Use and effects of implementation strategies for practice guidelines in nursing: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Practice guidelines can reduce variations in nursing practice and improve patient care. However, implementation of guidelines is complex and inconsistent in practice. It is unclear which strategies are effective at implementing guidelines in nursing. This review aimed to describe the use and effects of implementation strategies to facilitate the uptake of guidelines focused on nursing care. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of five electronic databases in addition to the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) Group specialized registry. Studies were included if implementation of a practice guideline in nursing and process or outcome of care provided by nurses were reported. Two reviewers independently screened studies, assessed study quality, extracted data, and coded data using the EPOC taxonomy of implementation strategies. For those strategies not included in the EPOC taxonomy, we inductively categorized these strategies and generated additional categories. We conducted a narrative synthesis to analyze results. RESULTS: The search identified 46 papers reporting on 41 studies. Thirty-six studies used a combination of educational materials and educational meetings. Review findings show that multicomponent implementation strategies that include educational meetings, in combination with other educational strategies, report positive effects on professional practice outcomes, professional knowledge outcomes, patient health status outcomes, and resource use/expenditures. Twenty-three of the 41 studies employed implementation strategies not listed within the EPOC taxonomy, including adaptation of practice guidelines to local context (n = 9), external facilitation (n = 14), and changes to organizational policy (n = 3). These implementation strategies also corresponded with positive trends in patient, provider, and health system outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing guideline implementation may benefit from using the identified implementation strategies described in this review, including participatory approaches such as facilitation, adaptation of guidelines, and organizational policy changes. Further research is needed to understand how different implementation strategy components work in a nursing context and to what effect. As the field is still emerging, future reviews should also explore guideline implementation strategies in nursing in quasi or non-experimental research designs and qualitative research studies.

Care of self - care by other - care of other: the meaning of self-care from research, practice, policy and industry perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no single definition of self-care is broadly accepted in the literature. Definitions vary as to (i) who engages in self-care behaviour; (ii) what motivates self-care behaviours; and (iii) the extent to which healthcare professionals are involved. Perspectives of self-care differ between healthcare professionals and the general public, and between healthcare professionals in different disciplines and different roles. As different professions view self-care within their own domain of practice, we are left with a multitude of explanations and descriptions. This variety of conceptualisations does impact and complicate research on self-care. As part of a larger enquiry focused on the clarification of this complex concept, this study provides a content analysis of documented definitions of self-care, and a summary of the evolution of the definition of self-care over time. OBJECTIVES: To examine the diversity of definitions of self-care from the perspectives of research, practice, policy and industry, and to identify themes or trends in the evolution of the definition of self-care over time. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy was designed in consultation with a library scientist to find both published and unpublished papers. A three-step search strategy was used to locate the literature. The databases searched included CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, Cochrane Library, Scirus and Mednar. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The definition of self-care was extracted from each paper included in the study. Using an inductive process, a content analysis was performed identifying common terms and phrases from the definitions. The definitions were then divided into four decades, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, and the evolution of the definition of self-care was examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In this study we sought to clarify the concept of self-care by examining in detail the definition of self-care. Content analysis of 139 definitions identified seven components of the definition and a range of terms that were applicable to each component. Evolution of the definition over time showed a more expansive definition by the end of the 2000s. Current and evolving definitions of self-care would benefit by being comprehensive and encompassing as many facets of the concept as possible. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals assess, guide, instruct and support individuals as they initiate or engage in self-care. Using a comprehensive definition of self-care would provide an anchor linking each discipline as they interact not only with the individual but also among themselves. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: The concept of self-care is a many-layered one. Identifying the components in the definition of the term delineates the different areas for potential research in this area. When planning a research project, the definition of the key concept guides the research and shapes the approach to the investigation. For researchers in this area, this study illustrates the wealth and diversity of the definitions of self-care.

The experience of self-care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Self-care has been defined quite simply as "the set of activities in which one engages throughout life on a daily basis." Examining this 'set of activities' more closely, we see that a number of activities encompass "a person's attempts to promote optimal health, prevent illness, detect symptoms at an early date, and manage chronic illness." Hence, engaging in self-care activities may result in a range of different experiences depending on the set of activities that are performed and the reasons for their undertaking. OBJECTIVES: To integrate and summarize the experience of engaging in self-care activities as reported by individuals and /or their families. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Types of Studies - Qualitative studies included, but were not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research and feminist research.Types of Participants - Individuals and/or their families who engaged in self-care activities, or were assisted with their self-care activities, or provided support for self-care.Types of Interventions - Individual experiences of self-care in response to an intervention or where no intervention was introduced.Types of Outcomes - Individual experiences of self-care through self-report. Reports from family members who assisted or provided support for self-care were included. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy aimed to find both published and unpublished studies (e.g., theses). A three-step search strategy was used in each component of this review. An initial limited search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken followed by analysis of the text words contained in the title and abstract, and of the index terms used to describe the article. A second search using all identified keywords and index terms was then undertaken across all included databases. Thirdly, the reference lists of all identified reports and articles were searched for additional studies. The databases searched included: CINAHL; MEDLINE; EMBASE; PsycINFO; AMED; Cochrane Library; Scirus; and Mednar METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY: Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument Critical Appraisal Checklist for Interpretive & Critical Research. Two appraisers independently reviewed each study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Qualitative data were extracted from included studies using an adaptation of the standardized JBI Data Extraction Tool for Qualitative Evidence. DATA SYNTHESIS: The data were synthesized using narrative form. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in self-care is a process involving being aware of self, acquiring knowledge and taking responsibility for meeting needs at whatever level they are presented. The performance of self-care behaviours can be influenced both positively and negatively by the attitudes of others. Throughout life, the purpose for performing self-care differs and individuals face challenges that interfere with their ability to master these self-care behaviours. Individuals who are able to find symbolic meaning in the disease/disability or reframe the implications positively are more capable of adapting and maintaining their focus on caring for themselves. Studies revealed that individuals may abandon self-care when overwhelmed by symptoms or disability and/or when they feel that they are not supported. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is valuable for health care professionals to understand the struggle that individuals experience when trying to engage in self-care. Furthermore, health care professionals need to be cognizant of how important their support is, in terms of encouraging individuals to adopt and maintain self-care behaviours. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: This review has provided an insight into the process of engaging in self-care through the different developmental stages of life, as well as the adoption of self-care behaviours to meet different requisites. Further research would be valuable to integrate the range of health care interventions provided to individuals across different disability or disease groupings who engage in self-care activities.

Intervention strategies that support self-care activities: an integrative study across disease/impairment groupings.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of chronic disease and people with complex chronic medical needs is increasing worldwide. Self-care is an important element for these individuals and can pose challenges both to the recipients and providers of care. Health care professionals seeking evidence on how best to support self-care face challenges finding this research. As a care concept it is typically dealt with clinically and studied relative to specific conditions. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reports on research across 52 different disease/impairment groupings, with many systematic reviews presenting inconclusive results. Although individual reviews may not offer as much evidence as hoped, it is possible that by synthesizing evidence from multiple reviews that further knowledge and direction about the supportive care professionals can provide for self-care can be found and made available to inform practice. OBJECTIVE: To explore and evaluate the evidence on self-care interventions through a cross-cutting, integrative study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Types of studies: All systematic reviews contained within the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS: Participants who were either recently diagnosed with, or currently living with, a disease, disability or impairment. No age stipulation was applied.Types of interventions: Interventions focused on initiating, supporting or enhancing self-care activities.Types of outcomes: The successful engagement of the individual in self-care activities; the sustainment of self-care activities; health outcomes or health care services utilization. SEARCH STRATEGIES: The search strategy was designed to find all systematic reviews contained within the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews that addressed interventions to initiate or enhance self-care. The Cochrane Library was searched directly though Wiley and through the OVID interface. Keywords and index terms were harvested from key reviews and a second round of searching was performed. METHODS OF THE REVIEW: Inclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria were guided by Orem's Theory of Self-Care. Reviews were included that addressed health deviation self-care requisites which refer to changes in self-care activities to regulate the effects of deviation from normal structure or function. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions were examined within the context of knowledge translation, using the Knowledge-to-Action framework by Graham and colleagues. Interventions were grouped into one of two sections in the framework: a) the adaptation to a specific population, or b) the sustainment of knowledge use. OUTCOMES: Outcomes were classified according to the Knowledge Use and Impact framework by Graham and colleagues. This framework categorizes outcomes in terms of what is being measured (knowledge; use of knowledge) as well as the impact of the use of that knowledge (patient/ individual; provider or system outcomes).Assessment of methodological quality: Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews. A cut-off point of 7/10 was established. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from the systematic reviews using an adaptation of the standardized data extraction form, the JBI Data Extraction Form for Systematic Review of experimental/ Observational Studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Study results were synthesized and discussed in narrative form. RESULTS: Thirty reviews were included in the analysis spanning 16 different disease/impairment groupings and representing a total of 91,170 participants. The most commonly reported intervention strategies were educational sessions (26 reviews) and self-care management plans (11 reviews), and 27 reviews assessed multiple intervention strategies. Twenty-one reviews reported statistically significant results. CONCLUSION: There is an emerging body of evidence for effective self-care. This study identified two strategies (educational sessions and self-care management plans) that could be used generically as supportive care by professionals as they assist individuals with self-care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of multiple strategies, including educational sessions and self-care management plans have been identified as options that may be effective to support adoption and sustainment of self-care activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: This study highlighted the pervasive problem of heterogeneous data at the primary research level preventing the effective synthesis of current evidence. Further research to standardize the type of outcome measured and the method of measurement would advance our ability to determine 'best practices' with self-care. Cochrane systematic review authors reported their systematic review methodologies in varying degrees of detail. Also of note was the range of different methods to assess risk of bias.

The psychosocial spiritual experience of elderly individuals recovering from stroke: a systematic review.

Objectives The objective of this review was to appraise and synthesise best available evidence on the psychosocial spiritual experience of elderly individuals recovering from stroke. Inclusion criteria This review considered qualitative studies whose participants were adults, mean age of 65 years and older, and who had experienced a minimum of one stroke. Studies were included that described the participant's own experience of recovering from stroke. Search strategy The search strategy sought to find both published and unpublished studies and papers, not limited to the English language. An initial limited search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken followed by an analysis of text words contained in the title and abstract, and of index terms used to describe the article. A second extensive search was then undertaken using all identified key words and index terms. Methodological quality Each paper was assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality prior to inclusion in the review using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI) developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Disagreements were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. Data collection Information was extracted from each paper independently by two reviewers using the data extraction tool from QARI developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Disagreements were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. Data synthesis Data synthesis aimed to portray an accurate interpretation and synthesis of concepts arising from the selected population's experience during their recovery from stroke. Results A total of 35 studies were identified and of those 27 studies were included in the review. These qualitative studies examined the perceptions of elderly individuals who had experienced a stroke. Findings were analysed using JBI-QARI. The process of meta-synthesis using this program involved categorising findings and developing synthesised topics from the categories. Four syntheses were developed related to the perceptions and experiences of stroke survivors: sudden unexpected event, connectedness, reconstruction of life and life-altering event. Conclusion The onset and early period following a stroke is a confusing and terrifying experience. The period of recovery involves considerable psychological and physical work for elderly individuals to reconstruct their lives. For those with a spiritual tradition, connectedness to others and spiritual connection is important during recovery. The experience of stroke is a life-altering one for most elderly individuals, involving profound changes in functioning and sense of self.

The psychosocial spiritual experience of elderly individuals recovering from stroke: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to appraise and synthesise best available evidence on the psychosocial spiritual experience of elderly individuals recovering from stroke. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered qualitative studies whose participants were adults, mean age of 65 years and older, and who had experienced a minimum of one stroke. Studies were included that described the participant's own experience of recovering from stroke. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy sought to find both published and unpublished studies and papers, not limited to the English language. An initial limited search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken followed by an analysis of text words contained in the title and abstract, and of index terms used to describe the article. A second extensive search was then undertaken using all identified key words and index terms. METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY: Each paper was assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality prior to inclusion in the review using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI) developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Disagreements were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. DATA COLLECTION: Information was extracted from each paper independently by two reviewers using the data extraction tool from QARI developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Disagreements were resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data synthesis aimed to portray an accurate interpretation and synthesis of concepts arising from the selected population's experience during their recovery from stroke. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies were identified and of those 27 studies were included in the review. These qualitative studies examined the perceptions of elderly individuals who had experienced a stroke. Findings were analysed using JBI-QARI. The process of meta-synthesis using this program involved categorising findings and developing synthesised topics from the categories. Four syntheses were developed related to the perceptions and experiences of stroke survivors: sudden unexpected event, connectedness, reconstruction of life and life-altering event. CONCLUSION: The onset and early period following a stroke is a confusing and terrifying experience. The period of recovery involves considerable psychological and physical work for elderly individuals to reconstruct their lives. For those with a spiritual tradition, connectedness to others and spiritual connection is important during recovery. The experience of stroke is a life-altering one for most elderly individuals, involving profound changes in functioning and sense of self.