Nurses’ views of fundamental relational skills used in clinical practice: a cross-sectional pilot study

Objective

Effective communication skills are one of the core competencies of nursing curricula internationally. Nurses are generally regarded as proficient. Despite our complete trust in the profession, deficiencies and gaps exist. However, it is not clear to which extent nurses use key communication skills in practice, and whether or not confident in using these skills compounds environmental issues that occur. This study explored nurse's confidence and application of relational skills competencies in nursing practice.

Methods

A 13-item online survey was used to collect data.

Results

Being self-aware on key areas where there was more uncertainty. Nurses also lacked confidence in exploring the impact of their personal feelings and values on their interactions. Nurses were also less confident on responding appropriately to instances of unsafe or unprofessional practice and using information and communication systems and technology.

Conclusions

Given the potential impact of poor relational skills on quality client care, an increased emphasis on caring and compassion, and the ever-expanding use of communication technologies, there is a need to explore the need for reflective practice to enhance continuous professional development for nurses to enhance their relational skills.

Nursing Students' Technological Equipment Usage and Individual Innovation Levels

Technological equipment is an indispensable part of many people's lives. In parallel with this development, the role of innovation is critical to nurses' ability to provide patient care. Today, nursing students have grown up with technology. Therefore, the field is expected to be more open to innovation in nursing care. It is thought that the use of technological equipment influences the level of innovation. The purpose of this study was to determine nursing students' technological equipment usage, individual innovation levels, and the relationship between them. This descriptive study employed a correlational design during the 2015-2016 academic year at a Nursing Department in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Istanbul. The study population comprised 199 nursing students. The study sample included 165 students who volunteered to participate and were chosen at random. Most (93.3%) of the students were women, and the mean age was 20.92 ± 1.63 years. Data were collected using a devised structured-question form, the Technological Device Use Habits Scale, and the Individual Innovation Scale. Participants' mean scores on the Technological Equipment Usage (a subscale of the Technological Device Use Habits Scale) and on the Individual Innovation Scale were 135.15 ± 27.09 and 61.02 ± 8.89, respectively. Students' technological equipment usage subscale was higher than the other subscales; furthermore, their individual innovation levels revealed that they were "questioners." Several factors affected students' technological equipment usage and individual innovation levels including their age, income, work status, usage of social networking sites, Internet connection type, and if they considered themselves as innovative. The role of technological innovation is critical to nurses' ability to provide patient care.

Nurses' perceptions of the clinical information system in primary healthcare centres in Qatar: a cross-sectional survey

Background

Qatar is one of the fastest growing countries in the Arabic region. Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is the main provider of primary health services in Qatar and employs 1600 nurses. In 2014, PHCC started to migrate from paper to electronic documentation of patient records using a clinical information system (CIS). Since implementation, the use of CIS and perception of users have not been assessed.

Objective

This study measured nurses’ perceptions regarding the utilisation, quality and user satisfaction with the CIS in PHCC.

Methods

Using a pre-existing survey, a cross-section of nurses from six health centres in Qatar were systematically selected and invited to participate in the study. Eighty-nine surveys were completed (response rate: 98.8%) and descriptive analyses were performed.

Results

Nurses’ perceptions regarding the utilisation, quality and user satisfaction with the CIS were positive. Nurses indicated that the CIS is a resource for clear, accurate and up-to-date data and that their performance improved due to the CIS. Yet responses to an open-ended question in the survey revealed some concerns related to the CIS, such as patient confidentiality, system downtime and time constraints.

Conclusion

Ensuring that the CIS is facilitating nurses’ work is crucial to guarantee high-quality care to the community. The findings provide foundational data to help PHCC to understand nurses’ perceptions and to take steps to overcome challenges that nurses face related to the CIS in their daily practice. This work could also provide direction for future research.

Australian parents' experiences when discussing their child's overweight and obesity with the Maternal and Child Health nurse: A qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore parents' experiences when discussing child overweight issues with the Maternal and Child Health nurse.

BACKGROUND

Community-based child and family health nurses are in a unique position to discuss child overweight and obesity with parents. However, studies of parents' experiences in this context are lacking.

METHOD

Ten mothers of children identified as overweight or obese from regional Victoria, Australia, were interviewed in 2017. Data were analysed using an inductive qualitative thematic approach. The COREQ guidelines were used to ensure study rigour.

RESULTS

In summary, the analysis revealed experiences of Maternal and Child Health nurses "brushing over" the topic, with a lack of information provided about how to tackle the problem at home. The interpersonal relationship aspect of continuity of care was described as facilitating awareness of the child's overweight, although mothers expressed confusion about what constituted a "healthy weight range." While some mothers perceived the nurse's role was to offer evidence-based information and support, others saw the family doctor as the appropriate health professional to address the problem.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that parents are often left unsure how to manage their child's weight despite the child being identified as overweight or obese by their Maternal and Child Health nurse.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Discussions about overweight and obesity may be facilitated by continuity of care where established relationships serve as a facilitator for effective communication. The findings further indicate a need for more structured support of Maternal and Child Health nurses working with parents of young children identified as overweight or obese, including ongoing education, skill development and improved understanding of parental health literacy and its links to childhood obesity.