When humor and laughter come before crying

Norsk sammendrag: Bakgrunn: Når kreftsykepleieren møter kreftpasienten i palliativ fase kan livssituasjonen ofte være preget av alvor, fordi sykdommen truer livet. Pasienten kan ha problemer på så vel de fysiske, psykiske, sosiale, åndelige og eksistensielle område. Som kreftsykepleier skal hun bidra til at pasienten får en god livskvalitet i den tiden han har igjen av sitt liv. Gjennom kommunikasjon med pasienten kan vi finne ut hva pasientens behov og utfordringer kan være. Hensikt: Formålet med oppgaven er å undersøke og drøfte om fenomenet humor kan bli brukt for å oppnå en bedre kommunikasjon, mellom kreftsykepleier og kreftpasient hvor pasienten er i palliativ fase. Metode: Vi bruker litteratur som metode, som bygger på kunnskap fra fagbøker og andre skriftlige tekstkilder, søk i databaser, sett i sammenheng med erfaringer fra praksisfeltet. Drøfting/funn: Det fremheves at humor er en viktig del av menneskes hverdag, og humor kan være med å bygge opp relasjonen mellom kreftpasienten og kreftsykepleier, så lenge den ikke krenker andre. Humor er også viktig for pasienten, fordi det kan være en måte å uttrykke seg på. Funnene viser til at man må være følsom i hver enkelte situasjon, og mennesket man står ovenfor, ved bruk av humor. Konklusjon: Humor er et middel som kan brukes i kommunikasjon, men det stiller visse betingelser for når, og hvordan humor bør brukes. Når kreftsykepleier vet med hvem, hvordan, og i hvilken situasjon hun kan bruke humor, så kan det fremme pasientens tillit til henne. For pasienten kan humor bety mestring, og samtidig være hans måte å kommunisere på for å få oppmerksomhet fra kreftsykepleieren, som har ansvar for hans omsorg.English abstract: Background: When the oncology nurse meets the patient with cancer in a palliative stage living conditions can often be severe, because the disease has a great impact on his life. The patient can struggle with problems physically, psychologically, socially, existentially and spiritually. As an oncology nurse she has to help the patient to retain a good quality of life in the remaining time of his life. Through communication with the pasient we can find out what his needs and challenges can be. Aim: The purpose of this study is to do research and discuss whether the phenomenon of humor can be used to improve communication between oncology nurse and patient, in which the patient is in a palliative stage. Method: We use literature as a method, based on the knowledge of textbooks and other written materials, and database searches, in a context with practice. Discussion/findings: It is highlighted that humor is an important part of human life, and humor can help to build relationships between the cancer patient and oncology nurse as long as it not offends the other person. Humor is also important for the patient self, because it may be a way to express himself. The findings show that you have to be careful in every situation, also towards the person you face. Conclusion: Humor can be used as a way of communication, but some conditions are to be set for when and how humor should be used. If the oncology nurse knows who, how and in what situation she can use humor, this may increase the confidence of the patient in her. For the patient humor can mean coping, and can simultaneously be his way to get attention from the nurse, who has the responsibility for his care

When humor and laughter come before crying

Norsk sammendrag: Bakgrunn: Når kreftsykepleieren møter kreftpasienten i palliativ fase kan livssituasjonen ofte være preget av alvor, fordi sykdommen truer livet. Pasienten kan ha problemer på så vel de fysiske, psykiske, sosiale, åndelige og eksistensielle område. Som kreftsykepleier skal hun bidra til at pasienten får en god livskvalitet i den tiden han har igjen av sitt liv. Gjennom kommunikasjon med pasienten kan vi finne ut hva pasientens behov og utfordringer kan være. Hensikt: Formålet med oppgaven er å undersøke og drøfte om fenomenet humor kan bli brukt for å oppnå en bedre kommunikasjon, mellom kreftsykepleier og kreftpasient hvor pasienten er i palliativ fase. Metode: Vi bruker litteratur som metode, som bygger på kunnskap fra fagbøker og andre skriftlige tekstkilder, søk i databaser, sett i sammenheng med erfaringer fra praksisfeltet. Drøfting/funn: Det fremheves at humor er en viktig del av menneskes hverdag, og humor kan være med å bygge opp relasjonen mellom kreftpasienten og kreftsykepleier, så lenge den ikke krenker andre. Humor er også viktig for pasienten, fordi det kan være en måte å uttrykke seg på. Funnene viser til at man må være følsom i hver enkelte situasjon, og mennesket man står ovenfor, ved bruk av humor. Konklusjon: Humor er et middel som kan brukes i kommunikasjon, men det stiller visse betingelser for når, og hvordan humor bør brukes. Når kreftsykepleier vet med hvem, hvordan, og i hvilken situasjon hun kan bruke humor, så kan det fremme pasientens tillit til henne. For pasienten kan humor bety mestring, og samtidig være hans måte å kommunisere på for å få oppmerksomhet fra kreftsykepleieren, som har ansvar for hans omsorg.English abstract: Background: When the oncology nurse meets the patient with cancer in a palliative stage living conditions can often be severe, because the disease has a great impact on his life. The patient can struggle with problems physically, psychologically, socially, existentially and spiritually. As an oncology nurse she has to help the patient to retain a good quality of life in the remaining time of his life. Through communication with the pasient we can find out what his needs and challenges can be. Aim: The purpose of this study is to do research and discuss whether the phenomenon of humor can be used to improve communication between oncology nurse and patient, in which the patient is in a palliative stage. Method: We use literature as a method, based on the knowledge of textbooks and other written materials, and database searches, in a context with practice. Discussion/findings: It is highlighted that humor is an important part of human life, and humor can help to build relationships between the cancer patient and oncology nurse as long as it not offends the other person. Humor is also important for the patient self, because it may be a way to express himself. The findings show that you have to be careful in every situation, also towards the person you face. Conclusion: Humor can be used as a way of communication, but some conditions are to be set for when and how humor should be used. If the oncology nurse knows who, how and in what situation she can use humor, this may increase the confidence of the patient in her. For the patient humor can mean coping, and can simultaneously be his way to get attention from the nurse, who has the responsibility for his care

Use of alcohol and addictive drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway: associations with mental health and pandemic-related problems

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a major impact on people's daily life. This study aimed to examine use of alcohol and addictive drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway and examine their association with mental health problems and problems related to the pandemic. Methods: A sample of 4,527 persons responded to the survey. Use of alcohol and addictive drugs were cross-tabulated with sociodemographic variables, mental health problems, and problems related to COVID-19. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the strength of the associations. Results: Daily use of alcohol was associated with depression and expecting financial loss in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. Use of cannabis was associated with expecting financial loss in relation to COVID-19. Use of sedatives was associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Use of painkillers was associated with insomnia and self-reported risk of complications if contracting the coronavirus. Conclusion: The occurrence of mental health problems is more important for an understanding of the use of alcohol and addictive drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway, compared to specific pandemic-related worries.publishedVersio

A comparison between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers’ anxiety, depression and PTSD during the initial COVID -19 lockdown

Objective Several studies have found that Healthcare workers are vulnerable to mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have made comparisons of healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs. The current study aimed to compare mental health problems among HCWs with non-HCWs during the initial lockdown of COVID 19. Study design A population-based cross-sectional survey. Methods The survey was conducted by means of an open web link between April and May 2020. Data were collected by self-report. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was used to assess posttraumatic stress. Results A total of 4527 citizens answered the questionnaire and 32.1% were HCWs. The majority were female, under 60 years of age, and lived in urban areas. Among the HCWs, the majority were registered nurses working in hospitals. The prevalence were 12.8% vs 19.1% for anxiety, 8.5% vs 14.5% for depression and 13.6% vs 20.9% for PTSD among HCWs and non-HCWs respectively. The highest prevalence's for anxiety and PTSD among HCWs were found for those under 40 years of age and having low education level (<12 years). Conclusion Mental health problems was significantly lower among HCWs compared to non-HCWs. However, the COVID-19 poses a challenge for HCWs, especially young HCWs and those with low level of education. Providing support, appropriate education, training, and authoritative information to the different members of the HCWs could be effective ways to minimize the psychological effect.publishedVersio

Serious life events and post-traumatic stress disorder in the Norwegian population

Background: It has been suggested that countries with more resources and better healthcare have populations with a higher risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Norway is a high-income country with good public healthcare. Aims: To examine lifetime trauma exposure and the point prevalence of PTSD in the general Norwegian population. Method: A survey was administered to a national probability sample of 5500 adults (aged ≥18 years). Of 4961 eligible individuals, 1792 responded (36%). Responders and non-responders did not differ significantly in age, gender or urban versus rural residence. Trauma exposure was measured using the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5. PTSD was measured with the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5. We used the DSM-5 diagnostic guidelines to categorise participants as fulfilling the PTSD symptom criteria or not. Results: At least one serious lifetime event was reported by 85% of men and 86% of women. The most common event categories were transportation accident and life-threatening illness or injury. The point prevalence of PTSD was 3.8% for men and 8.5% for women. The most common events causing PTSD were sexual and physical assaults, life-threatening illness or injury, and sudden violent deaths. Risk of PTSD increased proportionally with the number of event categories experienced. Conclusions: High estimates of serious life events and correspondingly high rates of PTSD in the Norwegian population support the paradox that countries with more resources and better healthcare have higher risk of PTSD. Possible explanations are high expectations for a risk-free life and high attention to potential harmful mental health effects of serious life events.publishedVersio

The casualty chain inventory: a new scale for measuring peritraumatic responses: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peritraumatic psychological- and sensory impressions in victims of civilian accidents are only partly understood. This study scrutinizes the level and duration of perceived psychological threat at <it>scene of injury </it>as well as <it>in hospital </it>(the casualty chain) measured by the Casualty Chain Inventory (CCI). The purpose of the study was to assess and validate the CCI, and to examine the correlations between the new instrument and stress responses measured by the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Post-traumatic Stress Scale-10 (PTSS-10)</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three hundred and fifteen injured, conscious, hospitalised patients were assessed with a self-report questionnaire. The CCI consists of eight items including sensory impressions and well-known psychological responses to trauma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The internal consistency of the CCI was solid (Cronbach's alpha: .83-.85). A factor analysis revealed two components, "perception" and "dissociation". The instrument correlates significantly with the Impact of Event Scale (r = 0.47 - 0.54) and the Posttraumatic Stress Scale-10 (r = 0.32 - 0.50). The explained variance is high both at the scene of injury (61%) and in the hospital (65%). Dissociation and perception either used as a two-factor solution or as a sum score measured in the hospital, gave the strongest prediction for later psychological distress.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The CCI appears to be a useful screening instrument for, at an early state, identifying patients hospitalized after a physical incident at risk for subsequent psychological distress.</p

Når humor og latter kommer før gråt

Norsk sammendrag: Bakgrunn: Når kreftsykepleieren møter kreftpasienten i palliativ fase kan livssituasjonen ofte være preget av alvor, fordi sykdommen truer livet. Pasienten kan ha problemer på så vel de fysiske, psykiske, sosiale, åndelige og eksistensielle område. Som kreftsykepleier skal hun bidra til at pasienten får en god livskvalitet i den tiden han har igjen av sitt liv. Gjennom kommunikasjon med pasienten kan vi finne ut hva pasientens behov og utfordringer kan være. Hensikt: Formålet med oppgaven er å undersøke og drøfte om fenomenet humor kan bli brukt for å oppnå en bedre kommunikasjon, mellom kreftsykepleier og kreftpasient hvor pasienten er i palliativ fase. Metode: Vi bruker litteratur som metode, som bygger på kunnskap fra fagbøker og andre skriftlige tekstkilder, søk i databaser, sett i sammenheng med erfaringer fra praksisfeltet. Drøfting/funn: Det fremheves at humor er en viktig del av menneskes hverdag, og humor kan være med å bygge opp relasjonen mellom kreftpasienten og kreftsykepleier, så lenge den ikke krenker andre. Humor er også viktig for pasienten, fordi det kan være en måte å uttrykke seg på. Funnene viser til at man må være følsom i hver enkelte situasjon, og mennesket man står ovenfor, ved bruk av humor. Konklusjon: Humor er et middel som kan brukes i kommunikasjon, men det stiller visse betingelser for når, og hvordan humor bør brukes. Når kreftsykepleier vet med hvem, hvordan, og i hvilken situasjon hun kan bruke humor, så kan det fremme pasientens tillit til henne. For pasienten kan humor bety mestring, og samtidig være hans måte å kommunisere på for å få oppmerksomhet fra kreftsykepleieren, som har ansvar for hans omsorg