Compassion in health professionals: Development and validation of the Capacity for Compassion Scale.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals witness pain and suffering when they care for sick people and their families. Compassion is a necessary quality in their work as it combines the will to help, alleviate suffering and promote the well-being of both the people they are attending and the professionals themselves. The aim of the study was to design and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Capacity for Compassion Scale (CCS). DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale (reliability, temporal stability, content validity, criterion validity and construct validity). METHODS: The study was carried out in two phases: pilot study and final validation. The data were collected between April and May 2022. The sample was selected by convenience sampling and was made up of a total of 264 participants, 59 in the pilot phase and 205 in the final validation. RESULTS: The Capacity for Compassion Scale has been shown to have good psychometric properties in relation to reliability, temporal stability, and content, criterion, and construct validity. Factor analysis showed that there were four subdimensions of the scale: motivation/commitment, presence, shared humanity and self-compassion. The results also indicate that compassionate ability is significantly correlated with age and work experience. CONCLUSIONS: The Capacity for Compassion Scale shows adequate psychometric properties. This instrument measures the compassion capacity of health professionals, which is a valuable discovery for new lines of research in this field. IMPACT: Through this scale, low levels of capacity for compassion can be detected that negatively influence the quality of care provided by health professionals. The Capacity for Compassion Scale can therefore contribute to the identification of needs and promote training around compassion for health professionals. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Compassion in health professionals has positive effects on improving the quality of care, the satisfaction of professionals and the work environment. There are compassion cultivation programmes whose validity has been proven for the development of the dimensions of compassion. There is no specific instrument that measures capacity for compassion in healthcare professionals. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: A scale is designed to measure capacity for compassion in health professionals. This is the only such scale available up until now. The scale measures four dimensions of compassion: motivation/commitment, presence, shared humanity and self-compassion. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: The development of specific programmes that can increase the compassion of health professionals with all the benefits that this can bring to health care is encouraged. It will be possible to analyse the effects of training programmes on the cultivation of compassion.

The paradoxical position of nurses regarding euthanasia and its legalisation: A descriptive quantitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To learn about the attitudes of nurses working in the Andalusian Public Health System regarding euthanasia and its legalisation. BACKGROUND: Euthanasia often finds itself in the crosshairs of ethical and political debate on an international scale. Currently, the Spanish Organic Law 3/2021 of 24 March, 2021, recognises euthanasia as a fundamental right in Spain. It is of particular interest to know about the views, attitudes and stances that Andalusian nurses have of euthanasia as they are key players within the framework of euthanasia and administration of life-ending drugs. They play a central role in guiding patients through the euthanasia application process. DESIGN: Observational descriptive study. METHODS: A study of Andalusian Public Health System nurses was carried out using non-probability convenience sampling. 518 nurses with an average age of 44.75 years answered in a questionnaire that was distributed on an online platform. Socio-demographic and occupational variables were assessed, together with the Death Anxiety Scale and the Euthanasia Attitude Scale. A bivariate analysis and a multivariate linear regression model were performed. The STROBE checklist was used. RESULTS: The mean score obtained on the Euthanasia Attitude Scale was 75.95 (SD = 16.53). The mean score obtained on the Death Anxiety Scale was 7.56 (SD = 3.05). The variables age and work experience were negatively correlated with the total scores of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale and the categories 'Ethical considerations', 'Practical considerations' and 'Treasuring life'. On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between age and work experience and 'Spiritual beliefs' category. CONCLUSIONS: The current situation shows a worrying paradox. There is a stark difference between positive professional attitudes towards euthanasia and the desire to participate in its application. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is vital that educational and healthcare institutions make the necessary efforts to ensure that nurses develop sound moral judgement, displaying the moral conscience and ethical commitment required of this established profession. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Attitudes of nursing students towards the legalization of euthanasia, end-of-life planning and the spiritual dimension: A quantitative study.

BACKGROUND: The Law on Euthanasia was approved in Spain and implemented in the health system. Nursing students must position themselves with respect to euthanasia in their work in the near future. OBJECTIVES: To know the attitudes of nursing students towards the legalization of euthanasia, its relationship with end-of-life planning, and the spiritual dimension. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Study carried out with students of the Nursing Degree at the Universities of Huelva and Almería in Spain from April to July 2021. METHODS: Attitudes towards the final phase of life, Anxiety towards death, and Attitudes towards Euthanasia questionnaires were administered. Descriptive, inferential and logistic regression statistics were calculated to determine the relationship between attitudes towards euthanasia and sociodemographic variables, end-of-life planning, and the spiritual dimension. RESULTS: 285 Nursing students with an average age of 23.58 years (SD = 8.19) participated. The scores on the attitude towards euthanasia were higher than the mean. While 70.5 % of the students were aware about advanced planning, only 2.5 % of them had made advanced plans. In religious practice and the spiritual dimension, the average score was high as they considered these elements to be of great support at the end of life. In terms of anxiety about death, the average score was significantly higher in women. Age, spiritual accompaniment and help, and the frequency with which spiritual beliefs are practiced are predictive factors for the attitude towards euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS: Students have a positive vision of euthanasia while admitting anxiety about death. They emphasize advance planning and greater religious practice as supports for euthanasia. The need for curricular training related to moral deliberation and values that support euthanasia is clear.

Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Health Related to Expressed Compassion Fatigue: A Study in Health Sector at Regional Level.

Background: The work of health professionals often involves physical as well as psychological strain. They constantly deal with traumatic situations of pain and suffering, which destabilize the sense of well-being. Compassion fatigue is a feeling that appears in these cases and is related to other variables such as burnout or emotional drain. Aims: The principal aim of this project was to deepen the analysis of compassion fatigue and how it could be explained through the relationship with other constructs such as emotional intelligence and perceived health. Methods: This work followed the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. In this study 1,521 nurses (M age = 47.32; SD = 8.44) participated. The responses reported by the nurses were analyzed by classifying them as high or low compassion fatigue and the differences of both groups were analyzed for the variables of emotional intelligence, perceived health and quality of professional life. Results: It was obtained significant differences for all factors except for emotional intelligence factor. A linear regression analysis showed both emotional intelligence and perceived health helped to explain (12%) compassion fatigue. Conclusion: This study provides light on comprehending the conception of compassion fatigue. It highlights the importance of intervention programs that improve the quality of professional life.

Perceived health, perceived social support and professional quality of life in hospital emergency nurses.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department nurses are continually exposed to distressing experiences that can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassionate satisfaction, thus could affect the professional quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse professional quality of life in hospital emergency department nurses based on perceived health, social support and a series of socio-demographic and sociooccupational variables. METHODS: This descriptive cross sectional study involved nursing professionals working at hospital emergency departments in Andalusia, Spain. Professional quality of life, perceived health, socio-demographic and occupational variables, and perceived social support were measured. A descriptive and multiple regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 253 nursing professionals participated, of which 62.5% had high levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction (45.1%). Burnout levels were medium (58.5%). Perceived health significantly influenced on compassion fatigue and burnout. Perceived social support was found to be significantly related to all three dimensions of professional quality of life, but it had the greatest influence on the occurrence of burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency department nurses in public hospitals are emotionally drained. Healthcare systems must develop intervention strategies to increase the quality of life of nursing professionals, which would lead to improved patient care. The promotion of compassion is a key element.

Professional quality of life, self-compassion, resilience, and empathy in healthcare professionals during COVID-19 crisis in Spain.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed healthcare professionals to suffering and stressful working conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze professional quality of life among healthcare professionals and its relationship with empathy, resilience, and self-compassion during the COVID-19 crisis in Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 506 healthcare professionals, who participated by completing an online questionnaire. A descriptive correlational analysis was performed. A multivariate regression analysis and a decision tree were used to identify the variables associated with professional quality of life. Empathy, resilience, and mindfulness were the main predictors of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout, respectively.

Qualitative study on the causes and consequences of compassion fatigue from the perspective of nurses.

Compassion is one of the core elements of nursing care. Continued exposure to patient pain and suffering puts nurses at risk of developing compassion fatigue. The aim of this study was to understand the causes and consequences of compassion fatigue from the perspective of nurses. To this end, a qualitative design based on the hermeneutic phenomenology paradigm was used. Five focus group sessions were held with 43 nursing professionals. Two themes and six sub-themes emerged from the analysis of their discourses in relation to the impact of compassion fatigue on nurses. Based on the results obtained, the causes perceived as generating compassion fatigue are the lack of time and resources to provide comprehensive nursing care. The consequences identified were difficulties in carrying out their work, repercussions on family and private life, anxiety, stress, and, in some cases, the desire to quit the profession. This study concluded that healthcare organizations are key to fostering compassionate care and that cultivating compassion is necessary to prevent compassion fatigue.

Professional Quality of Life and Perceived Stress in Health Professionals before COVID-19 in Spain: Primary and Hospital Care.

This study aimed to analyze the professional quality of life and the perceived stress of health professionals before COVID-19 in Spain, in primary and hospital care professionals. A cross-sectional observational study on health professionals working in health centers during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 was conducted. Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) and Perceived Stress (PSS-14) were measured, along with socio-demographic and labor variables through an online questionnaire. A descriptive and correlation analysis was performed. A total of 537 professionals participated, both in hospital care (54.7%) and in primary care (45.3%). There was a predominance of medium Compassion Satisfaction, high Compassion Fatigue and medium Burnout. Mean scores for compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction were slightly higher in primary care, while burnout was higher in hospital care. When primary care participants were grouped by profession, significant differences were found in relation to perceived stress and to the three subscales of professional quality of life. In hospital care, the differences were observed when comparing compassion fatigue and perceived stress by gender. In addition, with respect to Burnout it was carried out by type of contract and shift and in relation to perceived stress grouped by sex, contract and profession. The COVID-19 health crisis has had an impact on mental health and the quality of professional life of health professionals. There is a need to implement long-term contingency programs aimed at improving the emotional well-being of health service professionals.

Compassion fatigue, burnout, compassion satisfaction and perceived stress in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 health crisis in Spain.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and perceived stress in healthcare professionals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis in Spain. BACKGROUND: Spain has been one of the countries hardest hit by the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals have had to deal with traumatic and complex situations in the work context. In these particularly stressful situations, many professionals may develop CF or BO, which puts them at risk for mental health problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional online survey. METHODS: A total of 506 healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) who were working in healthcare centres during the COVID-19 pandemic participated. CF, CS and BO were assessed with the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire, and perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale-14. Socio-demographic and occupational variables were also analysed. Data were collected during the period of the highest incidence of cases and highest mortality rates due to COVID-19 in Spain. This article adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies. RESULTS: Physicians had higher CF and BO scores, while nurses had higher CS scores. Perceived stress scores were similar in both occupations. Professionals working in specific COVID-19 units and in emergency departments had higher CF and BO scores, while levels of CS and perceived stress were similar regardless of the workplace. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Despite the health crisis situation and its implications for healthcare professionals, the levels of CF and BO have remained moderate/high. However, CS seems to be increasing, especially among nurses, possibly due to their motivation to relieve suffering and due to their perceived social recognition. It is necessary to implement interventions that help improve CS and prevent BO and CF among professionals in the long term.

Spiritual Dimension at the End of Life: A Phenomenological Study from the Caregiver's Perspective.

The lives of healthy and sick people are structured according to a variety of conceptual matrices. One of these matrixes consists of philosophical, spiritual, and religious convictions, being this especially relevant in the process of the end of life. The objective of the study is to understand the meaning that individuals at the end of life and the relatives of such individuals award spiritual and/or religious beliefs through an examination of caregiver narratives. Multicentric study was developed that used a qualitative design and a phenomenological approach. The study was conducted in the autonomous community of Andalusia, specifically in the provinces of Almeria, Malaga, Seville, Granada, and Huelva. The selection method was purposive sampling. Caregivers who had lost a relative in a period between 2 months and 2 years previously and who were not in a process of pathological grieving were selected for inclusion in the study. The method involved five discussion groups and 41 in-depth interviews, with a total of 87 participants. A change of paradigms is necessary in which, among other elements, the focus of palliative care is centered on the ability to address these spiritual needs, and healthcare professionals are trained to assist in the provision of such care. Another important consideration is the inequality of spiritual supported provided by clergy from various religions. At least in the cultural context of the research, Catholic chaplains were the only institutional figures whose presence was assumed necessary by health organizations. However, the cultural and/or religious diversity in the autonomous community in which the study was conducted is increasingly broad and complex. It appears necessary to incorporate a variety of clergies in health units so that all patients may find support, whether in terms of companionship or celebration.

Mindfulness therapies on health professionals.

Health professionals are exposed to situations of emotional vulnerability by being in continuous contact with patients and their suffering, which can cause conditions such as compassion fatigue. To address this issue, therapies such as mindfulness are being used to reduce stress and promote self-compassion. The objective of this research was to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyse the types of mindfulness interventions that are being used for healthcare professionals and their effectiveness in reducing stress and improving self-compassion and mindfulness. Following the PRISMA guideline, a systematic review of original studies was carried out in the following databases: Medline, Scopus, Cinhal, PsycINFO, Lilacs, and Science Direct, without a limited time frame. Controlled experimental mindfulness interventions on health professionals were selected, in which the following outcome variables were measured: stress, self-compassion, and mindfulness. A meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model. In cases of very high heterogeneity, the data were analysed by subgroup. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR) was the most often used in the studies. There is diversity in the implementation of MBSR, and a common finding is a reduction of stress and increased mindfulness in health professionals. However, studies that analyse self-compassion are scarce. The effect of these therapies varies depending on how long the individual has been practising meditation. In conclusion, more studies are needed to describe the clinical usefulness of these programmes, to jointly analyse these three variables (stress, self-compassion, and mindfulness), and to measure compassion fatigue as an outcome variable.

Communicating Health Information at the End of Life: The Caregivers' Perspectives.

Health information and communication are key elements that allow patients and family members to make decisions about end-of-life care and guarantee a death with dignity. Objective: To understand caregivers' experiences regarding health information and communication during the illness and death of family members. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Andalusia based on the paradigm of hermeneutic phenomenology. Participants were caregivers who had accompanied a family member at the end of life for over 2 months and less than 2 years. Five nominal groups and five discussion groups were established, and 41 in-depth interviews with 123 participants were conducted. Atlas.ti 7.0 software was used to analyze the discourses. A comprehensive reading was carried out along with a second reading. The most relevant units of meaning were identified, and the categories were extracted. The categories were then grouped in dimensions and, finally, the contents of each dimension were interpreted and described given the appropriate clarifications. Results: Four dimensions of the dying process emerged: differences in caregivers' perceptions of information and communication, a conspiracy of silence, consequences of the absence or presence of information, and the need for a culture change. Conclusions: Poor management of health information and communication at the end of life increased the suffering and discomfort of patients and their families. The culture of denying and avoiding death is still present today. A change in education about death would better enable health professionals to care for patients at the end of life.

The Experiences of Family Caregivers at the End of Life: Suffering, Compassion Satisfaction and Support of Health Care Professionals: Experiences of Caregivers at the End of Life.

A death with dignity is influenced by the quality of care offered to patients. The objective of this study was to identify, through the firsthand experiences and insights of family caregivers, the key elements related to the care offered to patients with a terminal illness at the end of life. This multicenter qualitative study was based on the paradigm of hermeneutic phenomenology. Participants were relatives of patients with terminal illness who had been identified as primary caregivers. Five discussion groups and 41 in-depth interviews were organized with a total of 81 participants. The content of the interviews was analyzed based on the methods developed by Giorgi (J Phenom Psychol 1997;28(2):235-260). The results indicate the existence of 3 dimensions: the caregiver's suffering, compassion satisfaction with the care provided, and the support of health care professionals. Understanding the experiences of family members providing end-of-life care allows improved care and provides dignity in death. Health and social systems must provide comprehensive assistance covering the different aspects of needed care. Health professionals occupy a privileged position in the care of these patients and their families.

Atención recibida al final de la vida en los servicios de urgencias desde la perspectiva de los cuidadores: estudio cualitativo / Care received at the end of life in emergency services from the perspective of caregivers: A qualitative study

Objetivo: Conocer las vivencias de los pacientes que se encontraban al final de la vida y fueron atendidos por los servicios de urgencias, mediante los discursos de sus cuidadores familiares que acompañaban al familiar en este tránsito asistencial. Método: Estudio de enfoque cualitativo, basado en el paradigma de la fenomenología hermenéutica. En total participaron 81 cuidadores familiares. Las técnicas que se utilizaron fueron la entrevista en profundidad y el grupo de discusión, con un total de 5 grupos de discusión y 41 entrevistas. El período de recopilación de los datos se realizó entre enero del 2013 y junio del 2014. Resultados: En la red de los discursos obtenida respecto a la «Atención Urgente», todos los códigos se aglutinan respecto a una única línea argumentativa: las deficiencias en la atención urgente. Entre ellos, hemos encontrado distintas dimensiones que se establecen en función de los diferentes tiempos de la atención, o los distintos aspectos determinantes de estas deficiencias: desorganización de la atención recibida, poca experiencia de los profesionales en las urgencias, aplicación de protocolos generales, en los servicios de urgencias, inadecuada atención en el trato recibido, demoras en la atención en urgencias. Conclusiones: En general, destacamos la insatisfacción de los familiares con respecto a la atención en los servicios de urgencias. Las necesidades que precisan este tipo de situaciones no están cubiertas desde estos servicios y son de baja calidad. Por tanto, es necesario reorientar los protocolos de atención de estos pacientes

Objective: To discover the experiences of end-of-life patients attended by the emergency services, through the discourse of the family caregivers who accompanied the family member in this care transit. Method: A qualitative approach study, based on the paradigm of hermeneutical phenomenology. In total, 81 family caregivers participated. The techniques used were the in-depth interview and the discussion group, with a total of 5 discussion groups and 41 interviews. The period of data collection was carried out between January 2013 and June 2014. Results: In the network of discourses obtained with respect to "Urgent Care", all the codes were grouped in relation to a single argumentative line: deficiencies in urgent care. Among them, we found different dimensions that are established depending on the different times of care, or the different determinant aspects of these deficiencies: disorganization of the care received, lack of experience of the professionals in emergencies, application of general protocols in the emergency services, inadequate care in the treatment received, delays in emergency care. Conclusions: In general, we highlight the dissatisfaction of the family members with respect to the care received from the emergency services. The needs of these types of situation are not covered from these services and are of low quality. Therefore, it is necessary to reorient the care protocols for these patients

Competence and Compassion: Key Elements of Professional Care at the End of Life From Caregiver's Perspective.

In the act of caring for and helping people in the end-of-life process, the professional who provides care and assistance must know how to maintain a relationship of closeness, empathy, and compassion for the pain and suffering of the person who is going to die. The objective was to understand, elaborate on, and characterize the key elements of end-of-life care of patients from a caregiver's perspective through a qualitative phenomenological multicenter study. Participants were caregivers who had lost a family member at least 2 months but less than 2 years in the past. The techniques used were 5 discussion groups and 41 in-depth interviews, which included a total of 81 participants. To analyze the information, a protocol developed by Giorgi was followed. Two dimensions or units of meaning, with subdimensions, emerged: (1) Technical competence, with the subdimensions "Control of symptoms" and "Continuity of care," and (2) Compassion, with the subdimensions "Effective/affective communication," "Attitudes of kindness and closeness toward the patient and the family," and "Generosity and personalized flexibility of care." Assistance at the end of life requires the proper preparation of professionals who care for these patients, in addition to a compassionate attitude on the part of professionals and the people accompanying the dying person, that fosters a more humanized and dignified treatment in the dying process.

Care received at the end of life in emergency services from the perspective of caregivers: A qualitative study. / Atención recibida al final de la vida en los servicios de urgencias desde la perspectiva de los cuidadores: estudio cualitativo.

OBJECTIVE: To discover the experiences of end-of-life patients attended by the emergency services, through the discourse of the family caregivers who accompanied the family member in this care transit. METHOD: A qualitative approach study, based on the paradigm of hermeneutical phenomenology. In total, 81 family caregivers participated. The techniques used were the in-depth interview and the discussion group, with a total of 5 discussion groups and 41 interviews. The period of data collection was carried out between January 2013 and June 2014. RESULTS: In the network of discourses obtained with respect to "Urgent Care", all the codes were grouped in relation to a single argumentative line: deficiencies in urgent care. Among them, we found different dimensions that are established depending on the different times of care, or the different determinant aspects of these deficiencies: disorganization of the care received, lack of experience of the professionals in emergencies, application of general protocols in the emergency services, inadequate care in the treatment received, delays in emergency care. CONCLUSIONS: In general, we highlight the dissatisfaction of the family members with respect to the care received from the emergency services. The needs of these types of situation are not covered from these services and are of low quality. Therefore, it is necessary to reorient the care protocols for these patients.

El significado de morir dignamente desde la perspectiva de las personas cuidadoras: estudio fenomenológico / The meaning of dying with dignity from caregivers perspective: a phenomenological study

OBJETIVO: Explorar el significado de morir con dignidad desde la experiencia vivida por los testigos directos que han acompañado este proceso en personas fallecidas en Andalucía. MÉTODO: Estudio fenomenológico multicéntrico en el que se han analizado los discursos obtenidos en los grupos de discusión de 5 provincias andaluzas con la participación de 40 personas. El análisis de los datos se ha realizado a través de la propuesta de Van Manem.como herramienta informática hemos utilizado el programa Atlas Ti 7.0. RESULTADOS: El acompañamiento de los seres queridos se erige como elemento clave en la percepción de una muerte digna. También se destaca según orden de prioridad: el alivio del sufrimiento, el buen trato profesional, la capacidad de decidir y la posibilidad de expresar la dimensión espiritual. La cumplimentación de voluntades vitales anticipadas apenas es mencionada. CONCLUSIÓN: Se confirman como elementos esenciales los definidos en la Ley 2/2010, de morir con dignidad (sin sufrimiento, en compañía, respetando deseos, y posibilitando la despedida y el sentido trascendente del proceso de morir). Las personas cuidadoras en el final de la vida priorizan los aspectos psicosociales, destacando la necesidad de acompañamiento, la despedida de los seres queridos y el buen trato profesional sobre los aspectos físicos. La promoción de la Ley de Muerte Digna y Voluntades Vitales Anticipadas se encuentra aún en desarrollo

OBJECTIVE: To explore the meaning of dying with dignity from the perspective of the direct witnesses who have accompanied this process in dying people from Andalusia. METHOD: Phenomenological study conducted in different centres, which including analysing the transcriptions of the dialogues from discussion groups with 40 participants in five provinces in Southern Spain. The data was analysed using the Van Manen proposal and Atlas Ti 7.0 program was applied as a software tool. RESULTS: Being in the company of loved ones is noted as a key element in the perception of a dignified death. The following elements, according to a priority order, were also pointed out: relief of suffering, a good professional care, decision making ability, and the opportunity to consider their spiritual dimension. Achievement of their Living Wills is hardly mentioned. CONCLUSIONS: The essential elements defined in the Death with Dignity Law, 2/2010 are confirmed as being true (without suffering, with company, respecting living wills, having possibilities of the farewell, and the transcendental meaning of the death process). Caregivers, at the end of life, give priority to psychological aspects, underlying the need of company, a farewell of the loved ones, and a good professional care on the physical aspects. The promotion of the dignified Death Law and Living Wills are still being developed

[The meaning of dying with dignity from caregivers perspective: a phenomenological study]. / El significado de morir dignamente desde la perspectiva de las personas cuidadoras: estudio fenomenológico.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the meaning of dying with dignity from the perspective of the direct witnesses who have accompanied this process in dying people from Andalusia. METHOD: Phenomenological study conducted in different centres, which including analysing the transcriptions of the dialogues from discussion groups with 40 participants in five provinces in Southern Spain. The data was analysed using the Van Manen proposal and Atlas Ti 7.0 program was applied as a software tool. RESULTS: Being in the company of loved ones is noted as a key element in the perception of a dignified death. The following elements, according to a priority order, were also pointed out: relief of suffering, a good professional care, decision making ability, and the opportunity to consider their spiritual dimension. Achievement of their Living Wills is hardly mentioned. CONCLUSION: The essential elements defined in the Death with Dignity Law, 2/2010 are confirmed as being true (without suffering, with company, respecting living wills, having possibilities of the farewell, and the transcendental meaning of the death process). Caregivers, at the end of life, give priority to psychological aspects, underlying the need of company, a farewell of the loved ones, and a good professional care on the physical aspects. The promotion of the dignified Death Law and Living Wills are still being developed.

Acercamiento a las necesidades de salud de la mujer en una población multicultural / Approach to health needs in women belonging to a multicultural population

Resumen:

Objetivo: este trabajo pretende, desde una visión enfermera, acercarse a las necesidades de salud de la población multicultural actual. Los objetivos son conocer el perfil sociodemográfico que presentan las mujeres atendidas por la Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Tocoginecología y describir los motivos de ingreso y el tiempo de estancia media que presentan las mujeres inmigrantes y autóctonas en dicha unidad. Método: se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo transversal utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo. La población de estudio han sido las mujeres procedentes de diferentes regiones asistidas en la UGC de Tocoginecología del Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez de Huelva, España.

Resultados: el tratamiento y análisis de los datos se ha realizado con el programa Spss 15. Los resultados evidencian que el mayor porcentaje de mujeres atendidas después de las autóctonas, corresponde a las procedentes de Marruecos y Rumanía, cuyos principales motivos de ingreso han sido obstétricos. La estancia media hospitalaria se encuentra en torno a los 2 o 3 días.

Abstract:

Objectives: The present work is aimed at approaching, from a nursing point of view, current health needs in a multicultural population. We set out at establishing socio-demographic profiles in women presenting at an Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Management Unit, and at describing the reasons for admission and mean stay duration in immigrant and autochthonous women in the Unit. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, based on a quantitative approach. Study population consisted of women from various regions attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez, Huelva, Spain. Results: Data management and analysis were performed with software package SPSS v. 15. Results show the following decreasing order for the proportion of women receiving care: autochthonous followed by women from Morocco and Rumania, mainly admission reasons being obstetrical. Mean hospital stay is about 2 to 3 days.

Objetivo: este trabalho procura, com a perspectiva de abordagem da Enfermagem, conhecer as necessidades de saúde da população multicultural atual. Os objetivos são: identificar o perfil sócio-demográfico das mulheres atendidas pela Unidade de Gestão Clinica de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia; descrever os motivos para a admissão e o tempo de permanência média apresentados pelas mulheres imigrantes e pelas mulheres espanholas. Método: foi realizado um estudo descritivo, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. A população do estudo é constituída por mulheres de diferentes regiões, que são atendidas na UGC de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia do Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez da cidade de Huelva. Resultados: o processamento e análise dos dados foram realizados usando o programa SPSS 15. Os resultados mostram que a maior porcentagem de mulheres atendidas corresponde às autóctones, seguidas de mulheres imigrantes provenientes de Marrocos e Romênia, respectivamente, cujos principais motivos para admissão foram os obstétricos. A média de tempo de internação hospitalar é de 2 a 3 dias.

El Blog como herramienta promotora de un aprendizaje enfermero más significativo / Blog: original tool for more meaningful learning in nursing

La utilización de las herramientas que las nuevas tecnologías nos ofrecen presenta diversas ventajas e inconvenientes que merece la pena analizar para su mejor uso en el aula y su óptimo aprovechamiento didáctico-docente. El objetivo es presentar el uso del blog como herramienta motivadora de aprendizaje para alumnos universitarios, concretada en la experiencia de impartir un taller formativo en Cuidados para la Diabetes. Se han usado herramientas metodológicas convencionales como la lección magistral, experiencias, consulta de documentación en soporte papel y digital, dramatización y trabajo en grupos, valoradas positivamente. Pero destacamos la creación de un blog sobre Diabetes como herramienta vehicular, con un aporte para el aprendizaje de gran valor porque potencia el proceso de comprensión, elaboración, asimilación y adaptación de los contenidos. Y porque les ha permitido 'aprender a enseñar', es decir, mostrar su trabajo y producción como posteriormente se requerirá en su actividad profesional como Facultativos en Enfermería (AU)

The use of tools, that new technologies show us, offer a lot of advantages and drawbacks which should be analized for a better use of them in the classroom, and didactic-teaching achievemente. The purpose of it is to show a blog as a motivating learning tool for university students, just in the experience of a classroom workshop for Diabetes care. Methodological tools have been used such as: lectures, true experiences, getting information on paper or digital access, rol-play and teamwork, whose assesment has been constructive. But we want to emphasize the use of a blog about Diabetes developed by nursing students like an innovative learning tool wich is very important because it improves the understanding, development, assimilation and adjustment of the contents. And it has allowed them 'to learn how to teach' that is, to show a piece of their work and results as in the future they will be demanded in their jobs like Doctors (AU)