Engaging Patients in Atrial Fibrillation Self-Care: Opportunities for Future Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110370
Author(s):  
Ryan E. Wilson ◽  
Kathy L. Rush
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 619-628
Author(s):  
Youn-Jung Son ◽  
Kyoung Hwa Baek ◽  
Mi Hwa Won ◽  
Hye Chong Hong

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) require continuous self-care due to possible complications and side effects from treatment. However, existing tools do not capture all of the critical factors of AF self-care and have limited evidence of reliability and validity. Aims The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new Atrial Fibrillation Self-Care Scale-10 (AF-SCS-10) that assesses disease-specific, multidimensional, person-centered self-care for AF patients in South Korea. Methods For this cross-sectional research design, 290 individuals over 20 years of age with a diagnosis of AF for at least three months were recruited. A literature review and in-depth interviews were utilized to identify the scale items. An expert panel evaluated the validity and reliability of a preliminary scale. Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis was performed to extract factors; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate fit on the factor structures. Criterion validity was supported by the correlation between AF-SCS-10 and AF quality of life. Results The internal consistency reliability coefficient was 0.87. Three factors, “self-care knowledge,” “self-care behavior,” and “self-care resources” were extracted from the exploratory factory analysis, explaining 79.30% of the total variance in the data. The three-factor model was also confirmed by parallel analysis; CFA met the fitness criteria. Conclusion There is preliminary evidence for internal consistency reliability, as well as content and construct validity, for the AF-SCS-10. Future research is needed to confirm the study results using a larger, more culturally diverse sample.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Louise Witteman ◽  
Herman A. van Wietmarschen ◽  
Esther T. van der Werf

Due to the excessive use of antibiotic and antimycotic treatments, the risk of resistant microbes and fungi is rapidly emerging. Previous studies have demonstrated that many women with (recurrent) urinary tract infection (UTI) and/or vaginal infections (VIs) welcome alternative management approaches to reduce the use of antibiotics and antifungals and avoid short- and long-term adverse effects. This study aims to determine which complementary medicine (CM) and self-care strategies are being used by women suffering from (recurrent) UTI and VI in The Netherlands and how they perceive their effectiveness in order to define directions for future research on safety, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of best practices. A cross-sectional online survey was performed among women, ≥18 years old, with a history of UTIs; 162 respondents were included in the data analysis, with most participants aged between 50 and 64 years (36.4%). The women reported having consulted a CM practitioner for UTI-specific symptoms (23.5%) and VI-specific symptoms (13.6%). Consultations of homeopaths, acupuncturists, and herbal physicians are most often reported. Overall, 81.7% of the women suffering from UTI used complementary or self-care strategies besides regular treatment, and 68.7% reported using CM/self-care strategies to treat vaginal symptoms. UTI- related use of cranberries (51.9%), vitamin C (43.8%), and D-mannose (32.7%) were most reported. Perceived effectiveness was mostly reported for homeopathic remedies and D-mannose. The results showed a substantial burden of UTI and VI on daily and sexual activities. Besides the frequency of use, the indication of perceived effectiveness seems to be an important parameter for further and rigorously designed research to encourage nonantibiotic/antifungal treatment implementation into daily clinical practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mac Leod Dyess ◽  
Angela S. Prestia ◽  
Doren-Elyse Marquit ◽  
David Newman

Acute care practice settings are stressful. Nurse leaders face stressful demands of numerous competing priorities. Some nurse leaders experience unmanageable stress, but success requires self-care. This article presents a repeated measures intervention design study using mixed methods to investigate a self-care simple meditation practice for nurse leaders. Themes and subthemes emerged in association with the three data collection points: at baseline (pretest), after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks (posttest) from introduction of the self-care simple meditation practice. An analysis of variance yielded a statistically significant drop in perceived stress at 6 weeks and again at 12 weeks. Conducting future research is merited.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noshin Khan

This qualitative study employed an ethnographic approach to explore perspectives of children and adolescents on diabetes self-care. Their knowledge of diabetes and feelings about having the disease was also addressed. Rooted in the new sociological approach that acknowledges children’s right to participate in issues that concern them, forty eight paediatric patients between the ages of five and eighteen years participated in individual interviews. Participants were recruited from a diabetes outpatient clinic within the largest paediatric hospital in Canada. Data were coded using McCracken’s (1988) method of analysis. This paper presents a focused analysis of three major themes: self-care, knowledge and feelings. In-depth analyses of these integrated themes provided a rich understanding of how children and adolescents with diabetes come to accept their disease and how the process of self-care evolves over time. Despite the emotional challenges and complexity of managing diabetes, children and adolescents spoke of a resolve and readiness to obtain more knowledge about their disease. This paper describes the process of diabetes self-care from the perspectives of children and adolescents and offers suggestions for clinical practice and future research.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia ◽  
Laura Soares Rodrigues Silva ◽  
Ana Cristina Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Vander Monteiro da Conceição ◽  
Everson Meireles ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS, 33-item) in a Brazilian hospice and palliative care context. Method This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 336 Brazilian hospice and palliative care providers. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer — Quality of Life Group Translation Procedure protocol was used for the translation and the cultural adaptation process. Psychometric properties supporting the use of the MSCS were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation analysis with other instruments to assess congruence to related constructs (resilience and self-compassion). The reliability of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the MSCS was assessed using Cronbach's α and composite reliability coefficients. Results The six-factor (33-item) model showed a good fit to the data, with satisfactory reliability indices and adequate representation of the scale's internal structure. Further validity is evidenced in the significant, positive correlations found between the MSCS, and similar well-being constructs, namely the Self-Compassion and Resilience scales. Significance of results The findings reveal that the MSCS (33-item) is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate instrument to examine the practice of mindful self-care by hospice and palliative care providers in Brazil. More broadly, it represents a promising instrument for future research into self-care practices and well-being among Brazilian healthcare providers.


Author(s):  
Elaine Wittenberg ◽  
Joy V. Goldsmith ◽  
Sandra L. Ragan ◽  
Terri Ann Parnell

There is little evidence for caregiver assessment and interventions based on unique social and contextual factors of caregiving. Current approaches to caring for the family caregiver involve a “one size fits all” approach where caregiver assessment may or may not occur, and there is no link between identification of caregiver needs and recommended resources. When caregiver assessment does occur, it does not involve unique caregiving characteristics that positively impact communication and health literacy. Caring for the Family Caregiver, a communication and health literacy framework, is introduced and consists of teaching healthcare providers to address caregiving types by finding disease information, assessing and integrating information, partnering with the caregiver, finding support, talking with the caregiver, and planning for caregiver self-care. Directions for future research are also summarized.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Ferguson ◽  
Louise D Hickman ◽  
Jane Phillips ◽  
Phillip J Newton ◽  
Sally C Inglis ◽  
...  

Background: There is a need to improve cardiovascular nurses’ knowledge and practices related to stroke prevention, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation therapy. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EVICOAG – a novel mHealth, smartphone-based, spaced-learning intervention on nurses’ knowledge of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation. Methods: Nurses employed in four clinical specialties (neuroscience, stroke, rehabilitation, cardiology) across three hospitals were invited to participate. In this quasi-experimental study, 12 case-based atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation learning scenarios (hosted by an mHealth platform) were delivered to participants’ smartphones over a 6-week period (July–December 2016) using a spaced timing algorithm. Electronic surveys to assess awareness and knowledge were administered pre (T1) and post (T2) intervention. Results: From 74 participants recruited to T1, 40 completed T2. There was a 54% mean improvement in knowledge levels post-intervention. The largest improvement was achieved in domains related to medication interaction and stroke and bleeding risk assessment. Post-intervention, those who completed T2 were significantly more likely to use CHA2DS2-VASc (2.5% vs. 37.5%) and HAS-BLED (2.5% vs. 35%) tools to assess stroke and bleeding risk, respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion: The EVICOAG intervention improved nurses’ knowledge of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation, and influenced their uptake and use of stroke and bleeding risk assessment tools in clinical practice. Future research should focus on whether a similar intervention might improve patient-centred outcomes such as patients’ knowledge of their condition and therapies, medication adherence, time in the therapeutic range and quality of life.


Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn J Lee ◽  
Shari E Miller ◽  
Brian E Bride

Abstract Self-care is regarded as essential for effective social work practice, offsetting occupational stress and promoting well-being and resiliency among practitioners. However, the literature reveals a notable absence of psychometrically sound instruments to measure self-care. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, refinement, and construct validity of the Self-Care Practices Scale (SCPS). The piloted version of the SCPS is a 38-item instrument designed to measure frequency of engagement in personal and professional self-care practices. Data were collected through mailed surveys from a random sample of master’s-level clinical social workers and members of the National Association of Social Workers (N = 492). Analysis supports the construct validity of an 18-item SCPS with two subscales that demonstrate strong internal validity. The SCPS is useful for social work educators, practitioners, and administrators to ascertain frequency of self-care practice and build a stronger culture of self-care. The role of SCPS in future research is discussed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Rosland ◽  
John D. Piette

Objectives: We identify recent models for programmes aiming to increase effective family support for chronic illness management and self-care among adult patients without significant physical or cognitive disabilities. We then summarize evidence regarding the efficacy for each model identified. Methods: Structured review of studies published in medical and psychology databases from 1990 to the present, reference review, general Web searches and conversations with family intervention experts. Review was limited to studies on conditions that require ongoing self-management, such as diabetes, chronic heart disease and rheumatologic disease. Results: Programmes with three separate foci were identified: (1) Programmes that guide family members in setting goals for supporting patient self-care behaviours have led to improved implementation of family support roles, but have mixed success improving patient outcomes. (2) Programmes that train family in supportive communication techniques, such as prompting patient coping techniques or use of autonomy supportive statements, have successfully improved patient symptom management and health behaviours. (3) Programmes that give families tools and infrastructure to assist in monitoring clinical symptoms and medications are being conducted, with no evidence to date on their impact on patient outcomes. Discussion: The next generation of programmes to improve family support for chronic disease management incorporate a variety of strategies. Future research can define optimal clinical situations for family support programmes, the most effective combinations of support strategies, and how best to integrate family support programmes into comprehensive models of chronic disease care.


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