| 1. |
- Arakelian, Erebouni, 1973-
(author)
-
Operating Room Efficiency and Postoperative Recovery after Major Abdominal Surgery : The Surgical Team’s Efficiency and the Early Postoperative Recovery of Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
- 2011
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In selected patients, surgical treatments such as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have enabled curative treatment options for previously incurable diseases, such as peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The introduction of resource demanding surgery could affect the work process, efficiency, and productivity within a surgical department and factors influencing patient postoperative recovery processes may have an impact on the efficiency of patient care after major surgery.The aim of this thesis was to investigate operating room efficiency from the perspective of both staff and leaders’ in two different settings (Papers I and II) and the early postoperative recovery of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (Papers III and IV).Interviews were held with 21 people in a county hospital and 11 members of the PC team in a university hospital, and a phenomenographic approach was used to analysis the data (Papers I and II). The patients’ postoperative recovery and pulmonary adverse events (AE) were determined from data retrieved from the electronic health records of 76 patients (Papers III and IV).The concept of efficiency was understood in different ways by staff members and their leaders (Paper I). However, when working in a team, the team members had both organisation-oriented and individual-oriented understanding of efficiency at work that focused on the patients and the quality of care (Paper II).The patients with PC regained gastrointestinal functions and could be mobilised during early postoperative recovery phase, although many patients suffered from psychological disturbances, sleep deprivation, and nausea (Paper III). Postoperative clinical and radiological pulmonary AE were common, but did not affect the early recovery process (Paper IV).In conclusion, leaders who are aware of the variation in understanding the concept of efficiency are better able to create the same platform for staff members by defining the concept of efficiency within the organisation. In a team organisation, the team members have a wider understanding of the concept of efficiency with more focus on the patients. The factors affecting postoperative recovery and pulmonary AE should be considered when designing individualised patient care plans in order to attain a more efficient recovery.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bergsten, Eva L
(author)
-
Working conditions and musculoskeletal disorders in flight baggage handling
- 2017
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Baggage handling is considered to be a heavy manual handling job including biomechanical exposures suspected of increasing the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. Aims: To document low back pain (LBP), shoulder pain (SP), and physical and psychosocial factors in baggage handlers, and to evaluate the implementation of an ergonomic intervention aiming to increase the use of loading assist devices. Methods: A questionnaire was utilized to characterize pain and psychosocial work conditions in 525 baggage handlers. The postures of 55 baggage handlers during 114 shifts were measured using inclinometry, half shift video-recordings were made for subsequent task analysis, and the number of aircraft handled was registered. Associations for psychosocial and biomechanical exposures with pain were assessed using regression analyses. An ergonomic intervention was implemented and evaluated using questionnaires and repeated interviews. Feasibility, intermediate outcomes, barriers and facilitators were assessed. Results: The prevalence rates of reported LBP and SP were 70% and 60%, respectively. Pain interfering with work (LBP - 30% and SP - 18%) and high pain intensity (LBP - 34% and SP - 28%) were associated with poor psychosocial working conditions. Extreme postures with arms elevated >60° occurred for 6.4% of the total time, and in trunk flexion >60° for 2.1% total time. In contrast, 71% of the total time was spent in a neutral trunk posture. The 90th percentile trunk forward flexion was 34.1°. Daily shoulder pain increased in approximately one-third of all shifts and was positively associated with extreme work posture and the number of aircraft handled; this association was modified by influence and support. The intervention was delivered as planned, and dose received and satisfaction were rated as high. Motivated trainees facilitated implementation while lack of manager support, opportunities to observe and practice behaviors, follow-up activities, staff reduction, and job insecurity were barriers. Conclusion: The high prevalence rates of LBP and SP in baggage handlers were associated with psychosocial exposures, and daily shoulder pain was associated with higher biomechanical exposure. Barriers to implementation can be minimized by recruiting motivated trainees, securing strong organizational support, and carrying out follow-up activities.
|
|
| 3. |
- Eriksson, Elisabet
(author)
-
Christian Communities and Prevention of HIV among Youth in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- 2011
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Young people in South Africa, particularly females, are at great risk of acquiring HIV, and heterosexual sex is the predominant mode of HIV transmission. In order to curb the epidemic the Department of Health encourages all sectors in the society, including religious institutions, to respond effectively. The present thesis seeks to increase the understanding of the role of Christian communities in prevention of HIV for young people. Three denominations in KwaZulu-Natal were selected to reflect the diversity of Christian churches in South Africa: the Roman Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, and the Assemblies of God. Using qualitative interviews the first paper explores how religious leaders (n=16) deal with the conflict between the values of the church and young people’s sexuality. Study II reports on attitudes to HIV prevention for young people among religious leaders (n=215) using questionnaire survey data. Study III investigates how young people (n=62) reflect on messages received from their churches regarding premarital sex by analysing nine focus group discussions. In the fourth paper, based on questionnaire survey data, we report on young people’s (n=811) experiences of relationships with the opposite sex and their perceived risk of HIV infection. The view that young people in churches are sexually active before marriage was common among religious leadership. The majority of religious leaders also reported that they are responsible for educating young people about HIV prevention. Religious leaders who had received training on HIV were more likely to run a life skills programme for young people, however they were ambivalent about prevention messages. Young people reported premarital sexual abstinence as the main HIV prevention message from their churches. The majority responded that they had received information about HIV in church. To be in a relationship was common, more so for males for whom multiple relationships also were viewed more acceptable. To perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection was common. Further training for religious leaders is needed to enable them to manage the conflict between the doctrine of the church and their willingness to assist young people in the transition into adulthood.
|
|
| 4. |
- Ernesäter, Annica, 1970-
(author)
-
National Telephone Advice Nursing in Sweden : Patient Safety and Communication
- 2012
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate patient safety and communication within national telephone advice nursing (SHD) in Sweden. Four empirical studies with different perspectives were conducted. The aim of Study I was to describe telenurses’ experiences of working with computerized decision support systems and how such systems could influence their work. The telenurses described a duality of perceptions: the CDSS both supported and inhibited their work. Study II aimed at describing medical errors that had led to an incident report within the context of SHD. Incident reports sent to and from the SHD during 2007 were collected. The results showed that telenurses have limited possibilities to refer callers to the appropriate level of care, and that other healthcare providers reported that telenurses had made an incorrect assessment regarding callers’ need for care. Study III aimed at describing the actual communication between telenurses and callers expecting a higher level of care than recommended by telenurses, and at investigating relationships within the communication between telenurses and callers. The results showed that telenurses were more prone to use closed-ended questions and did not follow up on callers’ understanding of the advice given. There was also a statistically significant positive relationship between callers’ expressions of Concern and telenurses’ expressions of Criticism, and also between utterances of Criticism between the parties. The aim of Study IV was to describe the characteristics of all malpractice claims following telephone calls to SHD, including the identified causes, the healthcare providers’ measures, and the actual communication between the telenurses and callers. The results showed that among the cases, 13 of 33 patients died and 12 were admitted to intensive care. The National Board of Health and Welfare’s (NBHW) investigations most commonly reported communication failure as the cause of the malpractice claims. The measures reported by SHD most commonly involved discussion in work groups and education of staff. Communication analysis showed a positive correlation between the callers’ expressions of Concern and the telenurses’ expressions of Reassurance. The results also showed communication patterns similar to those found in Study III. Hence, telenurses’ communicative strategies are not in line with the “dialogue process” they are educated in and could be regarded as a threat to patient safety.In conclusion, the importance of high quality communication is undoubted within telephone advice nursing, and specific training and supervision in communication for telenurses might contribute to improving their communicative competence as well as patient safety. Adapting the CDSS into encourage telenurses to explore callers’ reasons for calling and to follow up on understanding might facilitate patient safety. Organizations also need to take a system-wide approach when addressing patient safety issues and ensure that telenurses are given the resources they need to fulfill their work.
|
|
| 5. |
- Hallman, David, 1979-
(author)
-
Autonomic nervous system regulation in chronic neck-shoulder pain : Relations to physical activity and perceived stress
- 2013
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with unclear causes, and effective prevention and treatment require a further understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Aberrant autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation is a hypothesized causal element in the development and maintenance of chronic muscle pain.The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate possible differences in ANS regulation between chronic NSP and healthy control (CON) groups using both laboratory assessment and ambulatory monitoring in daily life.Four papers are included in this thesis, based on data from three groups with chronic NSP. Autonomic responses to laboratory stressors were assessed using heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, trapezius muscle activity and blood flow measurements (Study І) in NSP and CON. Long-term ambulatory monitoring of HRV, physical activity and perceived symptoms were assessed in Studies ІІ and IV to investigate group differences in real-life conditions. Finally, the effects of a ten-week intervention (using individually adjusted HRV biofeedback) to reinstating ANS balance in subjects with chronic NSP were evaluated using self-reported symptoms and health ratings, as well as autonomic regulation testing (i.e., evaluating HRV at rest and in response to stress) (Study ІІІ).The main findings from the four studies demonstrated aberrant ANS regulation in the NSP group compared to CON, which was predominantly characterized by diminished parasympathetic cardiac activity during rest and sleep, and altered sympathetic reactivity to laboratory stressors (Studies І, ІІ and IV). Different patterns in physical activity were observed between the NSP and CON groups, with reduced physical activity during leisure time in the NSP group (Studies ІІ and IV). Physical activity was found to be positively associated with HRV. Positive effects of HRV-biofeedback were found on perceived health, including social function, vitality and bodily pain, and improved HRV (Study ІІІ).In conclusion, imbalanced ANS regulation was demonstrated among persons with chronic NSP at both the systemic and local levels. Diminished parasympathetic activity in NSP was modulated by lower levels of physical activity in leisure time. Interventions targeting ANS functions might benefit persons with chronic NSP.
|
|
| 6. |
- Hedborg, Kerstin, 1953-
(author)
-
Migraine and Stress : An Internet administered Multimodal Behavioral Treatment Intervention
- 2011
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Migraine is a disabling neurological disorder with high prevalence, the clinical manifestations of which are highly dependent on stress. The overall theme of the present thesis was to address aspects of stress in migraine. A multimodal behavioral treatment (MBT) program was developed specifically designed for migraine and focusing on stress as a trigger and an intervention was performed using this Internet-administered program. Migraine symptoms were followed via an Internet administered diary and questionnaires were answered at regular intervals during the 11-month study period. The thesis is based on four papers: In Paper I, life events and current stress, personality traits, and gender were studied cross-sectionally in 106 women and 44 men with migraine, who suffered at least two attacks a month at inclusion. Paper II describes a randomized controlled trial of the MBT program performed on 58 women and 25 men recruited from participants of the study described in Paper I. In the MBT study participants were randomized into one control group and two MBT groups, one of which received hand massage as part of the treatment. In Paper III, complete migraine drug use and changes in use and in drug efficacy during the MBT program were studied. In Paper IV, the salivary cortisol levels of MBT participants were evaluated as a biological stress marker. The MBT program proved effective in decreasing migraine headache; it was feasible and there was low attrition. Moreover, MBT resulted in decreased migraine drug use and increased drug efficacy, but had no discernible effects on salivary cortisol profiles. No effect of hand massage on migraine headache frequency was seen. Personality trait profiling revealed high scores for the neuroticism factor. Stress susceptibility was the single most aberrant personality trait and correlated highly with the reported level of current stress and with experienced negative life events. Gender differences included higher scores for women on trait anxiety, negative life events, depressive mood, anxiety, tension type headache, use of triptans, and efficacy of analgesics, whereas men displayed higher use of analgesics. In conclusion, the efficacy and low attrition associated with the present MBT program appears promising and timely with regard to the development of better and more accessible migraine treatment. Stress susceptibility, gender, negative life events and psychosomatic comorbidity are important factors to consider in relation to the care of persons with migraine.
|
|
| 7. |
- Hedman, Maria
(author)
-
Autonomy and Participation in Care For Older People : Descriptions by Older People, Registered Nurses, Case Managers, First Line Managers and Local Authorities Senior Medicine Advisors
- 2018
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Overall aim: To describe the essence of autonomy and participation for older people in care, and how to promote this in care for them.Method: A descriptive design with a phenomenological approach. Sixteen older people (I) and 13 registered nurses (II) participated in individual face-to-face interviews (I and II). Twelve case/care managers and supervisors participated in a focus group interview, they were grouped by profession, case managers, first line managers and local authority senior medicine advisors, four in each group and interviewed once (III and IV). The data analyses were guided by Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method (I and II) and the systematic text condensation by Malterud (III and IV).Findings: The informants were in agreement that maintaining older people’s health and wellbeing promote autonomy and participation, and supportive relationships are relevant (I–IV). Older people focused on everyday life experiences they made by choice and managing on their own, as strengthening self-esteem and self-identity (I). The registered nurses focused on caring for frail older people and their need for acknowledgement in everyday care. They noted that of providing choices as enable older people to have joyful everyday life experiences (II). The managers and supervisors focused on informed consent, and legislation, and offered solutions to securing a meaningful everyday life by caring for older people’s wishes and needs. They also spoke of the risk the severe consequences could result from older people’s decision-making and their health conditions (III). Relatives were respected as a resource and attended to in everyday care for older people but the focus was the older person in their present life situation and their individual rights (IV).Conclusion: Promoting to autonomy and participation for older people were maintained health and wellbeing, and the possibility to manage on their own terms. Informed consent, shared decision-making, supportive relationships and acknowledgement of relatives in the life-changing situations were ways to promote autonomy and participation. To promote autonomy and participation in care for older people is also to provide for choices that are meaningful to the older person at end of life in a joyful and permissive atmosphere.
|
|
| 8. |
- Knudsen, Kati
(author)
-
Airway management in anaesthesia care : – professional and patient perspectives
- 2016
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Careful airway management, including tracheal intubation, is important when performing anaesthesia in order to achieve safe tracheal intubation. Aim: To study airway management in anaesthesia care from both the professional and patient perspectives. Methods: 11 RNAs performed three airway tests in 87 patients, monitored in a study-specific questionnaire. The tests usefulness for predicting an easy intubation was analysed (Study I). 68 of 74 anaesthesia departments in Sweden answered a self-reported questionnaire about the presence of airway guidelines (Study II). 20 anaesthesiologists were interviewed; a phenomenographic analysis was performed to describe how anaesthesiologists' understand algorithms for management of the difficult airway (Study III). 13 patients were interviewed; content analysis was performed to describe patients' experiences of being awake fiberoptic intubated (Study IV). Results: The Mallampati classification is a good screening test for predicting easy intubation and intubation can be safely performed by RNAs (Study I). The presence of airway guidelines in Swedish anaesthesia departments is poorly implemented (Study II). Algorithms can be understood as law-like rules, a succinct plan to follow in difficult airway situations, an action plan kept in the back of one's mind while creating flexible and versatile personal algorithms, or as consensus guidelines based on expert opinion in order to be followed in clinical practice (Study III). One theme emerged describing experiences of being awake intubated; feelings of being in a vulnerable situation but cared for in safe hands, described in five categories: a need for tailored information, distress and fear of the intubation, acceptance and trust of the staff's competence, professional caring and support, and no hesitation about new awake intubation (Study IV). Conclusions: The Mallampati classification is a good screening test for predicting easy intubation, when the airway assessment is performed in a structured manner by RNAs. The presence of airway guidelines in Swedish anaesthesia departments was poorly implemented and should receive higher priority. Algorithms need to be simple and easy to follow and based on the best available scientific evidence. Tailored information about what to expect, ensuring eye contact, and giving breathing instructions during the procedure may reduce patients' feeling distress.
|
|
| 9. |
- Lindberg, Magnus, 1973-
(author)
-
Excessive Fluid Overload Among Haemodialysis Patients : Prevalence, Individual Characteristics and Self-regulation of Fluid Intake
- 2010
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis is comprised of four studies and concerns haemodialysis patients’ confidence in being able to manage fluid intake between treatment sessions, and whether the fluid intake is influenced by certain modifiable characteristics of the persons in question. The overall aim was to study aspects of excessive fluid overload and haemodialysis patients’ self-regulation of fluid allotment from a bio-psychosocial and behavioural medicine perspective. The extent of non-adherence to fluid allotment was described in Study I. National registry data were used. Three out of ten Swedish haemodialysis patients had excessive fluid overload and one out of five was at risk for treatment related complications due to too rapid ultrafiltration rate. The objective in Study II was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a self-administered scale to measure situation-specific self-efficacy to low fluid intake. The measure (the Fluid Intake Appraisal Inventory) was found to be reliable and valid in haemodialysis settings. Subgroups based on individual profiles of self-efficacy, attentional style and depressive symptoms were explored in Study III using a cluster analytic approach. Three distinct subgroups were found and the subgroup structure was validated for clinical relevance. The individuals’ profile concerning self-efficacy, attentional style and depressive symptoms has to be taken into account in nursing interventions designed to reduce haemodialysis patients’ fluid intake. In Study IV, an intervention designed to reduce haemodialysis patients’ fluid intake was introduced and its acceptability, feasibility and efficacy were evaluated and discussed. Acceptability of such an intervention was confirmed. Addressing beliefs, behaviours, emotions and physical feelings is clinically feasible and may reduce haemodialysis patient’s excessive fluid overload. This thesis indicates that there is a potential for improvement in the fluid management care of haemodialysis patients. Behavioural nursing strategies that aim to assist patients to achieve fluid control should be applied more extensively. Cognitive profiles of the patients should be taken into account when targeted nursing intervention aiming to encourage and maintain the patient’s fluid control is introduced.
|
|
| 10. |
- Lindberg, Maria, 1977-
(author)
-
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) an Unclear and Untoward Issue : Patient-Professional Interactions, Experiences, Attitudes and Responsibility
- 2012
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall aim of the present thesis was to investigate experiences of living with multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB), using methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization as an illustration, and to develop and validate a tool to describe healthcare personnel’s attitudes towards patients with MDRB. A further objective was to study MRSA-colonized persons’ and healthcare personnel’s experiences of patient-professional interactions and responsibilities for infection prevention. Four empirical studies were conducted. A total of 18 MRSA-colonized persons and 20 healthcare personnel were interviewed regarding their experiences, and a total of 726 RNs responded the MDRB Attitude Questionnaire. The findings revealed the difficulties associated with living with MRSA colonization, which was described as something uncertain, and as an indefinable threat that has to be managed in both everyday life and in contacts with healthcare. Interactions with healthcare personnel were described as unprofessional owing to personnel’s inappropriate behaviour and insufficient information provision. According to the personnel, achieving adequate patient-professional interactions required having knowledge and experiences of MRSA. They also experienced difficulties in providing tailored information to patients. The MRSA-colonized persons described their unwanted responsibility to inform healthcare personnel about the colonization, but also felt responsible for limiting the spread of infection to others. Furthermore, responsibility for infection control was regarded as shared between healthcare personnel and patients. The personnel described such responsibility as a natural part of their daily work, although it was not always easy to adhere to hygiene precautions. The MRSA-colonized persons felt that healthcare personnel have insufficient knowledge of the bacteria and of hygiene precautions. The MDRB Attitude Questionnaire showed that registered nurses do have knowledge deficiencies. The MDRB Attitude Questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties. In conclusion, MRSA colonization constitutes a psychological strain for carriers, and interactions with healthcare personnel resulted in feelings of stigmatization. The present thesis indicates that there is a need to improve healthcare personnel’s knowledge, behaviour and emotional response in relation to patients with MDRB, in order to ensure patient safety and address patients’ needs. The heads of department is responsible for such improvements, and the MDRB Attitude Questionnaire is useful in identifying areas in need for improvement.
|
|
