Self-care

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of nursing and social work students who were taking courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus group discussions gave students a chance to express the pandemic's effects on their education and life. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological approach using Van Manen's Four Lifeworld Existentials guided this study. Using an open-ended format, interviews were conducted in 6 small groups ranging from 2 to 9 individuals, in person or via Zoom...

The CONfidence app was developed to address an unmet need for access to self-help advice and information for bladder and bowel incontinence. The app was developed by the Bladder and Bowel CONfidence Health Integration Team and Expert Self Care and this paper describes the evolution of this innovation to empower patients and the public with bladder and bowel leakage. The app is intended to provide a proactive approach to continence promotion and not replace formal healthcare. Crucial steps were identified to ensuring this resource was accessible and understandable for the intended audience including: input from national clinical experts and individuals with lived experience to co-produce content, clear definition of scope, technical expertise in app development, clear language avoiding jargon or medical terms, credibility assurance and a strategic plan for dissemination...

BACKGROUND: Advanced cancer patients with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (score 0-1) are underrepresented in current qualitative reports compared with their dying counterparts. AIM: To explore the experiences and care needs of advanced cancer patients with good ECOG. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological approach using semi-structured interview was employed. Data was analyzed using the Colaizzi's method...

BACKGROUND: For families with children diagnosed with complex illnesses, the COVID-19 pandemic added many challenges. In order to mitigate inevitable disruptions in pediatric care settings, caregivers may need added supports and resources. The Keeping Hope Possible (KHP) Toolkit is a self-administered intervention intended to enhance caregiving experiences of parents with a child with multiple needs. However, little is known about effectively disseminating the Toolkit. PURPOSE AND METHODS: A qualitative, thematic analysis was conducted to explore the opinions and perceptions of pediatric nurses and allied healthcare providers (HCPs) in relation to the dissemination and use of the KHP Toolkit for use by families with complex medical needs...

PURPOSE: The impact of well-crafted IEP goals on student outcomes is well-documented, but creating high-quality goals can be a challenging task for many special education teachers. This study aims to investigate potential effectiveness of using ChatGPT, an AI technology, in supporting development of high-quality, individualized IEP goals for preschool children with autism. METHODS: Thirty special education teachers working with preschool children with autism were randomly assigned to either the ChatGPT or control groups...

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BACKGROUND: The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) is a widely used instrument used to measure self-care in both research and clinical settings. The lack of a psychometric evaluation of the traditional Chinese version of the SCHFI (SCHFI-C) might limit its utilization in non-Mainland Chinese populations such as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SCHFI-C v.7.2. METHODS: Participants included 365 adults with heart failure...

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is prevalent among women of reproductive age, but most do not seek medical advice. We hypothesized that building PMS awareness could promote medical help-seeking for PMS and thus reduce menstrual symptoms and improve work productivity. METHODS: In January 2020, women aged between 25 and 44 years, having paid work, and not currently consulting with an obstetrics and gynecology doctor (n = 3090) responded to the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), the Premenstrual Symptoms screening tool, and the World Health Organisation Health and Work Performance Questionnaire...

BACKGROUND: Patients with a stroke often cannot care for themselves after hospital discharge. Assessment of their self-care ability is the first step in planning post-discharge home care. This study aimed to design and validate a measure of perceived self-care ability (PSCA) in stroke patients. METHODS: A sequential-exploratory mixed method was conducted in Tehran, Iran, in 2020-2021. The qualitative phase involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 participants...

Wilson's disease is caused by abnormal copper metabolism resulting in deposition in various organs, including the brain, liver, and cornea, thus disrupting organ function. It is characterized by encephalopathy, extrapyramidal symptoms, progressive liver failure, and copper ring deposition in the cornea. Management of this disease should include quality of life maintenance; however, relevant studies on this topic are lacking. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Wilson's disease...

BACKGROUND: In discharge phase process, supporting patients to develop their own self-care strategies will increase their self-management skills and reduce complications and other health problems that may arise. AIM: The aim of the study is to examine the learning needs of individuals with burns regarding pre-discharge care and treatment and the factors affecting them. METHOD: Data from this cross-sectional study was collected with the "Descriptive Characteristics Form" and "Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS)"...

OBJECTIVES: To assess the daily function of children with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDARe) after a minimal follow-up of 5 years. METHODS: Patients 18 years and younger by the time of disease onset, whose serum and CSF were studied in our center between 2013 and 2017, were included in the study. Patients' daily life function was assessed by their physicians using a 15-domain question format (Liverpool Outcome Score). RESULTS: Of 76 patients, 8 (11%) died and 68 were followed for a mean of 7...

This feasibility study reports on the development and initial evaluation of a novel online intervention for helping professionals (HPs; i.e. mental health professionals, chaplains, clergy) designed to (a) address occupational hazards, such as burnout and vicarious traumatization, and (b) promote well-being and flourishing at work. In contrast with competency and self-care focused models, the CHRYSALIS (Catalyzing Helping Professionals' Resilience, VitalitY, Spirituality, Authentic Living, and Inner Strength) intervention centers the self of the provider, explores cultural and spiritual contexts, and attends to systemic challenges...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the combination of CICARE (C - Connect, I - Introduce, C - Communicate, A - Ask, R - Respond, E - Exit) communication model and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) poultice on muscle strength and depression levels in patients. METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups: basic treatment group, basic treatment + TCM poultice group, and combined treatment group. Conventional rehabilitation therapy, TCM poultice external application, and the combination of both with the CICARE communication model were applied in the respective groups...

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a serious public health concern. It is associated with many psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These co-morbidities are associated with improper adherence to treatment, self-care, poor glycemic control, more complications, and worse outcomes. METHODS: This study aimed to measure the level of medication adherence among type 2 diabetics in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, and to find its association with their psychological status (specifically, depression and anxiety)...

Patient-centered care (PCC) is a key domain of healthcare quality. Its importance is driven by evidence-based medicine, the predominance of chronic conditions requiring self-care, and the recognition of the priority of patient goals, values, priorities, and preferences in determining care plans. This article emphasizes the urgent need for Africa to develop PCC and a workforce committed to its implementation, as well as highlights an initiative by African medical students to champion PCC continent-wide. Embracing this transformative approach presents Africa with an unprecedented opportunity to improve care for each person...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between acute-phase gait speed and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: 1,475 patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke. METHODS: The patients were divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of gait speed, namely ≤0.8, 0.8-1.1, ≥1.1 m/s. Gait speed was assessed by the 10-m walking test within 2 weeks of hospitalization for acute stroke and before the rehabilitation programme...

OBJECTIVES: We aim to independently assess the validity of the damage index for antiphospholipid syndrome (DIAPS) in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients by exploring the prevalence and risk factors of organ damage and evaluating its impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including all thrombotic APS patients (Sydney criteria) attending a Portuguese tertiary centre. Damage was assessed using the DIAPS, and HR-QoL using the 3- and 5-level EuroQol HR-QoL (EQ-D5-3L and 5L), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) applied via a phone questionnaire...

Critical consciousness is a powerful tool for individuals from marginalized groups to transcend their oppressive conditions through engagement in critical reflection, motivation, and action. Nonetheless, the mental health benefits and costs of critical consciousness have received limited research attention. The present study utilized a longitudinal research design to explore the positive and negative relationships between critical consciousness and mental health among sexual minority individuals in different developmental stages...

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients experience distress as a result of their health condition, which, in turn, contributes to the progression of the disease. Moreover, their daily activities, well-being, and health status are significantly impacted by pain and other symptoms. In this context, empowering these patients with self-care and pain management skills can greatly contribute to effective symptom control. AIM: To develop and implement an educational approach focused on empowering family caregivers and patients with advanced cancer in effectively managing pain at home...