Adelaida Zabalegui | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

Changes in nursing education in the European Union.

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of changes in nursing education in the European Union (EU) within the framework of the Bologna Declaration, signed in 1999 by the European ministers of education, and to describe specific efforts and changes in Spain. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCTS: (a) the Bologna Declaration process, its recent reforms in all disciplines including nursing, and perspectives on future developments; (b) the Tuning Project, designed and carried out by a group of European universities to meet the challenges posed by the Bologna Declaration; and (c) efforts in a group of Spanish universities to promote higher education in nursing. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: These changes promote enhanced academic recognition, professionalism in nursing education, and graduates' competencies in practice in most European countries by specifying the undergraduate nursing degree as the minimal entrance level for practice and master's and doctoral programs for further career development.

Curriculum↗

PubMed2005

Nursing and cancer support groups.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to review the evidence on the effectiveness of support groups by reporting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating support groups for patients with cancer. BACKGROUND: One of the most important nursing aims is to give patients with cancer emotional support and strengthen their adaptation to the disease. According to the literature, support groups for these patients are beneficial. METHODS: Original studies from 14 databases published during the past 20 years in peer review journals were selected. Twenty studies with a randomized clinical trial design constituted the final meta-analysis sample. Methodological quality of the selected articles was checked using the Jadad Scale and the Checklist of Consort Statement. Demographic data were analysed using the SPSS program, and the heterogeneity calculation and effect size were analysed using the Rev-Man 4-.1-Metaview program. FINDINGS: The results indicate that participation in a support group is associated with significant improvements in a patient's emotional state (depression and anxiety), illness adaptation, quality of life, and marital relationships. CONCLUSION: Support group participation for patients with cancer has a positive impact in various areas. Nurses should promote participation as a crucial part of their care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗