Need For Psychological Support Research Articles

Psychosocial Experiences, Challenges, And Coping Strategies Of Chinese–Australian Women With Breast Cancer

Objective:Chinese migrant women with breast cancer are at risk of poorer psychosocial outcomes. However, little is known about the cancer-related challenges experienced by these women, or how they self-manage their concerns. This qualitative study aims to explore the experience of breast cancer for Chinese–Australian women and gain insight into their coping behaviors.Methods:Twenty-four Chinese–Australian women, previously diagnosed with breast cancer, participated in a semi-structured interview or focus group session, conducted in the participant's preferred language. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis.Results:Three main themes emerged, reflecting the psychological impact of the diagnosis, the challenges experienced, and the use of social support and other coping behaviors. The theme of psychological impact highlighted the emotional toll of diagnosis and the ongoing anxiety surrounding the fear of cancer recurrence. The theme of challenges identified stressors relating to treatment side effects and the need for psychological support. The social support and coping theme identified the various levels of social support participants received and how Chinese–Australian women may limit their use of social support to protect others. Participants used several behavioral (e.g., diet and exercise) and cognitive (e.g., reframing) strategies to cope with their cancer experience.Conclusions:Chinese–Australian women with breast cancer face significant challenges that impact on their psychological well-being. Varying levels of social support, and the desire to protect others through self-sacrifice, may reflect the cultural expectations of women. The results highlight the need for cultural understanding when developing strategies that optimally support Chinese migrant women with breast cancer.

Stress Coping of Chinese International Students in Face of COVID 19 Pandemic: Cultural Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress and coping strategy of Chinese International Students (CISs) during the epidemic, and to explore the relationship between identification with Chinese cultural beliefs and coping strategies, positive experience, negative emotion and need for psychological support. Two hundred and thirty CISs participated in the study by filling out a series of questionnaires that we designed. The series of questionnaires contained six scales: Pandemic Related Stress (PRS), Identification with Chinese Cultural Beliefs (ICCB), Stress Coping Strategy (SCS), Positive Experience (PE) and Negative Emotion (NE) and Need for Psychological Support (NPS). The results showed that CISs experienced an above moderate level of direct and indirect pandemic related stress. To cope with the stress, participants valued active coping and making self-adjustment. The regression analysis shows ICCB could positively predict coping strategy and positive experience, and negatively predict negative emotions. ICCB is also positively related to the need for psychological support. That is to say, the identification with Chinese culture beliefs could help CISs use positive strategies to cope with the epidemic and more likely to have positive experience and reduce negative emotions. We believe that the cultural identity and cultural values of Chinese students studying abroad may have helped them to effectively choose their responses and strategies in the face of the serious challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic and mental health concerns: What should we expect? (eng)

This letter is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health concerns. As the third recent outbreak of coronaviruses following the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)- CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic with now more than 2.5 million confirmed cases and 170.000 mortality originated at Chinese town Wuhan in December 2019. Large-scale researches on psychological impacts on COVID-19 pandemic on the general population are limited in number, though, with high significance. Despite the increased need for psychological support and interventions by mental healthcare workers, the general population is reluctant to seek professional help primarily due to quarantine and concerns regarding the higher risk of getting infected in a hospital setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Facilitating a Mentoring Programme for Doctoral Students: Insights from Evidence-Based Practice

Aim/Purpose: One approach to helping doctoral students deal with the many challenges they face is the provision of a structured mentoring programme to complement the more traditional doctoral curriculum and supervisor relationship. This paper reports a mentoring programme containing such activities as individual consultations and peer-mentoring workshops, introduced at one of the non-public universities in Poland and discusses the development of a model of support. In developing the model, two evaluation studies were conducted seeking to discover how participants perceived the mentoring programme, what needs the mentoring programme addressed, and what benefits it provided for doctoral students. Background: With reference to a new paradigm proposed by Kram and Higgins, mentoring emerges in the context of many developmental networks, where the more junior mentors and peer-mentors together discover new roles involved in doctoral education. Methodology: Case study methodology is utilized to gather perceptions of a doctoral mentoring programme. The conceptual framework for a two-part programme is presented and the results of two evaluation studies conducted on-line using a mix-method approach are reported. In total, 42 doctoral students participated in the studies, representing social sciences and the humanities disciplines. Contribution: This paper discusses a novel doctoral mentoring programme which finds its basis in evidence-based practice. This research goes beyond previous studies by undertaking an analysis of doctoral students’ needs, then considering relationships between those needs and structuring a programme to meet them. Findings: Findings showed three main areas of need for doctoral students: the need for social interaction at university; the need for structure in the doctoral journey, and the need for psychological support. Participants distinguished two perspectives that influenced the assessment of programme activities: (a) the meaningfulness of the mentoring programme to the individual; (b) the mentor’s attitude including the general atmosphere of collegiality during meetings. Results presented are supported by a proposed intervention model. Recommendations for Practitioners: The model presented may inspire other universities to implement similar approaches for supporting their own doctoral students. Researcher enablers are also offered as strategies relating to workshop topics, meeting schedules, and programme organization. The main recommendation for practitioners is to be sensitive to the psychosocial needs of students. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers interested in doctoral students’ needs and ways of supporting them can utilize the proposed model for strategically planning such support. It is recommended that further research into the area of mentoring doctoral students makes use of the mixed-method approach. Such an approach takes cognizance of phenomenological exigencies as they pertain to individual meaning-making. Impact on Society: Supporting the effectiveness of doctoral students is significant as failure comes at great professional and personal cost to the doctoral student. There are also potential costs in terms of faculty disillusionment and impacts on university reputation. Economic benefits to the nation may also be forfeited when doctoral students fail to graduate. Future Research: It would be valuable to corroborate the model presented and extend it through the development of a mentoring support scale which identifies more linearly specific doctoral students’ needs. Longitudinal studies are also required to verify long-term effects of the programme.

Psychological care in German intensive care units : Results of asurvey among the members of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

Psychological care should be provided in intensive care units (ICUs) because of the proven mental symptoms of patients and relatives. Even physicians and nurses can benefit from acorresponding care structure. Knowledge is lacking whether and how psychological care for patients and relatives as well as support for staff in German ICUs is implemented. For this reason, asurvey was conducted among the members of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI) to gain an overview of the current structures and the need for psychological support. The members of DIVI were invited to participate in aweb-based survey. Atotal of 226 physicians and nurses took part in the survey. Analysis included statistics and group comparisons with Χ2 methods. In all care areas, psychological care of patients, relatives, and support for staff, respondents indicated asignificant undersupply and expressed the need for improved care. Amodel which provides consular or team-integrated support based on the level of care is conceivable. The current state of psychological care in German ICUs does not cover the existing need. Consequently the development of concepts and the beginning of discussions on how appropriate psychological care can be implemented in the future is necessary.

Psychological burden in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer at initiation of specialist inpatient palliative care

BackgroundThis study prospectively evaluated distress, depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as associated factors in family caregivers (FC) of advanced cancer patients at initiation of specialist inpatient palliative care.MethodsWithin 72 h after the patient’s first admission, FCs were asked to complete German versions of the Distress Thermometer, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire depression module 9-item scale (PHQ-9) for outcome measure. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors.ResultsIn 232 FCs (62% spouses/partners), mean level of distress was 7.9 (SD 1.8; range, 2–10) with 95% presenting clinically relevant distress levels. Most frequent problems were sadness (91%), sorrows (90%), anxiety (78%), exhaustion (77%) and sleep disturbances (73%). Prevalence rates of moderate to severe anxiety and depressive symptoms were 47 and 39%, respectively. Only 25% of FCs had used at least one source of support previously. In multivariate regression analysis, being female (OR 2.525), spouse/partner (OR 2.714), exhaustion (OR 10.267), and worse palliative care outcome ratings (OR 1.084) increased the likelihood for moderate to severe anxiety symptom levels. Being female (OR 3.302), low socio-economic status (OR 6.772), prior patient care other than home-based care (OR 0.399), exhaustion (OR 3.068), sleep disturbances (OR 4.183), and worse palliative care outcome ratings (OR 1.100) were associated with moderate to severe depressive symptom levels.ConclusionsFCs of patients presenting with indication for specialist palliative care suffer from high distress and relevant depressive and anxiety symptoms, indicating the high need of psychological support not only for patients, but also their FCs. Several socio-demographic and care-related risk-factors influence mental burden of FCs and should be in professional caregivers’ focus in daily clinical practice.

CML Patients' Views on Psychological Support throughout the Treatment-Free Remission Journey

CML Patients' Views on Psychological Support throughout the Treatment-Free Remission Journey

LONELINESS SHAPES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ICT USE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Background: Given findings that generally support the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) for older adults’ psychosocial adjustment, one might surmise that lonely older adults, who have a stronger need for psychological support, would reap more psychosocial benefits from ICT use. However, scant research has examined this view, much less the likelihood that ICT use might worsen the psychological well-being of lonely older adults, as has been shown to be the case in younger adults. Objective: To examine whether the association between ICT use and psychological adjustment (i.e., psychological distress and sense of community [SOC]) among older adults depends on their loneliness levels. Methods: A representative sample of 738 Hong Kong SAR Chinese older adults aged 60 years or older (56% female) was interviewed in 2017 on loneliness, frequency of ICT use (i.e., Internet and smart devices), psychological distress (6-item Kessler scale; K6), and SOC. Results: Regression analyses showed that loneliness significantly moderated the relationship between ICT use frequency and psychological adjustment (psychological distress and SOC); more frequent ICT use was associated with more psychological distress and less SOC, with higher levels of loneliness. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ICT use may be a mixed blessing for older adults, i.e., using more ICT might predict worse psychological adjustment among lonelier older adults. Efforts that promote ICT use among older adults should take their loneliness levels into account.

Episodes of violence suffered by migrants transiting Libya, Italy and France

Abstract Background The Central Mediterranean is one of the most dangerous migration routes from Africa. Violence perpetrated to migrants in Libya and host countries has been documented but not rigorously quantified. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of violence suffered in Libya, Italy and France by migrants consulting Médecins du Monde programs. Methods Monocentric cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: migrants over 18 years old, transiting through Libya, arrived in Europe from 2017 and consulting in Saint Denis Health Center. Exclusion criteria: psycotraumatic manifestations. A sample size of 72 individuals was calculated. An ad-hoc questionnaire was created through Kobo Collect. Proportion and frequency of physical, privation and sexual violence, as well as health care and shelter access were measured in each country. Results 95 individuals were recruited and 72 were interviewed (16 refused 7 were excluded) from February to April 2019. 76.3% were men, mean age was 31.6 years, 76.4% had low educational level, 66.7% were from Ivory Coast and 58.3% left their country for security reasons. In Libya, length of stay was 180 days, global proportion of individuals suffering from violence (GPISV) was 98.1% for men and 88.2% for women. Prevalence of physical, privation and sexual violence was 94.1%, 84.3% and 17.6% for men, and 85.7%, 93.3% and 60.0% for women. Health care access in Libya was inexistent. In Italy, GPISV was 31.8% for men and 28.5% for women. Health care access was 41.4%. In France, GPISV was 20.0% for men and 12.5% for women and shelter access was 44.3%. 60.3% of the participants reported need of psychological support. Conclusions The vast majority of migrants testify suffering from direct violence during migration, specially dramatic in Libya. Women have a particular risk of sexual violence. In Europe, the main problems are the lack of health care access in Italy and precarious living conditions in France. Mental health support is urgent. Key messages The vast majority of migrants testify suffering from direct violence during migration, specially dramatic in Libya. In Europe, the main problems are related to lack of health care access in Italy and the precarious living conditions in France. Mental health support is urgent.

Experiences of interactive ultrasound examination among women at risk of preterm birth: a qualitative study

BackgroundPregnant women who are at risk of preterm birth are often stressed, anxious and depressed because of worries and fears related to the health of the unborn baby, their own health and uncertainty about the future. Only a few studies have assessed the types of psychological support that would relieve these stress symptoms among women with high-risk pregnancies. The aim of this study was to describe 1) how women at risk of preterm birth experienced an interactive 3/4-dimensional (3/4D) ultrasound examination, and 2) their need for psychological support during the antenatal period.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted at one university hospital in Finland in 2017. Women with a singleton pregnancy of 26–32 gestational weeks (gwks) were included in the study. The interactive 3/4D ultrasound included a joint observation of the baby, based on the mother’s wishes, with an obstetrician and psychologist. After the examination, the experiences were explored with a semi-structured interview. The data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe women enjoyed the fact that the staff were focused on her fetus and genuinely present during the session and also enabled the women to actively participate. Watching the baby and her/his activities made the baby more concrete and relieved their concerns. The need for additional psychological support varied individually.ConclusionsInteractive ultrasound examination is an interesting way to awaken mental images, increase attachment, and reduce stress. The results imply that an interactive way of jointly looking at the fetus supports pregnant women at risk of preterm birth and may be useful in clinical practice.

Design and Development of the "POD Adventures" Smartphone Game: A Blended Problem-Solving Intervention for Adolescent Mental Health in India.

Introduction: Digital technology platforms offer unparalleled opportunities to reach vulnerable adolescents at scale and overcome many barriers that exist around conventional service provision. This paper describes the design and development of POD Adventures, a blended problem-solving game-based intervention for adolescents with or at risk of anxiety, depression and conduct difficulties in India. This intervention was developed as part of the PRemIum for ADolEscents (PRIDE) research programme, which aims to establish a suite of transdiagnostic psychological interventions organized around a stepped care system in Indian secondary schools.Methods and Materials: Intervention development followed a person-centered approach consisting of four iterative activities: (i) review of recent context-specific evidence on mental health needs and preferences for the target population of school-going Indian adolescents, including a multiple stakeholder analysis of school counseling priorities and pilot studies of a brief problem-solving intervention; (ii) new focus group discussions with N = 46 student participants and N = 8 service providers; (iii) co-design workshops with N = 22 student participants and N = 8 service providers; and (iv) user-testing with N = 50 student participants. Participants were aged 12–17 years and recruited from local schools in New Delhi and Goa, including a subgroup with self-identified mental health needs (N = 6).Results: Formative data from existing primary sources, new focus groups and co-design workshops supported a blended format for delivering a brief problem-solving intervention, with counselors supporting use of a game-based app on “offline” smartphones. User-testing with prototypes identified a need for simplification of language, use of concrete examples of concepts and practice elements to enhance engagement. There were also indications that participants most valued relatability and interactivity within real-world stories with judicious support from an in-app guide. The final prototype comprised a set of interactive and gamified vignettes and a structured set of problem-solving questions to consolidate and generalize learning while encouraging real-world application.Discussion: Findings shaped the design of POD Adventures and its delivery as an open-access blended intervention for secondary school students with a felt need for psychological support, consistent with an early intervention paradigm. A randomized controlled trial is planned to evaluate processes and impacts of POD Adventures when delivered for help-seeking students in low-resource school settings.

59. PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC TESTING FOR HERITABLE CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES

Introduction Heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTD) are a group of mostly autosomal dominant genetic diseases, characterized by cardiovascular involvement, tissue fragility, joint hypermobility and skin involvement. Some of them are associated with life threatening events such as aortic dissection and rupture, and a high mortality rate. We recently introduced Preimplantation Genetic Testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M) with a focus on HCTD and set up an explorative qualitative study to investigate the lived experiences and feelings of women, as well as their attitudes and psychological responses to PGT-M. Materials & Methods All couples are seen by a clinical geneticist and a psychologist, and blood samples of the couple are drawn for karyotyping, exclusion of carriership of cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile-X syndrome. Informative linked microsatellite markers flanking the causal (familial) mutation are identified for each couple. Once these parameters are defined, DNA, obtained from trophectoderm cells biopsied from a day 5-6 embryo, is genome-wide amplified. Subsequently, the informative linked microsatellite markers as well as the underlying disease causing mutation are analysed in each of these day 5-6 embryo's. In total, twelve HCTD couples have undergone the PGT-M procedure (FBN1: 4, SMAD3: 2, one each for TGFBR1, TGFB2, COL3A1, COL1A2, COL2A1 and WNT10A). In total, 52 embryos have been tested, 19 of them carried the healthy haplotype (microsatellite analysis) and did not carry the familial mutation (Sanger sequencing) and thus were suitable for transfer to the mother. Data of seven women, aged 26-39years, were collected by semi-structured interviews and interpreted by thematic analysis. At the time of the interviews, one participant had one child through PGT-M, two participants were pregnant after embryo transfer and four women did not have a successful embryo transfer leading to pregnancy yet. Results Our study shows that PGT-M is both physically and emotionally a demanding procedure. The main reason for choosing PGT-M is the severity of the disease. None of the couples wants to transmit the disease to their offspring. Since termination of pregnancy is not acceptable to them, PGT-M is preferred over prenatal diagnosis. The “drop-out race”, as all interviewed women call it, going from an encouraging number of available oocytes (after pick-up), to a limited number of useful embryos, is perceived as extremely stressful. Due to the frequent hospital visits and the prescribed strict timing of hormone injections, all women stated it is impossible to keep the PGT-M procedure hidden from their friends and colleagues. Women emphasize that receiving adequate information, during every step of the PGT-M process, is essential to learn more about the entire PGT-M trajectory. They also express the need of psychological support to help them in coping with this physical and psychological demanding technique. Conclusions PGT-M is a valuable option of reproductive technology for HCTD couples. Due to the significant emotional impact the PGT-M procedure causes, we advise that it should always go hand-in-hand with effective communication and psychological care in order to prevent distress in couples.

P2‐483: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATTENDANT TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR DEMENTIA CARE: EXPERIENCES FROM HARYANA, INDIA

Globally, home-based care is being recognized as an aging-friendly and cost effective model to address the increasing prevalence of dementia. In India, attendants (paid care workers) are often employed to provide care and additional support to the patient. However, these attendants have limited training in dementia-specific care and learning is usually ‘on-the-job’. Specialized training programmes are needed to improve skills of this workforce and enable better patient care. We describe the development of such a program for dementia care attendants in Haryana, India. The primary objective was to develop and evaluate a culturally appropriate training programme for attendants to provide in-home dementia care. The Samvedna Dementia Attendant Training Programme was developed to train attendants with the requisite knowledge and skills to provide quality dementia care. Training content was developed, following review of best practices in dementia care and discussion with experienced care specialists, into a 12-hour classroom-based training programme. Content was translated into Hindi, the local language and medium of delivery. Training was delivered by dementia care specialists using methodologies of lectures, role-plays, and discussion groups. Training content was iteratively modified following two rounds of participant feedback. A manual was created as a training aid and reviewed by experts. Acquisition of knowledge and skills was evaluated using in-depth interviews with trainers and participants. Attendants have been trained using this program in groups with 5–8 participants (N=23; 16 females, 7 males). Educational background of trainees was diverse ranging from high school to graduate level. They were mostly early career (74% aged between 19–25 years) with 2 years or less work experience (61%). Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews showed that participants experienced increase in knowledge and skills, and were more confident in managing behavioural and psychosocial problems associated with dementia (BPSD). Attendants also expressed the need for psychological support to reduce chances of burnout. Preliminary findings from rollout of the Samvedna Dementia Attendant Training Programme suggest that attendants benefit from specialized dementia care training. This is essential to building a workforce capable of providing quality home-based dementia care and addressing the growing needs in India.

A review of the psychological support mechanisms available for long-term injured footballers in the UK throughout their rehabilitation

ABSTRACTObjectives: Athletes regularly suffer psychologically as a consequence of long-term injury. However, to date, there has been no investigation into the psychological protocols implemented to support long-term injured professional footballers. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed to identify the current rehabilitation practices in English football. Seventy-five heads of medical departments responded to the survey from first teams and academies across the English Leagues. Results: Medical staff recognised that there were clinical mental health problems, namely anxiety and depression affecting long-term injured players. It was acknowledged that there was a need for psychological support for long-term injured players. However, findings revealed most clubs had limited access to psychological practitioners and physiotherapy staff were almost entirely responsible for providing psychological support throughout rehabilitation. Conclusion: Clubs responded overwhelmingly that they wanted to be able to access psychological support for long-term injured players.

Experiences and psychological strain in volunteer medical doctors providing medical visual examination for asylum seekers in a reception center in Germany – a qualitative interview study

Nearly 40% of the refugees arriving in Germany suffer from psychological traumatization. After initial accommodation in reception centers, German legislation requires that all refugees undergo a medical visual examination (MVE) to screen for infectious diseases. This examination is, in part, conducted by volunteering medical doctors. The present study aimed to analyze volunteering medical doctors’ motivation for performing MVE, their connected experiences, and their psychological strain in a reception center. In this context, the emergence of secondary traumatic stress, vicarious traumatization, and the need for psychological support were explored. Semistandardized interviews were conducted with 18 medical doctors after they had performed MVE. Interview recordings were transcribed and subsequently underwent qualitative thematic analysis. Finally, thematic clusters were identified. The analysis revealed 512 relevant single codes, from which three main categories were derived. These ranged from private motives for volunteering to perform MVEs in a reception center setting, to thoughts and feelings after performing the examination, and the need for psychosocial support. After having performed MVE, some of the doctors displayed cognitive alterations, which can be an indication of vicarious traumatization. Most participants felt motivated to reflect on their personal beliefs and their moral concepts.

Psychological distress in parents of children treated for cancer: An explorative study

ObjectiveTo explore psychological distress experienced by parents who express a need for psychotherapy after curative treatment for their child’s cancer.Methods15 parents (eight mothers and seven fathers) of children treated for cancer (median time since end of curative treatment: two years) were recruited via a pediatric oncology center. Each parent was interviewed twice and data was analyzed with inductive latent qualitative content analysis.ResultsTwo overarching themes emerged. One theme, An unfamiliar and frightening situation during treatment, portrayed experiences during the treatment period, and included the sub-themes Initial reactions to the uncontrollable situation, Adjustment to the situation, and Focus on supporting the child. Another theme, Emotional struggles after end of curative treatment, portrayed experiences following curative treatment, and included the sub-themes Transitioning back to life as it was before the diagnosis, Emotional scars, Uncontrollable fears and worries of diseases, and New perspectives on life.ConclusionsParents of children with cancer experience existential, physical, psychological, and social struggles. They describe an unstable situation after diagnosis and having focused their attention towards protecting their child during treatment. After the end of curative treatment, they experience challenges with transitioning back to life as it was before the diagnosis and dealing with their own emotional scars and fears related to the child’s cancer. The findings indicate an unmet need for psychological support among parents of children treated for cancer.

Infertile Couples' Needs after Unsuccessful Fertility Treatment: a Qualitative Study

Introduction: Infertility is a major medical issue. Investigations and treatment of infertility are the beginning of a complex, time-consuming and stressful process for couples that may fail well. The present study explored the needs of infertile couples following treatment failure with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs).Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in an Iranian infertility center, in the Northeast of the country between April 2016 and June 2017. The researchers recruited 29 individuals including 9 couples, 9 women and two men with primary infertility through purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively, using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA software.Results: The main concepts obtained from the data were classified into one theme titled: ""The need for support"" and four main categories along with their subcategories, and included the need for psychological support, the need for more useful information, the need for social support and the need to access to supplementary services.Conclusion: The findings show that following treatment failure, the infertile patients’ expressed needs and preferences were not met. Identifying and meeting their needs may help the infertile couples to deal with ARTs failure and to reach a decision about future treatment.

End of life in neonatology: experiences of health professionals in neonatal palliative care

espanolIntroduccion: Recientemente, se ha constatado que los profesionales que trabajan en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales muestran un interes creciente por las decisiones tomadas al final de la vida y por la calidad de los cuidados prestados a los recien nacidos y sus familias. Objetivos: Comprender las vivencias de los profesionales de la salud en relacion con los cuidados paliativos neonatales. Metodos: Se utilizo la metodologia de investigacion cualitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, de caracter fenomenologico. Resultados: se aplicaron y se analizaron cuestionarios a 15 profesionales para participar en una UCIN en el centro de Portugal. Los datos obtenidos revelan carencia de ensenanza e inexistencia de protocolos / pautas, asi como necesidad de soporte psicologico a profesionales y familia del RN. Conclusions: La formacion continua y especifica, el apoyo y acompanamiento psicologico de los profesionales y de las familias deben constituir el pilar de los cuidados paliativos neonatales. EnglishIntroduction: It has recently been shown that professionals working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units show an increasing interest in decisions made at the end of life and in the quality of care provided to newborns and their families. Objetives: To understand the experiences of health professionals regarding neonatal palliative care. Methods: The research methodology was qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and phenomenological. Results: Questionnaires were applied and analyzed to 15 professionals working at a NICU in central Portugal. The data obtained show lack of teaching and lack of protocols/guidelines, as well as the need of psychological support to professionals and family of the NB. Conclusion: Continuous and specific training, support and psychological counseling of professionals and families should be the pillar of neonatal palliative care. portuguesIntroducao: Recentemente, tem-se constatado que os profissionais que trabalham nas Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatais mostram um interesse crescente pelas decisoes tomadas no final da vida e pela qualidade dos cuidados prestados aos recem-nascidos e suas familias. Objetivos: Compreender as vivencias dos profissionais de saude relativamente aos cuidados paliativos neonatais. Metodos: Utilizou-se a metodologia de investigacao qualitativa, exploratorio-descritiva, de cariz fenomenologica. Resultados: Foram aplicados e analisados questionarios a 15 profissionais a exercer numa UCIN do centro de Portugal. Os dados obtidos revelam carencia de ensino e inexistencia de protocolos/guidelines, bem como necessidade de suporte psicologico a profissionais e familia do RN. Conclusoes: A formacao continua e especifica, o apoio e acompanhamento psicologico dos profissionais e das familias devem constituir o pilar dos cuidados paliativos neonatais.

Needs and rights awareness of stroke survivors and caregivers in urban and rural China: a cross-sectional, multiple-centre questionnaire survey

ObjectivesStroke survivors require assistance and support in their daily lives. This survey aims to investigate the needs and rights awareness in Chinese stroke survivors and caregivers in rural and urban...

Perceived distress, personality characteristics, coping strategies and psychosocial impairments in a national German multicenter cohort of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

This study examined differences in personality, psychological distress, and stress coping in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) depending on type of disease and disease activity. We compared patients suffering from Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with controls. While the literature is replete with distinctive features of the pathogenesis of IBD, the specific differences in psychological impairments are not well studied. In this German national multicenter study, participants were recruited from 32 centers. Two hundred ninety-seven questionnaires were included, delivering vast information on disease status and psychological well-being based on validated instruments with a total of 285 variables. CD patients were more affected by psychological impairments than patients suffering from UC or controls. Importantly, patients with active CD scored higher in neuroticism (p < 0.01), psychological distress (p < 0.001) and maladaptive stress coping (escape, p = 0.03; rumination, p < 0.03), but less need for social support (p = 0.001) than controls. Incontrast, patients suffering from active UC showed psychological distress (p < 0.04) and maladaptive coping (avoidance, p < 0.03; escape, p = 0.01). Patients in remission seemed to be less affected. In particular, patients with UC in remission were not inflicted by psychological impairments. The group of CD patients in remission however, showed insecurity (p < 0.01) and paranoid ideation (p = 0.04). We identified specific aspects of psychological impairment in IBD depending on disease and disease activity. Our results underscore the need for psychological support and treatment particularly in active CD.