Biomedical subjects

Anna-Christina Ek

Publications and source records attributed to Anna-Christina Ek.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Patient empowerment in intensive care--an interview study.

Intensive care patients often experience a lack of control, as well as inner chaos. Experiences from intensive care can continue to affect patients for a long time. Empowerment is a positive and dynamic process that focuses on people's strengths, rights and abilities. It takes on different expressions for different people in different environments and must be described by the people involved. The aim of this study was to describe patient empowerment in an intensive care situation. The study was based on open-ended interviews with 11 patients in two intensive care units. The interviews were analysed according to the empirical phenomenological psychological method. The results showed that patient empowerment in intensive care consists of strengthening and stimulating the patients' own inherent joy of life and will to fight. A positive environment that encouraged feelings of value and motivation and in which the patient felt safe, received additional care and participated as he/she wished had a positive influence.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Nurses' reasoning process during care planning taking pressure ulcer prevention as an example. A think-aloud study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' clinical reasoning is of great importance for the delivery of safe and efficient care. Pressure ulcer prevention allows a variety of aspects within nursing to be viewed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe both the process and the content of nurses' reasoning during care planning at different nursing homes, using pressure ulcer prevention as an example. DESIGN: A qualitative research design was chosen. SETTINGS: Seven different nursing homes within one community were included. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven registered nurses were interviewed. METHOD: The methods used were think-aloud technique, protocol analysis and qualitative content analysis. Client simulation illustrating transition was used. The case used for care planning was in three parts covering the transition from hospital until 3 weeks in the nursing home. RESULT: Most nurses in this study conducted direct and indirect reasoning in a wide range of areas in connection with pressure ulcer prevention. The reasoning focused different parts of the nursing process depending on part of the case. Complex assertations as well as strategies aiming to reduce cognitive strain were rare. Nurses involved in direct nursing care held a broader reasoning than consultant nurses. Both explanations and actions based on older ideas and traditions occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Reasoning concerning pressure ulcer prevention while care planning was dominated by routine thinking. Knowing the person over a period of time made a more complex reasoning possible. The nurses' experience, knowledge together with how close to the elderly the nurses work seem to be important factors that affect the content of reasoning.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Altered skin blood perfusion in areas with non blanchable erythema: an explorative study.

Non blanchable erythema, i.e. stage I pressure ulcer, is common in patients in acute and geriatric care and in nursing homes. Research has shown that this type of lesions is prone to develop into more severe pressure ulcers. The peripheral skin blood perfusion is of major importance for the development of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the peripheral skin blood perfusion over time, in areas with non blanchable erythema and in corresponding undamaged areas on the opposite side of the body. A total of 19 measurements were performed, over time, using a laser Doppler perfusion imager. The blood flow distribution profiles over areas with non blanchable erythema and undamaged skin were found to be different. As the area of the non blanchable erythema decreased, the blood perfusion distribution profiles gradually became more heterogeneous; an area of high blood perfusion in the centre of the lesions was seen and the perfusion successively decreased closer to the edge. These results indicate that there are differences in blood perfusion between skin areas of non blanchable erythema and undamaged skin. The results also indicate that the visible redness in areas with non blanchable erythema is related to altered blood perfusion. The skin blood perfusion also seems to increase in relation to the size of the non blanchable erythema.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Swedish Advanced Home Care: organizational structure and implications of adopting this care model in Brazilian health care system.

The purpose of this paper was to describe the organization of the Advanced Home Care Program provided in a region of Sweden and to discuss some benefits and implications of this model adoption in Brazilian settings. Data triangulation as interview, observation and questionnaire was used. Thirty two professionals participated in this study. The organizational structure, working method, home visits, and related health resources were described. The investigated model presented both clear effectiveness and versatility; therefore feasible to be adopted in Brazilian settings improving their population health care. Doubtless, the improvement of life quality and security are the best benefits this model of care can provide.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Quality of life and burden in parents of outpatients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Since the late 1950s, several studies have reported the burden faced by families living with a mentally ill relative. These studies have pointed out the importance of a progressive mental health service, focusing not only on the treatment of the patients, but also on the needs of the relatives. The aims of the present study were to compare the quality of life of parents of outpatients with schizophrenia with a randomly selected reference group and the relation between quality of life and burden on the parents. SUBJECTS: The sample comprised all parents (n=38) of outpatients with schizophrenia at an outpatient clinic in 2001, where the patients had contact at least once a week with both parents and staff. The parents were compared with a reference group (n=698). METHODS: The self-rating scale Quality of Life Index (QLI) was used to assess quality of life in both groups. In the case of the parents, semistructured interviews were supplemented by the data collection to assess the degree of burden with the Burden Assessment Scale (BAS). The outpatients were also interviewed to assess their global function with the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI). RESULTS: The parents were significantly less satisfied with their overall quality of life (p<0.05). There was a correlation between lower overall quality of life and higher perceived burden r=0.58 (p<0.01). There was also a correlation between lower values on the family subscale and social subscale within the QLI and higher subjective burden r=0.54 (p<0.01) and r=0.52 (p<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that caregiving has an influence on the family situation and on the quality of life of parents. These findings suggest that the professions working with the parents must have an approach focusing not only on the care given to the ill daughter or son, but also on the parents' situation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Enteral nutritional support in prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There have been few systematic reviews and no meta-analyses of the clinical benefits of nutritional support in patients with, or at risk of developing, pressure ulcers. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to address the impact of enteral nutritional support on pressure ulcer incidence and healing and a range of other clinically relevant outcome measures in this group. METHODS: Fifteen studies (including eight randomised controlled trials (RCTs)) of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or enteral tube feeding (ETF), identified using electronic databases (including Pub Med and Cochrane) and bibliography searches, were included in the systematic review. Outcomes including pressure ulcer incidence, pressure ulcer healing, quality of life, complications, mortality, anthropometry and dietary intake were recorded, with the aim of comparing nutritional support versus routine care (e.g. usual diet and pressure ulcer care) and nutritional formulas of different composition. Of these 15 studies, 5 RCTs comparing ONS (4 RCTs) and ETF (1 RCT) with routine care could be included in a meta-analysis of pressure ulcer incidence. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed that ONS (250-500 kcal, 2-26 weeks) were associated with a significantly lower incidence of pressure ulcer development in at-risk patients compared to routine care (odds ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.89, 4 RCTs, n=1224, elderly, post-surgical, chronically hospitalised patients). Similar results were obtained when a combined meta-analysis of ONS (4 RCT) and ETF (1 RCT) trials was performed (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88, 5 RCTs, n=1325). Individual studies showed a trend towards improved healing of existing pressure ulcers with disease-specific (including high protein) versus standard formulas, although robust RCTs are required to confirm this. Although some studies indicate that total nutritional intake is improved, data on other outcome measures (quality of life) are lacking. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows enteral nutritional support, particularly high protein ONS, can significantly reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers (by 25%). Although studies suggest ONS and ETF may improve healing of PU, further research to confirm this trend is required.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Reliability and validity of the Swedish version of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS).

Fatigue is a complex phenomenon that, for those not affected, is hard to understand. To achieve better assessments, caregivers need reliable and valid tools. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Swedish version of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) among working-aged individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in a comparative group randomly selected from the general population in the same geographical area. Both individuals with MS (n=161) and individuals recruited from the general population (n=194) participated in the study. A questionnaire was used for the data collection. The data were analysed using non-parametric statistical methods. Reliability of FIS was addressed by item-to-item and item-to-total correlations. Concurrent validity was tested for by analysing correlations between the FIS and general questions, and construct validity by investigation of differences in the FIS scores between known groups. The FIS was found to be homogenous, with item-to-total correlation coefficients of 0.42 < or = s < or = .86 (p <0.001), reflecting the instrument's reliability. The correlations between the FIS and the general questions confirm its concurrent validity, 0.27 < or = s < or = .84 (p <0.001). The differences in FIS scores between known groups demonstrate its construct validity. Furthermore, the FIS showed the ability to discriminate between groups of individuals with differences in perceived impact of fatigue.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Pressure ulcer risk factors in patients undergoing surgery.

AIM: This paper reports a study to identify risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development among a mixed group of adult patients undergoing surgery. BACKGROUND: Few studies have been carried out with patients undergoing surgery to assess the risk of pressure ulcer development, and so there is a little knowledge of the risk factors for this group. However, studies among non-surgical patients have shown that nutritional predictors such as low serum albumin level and low body mass index (BMI) are of great importance. An additional predictive factor may be low blood pressure. It is important to study these predictors further among patients undergoing surgery, using techniques such as multiple regression techniques, designed to identify the most important predictors for pressure ulcer development. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was carried out in 1996-1998 with 286 adult patients undergoing surgical treatment. The data were collected from patient records by Registered Nurses preoperatively, for seven days postoperatively and thereafter once a week for up to 12 weeks. Perioperative data were also collected. The Risk Assessment Pressure Sore Scale was used, and data were collected on general physical condition, activity, mobility, moisture, food intake, fluid intake, sensory perception, friction and shear, body temperature and serum albumin. RESULTS: Forty-one (14.3%) patients developed pressure ulcers during the observation period. The most common type was non-blanchable erythema. Those who developed pressure ulcers were significantly older, weighed less, and had a lower BMI and serum albumin. More women than men developed pressure ulcers. Risk factors identified in multiple stepwise regression analyses were female gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) status or New York Heart Association (NYHA) status and food-intake. CONCLUSION: Special attention, with regard to risk of pressure ulcer development, should be paid to patients undergoing surgery who have low ASA or NYHA scores, low food intake and/or are women.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Needs in outpatients with schizophrenia, assessed by the patients themselves and their parents and staff.

BACKGROUND: There has been a change in psychiatric care from a hospital-oriented care system to an outpatient-centred system, which has underlined the importance of support alternatives. METHODS: The sample was drawn from outpatients with schizophrenia at an outpatient clinic in 2001. We used structured interviews when interviewing outpatients, parents and staff. The interview with the patient included the patient's needs, global function, clinical global impression and insight. Both parents and staff were interviewed about the patient's needs. RESULTS: The mean value of GAF was 56 +/- 10, CGI 4 +/- 1 and 89% of the patients had full insight into their illness. The patients rated the total score of the severity of needs at a mean of 7 +/- 4, while the parents' and staff's rating was 9 +/- 5. The needs ranking between patients and parents and patients and staff showed a correlation of rho = 0.65 (p < 0.01) and parents and staff rho =0.95 (p < 0.01). The parents rated more problems involving physical health and money than the patients. CONCLUSION: When planning mental health in the future, it is important to assess the views of the patients, the parents and the staff from a multiple perspective.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Coping with long-term pain after a stroke.

The aim of this qualitative study was to describe pain, coping strategies, and experienced outcome of coping with long-term pain conditions after a stroke. Forty-three participants were interviewed: 15 with central post-stroke pain (CPSP), 18 with nociceptive pain, and 10 with tension-type headache. Analysis of the data was by content analysis. Pain-related problems described were incomprehensibility regarding the pain, disturbed sleep, fatigue, diminished capacity, mood changes, and stress in relationships. Different coping strategies were used; the most common were making the pain comprehensible, planning of activities, taking medications, communicating, and distractions. Changing body position, making comparison, and enduring the pain were common in central or nociceptive pain, rest and relaxation in tension-type headache. Communicating their pain gave a feeling of perplexity and resignation. Satisfaction was reported in the cases of consideration shown by others. Pain after a stroke requires specialized knowledge in order to understand the patient's experiences and to enhance coping.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2004

Immobility--a major risk factor for development of pressure ulcers among adult hospitalized patients: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development among adult hospitalized medical and surgical patients. DESIGN: A prospective comparative study including 530 adult patients from medical and surgical wards. Registered Nurses made the data collection on admission and once a week for up to 12 weeks. The risk assessment scale used was the Risk Assessment Pressure Sore (RAPS) scale, including the following variables; general physical condition, activity, mobility, moisture, food intake, fluid intake, sensory perception, friction and shear, body temperature and serum albumin. RESULTS: Sixty-two (11.7%) patients developed 85 pressure ulcers. The most common pressure ulcer was that of nonblanchable erythema. Patients who developed pressure ulcers were significantly older, hospitalized for a longer time, had lower scores on the total RAPS scale, had lower weight and lower diastolic blood pressure than nonpressure ulcer patients did. In the multiple logistic regression analyses using variables included in the RAPS scale immobility emerged as a strong risk factor. When adding remaining significant variables in the analyses, mobility, time of hospitalization, age, surgical treatment and weight were found to be risk factors for pressure ulcer development. CONCLUSION: It is confirmed that immobility is a risk factor of major importance for pressure ulcer development among adult hospitalized patients. The results also indicate that the RAPS scale may be useful for prediction of pressure ulcer development in clinical practice.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Health-related quality of life in persons with long-term pain after a stroke.

BACKGROUND: No study has, to our knowledge, previously been published on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group suffering from long-term pain after a stroke. AIM: The aim of the present study was to describe HRQoL in persons with long-term pain after a stroke, and to compare this with different types of pain conditions, age, gender and household status. DESIGN: This study has a design combining qualitative and quantitative methods. METHODS: Forty three participants suffering from long-term pain after a stroke were included. A qualitative interview was performed and then analysed by means of latent content analysis. In addition, two self-report questionnaires, SF-36 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD Scale), were used. RESULTS: The qualitative data revealed that physical and cognitive functioning, economic security and good relationships, support and having the ability to be together with family and friends were important factors with regard to experienced HRQoL. No significant differences were found in SF-36 and the HAD Scale with regard to the different types of pain. The older age group had decreased physical functioning in SF-36. The men had more decreased vitality than the women. CONCLUSION: The results show, that the participants in this study have a lower HRQoL due to their long-term pain than those in previous studies on stroke survivors. It is evident that further research is needed with longitudinal studies and larger populations to gain more knowledge and thereby provide better supportive care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Awareness and understanding of the patients' perceptions and transitions with regard to their life situation and suffering from long-term pain after a stroke is important in order to support a maintained or increased HRQoL. This is also important after the acute stage and rehabilitation, including quality of life of the relatives, especially to older and dependent persons.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Lived experience of MS-related fatigue--a phenomenological interview study.

UNLABELLED: Fatigue is a major problem among individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but its meaning in daily living is unclear. The aim was to describe MS-related fatigue as lived by a group of individuals diagnosed with MS. Interviews with nine individuals were analysed from a phenomenological perspective. MAIN FINDINGS: MS-related fatigue is living with a time-consuming and all absorbing phenomenon, involving the body and the whole human being. Fatigue is commonly non-constructively perceived and expressed in terms of energy loss, emotional afflictions, dependency and restrictions of life in general, however, it is also constructively perceived and involves a desire to accept life and strive for a better situation. CONCLUSION: MS-related fatigue is a comprehensive phenomenon and its relationship with self-care requires further investigation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

The view of the child health nurse among mothers.

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate mothers' experiences of their encounters with the child health (CH) nurse. A cross-sectional design was used for the study, based on data from 140 mothers gathered by the critical incident technique. The analysis was accomplished by a thematic content analysis, using inductive reasoning in three steps. Symbolic interactionism was used as a frame of reference. The results suggest that the central factor in the encounter between mother and nurse is that they are able to share the realm of motherhood, meaning that the nurse is open and willing to share all types of emotions, experiences and attitudes related to being a mother. Given this basis, other important factors are the supply of sound advice and practical interventions, and that the nurse is reassuring and accessible. The majority of the participating mothers had experienced CH nurses who had provided them with valuable support during troublesome incidents. However, there were also several dissatisfied mothers who had expected support but thought they received insulting treatment instead. The mothers and the nurses have varying experiences and background and therefore different perspectives, which may lead to difficulties in understanding each other. Knowledge about the important factors, that affect the mother-nurse encounter, can be used to strengthen the nurses' positive behaviours and facilitate understanding of how disappointed mothers have experienced their health care encounters.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Attitudes of nursing staff towards nutritional nursing care.

Fulfilling nutritional requirements in residents with eating problems can be a challenge for both the person in need of help and for the caregiver. In helping and supporting these residents, a positive attitude is assumed to be as important as practical skill. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that nutritional education and implementation of a nutritional programme would change the attitudes towards nutritional nursing care among nursing staff with daily experience of serving food and helping residents in municipal care. The study was carried out as a before and after experimental design. An attitude scale, staff attitudes to nutritional nursing care (SANN scale), was developed and used. The response on the scale gives a total SANN-score and scores in five underlying dimensions: self ability, individualization, importance of food, assessment and secured food intake. Nursing staff at eight different residential units (n = 176) responded to the attitude scale and, of these, staff at three of the units entered the study as the experimental group. After responding to the attitude scale, nutritional education was introduced and a nutritional programme was implemented in the experimental units. One year later, attitudes were measured a second time (n = 192). Of these, 151 had also responded on the first occasion. Education and implementation of a nutritional programme did not significantly change attitudes. Overall, nursing staff responded with positive attitudes towards nutritional nursing care. Most of the positive attitudes concerned items within the dimension importance of food. In contrast, items within self ability showed the lowest number of staff with positive attitudes.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

A risk assessment scale for the prediction of pressure sore development: reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND: The ability to assess the risk of a patient developing pressure sores is a major issue in pressure sore prevention. Risk assessment scales should be valid, reliable and easy to use in clinical practice. AIM: To develop further a risk assessment scale, for predicting pressure sore development and, in addition, to present the validity and reliability of this scale. METHODS: The risk assessment pressure sore (RAPS) scale, includes 12 variables, five from the re-modified Norton scale, three from the Braden scale and three from other research results. Five hundred and thirty patients without pressure sores on admission were included in the study and assessed over a maximum period of 12 weeks. Internal consistency was examined by item analysis and equivalence by interrater reliability. To estimate equivalence, 10 pairs of nurses assessed a total of 116 patients. The underlying dimensions of the scale were examined by factor analysis. The predictive validity was examined by determination of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. RESULTS: Two variables were excluded as a result of low item-item and item-total correlations. The average percentage of agreement and the intraclass correlation between raters were 70% and 0.83, respectively. The factor analysis gave three factors, with a total variance explained of 65.1%. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value were high among patients at medical and infection wards. CONCLUSION: The RAPS scale is a reliable scale for predicting pressure sore development. The validity is especially good for patients undergoing treatment in medical wards and wards for infectious diseases. This indicates that the RAPS scale may be useful in clinical practice for these groups of patients. For patients undergoing surgical treatment, further analysis will be performed.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Meaning of quality of life among patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Living with a genetic predisposition to disease may influence quality of life. The presence of premature disease can lead to an increased focus on family history and genetic predisposition. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe quality of life in patients with the genetic disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, who are at an increased risk of premature coronary heart disease. METHODS: Interviews from 12 adult patients with FH were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. The findings of this qualitative study revealed that for patients, quality of life was equated with harmony in life, the core category. Attaining harmony in life presumes satisfaction and togetherness. Cognizance of the threat of coronary heart disease and impending mortality is balanced by the support of togetherness and satisfaction that builds harmony in life. CONCLUSION: When caring for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, it is important to meet each patient on his or her own level, and to support balance and their choices for maintaining or regaining harmony in life.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Disease knowledge and adherence to treatment in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common genetic metabolic disorders and is associated with a high risk of premature coronary heart disease. Primary prevention directed at lifestyle changes, combined with preventive medical treatment, is the most important way to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in individuals with FH. Knowledge about the condition and adherence to drug treatment may facilitate reaching treatment goals. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe disease knowledge and adherence to treatment in patients with FH. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients, more than 18 years of age, with FH were asked to participate. A questionnaire on disease knowledge about FH and adherence to drug treatment was sent to the patients. Response rate was 92% (n = 68). Drug treatment, laboratory results, blood pressure, and smoking were also documented. RESULTS: Most patients knew about cholesterol, prevention, and the reason for drug treatment but were less informed about the risk of genetic transmission and family history. No significant correlation was found between knowledge and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. A significant, negative correlation between adherence and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was found (r = -.354, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FH had scant understanding about the risk of genetic transmission and family history. High adherence to drug prescription has significant correlation to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.

Adult↗