Psychological, social and health-related challenges in spanish older adults during the lockdown of the COVID-19 first wave

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has required a population lockdown. Spain has one of the oldest/most aging populations in the world and was one of the most affected countries. We aim to describe the psychological and social implications as well as health-related behaviors as a result of the lockdown in community-dwelling older adults. Materials and Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. A total of 528 participants of over 60 years of age were recruited using snowball sampling technique during the lockdown of the COVID-19 first wave using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire composed of descriptive questions and validated scales for resilience (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) and emotions (Scale of Positive And Negative Experience). Results: Most participants (76.9%) live with other people and have an open space at home (64%). Only 33.7% continued doing activities to promote healthy aging, 65.7% did less physical activity and 25.6% increased their intellectual activity. Most of them (83%) used electronic communication with family and friends to a greater extent, and left the house to run basic errands. Greater scores on resilience showed significant negative correlations with age and negative feelings, and positive correlations with the size of the social network and positive feelings. Lacking an open space at home was associated with more negative feelings. Discussion: Older people are a vulnerable group severely affected by this pandemic crisis at multiple levels, requiring specific interventions to minimize the effects of changes in lifestyle that may be harmful. Detecting needs is essential to improve care and support from community health and social services, both nowadays and in future similar situationsS

La Enfermería escolar: contenidos y percepciones sobre su pertinencia en las escuelas inclusivas

Introduction: The School Nursing service has existed in many countries around the world for decades. In Spain, the presence of Nursing in schools is isolated and not uniformly regulated. The promotion of health and Health Education plays a key role in students’ current health.Objective: To determine experts’ degree of consensus on public and child and youth health in terms of aspects related to School Nursing, with the aim of establishing the priority contents that should be developed in the care giving function and in Health Education. Materials and methods: A two-round prospective study with a qualitative approach (the Delphi method), based on a sample of 17 experts. An online baseline questionnaire was prepared, asking for opinions and proposals on School Nursing. The second round included the response percentages and proposals subject to prioritization by means of expert assessment and consensus. Results: Most endorse some type of physical presence of nurses in schools, which would contribute to improving educational inclusion and attention to diversity. Its role in the promotion of health and prevention, early identification of diseases, and attention to mental health is pointed out.Conclusions: The school environment should be taken into account as a new and differentiated operating environment for Nursing. Nursing staff becomes a necessary innovation agent in school health, looking after the entire educational community (students, teachers and family).Introducción: La Enfermería escolar existe en diversos países del mundo desde hace décadas. En España la presencia de Enfermería en los centros es aislada y no está regulada de manera uniforme. La promoción de la salud y Educación para la Salud juegan un papel clave en la salud actual de los escolares.Objetivo: Determinar el grado de consenso de expertos en salud pública e infantojuvenil sobre aspectos relacionados con la Enfermería escolar para establecer los contenidos que se deben desarrollar en la función asistencial y en Educación para la Salud. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo con enfoque cualitativo (técnica Delphi) en dos rondas con una muestra de 17 expertos. Se elaboró un cuestionario basal online pidiendo opiniones y propuestas sobre la Enfermería escolar. En la segunda ronda se incluyeron los porcentajes de respuesta y propuestas que se sometieron a priorización mediante valoración y consenso de los expertos. Resultados: La mayoría refrendan algún tipo de presencia física de enfermeras en los centros escolares, que contribuiría a mejorar la inclusión educativa y la atención a la diversidad. Se resalta su papel en materia de promoción de la salud y prevención, identificación precoz de enfermedades y atención a la salud mental.Conclusiones: Es preciso tener en cuenta el ámbito escolar como un nuevo y diferenciado entorno de actuación para Enfermería. El personal de Enfermería se convierte en un necesario agente de innovación en salud escolar que cuida de toda la comunidad educativa (escolares, profesorado y familia)

A Systematic Review of Augmented Reality in Health Sciences: A Guide to Decision-Making in Higher Education

The objective of this study was to investigate the usability of the augmented reality (AR) in higher education in the area of health sciences to describe what type of interventions have been developed, their impact on various psychopedagogical aspects of the students as well as the main advantages, disadvantages and challenges in incorporating AR in the teaching-learning process. A systematic review was carried out in the CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE,Web of Science databases and the Google Scholar search engine. The search was limited to original research articles written in English, Spanish or Portuguese since 2014. The quality of the selected articles (n = 19) was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The applications and electronic devices used and the measurement instruments used were described. The use of AR made it easier for students to acquire skills, especially in courses with a high component of three-dimensional visualization, and positively influenced various aspects of the learning process such as motivation, satisfaction or autonomous learning. As an educational technological tool applied to higher education in health sciences, AR improves the teaching-learning process by influencing it in a multidimensional wayS

Effectiveness of augmented reality in learning about leg ulcer care: a quasi-experimental study in nursing students

Chronic wounds are a serious public health problem worldwide. Providing optimal treatment to patients suffering from leg ulcers is a priority for nursing. Therefore, nursing students need to acquire the necessary competencies to provide evidence-based care. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology in health science education which can help nursing students achieve these skills if it is promoted by both institutions and educationalistsS

Identifying engagement and associated factors in nursing students: An exploratory study

Background Burnout and engagement in health students surpass work life. Although levels of burnout in Nursing students are high, academic engagement is an understudied topic in Nursing, which has shown benefits. The aims were to know the level of engagement of Nursing students and to identify factors that prompt higher levels of engagement. Methods An exploratory study was conducted during 2019 in three Universities in Spain. The UWES-S-17 questionnaire was used. Results The sample consisted of 808 Nursing students. An average level of engagement was found. Engagement differed significantly by gender and age, with females and older students showing greater attitudes. Participants in the second year showed lower scores in the willingness to dedicate effort and persistence than those in the first and third year (p < 0.05). Conclusions The identification of the level of engagement and factors involved are an opportunity to probe into this approach by reinforcing positive attitudes in Nursing students. These findings show the need to seek strategies through specific educational interventions and policies. Engagement should be upheld throughout the degree and once they enter the job market to ensure the well-being during academic and future work life, a high-quality nursing care and patient safetyS

Blood donation attitudes and knowledge in Spanish undergraduates with roles in health-education

Recent investigations highlight how important it is to identify the key factors involved in the design of strategies to promote blood donation among undergraduates as a public health concern. The study aims to investigate attitudes and knowledge towards blood donation in university students with health education roles and examine the way sociodemographic and educational characteristics play a part in it. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional and multi-center design was used. A structured questionnaire was answered by 1128 Spanish university students (Schools of Health Sciences and Education Sciences). Results: The knowledge test indicated a low score (M = 4.2 out of 10), being Me = 3.00 in the case of Education Sciences and Me = 5.00 in Health Sciences students. The greatest degree of importance is found in the “external incentives” dimension (M = 3.7 out of 5). Health science students and participants with relatives who needed a donation showed fewer “fears” (p ≤ 0.001) and “pretexts” (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: The low knowledge score stresses the need to develop valuable health education-related strategies in the curriculum of studies related with health education; showing room for improvement particularly in Education Science students. Health education interventions aimed at increasing donors in the university environment should be designed while considering differences among undergraduates. Based on their better attitudes, health science students might play a relevant role in promoting blood donationS

Care tasks and impact of caring in primary family caregivers: a cross-sectional study from a nursing perspective

Family caregivers of persons with dementia often experience a negative impact on their health. More studies based on nursing theories are needed to improve the provision of careS

Gender impact of caring on the health of caregivers of persons with dementia

Background: Dementia is a brain syndrome that affects a growing number of persons worldwide and generates a strong and progressive demand for care from a family caregiver, usually females. Objective: We aimed to describe the care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia as well as the impact on their health and its interrelation with gender Patient involvement. This study was carried out in collaboration with the 13 associations of family caregivers of persons with dementia that are part of a Regional Federation. This partnership worked towards bettering patient care and proposing improvements to the public health system. Methods: A multi-institutional cross-sectional study. A total of 462 primary family caregivers of persons with dementia from north-west Spain were included. Data were collected between January and April 2019 with an anonymous self-administered validated questionnaire (ICUB-97) based on Virginia Henderson’s nursing care model. Results: The most affected needs in family caregivers are those related to “recreational activities”, “communication” and “rest and sleep”. Statistically significant differences between male and female participants’ pattern of care and health-related impacts were found, especially in issues related to work and family reconciliation. Discussion: Care plans should be developed taking gender perspective into account. From a nurse model point of view, more research is necessary to reduce health disparities. This study provides an assessment of gender differences in care and the impact on caregivers’ health. Practical value: Regarding the specific health conditions of female caregivers and from a holistic point of view, these findings could provide novel and interesting data that might help to implement gender perspective in nursing care plans, generally invisible in routine clinical practiceS

Attitudes and knowledge in blood donation among nursing students: a cross-sectional study in Spain and Portugal

Background: Blood donors are key in meeting the ever-increasing blood requirements worldwide. The Spanish and Portuguese donation systems are based on altruism and voluntariness. However, nursing students may not be fully aware of the importance of this social responsibility and their professional skills in this field. Objectives: This study aimed to identify differences regarding attitudes towards and knowledge about blood donation among Spanish and Portuguese undergraduate Nursing students (1st to 8th semester), as well as to analyse how different variables account for them. Design: A multicentre cross-sectional study was carried out. Participants/settings: The participants of the study were 1038 nursing students from four Schools of Nursing in two countries, Spain and Portugal. Methods: The web-based CADS-19 questionnaire to measure attitudes and knowledge was used during the academic years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Additionally, sociodemographic data were collected. Results: The mean knowledge score was 3.079 out of 10 (SD = 1.429). The level of knowledge differed significantly by gender, where females scored higher, along with older students and previous donors. The highest mean attitude score corresponded to the “external incentives” dimension, significant differences were found between countries. In barriers and incentives, some differences were found depending on gender or sexual orientation, among others, with slightly better attitudes in Spanish participants. Conclusions: The level of knowledge was lower than expected, considering participants were nursing students. The attitude's comparative analysis between both countries showed significant differences, especially in the pretext dimension. As for greater donation rates found in Spanish students, nurse-led international partnerships could be designed to enhance health literacy and sensitivity among nursing undergraduates. Interventions should focus on specific theoretical and practical training programs and educative actions should contribute to a greater awareness, motivation, and sensitise students to blood donationS

School nursing: contents and perceptions about its relevance in the inclusive schools

Introducción: La Enfermería escolar existe en diversos países del mundo desde hace décadas. En España la presencia de Enfermería en los centros es aislada y no está regulada de manera uniforme. La promoción de la salud y Educación para la Salud juegan un papel clave en la salud actual de los escolares. Objetivo: Determinar el grado de consenso de expertos en salud pública e infantojuvenil sobre aspectos relacionados con la Enfermería escolar para establecer los contenidos que se deben desarrollar en la función asistencial y en Educación para la Salud. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo con enfoque cualitativo (técnica Delphi) en dos rondas con una muestra de 17 expertos. Se elaboró un cuestionario basal online pidiendo opiniones y propuestas sobre la Enfermería escolar. En la segunda ronda se incluyeron los porcentajes de respuesta y propuestas que se sometieron a priorización mediante valoración y consenso de los expertos. Resultados: La mayoría refrendan algún tipo de presencia física de enfermeras en los centros escolares, que contribuiría a mejorar la inclusión educativa y la atención a la diversidad. Se resalta su papel en materia de promoción de la salud y prevención, identificación precoz de enfermedades y atención a la salud mental. Conclusiones: Es preciso tener en cuenta el ámbito escolar como un nuevo y diferenciado entorno de actuación para Enfermería. El personal de Enfermería se convierte en un necesario agente de innovación en salud escolar que cuida de toda la comunidad educativa (escolares, profesorado y familia).Introduction:The School Nursing service has existed in many countries around the world for decades. In Spain, the presence of Nursing in schools is isolated and not uniformly regulated. The promotion of health and Health Education plays a key role in students’ currenthealth.Objective:To determine experts’ degree of consensus on public and child and youth health in terms of aspects related to School Nursing, with the aim of establishing the priority contents that should be developed in the care giving function and inHealth Education. Materials and methods:A two-round prospective study with a qualitative approach (the Delphi method), based on a sample of 17 experts. An online baseline questionnaire was prepared, asking for opinions and proposals on School Nursing. The second round included the response percentages and proposals subject to prioritization by means of expert assessment and consensus. Results: Most endorse some type of physical presence of nurses in schools, which would contribute to improving educational inclusion and attention to diversity. Its role in the promotion of health and prevention, early identification of diseases, and attention to mental health is pointed out.Conclusions: The school environment should be taken into account as a new and differentiated operating environment for Nursing. Nursing staff becomes a necessary innovation agent in school health, looking after the entire educational community (students, teachers and family).S