Can internship programs affect nursing students' critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment?

BACKGROUND: Nursing students are given opportunities to develop critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment through clinical training. Therefore, nurse educators should move away from traditional methods toward new ones, such as internship programs in clinical training. This study assessed the effect of nursing internship programs on senior undergraduate nursing students' critical thinking disposition, caring behaviors, and professional commitment. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design but with no control group. The study sample included 46 senior students enrolled in nursing internship programs. A demographic questionnaire, the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI), the Caring Assessment Report Evaluation (Care-Q), and the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale (NPCS) were used to collect data before and five months after the nursing internship programs were implemented. RESULTS: The study findings revealed that the senior nursing students' caring behaviors improved, but the total scores of critical thinking disposition and professional commitment did not change significantly after the nursing internship programs (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, nurse educators are recommended to adopt strategies to improve the effectiveness of internship programs on critical thinking disposition and professional commitment among senior undergraduate nursing students.

Translation and validation of the Persian version of the caring nurse-patient interaction scale (CNPI-23).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although there is great emphasis on nursing care interaction, there is a lack of knowledge about the quality of nurse-patient care interactions in Iran. The lack of knowledge is mainly related to a lack of short Persian instruments that measure nurse-patient interaction from a caring perspective. The present study aimed to validate a Persian version of the nurse and patient versions of the Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction scale (CNPI-23). METHODS: The scale (CNPI-23) was translated to Persian using the forward-backward translation method. After translation and re-translation, the scale was given to 15 nurses and faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and CVI and CVR indices were calculated based on their opinions. The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Kerman/Iran in 2022. In this study, 230 working nurses and 230 hospitalized patients in hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences were recruited using the convenience method to complete the 23-item Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyze the validity of the scale, and Cronbach's alpha and Raykov's rho indices were also calculated to evaluate internal consistency and composite reliability. Data were analyzed using R 4-1-2 software. RESULTS: The scale was completed by 230 nurses and 230 patients. It included four dimensions: humanitarian care, clinical care, comforting care, and communication care. The results of the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were acceptable for all items. The minimum value of reliability was 0.49. All the items were approved at the end of the content validity assessment. In the patients' scale, these four factors explained 81% of the total variance, and for the exploratory model, all the indices show the adequacy of the model. All factor loadings were significant and higher than 0.5. Raycov's rho and Cronbach's alpha indices for all numbers were higher than 0.7. The findings of the exploratory factor analysis showed that the nurses' scale reflected four caring domains, which explained about 62% of the total variance, and the results of Raycov's rho and Cronbach's alpha indices confirmed the final fit of this model. CONCLUSION: In general, the Persian version of the Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction scale has good validity and reliability and can be used to evaluate the quality of care interaction between Persian-speaking nurses and patients.

The Effect of Aloe Vera on the Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a prevalent complication of diabetes that can result in severe consequences. The cost of treating DFUs is high, and there is a lack of new therapies available in developing countries. This has created a demand for complementary and alternative treatments. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of aloe vera gel on the healing process of diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The study samples were 66 patients with diabetic foot ulcers who were randomly assigned to two groups (intervention and control). All ulcers in both groups were washed with normal saline and dressed in sterile gauze. The ulcers in the intervention group were covered with a thin layer of Aloe Vera gel before the dressing. The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) was used on three occasions, including before the intervention period and at the end of each week. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: After three weeks, there was a notable contrast in the recovery pattern of the two groups. The patients who had aloe vera gel added to their dressing showed a more substantial decrease in the mean scores of their BWAT. CONCLUSION: These findings are promising and suggest that Aloe vera may be a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. However, further research is needed to confirm these results and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of aloe vera's therapeutic effect on diabetic foot ulcers.

The effect of a training program on the self-care efficacy of hemodialysis patients with mineral and bone disorders: A quasi-experimental study.

Background and Aims: Patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mineral and bone disorders (MBD) often do not know much about their diseases. A training program can help them improve their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of a training program on the self-care efficacy of the hemodialysis patients with MBDs in southeastern Iran. Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study involving 49 patients with CKD-MBD in southeastern Iran in 2021. The patients were randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group. The intervention group received 12 self-care training sessions delivered through WhatsApp, whereas the control group received routine information. We administered CKD-MBD knowledge and behavior questionnaires of the intervention, and measured laboratory parameters before and 1 month after the intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS15 with descriptive and analytical statistics. Paired t test, independent t, analysis of covariance, and Mann-Whitney U tests were using for data analysis. Results: The mean knowledge scores of the control group were 4.78 ± 1.78 and 6.22 ± 2.11 before and after the intervention, respectively (p = 0.200), whereas the mean knowledge scores of the intervention group were 6.08 ± 2.24 and 22.23 ± 4.55 before and after the intervention, respectively (p = 0.001). The mean behavior scores of the control and intervention groups were 75.61 ± 7.13 and 73.85 ± 7.49 before the intervention, respectively (p = 0.070), but they received the mean scores of 78.87 ± 5.58 and 82.50 ± 5.35 after the intervention, respectively (p = 0.001). The result showed a significant increase in the mean knowledge and behavior scores after the intervention. The researchers found no significant difference in the mean scores of the laboratory parameters between them before and after the intervention (p = 0.090); therefore, the intervention could not affect the laboratory parameters. Conclusion: To sum up, the study found that the training program improved the knowledge and behavior of hemodialysis patients with MBD. WhatsApp was a good and cheap way to teach them self-care, and it helped them do it better. These results implied that this training program could help the patients have a better quality of life.

The effect of family-centered empowerment model on burden of care in parents and blood glucose level of children with type I diabetes family empowerment on burden of care and HbA1C.

BACKGROUND: Parents play a critical role in caring for their children with diabetes and bear a significant burden of care. Health education has increasingly focused on empowering parents through new strategic methods. The present study aims to investigate the impact of a family-centered empowerment model on the burden of care in parents and blood glucose levels of children with type I diabetes. METHODS: An interventional study was conducted in Kerman, Iran, where 100 children with type I diabetes and their parents were randomly selected as participants. The study aimed to implement a family-centered empowerment model in the intervention group, which consisted of four stages (educational phase, increasing self-efficacy, improving self-confidence, and evaluation) over a period of one month. The control group received routine training. The Zarit Caregiver Burden questionnaire and HbA1c log sheet were utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Questionnaires were administered before, after, and two months post-intervention, and data were analyzed using SPSS 15. Non-parametric tests were employed, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Before the study, no significant differences in demographic variables, level of burden of care, or HbA1C levels were observed between the two groups (p < 0.05). After the intervention, the burden of care score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group, both immediately post-intervention and two months later (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the median HbA1C levels in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group after two months (6.5 in the intervention group and 9 in the control group) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the implementation of a family-centered empowerment model is an effective strategy for reducing the burden of care on parents of children with type 1 diabetes and for controlling the HbA1C levels of these children. Based on these results, it is recommended that healthcare professionals consider incorporating this approach into their educational interventions.

Assessing virtual education on nurses' perception and knowledge of developmental care of preterm infants: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: To implement developmental care accurately, neonatal intensive care unit nurses should have a proper understanding and sufficient knowledge in this field. Applying new approaches in education such as offline and online education help nurses improve their skills and knowledge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual education on the perception and knowledge of neonatal developmental care in nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with two groups. The participants were 60 nurses working in neonatal intensive care units who were selected using convenience sampling (30 persons in each group). The data were collected before and 1 month after the intervention. The participants in the intervention group received developmental care training using an electronic file uploaded to Navid Learning Management System, while the members of the control group received no intervention. The instruments used to collect the data were the Demographic Information Questionnaire, the Developmental Care Knowledge Scale, and the Developmental Care Perception Scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS V25 software. All statistical tests were performed at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The Developmental Care perception scores before the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 83.40 ± 11.36 and 84.53 ± 9.48, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (P = 0.67). Also, Developmental Care perception scores after the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 83.16 ± 13.73, and 94.70 ± 6.89, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The results of paired t-test showed that the mean knowledge score in the control group before and after the intervention was not statistically significant (P < 0.903), while in the intervention group there was a statistically significant difference between the mean knowledge score before and after the intervention (P < 0.001). The Developmental Care Knowledge scores before the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 52.66 ± 18.08 and 77.16 ± 17.20, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Also, Developmental Care Knowledge scores after the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 53.66 ± 26.55and 90.33 ± 13.82, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The results of paired t-test showed that the mean knowledge score in the control group before and after the intervention was not statistically significant, while in the intervention group there was a statistically significant difference between the mean knowledge score before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that virtual education for the developmental care of premature infants plays an effective role in the perception and knowledge of nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, the development of e-learning packages for developmental care and their availability for nurses can be a step to improve the quality of nursing care for infants admitted to the NICU.

Meeting death and embracing existential loneliness: A cancer patient's experience of being the sole author of his life.

Facing the truth of death in silence instead of fearing and denying it enables people to regain their freedom. This qualitative case study aimed to illuminate the meaning of a single person's experience of confronting death and living with cancer. The transcripts of unstructured interviews were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological method. Data analysis led to extraction of four themes including "Confronting death, meeting nonbeing and longing for being", "Embracing existential loneliness, responsibility and freedom", "Taking over the mind, living mindfully, a meaningful life", and "Flourishing authentic self-love, moving in the path of caring and healing the self".

Iranian nurses' perspective of barriers to sexual counseling for patients with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Sexual counseling is an essential part of cardiac rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate Iranian nurses' perceptions of barriers to sexual counseling for patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 169 nurses who worked in CCUs, Post CCUs, and cardiac surgery wards of teaching hospitals in southeastern Iran. The barriers to providing sexual counseling inventory was used to assess sexual counseling barriers for patients with myocardial infarction. SPSS 19 was used to analyze the data. The significance level was 0.05. This study lasted from November 2019 to March 2020. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest mean scores for patient-related barriers were related to the patient's religion and belief (2.83 ± 0.52) and embarrassment (2.82 ± 0.52 %). The highest scores for nurse-related barriers were related to nurse's discomfort in discussing sexual issues (2.67 ± 0.62), a lack of experience in sexual counseling (2.62 ± 0.65), and sexual hesitation in advising patients (2.57 ± 0.7). The highest mean scores for organizational barriers were a lack of managerial attention and support for counseling (2.67 ± 0.66) and a lack of proper supervision system (2.62 ± 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Religion/beliefs, embarrassment and a lack of managerial attention and support for counseling were the most important barriers in the organizational, nursing and patient domains. Since sexuality is a significant issue in most cultures and religions, particularly in Islamic countries, health care professionals should work to change the attitudes of patients towards sexuality through sexual health education and counseling to meet patients' needs and improve their sexual health.

How Do Mothers Take Care of Their Infants with Colic Pain? A Mixed-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: Colic pain is one of the main reasons for stress and anxiety in infants' parents, especially mothers, and there is still no specific treatment. Thus, mothers always try their best to relieve their infants' pain.The researchers attempted to investigate how mothers take care of their infants with colic. METHODS: This study was conducted with a mixed-method approach and a sequential explanatory design. In the quantitative phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess how to control pain. One hundred fifty mothers of infants with colic living in Kerman, Iran, were chosen by convenience sampling. In the qualitative phase, the researchers interviewed 18 mothers using semi-structured in-depth, and face-to-face approaches. These participants were selected by purposive sampling method. The interviews were analyzed by the conventional content analysis method. RESULTS: In the quantitative phase, the mothers' most common methods to relieve colic pain were herbal medicines (3.55±0.51) and the change of position (3.35±0.67). The least methods used were probiotics (1.4±0.2) and acupuncture (0). In the qualitative phase, the main theme was "mothers support needs for care," which includes the following subcategories: "lack of trust in doctor"; "full-time care"; "feeling of inadequacy," "persistent anxiety, "care without help," and "looking for ways to control pain." CONCLUSION: Mothers need support to relieve their infants' colic. The provision of educational and psychological supportive packages can be helpful for the mothers. In addition, nurses can help mothers improve their quality of care.

The effect of a training program on maternal role adaptation and self-esteem of mothers with preterm infants: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Admission of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit limits the mother's interaction with their infants, delaying accepting and playing the motherhood role. Besides, mothers of preterm infants have low self-esteem due to their infants' condition. Accordingly, the present study explored the effect of implementing the training program on maternal role adaptation and self-esteem of mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with two groups. The participants were 80 mothers of preterm infants. The participants were selected using convenience sampling and simply randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The instruments included a demographic information questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Maternal Role Adaptation Scale. The participants in the intervention group attended the training program, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The questionnaires were completed by the two groups before and 2 weeks after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21, a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The maternal role adaptation scores before the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 134.222 ± 11.84 and 138.800 ± 12.42, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (P = 0.096). The corresponding scores after the intervention for the control and intervention groups were 139.17 ± 12.46 and 154.05 ± 8.57, showing a significant intergroup difference (P < 0.001). Similarly, the pre-intervention self-esteem scores in the control and intervention groups were 30.30 ± 3.79 and 30.95 ± 8.61, showing no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.664). Besides, the post-intervention self-esteem scores in the control and intervention groups were 31.52 ± 3.42 and 36.001 ± 7.74, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Given the insight from this study, implementing training programs is a suitable solution for improving maternal role adaptation and increasing mothers' self-esteem. Furthermore, nurses' training packages can help the mother accept the maternal role more quickly and improve the mother's self-esteem for better care of the baby. Trial registration The registration number for this study was obtained from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and the number of the grant was 98000150.

How Parents Cope with the Care of a Child with Epilepsy: Based upon Grounded Theory.

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with seizure face the complicated health issues of their children. Adaptation strategies of parents as major care providers impact not only their handling of stresses on themselves but also children's quality of life. This study investigated the adaptation processes of parents of children with seizure at two educational hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran. METHODS: Twenty parents (15 mothers and 5 fathers), and three nurses were selected using purposive sampling method. Data was collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the method suggested by Corbin and Strauss version 2008. The interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS: The adaptation process had five phases: "Disbelief, Patience on what happened, change to preserve, acceptance of the current situation, and self- empowerment." In summary, the parents of children with seizure had a 5-phase adaptation strategy. The core category achieved was "continued efforts of parents to restore calm." CONCLUSION: Properly assessing the stresses' resources on parents of children with seizure is necessary. Informing their adaptation strategies may help medical staff and social services to provide more targeted support and promote the balance of the family function.

Effect of classmate as peer-led education on clinical performance: A mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Achieving an excellent clinical education by nursing students is one of the primary goals of any nursing school. Nursing educators try to use different methods to enhance clinical skills. One of them is a peer-led method that can be used in theoretical and clinical education. It is developing as a suitable educational method to promote health. This study assessed the effect of classmates as peer-led education on the clinical performance of nursing students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach and a sequential explanatory design. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pre- and post-test design was conducted. The sample of this phase consisted of 70 nursing students (35 persons in each group) who were selected through random convenience sampling. The intervention group participated in a peer-led education program. The control group received routine training. The members of both groups completed the clinical performance checklist before, and after the intervention, The collected data were analyzed using SPSS V21 software using descriptive and inferential statistics. In the qualitative phase, the researchers interviewed 18 undergraduate students using semi-structured in-depth and face-to-face approaches. These participants were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. MAX DATA 10 was used to categorize the data. To establish the reliability and validity of findings, Graneheim, and Landman's criteria were considered. RESULTS: In the quantitative phase of the study, the results showed that the mean score of clinical performance was not statistically significant between the control and intervention groups before the intervention (P > 0.05). At the same time, it was significantly different after the intervention (P < 0.05), implying that the peer-led education of the intervention group significantly increased compared to that of the control. The main theme was "learning based on friendship," which included two categories, namely "deep learning" and "learn in the shadow of relaxing." CONCLUSION: Classmate as peer-led education could increase the ability of nursing students in clinical performance, and was able to enhance deep learning among them.

The effect of abdominal massage (I Love You method) on the gastric function of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care units: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm infants often suffer from nutritional problems because of gastrointestinal problems. Massage could make the infants feel more peace and comfort, but limited studies have focused on the effects of massage on the gastric function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of abdominal massage on the gastric function of preterm infants. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial compared gastric function of preterm infants with and without massage therapy. The preterm infants were randomly allocated to control and massage groups. The massage group received the abdominal massage before feeding, twice a day, for 15 min, over 5 days. Furthermore, the gastric function was compared between the control and experimental groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 15.0). RESULTS: The average weight in both groups had no significant (p>0.05) changes before and after the study, and both groups showed a negative trend in the weight gain. The abdominal circumference, the frequency of vomiting episodes, the residual volume, and defecation frequency were significantly (p<0.05) different between the two groups after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The abdominal massage could be an effective nonmedicinal method to reduce the gastrointestinal problems in the preterm infants. The abdominal massage could be offered to the preterm infants as an inexpensive, available, and feasible method to alleviate gastrointestinal problems as well as improve the gastric function.

Comparing the effectiveness of mother's live lullaby and recorded lullaby on physiological responses and sleep of preterm infants: a clinical trial study.

OBJECTIVES: Environmental stimuli in neonatal intensive care units can disrupt the physiological stability and sleep of infants. It is essential to perform nursing interventions to reduce the adverse effects of such stimuli. This study aimed to compare the effect of recorded lullabies and mothers' live lullabies on physiological responses and sleep duration of preterm infants. METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial. The participants were 90 preterm infants selected using convenience sampling. In the intervention groups, music (recorded lullabies and mother's live lullabies) was played for 14 days, 20 min a day, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were collected using physiological criteria and infant sleep checklists before, during, and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 21.0). RESULTS: The mean scores of physiological parameters (O2 saturation and heart rate) were not significantly different in the three groups before, during, and after the intervention (p>0.05). However, there was an improvement in O2-saturation and a decrease in the heart rate in two intervention groups. The mean duration of the infants' overnight sleep was not statistically significant between the groups before the intervention (p>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the intervention groups after the intervention, (p<0.05), and the infants' overnight sleep was longer in the recorded-lullaby group than the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although performing interventions, including recorded lullaby and mother's live lullaby did not differ significantly with that of the control group in physiological criteria, it can be clinically important. In addition, recorded-lullaby increased the infants' overnight sleeping. Thus, it is suggested that further studies be conducted to confirm the effect of recorded lullaby and mother's live lullaby interventions on physiological parameters and sleep duration of hospitalized infants.

Simulation-based mastery improves nursing skills in BSc nursing students: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical education is an essential part of nursing education. Selected clinical teaching methods influence the quality of education. Simulation-based mastery learning has been used to improve clinical skills among nursing students and may provide a novel way to enhance nursing skills. This study aimed to assess the effect of simulation-based mastery learning on the clinical skills of undergraduate nursing students from 2017 to 2019. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with two groups (the control and intervention). A hundred and five students were selected by random convenience sampling, and written consent was obtained. The intervention group participated in a simulation-based mastery learning intervention, and the control group received no intervention except for traditional training. The students of both groups completed the demographic information questionnaire and the checklist before and after the intervention. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences between the two groups before the intervention (p> 0.05). In addition, students' performance in the intervention and control groups improved significantly at the post-test compared with the baseline (p< 0.05). Furthermore, the Cohen test implied that the simulation-based mastery model used by the intervention group was significantly more effective than the traditional training used by the control. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that mastery learning was more effective in improving clinical skills in undergraduate nursing students. The results suggest that other nursing and health programs can be developed by implementing a mastery-based learning model.

Family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia: life experiences in a qualitative content analysis study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The challenges of living with and taking care of a patient with schizophrenia can lead to positive changes depending on the experiences and reactions of family caregivers. Such changes may directly affect the family performance and the patient's recovery stage. Present study aimed to explain the positive experiences reported by family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The present study is a qualitative study of content analysis. Data were collected using semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 15 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia referring to one of the psychiatric hospitals in Zahedan, Southeast part of Iran. Purposive sampling method was applied and data analysis was conducted using conventional content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. RESULTS: Data analysis created a theme entitled "family achievements in struggling with schizophrenia". This theme included four categories including Developing positive personality traits in family members, Strengthening family ties, developing insight into the life, and social mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided insights that the experience of taking care of patients with schizophrenia led to positive consequences for family caregivers. Thus, it is recommended that psychiatrists or consultants help families rely on positive experiences and share these experiences with families with a newly-suffered patient.

The efficacy of telenursing on caregiver burden among Iranian patients with heart failure: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the most common syndromes in the world and Iran. Caring for heart failure patients can cause a burden on their caregivers. Traditional and modern treatment techniques are often used for patients with heart failure. This study was conducted with the aim to " determine the impact of telenursing on short-term caregiver burden of patients with heart failure discharged from hospitals in Iran". METHODS: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) was undertaken in Kerman, Iran, in 2018-2019. From among caregivers of patients with minimal grade 2 heart failure, 100 patients were randomly selected to participate in the study. The intervention group, in addition to routine discharge training, received training and care files with videos and related photos via social media every other day for 1 month. The control group received only routine discharge training. The Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) was completed before and after the intervention in both groups. This scale includes 22 items scored on a Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (almost always). The data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 56.44 ± 13.09 years. The mean caregiver burden score in the control and intervention groups at baseline was 37.26 and 35.58, respectively, and after the intervention, it was 34.56 and 24.28, respectively. A significant difference was found in the 2 groups after the study; the mean caregiver burden score in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the control group after the study. CONCLUSION: Telenursing reduces the caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with heart failure. Telenursing can be considered as an auxiliary method to control the symptoms associated with heart failure.

Spirituality, a Path to Peace: The Experiences of Parents Who Have Children with Phenylketonuria.

Having a child with phenylketonuria is extremely stressful for the parents. These parents always look for solutions for negative effects of their child's disease. Parents' strategies are affected by various background factors and vary according to parents' culture, religion, education, etc. The present study was aimed at assessing the effect of spirituality on the life of parents with a PKU child, and the effect of child disease on the parents' spirituality. The study was conducted in Kerman, Iran, in 2018; 21 participants (14 mothers, 6 fathers with PKU children, and one nurse) were selected using purposive sampling. A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted with the selected participants. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. One main theme and two categories emerged from the analyzed data. The main theme of the supportive role of spirituality consists of two categories: spiritual growth and grabbing to the string of spirituality. The first levels of spiritual growth include Modeling and considering Imams' lives, the increase in trust in God, the increase in mental and spiritual tolerance, and being close to God. The levels of Achieving spirituality include the remembrance of God, Thanking God, and giving donations. According to the results of this study, providing spiritual care by the nurses for the patient and their family is important. Nurses should pay attention to this subject because the patients and their family can achieve more relaxation and increased tolerance and higher satisfaction.

Comparison of the Relationship Between Sexual Function, Marital Adjustment, and Life Satisfaction in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Women.

BACKGROUND: Sexual function is important for diabetic women because it has a special effect on the quality of life. This study was conducted to compare the relationship of sexual function, marital adjustment, and life satisfaction between diabetic and non-diabetic women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done in Kerman, Iran, from August 2018 to November 2019. The study sample included 300 diabetic women and 300 non-diabetic women. Data gathering tools included a demographic questionnaire, Rosen female sexual function index (FSFI), Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and Diner satisfaction with life scale. Data were analyzed through SPSS 15, using descriptive statistics, independent-t test, ANOVA, and Pearson tests. The significance level was considered 0.05. RESULTS: The mean scores of marital adjustment, female sexual function index, and satisfaction with life scales in diabetic women were 90.98±23.33, 19.04±9.77, and 13.4±3.21; also, they were 120.34±33.34, 27.82±10.17, and 16.3±5.89 in non-diabetic women, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between the scores of marital adjustment (P=0.001), female sexual function index (P=0.001), and satisfaction with life (P=0.001) in diabetic and non-diabetic women. The female sexual function index was correlated with life satisfaction and marital adjustment. CONCLUSION: Diabetic women experience sexual dysfunction because of their special condition, which negatively influences life satisfaction and marital adjustment. Healthcare providers should pay much more attention to this issue. They can provide educational packages on sexual issues for diabetic women. They should also support these women and their spouses to improve their quality of life.

Comparison of the importance and observance of the patient's bill of rights from the perspectives of patients and personnel of hospitals in Kerman.

Patients' rights are among the most important criteria for evaluating the quality of health services. The current study aimed to determine the importance and observance of the patient's bill of rights. This cross-sectional study was done in Kerman, Iran. The research samples were 217 patients and 204 personnel. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire in the scope of the patient's bill of rights, and data were analyzed by SPSS 15. The results showed a significant difference between patients and the personnel on the subject of the patient's bill of rights and most of its dimensions (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between their views on the observance of the patient's bill of rights and its dimensions. Also, 35.9% of patients as well as 25% of personnel considered the observance of patients' rights unfavorable. The participants were aware of the importance of the patient's bill of rights. It is necessary, however, to codify and approve the laws related to the rights of patients.