Nurses' Practical Wisdom for the Support of Dementia Patients Among Hospital Outpatients

Purpose: To establish and understand nurses' practical wisdom and interventions of support for dementia and possible dementia patients at hospital outpatient wards. Methods: A qualitative design was used to collect data through semi-structured focus group interviews. The participants were 13 female nurses working at hospital outpatient wards.Data were analyzed using the KJ Method. Results: Seven themes symbolizing the properties of the final label were extracted as follows:‘Observation of patients with focused awareness, and are continuously engaged with their patients',‘Approach to the problems of the patients, and sensitively work to understand the worries of patients based on past cases of problems',‘Looking out for simple ways patients can look after themselves, implicitly and thoroughly, making the best use of the ways that patients are familiar with and which they are able to understand',‘Preparations for scheduled consultations by developing a network to assist with problem prevention and recording episodes about problems involving the patients',‘Requests for cooperation to continue treatment by choosing intermediaries/resources appropriately as based on the importance of the medical treatment',‘Responses that do not conflict with the feelings of the family by considering the possible reluctance of accepting that a family member has dementia', and‘Attitude not to blame matters on dementia by reflecting on how the environment and care ought to be'.’ Conclusion:Nurses' practical wisdom is a type of support provided for patients in a natural manner without being noticed as special or particular by the patients

Nurses\u27 Practical Wisdom for the Support of Dementia Patients Among Hospital Outpatients

Purpose: To establish and understand nurses\u27 practical wisdom and interventions of support for dementia and possible dementia patients at hospital outpatient wards.\nMethods: A qualitative design was used to collect data through semi-structured focus group interviews. The participants were 13 female nurses working at hospital outpatient wards.Data were analyzed using the KJ Method.\nResults: Seven themes symbolizing the properties of the final label were extracted as follows:‘Observation of patients with focused awareness, and are continuously engaged with their patients\u27,‘Approach to the problems of the patients, and sensitively work to understand the worries of patients based on past cases of problems\u27,‘Looking out for simple ways patients can look after themselves, implicitly and thoroughly, making the best use of the ways that patients are familiar with and which they are able to understand\u27,‘Preparations for scheduled consultations by developing a network to assist with problem prevention and recording episodes about problems involving the patients\u27,‘Requests for cooperation to continue treatment by choosing intermediaries/resources appropriately as based on the importance of the medical treatment\u27,‘Responses that do not conflict with the feelings of the family by considering the possible reluctance of accepting that a family member has dementia\u27, and‘Attitude not to blame matters on dementia by reflecting on how the environment and care ought to be\u27.’\nConclusion:Nurses\u27 practical wisdom is a type of support provided for patients in a natural manner without being noticed as special or particular by the patients

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern of a Rural Adult Population in Dry Zone, Sri Lanka

The objective of this work was to describe average dietary intake, physical activity (PA) and nutritional status of the adult population of Girandurukotte, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey, including one 24-h dietary recall, international physical activity questionnaire and anthropometric measurements was conducted in a representative sample of 120 adults. Mean (SD) for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were 23.06(4.20) kg/m2, 85.6(9.5) cm, 0.95(0.05) and 0.55(0.07), respectively. Significant differences were observed in height, body fat %, body muscle %, hip circumference, WHR, WHtR, fat mass index and hand grip strength between men and women (p < 0.05). Among the study group, 35.8% were overweight, 13.3% were obese and 11.7% were underweight. Central obesity was observed in 59.2%, 97.5% and 74.2% of adults by WC, WHR and WHtR, respectively. Mean (SD) dietary diversity score and dietary diversity score with portions were 4.77(1.28) and 4.09(1.32), respectively. Mean daily intake of protein, fruits, vegetables and dairy were well below the national recommendations. Despite the higher PA level, nearly half the population was overweight and obese and the majority was centrally obese. None of the dietary diversity scores met the optimal levels, suggesting poor quality and quantity of the diet

Micronutrient Status in Sri Lanka: A Review

Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and, trace elements that are required in minute quantities but play a vital role in normal human growth, development and physiological functioning. Micronutrient deficiencies, also known as hidden hunger, are a global issue, with particularly high prevalence rates in developing countries. Currently, Sri Lanka is experiencing the double burden of over- and undernutrition. This review describes the micronutrient status of Sri Lanka based on results of national surveys and related articles published from 2000. The available data suggest a higher prevalence of iron, zinc, calcium, folate, and vitamin A deficiencies. The prevalence of iodine deficiency has declined gradually following the implementation of a universal salt iodization program. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and low red blood cell indices. Females are more vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies than males. The coexistence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies and concurrent macro- and micronutrient deficiencies is common. Studies have shown an association between micronutrient deficiencies and different demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary factors. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive studies, nutritional policies, and nationwide intervention programs in Sri Lanka to improve the micronutrient status of the population

Post-transcriptional downregulation of sarcolipin mRNA by triiodothyronine in the atrial myocardium

AbstractThyroid hormone-mediated positive cardiotropic effects are differently regulated between the atria and ventricles. This regulation is, at least in part, dependent on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) proteins. Sarcolipin, a homologue of phospholamban, has been recently identified as an atrium-specific SR protein. The expression of sarcolipin mRNA was significantly decreased in the atria of mice with hyperthyroidism and in 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine-treated neonatal rat atrial myocytes. Promoter activity and mRNA stability analyses revealed that thyroid hormone post-transcriptionally downregulated the expression of sarcolipin mRNA. The atrium-specific effect of thyroid hormone may occur in part through the regulation of atrial sarcolipin gene expression