Physical Self-care Research Articles

Design and usability evaluation of a mobile application for self-care among Iranian adolescents

BackgroundMobile phones can be an ideal platform to engage adolescents to maintain, improve, and promote self-care. Therefore, the current study aims to design and evaluate the usability of a mobile application for self-care in adolescents with a user-centered approach.MethodsThe current applied developmental study was done in four steps. The first step, polling and examining opinions was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews, with the aim of user-centered mobile application design with the involvement of 30 participants. The second step, extracting and compiling the educational content related to the main themes of the self-care app, was obtained from national and international guidelines and instructions, including the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, etc. In the third step, the initial version of the mobile application was developed. In the fourth step, app usability was evaluated by 30 participants from the target group, 2 weeks after using the app, using the MAUQ questionnaire.ResultsIn the first step, 789 codes, 12 sub-categories, and 3 categories were extracted. These codes were used in the design of the mobile application. In the second step, educational information was prepared and arranged in 5 sections (physical activity, nutrition, personal hygiene, risky behaviors and safety and events) in the form of text, images and short videos. In the third step, the mobile application was designed based on step 1 and 2. This application operates in online mode and under the Android operating system. the initial version of the mobile application was developed using JavaScript and Typescript programming languages in a Visual Studio Code environment. In the fourth step, the participants the overall level of usability of the application as very good with an average of 6.28 ± 0.55. The highest average score was given to the user interface and satisfaction with an average score of 6.43 ± 0.58.ConclusionsThe "My-Care" app is a collaboratively designed smartphone app for adolescents that targets 5 dimensions of physical self-care. This app has the potential to teach, assess, and promote self-care among adolescents.

Comparing post-traumatic stress severity in professional and volunteer Australian firefighters.

While extensive research has highlighted increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters, previous research has yielded mixed results regarding the role of work status (professional versus volunteer) in the development of psychopathological symptoms. To explore the predictive strength of work status on PTSD or post-traumatic stress symptom severity in a large sample of professional (PFFs) and volunteer (VFFs) Australian firefighters exposed to operational work-related trauma. The stratified random sample comprised 1317 PFFs (n = 1148 (87%) males and 13%, n = 169 (13%) females) and 898 VFFs (n = 744 (83%) males and n = 154 (17%) females) who reported having experienced trauma while working or volunteering. Participants completed demographic, health and work-related questions and mental health measures of stress, trauma, PTSD, social support and use of mental health prevention programmes. The results revealed a significant relationship between work status and PTSD, with PFFs reporting higher levels of PTSD symptom severity compared to VFFs. This association persisted after controlling for demographics, health, stress away from work, social support and use of organizational mental health support programmes (debriefing and face-to-face training for mental and physical self-care). This study suggests the importance of work status in PTSD amongst Australian firefighters exposed to operational trauma. Future research is needed to substantiate our findings and examine why PFFs may be more prone to developing PTSD. Implications for the provision of mental health programmes offered by fire organizations to their members are discussed.

Factors affecting educational leader wellbeing: Sources of stress and self-care

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods research is to understand leader stressors, the impacts of stress, self-care strategies used to mitigate stress, and gender-related differences. Research Methods: School and district leaders in a suburban school district in the northeastern United States ( n = 33) completed a mixed-methods survey. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately. Data were compared and integrated, then interpreted to understand educational leaders’ experiences. Findings: Leaders reported high levels of role-related stress from external pressures, responsibilities related to managing others, interactions with families, and job-related concerns. Impacts of this stress were multifaceted and found to spill over to home. Female leaders were more likely to report stress from concern for the well-being of others and from interactions with teachers and staff. To mitigate effects of stress, leaders engaged in cognitive, emotional, occupational, spiritual, and physical self-care. Female leaders were more likely to report occupational self-care and social support seeking. Implications for Research and Practice: This research suggests that districts should invest in providing mentorship, professional learning communities, and professional development focused on well-being to support educational leaders. More research is needed on individual and school-level characteristics that may influence leader experiences of stress and engagement in self-care.

Can an Online Course, Life101: Mental and Physical Self-Care, Improve the Well-Being of College Students?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of college students worldwide. As colleges shifted to online instruction, students faced disruptions and increased stressors, leading to a decline in mental health that appears to continue in the postpandemic era. To alleviate this problem, academic institutions have implemented various interventions to address mental health issues; however, many of these interventions focus on a single approach and lack diverse delivery methods. This viewpoint introduces the concept of a multimodal self-care online course, Life101: Mental and Physical Self-Care, and discusses the potential effectiveness of such an intervention in improving students' well-being. The course combines evidence-based interventions and incorporates interactive lectures, workshops, and guest speakers. Pre- and postcourse surveys were conducted over a span of 4 academic terms to evaluate the impact of this course on the well-being and self-care practices of students. The survey data suggest positive outcomes in students taking Life101, including the adoption of healthier habits, reduced stress levels, and increased knowledge and practice of self-care techniques. Life101 represents a novel multimodality intervention to address the epidemic of mental health issues faced by students today. By implementing similar evidence-based multimodal didactic curricula across campuses, academic institutions may be able to better equip students to navigate challenges and promote their overall well-being.

Measuring Importance of Physical Self-Care Behavior in Patients with Heart Failure: Validation and Reliability Analysis of IPSC-14 Item Scale

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome associated with increased disability, morbidity and mortality globally. HF is characterized by recurrent exacerbations and a high rate of hospital readmissions. Self-care is a crucial component of treatment. The way patients assess the importance of self-care may shed light on planning effective individualized interventions. The aim of this study was to conduct a validity and reliability analysis of the new 14-item IPSC scale, which measures how important HF patients consider their physical self-care behavior (IPSC, Importance of Physical Self-Care). The 14-item IPSC scale was created by the researchers to explore how important HF patients consider their physical self-care behavior. The validation of the IPSC scale included face and content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, repeatability and discriminant validity. Patients' characteristics were also included. In the present study, 52 hospitalized HF patients were enrolled, of whom 55.8% were female, 34.6% above 70 years old, 48.1% of NYHA class III and 32.7% suffered this illness from 6 to 10 years. The total IPSC score had a possible range of 14-56, with higher scores indicating a low importance of self-care. The descriptive statistics in the IPSC scale showed a mean score of 27.9 ± 4.9 and a median score of 29, indicating that HF patients evaluated self-care behavior as moderately important. All items were found to be statistically significantly correlated with total scale scores (p ≤ 0.05), with correlation coefficients rho > 0.250, indicating moderate to strong correlations and meaning that all items are important in the calculation of the final score (construct validity). The internal consistency of the items that constituted the total score was found to be high (Cronbach's a > 0.7). Furthermore, it was found that scores had high repeatability (p ≤ 0.001 and ICCs > 0.7). Regarding discriminant validity, a statistically significant association was observed between the importance of physical self-care behavior and both years suffering the illness (p = 0.007) and the NYHA class (p = 0.030). The 14-item IPSC scale is a reliable instrument that help nurses in clinical settings to gain a better and prompt understanding of the importance which patients invest in their physical self-care behavior.

Are they ready? A survey of postgraduate year 1 and 2 surgical house officers.

An online survey was undertaken to analyse the perception of medical school graduates, in postgraduate years 1 and 2, of being ready to work (preparedness) and of managing the demands of practice as a junior doctor on a general surgical attachment. An email-based survey was designed to assess medical school graduates' sense of preparedness, and was sent electronically to all house officers at the beginning of their 3-month attachment in general surgery between December 2020 and December 2021. One email reminder was sent 2 weeks after the initial email with the embedded survey hyperlink. The overall response rate was 50%. Of those, over 90% had accompanied surgical teams on acute calls and over extended hours as a medical student. However, only 50% had ever attended a trauma call or a resuscitation call with clinical teams. Half of the respondents indicated that they would have liked specific teaching on mental and physical self-care, preparation for night shifts and extended periods of duty as well as in prioritisation, delegation and management of workloads. This survey showed that new doctors lacked dedicated teaching in professional behaviours and felt it to be an important part of medical training and preparation for medical practice.

Promotion of well-being for the elderly based on the 5 Ᾱyussadhamma in the Dusit District, Bangkok, Thailand

The study has objectives as (1) to study the concept of health-promoting of the elderly, (2) to study PWBE based on 5 Ᾱyussadhamma practices behaviour (5APB), and (3) to display a guideline of PWBE based on 5APB in Dusit District, Bangkok, Thailand: A Case Study of WSC. The study used mixed methods of focus-group and in-depth interviews and empirical research with instruments a semi-structured interview and using content analysis with data saturation measurement. The structured questionnaire was computed by ANOVA & MRA. The participant's behaviour influenced validities as the significance of demography associated (ρ ˂0.05), with significant factors between SMI-Benefit pension and MSCPA as Spearman's Rho (ρ ˂0.032). The interpretation of practices based on 5APB instant "very high" frequency in daily life as the highest AYU-P5 Brahmajari (mean 4.88, ± 0.29). The impact of all variables predictor is PWBE (ρ ˂0.000) R2 = 0.880 predictions activated. The variables prediction was the best of the linear regression model as ŷ=0.217SAP1+0.150SAP2+0.222SAP3+0.129SAP4+0.263SAP5+e Zŷ=0.213ZSAP1+ 0.149ZSAP2+ 0.224ZSAP3+0.126ZSAP4+0.289ZSAP5+e Finally, research display the guideline of PWBE based on 5APB that composite with (1) Physical self-care (ρ ˂0.000), (2) Mental self-care (ρ ˂0.000), and (3) Social self-care (ρ ˂0.000).

Sit-Stand Desks and Physical Self-care Behaviors in a Family Medicine Residency.

More than 50% of primary care physicians' practice involves sedentary desk work. Growing evidence suggests a link between sedentary workplace behaviors and increased morbidity and mortality. Research on the effects of sit-stand desks in the workplace suggests that sit-stand desks reduce sedentary behaviors. This study examined the use and satisfaction of adjustable desks with a height of sit-stand and their association with physical self-care behaviors among family medicine residents. We conducted a longitudinal cohort survey study at a 9-9-9 family medicine residency after the clinic installed height-adjustable sit-stand desks in January 2020. Standardized questions about the use and satisfaction of adjustable sit-stand desks and physical self-care behaviors were administered in June 2020, December 2020, and December 2021. The survey also included an open text box for feedback. Median time spent standing at the sit-stand desks was 55.0%. The percentage of time standing was similar across June 2020, December 2020, and December 2021. The average satisfaction rate with the desks across all time points was 71.4%. We did not observe significant differences in the proportion of residents' satisfaction with the adjustable desks over time. Residents who reported standing at the adjustable desk reported increased satisfaction with the desks (Kendall's τ=.38, P<.001) and with physical self-care behaviors (Kendall's τ=.25, P<.05). Themes associated with desk dissatisfaction revolved around limited desktop space. Over a nearly 1.5-year period, more than half of family medicine residents reported standing at their adjustable desks and being satisfied with them. Residents who reported standing at adjustable desks also reported increased physical self-care behaviors. Residency programs investing in sit-stand desks may consider options that allow for increased desktop surface space.

National Implementation of a Group-Based Program Promoting Patient Engagement and Peer Support in the Veterans Health Administration: A Multi-Methods Evaluation.

Evidence-based approaches promoting patient engagement and chronic illness self-management include peer support, shared decision-making, and education. Designed based on these components, Taking Charge of My Life and Health (TCMLH) is a group-based, ‘Whole Person’ care program promoting mental and physical self-care and patient empowerment. Despite evidence of effectiveness, little is known about implementation for TCMLH and similar programs. In this first-of-its-kind, multi-methods evaluation conducted between 2015–2020, we report on implementation strategies and intervention adaptations with a contextual analysis to describe TCMLH translational efforts in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities across the United States. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via listening sessions with TCMLH facilitators, open-ended survey responses from facilitators, and quarterly reports from clinical implementation sites. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to analyze, interpret, and organize qualitative findings, and descriptive statistics to analyze quantitative data. Most TCMLH programs (58%) were adapted from the original format, including changes to the modality, duration, or frequency of sessions. Findings suggest these adaptations occurred in response to barriers including space, staffing constraints, and participant recruitment. Overall, findings highlight practical insights for improving the implementation of TCMLH, including recommendations for additional adaptations and tailored implementation strategies to promote its reach.

Emotional Self-Care: Exploring the Influencing Factors Among Individuals With Cancer.

Cancer is a leading source of distress and fatality worldwide. Cancer-related aberrant cell proliferation causes excruciating pain and impairment. To cope with pain and manage symptoms and illness, pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological options are available. Self-care behaviors are recognized as a key source in symptom management and improving quality adherence to treatment among the current non-pharmacological strategies. The intervention measures to improve self-care were hardly impacted because of the narrow focus on physical self-care. Bringing in emotional self-care and addressing the individual's emotional health can enhance the effectiveness of interventions on a holistic level. Hence, this study has attempted to explore the factors that influence emotional self-care among individuals with cancer. Following an exploratory research design, the data were collected from 15 participants (4 men and 11 women) using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis, eight major themes were identified: physiological factors, social factors, family factors, psychological factors, individual factors, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, and spiritual factors. The findings explained the emotional self-care among patients with cancer and how different identified factors influence their emotional self-care practices.

Effects of a physical self-care support program for patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial.

The effects of stretching exercises in fibromyalgia (FM) deserves further study. To evaluate the effectiveness of a Physical Self-Care Support Program (PSCSP), with emphasis on stretching exercises, in the treatment of FM. Forty-five women with FM were randomized to the PSCSP (n= 23) or to a control group (n= 22). The PSCSP consisted of weekly 90-minute learning sessions over 10weeks, providing instructions on wellness, postural techniques, and active stretching exercises to be done at home. The control group was monitored through 3 medical appointments over 10weeks and included in a waiting list. The primary outcomes were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and the Sit and Reach Test (SRT) at the end of the study. Nineteen and 21 patients completed the trial in PSCSP and control groups, respectively. After 10 weeks, the PSCSP group showed significantly better FIQ (difference between adjusted means, -13.64, 95% CI, -21.78 to -5.49, P= 0.002) and SRT scores (7.24cm, 3.12 to 11.37, P= 0.001) than the control group, but no significant difference in pain VAS (-1.41, -3.04 to 0.22, P= 0.088). Analysis using multiple imputation (MI) and delta-adjusted MI for missing outcomes rendered similar results. A PSCSP emphasizing stretching exercises significantly improved FIQ and SRT scores, and may be a helpful therapy for FM.

Coping Strategies of Healthcare Professionals with Burnout Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of coping strategies used to reduce burnout syndrome in healthcare workers teams. Materials and Methods: We used PubMed and Web of Science, including scientific articles and other studies for additional citations. Only 7 of 906 publications have the appropriate inclusion criteria and were selected. A PRISMA 2020 flow diagram was used. Results: The most common coping strategies that the literature studies showed were efficient, in particular social and emotional support, physical activity, physical self-care, emotional and physical distancing from work. Coping mechanisms associated with less burnout were also physical well-being, clinical variety, setting boundaries, transcendental, passion for one’s work, realistic expectations, remembering patients and organizational activities. Furthermore, it was helpful to listen to the team’s needs and preferences about some types of training. Conclusion: We suppose that the appropriate coping strategies employed in the team could be useful also in the prevention of psychological suffering, especially in contexts where working conditions are stressful. Studies about coping strategies to face burnout syndrome in healthcare workers should be increased.

The role of self-care on cognitive ability in diabetic elderly

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the role of self-care in predicting cognitive ability in the elderly with diabetes. Methods:The population of the present study was all women who referred to the endocrinology clinic of the 2nd district of Karaj, from which 180 women (50-70 years old) with diabetes were selected according to the inclusion criteria. To measure the self-care questionnaire of Yonesi et al. (2019) and the rescue cognitive abilities questionnaire (2012) and to analyze the data, Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that self-care components can explain 24.3% of the variance of cognitive ability. Physical self-care (β=0.197) has the largest share in predicting the cognitive ability of the elderly, followed by social self-care (β=-0.189), spiritual self-care coefficient (β=-0.162) and self-care in During illness (β = 0.122) (P &lt; 0.001) Conclusion: According to the obtained results, cognitive abilities in the elderly with diabetes can be predicted with the help of self-care dimensions.

Nurse care for diabetic foot patient

Introduction: The diabetic foot also called by a multifaceted pathophysiological state is characterized by lesions that arise from the feet of the person with diabetes without adequate treatment and specific care. It is estimated that the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer reaches 6.3% of diabetic patients and its prevalence approaches 10%, and people with low socioeconomic status are the greatest victims. In view of this evidence, the work is based on the following problem: What care do nurses develop in patients with diabetic feet? General objective: To evidence the care of diabetic foot related to the practice of nurses. Methodology: An integrative review was conducted in the Specialized Bibliographic Database in nursing (BDENF), latin american and caribbean literature in health sciences (LILACS) and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and which resulted in seven articles. Results: The studies showed how the care of nurses with diabetic foot health education, continuing and permanent education, evaluation techniques to diabetic foot that involve physical examinations and self-care of patients with diabetic feet. It is reinforced that this care should be performed as a priority by nurses, since nurses have specific and qualified care to the patient in their main attributions. Conclusion: It is concluded, therefore, that the study identified several forms of care provided by nurses and that all these forms are important for the continuity of treatment and the prevention of complications, however, it is up to the nurse to be a professional who values the quality of their care based on theoretical concepts that lead to frequent training.

Resilience and Challenges of Working Mothers during COVID-19

The pandemic has brought on much hardships and highlighted the many inequities in our lives, including the increasing workload for working mothers. Compared to pre-pandemic, maternal research has found mothers to have increases in anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Given the added stressors of the pandemic, this paper aims to highlight some evidence-based strategies that mothers can use to support their mental health during the pandemic and beyond. These mental health strategies include (1) Self-compassion and mindfulness (2) Physical self-care (sleep and physical activity time); (3) Connecting time (maintaining social connections and shared responsibilities); and (4) Playtime (having fun!).

Design and validation of the Self-Care Behaviors Scale

Self-care constitutes a series of actions and behavior that contributes to individuals life, health and well-being maintenance and represents a relevant construct in diverse psychological areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the Self-Care Behaviors Scales and evaluate its psychometric properties. The sample included 235 individuals (M= 29.11 years, SD= 10.53) from northern Mexico. To analyze the structure, a factorial exploratory analysis, revealed the existence of three factors (physical self-care, psychological self-care, spiritual self-care) that would explain 54% of total covariance. A three-factor analysis of covariance allowed adequate goodness-of-fit indices and the calculation of the mean variance extracted. The scale obtained evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. The internal consistency indices of the total score and the subscales were high (between .93 to .96). The significant correlation between these factors with personal variables provided evidence of the concurrent validity of the scale.

Prevalence of burnout among frontline versus non-frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Makkah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Burnout is a known professional phenomenon caused by chronic workspace stress that has not been successfully managed. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of burnout syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic in frontline health care workers (HCWs) versus other HCWs among Makkah and Jeddah hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Makkah and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was sent through the different social media platforms to collect data and direct collection from HCWs in the hospitals gathered by data collectors. The questionnaire composed of two sections. The first one was concerned with sociodemographic data. The second part of the questionnaire included the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Result: Out of 460 HCWs, 345 individuals were evaluated after exclusion. In this study, burnout was prevalent among 81.3% of frontline HCWs and 77.4% of non-frontline HCWs (p = 0.475). The total prevalence of burnout among HCWs was 80% (N = 276). We found that frontline HCWs had a higher mean total score of OLBI than non-frontline HCWs (40.42 ± 7.14 vs. 38.83 ± 6.80, respectively) (p = 0.0494). Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout was statistically indifferent between frontline and non-frontline HCWs. However, frontlines had a higher mean of burnout score compared to non-frontlines. The necessity of successful strategies for preventing burnout should be considered to create a better work environment. Such strategies include reducing working hours, promoting mental, emotional, and physical self-care, and applying mindfulness-based stress reduction exercises.

Protecting others from ourselves: self-care in social work educators

ABSTRACT Self-care is a trending topic in social work, both in the professional workplace and the social work curriculum. There is an imperative that newly minted social workers, and their seasoned peers, cultivate self-care practices that can help minimize or avoid the risks related to the human services workplace. Social work programs in higher education are on the front lines of delivering self-care content to students in preparation for their transition to the workplace so that those they serve are protected from workers who are burnt out. But how do social worker educators and their higher education institutions practice and support self-care? Social work educators’ role extends beyond the delivery of course content because they also model the implementation of social work knowledge, values, and skills. This research sheds light on the self-care practices of social work educators, what supports and undermines their self-care, and how their institutions support self-care. Results show that social work educators rely most heavily on psychological and physical self-care. Participants identified a range of supportive factors and barriers to self-care. Areas of future research and implications for social work curriculum are discussed.

Challenges to well-being for general practice trainee doctors: a qualitative study of their experiences and coping strategies

Purposes of the studyTo identify the challenges to well-being experienced by general practice postgraduate trainees and to explore how the trainees respond to those challenges.Study designQualitative focus group study with...

Factors Affecting Physical Self-Care Among Patients with Tuberculosis

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt; physical self-care is necessary to gain patient involvement in health care in order to improve health outcome among tuberculosis patients. However, Factors related to support of physical self-care among patient tuberculosis under treatment was very rarely considered. This study aimed to identify the correlation between coping strategy, self-care management process and family well-being as factors associated with physical self-care. &lt;strong&gt;Method: &lt;/strong&gt;A correlation study was conducted among forty-five of tuberculosis patients using purposive sampling. Data were collected within follow up session after implementing self-management support intervention by using physical self-care, coping strategy, self-care management process and family well-being questionnaire. Pearson test was used to analyze the data. &lt;strong&gt;Result: &lt;/strong&gt;There were a significant association between self-care management process (r= 0.590; p=0.000), family well-being (children) (r=0.331; p=0.000) and physical self-care. However, there were no relationship between family well-being (parent) (p=0.789), coping strategy (p=0.874) and physical self-care among tuberculosis patient. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Self-care management process and family well-being on children are essential factors to improve physical self-care among tuberculosis patient. Therefore, intervention which integrate those factors are important to enhance physical self-care among patients with tuberculosis&lt;/p&gt;