Spirituality in the Lives of Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Introduction: Patients with chronic renal failure face many challenges. They try to use spiritual approaches to deal with these challenges. This study aimed to explore spirituality in the lives of Muslim patients with renal failure.Methods: This was a qualitative study on patients with chronic renal failure. Samples were selected through Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using a content analysis approach.Results: The findings of this study showed that patients with chronic renal failure had supernatural beliefs, enjoyed spiritual support, and were connected to transcendental powers. They connected with God, reciting and listening to the Qur'an, reading prayers, and visiting the shrines. Patients also relied on God and dedicated themselves to God.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that patients with chronic renal failure had supernatural beliefs and were connected with the transcendent powers

Psychological Predictors of Resilience in Parents of Insulin-Dependent Children and Adolescents

Background: Parents of insulin-dependent children and adolescents need resilience to continue their lives. The aim of this study was to determine the psychological predictors of resilience in parents of insulin-dependent children and adolescents. Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study performed in 2016. One hundred and thirteen parents of children and adolescents with diabetes who referred to a diabetes clinic in Shiraz participated in this study. Convenience sampling was used. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) (25 items) were also used. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20 using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis. P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The findings showed that the mean±SD score of resilience was 65.33±23.81 in parents of children and adolescents with diabetes. Indeed, 45.1% of the parents had mild to extremely severe levels of stress. Besides, 58.4% and 71.4% of them reported mild to extremely severe depression and anxiety, respectively. The lowest mean±SD scores of resilience were reported in parents with extremely severe levels of depression (37.57±16.26), anxiety (44.89±23.53), and stress (37.84±17.90). Moreover, 49% of changes in resilience was explained by such factors as stress, anxiety, depression, and life and health satisfaction. Among these variables, the association between resilience and depression (t=-6.97, P<0.001) and life satisfaction (t=-3.18, P=0.002) were statistically significant. Conclusion: Since nearly half of the parents experienced stress, depression, and anxiety, and there was an association between resilience and these psychological variables, parents’ psychological problems, especially depression, might be reduced by improving their resilience

Association between perception of caring behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease at coronary care units: a cross-sectional study

Background Assessing and improving patient self-efficacy are among the major roles of nurses. Nurses are also responsible for providing direct patient care, and they play a major role in improving patient care quality. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate nurses’ care-giving behaviors. This study aimed to determine the association between caring behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 400 patients with cardiovascular disease who were admitted to hospitals in Jahrom, southern Iran, were selected through a stratified sampling. The Caring Behaviors Inventory and the Strategies Used by People to Promote Health questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman correlation coefficient in SPSS ver. 22. Results Results showed significant relationships between perception of caring behaviors and self-efficacy (r=0.16, P=0.001) as well as subscales of respectful deference to others (r=0.12, P=0.01), assurance of human presence (r=0.12, P=0.02), and positive connectedness (r=0.18, P=0.001). Additionally, among the subscales of caring behaviors, “attentive to others’ experience,” with a mean of 5.17±1.10, was the highest priority and “positive connectedness,” with a mean of 4.81±1.31, was the lowest priority for patients. The mean self-efficacy score was 73.94±29.78, and 169 patients (43.2%) had low self-efficacy. Conclusions Given the positive relationship between perception of caring behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease, self-efficacy could be improved by paying more attention to patient care priorities and improving patient perception of caring behaviors

The Effect of Coping Skills Training on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Self-Efficacy in Adolescents with Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Diabetes patients are at risk of psychosocial problems. Some interventions might decrease these problems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of coping skills training on depression, anxiety, stress, and self-efficacy of adolescents with type I diabetes. Methods: This randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-test design was performed in the diabetes clinic in Shiraz from June to November 2015. This study was conducted on 100 adolescents with type 1 diabetes who were randomly divided into an intervention (receiving coping skills training in groups for eight sessions) and a control group (usual care). Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (42-items, scores=0-42) and General Self-Efficacy questionnaire (17-items, scores=17-85) were used. The variables were measured at baseline and two months after starting the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16 through Chi-square test, independent t–test, and paired t-test. P<0.05 was significant. Results: After the intervention, the mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress in the intervention group were 5.41±4.58, 6.44±7.01, and 7.46±7.01, and in the control groups they were 19.73±11.80, 18.28±10.51, 21.10±10.94, respectively. Moreover, after the intervention, the mean scores of self-efficacy were 70.82±10.84, and 50.13±15.42 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The results showed differences between the two groups regarding depression, anxiety, stress, and self-efficacy after starting the intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: As coping skills training reduced depression, anxiety, and stress and improved the patients’ self-efficacy, the use of this intervention could be a part of community-based nursing practice for adolescents with diabetes and more research for improving evidence-based practice in this regard are warranted. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201505011369N

Comparison of Musculoskeletal Pain Among Faculty Members at Iranian Medical Universities Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The multitude of responsibilities faced by faculty members, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, may potentially lead to musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and compare musculoskeletal pain among faculty members of medical universities before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 professors from April 2021 to April 2022. Data were collected using a numerical scale and a checklist of musculoskeletal pain before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: The study results showed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, 7.84% of the professors experienced musculoskeletal pain in at least one part of their bodies, and before the pandemic, 6.59% and 5.6% of individuals had experienced pain in two or three regions of the musculoskeletal areas, respectively. However, a noteworthy point was that after the pandemic, individuals had more pain in four regions. The findings indicated a significant increase in the intensity of lower back pain, hip pain, and pain in the neck, shoulder, and nose and its blade, as well as the frequency of wrist, knee, and jaw pain after the pandemic (P<0.001).Conclusion: The study results indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of musculoskeletal pain when comparing before and after the COVID-19 pandemic among professors in medical universities nationwide

The effect of positive thinking training on hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Patients undergoing hemodialysis are exposed to psychological problems, such as despair, which in turn can be a trigger for them to abandon the treatment process. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients. Methods This randomized controlled trial was performed on 80 hemodialysis patients referred to two hemodialysis centers in Shiraz, Iran. They were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. Eight sessions of positive thinking skills training carried out individually on the patients' bedsides. The primary and secondary outcomes were hope and adherence to treatment, respectively. The data were collected using Snyder Hope Questionnaire, End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire, laboratory tests, and weight measurements. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and Paired and Independent T-test using SPSS software version 18. Results After the intervention, the mean score of hope was significantly higher in the intervention group (42.1 ± 6.1) than in the control group (38.7 ± 6.5) (p = 0.024). Moreover, after the intervention, the mean score of adherence to treatment was significantly higher in the intervention group (1070.2 ± 80.1) compared to the control group (1018.4 ± 105.3) (p = 0.019). In addition, blood urea nitrogen, phosphate and inter-dialytic weight gain were lower in the intervention group compared to the control group after the intervention. Conclusions The findings showed that positive thinking interventions could lead to improvement in hope and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients. Positive thinking training could be used in caring of hemodialysis patients to improve their hope and adherence to treatment. Trial registration RCT Registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; RCT registration number: IRCT20180915041044N1; Registration date: 19/12/2018

The effect of telephone counseling based on Orem’s model on adherence to treatment and resilience of patients with coronary angioplasty: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background This study aimed to determine the effect of telephone counseling based on Orem’s Self-Care Model on adherence to treatment and resilience of patients with coronary angioplasty. Methods This randomized clinical trial was performed on 80 patients in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 40 (intervention and control). Questionnaires on adherence to treatment of chronic patients and resilience for patients with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were filled out before and 8 weeks after the intervention. In the intervention group, the telephone call schedule consisted of three calls per week for 8 weeks. Results Before the intervention, no significant difference was found between the groups about adherence to treatment and resilience. However, after the intervention, a significant difference was found between the groups as to adherence to treatment and resilience (P < 0.001). Conclusion Nursing consultation using telephone calls based on Orem’s model increases the adherence to treatment and resilience of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. Telephone counseling can help the patients adhere to their treatment plans and develop resilience skills

The predictive role of hope and social relational quality in disability acceptance among Iranian patients under hemodialysis

Abstract Background Patients undergoing hemodialysis face disabilities that its acceptance may influenced by several factors. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of hope and quality of social relationship on accepting disability amongst patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 hemodialysis patients referred to hemodialysis centers in Nemazi and Shahid Faghihi hospitals and Imam Reza Clinic in Shiraz. Snyder Hope Scale, Acceptance of Disability Scale (ADS), and Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed through the Smart PLS-3 and SPSS software using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression analysis tests, and confirmatory factor analysis. Results Face, content, and construct validities and internal consistency of the Persian version of ADS and SRQS were confirmed. The patients’ mean score of hope was 38.83 (SD = 4.35), which was not desirable. Their mean score of SRQS was 45.45 (SD = 3.87), which was at the moderate level. Nonetheless, the mean score of disability acceptance (66.01 (SD = 7.15)) was lower than expected. The results showed disability acceptance was associated with having good level of hope (β = 0.44, p = 0.002) and social relationship (β = 0.31, p = 0.04). Conclusions Hope and social relational quality predicted the acceptance of disabilities. Therefore, designing interventions to promote hope and social relationship in hemodialysis patients may increase their disability acceptance

The impact of the preceptorship program on self-efficacy and learning outcomes in nursing students

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of the preceptorship program on self-efficacy and learning outcomes and the association between self-efficacy and learning outcomes in nursing students. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 112 nursing students in 2012–2013. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling from the School of Nursing and Midwifery of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The general self-efficacy scale and the perception of overall learning outcomes scale were used to measure the students' perception of self-efficacy and achievement of learning outcomes. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results: The students' mean [standard deviation (SD)] scores of self-efficacy and learning outcomes were 30.69 (5.88) and 4.10 (0.82), respectively, after taking part in the preceptorship program. The results showed a significant association between the mean scores of self-efficacy and learning outcomes (r = 0.30, p = 0.002). In addition, self-efficacy was predicted by gender (β = −0.19, p = 0.030) and the components of “understand ethical aspects of patient care” (β = 0.31, p = 0.010), “work more systematically” (β = −0.44, p = 0.005), and “use of nursing research” (β = 0.34, p = 0.020). Conclusions: Although the nursing students who participated in the preceptorship program demonstrated high mean scores of self-efficacy and learning outcomes, the lack of control group led to the conclusion about the effectiveness of the program to be made in caution. However, this program is suggested to be retained in nursing students' curriculum

Self-Management experiences in Guillain Barre syndrome patients: a phenomenological study

Introduction: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) leads to physical and psychosocial impairments. These patients have to manage their difficult situations. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to describe and interpret the meaning of self-management while living with GBS. In this hermeneutic phenomenological study, eleven patients with GBS were recruited. Data were collected by semi-structure interviews. The thematic analysis was used. Results: The five themes emerging from this study are as follows: &ldquo;Recognition of GBS, using coping strategies, being hopeful, relationship with God and received, and perceived social support&rdquo;. The participants looked for and found information concerning the nature of their illness. They used coping strategies such as denial, striving to get back to normal life, and trying to achieve greater emotional balance&rdquo;. They were optimistic for their health would return to normal, and they had hopes for future. Conclusion: The participants used trust in God, praying, accepting their fate, and pleased with God to manage GBS. The patients were received and perceived instrumental, and emotional and financial support from their family members to manage their illness. By being aware of the essence of self-management in living with GBS, healthcare professionals are suggested to conduct interventions regarding this theme to improve self-management in GBS patients