Philip Warelow

Resilience: When Coping Is Emotionally Intelligent

The potential for resilient behaviors and emotional intelligence involves an interplay between the individual and his or her broader environment. Studies that have examined resilience explore factors or characteristics that assist individuals to thrive from and in adversity. These protective factors are part of an individual’s general makeup. Some of these factors are considered genetic, such as a personality that is outgoing and social; however, many protective behaviors can be learned. Coping in the face of adversity involves emotional intelligence and resilience, both of which can be developed through support and education. In this context, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for mental health consumers.

Nursing and aggression in the workplace: a systematic review

Personal experiences of aggression or violence in the workplace lead to serious consequences for nurses, their patients, patient care and the organisation as a whole. While there is a plethora of research on this topic, no review is available that identifies types of aggression encountered, individuals perceived to be most at risk and coping strategies for victims. The aim of this systematic review was to examine occupational anxiety related to actual aggression in the workplace for nurses. Databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched, resulting in 1543 titles and abstracts. After removal of duplicates and non-relevant titles, 137 papers were read in full. Physical aggression was found to be most frequent in mental health, nursing homes and emergency departments while verbal aggression was more commonly experienced by general nurses. Nurses exposed to verbal or physical abuse often experienced a negative psychological impact post incident.

Problem Based Learning (PBL): A Conundrum

Abstract Problem Based Learning (PBL) using minimal guided instruction is used as an educational strategy across a broad variety of disciplines in the tertiary sector. This paper includes some of the strengths and weaknesses of PBL, both in general and in relation to the health care setting, encompassing some of its philosophical underpinnings and its methodological approach. In an effort to explore some of the benefits and problems with PBL in the work setting, this account will comprise a realistic rather than idealistic focus and will include a range of perspectives from both a facilitator and student standpoint. We suggest that PBL is a useful strategy across a comprehensive nursing degree programme (as the ideal) provided the learning programme is supported financially and that its ideal creed which supports a small group approach are adhered to. What we find is that reality is often different, with individual facilitators condensing their PBL programmes to incorporate a modified PBL approach with this personalised approach often taking strength away from the original conceptions of PBL. What we suggest here is that these circumstances constitute a conundrum.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of factors that relate to aggression perpetrated against nurses by patients/relatives or staff

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the factors that related to aggression (verbal abuse or physical abuse/assault) perpetrated against the nurse or other health professionals by patients/relatives or staff. In the light of the paucity of systematic reviews on this common issue in nursing, the objective was to present a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of these papers. BACKGROUND Aggression towards nurses is common around the world and can be the impetus for nurses leaving the profession or developing anxiety when working in particular settings. DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS Meta-analyses were conducted to assess the effect of the factors of gender and context (dichotomised as mental health/psychiatric or nonmental health/psychiatric). The databases of Medline (1966-2015), CINAHL (1982-2015) and PsychInfo (1920-2015). RESULTS A total of 1571 papers were screened by two reviewers. At the final decision 14 were selected for analysis. A higher proportion of female nurses than male nurses were reported to be the victims of verbal abuse, with the difference in proportions being statistically significant. A statistically significant higher proportion of male nurses than female nurses were reported to be the victims of physical abuse. There was a significantly higher proportion of mental health nurses reported experiencing physical abuse as compared to nonmental health nurses. CONCLUSIONS The analysis reveal female nurses have greater odds of verbal abuse than male nurses and male nurses have greater odds of physical abuse than female nurses. Overall mental health nurses had three times higher odds of physical assault than other nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE In the light of the findings it is recommended organisational support improve in high aggression potential clinical areas and for nursing curriculums to incorporate education about the management of challenging behaviours in undergraduate programmes.

At what cost care

Abstract This paper looks at the concept of care in nursing and considers the ever-changing focus relative to the meaning of the term care and how this care is delivered by nursing staff. In the process of looking at these issues it examines the theoretical and practical issues and how these factors have changed considerably over the last twenty-five years. This examination touches upon some of the intermingled and not mutually exclusive issues which surround care and caring such as technology, stress and burnout, bureaucracy, fiscal policy, the humanness of the nurse and the ever changing nature of care delivery. Many readers will be able to relate to the issues discussed and understand how some of these factors tend to get in the way of one another and affect good patient care and outcomes.