Associations of individualized nursing care and quality oncology nursing care in patients diagnosed with cancer

Effect of evidence-based nursing practices on individualised care: A cross-sectional descriptive study

AIM

This study was conducted to determine the effect of nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based practices on individualised nursing care.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive trial. The descriptive analysis included 200 clinical nurses working in a private hospital between April and September 2022. Data were collected with a personal information form, Individualised Care Scale (A-Nurse Version), and Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire. The relationship between the scales and effect was examined by Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. T-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc (Tukey, LSD) analysis were used in the statistical analysis of nurses according to their descriptive characteristics. This study has adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting.

RESULTS

They had high mean scores on Individualised Care Scale total (3.68 ± 1.25) and from Clinical Situation (3.78 ± 1.30) and Decisional Control (3.82 ± 1.35) subscales and average score from the Personal Life (3.32 ± 1.29) subscale. Their mean score from the Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire was average (47.64 ± 10.99). There was a positive moderate (r = 0.50, p = 0.000 < 0.05) significant correlation between the scales.

CONCLUSION

Positive attitude towards evidence-based nursing practices positively affects individualised care. Variables such as professional experience positively affect nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based nursing. A positive and significant relationship was found between nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based practice and their attitudes towards individualised care.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale

BACKGROUND

Quality assessment in oncology nursing care has been a growing topic in the literature, gaining relevance as oncological nursing care becomes more complex as the science progresses. However, there are no instruments that assess the perception of the quality of oncology nursing care from the point of view of patients for the Portuguese population. Thus, the cross-cultural translation and validation of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS) was performed for the Portuguese context. This instrument allows nurses to assess patients' self-perception of the quality of nursing care provided in an oncological setting. It also allows researchers to compare the results obtained internationally with the application of this scale.

METHODS

This is a methodological study, with two distinct phases: the first corresponded to the translation and cultural adaptation of the scale to the Portuguese context, and the second consisted of the psychometric validation of the QONCS, which included factor analysis and the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument. We obtained responses from 402 patients from a Portuguese oncology hospital.

RESULTS

The Portuguese version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS_PT) consists of 34 items inserted into a tetra-factorial model, which explains a total variance of the instrument of 69.8%. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 was obtained for the complete instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

QONCS_PT has a competent and reliable structure. The scale's validity was assured and can be used in the Portuguese population, as it is useful for direct care provision but also for researchers and managers.

Association between Resilience, Professional Quality of Life, and Caring Behavior in Oncology Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

The degree of caring behavior of oncology nurses is a crucial factor in the care provided to patients with cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate factors related to oncology nurses' caring behavior, including their resilience and professional quality of life.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 107 oncology nurses at an urban tertiary hospital from May 18 to 24, 2015. We used a self-report questionnaire to measure resilience, professional quality of life, and degree of caring behavior. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 20.0.

RESULTS

Oncology nurses presented with low levels of resilience and caring behavior, and high levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. There was a statistically significant relationship between the degree of caring behavior, resilience (r = .43, p < .001), compassion satisfaction (r = .51, p < .001), and burnout (r = -.42, p < .001), as well as between secondary traumatic stress and burnout (r = .34, p < .001). Factors associated with oncology nurses' degree of caring behavior were compassion satisfaction (t = 6.00, p < .001) and educational level (t = 3.45, p = .001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that oncology nurses' degree of caring behavior is related to their professional quality of life and education. These findings suggest that enhancing oncology nurses' healthy coping strategies at both the individual and organizational levels can further develop holistic nursing care. Additionally, it is necessary to examine the factors affecting nurses' compassion satisfaction and to try to promote this aspect.

Patients' Individualized Care Perceptions and Health Literacy Using an Interactive App During Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatment: Two Parallel Randomized Controlled Trials

The use of symptom management mobile apps can reduce patients' symptom burden during cancer treatment, but the evidence is lacking about their effect on care. Moreover, if patients' health literacy can be improved, it needs to be more rigorously tested. This study aimed to evaluate patients' perceptions of individualized care and health literacy using an interactive app in two randomized trials. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (N = 149) and radiotherapy for prostate cancer (N = 150) were consecutively included and randomized into one intervention or control group. Outcome measures were Individualized Care Scale, Swedish Functional Health Literacy Scale, and Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy Scale. In the breast cancer trial, no group differences were observed regarding individualized care or health literacy. Most patients had sufficient health literacy levels. In the prostate cancer trial, intervention group patients rated higher perceived individualized care regarding decision control at follow-up than the control group. Less than half had sufficient health literacy levels and intervention group patients significantly improved their ability to seek, understand, and communicate health information. Education level explained significant variance in health literacy in both trials. Using an interactive app can positively affect individualization in care and health literacy skills among patients treated for prostate cancer, although further research is warranted.

What Nursing-Sensitive Outcomes Have Been Investigated to Date among Patients with Solid and Hematological Malignancies? A Scoping Review

Nursing-sensitive outcomes are those outcomes attributable to nursing care. To date three main reviews have summarized the evidence available regarding the nursing outcomes in onco-haematological care. Updating the existing reviews was the main intent of this study; specifically, the aim was to map the state of the art of the science in the field of oncology nursing-sensitive outcomes and to summarise outcomes and metrics documented as being influenced by nursing care. A scoping review was conducted in 2021. The MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were examined. Qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary studies concerning patients with solid/haematological malignancies, cared for in any setting, published in English, and from any time were all included. Both inductive and deductive approaches were used to analyse the data extracted from the studies. Sixty studies have been included, mostly primary (n = 57, 95.0%) with a quasi- or experimental approach (n = 26, 55.3%), conducted among Europe (n = 27, 45.0%), in hospitals and clinical wards (n = 29, 48.3%), and including from 8 to 4615 patients. In the inductive analysis, there emerged 151 outcomes grouped into 38 categories, with the top category being 'Satisfaction and perception of nursing care received' (n = 32, 21.2%). Outcome measurement systems included mainly self-report questionnaires (n = 89, 66.9%). In the deductive analysis, according to the Oncology Nursing Society 2004 classification, the 'Symptom control and management' domain was the most investigated (n = 44, 29.1%); however, the majority (n = 50, 33.1%) of nursing-sensitive outcomes that emerged were not includible in the available framework. Continuing to map nursing outcomes may be useful for clinicians, managers, educators, and researchers in establishing the endpoints of their practice. The ample number of instruments and metrics that emerged suggests the need for more development of homogeneous assessment systems allowing comparison across health issues, settings, and countries.

"Individualized Care" From the Viewpoint of Turkish Patients and Oncology Nurses

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a chronic disease that leads to major life changes for individuals because it affects physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. It is important that nursing care is able to respond to different individual needs regarding the challenges experienced by cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concept of individualized care as perceived by oncology patients and nurses working in oncology clinics.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical oncology clinic in Turkey. Participants were oncology nurses (n = 23) and cancer patients (n = 180) discharged after treatment. The data were collected using the Patient-Nurse Identification Form, Individualized Care Scale (ICS-A, ICS-B), and Individualized Care Scale-Nurse.

RESULTS

Nurses' perceptions of individualized care were more positive than those of patients. Patients' age, marital status, education level, income level, and disease characteristics did not have an effect on their awareness of interventions supporting their individuality or on their perceptions of individualized care. More years of employment in the nursing profession and in oncology had a positive effect on individualization of patient care.

CONCLUSION

Perceptual differences between patients and nurses exist; individualized care plans may be needed to minimize the differences.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

These study outcomes can guide individualized care for cancer patients.

The relationship between the individualized care perceptions and spiritual care perceptions of nurses

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between the individualized care perceptions and spiritual care perceptions of nurses.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 263 nurses. Data were collected using a Structured Questionnaire Form, the Individualized Care Scale-A-Nurse Version and the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale.

FINDINGS

There was a positive and significant relationship between the individualized care perceptions and spiritual care perceptions of the nurses.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study revealed the reflections of the philosophy of nursing on the field of practice, with findings on the individualized care perceptions and spiritual care perceptions of nurses and the relationship between these variables.

The Effect of Individual Nursing on Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders

Objective

This study aimed to explore the effects of individualized nursing in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods

From June 2019 to April 2021, 80 patients with TMD were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Among them, 40 patients (control group, CG) received routine nursing and 40 patients (experimental group, EG) received individualized nursing. Functional exercise compliance, pain score, maximum mouth opening, nursing satisfaction questionnaire, self-rating anxiety scale, and self-rating depression scale were investigated.

Results

From June 2019 to April 2021, 81 patients with TMD were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Among them, 40 patients (control group) received routine care and 41 patients (experimental group) received individual care. There were no significant differences in mouth opening and pain score between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in mouth opening and pain score between the two groups 3 weeks after surgery. Patients' anxiety and depression were assessed by the SAS and SDS scores. Before nursing, the control group and experimental group (P < 0.05) had no significant difference. After nursing, the score of both groups decreased (P < 0.05). However, the score was lower in the experimental group, compared to the control group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In summary, individualized nursing can improve patients' physical condition and reduce negative emotions and complications. In light of this, the study needs further verification by a large sample randomized controlled trial.

Occupational fatigue, individualized nursing care, and quality of nursing care among hospital nurses

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among nurse fatigue, individualized nursing care, and nurse-reported quality of care.

DESIGN

The study used a cross-sectional design. Data from 858 registered nurses providing bedside care in hospitals were collected between March and April 2021 in the United States.

METHODS

Participants completed a self-administered online survey, including the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale, the Individualized Care Scale-Nurse version, and a single item assessing nursing care quality. Relationships among the study variables were examined using multiple linear and logistic regression models.

FINDINGS

Nurses' higher levels of acute fatigue were significantly associated with decreased perceptions of individualized nursing activities provided to patients on their last shifts, specifically related to personal life condition and decision-making control. Nurses' higher levels of chronic fatigue were significantly associated with decreased perception of individualized nursing activities provided to patients on their last shifts related to clinical condition, personal life condition, and decision-making control. Nurses with higher levels of acute or chronic fatigue, and who perceived their nursing care activities as less individualized were less likely to assess their quality of care as excellent.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that addressing hospital nurses' acute and chronic fatigue may contribute to promoting the delivery of individualized nursing care and in improving patients' quality of care.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Healthcare institutions are encouraged to regularly monitor and manage nurse fatigue to improve the delivery of individualized and quality nursing care to their patients.

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Venous International Assessment Scale and proposal of revision

ABSTRACT Objective: To validate the Brazilian Portuguese translation and analyze the cultural adaptation of the Venous International Assessment Scale. Methods: Observational study by employing the Delphi technique and an equivalence evaluation by experts. The results were analyzed using item scores and by content validity index calculations of item, scale, and universal agreement. Results: Three rounds of evaluation were necessary for consensus. Explanatory contents were incorporated into the original scale throughout the process, resulting in a new version: VIA Scale - Revised. This scale obtained a content validity index of 0.96 and a universal agreement of 0.78. In the cross-cultural adequacy analysis phase, a score of 0.77 was obtained. The majority (90.5%) of the participants judged the scale’s decision support property as positive. Conclusion: The VIA Scale was validated and culturally adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese language, resulting in the VIA Scale - Revised (VIA-R).

Data collection instrument for hematological diseases in na outpatient setting: a validation study

OBJECTIVES

to build and validate a data collection instrument for onco-hematological patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy.

METHODS

methodological study that aimed to build a scientifically consistent data collection instrument to evaluate hematological patients. There were five stages: identification of empirical indicators, evaluation of empirical indicators by focus group, construction of the instrument, content validation by judges and clinical validation. Built based on the Theory of Basic Human Needs of Horta, adjusted by Garcias and Cubas.

RESULTS

the built instrument contains data on patient identification, perception and expectations related to the disease, assessment of psychobiological, psychosocial and psychospiritual needs. It reached 95% CVI, ensuring the instrument's content validity and Cronbach's alpha test with a reliability of 0.93.

CONCLUSIONS

the instrument is a valid technology to assist nurses in data collection and may serve as a tool for onco-hematological nursing care, teaching and research.

Nurses' perceptions of care quality for older patients suffering cancer in acute care settings: A descriptive study

AIMS

To describe the quality of care for older cancer patients in acute care settings as perceived by the responsible nursing staff.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 90 nursing staff at a university hospital and a city hospital. Quality of care was measured using the Revised Humane Caring Scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, nonparametric tests and linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data.

FINDINGS

Generally, the nursing staff perceived the quality of care as good; however, university hospital nursing staff perceived the quality of care to be better than city hospital nursing staff. Compared with other age groups, nursing staff in the 30- to 40-year age group more frequently indicated that patients' information and participation need improvement. Moreover, supplemental education in cancer care was found to have no significant impact on the quality of care. Altogether, nursing staff disagreed the most about their perceptions of staffing, sufficient time and an unhurried atmosphere.

CONCLUSION

Nursing staff should focus more on patients' personal needs, particularly with regard to patients' provision of information and participation in care. Younger nurses need more support and mentoring about complex care from their experienced colleagues when performing their work. Leaders should guarantee availability of the adequate number of competent staff in hospital wards.