Apathy: who cares? A concept analysis

Predictive Factors of Apathy in Stroke Survivors During the Recovery Period

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Apathy may be an important predictor of depression and significantly negatively affect the quality of life and functional recovery of stroke survivors. However, the evidence reflects the inconsistent findings of studies on the impact of individual-related variables on apathy in patients with stroke. OBJECTIVES: This study examines the relationships among stroke survivors' individual characteristics, background variables, disease-related variables, and apathy; furthermore, we identify predictors of apathy. METHODS: In this cross-sectional correlational study, the participants were recruited from a medical university hospital. Three measurement tools were used: individual and background variables, the modified Rankin Scale, and the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of apathy. RESULTS: Participants included 100 stroke survivors with a mean age of 59.9 (12.1) years. The prevalence of apathy among stroke survivors was 27%. Stroke survivors' economic sources (β = 0.430, P = .001), perceived family support (β = -0.163, P = .048), and modified Rankin Scale (β = 0.283, P = .001) accounted for 43.7% of the variance in survivor apathy. CONCLUSION: The results of this study clarified which individual characteristics, background variables, and disease-related variables are key predictors of apathy in patients with stroke.

An evolutionary concept analysis of learner-centered teaching

BACKGROUND

An increasing emphasis on a paradigm shift from the traditional teacher-centered approach has led to the adoption of learner-centered teaching in many nursing education programs. However, the lack of consensus regarding the meaning warranted an analysis of learner-centered teaching.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this analysis was to clarify the concept of learner-centered teaching for nursing education and research.

DESIGN

An evolutionary framework was used to perform a comprehensive review of both theoretical and empirical literature relevant to learner-centered teaching. An evolutionary concept analysis is a method of inquiry used to analyze the literature, with the purpose of identifying the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of a concept.

SAMPLE AND SETTING

Empirical and theoretical literature selected from the fields of education, nursing, and medicine.

METHODS

A comprehensive review and analysis of theoretical and empirical publications from nursing, medicine and education disciplines provided a rich data source for this concept analysis.

RESULTS

Four defining attributes of learner-centered teaching were identified: autonomy, empowerment, collaboration, and engagement. Four antecedents, three surrogate terms, eight related concepts, and nine primary consequences of learner-centered teaching were also identified. Exemplar cases of learner-centered teaching emerged from personal teaching practice experience and the empirical literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Learner-centered teaching is a complex concept with many aspects conceptualized or operationalized which make it difficult to authoritatively define the concept. However, the features of learner-centered teaching identified in this analysis offered a good basis for the evaluation, application, and further development of the concept in nursing.

Effective communication between nurses and patients: an evolutionary concept analysis

Communication can be considered as the basis of the nurse-patient relationship and is an essential element in building trust and comfort in nursing care. Effective communication is a fundamental but complex concept in nursing practice. This concept analysis aims to clarify effective communication and its impact on patient care using Rodgers's (1989) evolutionary framework of concept analysis. Effective communication between nurses and patients is presented along with surrogate terms, attributes, antecedents, consequences, related concepts and a model case. Effective communication was identified to be a multifactorial concept and defines as a mutual agreement between nurses and patients. This influences the nursing process, clinical reasoning and decision-making. Consequently, promotes high-quality nursing care, positive patient outcome and patient's and nurse's satisfaction of care.