| 1. |
- Mamhidir, Anna-Greta, et al.
(författare)
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Weight increase in patients with dementia, and alteration in meal routines and meal environment after integrity promoting care.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 16:5, s. 987-96
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. To follow weight changes in patients with moderate and severe dementia and analyse how these changes related to biological and psychological parameters after staff education and support in integrity promoting care. A further aim was to describe meal environment and routines relative to the intervention.Background. Weight loss in patients with dementia and in particular Alzheimer's disease is common. The aetiology appears multifactorial with the meal environment and a decreased independence while eating among the factors.Method. Over a three-month intervention period, an integrity-promoting care training programme was conducted with the staff of a long-term ward. Alzheimer's disease patients, 18 from an intervention ward and 15 from a control ward were included and possible effects were evaluated. Weighing was conducted at the start and after completion of the intervention. Weight changes were analysed in relation to psychological and biochemical parameters. In addition, the staff wrote diaries about, for example changes made in the environment and in their work.Results. The most prominent difference observed was weight increases in 13 of 18 patients compared with two of 15 patients in the control ward. No weight changes were related to the type of dementia. The individual weight changes correlated significantly to changes in the intellectual functions. Relationships between weight change, increased motor function and increased appetite were non-significant. There was no significant relationship between weight changes and changes in biochemical parameters. According to the staff, increased contact with the patients and a more pleasant atmosphere resulted when the meal environment and routines were changed.Relevance to clinical practice. Weight gain in patients with moderate and severe dementia was achieved by adjusting the meal environment to the individual's needs. Staff education was profitable, as increased competence seemed to promote individually adapted feeding situations. Ensuring good meal situations need to be given high priority.
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| 2. |
- Augutis, Marika, et al.
(författare)
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Psychosocial aspects of traumatic spinal cord injury with onset during adolescence : A qualitative study
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine (JSCM). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1079-0268 .- 2045-7723. ; 30:Suppl1, s. 55-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurring during adolescence poses additional challenges because of the concurrent age-specific bio-psychosocial development. Full understanding of the psychosocial dimensions of rehabilitation requires exploration of the patient perspective. The objective of this study was to focus on psychosocial factors from the patient perspective in persons who had previously sustained a SCI during early and mid-adolescence (11-15 years of age).METHODS: Twenty-four of the 28 persons who had sustained a SCI in Sweden from 1985 to 1996 participated in the study. Semistructured interviews were made an average of 10 years after injury. Narratives were analyzed qualitatively according to content analysis.RESULTS: Parents and peers were found to have formed a crucial network. Parents frequently acted as advocates in interactions with health care providers, as supporters, and as containers of sorrow, frustration, and anger. Peers acted as promoters of activity and identity development. However, health care providers were perceived as not making sufficient use of this network.CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation professionals might be encouraged to increase their knowledge of adolescence medicine to better meet the specific needs and demands of persons in this age group. It is further suggested that parents and peers be considered important partners in the joint rehabilitation effort.
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| 3. |
- Fläckman, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Despite shattered expectations a willingness to care for elders remains with education and clinical supervision
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 21:3, s. 379-389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim was to describe nursing home (NH) caregivers' work experiences while receiving education and clinical supervision for 2 years. Working in elder care seems to be losing its attraction especially with organizational changes, cutbacks and changes in work place conditions. Clinical supervision has been reported to increase job satisfaction and creativity. Semi-structured interviews from caregivers working at an NH in Sweden were conducted, at the start and again at 12 and 24 months. At about 12 months the caregivers were informed of planned cutbacks. Content analysis was the method used to analyse the interviews from seven caregivers who participated throughout the entire period. Findings show that the value of a caring milieu was one category generated by the subcategories: experiences related to work activities and changes, and experiences related to relationships. The value of knowledge was the other category that was influenced by the experiences related to the different backgrounds and the experiences related to increased knowledge gained from the support through education and clinical supervision. The categories contained positive as well as negative influences on care. The initial focus on practical duties associated with the opening of the NH shifted towards caregiver activities with the elders they spoke warmly about. After 2 years the caregivers' willingness to care continued despite their disappointment in the worsened working conditions. The main theme that resulted was: Despite shattered expectations a willingness to care for elders remained. Continued education and clinical supervision seems to be one factor behind the retained willingness. These findings demonstrate that support and caregiver involvement in educational programmes are important during times of change and when disappointments arise in the workplace.
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| 4. |
- Nordgren, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Living with moderate-severe chronic heart failure as a middle-aged person
- 2007
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Ingår i: Qualitative Health Research. - : SAGE Publications. - 1049-7323 .- 1552-7557. ; 17:1, s. 4-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article the authors describe a study focusing on middle-aged persons living with chronic heart failure (CHF), a group with which few studies have been conducted. They used the lifeworld perspective to focus on persons' lived experiences of the phenomenon, that is, living with moderate-severe CHF as a middle-aged person. They interviewed 7 middle-aged persons (4 men, 3 women; aged 38 to 65 years) and analyzed the data obtained using a phenomenological approach. The phenomenon's essence is described as a life situation characterized by a failing body, a life constantly under threat, a rapidly changing health condition, and an altered self-image, which implies that the persons live in a changed life situation. The essence was further illuminated by three meaning constituents: an ambiguity of the body, losing track of life, and balancing life. Knowledge from this study will help caregivers understand and support patients with this debilitating condition.
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| 5. |
- Andershed, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Next of kin's feelings of guilt and shame in end-of-life care
- 2007
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Ingår i: Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1037-6178 .- 1839-3535. ; 27:1, s. 61-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study the aim was to explore and describe next of kin's feelings of guilt and shame in end-of-life care via secondary analysis of 47 qualitative interviews. In the analysis categories and subcategories emerged which conveyed how the next of kin experienced guilt; not having done or talked enough, being absent at important events or making errors of judgement. Categories conveying feelings of shame were situations where the next of kin felt inferior, was ashamed on behalf of the dying person and when family conflicts became apparent. Receiving help and support in order to make the remaining period as pleasant as possible can facilitate the next of kin's sense of having fulfilled their duties and responsibilities and therein reduce feelings of guilt and shame. It is apparent that these feelings should be taken into account and the next of kin should receive support to increase their well-being during the remaining time in end-of-life care and the grieving period.
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| 6. |
- Erlandsson, Kerstin, et al.
(författare)
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Skin-to-skin care with the father after cesarean birth and its effect on newborn crying and prefeeding behavior.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Birth. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0730-7659 .- 1523-536X. ; 34:2, s. 105-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown that skin-to-skin care immediately after vaginal birth is the optimal form of care for full-term, healthy infants. Even in cases when the mother is awake and using spinal analgesia, early skin-to-skin contact between her and her newborn directly after cesarean birth might be limited for practical and medical safety reasons. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of skin-to-skin contact on crying and prefeeding behavior in healthy, full-term infants born by elective cesarean birth and cared for skin-to-skin with their fathers versus conventional care in a cot during the first 2 hours after birth. METHODS: Twenty-nine father-infant pairs participated in a randomized controlled trial, in which infants were randomized to be either skin-to-skin with their father or next to the father in a cot. Data were collected both by tape-recording crying time for the infants and by naturalistic observations of the infants' behavioral response, scored every 15 minutes based on the scoring criteria described in the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). RESULTS: The primary finding was the positive impact the fathers' skin-to-skin contact had on the infants' crying behavior. The analysis of the tape recordings of infant crying demonstrated that infants in the skin-to-skin group cried less than the infants in the cot group (p<0.001). The crying of infants in the skin-to-skin group decreased within 15 minutes of being placed skin-to-skin with the father. Analysis of the NBAS-based observation data showed that being cared for on the father's chest skin-to-skin also had an impact on infant wakefulness. These infants became drowsy within 60 minutes after birth, whereas infants cared for in a cot reached the same stage after 110 minutes. Rooting activity was more frequent in the cot group than in the skin-to-skin group (p<0.01), as were sucking activities (p<=0.001) and overall duration of wakefulness (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The infants in the skin-to-skin group were comforted, that is, they stopped crying, became calmer, and reached a drowsy state earlier than the infants in the cot group. The father can facilitate the development of the infant's prefeeding behavior in this important period of the newborn infant's life and should thus be regarded as the primary caregiver for the infant during the separation of mother and baby.
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| 7. |
- Nordgren, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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An exploration of the phenomenon of formal care from the perspective of middle-aged heart failure patients
- 2007
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1474-5151 .- 1873-1953. ; 6:2, s. 121-129
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Despite a considerable amount of research into heart failure there remains a divergence between the care available and patient's needs. The predominant biomedical perspective is more focused on the disease rather than the patient. In order to deliver formal care appropriate to the needs of middle-aged patients with moderate-severe HF it is imperative to gain the perspective of the individual patient. AIMS: The aim of the current study was to explore and understand the phenomenon: Formal care as experienced from the perspective of middle-aged patients living with HF. METHODS: The study was performed using a lifeworld perspective. Data was collected in seven unstructured interviews with middle-aged people living with moderate-severe HF. Data was analysed using a phenomenological approach. RESULTS: Formal care, as experienced by middle-aged patients living with moderate to severe HF, means hope to once again be able to have access to life. However, the meaning of formal care is ambiguous, which signifies that care means both health and suffering at the same time. The essence's meaning constituents are: dependency of care, surrender to care and unclear participation. CONCLUSION: The experience of formal care means both well-being and suffering at the same time. Patients' suffering in relation to formal care can be reduced if formal carers act from an ethical patient perspective point of view and if carers regard patients' lived experiences.
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| 8. |
- Stenwall, Ewa, et al.
(författare)
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Encountering the older confused patient : professional carers' experiences
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 21:4, s. 515-522
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The study's rationale: Confusion is a common condition among older patients and often a fearful experience. Opinions vary as to how to communicate with and care for confused patients and professional carers often find the patients' situation almost as distressing as the patients' themselves do. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe professional carers' experiences of their encounters with older confused patients. Methodological design and justification: Data was collected from interviews with 10 professional carers working on a ward specializing in the care of older confused patients. A descriptive phenomenological research approach was used to gather knowledge of professional carers' experiences of encounters with older confused patients. Ethical issues and approval: A Regional Board of Research Ethics granted ethical permission for the study. The appropriate ethical principles were followed. The participants were contacted personally and received a letter providing information on the study. Written consent was requested before the interview. If needed, the participants were able to get in contact with the staff health service for a follow-up after the interview. Names or places have been changed in order to ensure confidentiality. Results: The encounter with the confused patient is experienced as an encounter with an unfamiliar person, where the patients' actions and words are unforeseeable and with a lack of immediate trust. The essential meaning is further illuminated by the meaning constituents: the unforeseeable encounter, always being on guard and using oneself as a tool. Relevance to clinical practice: This paper focuses on the importance of encouraging professional carers to pay attention to the complexity of the encounter with the confused patient, reflecting upon their own behaviour within these encounters and the importance of knowledge of the patient's preferred senses and life stories. Caring for confused patients involves a great responsibility where both the professional carers and the patients are vulnerable and exposed.
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| 9. |
- Öhlen, Joakim, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Relatives in end-of-life care – part 2 : a theory for enabling safety
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 16:2, s. 382-390
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: To develop a goal-oriented praxis theory for enabling safety for relatives when an adult or older patient is close to end-of-life.BACKGROUND: This is the second part of a project focusing on the situation and needs of relatives in end-of-life care. Our interpretation of the existing corpus of knowledge pertaining to the needs of close relatives in this situation showed the significance of relatives' need for safety.METHOD: The theory was developed step-by-step, through triangulation of critical review of empirical research in the field, our own clinical experiences from end-of-life care, renewed literature searches and theoretical reasoning.THEORY: The foundation for the theory is taken from the ethical intention of the philosopher Paul Ricoeur. From this, the theory focuses on relatives in the context of end-of-life care with the goal of enabling safety. This is proposed by four aphorisms functioning as safety enablers and these are directed towards the professional's approach and attitude, the relative's concern for the patient, the specific situation for the relative and the patient's end-of-life period as a period in the life of the relative.RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Implications for end-of-life practice are considered and include aspects for promotion of just institutions in end-of-life care, the significance of negotiated partnership in end-of-life care, enabling safety for relatives living in existential and practical uncertainty in connection with end-of-life care and diversity of relatives' preferences as they live through this particular period.
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| 10. |
- Liedgren Dobronravoff, Pernilla
(författare)
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Att bli, att vara och att ha varit : Om ingångar i och utgångar ur Jehovas vittnen
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation seeks to describe and investigate the entering and leaving of a highly structured and hierarchical religious community, exemplified in this case by the Jehovah's Witnesses. The respondents in this study were chosen from both active members of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Sweden and those who have left the organisation for personal reasons. Repeated interviews with ten active members of the organisation have been conducted in the course of the study and compared to equal numbers of former members. The interviews have been semi-structured to deal with questions of how a person has come into contact with the organisation; how they retrospectively experienced the process of entry; the reasons for becoming a member. Questions have also been asked about life in the organisation. The group of "exiters" have also been asked about the experience of leaving, why they wanted to leave, and how this process was started and carried out. In addition to this I have analysed a four-year diary describing the time inside and the process of leaving the organisation. This has given me an extra psychological insight into the inner experience of someone who has gone through the whole process. The analysis has been done by categorising the content of the transcribed interviews. The analysis of the diary has involved thorough reading, resulting in a division of it into four different parts, where each part has been given a certain key-word, signifying the author's emotional state when writing it. A person converting as an adult has to pass six phases before being considered a Jehovah's Witness by the organisation. These are: Contact with the Jehovah's Witnesses, studying the bible with members of the organisation, questioning, accepting, being active as publisher (spreading the belief), being baptised. For a person brought up in the organisation, the process to full membership is much shorter: Upbringing in the organisation, taking a stand on the belief, being baptised. The exit process contains of seven phases: Different levels of doubts, testing of doubts, turning points, different kinds of decisions, different steps in executing the decisions, floating, a period of emotional and cognitive consideration of membership and its experiences, relative neutrality.
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