Mediating Effects of Psychological States on Work Performance of Visiting Nurses According to COVID-19 Workplace Quarantine Measures: A Multi-Group Path Analysis Study

This multi-group path analysis study investigated the effects of verbal abuse (suspicion of infection and disrespect) on difficulties in work performance according to the workplace quarantine measures of visiting nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 262 visiting nurses in Korea completed the online questionnaire between 10 October and 30 November 2020, and their data were included in the final analysis. The study found that experiences of verbal abuse mediated fear and anxiety to affect difficulties in work performance. In the path model of the group with a high level of workplace quarantine measures, experiences of verbal abuse (suspicion of infection and disrespect) did not directly affect fear. The opposite was true for the group with low levels of workplace quarantine measures. The implications for the field are that the following is required: heightened awareness of verbal abuse; workplace quarantine policies; and mental health management systems and intervention programs to detect the early fear and anxiety of visiting nurses.

A Survey on Limiting Factors of “Internet plus Nursing Service”

Objective This study aimed to investigate the limiting factors of “Internet plus Nursing Service”, a new form of nursing care, and the current working conditions of visiting nurses. Methods A questionnaire was conducted among 80 visiting nurses involved in the “Internet plus Nursing Service” program in a tertiary hospital in Zhuhai City. The questionnaire covered the general information of the visiting nurses and their understanding and practical experience on the “Internet plus Nursing Service”. Result A total of 80 effective questionnaires were collected. All nurses were willing to participate in “Internet plus Nursing Service”. Among them, 76.25% of nurses participated in “Internet plus Nursing Service” through hospital training; 48.75% of nurses liked this job because of the sense of professional achievement. Nevertheless, 55% of nurses believed that the high cost, medical safety and nurse safety are the factors hindering the development of “Internet plus Nursing Service”, and various related training and policies may be needed to improve the quality and safety of this new form of nursing care. Conclusion This survey demonstrated that nurses are optimistic regarding the “Internet plus Nursing Service”. However, high cost and potential safety issues of both nursing staff and patients are potential factors limiting the development of this new form of nursing care.

Impression Survey and Grounded Theory Analysis of the Development of Medication Support Robots for Patients with Schizophrenia

Medication is a key treatment for patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia tend to easily decrease medication adherence with long-term treatment. However, there is a chronic shortage of specialists who provide medication support, such as visiting nurses. In addition, these patients do not often use smartphones or PCs in their daily lives. Thus, schizophrenic patients need a direct approach in the physical world because they are unfamiliar with cyberspace. This study aims to improve the home treatment environment using robot technology that can approach in the physical world of schizophrenic patients who need medication support. In this study, collaboration between psychiatric nursing specialists and medical engineers investigated the interaction between communication robots and patients. The results showed that the robot was accepted by patients with schizophrenia as a talking partner. The amount of robot talking seemed to affect the impression of the robot on schizophrenics. Utterance process analysis showed that the smoothness of the conversation affected the relationship between robots and schizophrenics.

Pain management in community-dwelling older adults with moderate-to-severe dementia

Background: This study explored visiting nurses' knowledge and beliefs regarding pain management in community-dwelling older adults with moderate-to-severe dementia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data in 2019. A questionnaire was mailed to nursing managers at 1037 home-visiting nursing stations in Japan. Findings: The final analysis included 230 responses. The mean score on the knowledge and belief statements was 14 out of a possible 18, and respondents with more pain management training obtained a higher total score on knowledge than those without such training (p<.001). More than 95% indicated that they needed training on pain management for older adults with dementia. Conclusion: Visiting nurses in Japan require training in pain management for older adults with moderate-to-severe dementia. Despite its usefulness, the current pain management training programme should be improved to enable visiting nurses to manage dementia patients' pain more confidently.