Patient perceptions of oral health care following stroke : a qualitative study

Background: Stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease and is one of the world’s leading causes of disability. Maintaining good oral health is a challenge among those hospitalised after stroke. A multidisciplinary approach to oral care involving non-dental professionals can be beneficial in improving oral health outcomes for patients. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of stroke survivors regarding oral healthcare across acute and rehabilitation settings. Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. A framework analysis was employed to analyse the data. Patients who had recently experienced a stroke were purposively recruited across both acute and rehabilitation settings, at two metropolitan hospitals in Sydney, Australia. In total, 11 patients were interviewed. Results: Although participants recognised the importance of oral health, few understood the link between oral and general health. Regular oral hygiene practices varied since having stroke, with a few receiving oral care assistance from nurses. Time, cost and lack of information were some barriers to accessing dental services, while supportive measures such as coordination of oral care, financial subsidy and nurse assistance were strategies proposed to support oral care practices amongst stroke survivors. Conclusions: There is scope to improve current models of oral care in stroke. While stroke survivors understand the importance of oral care, an integrated oral health model with a multidisciplinary approach could improve health outcomes

Effective chacteristics of Iranian nursing students in their relationship with clinical nurses

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of undergraduate nursing students, which may determine the nature of their relationship with clinical nurses. Relationships between nursing students and clinical nurses are critical to maximize student learning outcomes and produce skilled graduates for the future health workforce. Methods: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted from January to August 2016. Twenty nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 undergraduate nursing students in Tabriz nursing and midwifery faculty. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim (in Persian), and analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify themes. Results: Four key themes emerged: educational factors (cognitive knowledge and practical skills, and learning motivation); communication skills; perceived support (perceived support from nurses and educators); and psychological state (fear of the relationship and self-confidence). Self-confidence is an emphasized concept in nursing students' willingness and ability to relate with clinical nurses. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that educational, communicative and psychological factors are important determinants of student communication with nurses. However, self-confidence is the most important factor in establishing such relationship. Self-confidence could be further assessed to identify nursing students who need greater support or would benefit from greater educational interventions to achieve relational skills

Hospital service use in the last year of life by Indigenous Australians who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy : a linked data study

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience disproportionate rates of heart failure. However, information regarding their use of hospital services in the last year of life is poorly delineated to inform culturally appropriate end-of-life health services. Objectives: To quantify hospital service use in the last year of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy in Queensland, Australia. Methods: A subgroup analysis of a larger retrospective linkage study using administrative health data in Queensland, Australia. Individuals that identified as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person from their first hospital admission in the last year of life, who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy from 2008 to 2018, were included. Results: There were 99 individuals, with emergency department presentation/s recorded for 85 individuals. Over 50% of individuals presenting to the Emergency Department were from regional areas (n = 43, 51%). The 99 individuals had a total of 472 hospital admissions, excluding same day admissions for haemodialysis, and 70% (n = 70) died in hospital. Most admissions were coded as acute care (n = 442, 94%), and fewer were coded as palliative care (n = 19, 4%). Median comorbidities or factors that led to hospital contact = 5 (interquartile range 3–9). Conclusion: Acute care hospital admissions in the last year of life by this population are common for those who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Multimorbidity is prevalent in the last year of life, underscoring the importance of primary health care, provided by nurses and Indigenous health workers

Nursing and social media

Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction. On 10 March 1876 Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, sparking the advent of a new telecommunications industry. Within today’s society, the internet is an important form of communication for many people, and therefore denying or restricting access, while hospitalised for example, is failing to address people’s needs. In today’s world the internet is a central element of daily life, and is fast replacing the telephone as the main source of communication. The face of the internet is constantly evolving, and social media platforms are rapidly changing landscapes. Web 2.0 describes a change in the way humans interact with information online. Since the inception of Web 2.0 we have witnessed internet users adjust from being passive recipients of web-based content to active creators and curators of digital content (Ferguson 2013). Social media platforms are wide ranging and include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat to name a few. Users of these platforms can actively create their own content by posting and uploading photos, sharing content, ‘liking’ or blogging information and ideas. Social media is an umbrella term that includes social networking (such as LinkedIn), content sharing (such as Instagram), web publishing (such as blogging and micro-blogging) and wikis (including Wikipedia) (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2013). While nursing has been relatively slow to uptake these innovative tools and the social media boom, the potential application within nursing practice, policy, education and research are extremely far reaching and should be embraced (Ferguson 2013). However, social media should be approached with risk at front of mind. Nursing remains one of the most risk-averse profes¬sions, and rightly so, as we are often caring for vulnerable individuals. Therefore, it is important that when applying social media to nursing practice, this is carefully risk managed and assessed for appropriateness in practice

Excellence in practice : technology and the registered nurse

Learning Objectives: When you have completed this chapter, you will be able to: Discuss the meaning and implications of technology for nursing care. Outline concepts for appropriate use and integration of technology in clinical practice. Discuss strategies for developing technology skills and knowledge. Appraise technology in relation to the organisation of nursing and healthcare. Reflect on the relationship between technology and person-centred care

How to recognise a stroke and what you should know about their treatment

One in every six people will experience a stroke during their lifetime. And by the time you have read this article, it’s likely that someone in Australia will have experienced one. Stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer yet you’re unlikely to read much about it. There are lots of common misconceptions in the community of what a stroke actually is, how to recognise if someone is having one, and the treatments that improve stroke survivors’ outcomes. There are new treatments available for stroke; however these are time dependant. So it’s important for the person having a stroke to get to hospital quickly. These time critical therapies often heavily rely on people recognising stroke quickly, and acting quickly to get emergency medical care

Principles for nursing practice: stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Stroke is a debilitating condition and an enormous personal and economic burden for not only the survivor and their loved ones but also society as whole. It is often sudden in onset, leaving long-lasting effects from which the individual may never fully recover. Despite the insidious nature of stroke, its modifiable risk factors are well known and so too are its long-term ramifications. This chapter discusses stroke incidence, signs and symptoms, pre-hospital care, diagnosis, types, acute care and rehabilitation issues that may arise during the trajectory of care. Two case studies will also be presented to demonstrate care priorities for two very different types of stroke

The research and social media relationship

Social media is pervasive in most people’s lives. It has become an indispensable communication tool, allowing users to communicate with other individuals and groups across the world. The internet and social media are rapidly changing healthcare and research culture. Social media has become an appropriate and valid method for nurses and midwives to source research, keep abreast of the latest evidence and engage with other clinicians through continuing professional development activities. In this chapter, we aim to guide the reader through the roles and functions of social media in nursing and midwifery research. Furthermore, readers will learn how social media can be very helpful to keep up to date with research activity and engage directly with nursing and midwifery researchers locally and across the globe. This chapter will also explore some examples of how nursing and midwifery researchers and journals reporting research are using social media to engage nurses and midwives with research evidence

Getting to the heart of the matter on stroke

A silent killer is stalking many families across Australia, taking victims with little notice while driving a black-hole in the country’s health budget. But a simple pulse check may be enough to detect this harmful and costly condition

Energy drink binge leaves teens with more than a hangover

Manufacturers of energy drinks are coming under pressure from governments and regulatory bodies following concerns about the health impacts of their products on teenagers and other at-risk roups. Typically, drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, Mother and Cocaine contain a cocktail of caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone and sugar. And they are heavily promoted to shift workers, students and long-haul drivers