Participation In Patient Care Research Articles

Perceptions of followership among nurses: A qualitative study

BackgroundFollowership is defined as the role individuals play in supporting, contributing to, and realizing the vision and directives set by their leaders. Such a role is indispensable in healthcare, facilitating effective team dynamics and healthcare delivery. Within the nursing field, it encompasses nurses' active engagement and participation in healthcare delivery, ensuring safety, fostering teamwork, and enhancing patient outcomes. Despite its significance, the exploration of followership within the nursing context of Saudi Arabia remains limited. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore how followership is perceived and practiced by nurses in this unique cultural and professional setting, and its implications for healthcare delivery. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative inquiry involving seven registered nurses working in hospitals affiliated with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis was utilized to extract key findings. ResultsOur thematic analysis identified four main themes and several sub-themes that encapsulate the participants' perspectives on followership. The themes include: (1) Understanding of followership, where a predominant lack of clarity about the concept was observed, often conflating it with teamwork; (2) Followers' involvement in decision-making, highlighting the limited participation of nurses in decision-making processes due to hierarchical and autocratic leadership structures; (3) Barriers to followership, which encompassed issues such as poor leadership, the undervaluation of the follower role, lack of training and development opportunities, challenges in collaboration, and language barriers; and (4) Facilitators of followership, identified as effective leadership, followership training, communication skills, positive relationships, respect, collaboration, understanding of roles, commitment, and flexibility. These findings elucidate the complex landscape of followership within the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia, revealing both the challenges and pathways to fostering effective followership in healthcare settings. Conclusion and ImplicationsThis study reveals a widespread lack of awareness about followership among nurses in Saudi Arabia, highlighting significant challenges related to hierarchy and the undervaluation of the follower role in nursing practice and education. It underscores the need for educational and training interventions that redefine and elevate the role of followership in clinical settings to enhance collaboration, assertiveness, and decision-making skills. Moreover, the study advocates for the re-evaluation of leadership practices to better acknowledge and value followership, promoting a more flattened hierarchy that encourages active participation in patient care and organizational development. Implementing these changes could improve patient outcomes and increase nurse satisfaction by effectively addressing the identified barriers related to hierarchy and leadership.

Pharmacists' Behavioral Changes after Attending a Multi-Prefectural Palliative Care Education Program.

Central to the pharmacist's role in palliative care is symptom management through direct participation in patient care and the provision of optimal pharmacotherapy to support patient outcomes. Consequently, palliative care requires extensive knowledge and action for patients with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how pharmacists' behavior changed after attending a palliative care educational program. We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey examining the behavior of pharmacists regarding palliative care before participating in the program, two months after participating in the program, and eight months after participating in the program to determine their behavior and changes over time. For all questions, scores were higher at two and eight months after attending the program than before attending the program (p < 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed between two and eight months after attending the program for any question (p = 0.504-1.000). The knowledge gained from the educational program was used to repeatedly intervene with patients with cancer in order to address the various symptoms they experienced and maintain their behavior. The proven effectiveness of this program serves as a stepping stone for nationwide rollout across Japan's 47 prefectures.

Family's Perceived Needs and Satisfaction with Intensive Care Services: A Questionnaire-based Prospective Observational Study.

Holistic intensive care management involves the treatment of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) as well as catering to family psychosocial needs helping in bettering satisfaction/perception of care. There is scarce data in the Indian intensive care setting regarding the same, especially in times of increasing end-of-life practices. Our study aimed to determine the factors impacting family perception/satisfaction with intensive care. A total of 336 family bystanders of patients in ICU with more than 72 hours of stay were surveyed using family satisfaction in the ICU 24 revised (FS-ICU 24R) questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factors associated with the satisfaction among bystanders of ICU patients were the treatment of patient's physical symptoms like pain/breathlessness (Adjusted OR 3.73, p = 0.003), ICU staff's approach to family's need consideration (Adjusted OR 4.44, p < 0.001), concern and care towards patients' family (Adjusted OR 2.67, p = 0.023). Participation in patient care, ICU waiting room atmosphere, and emotional support are the other factors independently associated with satisfaction with ICU care. Family satisfaction was not associated with the patient's survival (p = 0.331, Chi-square test) or the length of ICU (p = 0.328, Chi-square test) and hospital stay (p = 0.865, Chi-square test). Treatment of a patient's physical symptoms like pain, approach to family's needs consideration, and concern/care towards the patient's family are independent factors associated with optimal satisfaction among family members of ICU patients, which even takes precedence over the survival outcomes or length of ICU stay. Atri V, Bhatt MT, Chaudhuri S, Mitra A, Maddani SS, Ravindranath S. Family's Perceived Needs and Satisfaction with Intensive Care Services: A Questionnaire-based Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(5):483-494.

Family centeredness of care: a cross-sectional study in intensive care units part of the European society of intensive care medicine

PurposeTo identify key components and variations in family-centered care practices.MethodsA cross-sectional study, conducted across ESICM members. Participating ICUs completed a questionnaire covering general ICU characteristics, visitation policies, team-family interactions, and end-of-life decision-making. The primary outcome, self-rated family-centeredness, was assessed using a visual analog scale. Additionally, respondents completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Ethical Decision Making Climate Questionnaire to capture burnout dimensions and assess the ethical decision-making climate.ResultsThe response rate was 53% (respondents from 359/683 invited ICUs who actually open the email); participating healthcare professionals (HCPs) were from Europe (62%), Asia (9%), South America (6%), North America (5%), Middle East (4%), and Australia/New Zealand (4%). The importance of family-centeredness was ranked high, median 7 (IQR 6–8) of 10 on VAS. Significant differences were observed across quartiles of family centeredness, including in visitation policies availability of a waiting rooms, family rooms, family information leaflet, visiting hours, night visits, sleep in the ICU, and in team-family interactions, including daily information, routine day-3 conference, and willingness to empower nurses and relatives. Higher family centeredness correlated with family involvement in rounds, participation in patient care and end-of-life practices. Burnout symptoms (41% of respondents) were negatively associated with family-centeredness. Ethical climate and willingness to empower nurses were independent predictors of family centeredness.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the need to prioritize healthcare providers’ mental health for enhanced family-centered care. Further research is warranted to assess the impact of improving the ethical climate on family-centeredness.

Practice makes perfect: The learner-doctor blueprint for proficient physicians.

In the process of producing competent and efficient medical graduates, clinical teaching is an integral component of undergraduate training. Even though clinical training has been linked with multiple benefits and plays a defining role in transforming a medical student into a competent doctor, it has some inherent challenges. The learner-doctor method emphasizes learning by doing and has the potential to counter the identified challenges in the traditional mode of clinical training. The learner-doctor method places emphasis on collaborative learning, wherein students learn by experiential learning and active participation in patient care. This method not only fosters the development of clinical skills but also cultivates critical thinking, teamwork, empathy, and effective communication. A number of activities or strategies must be planned and implemented to ensure that the set objectives of the learner-doctor method are accomplished by the medical institutions. In conclusion, as medical education continues to evolve, the learner-doctor method of clinical training is a dynamic approach to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. As this method enables medical students to actively engage in patient care and improve their critical thinking, it becomes the need of the hour that every medical institution should explore the opportunity to effectively implement the same in their settings.

Effect of family-centered care on the anxiety levels among family members of patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

The present study aims to determine the effect of family-centered care on anxiety levels among family members of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study was a randomized clinical trial study that was conducted on the families of Iranian cardiac surgery patients. In the intervention group, family-centered care was implemented, and the content of the intervention included providing informational and emotional support to the family member and the family member's participation in patient care according to the set framework. A total of 144 family members of patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included in this study. Among the 144 family members, 71 were in the intervention group, and 73 were in the control group. The changes in the state anxiety score before and after the intervention were significant between the two groups, and the changes were higher in the control group (P=0.043). Also, there was no significant difference in the changes in trait anxiety before and after the intervention between the two groups (P>0.05). In general, the high prevalence of anxiety in patients' families has negative functional consequences on both patients and their families. To reduce the level of anxiety, special attention should be paid to knowing the effective factors and appropriate coping methods. Nevertheless, it is important to note that additional research is warranted to delve deeper into this matter in future studies.

Blood borne infections and Hepatitis B virus immunization levels among medical students in India

BackgroundMedical students are actively involved in direct patient care during their training and subsequent medical practice, making them susceptible to acquiring blood-borne pathogens, including HBV. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of blood-borne infections and the Hepatitis B immunization status among medical students. Furthermore, it sought to identify gaps in risk assessment for blood-borne pathogens among medical students at a Medical College in New Delhi. MethodsThe study included 108 medical students who participated in a blood donation camp. Blood samples collected from these individuals underwent testing for blood-borne pathogens in accordance with standard screening protocols at the blood bank. The quantitative estimation was performed for anti-HBs IgG using ELISA. ResultsAll 108 participants were pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate medical degrees. All students tested negative for HBsAg and HIV markers and showed no reactivity to Syphilis and Malaria. However, one student tested positive for HCV. Two postgraduate students had a history of needlestick injuries. Eighty-one (75%) students had received Hepatitis B vaccination. Among the vaccinated students, 34 (41.97%) were immunized before the age of five years, 22 (27.16%) after the age of five years, while 25 (30.86%) couldn't recall the exact age of their Hepatitis B vaccination. Protective anti-HBs titer of anti-Hepatitis B antibodies (>10 mIU/ml) were detected in 48.15% (52/108) of students. ConclusionsOver 50% of medical students did not possess sufficient immunity against HBV infection, putting them at a heightened risk of acquiring HBV during their active participation in patient care in the near future. It is imperative to establish a policy for routine anti-HBs titer assessment and ensure easy access to Hepatitis B immunization for medical students, thereby enhancing their protection against this infectious agent.

Medical Student Identity Construction Within Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships: An International, Longitudinal Qualitative Study.

Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) have been implemented worldwide to increase authentic student participation in patient care over time. Studies have shown benefits of the model include the ability of LICs to attract future practitioners to underserved areas, student engagement in advocacy, and development of an "ethic of caring." Less is known, however, about how LICs impart their benefits, although LICs may strengthen professional identity. As such, this study aimed to explore medical student professional identity construction through time within LICs internationally. This was a longitudinal qualitative study from 2019 to 2020, involving 33 students across 4 medical schools in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. The authors explored participating students' identity construction during LICs. Data collection involved 3 stages: individual, semistructured interviews at entry (n = 33) and exit of the LIC (n = 29), and audio diaries throughout. Data were analyzed inductively using a reflexive thematic approach. Three themes were identified. Longitudinal relationships with patients and preceptors encouraged patient care ownership and responsibility; LIC students identified as patient advocates; and longitudinal relationships shaped students' social consciences. Themes were underpinned by continuity of relationships between students and patients, and students and tutors. Though continuity is lauded as the cornerstone of LICs, these findings suggest that this is too broad a way of understanding the benefits of LICs. Instead, continuity should be seen as facilitating the development of important relationships within diverse communities of practice, which leads medical students to construct professional identities as responsible, compassionate advocates for underserved populations. This was the case across the institutions, nations, and LIC types in this study. By highlighting the ways in which LICs influence identity, these findings offer important insight relating to the future development and delivery of LICs.

Professionals' narratives of interactions with patients' families in intensive care.

Background: ICU patients’ family members are in a new, uncertain, and vulnerable situation due to the patient’s critical illness and complete dependence on the ICU nurses and physicians. Family members’ feeling of being cared for is closely linked to clinicians’ attitudes and behavior.Aim: To explore ICU nurses’ and physicians’ bedside interaction with critically ill ICU patients´ families and discuss this in light of the ethics of care.Research design: A qualitative study using participant observation, focus groups, and thematic narrative analysis.Participants and research context: Data were gathered from July 2017 to August 2019, in four ICUs in Norway through 270 h of fieldwork and seven focus groups with ICU nurses and physicians.Ethical considerations: The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics and the Norwegian Centre for Research Data approved the study. Findings: Quality of ICU family care depends on nurses’ and physicians’ attitudes, behavior, and personality traits. Three main themes were identified: being attentive, an active approach, and degree of tolerance.Discussion: The findings are discussed in light of the ethics of care and empirical research from the intensive care environment.Conclusions: This study shows that attentive, active, and tolerant clinicians represent a culture of ethical care that gives families greater freedom of action and active participation in patient care. Clinicians must not bear sole responsibility for this culture; it must have a firm basis in the hospital and ICU and be established through training, interprofessional reflection, and support of clinicians.

Public-private partnerships in hospital administration in the Brazilian Unified National Health System in Bahia State, Brazil

The process of building Brazil´s Unified Health System has always been a space of dispute between the political forces that defend greater private sector participation in patient care and administration of services and those who defend strengthening public administration. In the context of underfinancing of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), associated with the restrictions imposed by the so-called Fiscal Responsibility Law, new management models have been adopted in hospital administration, including public-private partnerships (PPPs). Considering the relevance of investigating decision-making processes pertaining to the adoption of these models by State Health Departments, this study aims to analyze the decision-making processes and incorporation of this hospital administration model in the State of Bahia, Brazil, the first administrative concession in Brazil´s health sector. This is a case study in which the theoretical reference was Social Game Theory elaborated by Carlos Matus, linked to the Public Policy Cycle analytical model. The data were produced with document research and semi-structured interviews with key informants who participated in the pre-decision and decision-making stages of the PPP model. The article presents the political game involved in the choice of this alternative among other hospital administration models, besides debating the models´ advantages and disadvantages according to the key actors and concludes that determinants (not only financial, but also political and ideological) marked the decision-making process for the PPP model in Bahia, in which the driving factor and source of consultancy was the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank.

Bridging the Gap Between Educator and Learner: The Role of Psychological Safety in Medical Education.

Bridging the Gap Between Educator and Learner: The Role of Psychological Safety in Medical Education.

Interprofessional Education Curriculum for Medical Assistants in Radiation Oncology: A Single Institution Pilot Program

PurposeMedical assistants (MAs) occupy an increasingly prevalent role in the clinical setting. Subspecialized fields such as oncology require specific clinical knowledge; however, MAs have few requirements for continued education. Here we assess the role and effect of a pilot MA Radiation Oncology education curriculum. Methods and MaterialsA needs assessment survey was conducted and reviewed to develop a comprehensive introductory oncology curriculum. A resident physician-led program was implemented in an academic cancer care center consisting of monthly, 1-hour lectures. Pre- and postlecture surveys were administered to assess learning. Quarterly surveys were conducted over the 20-month curriculum timeframe. ResultsThe needs assessment revealed that there were no pre-existing MA continuing education didactics, but all (100%) MAs surveyed were “very interested” in such a curriculum. Sessions were found to be clear, comprehensive, relevant, and associated with a significant increase in a sense of empowerment (P = .035). Topics in Head and Neck and Breast Cancer showed large improvements in understanding (change in median Likert score of 3-4 points each) whereas topics in Introduction to Oncology and New Patient Consultation showed the smallest change (change 0.5-1). For 20 months, there was a sustained improvement in clinical understanding within and outside the scope of the MA role and an improvement in perceived empathy for patients (from median Likert score 3.5-5). ConclusionsDedicated education programs for MAs show the potential to improve clinical understanding and participation in patient care. Further studies may demonstrate how such programs translate to staff productivity or patient clinical outcomes. Interprofessional education may facilitate collaboration and enhanced clinical workflow.

Family involvement in the intensive care unit in four Nordic countries.

Relevance to clinical practice The findings from the study highlighting family involvement, high-quality communication and flexible visiting policy as central aspects of family care may inspire clinicians to identify aspects of everyday family care in their ICUs calling for further improvement. To describe family involvement, communication practices and visiting policies in adult ICUs. A cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire consisting of 11 sections was developed, pilot tested and e-mailed to 196 ICUs. The participants were intensive care nurses in adult ICUs in four Nordic countries. The survey was conducted in October to December 2019. The response rate was 81% (158/196) of the invited ICUs. Most of the units had fewer than 11 beds. Family participation in patient care, including involvement in ward rounds and presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, varied between the countries, whereas most families in all countries were involved in decision-making. Family conferences were generally initiated by staff or family members. Children under 18 did not always receive information directly from the staff, and parents were not advised about how to inform their children. Although most respondents described open visiting, restrictions were also mentioned in free-text comments. The level of family care in ICUs in the four Nordic countries is generally based on nurses' discretion. Although most Nordic ICUs report having an open or flexible visiting policy, a wide range of potential restrictions still exists. Children and young relatives are not routinely followed up. Family members are included in communication and decision-making, whereas family involvement in daily care, ward rounds and family-witnessed resuscitation seem to be areas with a potential for improvement.

Characteristics and predictors of patient care performed by clinical department chairpersons at U.S. schools of pharmacy

AbstractBackgroundClinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice departments at schools of pharmacy are usually composed of practicing pharmacy specialists. There is little known about the requirements for and frequency of patient care provided by clinical department chairpersons. The primary objective of this study was to determine the likelihood that pharmacy practice chairs engage in patient care. A secondary objective was to identify those factors predicting chairperson participation in patient care activities.MethodsA brief 22‐item adaptive response survey was sent to clinical department chairpersons at schools of pharmacy in the United States. Initial identification of chairs came from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) with verification by school websites. Surveys from schools without a clinical chairperson (or similar position) were excluded, as were surveys from schools with Ph.D. department chairpersons from blended departments (ie, Clinical with Outcomes/Policy Sciences).ResultsOf the 128 eligible schools' department chairpersons, 113 completed the surveys (88.3% response rate). Forty‐four (38.9%) chairs reported that they maintain an active clinical practice even though 103 (91.1%) report it is not required. Factors that had a significant association with clinical practice were clinical service being an expectation (P = .0004), having a practice prior to becoming chairperson (P = .001), having a higher clinical service expectation (P &lt; .0001), and having a lower administrative percentage (P = .0003). Age, rank, and academic track were not significant predictors. Of those with clinical practice, sites included community (45.4%), acute care (38.6%), primary care (4.5%), and other settings (11.4%). A majority of those with practice reported providing direct patient care (81.8%) or indirectly via supervision of students or other trainees (61.4%).ConclusionsMost schools of pharmacy do not require clinical department chairpersons to maintain a patient care practice, but many still choose to practice. Those that practiced before becoming a chairperson and have a lower administrative burden are more likely to continue to provide patient care.

Visual mapping of team dynamics and communication patterns on surgical ward rounds: an ethnographic study

BackgroundThe effect of team dynamics on infection management and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) behaviours is not well understood. Using innovative visual mapping, alongside traditional qualitative methods, we studied how surgical team...

Families’ control preference for participation in patient care in adult intensive care

ObjectiveUnderstand families’ preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU. Research methodologyThe mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically ill patients. SettingTwo public hospital intensive care units in Australia. Main outcome measures1) Families’ preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit. ResultsAlmost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%). ConclusionDifferences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.

Physicians' Characteristics Associated with Their Attitude to Family Presence during Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Healthcare providers have disparate views of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; however, the attitudes of physicians have not been investigated systematically. This study investigates the patterns and determinants of physicians' attitudes to FP during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional design was applied, where a sample of 1000 physicians was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in the southern region of Saudi Arabia for over 11 months (February 2014–December 2014). The collected data was analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test. Spearman's correlation analysis and chi-square test of independence were used for the analysis of physicians' characteristics with their willingness to allow FP. 80% of physicians opposed FP during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The majority of them believed that FP could lead to decreased bedside space, staff distraction, performance anxiety, interference with patient care, and breach of privacy. They also highlight FP to result in difficulty concerning stopping a futile cardiopulmonary resuscitation, psychological trauma to family members, professional stress among staff, and malpractice litigations. 77.9% mostly disagreed that FP could be useful in allaying family anxiety about the condition of the patient or removing their doubts about the care provided, improving family support and participation in patient care, or enhancing staff professionalism. Various concerns exist for FP during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which must be catered when planning for FP execution.

Emory University School of Medicine.

Emory University School of Medicine.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Exploring family participation in patient care on acute care wards: A mixed-methods study.

Patient- and family-centred care practices are a recommended part of contemporary care for the acutely ill hospitalized adult patients. However, how patient- and family-centred care is enacted in an adult hospital setting is not well understood. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of patients, family members and nurses regarding family participation and collaboration in patient care within an acute care setting, including the barriers and facilitators. This study used a mixed-methods sequential design. Observer-as-participant observations and semistructured interviews were undertaken. Integration of the data was achieved through triangulation. Triangulation revealed two metathemes. The first metatheme, 'continuum of family involvement', explained the central viewpoint of how family participation and collaboration in the care of acutely ill hospitalized adult patients was enacted. The second metatheme, 'nurses value family involvement', helped to explain and understand the barriers and facilitators to enacting family participation in the acute care setting. Promoting family participation in the acute care setting requires supporting multiple levels of engagement. Developing a relationship, clear communication and open sharing of information amongst patients, family members and nurses is critical to supporting family involvement.