Are Nurses Willing to Provide Care to Obese Surgical Patients?

The differences between normal and obese patient handling: re- structural analysis of two questionnaires

BACKGROUND

Precise causes of musculoskeletal complaints among nurses are not known well, but many studies have pointed to manual patient handling tasks. Subjective judgment and decision-making process for patient lifting is crucial for gathering data regards patient handling. The aim of this study was to consider reliability and validity and re-structure of two special tools for patient handling's tasks.

METHODS

In this cross- sectional study 249 nurses were fully participated. As recommended by literature for cultural adaptation of instruments, forward/backward translation method was applied. Reliability of the translated version was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity testing for the two scales was based on content validity index/ratio analysis and also Exploratory Factor Analysis was run to extract latent factors.

RESULTS

Reliability estimated by internal consistency reached a Cronbach's Alpha of above 0.7 for all subscales of two questionnaires. After testing the validity, the final version of questionnaires was remained by 14 and 15 questions respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These instruments evaluated for manual handling of normal and obese patients had acceptable validity and reliability in Iranian Nursing context. So, these tools can be used in further studies with the same cultures.

The nursing care of people with class III obesity in an acute care setting: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Patients with Class III obesity pose unique challenges to health care staff and organisations. Care requirements of this population are unique and require specialised equipment and knowledge to meet these needs, maintain the quality of care, as well as the safety of patients and staff.

AIM

To synthesise the evidence on the nursing care of Class III obese patients in acute care settings.

METHODS

A scoping review informed by JBI. CINAHL Plus, Medline, Scopus, Proquest Central, Web of Science and Embase were searched for primary research articles about the nursing management of people classified as Class III obese in acute care. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed; data extracted and synthesised into themes.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included in the review. The synthesis generated three themes: Access to equipment, knowledge and training, patient care, and opportunities to improve care.

CONCLUSIONS

A paucity of high-quality evidence informs the nursing care of people with Class III obesity in acute care. Access to appropriate equipment dominated the findings of this review. Adequate provision of equipment and education on its use are required. Education to promote engagement with patients, adapting clinical practice and promotion of self-care could improve care and outcomes.

Perceptions of nursing students about individuals with obesity problems: Belief, attitude, phobia

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the beliefs, attitudes, and phobias of nursing students about obese individuals.

DESIGN AND METHOD

This descriptive and cross-sectional study involved 658 students from the nursing department of a Turkish university. Data collection tools were the Fat Phobia Scale (FPS), Turkish Attitudes toward the Obese Persons Scale (T-ATOP), and Turkish Beliefs about Obese Persons Scale (T-BAOP).

FINDINGS

Students had moderate levels of fat phobia and attitudes towards obese individuals and they believed obesity is controlled by individuals.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Fat phobic attitudes of nursing students should be prevented and positive beliefs and attitudes should be developed.

The relationship between patient obesity and nursing workload: An integrative review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationship between patient obesity and nursing workload, and discuss the nursing activities most affected by patient obesity.

BACKGROUND

The increasing number of patients with obesity, and the severity of obesity, impacts the healthcare workforce, particularly to nurses who provide most direct care to patients. There is growing evidence to suggest that patient obesity may increase nursing workload and time taken for clinical care.

DESIGN

Integrative review.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of academic databases for primary research related to patient obesity and nursing workload, published since 2000, was conducted. References of relevant articles were hand-searched.

RESULTS

27 articles were analysed. Analysis was undertaken at the levels of patient characteristics, nursing work and the healthcare system. The increasing number of patients with obesity, and the severity of patient obesity, increases nursing workload by affecting nursing time needed to deliver care. An increased number of nurses, particularly with increased clinical skill, are needed to deliver care meeting these increased needs. Organisational change is required to provide infrastructure and bariatric equipment that enables effective nursing care of patients with obesity. Organisations must consider additional time and staff needs when delivering care for patients with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

The current health system is not established to address the challenge of providing nursing care to the increasing numbers of patients with obesity. Further research on accurately and objectively quantifying the impact and severity of patient obesity on nursing clinical activities is required.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

When determining staffing, healthcare organisations must consider the increased nursing staff, time and clinical skill required to provide care for patients with obesity. Healthcare organisations should implement policies that ensure sufficient staffing in areas where care of patients with obesity is prevalent, and provide training for and workplace availability of bariatric equipment.