The effects of empowerment program on psychosocial self-efficacy in type one diabetic patients

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease that produces serious disabilities, complications, and effect all features of a patient’s life. One of the important parts of diabetes care is the patient’s active participation in the care plan. This patient-centered approach is called empowerment program, which its philosophy is enabling the patient to play an active role in planning and making decisions in health-related activities. With the failure of traditional methods in patient education, checking efficacy of new methods sounds essential. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of empowerment program on psychosocial self-efficacy in type 1 diabetic patients.Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 40 type 1 diabetic patients were randomly divided into two equal intervention and control groups. Diabetes empowerment scale, after obtaining content validity and reliability by the calculation of Cranach’s alpha, was used for data collection. Both groups completed the questionnaire. Then the empowerment program according to a former prepared protocol during six sessions and 90 minutes in length was held for the intervention group. Two months after intervention, both groups completed the questionnaire again. SPSS software was used for data analysis.Results: Findings did not show any significant difference in psychosocial self-efficacy before the intervention (P> 0.05), but the difference was significant after the intervention (P= 0.000) in the intervention group.Conclusion: The implementation of empowerment program had a significant effect on psychosocial self-efficacy for type 1 diabetic patients and caused positive changes in total psychosocial self-efficacy scale and its subscales. Therefore, using similar programs can improve self-efficacy and enhance stress management. It also helps decision making for diabetes, facilitates the recognition of suitable and achievable goals, overcomes the barriers, and finally improves patient’s health status

Exploring the Role of Spirituality in Coping Process of Family Caregivers of Patients in Vegetative State

Introduction: The vegetative state (VS) is a condition which can occurs after a severe brain injury. After hospital discharging Responsibility of caring of patients in vs is transferred to their families, which cause high burden for them. Religion and spirituality help people to reinterpret uncontrollable events and cope with difficulties. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to explore the role of spirituality during coping process of family caregivers of patients in VS with caregiving burden. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in Kerman province, Iran during 2014- 2015.Methods: This study is a part of a larger qualitative study with using grounded theory method. Sampling was done by using purposeful sampling and then theoretical sampling according to data analysis and constant comparative method for expanding concepts. 11 family members and 2 nurses participated in the study. Data was gathered using face to face in-depth interviews and were analysed through constant comparison method. Results: From the analysis of the interview texts two themes were extracted, first: "finding meaning in care" which indicates that there is meaning and purpose in delivering care. The categories "care is something spiritual", "looking toward the horizon" and "a sense of excellence in care" formed this theme. Second: "Internal solace provided by religious beliefs" that shows religious beliefs can be effective in bringing relief to the caregivers’ life. The categories "reliance" and “invocation" formed this theme. Conclusion: Spirituality and religion help family caregivers to accept care and strongly affected the ability of family caregivers to cope with the hardships of caregiving for patients in vegetative state. In light of spirituality, they maintained hope for a better future and experience inner peace by remembrance and supplicating to God

Perception of social support among family caregivers of vegetative patients: A qualitative study

A vegetative state (VS) is the probable result after brain damage. After VS patients are discharged from the hospital, the responsibility of caring of them is transferred to their families, which impacts a caregiver’s physical and psychological health. Social support as a valuable resource reduces the negative effects of stressful events. This study aimed to explore the perception of social support among family caregivers of VS patients. This study is a part of a larger qualitative study which used the descriptive and qualitative method. Purposeful and theoretical sampling was done, and data was gathered through face-to-face, in-depth interviews. The four categories of ‘‘Family, a supporter in all aspects,” ‘‘Beautiful emanation of the nurse’s role,” ‘‘Revitalization via empathy and companionship,” and ‘‘Defects in support,” were extracted. The primary concern of participants was receiving social support which can facilitate caregiving and coping with difficulties, but there are many shortcomings in supporting these caregivers