Ahmad E. Aboshaiqah

Quality of life and satisfaction with care among palliative cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relationship between quality of life and satisfaction with care among cancer patients in palliative care in Saudi Arabia. METHODS A total of 130 palliative cancer patients were invited to participate in our cross-sectional study. Patients were recruited from a large tertiary hospital within the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. All eligible participants answered a three-part questionnaire that included demographic data and the validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) and (EORTC IN-PATSAT32) questionnaires. RESULTS Participants were mostly female (103/130, 79%) and married (93/130, 71%), and more than half had breast cancer (69/130, 53%). They were between 17 and 86 years of age (mean = 46.7, SD = 16.50). The correlation test showed that the relationship with physical function was weak, while emotional function and global health status had a moderate relationship with general satisfaction (r = 0.21, p < 0.01; r = 0.32, p < 0.001; r = 0.26, p < 0.01, respectively). Our results suggest that emotional function is the more important factor in predicting satisfaction with care among palliative cancer patients. An increase in emotional function leads to increased general satisfaction. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The emotional function of palliative cancer patients was more closely associated with overall satisfaction with care than physical function or global health status. All palliative care team members are thus required to provide adequate psychosocial support. It is recommended that interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches be integrated in palliative care of cancer patients.

Nursing work environment in Saudi Arabia.

AIM The purpose of this study was to assess the work environment as perceived by nurses in a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. BACKGROUND The quality of patient care services has been associated with the quality of work environment of nurses. It is therefore important to assess the work environment in order to acquire baseline data and enable the institution to benchmark their status from established quality standards. METHOD This study used a descriptive survey with 1007 staff nurses across service units of a 1000-bed government-operated hospital. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment Assessment Questionnaire was used for data collection. Scores were aggregated and interpreted. RESULT Effective decision making, authentic leadership, appropriate staffing, true collaboration, skilled communication and meaningful recognition were rated as good (mean range 3.53-3.76). CONCLUSION Healthy work environments mutually benefit patients, nurses, nurse managers, health care providers, the health team, administration, the institution and the community at large. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Valuable baseline data on the status of the work environment in this setting were generated. This should allow administrators and staff to work together in improving weaknesses and strengthening further whatever gains that are attained to ensure consistent provision of safe and quality patient care.

Advancing nursing practice : the emergence of the role of Advanced Practice Nurse in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND The roots of advanced practice nursing (APN) can be traced back to the 1890s, but the nurse practitioner (NP) emerged in Western countries during the 1960s in response to the unmet healthcare needs of populations in rural areas. These early NPs utilized the medical model of care to assess, diagnose and treat. Nursing has since grown as a profession, with its own unique and distinguishable, holistic, science-based knowledge, which is complementary within the multidisciplinary team. Today, APNs demonstrate nursing expertise in clinical practice, education, research and leadership, and are no longer perceived as “physician replacements” or assistants. Saudi Arabia has yet to define, legislate or regulate APN. AIMS This article aims to disseminate information from a Saudi APN thought leadership meeting, to chronicle the history of APN within Saudi Arabia, while identifying strategies for moving forward. CONCLUSION It is important to build an APN model based on Saudi healthcare culture and patient population needs, while recognizing global historical underpinnings. Ensuring that nursing continues to distinguish itself from other healthcare professions, while securing a seat at the multidisciplinary healthcare table will be instrumental in advancing the practice of nursing.

Ebola outbreak preparedness and preventive measures among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION As medical professionals on the front lines in the outbreaks of infectious disease like Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), healthcare providers must have sufficient knowledge, skills, and best practices to protect themselves and the public from the disease. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of awareness, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers in relation to precautionary measures to EVD. METHODOLOGY A total of 177 physicians and 545 nurses participated in a descriptive cross-sectional study from a tertiary government hospital in Saudi Arabia. All subjects answered a self-administered questionnaire focusing on their level of awareness, concerns, and clinical practice related to EVD. RESULTS Majority of the participants were knowledgeable about the etiology, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, and treatment of EVD. All of the participants had high levels of concern about EVD (p=0.001) and about the implementation of strict standard infection control precautionary measures. The study found that greater infection control measures were taken by the participants including frequent hand washing, use of personal protective equipment, and avoiding normal activities such as going to work, school, travel, etc. if fever symptoms appear. CONCLUSION A combination of evidence based knowledge about EVD and high levels of concern of healthcare providers in relation to precautionary measures to EVD are the main factors leading to strict compliance with the infection control measures recommended in this study. Additionally, healthcare providers must be trained in infection control and adhere to the universal infection control standard guidelines to facilitate prevention and precaution.

Quality of Life and Its Predictors Among Nursing Students in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: This study investigated the quality of life (QOL) and its predictors among nursing students in a university in Saudi Arabia. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional design. Method: A convenience sample of 175 baccalaureate nursing students from a university in Saudi Arabia was surveyed in this study. Using the WHOQOL-BREF and a sociodemographic sheet, the QOL and its predictors among Saudi nursing students were investigated. Findings: The respondents reported a mean score of 4.09 (SD = 0.71) and 4.02 (SD = 0.87) for their overall perceptions of QOL and health, respectively. The psychological and physical health of these students had the highest and poorest QOL perception, respectively. Gender, academic year level, community type, and monthly family income exerted a multivariate effect on the four domains of QOL. Conclusion: The study underscores the need to ensure the highest level of health and well-being among nursing students while they are undergoing training for their professional roles as nurses. The findings should be utilized by policymakers in nursing institutions in Saudi Arabia in creating policies centered on the holistic development of nursing students in the country.

Health promoting lifestyle of university students in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional assessment

BackgroundCollege is a critical time where students are more prone to engage in risky health behaviors known to negatively affect well-being, such as physical inactivity, stress, and poor dietary habits. A health promoting lifestyle is an important determinant of health status and is recognized as a major factor for the maintenance and improvement of health. This study was designed to assess the health-promoting lifestyle of students in health colleges and non-health colleges in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA total of 1656 students participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data gathering was conducted from November 2016 to February 2017 at King Saud University. Participating students completed a self-reported questionnaire that included questions regarding their demographic characteristics and their health-promoting behaviors.ResultsThe majority of participants were females (70.4%), 20% of the participants were overweight and 11.3%, were obese. The analysis showed that there was a significant difference between health colleges and non-health colleges with regards to the factor of health responsibility. Students at both schools were found to have an inadequate level of adherence to recommendations regarding physical activity and healthy eating habits. The analysis also found that majority of the students in both colleges do not attend educational programs on health care. The model shows that gender, type of college, year in school, and family structure were significant predictors of the health lifestyle of students in Saudi Arabia.ConclusionThe results of the current study indicate that university students are leading unhealthy lives, where the majority of them have unhealthy eating habits and poor physical activity level. Universities are ideal settings for implementing health promotion programs. Therefore, planning and implementing programs to motivate students to be more responsible for their own health, to engage more in physical activity, and to practice healthy eating habits and other forms of wellness are of paramount importance.

Perceptions of confidence among Saudi nursing interns during internship program: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Saudi nursing students are trained in theoretical and clinical nursing competencies for four years before transition to newly graduated nurses through a one-year internship program. The transition period is crucial as nursing students have low confidence without adequate clinical experience. OBJECTIVES Validate and culturally adapt the Arabic version of the Self-Efficacy for Clinical Evaluation Scale (SECS) and explore nursing interns perceived confidence (self-efficacy). DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Four public tertiary training hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS A survey was conducted among nursing interns. Validity, reliability, and the cultural relevance of the Arabic-translated instrument was determined. Tests for differences and correlations were undertaken. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perceived self-efficacy and importance of learning objectives. SAMPLE SIZE 300 Saudi nursing interns. RESULTS The Arabic version of SECS was successfully adapted cross-culturally and was valid. Reliability tests showed Cronbach’s α=.95 for confidence and Cronbach’s α=0.96 for the importance subscales. The overall mean (SD) for perceived confidence and importance of clinical evaluation were 3.7 (0.9) and 4.1 (0.8), respectively. Gender (P<.001), length of internship (P=.009), and training hospital (P<.001) were significantly correlated and had a medium effect size with perceived self-efficacy. CONCLUSION Gaining knowledge that the gender, length of internship and area of training affect the perceptions of the Saudi nursing interns towards self-efficacy can help preceptors formulate better strategies in developing nursing intern competence and gaining self-efficacy as they move from the academic to clinical nursing practice. The knowledge gathered in this study should be beneficial to nursing administrators, faculty, and mentors/preceptors. LIMITATIONS Results may not be generalizable due to the limitations in the setting and there are other factors not included in the study that may have explained variances in perceived self-efficacy.