Nursing Research and Audit in the Transplant Setting

Nursing research is a systematic inquiry that uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve problems in order to expand the knowledge base within a given field. There are various issues to address in order to complete a successful study. The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with an overview of the key topics for consideration and give guidance as to where to go for further information. Providing best care to patients undergoing HSCT is the moral and ethical duty of all nurses. As a consequence, awareness of, and involvement in, research as the vehicle to ensuring best practice is also our moral duty

transplantation through the generations

Biologically, a child is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority (Oxford University Press (Accessed 5th January 2013))

breastfeeding in breast cancer survivors pattern behaviour and effect on breast cancer outcome

Abstract Little is known regarding the safety and feasibility of breastfeeding in women with a history of breast cancer. We have performed a survey among breast cancer patients who completed their pregnancy following breast cancer management to examine their lactation behaviours and its effect on breast cancer outcome. Out of 32 women identified, 20 were reachable and accepted to take the questionnaire. Ten women initiated breastfeeding, 4 stopped within one month and 6 had long-term success with a median period of 11 months (7–17 months). The latter were all previously subjected to breast conserving surgery and received qualified lactation counselling at delivery. The main reasons for not initiating breastfeeding were "uncertainty regarding maternal safety" and "a priori unfeasibility" expressed either by the obstetrician or by the oncologist. At a median follow-up of 48 months following delivery, all 20 women were alive with two relapses; one in each group (i.e., lactating and non-lactating). This analysis adds to the limited available evidence on the feasibility and safety of breastfeeding in breast cancer survivors. Proper fertility and survivorship counselling is crucial and requires more attention in breast cancer clinics

Medical Student Research: An Integrated Mixed-Methods Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Importance</p><p>Despite the rapidly declining number of physician-investigators, there is no consistent structure within medical education so far for involving medical students in research.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To conduct an integrated mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies about medical students' participation in research, and to evaluate the evidence in order to guide policy decision-making regarding this issue.</p><p>Evidence Review</p><p>We followed the PRISMA statement guidelines during the preparation of this review and meta-analysis. We searched various databases as well as the bibliographies of the included studies between March 2012 and September 2013. We identified all relevant quantitative and qualitative studies assessing the effect of medical student participation in research, without restrictions regarding study design or publication date. Prespecified outcome-specific quality criteria were used to judge the admission of each quantitative outcome into the meta-analysis. Initial screening of titles and abstracts resulted in the retrieval of 256 articles for full-text assessment. Eventually, 79 articles were included in our study, including eight qualitative studies. An integrated approach was used to combine quantitative and qualitative studies into a single synthesis. Once all included studies were identified, a data-driven thematic analysis was performed.</p><p>Findings and Conclusions</p><p>Medical student participation in research is associated with improved short- and long- term scientific productivity, more informed career choices and improved knowledge about-, interest in- and attitudes towards research. Financial worries, gender, having a higher degree (MSc or PhD) before matriculation and perceived competitiveness of the residency of choice are among the factors that affect the engagement of medical students in research and/or their scientific productivity. Intercalated BSc degrees, mandatory graduation theses and curricular research components may help in standardizing research education during medical school.</p></div

Factors related to- or affecting medical student research (i)–Effects of previous research experience, academic success and higher degree graduate-entry into medical school.

<p><b>Forest Plot symbols: *</b> The axis, not the data, is shown in log scale for aesthetic purposes. <b>Abbreviations used: D</b>, developing countries; <b>I</b>, intercalated Bachelor of Science degree (iBSc); <b>M</b>, motivation to perform research; <b>K</b>, research knowledge or skills; <b>C</b>, confidence in research competencies; <b>In</b>, interest in research. For some studies, odds ratios and 95% confidence interval values were reported, but not the raw numbers.</p

Miscellaneous topics related to medical student research.

<p><b>Forest Plot symbols: *</b> The axis, not the data, is shown in log scale for aesthetic purposes. <b>Abbreviations used: D,</b> developing countries; <b>I,</b> intercalated Bachelor of Science degree (iBSc); <b>FC</b>, studies measuring final year academic performance and controlling for baseline performance. Dates are shown beside studies that may be confused with others referenced in this review having the same similar first-author names. For some studies, odds ratios and 95% confidence interval values were reported, but not the raw numbers.</p

Patient Engagement in Oncology Practice: A Qualitative Study on Patients&rsquo; and Nurses&rsquo; Perspectives

Patient engagement has gained increasing attention in cancer care as it is widely acknowledged as an essential element of high-quality care. There are limited data on how oncology nurses might apply techniques that encourage patient engagement. Therefore, this study aims to understand which nursing strategies can favour patient engagement in oncological care from patients&rsquo; and nurses&rsquo; perspectives. We conducted a qualitative study involving oncology patients and oncology nurses. Patients were interviewed, while nurses were involved in focus groups (FGs). Both interviews and FGs were analysed by the means of thematic analysis. We interviewed six patients and conducted two FGs, involving 17 nurses. Five themes were identified from patients&rsquo; interviews: effective information, having the opportunity to choose, being considered a person, trusted relationship with nurses, and receiving support and advice. Additionally, five themes were identified from the FGs: the nurse&ndash;patient relationship, personalisation of care, information style, engagement strategies, and the team. The participants highlighted the importance of comprehensive information in order for patients to feel more involved. Great importance was given to the nurse&ndash;patient relationship, which must be based on trust and mutual respect. Both nurses and patients emphasised the importance of person-centred care. A more systematic implementation of suggestions from the participants in this study is desirable for the future