Mats Jong

Older family carers in rural areas : Experiences from using caregiver support services based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The aim of this intervention study was to illuminate the meaning of ICT-based caregiver support as experienced by older family carers living in vast rural areas, caring for a spouse at home. In order to access, the support service participants were provided with a computer and high speed Internet in their homes. Semi structured webcam-interviews were carried out with 31 family carers. A strategy for webcam interviewing was developed to ensure quality and create a comfortable interview situation for the family carers. Interviews were analysed using content analyses, resulting in the themes: Adopting new technology with help from others and Regaining social inclusion. The results indicate that ICT-based support can be valuable for older family carers in rural areas as it contributes to improve quality in daily life in a number of ways. In order to fully experience the benefits, family carers need to be frequent users of the provided support. Adequate training and encouragement from others were essential in motivating family carers to use the support service. Access to Internet and webcamera contributed to reducing loneliness and isolation, strengthening relationships with relatives living far away and enabled access to services no longer available in the area. Use of the ICT-service had a positive influence on the relationship between the older carer and adult grandchildren. It also contributed to carer competence and promote feelings of regaining independence and a societal role.

Adverse drug reactions to anthroposophic and homeopathic solutions for injection: a systematic evaluation of German pharmacovigilance databases

Medicinal solutions for injection are frequently applied in anthroposophic medicine and homeopathy. Despite their extensive use, there is little data published on the safety of these products. Therefore, we investigated the safety of anthroposophic and homeopathic solutions for injection through a systematic evaluation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

The benefits of e-health support for older family caregivers in rural areas:

Summary We conducted a pragmatic, mixed methods study comparing rural family caregivers receiving e-health caregiver support (n = 35) with a control group (n = 21) receiving conventional, non-e-health, caregiver support. After 18 months, the benefits of support were evaluated using the Care Effectiveness Scale (40-items exploring the domains of preparedness, enrichment and predictability). In all domains the e-health group scored significantly higher than the control group. The adjusted difference for overall benefits was 3.0 (P = 0.02) on the scale 0-10. In addition, semi structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of the caregivers. For the e-health group flexibility, availability and being able to individualise the support were essential factors. All caregivers in the control group found conventional support to be beneficial, but also stressed unmet needs related to the conventional support being standardised and non-flexible. The study suggests that providers of caregiver support should offer e-health support as an alternative to conventional caregiver support, as it can be more beneficial to family caregivers.

Exploring the influence of Internet‐based caregiver support on experiences of isolation for older spouse caregivers in rural areas: a qualitative interview study

BACKGROUND Many older spouse caregivers are tied to the home by their caring duties and feel isolated. The values of supporting older caregivers are well known. In rural areas with long distances and decline in essential services, attending caregiver support groups can be difficult. Using Internet-based services can provide an opportunity for rural caregivers to participate in caregiver support, regardless of geographical distances and without the need for physical presence. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore how Internet-based caregiver support may influence the experience of isolation among older spouse caregivers in rural areas. DESIGN An intervention study where 63 older rural caregivers received an Internet-based caregiver support service. METHOD A qualitative interview study based on 31 interviews with open-ended questions, analysed using latent content analysis. FINDINGS Two themes represent the findings from the study: Expanding the concept of place and Developing networks. Even though participants still spent their days in the house, they experienced that daily life was being spent in a variety of places, both physically, virtually and emotionally. The Internet-based support service provided them with a tool to reconnect with family and develop new friends. CONCLUSIONS Internet-based caregiver support may reduce the experience of isolation for spouse caregivers in rural areas. Nurses played a crucial part in the development, by encouraging, educating and inspiring caregivers and supporting their independence. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Internet-based services ought to be an option for caregiver support in rural areas as it may reduce feelings of isolation for older spouse caregivers.

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices of Integrative Medicine Among Nurses in the Netherlands

Purpose: This study assessed the attitude, beliefs, and practices of integrative medicine (IM) among nurses in the Netherlands. Design: Subscribers of a Dutch nursing journal were asked to fill in an anonymous, structured, online survey related to the topic under study. Results: A total of 355 people responded, of which 37% were familiar with the concept of IM in advance. On completion of the survey, the majority (83%) considered IM as a (very) important innovation in health care. Familiarity (odds ratio = 3.20; 95% confidence interval [1.48, 6.94]) and organization (nursing home compared to hospital (odds ratio = 5.98; 95% confidence interval [1.36, 26.23]) were characteristics associated with a positive attitude toward IM. Between 23% and 46% of respondents encountered obstacles regarding implementation of IM. The main obstacles were lack of support (69% to 78%), means (57% to 85%), and time (63% to 70%). Conclusions: Dutch nurses seem to have relatively positive attitudes and beliefs regarding IM. The outcome of this survey may contribute an increased awareness of the key role that nurses can play in the development and implementation of IM.

Long-term benefits by a mind–body medicine skills course on perceived stress and empathy among medical and nursing students

Abstract Background: A significant number of medical students suffer from burnout symptoms and reduced empathy. This controlled, quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate whether a mind–body medicine (MBM) skills course could reduce perceived stress and increase empathy and self-reflection in medical and nursing students. Methods: The MBM course (consisting of experiential sessions of mind–body techniques and group reflections) was piloted among Dutch medical students and Swedish nursing students. Main outcome variables were perceived stress (PSS), empathy (IRI subscales perspective taking, fantasy, empathic concern, and personal distress), and self-reflection (GRAS). Participating and control students completed questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention, at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results: Seventy-four medical and 47 nursing students participated in the course. Participating medical students showed significantly increased empathic concern [1.42 (95% CI 0.05, 2.78), p = 0.042], increased fantasy [3.24 (95% CI 1.58, 4.90), p < 0.001], and decreased personal distress [−1.73 (95% CI −3.04, −0.35), p = 0.010] compared to controls until 12 months follow-up. Participating nursing students showed significantly decreased levels of perceived stress [−5.09 (95% CI −8.37, −1.82), p = 0.002] and decreased personal distress [−5.01 (95% CI −6.97, −3.06), p < 0.001] compared to controls until 12 months follow-up. Conclusions: This study demonstrated long-term beneficial effects of the MBM course on perceived stress and empathy in medical and nursing students.

A Minimum Protocol for Randomised Homeopathic Drug Proving as Basis for Further Research

Background: In order to further improve the methodology and quality of data collection in homeopathic drug provings (HDP), there is a need for a minimum standardised HDP protocol. The objective of the present study was to test the feasibility of this type of protocol. Materials and Methods: The study protocol embraced a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 2 parallel groups. It was approved by an ethics review committee. During the pre-approval phase, discordances between the regulatory and homeopathic requirements for the protocol were checked and solutions found. The study medication was Potentilla anserina. 6 participants received verum and 4 placebo. The resulting symptom list will be published elsewhere. The procedure was accepted by all participants. Results: Three important issues were addressed: the requirement to keep all participants blinded; the adverse events reporting to regulatory authorities; and the necessity of a placebo control group. Other issues that need further investigations were identified, e.g. sample size, observation period and dosage regimen. Conclusions: A minimum protocol of a HDP is feasible. All important design elements of HDP could be solved in discussions with the respective regulatory authorities, and participating homeopaths accepted the procedure.

Guided Imagery Intervention does not Affect Surgical Outcome of Patients Undergoing laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Multi-Centre, Randomised Controlled Study

Objective:To investigate if a “non-pharmacological” intervention with guided imagery could reduce postoperative analgesic consumption, pain perception and preoperative anxiety, compared to standard ...

Older People Using e-Health Services—Exploring Frequency of Use and Associations with Perceived Benefits for Spouse Caregivers

ICT, information- and communication technologies, and e-health services are essential for meeting future care demands. Greater knowledge regarding the implementation of e-health services in long-te ...

P02.185. The effects of tactile massage (TM) on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose in a sample of women suffering from primary insomnia.

The overall objective of this pilot study was to study the direct effects of tactile massage (TM) on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose in a sample of women suffering from primary insomni ...