Simulation on sensory impairment in older adults:nursing education

Sensory impairments are identified as the most common chronic and disabling conditions of later life impacting significantly on the quality of life and safety of older adults. Hospitals and care environments can present significant challenges to older adults with sensory impairments to negotiate. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness on sensory and cognitive impairments with all healthcare professionals and nurses in particular, both to help develop an empathetic awareness on the impact of impairment and to minimize risk of adverse events. This article reports on a pedagogical innovation on the development and use of a simulation resource primarily on sensory impairments in older adults with first year nursing students within an undergraduate nursing programme in a Scottish university. The article also reports on students' reflections on their experience of participating in this simulation

A Conceptual Model on Risk Perception Among Older South Asians with Type 2 Diabetes

Research has shown that an underestimation of personal health risk can reduce the motivation to change behaviour and reduce risk factors. This paper describes a conceptual model on risk perception among older South Asian people (representing Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) with type 2 diabetes living in the UK; this model was developed using qualitative research. Risk perception in this study is interpreted in terms of risk awareness and risk engagement. This research indicated that the concordance/empowerment model of diabetes management, which advocates self-management towards long-term risk prevention, needs further exploration in older people from minority ethnic groups with type 2 diabetes

Quality of Life using AQLQ (S), ACT and GINA in patients with bronchial asthma in South India

Asthma has been notified as a chronic illness that impacts a large number of individuals and affects their quality of life. Aim: To measure the Quality of Life in patients with Bronchial Asthma in a tertiary care setting in South India. Method: Structured face to face interviews were conducted using standardized tools i.e. Standardized version of Juniper‟s Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and the responses were classified under the domains of activity limitations, symptoms, emotions and exposure to environmental stimuli. The Asthma Control Test was also used categorizing respondents as demonstrating total control, well controlled or uncontrolled asthma. GINA guidelines was used to classify the patients based on severity of Asthma as intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Result: 200 physician diagnosed patients with Bronchial Asthma participated in the study. Majority were male (n=115) and rest female (n=85). 143 were married and many were graduates (n=52). The mean QOL of the patients was 4.83 on 7 point scale. More than half of the sample population (57% n=114) were found to experience uncontrolled asthma. The average score received in Asthma Control Test was 17 against a maximum of 25. Less than half the patients (37.5% n =75) in the study were classified as having moderate Asthma. Conclusion: The findings suggest that there is a need to control asthma and the environmental factors that trigger it. Educating patients on treatment and precautionary measures may be a potential solution to enhance the overall sense of well-being in patients with bronchial asthma

Raising awareness of sensory impairment among community nurses: a brief intervention in a remote island setting

Introduction: The prevalence of sensory impairment that includes, sight and/or hearing impairment is projected to rise worldwide given the strong correlation between sensory impairment, older age, and the demographic structure of the global population. Sensory impairment and associated disability is thus a significant global health concern. The prevalence rates for sensory impairment in Scotland are significant as more people live into older age and as the age distribution in rural areas is markedly different with a higher proportion of older people, the extent of sensory impairment in the rural population will increase proportionally.  In rural areas community nurses have a key role in recognising sensory impairment and signposting people to sensory services to reduce the debilitating impact of sensory impairment. However, there is limited evidence about the utility of educational interventions to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge, skills and attitudes about sensory impairment and subsequent impact on referral practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a brief educational intervention with community nurses. The educational intervention was a training workshop that included simulation practice, information on assessment and referral pathways. The study was conducted in a remote, island community health setting in the Western Isles of Scotland. The study evaluated nurses’ perceptions of the training on their knowledge, attitudes and practice.  Methods: Mixed method, longitudinal design implemented in three phases. Phase 1: Pre and post workshop questionnaire; Phase 2: Postal questionnaire three months post workshop; Phase 3: Qualitative focus group interview six months post workshop. Kirkpatrick’s (1) model of training evaluation provided a framework for data evaluation.  Results: 41 community based healthcare professionals who were mostly nurses participated in the study. Participants described increased awareness of the potential for their patients to have a sensory impairment, greater understanding and empathy with patients who experience sensory impairment, more robust patient assessment to identify impairment, and increased likelihood to inform of, and refer to, sensory services.  Conclusions: Community nurses are often well placed to identity disabilities and patients at risk of injury because of sensory impairment. Participation in simulation training can help to develop greater awareness of the impact of that sensory impairment. Knowledge of specialist services will increase the opportunities for referral to services and impact positively on the lives of older people living in rural settings. Provision of accessible education on sensory impairment for health and social care professionals can enhance care delivery to older people