Human Care Research Articles

Case Study of a Graduate Nurse’s NCLEX-RN®Failure Experience

Graduate nurses who fail the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) need multifaceted, trauma-reducing, complex strategies to support their future success. Nursing faculty and academic success coaches can facilitate recovery from the grief of not passing the RN licensing exam. Supportive interventions need to match each graduate nurse’s unique situation when pursuing NCLEX-RN success. This case study of a graduate nurse’s NCLEX-RN failure experience is framed by Watson’s theory of human caring applied to academic coaching interventions that may heal the grief experienced during the transition to sit again to take the NCLEX-RN.

Trends in Research on Acute Kidney Injury: A BibliometricAnalysis of Academic Journals Published Between the Years2000 and 2022.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant global health concern that was first recognized in 2004 and has subsequently affected more than thirteen million individuals each year, resulting in 1.7 million deaths. The present study explored the evolving of the research on AKI worldwide, specifically addressing the analysis of the trends between the years 2000 and 2022 using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). CiteSpace software was employed to analyze 19,741 literature sources, which revealed shifts in keyword dynamics from foundational disease research to treatment prognosis and humanistic care. The keyword outbreaks occurred in the years 2004, 2010, and 2019 (i.e., significant occurrences or peaks related to the specified keyword were observed in the years 2004, 2010, and 2019). The present study highlighted the transition of AKI studies from the initial concerns regarding definitions to further comprehensive inquiries regarding biomarkers, etiology, inductors, prediction, and prognosis. The future research focus could include the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), machine learning, and continuous renal replacement treatment within the AKI realm. DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.8018.

Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) tolerate acute food deprivation associated with a modest reduction in body mass

Acute food deprivation induces metabolic shifts toward a greater reliance on lipid metabolism to sustain homeostasis in marine mammals. Lipid utilization depends on diet, metabolic rate, environmental conditions, and food availability. Antillean manatees ( Trichechus manatus) are aquatic herbivores with two-layered fat deposits that can reduce their metabolic rate by 23% when fasting. However, the contributions of lipid metabolism during fasting and refeeding in manatees remain poorly understood. Three juvenile Antillean manatees under human care were food deprived for 64 hours under close medical watch, then refed. Body mass (BM) was measured before and after acute food deprivation over the course of the four days of the study. Plasma samples were collected 16 hours post-prandial control, 40 and 64 hours after food deprivation, and 16 hours post-re-feeding. Prior to deprivation, mean BM was 107.3 ± 5.2 kg, and 100.1 ± 4.3 kg after deprivation. LDL increased after 40 hours of fasting and decreased at 64 hours, whereas HDL peaked at 60 hours post-fast and decreased during refeeding. TG and VLDL increased after refeeding; however, there were no significant changes between deprivation and refeeding in the lipid panel suggesting that 64 hours of acute food deprivation is well tolerated. These data provide an insight to the metabolic tolerance of the Antillean manatee that may experience acute periods of food deprivation as animals migrate across habitats and/or as they experience habitat loss or seasonal food scarcity. I. Ruiz was supported by NIH NIGMS URISE grant T34 GM145511. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Melanoma amelanótico em cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous)

The accelerated and disordered division of cells in the body results in neoplastic processes. Melanoma, a malignant neoplasm, is described in domestic dogs, and it has already been reported in wild carnivores. During a routine examination of an adult crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), approximately 14 years old and kept at the Sorocaba Zoo, presented a mass in the perineal region. A surgical procedure was realized to remove the mass, as it presented ulceration. The patient’s recovery was satisfactory and the animal was medically discharged. Cytological, histological and immunohistochemical tests were performed, and the results indicated amelanotic melanoma. This is the first report of amelanotic melanoma in a crab-eating fox kept under human care.

Social support in maintaining mental health and quality of life among community-dwelling older people with functional limitations in Malaysia: a population-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the mediation role of perceived social support in the relationship between functional limitations, depressive symptoms and quality of life among older people in Malaysia.SettingThe Malaysian...

Cultivating Strengths-Based Leadership Capabilities: The Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare Leadership Capabilities Framework.

As we recover from the global pandemic, leadership is essential to help stabilize workforces, inspire nurses and re-construct health systems to enable nurses to provide humanistic care. This paper outlines a philosophy and value-driven leadership approach with its associated leadership capabilities framework. The Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare (SBNH) Leadership (SBNH-L) Capabilities Framework is designed to help leaders translate SBNH-L values into action. We outline steps to enable a leader to embody an SBNH leadership style and discuss how the SBNH-L Capabilities Framework can facilitate this process.

The impact of work environment on caring behavior among Chinese hospice nurses: the chain mediating effect of psychological capital and empathy.

The caring behavior of hospice nurses toward patients positively impacts their professional careers and significantly improves the quality of hospice services. A positive and supportive work environment may protect nurses against negative emotions that may affect the humanistic care they provide, and their job satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the impact of the nursing work environment on caring behavior. We also investigated the chain mediating effect of psychological capital and empathy on this relationship among Chinese hospice nurses. The Practice Environment Scale (PES), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), the Empathy Ability Scale for Hospice Nurses, and the Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI) were used to survey 393 Chinese hospice nurses. SPSS 27.0 and Mplus 8.0 were used for statistical processing to analyze the mediating effects. The nursing work environment positively predicted caring behavior. Furthermore, it was found that psychological capital and empathy jointly mediate the relationship between the nursing work environment and caring behavior. This study reveals how the nursing work environment affects the caring behavior of hospice nurses. Hospital managers need to provide hospice nurses with a favorable working environment from the perspective of positive psychology, continuously monitor their psychological state, improve their caring behavior, and provide references for developing intervention plans to promote the caring behavior of hospice nurses in the future.

Mindful self-compassion program based on Watson's theory of human caring in nursing students: A randomized controlled study

Aims and backgroundThis study investigated the impact of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring Model, on the physical and mental health of nursing students. The essence of nursing is care and compassion. While there are studies on compassion in nursing care, nurses' self-compassion is an underrecognized concept in the literature. MethodsThe study employed a randomized controlled design and involved 80 seconds-grade nursing students from a university in Turkey between December 2021 and June 2022. The intervention group received an online program consisting of six weekly sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were collected using the Promotive and Protective Health Behaviors Scale, Watson Caritas Self-Rating Score, Brief Resilience Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale before, at the end of, and 5 months after the program. ResultsIn both the post-test and follow-up test, the intervention group exhibited an increase in health-promoting and protective behaviors, self-care perception, psychological resilience, and self-compassion compared to the control group. ConclusionTherefore, it is recommended to use the program to improve the physical and mental health of individuals in nursing practice areas. Additionally, it would be beneficial to include the program in the nursing education curriculum. Our findings provide evidence supporting the use of the program for nursing students and nurses.

Respectful maternity care interventions to address women mistreatment in childbirth: What has been done?

IntroductionOver the last decade, there has been an increasing number of studies regarding experiences of mistreatment, disrespect and abuse (D&A) during facility-based childbirth. These negative experiences during labour have been proven to create a barrier for seeking both facility-based childbirth and postnatal health care, as well as increasing severe postpartum depression among the women who experienced them. This constitutes a serious violation of human rights. However, few studies have carried out specifically designed interventions to reduce these practices. The aim of this scoping review is to synthetise available evidence on this subject, and to identify initiatives that have succeeded in reducing the mistreatment, D&A that women suffer during childbirth in health facilities.MethodsA PubMed search of the published literature was conducted, and all original studies evaluating the efficacy of any type of intervention specifically designed to reduce these negative experiences and promote RMC were selected.ResultsTen articles were included in this review. Eight studies were conducted in Africa, one in Mexico, and the other in the U.S. Five carried out a before-and-after study, three used mixed-methods, one was a comparative study between birth centres, and another was a quasi-experimental study. The most common feature was the inclusion of some sort of RMC training for providers at the intervention centre, which led to the conclusion that this training resulted in an improvement in the care received by the women in childbirth. Other strategies explored by a small number of articles were open maternity days, clinical checklists, wall posters and constant user feedback.DiscussionThese results indicate that there are promising interventions to reduce D&A and promote RMC for women during childbirth in health facilities. RMC training for providers stands as the most proven strategy, and the results suggest that it improves the experiences of care received by women in labour.ConclusionThe specific types of training and the different initiatives that complement them should be evaluated through further scientific research, and health institutions should implement RMC interventions that apply these strategies to ensure human rights-based maternity care for women giving birth in health facilities around the world.

Perception and needs: a qualitative study on sense of job security among nurses in central and western China

AimsTo explore nurses’ perceptions of sense of job security and their needs to improve it.DesignA descriptive qualitative study employed an in-depth, in-person interview from February to April in 2021. The...

Lived Experiences of Intensive Care Professional Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients in Private Hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa: A Phenomenological Study

Aim. To explore and describe intensive care professional nurses’ experiences caring for COVID-19 patients in private hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa. Introduction. Pandemics are unique forms of disasters characterised by adverse psychological symptoms and behaviours. Literature confirms a globally increased workload during pandemics, causing emotional exhaustion and poor concentration among healthcare workers. Moreover, high mortality rates are mentioned as a cause of moral distress and moral injury to healthcare workers. South Africa was unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by overcrowded hospitals, a lack of resources, and high mortality rates. Materials and Methods. A qualitative, phenomenological, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used. The five largest private hospitals from the same hospital group in Gauteng were chosen as they were admitting many COVID-19 patients. Fifteen participants were selected through purposeful sampling. Semistructured, in-depth, individual interviews were conducted and audio-recorded, and field notes were taken from April 2022 to December 2022. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Giorgi’s approach. Results. Three themes emerged: abrupt transition from normality to the COVID-19 pandemic; experienced isolation from family, community, and nursing management; and feelings of satisfaction and gratitude for teamwork and learning. Conclusions. It is essential for nurses’ holistic care to be considered along with patients’ holistic care. The findings in this study could drive healthcare institutions in South Africa to respond to nurses’ health, care, and support needs. Implication for Nursing Management. Nursing management should consider shorter and fewer consecutive workdays for nurses to rest and restore their energy levels. Nurse management should also provide human caring by being visible to the nurses and communicating with them. Holistic self-care practices should be included in nurses’ in-service training programmes.

Proteomic Insights into Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa Proteins of Small-Spotted Catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula: Implications for Reproductive Conservation in Aquariums.

In the ex situ conservation of chondrichthyan species, successful reproduction in aquaria is essential. However, these species often exhibit reduced reproductive success under human care. A key aspect is that conventional sperm analyses do not provide insights into the functional competence of sperm. However, proteomics analysis enables a better understanding of male physiology, gaining relevance as a powerful tool for discovering protein biomarkers related to fertility. The present work aims to build the first proteome database for shark semen and to investigate the proteomic profiles of seminal plasma and spermatozoa from small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) related to the underlying adaptations to both natural and aquarium environments, thereby identifying the reproductive impact in aquarium specimens. A total of 305 seminal plasma and 535 spermatozoa proteins were identified. Among these, 89 proteins (29.2% of the seminal plasma set) were common to both spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In the seminal plasma, only adenosylhomocysteinase protein showed differential abundance (DAP) between wild and aquarium animals. With respect to the spermatozoa proteins, a total of 107 DAPs were found between groups. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the primary functional roles of these DAPs involved in oxidoreductase activity. Additionally, KEGG analysis indicated that these DAPs were primarily associated with metabolic pathways and carbon metabolism. In conclusion, we have successfully generated an initial proteome database for S. canicula seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Furthermore, we have identified protein variations, predominantly within spermatozoa, between aquarium and wild populations of S. canicula. These findings provide a foundation for future biomarker discovery in shark reproduction studies. However, additional research is required to determine whether these protein variations correlate with reproductive declines in captive sharks.

The Role of Color Psychology in Interaction Design

Interaction design is a multidisciplinary profession in which psychology plays an important role. The purpose of design is to solve the problem, and a better solution can provide a better user experience, so the key to our user experience lies in the user's psychology. As early as the end of the Spring and Autumn period in China, the first theoretical document on design "Kaogong Ji" recorded the "five elements and five colors" (color), and the importance and role of humanistic care for design. Color affects our perceptual system, and color psychology is a subjective feedback to the objective world. On the basis of introducing the concept of color psychology and interaction design, the principles and methods of interaction design are proposed by using color psychology.

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjuvant drug vs. standard drug therapy in the management of acute food poisoning: A Study Protocol

Antimicrobial resistance, a pressing challenge in modern medicine, arises from excessive antibiotic use in veterinary and human care. Underreporting and complex links between food contamination and illnesses have led to underestimating foodborne disease impacts. The World Bank’s 2019 analysis projected $15B annual treatment costs and $95.2B productivity loss in low- to middle-income countries due to foodborne diseases. “Agada” refers to symptom-relieving medications, like “Vishaghnakalpa.” Pippalyadi Agada, from Vishaghana plants, treats “Dooshivisha Chikitsa,” e.g., Kitibha, rashes, shwas. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, aiding acute food poisoning with nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea. It is a carminative, curbing prolonged diarrhea, and anti-toxic. Pippalyadi Agada pacifies imbalanced Vata and Kapha, promising better relief than Agni and Pittastana interventions. As an Ayurvedic remedy, it is administered as Vati, 500mg twice daily with Anuapan Honey for 7 days. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjunct to standard drug therapy in managing acute food poisoning. Following a comprehensive drug analysis, a total of 60 eligible participants will be selected and assigned to two groups, each comprising 30 individuals. Group A will receive standard drug therapy, while Group B will receive standard drug therapy alongside Pippalyadi Agad, administered twice daily for 7 days. Assessments will occur on days 0, 3, 5, and 8, both before and after the intervention. The study anticipates that the use of Pippalyadi Agada as an adjunct to standard drug therapy will lead to improved symptom relief and faster recovery in individuals with acute food poisoning, as demonstrated by significant reductions in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. The observed outcomes will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of Ayurvedic interventions in managing foodborne illnesses.

Lakes Worldwide Need a Checkup

Lakes are facing a slew of health issues that may become chronic. Can human health care strategies help?

'I wasn't on the front line per se, but I was part of health care': Contributions and experiences of ancillary staff in care homes in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ancillary staff - cleaning, catering, housekeeping and laundry workers - play a crucial role in care homes, by promoting infection control, food preparation and hygiene, and contributing to the care home environment. This study sought to understand the experiences of ancillary staff working in English care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results will inform policy makers, employers, care home managers and others, both in England and overseas, as how to best support the ancillary workforce. Between March and August 2021, video and telephone interviews were conducted with those working or living in care homes in England. Participants comprised ancillary staff (n = 38), care home managers (n = 8), care home residents' family members and friends (n = 7), human resource managers (n = 5) and care home residents (n = 5). Ancillary staff often had increased responsibilities and contributed to pandemic efforts by changing working practices, routines and job roles with the aim of supporting residents and other staff. Teamwork, underpinned by strong leadership, helped ancillary staff feel supported. Ancillary staff should be better recognised as being central to care home care. They are essential workers helping to keep residents safe and well.

Perceptions of quality of care in Midwife-led Birth Centres (MLBCs) in Uganda: Why do women choose MLBCs over other options?

BackgroundMidwife-led birth centres (MLBCs) are associated with reduced childbirth interventions, higher satisfaction rates, and improved birth outcomes. The evidence on quality of care in MLBCs from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) is limited. AimThis study aimed to explore the perceptions of women and midwives regarding the quality of care in four MLBCs in Uganda. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in four MLBCs in Uganda. We conducted interviews with women and midwives in the MLBCs to explore their perceptions and experiences related to care in the MLBCs. The study obtained ethical approval. Deductive thematic analysis was used for data analysis. ResultsThree key themes were identified regarding the perceptions of women and midwives about the quality of care in the MLBCs: providing respectful, and dignified care; a focus on woman-centred care; and reasons for choosing care in the MLBC. Women valued the respectful and humane care characterised by dignified and non-discriminatory care, non-abandonment, privacy, and consented care. The woman-centred care in the MLBC involved individualised holistic care, providing autonomy and empowerment, continuity of care, promoting positive birth experience, confidence in the woman’s own abilities, and responsive providers. Women chose MLBCs because the services were perceived to be available, accessible, affordable, with comprehensive and effective referral mechanisms. ConclusionWomen perceived care to be respectful, woman-centred, and of good quality. Global attention should be directed to scaling up the establishment of MLBCs, especially in LMIC, to improve the positive childbirth experience and increase access to care.

Performance measurement of factors affecting consumer experience in healthcare services using fuzzy and grey techniques

PurposeThe importance of consumer experience in service industries, particularly healthcare, is widely acknowledged as it captures the intricacies of quality management. In tandem with the emerging research trends that evaluate service excellence through user experience, this study renders a performance analysis of the dimensions of consumer experience that individually or collectively shape healthcare consumers’ perceptions of service quality.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted across 13 mid-tier corporate hospitals to collect data from 438 patients. The data was processed through factor analysis in SPSS to confirm sample adequacy and factor extractability. Further, two independent multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools, Fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA), were executed to render performance analysis of identified factors.FindingsUsing F-TOPSIS, factors such as “information” and “hospital environment” received higher performance ratings, while items related to “communication with doctors” and “humanistic care” received lower rankings. Minor yet anticipated deviations were observed while verifying performance scores using GRA. Nonetheless, both outcomes exhibited a strong correlation coefficient of 97.14%, confirming analytical consistency.Originality/valueHitherto, such usages of hybrid MCDM techniques have rarely been executed to convey a clear understanding of consumers’ experiences in healthcare services. Moreover, the findings provide a clear insight into consumers’ key response areas, which can further be translated to maximize consumer gratification, thus assisting healthcare managers in improving service performance and clinical decision-making.

Human Caring Perspectives of Care Meanings and Expressions in a Nigerian Cancer Care Setting.

Caring in Africa is often viewed from sociopolitical and humanity perspectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the meanings and expressions of caring from the narratives of persons living with cancer and their nurses. This study adopted a qualitative ethnonursing methodology. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the key participants, who were grouped into 7 nurses and 6 patients. General participants included 4 physicians, 3 ward assistants, and 6 patients' relatives. Interviews of participants were digitally audio-taped and then transcribed verbatim. Data analysis in this study followed the phases of ethnonursing data analysis enabler and was conducted using NVivo 14 software. Data categories were reviewed and sorted to discover recurrent patterns within the data. Caring was seen as a social practice that is both transactional and transformational. Six thematic patterns emerged: restoring hope, reaching out to the inner lifeworlds of the patients, mutual empathy, going the extra mile, compassionate presence, and being human/having a sense of human connection. The study revealed that there are discernible patterns in care needs and expectations, even though each cancer patient is unique in his or her specific care needs and expectations. Caring in this study constituted a variety of meanings, and human caring was demonstrated and practiced interpersonally. Hence, there is evidence of living caring in everyday life, in observable ways. Nurses should enhance both their own and the patient's sense of personal meaning in the caring partnership to enable them to be present in concrete unique nursing situations with the suffering human being.

Nursing process in a pregnant patient with preeclampsia, based on Gordon's model

Cesarean section is the surgical treatment in severe preeclampsia, which allows rapid access to the fetus through the abdominal cavity and is performed in emergency cases to ensure the maternal condition and complete the pregnancy in the shortest possible time, improving the quality of life and survival of the patient. Through the nursing method, a humanized care with quality and safety can be provided, contributing to the recovery of the patient's health. The objective is to develop the nursing care process for a post-cesarean patient for preeclampsia under the approach of Marjory Gordon's functional patterns. Qualitative study, single case type. It included a 23-year-old patient. The stages of the nursing care process were followed: assessment, with the assessment framework validated by experts in the area, formulation of diagnoses and planning of nursing care according to the NANDA, NOC, NIC taxonomy. The results were evaluated according to the difference in final and baseline scores. Nine altered patterns were found; Three patterns were prioritized: exercise activity, adaptation[1]tolerance to the situation and stress and cognitive perceptual. Thirteen nursing diagnoses were identified; Three were prioritized: Risk of ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion, acute pain and anxiety, based on the SSPFR format (signs and symptoms, problem and related factor); change score of +1, +2, +2, which subsequently tends to improve with care management. It is concluded that according to the problems identified in the patient, the nursing care process was managed in its five stages, improving the health status of the patient, but survival and the success of the treatment provided depend on the timely identification of the symptoms. problems and appropriate choice of treatment.