Nursing and Midwifery Research: Methods and Appraisal for Evidence Based Practice

Nursing and Midwifery Research is an essential guide in assisting students and practitioners develop sound research skills to enhance their knowledge and practice. Written by Dean Whitehead and Caleb Ferguson, the 6th ANZ edition includes the most recent updates and developments in Australian and New Zealand nursing and midwifery practice, with a focus on evidence-based practice, along with a range of contemporary research articles and pedagogy to support specific chapter content.Using clear language and examples, the 6th edition of Nursing and Midwifery Research provides a valuable resource to assist healthcare students and practitioners in developing strong skills in research literacy and critical appraisal, as well as the confidence to successfully conduct research and apply outcomes to practice</p

Evening Whey Protein Intake, Rich in Tryptophan, and Sleep in Elite Male Australian Rules Football Players on Training and Nontraining Days

Objectives: To investigate the effect of evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, on sleep in elite male Australian Rules Football players. Design: Double-blinded, counterbalanced, randomized, cross-over study. Methods: Sleep was assessed using wrist activity monitors and sleep diaries in 15 elite male Australian Football League players on two training and nontraining days following evening consumption of an isocaloric whey protein supplement or placebo in preseason. A 5-day preintervention period was implemented to determine habitual dietary intake and baseline sleep measures. These habitual data were used to inform the daily dietary intake and timing of ingestion of the evening whey protein supplement or placebo on the intervention days. The whey protein supplement or placebo was consumed 3 hr prior to habitual bedtime. Results: Separate oneway repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed no differences between the whey protein supplement and the placebo on sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, or wake after sleep onset on either training or nontraining days. Conclusions: Evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, does not improve acute sleep duration or quality in elite male Australian Football League players. However, elite athletes may be able to ingest a high protein/energy intake close to bedtime without impairing sleep, which is important for athlete recovery. Future research should investigate the effect of evening protein intake, high in tryptophan, on sleep duration and quality, including sleep staging during periods of restricted sleep and in poorsleeping athletes

Australian Risk Factors for 30-day Readmission After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts

Australian Risk Factors for 30-day Readmission After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysi

Risk factors for readmission after isolated coronary bypass graft surgery: context matters

Risk factors for readmission after isolated coronary bypass graft surgery: context matter

Evening Whey Protein Intake, Rich in Tryptophan, and Sleep in Elite Male Australian Rules Football Players on Training and Nontraining Days

Objectives: To investigate the effect of evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, on sleep in elite male Australian Rules Football players. Design: Double-blinded, counterbalanced, randomized, cross-over study. Methods: Sleep was assessed using wrist activity monitors and sleep diaries in 15 elite male Australian Football League players on two training and nontraining days following evening consumption of an isocaloric whey protein supplement or placebo in preseason. A 5-day preintervention period was implemented to determine habitual dietary intake and baseline sleep measures. These habitual data were used to inform the daily dietary intake and timing of ingestion of the evening whey protein supplement or placebo on the intervention days. The whey protein supplement or placebo was consumed 3 hr prior to habitual bedtime. Results: Separate oneway repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed no differences between the whey protein supplement and the placebo on sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, or wake after sleep onset on either training or nontraining days. Conclusions: Evening whey protein supplementation, rich in tryptophan, does not improve acute sleep duration or quality in elite male Australian Football League players. However, elite athletes may be able to ingest a high protein/energy intake close to bedtime without impairing sleep, which is important for athlete recovery. Future research should investigate the effect of evening protein intake, high in tryptophan, on sleep duration and quality, including sleep staging during periods of restricted sleep and in poorsleeping athletes

Exploring the feasibility and implementation of an atrial fibrillation digital education program for nurses: a focus group study

Abstract Background The EVICOAG study evaluated an app-based (Qstream™) spaced education program for nurses on anticoagulation and atrial fibrillation. The program improved nurses' knowledge of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation and influenced their uptake and use of stroke and bleeding risk assessment tools in clinical practice. The 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF suggest that EVICOAG may help facilitate implementing guideline-based AF management to improve patient outcomes. However, little is known about feasibility or implementation. Purpose To explore the feasibility and implementation of an AF digital education program for nurses in the acute care setting. Methods Following the completion of the study intervention period, a qualitative focus group study was undertaken at two hospital sites to examine feasibility and implementation. Data were analysed using thematic analyses, guided by Braun and Clarke. Results Two focus groups with 10 nurses in total provided three themes: Nurses’ role in therapeutic decision-making for anticoagulation; Qstream education and impact; Qstream’s role for patients and carers. Nurses were very positive about the paced approach, online interaction, feedback to information and resources, and use of practical examples that reflected the clinical scenarios they encountered provided via the Qstream™ educational process. Nurses were able to clearly describe key messages learnt during the process, felt better equipped to care for anticoagulated patients and described a new sense of empowerment in relation to being able to manage patient queries. They perceived the risk assessment tools that were presented in the program as very useful. Conclusions A key benefit of Qstream™ was access to information that helped to augment key educational messages (e.g., risk assessment, drug interactions). This augmented nurses’ understanding of ‘evidence’ versus ‘common sense’ (e.g., re falls risk and impact on bleeding events during anticoagulation). Nurses believed Qstream™ may be a useful approach for educating patients and caregivers, particularly about the consequences of stroke

Educational Needs of People Living with Atrial Fibrillation: A Qualitative Study

Background This study explored the educational and self‐management needs of adults living with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results This is a qualitative study of adults living with AF, clinicians, and expert key stakeholders. Interviews were conducted via a one‐to‐one semistructured videoconference or phone and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. A total of 34 participants were recruited and included in analyses (clinicians n=13; experts n=13, patients n=8). Interviews were on average 40 (range 20–70) minutes in duration. Three key themes were identified: (1) “Patient‐centered AF education”; (2) “Prioritizing AF education”; and (3) “Timing AF education.” The availability of credible information was perceived as highly variable. Information primarily focused on anticoagulation, or procedural information, as opposed to other aspects of management, such as risk factor reduction. Factors to optimize learning, such as multimedia, apps, case studies, or the use of visuals were perceived as important. Continuity of care, including engagement of caregivers, was important to help develop relationships, and facilitate understanding, while concurrently creating opportunities for timely targeted education. Clinicians described acute care as a suboptimal setting to deliver education. Competing interests aligned with the time‐pressured context of acute care were prioritized over patient education. In contrast, patients valued continuity of care. AF education strategies need to pivot from a “one size fits all” approach and modernize to implement a range of approaches. Conclusions There remain many unmet needs in the provision of quality AF education to support self‐management. Multimodal offerings and the ability to tailor to individual patient needs are important design considerations for new education programs

The nutrition-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review

AbstractAimsImmune checkpoint inhibitor therapy used for lung cancer has significantly changed response and survival rates, however, the impact on patients' nutritional status remains largely unexplored. This review aims to identify common adverse events that increase nutrition risk induced in non‐small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and assess impact on nutritional status.MethodsPubMed, Medline and CINAHL were systematically searched in September 2023 for randomised controlled trials comparing immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer to a control group. Treatment‐related adverse events that increased nutrition impact symptoms identified in the patient‐generated subjective global assessment and clinical guidelines were extracted and qualitatively analysed. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.ResultsEleven eligible randomised controlled trial studies were identified and analysed. The data demonstrated immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment was associated with a lower percentage of reported nutrition impact symptoms, for example, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, compared to chemotherapy treatment. Conversely, immune checkpoint inhibitor treated patients recorded a greater percentage of immune‐related adverse events that alter metabolism or nutrient absorption.ConclusionNon‐small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors still experience nutrition impact symptoms but less frequently than patients treated with chemotherapy. This combined with unique nutrition‐related consequences from colitis and thyroid disorders induced by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy indicates patients should be screened, assessed and interventions implemented to improve nutrition

Cardiovascular Nursing and Climate Change: A Call to Action From the CSANZ Cardiovascular Nursing Council

This Call to Action aims to provide key considerations for cardiovascular nursing, related to climate and environmental impacts. Strategies to optimise nursing preparation, immediate response and adaptation to climate emergencies are crucial to ensure those at greatest risk, including First Nations peoples, are protected from potentially avoidable harm. Professionals who manage climate consequences must also understand the impact of their care on the root cause of the problem