Development and Assessment of Professional Competences among Polish Nursing Students during a 3-Year Education Cycle Trying

The essence of the profile of nursing professional competences are basic behavioral characteristics, as well as mastering practical skills. The aim of this study was determination of the development of professional competences of perceiving a patient by first-, second-and third-year students of licentiate nursing study. The study was of a longitudinal character, and lasted for 3 years. The research instrument used was the Ascent to Competence Scale, and traditional assessment of students’ knowledge and skills. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the average grade in practical education from all three years, and competences in student–teacher relationship. Higher grades in theoretical education were accompanied by lower results obtained by students in the area of nursing competences. The respondents’ opinions concerning the development of knowledge and professional skills were relatively high among first-year students, which may be related with a sharp increase in nursing knowledge, whereas third-year students considered it important to perceive a considerable development of professional competences. The results of this study can help in the design of education programs meeting quality standards, and alignment with students and population health needs, which is adequate to the assumptions of the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021–2025.

Social and economic benefits of secondary prevention of arterial hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Arterial blood pressure is one of the main vital signs reflecting body functions and, at the same time, the most important functional parameter of the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is the major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was assessment of the frequency of occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors, with particular consideration of arterial blood pressure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted among 509 volunteers from Lublin in eastern Poland who participated in the prophylactic programme entitled 'White Sunday'. Standard measurements of blood pressure were performed using a TM-Z dial pressure gauge. The level of arterial blood pressure and socio-demographic parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

Hypertension was more frequently observed in the group of males than females. The age group especially vulnerable to abnormal blood pressure values were those aged 51-60. Isolated hypertension significantly more often occurred in the group of respondents who mentioned hypertension in an interview, compared to those who reported its absence. Among 367 persons who, in preliminary interview, did not declare hypertension, 60 cases of isolated arterial hypertension were noted (16.3%). From among respondents who declared absence of hypertension in an interview, the largest age group diagnosed with isolated arterial hypertension were those aged 61-70 (17.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial hypertension is a civilisation disease which may be effectively prevented, simultaneously reducing the risk of premature death due to cardiovascular events, as well as reducing social and economic costs. International health organizations recommend the implementation of social screening programmes in order to diagnose high blood pressure and the promotion of routine measurements of arterial blood pressure.

Quality of life of patients undergoing specific allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION

Although allergic diseases have been known since antiquity, both their understanding and systematics came later. The World Allergy Organization (WAO) defines the phenomenon of atopy as a predisposition of a person or family to the uncontrolled synthesis and release of IgE antibodies. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most important clinical diseases of rhinitis (NN, rhinitis). AR significantly reduces the quality of life, tends to increase, and its consequences may be life-threatening diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the quality of life of patients who underwent specific allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted at the Center for Specialist Allergology in Lublin between October 2018 - February 2019. The study covered a group of 157 patients. The diagnostic method used was a questionnaire. The first research tool was own questionnaire consisting of 31 questions. The second tool was the standardized questionnaire, the Polish version of the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Studies have shown statistically significant changes in the symptoms of before and after immunotherapy, which means improving the quality of life and reducing the severity of symptoms and problems of respondents after therapy. The respondents were not in the best of health (50%). Over 50% of respondents said that the immunotherapy process significantly reduced personal / family expenses for treatment associated with allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The conducted process of specific allergen immunotherapy improved the quality of life of respondents by increasing awareness of the quality of life through the prism of health change in relation to the general indicator in the area of mental problems by reducing their nuisance value more than in the area of somatic symptoms.

An evaluation of the genetic conditioning of evoking pain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Pain is an integral element of the pathogenic process and sometimes determines its course. Disorders in pain sensation, as well as its lack, the pain threshold, and variability in sensation of the same pain stimuli as more or less intensive by different persons, may be genetically conditioned. The aim of the study is to examine genes in pathogenesis of chronic pain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in a specially selected group of 31 persons: study group - 20 patients with chronic pain, and control group - 11 healthy individuals who did not experience pain. The control group of 11 healthy persons, compared with the study group, was the catalyst for determining the relative quantification (RQ) of gene expression. Biological material in the form of venous blood was collected from the study participants into the tubes containing anticoagulant EDTA KE/2.7 ml (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), preventing extracorporeal blood clotting.

RESULTS

Analysis of expression of the examined genes showed over-expression of the DRD1 gene in patients experiencing chronic pain, which means that in these patients an increased number of dopamine D1 receptors encoded by this gene should be expected. The dopamine D1 receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor which regulates (stimulates or inhibits) adenyl cyclase - the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP). An increase in the concentration of cAMP in neurons enhances the sensation of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The genes (DRD1, COMT, OPRK1, HCN2) have a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain in various diseases; they can also influence the perception of pain. Knowledge of these genes can contribute to the development of effective methods of combating pain.