Embargo
Virtual reality to reduce pain, fatigue, and emotional distress in people with cancer: a scoping review
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024-09-02) Cuñado Pradales, Rebeca; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: cancer and its treatments cause symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and emotional distress, which affect the quality of life of patients at different stages of cancer. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising alternative for addressing these symptoms by immersing patients in a virtual environment that isolates them from reality. Objective: to describe the existing evidence on the use of VR to improve pain, fatigue, and emotional distress in people with cancer at different stages of the cancer trajectory. Methods: a scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Search was conducted in PubMed and CINAHL until October 2023. Results: twenty-three primary studies related to the study topic were identified, and the following information was collected: type of VR (immersive vs nonimmersive) used in oncology services, purpose (distraction, training, or relaxation), devices used (head-mounted display, headset, or virtual controller), and the environment simulated (natural environment, skill games, or educational environment). The effects of VR on pain, fatigue, and emotional distress are described, highlighting its ability to mitigate these symptoms in the short term.
Open Access
Healthcare interventions for older people with dementia and family caregivers in Europe: a scoping review
(Wiley, 2023) García Vivar, Cristina; Konradsen, Hanne; Svavarsdottir, Erla Kolbrun; Brødsgaard, Anne; Dieperink, Karin Brochstedt; Luttik, Marie Louise; Mahrer-Imhof, Romy; Østergaard, Birte; Imhof, Lorenz; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Aim: This study aimed to examine the extent, range and variety of research in Europe describing healthcare interventions for older people with dementia (PwD) and family caregivers. Methods: This was a scoping review and followed the PRISMA Scoping Review guideline. MEDLINE, CINAHL and Cochrane library databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2020. Studies reporting healthcare interventions in Europe for PwD over 65 years and their family caregivers were included. Results: Twenty-one studies from six European countries were included. The types of healthcare intervention identified were categorized as follows: (1) family unit intervention (interventions for both PwD and their family caregiver), (2) individual intervention (separate interventions for PwD or family caregivers) and (3) family caregiver only intervention (interventions for family caregivers only but with outcomes for both PwD and family caregivers). Conclusions: This review provides insight into healthcare interventions for older PwD and family caregivers in Europe. More studies are needed that focus on the family as a unit of care in dementia.
Open Access
Impact of individual and job characteristics on nurses' scope of practice in spanish hospital units
(Wiley, 2024) Saralegui Gainza, Amaia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; García Vivar, Cristina; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background. Nurses are one of the largest and costliest groups in healthcare organizations; therefore, it is important to comprehend their scope of practice. Aim. To contribute to the improvement of nursing resource management in medical-surgical and Intensive Care Units by identifying factors that influence the scope of nursing practice. The hypothesis was that the activities carried out by nurses in medical-surgical units and intensive care units are influenced by individual and job-related factors, with job characteristics having an additive and moderating effect on individual characteristics. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional correlational design to test the relationship between the individual and job characteristics on the nursing scope of practice measured by the Actual Scope of Nursing Practice (ASCOP) questionnaire. The sample consisted of 270 nurses. Linear mixed effects models analysis (LME) was used with the aleatory effect of the intensive care unit (ICU). Results. Belonging to the ICU decreased the scope of practice of nurses. We found a statistically significant effect of psychological demand, practice environment, role ambiguity, and growth need strength on the scope of nursing practice. The models explained a variance up to 24%. Conclusions. Although the survey results revealed the existence of broader scope of practice levels in Spanish hospital units than in the original Canadian study, the use of scope of nursing practice remains suboptimal. Higher levels on the psychological demand, the practice environment and in the individual growth need strength were related with a broader scope of practice. Otherwise, role ambiguity negatively affected the scope of practice. Implications for Nursing Management. This article provides an analysis of the impact of individual and job-related characteristics on the nursing scope of practice. It serves as a valuable resource for both managers and nurses, offering insights to improve nurses' working conditions and obtain more efficient workforces.
Open Access
How did COVID-19 lockdown impact the health of older adults in nursing homes?: a scoping review
(BMC, 2024) San Martín-Erice, Isabel; Escalada Hernández, Paula; García Vivar, Cristina; Furtado Eraso, Sara; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults in nursing homes is signifcant, with high death rates, disrupted care, isolation measures, and inadequate treatment. Social isolation has increased risks of cognitive disorders, anxiety, and depression. While many studies have examined the pandemic’s efects on nursing home staf and residents’ families, less is known about the health consequences for the residents themselves. This review aims to synthesize literature on the COVID-19 lockdown’s impact on the functional, cognitive, and psycho-emotional states of older adults in nursing homes. Methods. A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA exten sion for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Psy cINFO. The eligibility criteria included studies on older adults in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, with data that could be disaggregated for this population and results on the lockdown’s impact on physical, cognitive, and psycho-emotional levels. Results. Seventeen articles met the criteria for data extraction The synthesis was categorized into four main areas: functional, cognitive and psycho-emotional status, and isolation measures. Key fndings included decreased func tional abilities, lower cognitive test scores during the pandemic’s frst waves, development of psychological symp toms, and increased negative feelings among residents. Conclusions. Highlighting the consequences of confnement for nursing home residents is essential for updating evidence, developing efective strategies, and establishing protocols to mitigate the impact and prevent health issues in future pandemics.
Open Access
Alcance de práctica de las enfermeras de hospitalización médico-quirúrgica y unidades de cuidados intensivos
(Elsevier, 2024-07-09) Saralegui Gainza, Amaia; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; García Vivar, Cristina; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Objetivo: Analizar el alcance de práctica de las enfermeras de unidades de hospitalización médico-quirúrgicas y unidades de cuidados intensivos en el contexto español, y su relación con las características individuales de las enfermeras y de su ámbito de trabajo. Método: Estudio observacional, transversal, realizado en 29 unidades de hospitalización médico-quirúrgica de adultos y 5 unidades de cuidados intensivos de la red pública de Navarra. La variable principal, el alcance de práctica de las enfermeras, se midió mediante el cuestionario de D’Amour en su versión española. Se analizaron los datos con estadística descriptiva e inferencial, estableciendo el nivel de significación en 0,05. Resultados: Un total de 310 enfermeras participaron en el estudio, y los resultados revelaron niveles aceptables del alcance de práctica enfermera. La edad y el trabajar en unidades de cuidados intensivos fueron determinantes a la hora de identificar diferencias en las actividades desempeñadas por las enfermeras en el ejercicio de su profesión. La correlación encontrada muestra que a mayor edad existe mayor probabilidad de expresar puntuaciones más bajas en la dimensión «Cuidado centrado en paciente y familia». En contraste, en la dimensión «Calidad del cuidado y seguridad del paciente» fueron las enfermeras más jóvenes las que puntuaron significativamente más bajo. Conclusiones: Comprender el alcance de práctica de las enfermeras es esencial para abordar la escasez de profesionales en los sistemas de salud. No se trata únicamente de aumentar el número de enfermeras, sino de garantizar que estas estén dedicadas a desempeñar integralmente las funciones propias de su profesión.
Open Access
The experience of coronaphobia among health professionals and their family members during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
(Elsevier, 2022) Barreto, Mayckel; Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; García Vivar, Cristina; Nascimento, Lucila; Marcon, Sonia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Coronaphobia is an excessive fear of becoming infected by the COVID-19 virus. Situations of coronaphobia against health professionals have been identified. Therefore, there is a need to develop studies to understand family impact and experience of COVID-19 pandemic and coronaphobia. Aim: To describe the coronaphobia experience of health professionals and of one of their family members during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Exploratory qualitative study using narrative inquiry was used. This study was guided by the concept of coronaphobia and Family Systems Nursing as conceptual frameworks. Face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted from September to November 2020 with 14 health professionals, including nurses and physicians and one of their family members (n = 14). Findings: Three descriptive themes were identified which highlight professional-family dyads' experience of coronaphobia as a reciprocal and relational process. Coronaphobia was demonstrated by unknown or close people, in a disguised or explicit way, and generated suffering in the dyads and in the family unit. Consequently, individual and/or family strategies were developed to allow for the protection of the family system and the maintenance of its functioning. Discussion: This study describes how the dyads of health professionals and their family members identify the experiences of coronaphobia. In addition, it was possible to analyze the repercussions of coronaphobia on the dyad and the strategies they used to deal with it. Conclusions: This study extends understanding about the relationships between the experience of coronaphobia among health professionals and one of their family members and the experience of physical, cognitive and emotional suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022
Open Access
The role of resilience and coping strategies as predictors of well-being in breast cancer patients
(Elsevier, 2024) Ulibarri Ochoa, Ainhoa; Macía, Patricia; Ruiz de Alegría, Begoña; García Vivar, Cristina; Iraurgi, Ioseba; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Purpose: This study investigated the role of resilience and coping strategies on breast cancer patients’ well-being using a structural equation model. To achieve this objective, a model previously developed by Mayordomo’s group was partially replicated using a longitudinal study design in an oncological sample. Methods: The study was a longitudinal observational survey. Patients with breast cancer were recruited (N = 166). Resilience was measured with the Mexican Resilience Measurement Scale, coping strategies with the Forms of Coping and Dimensions Scale and perception of the psychological well-being with a short-form of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being at the start and end of adjuvant chemotherapy (T1 and T2 respectively). Results: The results showed stability in the variables over time and revealed differences with respect to Mayordomo’s model. The best predictor of well-being at T2 was well-being at T1. In addition, the model indicated that resilience had a direct impact on well-being through problem-focused coping. Indeed, resilience and problem-focused coping best explained well-being at T2. Conclusions: Both at the start and end of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, problem-focused coping positively predicted resilience, which in turn was a positive predictor of well-being. On the other hand, emotionfocused coping showed no association with resilience or well-being. As part of the multidisciplinary cancer team, oncology nurses have a key role to play in promoting resilience and problem-focused coping as an important goal of psychosocial interventions in breast cancer patients.
Open Access
'Opportunistic care': a focus group study of nurses' perspective on caring for long-term cancer survivors and their families
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024) Elizondo Rodríguez, Nerea; La Rosa-Salas, Virginia; Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; Domingo-Oslé, Marta; Nascimento, Lucila; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: The global population of long-term cancer survivors is increasing, thanks to advances in treatments and care. Healthcare systems are working to address the unique needs of these individuals. However, there remains a knowledge gap concerning nurses' view on cancer survivorship care. Objective: To identify nurses' perspective of care for long-term cancer survivors and their families. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used 5 focus groups comprising 33 nurses from primary healthcare and specialized oncology care. Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis, and the study received ethical approval. Results: Long-term cancer survivors and their families often remained unrecognized as a distinct group within the healthcare system. Consequently, nurses provide what can be termed as opportunistic care during nurse-survivor encounters, addressing health needs beyond the purpose of the initial healthcare visit. This absence of a systematic or structured approach for this patient group has prompted nurses to seek the establishment of a comprehensive framework through survivorship care plans, thus ensuring a continuum of care for this specific population. Conclusion: The lack of a structured approach to caring for long-term cancer survivors and their families, often invisible as a distinct population group, results in nurses providing care on an opportunistic basis. Implications for practice: It is crucial to develop and implement survivorship care plans tailored to this population's needs. Simultaneously, it is important to advance research in this area and establish an educational framework for nurses, enabling them to effectively address the care of long-term cancer survivors and their families.
Open Access
Differences in quality of life and emotional well-being in breast, colon, and lung cancer patients during outpatient adjuvant chemotherapy: a longitudinal study
(Wolters Kluwer, 2022) Ulibarri Ochoa, Ainhoa; Ruiz de Alegría, Begoña; López Vivanco, Guillermo; García Vivar, Cristina; Iraurgi, Ioseba; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Adjuvant chemotherapy used at each cancer site may affect quality of life (QoL) and emotional well-being (affect) of cancer patients differently; however, these differences between groups have not been studied. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess differences in QoL and affect by cancer site at the start of outpatient adjuvant chemotherapy, whether QoL and affect change during this treatment, and whether adverse effects influence these variables. Methods. A multicenter longitudinal descriptive study was conducted with 247 participants with breast, colon, or lung cancer at the beginning (T1) and end of treatment (T2). We used the SF-12 Health Survey, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and an ¿ad hoc¿ adverse effects questionnaire. Results. At the start of chemotherapy, the lung group had poorer Physical Component Summary and poorer positive and negative affect (P < .05) scores. In the end-of-treatment comparisons, breast and colon cancer patients¿ status had worsened, whereas lung cancer patients had tended to stabilize, although they remained the most vulnerable. Adverse effect severity was significant for Physical Component Summary (r = -0.13, P = .035), with decreases in positive affect (r = -0.17, β= -.16) and increases in negative affect (r = 0.15, β= .14). Conclusions. Changes in QoL and emotional state differ between groups, implying a need for varying levels of follow-up and emotional support. Patients with lung cancer seem particularly vulnerable. Implications for Practice Cancer nurses could strengthen the assessment of patients undergoing chemotherapy using more sensitive instruments such as the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and considering differences by cancer site, to provide care tailored to individual patient needs and preferences.
Embargo
Quality of life of adolescents and young adult survivors of childhood cancer: a qualitative study
(Wiley, 2024-11-11) Neris, Rhyquelle Rhibna; Papathanassoglou, Elizabeth; Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; García Vivar, Cristina; Nascimento, Lucila; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Aims: to analyse how adolescents and young adults who survived childhood cancer experience their quality of life and to ex-plore their meanings and conceptualisations of quality of life. Design: narrative design following Squire's method. Methods: in-person and virtual recruitment, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, was carried out in Brazil between May and November 2021. Eighteen semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with childhood cancer survivors. These data wereanalysed using reflexive thematic analysis and employing a triangulation of investigators. Results: four subthemes were identified, encompassing participants' perceptions and meanings of quality of life. Through thereflection and synthesis of these subthemes, a central theme emerged entitled "New self", capturing the profound impact of thecancer and survival experience on every aspect of the self, along with participants' sense of having gained "a new life" and a "sec-ond chance". Conclusion: the study provides a rich and nuanced understanding of quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. The results highlight that after all the changes in life due to cancer, integrating the new self becomes a central aspect of quality of life forsurvivors. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: recognising the profound shifts in self-perception that survivors of childhood cancer undergo, nurses should engage early in empowering patients and families, offering education, space and sup-port to help adolescents and young adults grow throughout their journey. Impact: the richness and depth inherent in qualitative data on quality of life can inform the development of care standards and health policies for survivors, guide the allocation of strategic resources and shape the development of plans and interventions focusing on childhood cancer survivors. Reporting method: the COREQ checklist was used. Patient or Public: no patient or public contribution.