Effect of a Self-Management and Follow-Up Program on Self-Efficacy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system with profound effects on patients’ independence and self-efficacy. Then, it is still questionable whether self-management programs in patients with MS affect the patients’ self-efficacy. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a self-management program plus regular follow-up on self-efficacy in patients with MS. Patients and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on 80 patients with relapsing remitting MS who were randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). The MS self-efficacy scale was completed before and after the intervention. The intervention group was divided into four small subgroups of ten. Then, each subgroup was invited to participate in four training sessions about self-management. During the two months after the self-management sessions, a weekly telephone follow-up was conducted for each patient in the intervention group. The control group did not receive any intervention other than routine care. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and independent-samples t-testes were used to analyze the data. Results: No significant difference in mean scores of baseline self-efficacy was found between the control (52.90 ± 8.03) and the intervention groups (54.90 ± 9.51) (P = 0.313). However, a significant difference was observed between the control (50.90 ± 5.71) and the intervention groups (59.80 ± 5.27) regarding mean scores of self-efficacy at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing the self-management program plus regular follow-up increased the perception of self-efficacy in patients with MS. Similar self-management programs are recommended to be integrated in the regular caring of patients with MS

Relationship between the communication skill of nurse - patient with patient safety in the critical care units

زمینه و هدف: تمرکز روی ایمنی بیمار در بخش های مراقبت ویژه موضوعی مهم است و در این بین یکی از مهم ترین عوامل مربوط به ایمنی بیمار، مهارت های ارتباطی بین پرستار و بیمار می باشد. این مطالعه با هدف تعیین رابطه بین مهارت ارتباطی پرستار - بیمار با وضعیت ایمنی بیماران در بخش های ویژه بیمارستان های شهر ارومیه از دیدگاه پرستاران انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی - همبستگی، 167 پرستار شاغل در بخش های ویژه بیمارستان های آموزشی و غیر آموزشی شهر ارومیه با روش تمام سرشماری شرکت کردند. جهت جمع آوری داده ها از پرسشنامه های روا و پایا شده ی مهارت ارتباطی پرستار - بیمار و وضعیت ایمنی بیمار استفاده شد و مهارت ارتباطی پرستار - بیمار ارزیابی و ارتباط آن با وضعیت ایمنی بیماران تعیین شد. یافته ها: اکثریت پرستاران شاغل در بیمارستان های آموزشی و غیر آموزشی (به ترتیب 5/97 و 8/97 درصد) مهارت ارتباطی خود را در سطح خوب ارزیابی کردند. همچنین 6/87 درصد پرستاران بیمارستان های آموزشی و 8/84 پرستاران بیمارستان های غیر آموزشی ایمنی بیماران را در سطح خوب ارزیابی کردند. بین مهارت ارتباطی پرستاران با وضعیت ایمنی بیماران در بخش ویژه رابطه معنی دار آماری وجود داشت (001/0>P). نتیجه گیری: با توجه به نتایج این مطالعه پرستاران می توانند با بکارگیری مهارت های ارتباطی مناسب با بیماران بستری در بخش های ویژه، ایمنی آن ها را حفظ و ارتقاء بخشند

The Relationship between Iron Deficiency and Restless Legs Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder; hemodialysis patients seem to suffer more from this syndrome. Although the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome is still unknown, assessment of factors associated with this syndrome can help to develop medical knowledge in this field. The present study assessed the relationship between restless legs syndrome, serum iron, and serum ferritin levels in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out with purposive sampling method on 168 hemodialysis patients who referred to the Urmia Taleghani Hospital Hemodialysis Unit. Data were gathered using restless legs syndrome questionnaire and laboratory Index of serum iron and ferritin. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: The study results revealed that 38.7 percent of samples complained from restless legs syndrome whose average score serum iron was 78±29.3 μg. Results showed in hemodialysis patients with restless legs syndrome, serum iron and serum ferritin levels were significantly lower than hemodialysis patients without restless legs syndrome (p=0. 02, p=0.005). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of restless legs syndrome in patients with hemodialysis, identification of factors associated with this syndrome and providing the necessary solutions for modifying or eliminating the factors, seem to be necessary. Since the relationship between indicators of iron and ferritin and restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients is confirmed, the results can be helpful in the treatment and management of these patients