Psychometric Properties of the Turkish CardioToxicity Management Self-Efficacy Scale for Nurses

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the CardioToxicity Management Self-Efficacy Scale (NSS-CTC) in Turkey.

METHOD

This methodological and descriptive study was undertaken with 204 oncology nurses. Information was gathered using a descriptive questionnaire and the NSS-CTC instrument. In the validity analysis of the scale, explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used. In the reliability analysis, Cronbach α coefficient and Pearson correlation analysis were used to examine item-total score correlations, and Student t-test was used for test-retest analysis.

RESULTS

The scale, characterized by a two-dimensional structure confirmed through factor analysis, exhibited an explained variance rate of 60.44%. The factor loadings exceeded the threshold of 0.30, and all fitness indices surpassed the criterion of 0.90. Furthermore, the root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) fell below 0.080 and demonstrated statistical significance. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, as indicated by the overall Cronbach α coefficient of 0.930, with its subdimensions exhibiting similarly high reliability, reflected in Cronbach α values of 0.871 and 0.912, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The NSS-CTS is a valid and reliable tool specifically developed for evaluating nurses' self-efficacy in the context of oncology wards, particularly in managing cardiotoxicity resulting from cancer treatments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

This newly developed scale holds significant promise in gauging nurses' confidence levels when confronted with the intricacies of cardiotoxicity management. It responds to the growing imperative for nurses to continually enhance their knowledge and skills to effectively address the evolving challenges associated with cardiotoxicity in cancer care.

Therapeutic communication skills level among students undertaking the pediatric nursing course and the associated influencing factors

AIM

The present study to determine the level of therapeutic communication skills among the students undertaking the pediatric nursing course and explore the associated influencing factors.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 140 nursing students who took the pediatric nursing course. Data were collected using a Nursing Student Information Form and the Therapeutic Communication Skills Scale for Nursing Students. The mean and percentage calculations, t-test, ANOVA test, and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the correlations between the participants' descriptive characteristics and their mean scores on the scales.

RESULTS

The participants' mean scores obtained on the total Therapeutic Communication Skills Scale for Nursing Students and all of its subdimensions were observed to have a statistically significant correlation with variables such as gender, grade point average, willingness to select the nursing department, satisfaction with the nursing department, difficulty in establishing communication, perceived ability to establish social relations, difficulty in communicating with a child, perception of childhood life, experience with child care, fondness for children, interest in playing therapeutic games with children, and perceived ability to communicate with children. In Model 1, certain descriptive characteristics (satisfaction with the nursing department, difficulty in communicating with a child, experience with child care, interest in playing therapeutic games with children, and perceived ability to communicate with children) explained 52.4% of the therapeutic communication skills scores of the pediatric nursing students and were statistically significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, it was determined that some of the descriptive characteristics of the students who took the pediatric nursing course had a significant effect on their therapeutic communication skills.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In order to develop the therapeutic communication skills of students undertaking a pediatric nursing course, it is necessary to support these students with a standard curriculum that includes student-centered, innovative, and interactive educational methods, such as role play, case analysis, and video-based learning. It is also recommended to conduct comparative studies on different educational approaches for nursing students undertaking pediatric nursing courses or meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of such approaches.

Comparison of Heparin and Saline for Prevention of Central Venous Catheter Occlusion in Pediatric Oncology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The management of central venous catheter (CVC) occlusion remains an area without clear evidence-based guidelines. Studies have been conducted that compare the use of heparin and normal saline for reducing thrombosis, but the evidence is not strong enough to suggest a significant advantage of one over the other. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of heparin and normal saline flushing in preventing CVC occlusion in pediatric patients with cancer.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov platform using specific keywords. The search was conducted until March 2022. Five randomized controlled trials are included in this study.

CONCLUSION

Five studies with a total of 316 pediatric cancer patients met the inclusion criteria. The studies were found to be heterogeneous due to variations in the types of cancer, heparin concentration, flushing frequency of CVCs, and methods used to measure occlusion. Despite these differences, there was no significant difference in the effect of flushing with heparin and normal saline in preventing CVC occlusion. The analysis revealed that normal saline is as effective as heparin in preventing CVC occlusion among pediatric cancer patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the use of heparin and normal saline flushing in preventing CVC occlusion among pediatric cancer patients. Considering the potential risks of heparin, the use of normal saline flushing may be recommended to prevent CVC obstruction.

The effect of text message reminders on nausea, vomiting and quality of life in children with cancer receiving cisplatin

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine the effect of text message reminders on nausea, vomiting, and quality of life in children with cancer receiving cisplatin.

METHODS

The study was conducted with a pretest-posttest unpaired group model design. The study included 80 children with cancer and their parents (40 controls and 40 experiments) aged between 8 and 18 years, who were on cisplatin treatment, who did not have cognitive disability as a clinical diagnosis, who received chemotherapy during their stay in the clinic, who were literate in Turkish and who volunteered to participate in the study. The educational contents prepared by the researchers to reduce nausea and vomiting were sent to the parents in the experimental group in the form of a text message every day for three weeks. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

While NVTS, ARINVc, ARINVp, Quality of Life Scale pretest and posttest mean scores of both 8-12 and 13-18 age control group children were similar, it was determined that the experimental group's posttest mean scores were higher than the pretest mean scores, and there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental group's pretest and posttest mean scores in terms of the group, time and group*time. In this study, the education program explains 42%, 15%, 16%, 43%, and 43% of the increase in the mean scores of NVTS, ARINVc, ARINVp, Quality of Life Scale Child and Parent Form, respectively, in children aged 8-12. Also, the education program explains 10%, 27%, 28%, 38%, and 39% of the increase in the mean scores of NVTS, ARINVc, ARINVp, Quality of Life Scale Adolescent and Parent Form, respectively, in children aged 13-18.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been observed that text message reminders effectively reduce the level of nausea and vomiting and increase the quality of life.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study, text message reminders can be applied as an alternative intervention method, and including technology-based practices in the care of children with cancer is important in increasing the quality of care.

The effects of administered interventions on quality of life of children with cancer in Turkey: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyse the effects of administered interventions on the quality of life of children with cancer in Turkey.

METHODS

The quantitative studies conducted with paediatric oncology patients, analysing the quality of life of Turkish children, and published papers from 2009 to 2019 were searched. Joanna Briggs Institution MAStARI Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Control List and Quality Index were used for methodological assessment. Five studies comprising a total of 264 samples were included. Four studies were nonrandomised controlled trials, and one was a quasi-experimental study.

RESULTS

Tests for heterogeneity showed that the studies, which included interventions increasing the quality of life of children with cancer, were heterogeneous. The common effect size of all studies on quality of life was determined as having a strong positive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis and systematic review contribute to the knowledge of Turkish health care professionals regarding these interventions by producing results with high levels of evidence on the improvement of the quality of life among children with cancer. The present study also significantly raises awareness and encourages health care professionals to implement interventions for the improvement of quality of life among children with cancer.

The predict of metacognitive awareness of nursing students on self-confidence and anxiety in clinical decision-making

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the affect that metacognitive awareness in nursing students has on self-confidence and anxiety with respect to clinical decision-making.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample for this descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study consisted of 186 nursing students who voluntarily participated. Data were collected using the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision-Making Scale. Correlation and regression analyses were then performed on the data.

FINDINGS

Nursing students' metacognitive awareness level explained the three subdimensions of self-confidence in clinical decision-making by 26.7% (r²  = 0.267, p < 0.01), 24.6% (r²  = 0.246, p < 0.01), and 26.8% (r²  = 0.268, p < 0.01), respectively. Nursing students' metacognitive awareness level explained the three subdimensions of anxiety in clinical decision-making by 3.7% (r²  = 0.037, p < 0.01), 3.2% (r²  = 0.03, p < 0.05), and 2.4% (r²  = 0.024, p < 0.05), respectively.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Clinical decision-making skills can be supported by increasing students' metacognitive awareness.

Nurses' Attitudes Towards Death and Their Effects on Spirituality and Spiritual Care

This study aimed to determine the effect of nurses' attitudes towards death on spirituality and spiritual care. This is a descriptive and correlational study. There was a moderate correlation between the total score on the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale and the total and subdimension scores on the Attitude Towards Death Scale. It was found that the scores on the subdimensions of objective acceptance, escaping/acceptance and fear of death explained 41.7% of nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care. For holistic nursing care, it is very important that nurses are aware of their patients' spiritual needs and are capable of providing supportive spiritual service without regard for their own attitudes towards or spiritual thoughts about death.

Factors affecting knowledge levels of oncology nurses about skin cancer and sun protection

OBJECTIVE

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study that determines the factors affecting the knowledge levels of oncology nurses for skin cancer and sun protection.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This study was performed on the members of the Turkish Oncology Nursing Association and oncology nurses working in hospitals in Turkey between November 2019 and March 2020. Data were collected by using the Nurse Information Form and Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge (SCSK) scale. For data analysis, average and percentage calculations and multiple linear regression analyses were used. The significance level was set at p < .05.

RESULTS

We found those female nurses who were above 40 years of age and having darker skin tone due to excessive sun exposure, with a family history of skin cancer, and educated on skin cancer, performed better on the SCSK scale. We found a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of skin cancer and sun exposure. Using multiple regression analysis, a model was created based on the relationship between variables. In this model, the personality traits of oncology nurses are responsible for higher (91.1%) knowledge levels on skin cancer and sun exposure.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is important to consider factors that will influence an individual's behaviour while developing skin cancer and sun protection programmes.

The effect of web-based pediatric palliative care education on the palliative care knowledge level and practices of nursing students

PURPOSE

This study is aimed to investigate the effect of web-based pediatric palliative care education on nursing students' knowledge level and practices related to palliative care.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 265 nursing students including an intervention and a control group. The intervention group was given web-based pediatric palliative care education.

FINDINGS

A statistically significant difference was found between the total and subscale pretest and posttest scores of the students in the intervention and control groups regarding the palliative care knowledge level and self-reported palliative care practices.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The web-based pediatric palliative care education is an effective training model for nursing students to improve palliative care knowledge level and practices of the students.

The Effect of Fatigue-Related Education on Pediatric Oncology Patients' Fatigue and Quality of Life

The identification of cancer-related fatigue as a clinical problem in pediatric oncology is an important phenomenon, and there are limited number of studies about raising the awareness of pediatric oncology patients and their parents. Fatigue-related education for patients and their parents before and during cancer treatment reduces the fatigue levels of patients. This study aims to analyze the effect of fatigue-related education for pediatric oncology patients aged 7-12 and their parents on their fatigue and quality of life. This study was conducted with 80 children with cancer and their parents who were assigned to either the control group (n = 40) or the experimental group (n = 40). The experimental group received a fatigue-related educational program. The data were collected three times: prior to the program, 3 months later, and 6 months afterwards. Multidimensional variance analysis, the Bonferroni adjusted t test and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. A significant difference was found among the experimental and the control group for total mean scores and the mean scores of subdimensions of the Scale for the Assessment of Fatigue-Child Form in terms of the interactions of group, time, and group*time (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found among the experimental and control groups' mean scores on the Scale for the Quality of Life-Child and Parents Form in terms of the interactions of group, time, and group*time (p < 0.05). Fatigue-related education is an effective education model as a way to reduce fatigue and increase the quality of life of children with cancer. The use of fatigue-related education by nurses in pediatric oncology clinics will have positive effects on children and their parents.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Emotional Eating Scale for children and adolescents

This methodological-descriptive-sectional study was performed to assess the validity and reliability of the "Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Use in Children and Adolescents (EES-C)" scale in Turkey. The sample group of the study was composed of 576 children and adolescents. The data were obtained by using the demographic data collection form and "Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Use in Children and Adolescents (EES-C)". Cronbach's alpha values for the scale and its subscales were 0.90, 0.86, 0.76 and 0.71; respectively. Item-total correlations for the scale changed between 0.57 and 0.99 (p<0.001). The indices of Model Fit were determined to be Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSA)=0.051, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI)=0.91 and Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.97. According to our results, it has been shown that the scale is a valid/reliable instrument to detect the emotional eating of Turkish children and adolescents. EES-C is a convenient tool for professionals to manage and prevent the emotional eating problems.