Sevinc Tastan

Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Turkish Patients with Glaucoma:

The purpose was to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with glaucoma. This case-control study was carried out with 121 participants with glaucoma (M age = 64.2, SD = 13.2; 68 women, 76.0% married) and 64 controls. The data were collected by using a data collection form involving questions on patients specific characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. Rate of clinical anxiety was 14.0% and depression 57.0% among the participants with glaucoma. The anxiety risk in women with glaucoma was found to be 7.5 times higher than in men. Risk of depression was 2.94 times higher in unmarried compared to married participants. Anxiety scores were higher in unmarried participants and women. The mean Depression score was statistically significantly higher for unmarried participants. The incidence of depression and anxiety increased with decreasing quality of life scores. Quality of life was associated negatively with anxiety and depression in patients with glaucoma. Evaluating quality of life, anxiety, and depression in older individuals who have glaucoma and examining the risk factors are important to provide earlier health care service and preventive psychological treatment.

Identifying women's knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer and reasons for having mammography.

The aim of this study was to identify breast cancer risk factors and reasons for having mammography of the women who applied for mammography, as well as to determine their level of knowledge about risk factors and level of risk perception, and anxiety concerning breast cancer. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from June 15, 2010 through September 10, 2010, in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. A questionnaire prepared by the researchers was used to collect the data. The mean age of the women was 52.1 ± 9.98 years. Sixteen percent of the women had a family history of breast cancer. The majority of participants had mammograms (75.8%) before and had gained knowledge about breast cancer and its screening (73.7%). The leading source of information about breast cancer was physicians (46.2%). Physician recommendations, having breast-related complaints, and family history of breast cancer were important reasons to obtain mammography. The mean knowledge score about risk factors of breast cancer was 4.15 ± 2.73 and the mean anxiety score was 1.65 ± 1.61. It was found that some socio-demographic and obstetrical characteristics of women, their family history, and risk perceptions about breast cancer affect their knowledge and anxiety scores about breast cancer. In conclusion, the present study identified a number of factors affecting mammography participation for women. The results of this study can be helpful in promoting screening for breast cancer.

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Behavior and Health Beliefs of Individuals over 50 Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening

The aim of the study was to evaluate of the knowledge, behavior and health beliefs of individuals over 50 regarding colorectal cancer screening, with a descriptive and cross-sectional design at Karabuk Life and Health Center in Turkey. A total of 160 people meeting set criteria were included in the study. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part was composed of questions on characteristics of participants and the second part of questions derived from the Champions Health Belief Model Scale. Only 15.0% of participants (n=24) had undergone a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 11.3% (n=18) had had colonoscopy and 4.4% (n=7) had had sigmoidoscopy. Some 90.6% of the participants had low levels of risk awareness about the colorectal cancer. It was found that the average point of severity subscale of participants over 65 is higher than that of participants under 65 (p<0.05). In conclusion, because of the many barriers and health beliefs for the colorectal cancer screening program, the rate of participation in screening programs is not sufficient. Healthcare providers have important responsibilities for increasing rate of attendance in colorectal cancer screening programs.

Experiences of the relatives of patients undergoing cranial surgery for a brain tumor: a descriptive qualitative study.

ABSTRACT The functional changes that develop because of neurological sequelae in patients with a brain tumor have a negative effect on daily activities and self-care. This situation in turn has a negative effect on the lives of the patients relatives and increases their work load. We interviewed 10 relatives of patients who had undergone cranial surgery for a brain tumor as part of a descriptive qualitative study and asked them to describe their experiences during the perioperative period and home care. The data obtained from the patients relatives were evaluated using Colaizzis analysis method and divided into three categories and eight themes: (a) personal feelings (first reactions, decision for surgery, first meeting with the patient after surgery, ambiguity), (b) management of the changes (management of the side effects of the tumor, management of role and behavioral changes, management of care at home, social support), and (c) need for knowledge about managing the disease process. We found that brain tumor surgery can be more frightening for patients and their relatives than other surgical interventions. Also, because the patient requires prolonged postoperative care, the patients family plays an important role at every stage of the patients treatment and care.

The reliability and validity of three questionnaires: The Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale, Simulation Design Scale, and Educational Practices Questionnaire.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to adapt the “Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale” (SCLS), “Simulation Design Scale” (SDS), and “Educational Practices Questionnaire” (EPQ) developed by Jeffries and Rizzolo into Turkish and establish the reliability and the validity of these translated scales. Methods: A sample of 87 nursing students participated in this study. These scales were cross-culturally adapted through a process including translation, comparison with original version, back translation, and pretesting. Construct validity was evaluated by factor analysis, and criterion validity was evaluated using the Perceived Learning Scale, Patient Intervention Self-confidence/Competency Scale, and Educational Belief Scale. Findings: Cronbach’s alpha values were found as 0.77–0.85 for SCLS, 0.73–0.86 for SDS, and 0.61–0.86 for EPQ. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the Turkish versions of all scales are validated and reliable measurement tools.

Turkish Senior Nursing Students' Communication Experience With English-Speaking Patients.

BACKGROUNDnSimulation has been widely accepted as a valuable learning method in nursing education programs so that nursing students can learn and develop communication skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing students communication experience with an English-speaking standardized patient in the context of the Rational Administration of Medicines course.nnnMETHODnInvolving both quantitative and qualitative research designs, this descriptive study was conducted with 104 nursing students in Ankara, Turkey, from September 2012 to July 2013.nnnRESULTSnThe majority (98.1%) of the participants stated the necessity of improving their English to communicate with English-speaking patients. Three overarching categories, including seven themes, emerged from the description of nursing students experience: recognition of emotions, experiences during the simulation, and gains.nnnCONCLUSIONnStandardized patient practice emphasized the significance of cultural differences, of knowing and using a foreign language, of communication, and of patient safety.

Eight-Step Concept Analysis: Spirituality in Nursing

Spiritual care is an important part of nursing care. Spiritual care has a therapeutic effect on patients’ recovery, so it is important to know exactly what spiritual care is. It is aimed to clarify spirituality concept and to determine the scope of use in nursing literature. Antecedents of spirituality are determined as trust, hope, love, values, and need to find purpose for life. Consequences are motivation, improved life quality, and coping with difficulties. Ensuring that the meaning of this concept is handled in all dimensions will be a guide for giving holistic nursing care and can help to prevent misconceptions.

Integrating simulation based learning into nursing education programs: Hybrid simulation

BACKGROUNDnHybrid simulation can be developed with mannequins of any fidelity and tabletop simulators with a standardized patient to create a complex, high-level learning activity.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study is to analyze the effects of a hybrid simulation technique used with nursing students in a scenario about the emergency setting.nnnMETHODSnThis one-group pre-test post-test model quasi-experimental study was carried out with 39 students in Ankara, Turkey, from October 2014 to July 2015.nnnRESULTSnNearly all participants reported that the simulation improved their critical thinking, decision-making skills, and self-confidence before the clinical activity and that they felt as though they were real nurses during the activity (94.7%, 97.3%, 84.2%, and 92.1%, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe results of this study support the integration of hybrid simulation experiences throughout the nursing curriculum, as evidenced by positive responses from students through the simulation evaluation questionnaire.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Turkish Version of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Version

CONTEXTnCancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Version (CBI-B) is a simple and non-burdensome tool used to evaluate the self-efficacy of the cancer patients.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the CBI-B.nnnMETHODSnThis methodologic study was conducted on 143 cancer patients who received radiotherapy at the Department of Radiation Oncology at a Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using Medical and Demographic Information Form, CBI-B, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and correlation coefficients were used for the analysis of data.nnnRESULTSnExploratory factor analysis confirmed four-factor structure explaining 74.7% of the total variance: 1) Maintaining Independence and Positive Attitude, 2) Participating in Medical Care, 3) Coping and Stress Management, and 4) Managing Affect. The CBI-B had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach αxa0=xa00.87) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficientxa0=xa00.961) and concurrent validity with Satisfaction With Life Scale and EORTC QLQ-C30 scores. The measures of life satisfaction and quality of life were positively correlated with CBI-B, whereas the symptom levels and the functions (with the exception of the role function) were negatively correlated.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe CBI-B was found to be a valid and reliable inventory for assessing the self-efficacy of Turkish cancer patients. The CBI-B, is a simple and brief measure of self-efficacy for coping with cancer, could be easily used in clinical and research settings.

Impact of preoperative defecation pattern on postoperative constipation for patients undergoing cardiac surgery

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESnTo analyse the impact of preoperative defecation pattern on postoperative defecation pattern for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.nnnBACKGROUNDnConstipation is a neglected problem that occurs frequently after cardiac surgery.nnnDESIGNnDescriptive study.nnnMETHODnThe study sample comprised 102 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. A Descriptive Information Form, Rome III Diagnostic Criteria, Constipation Severity Instrument, Postoperative Defecation Pattern Evaluation Form and Bristol Stool Form Scale were used for data collection and analysis.nnnRESULTSnThe Constipation Severity Instrument scores of just over one-third (37·2%) of the patients who were constipated prior to surgery were higher compared to those who were not constipated. Following cardiac surgery, 39·2% of patients developed constipation and 80% of these patients were constipated prior to cardiac surgery. The findings indicate a significantly high relationship between preoperative and postoperative defecation pattern (rxa0=xa00·71, pxa0<xa00·001).nnnCONCLUSIONnPreoperative defecation pattern is a determining factor for the development of postoperative constipation for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.nnnRELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICEnDuring the preoperative period, clinical nurses may evaluate the patients defecation patterns using valid and reliable scales and follow the defecation of the patients, especially patients with defecation problems, during the postoperative period.