 meses postimplantación. Discusión. Los resultados obtenidos tras la implantación de la guía ponen de relieve el impacto de la utilización de catéteres alternativos y la retirada precoz de estos. Se ha de seguir trabajando en disminuir las complicaciones y las tasas de flebitis de catéter venosos periféricos. Conclusiones. La implantación de la guía de buenas prácticas para el cuidado del acceso vascular mejora los resultados en el uso de catéteres alternativos o la disminución en días de los c atéteres venosos periféricos. Palabras clave: Ciencia de la Implementación; Dispositivos de Acceso Vascular; Guía de Práctica Clínica; Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia; Enfermería

Introdução. Os tratamentos intravenosos são necessários em muitas situações; porém, apresentam complicações. O guia de acesso vascular oferece evidências avaliadas e sintetizadas para serem transferidas para o cuidado. O objetivo do estudo é descrever o processo de implementação do guia de acesso vascular nas organizações do Host Regional Euskadi, monitorando o uso de cateteres alternativos, remoção precoce e presença de complicações. Metodologia. Estudo descritivo de processo. São estabelecidos como momentos de corte 3 meses pré-implantação, e 6, 12 e 48 meses pós-implantação. Análise descritiva e comparativa com Qui-quadrado. Resultados. Foram avaliados 7,074 pacientes e 12,363 dispositivos, sendo o cateter periférico curto o mais utilizado. O uso de cateteres alternativos aumentou ao longo do tempo, apresentando diferenças significativas no período de 3 meses pré-implantação com o de 48 meses pós-implantação (de 6.81% pré-implantação para 10.58% pós 48 meses). A porcentagem de cateteres venosos periféricos curtos removidos em menos de 48 horas aumentou de 53.25% para 57.54% desde a pré-implantação até 48 meses pós-implantação. Discussão. Os resultados obtidos após a implementação do guia destacam o impacto do uso de cateteres alternativos e sua remoção precoce. O trabalho deve continuar para reduzir complicações e taxas de flebite por cateter venoso periférico. Conclusões. A implementação do guia de boas práticas para cuidados com acesso vascular melhora os resultados no uso de cateteres alternativos ou na redução de dias de cateteres venosos periféricos. Palavras-chave: Ciência da Implementação; Dispositivos de Acesso Vascular; Guia de Prática Clínica; Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências; Enfermagem

A questionnaire development to assess the social representation of nurses in the Basque Country: a psychometric assessment.

Background: Only a few Spanish studies have explored how nurses are seen by society and no validated tools exist for this purpose in the scientific literature. Objectives: The aim was create and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of a questionnaire that explored the social representation of nursing in social and health care. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to develop the questionnaire and the first version was created based on existing studies. A three-round Delphi technique was used that involved nurses, doctors, journalists and a politician. The pilot questionnaire was then tested and retested with 23 journalism students, with an interval of 10-14 days between the two phases. After further modifications, the questionnaire was sent to all the third and fourth year journalism students at the University of the Basque Country. Principal component factor analysis was used to identify the key components for the questionnaire. Results: A total of 141 third and fourth year journalism students took part in the study. The internal consistency of the 43-item perception section of the questionnaire had a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.90. The 42.7% agreed or strongly agreed that nursing was an eminently scientific profession and 26.3% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that nurses were presented in the media as health educators and disseminators. Just under a fifth (19.9%) agreed with the statement that society was aware of the competencies that nurses required. Conclusions: The questionnaire provided the first validated tool that allowed researchers to assess how nursing, and all of its areas of professional development, were perceived by society. This could enable studies to assess the evolution of the profession over time and between different socio-cultural contexts.

The Relation between Functional Performance, Falls and Previous Falls Among Participants in the Otago Programme: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Fall prevention is a key priority in healthcare policies. Multicomponent exercises reduce the risk of falls. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between functional performance and falls after following the Otago multicomponent exercise programme and previous falls. A prospective multi-centre intervention study was performed on 498 patients aged over 65 in primary care, with or without a history of previous falls. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and functionality data were collected. The primary outcome was the occurrence of falls; functional performance was measured using the Tinetti, Short Physical Performance Battery and Timed Up and Go tests. Among the patients, 29.7% referred to previous falls. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in falls at 6 months (10.1%) and at 12 months (7.6%) among participants with previous falls in the baseline assessment compared to those without. In addition, the existence of previous falls could be considered a risk factor at 6 and 12 months (OR =2.37, p = 0.002, and OR = 1.76, p = 0.046, respectively). With regard to balance and gait, differences between the groups were observed at 6 months in the Tinetti score (p < 0.001) and in the baseline assessment Timed Up and Go score (p < 0.044). Multicomponent exercises improve the fall rate, balance and gait in older people, although this improvement is less in people with previous falls. Earlier intervention and tailoring of exercises in patients with previous falls could help improve outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of an Exercise Programme That Provided Group or Individual Training to Reduce the Fall Risk in Healthy Community-Dwelling People Aged 65-80: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Research has demonstrated that some exercise programs are effective for reducing fall rates in community-dwelling older people; however, the literature is limited in providing clear recommendations of individual or group training as a result of economic evaluation. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) for reducing the fall risk in healthy, non-institutionalized older people. An economic evaluation of a multicenter, blinded, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial was performed on 498 patients aged over 65 in primary care. Participants were randomly allocated to the treatment or control arms, and group or individual training. The program was delivered in primary healthcare settings and comprised five initial sessions, ongoing encouragement and support to exercise at home, and a reinforcement session after six months. Our hypothesis was that the patients who received the intervention would achieve better health outcomes and therefore need lower healthcare resources during the follow-up, thus, lower healthcare costs. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, which used the timed up and go test results as an effective measure for preventing falls. The secondary outcomes included differently validated tools that assessed the fall risk. The cost per patient was USD 51.28 lower for the group than the individual sessions in the control group, and the fall risk was 10% lower when exercises had a group delivery. The OEP program delivered in a group manner was superior to the individual method. We observed slight differences in the incremental cost estimations when using different tools to assess the risk of fall, but all of them indicated the dominance of the intervention group. The OEP group sessions were more cost-effective than the individual sessions, and the fall risk was 10% lower.