Luke Yang

Improving neonatal caregiving through a developmentally supportive care training program

This study was performed to explore the effects of a training program in developmentally supportive care (DSC) on nurse caregiving and preterm infant behavior during bathing in a neonatal unit. The study applied a single-group pretest and posttest design to analyze behaviors. Twenty preterm infants were bathed 120 times by 13 nurses. Indirect observation was adopted to collect all behavioral data. Results showed that infants felt less stress and nurses were more supportive during posttraining baths. Caregivers should receive training in DSC, and its applications could be expanded to other nursing caregiving activities.

Psychometric Testing of Two Chinese-Version Scales on Attitudes Toward and Caregiving Behaviors for End-of-Life Patients and Families

The study purpose was to examine the validities and reliabilities of the Chinese-versions Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale (Attitudes Scale) and Caregiving Behaviors Scale for End-of-Life Patients and Families (Behaviors Scale). The scales were tested in a convenience sample of 318 nurses with ≥6 months work experience at three hospitals. Cronbach’s alphas of the Attitudes and Behaviors Scales were .90 and .96, respectively. Each scale had Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index >.85 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity >4000 (p < .001). Attitudes Scale loaded on three factors: respecting and caring for dying patients and families, avoiding care of the dying, and involving patients and families in end-of-life care. The Behaviors Scale loaded on two factors: supporting dying patients and families, and helping families cope with grief. Factor loadings for both scales were ≥.49. Both Attitudes and Behaviors Scales are reliable and valid for evaluating nurses’ attitudes and caregiving behaviors for the dying.