Solveig M. Lundgren

Nurses' use of time in a medical-surgical ward with all-RN staffing.

AIMS To investigate allocation of nursing time, organisation of nursing activities and whether or not allocation and organisation have changed over time. BACKGROUND In a ward that changed to all-RN staffing, the nurses were encouraged to implement a patient-focused philosophy. The nurses perceived that they had difficulty in using the time available efficiently. METHODS Non-participant observations were conducted with 2-year intervals. Ten consecutive weekdays were covered on two occasions. The study was carried out at a university hospital in Sweden. FINDINGS Between observations, a significant change in the organization of the direct care had occurred, and the same tendency was found in patient administration and general management. The organization of work changed from a partly fragmented to a more coherent one. The time used for direct care and administrative activities increased between the two observations, while indirect care, personal and service activities decreased. CONCLUSION It can be suggested that the nurses used their time efficiently and, over time, they developed a more coherent way of organizing nursing activities.Aims  To investigate allocation of nursing time, organisation of nursing activities and whether or not allocation and organisation have changed over time. Background  In a ward that changed to all-RN staffing, the nurses were encouraged to implement a patient-focused philosophy. The nurses perceived that they had difficulty in using the time available efficiently. Methods  Non-participant observations were conducted with 2-year intervals. Ten consecutive weekdays were covered on two occasions. The study was carried out at a university hospital in Sweden. Findings  Between observations, a significant change in the organization of the direct care had occurred, and the same tendency was found in patient administration and general management. The organization of work changed from a partly fragmented to a more coherent one. The time used for direct care and administrative activities increased between the two observations, while indirect care, personal and service activities decreased. Conclusion  It can be suggested that the nurses used their time efficiently and, over time, they developed a more coherent way of organizing nursing activities.

Hours During and After Coronary Intervention and Angiography

The purpose of this study was to describe patients’ experience during and after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Data were collected by interviews with 14 patients. A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Four main categories were identified that describe patients’ experience of the hours during and following intervention: emotional thoughts, bodily sensations, nursing intervention of importance, and personal strategies. All patients made a comment on staff conduct and pointed out that even minor nursing actions may be of great importance. Patients were most positive toward the transradial approach. Even though the approach via arteria radialis will increase, many patients will still have their procedure done via arteria femoralis. In spite of all research and technical developments, the patients’ experience from intervention via arteria femoralis is pretty much the same as it was 1997.

The nature of nursing research: dissertations in the Nordic countries, 2003

Nursing and caring research has followed various paths in different countries and there are diverse views regarding the central phenomena in nursing science. An overview of Nordic nursing and caring science from 1974 to 2000 revealed that conceptualizations and design of enquiry differed. It therefore was of interest to investigate the overall picture regarding more recent and present doctoral dissertations on this subject. The aim of this study was to investigate the locus of interest and the content of current nursing and caring research in Nordic doctoral dissertations within the field presented during 2003. A total of 26 doctoral dissertations were read and studied. The analysis was inspired by Kims metaparadigmatic typology of four domains for structuring nursing knowledge. The investigation shows that the research in these dissertations, with some exceptions, was oriented towards phenomena belonging to the client domain (18 dissertations). Less knowledge has been gained in the client-nurse (two dissertations); four dissertations were categorized within the practice domain and environment domain includes two dissertations. The research conducted was primarily oriented towards pragmatic aspects and the practical application of knowledge, whereas basic research aiming at defining an autonomous science is exceptional. This means that scientific knowledge regarding and forming the disciplines unique perspective and value system could still be in evolution. A combination of a carefully and well-designed research practice, reflecting the need to further research and investigate new theoretical regions would appear to constitute the direction forward.

The meanings and implications of receiving care

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 235–242 The meanings and implications of receiving care The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the concept of receiving care, from the perspective of the general public, nursing students and graduate nurses. The need for, and acceptance of care can occur at many different times during a human life and is sometimes necessary for survival. Experiences of receiving care are often retained as a tacit and subconscious awareness and knowledge. It is reasonable to expect that perceptions of receiving care can differ depending on different situation and experiences. Data were gathered by a questionnaire containing an open-ended question, which were presented to and answered by the general public, nursing students and graduate nurses. Content analysis was used to analyse the question posed. Having analysed the data, one main theme could be identified; being of value despite any potential disadvantages which include both edifying and not very edifying aspects. This study demonstrates that if one is in need of receiving care, there are not many choices available. Those requiring care must accept the situation and be prepared to leave themselves in the hands of caregivers. Receiving care highlights the human mode of being, which includes experiences of being exposed, which in turn motivates a seeking for valued and appreciated mutual interactions within the caring process. Within current nursing practice, our findings confirm the necessity of nurses to be fully aware of the importance of mutuality when giving care to patients. It is essential that modern nursing education continuously review the many complex aspects involved in the giving of, and receiving care.The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the concept of receiving care, from the perspective of the general public, nursing students and graduate nurses. The need for, and acceptance of care can occur at many different times during a human life and is sometimes necessary for survival. Experiences of receiving care are often retained as a tacit and subconscious awareness and knowledge. It is reasonable to expect that perceptions of receiving care can differ depending on different situation and experiences. Data were gathered by a questionnaire containing an open-ended question, which were presented to and answered by the general public, nursing students and graduate nurses. Content analysis was used to analyse the question posed. Having analysed the data, one main theme could be identified; being of value despite any potential disadvantages which include both edifying and not very edifying aspects. This study demonstrates that if one is in need of receiving care, there are not many choices available. Those requiring care must accept the situation and be prepared to leave themselves in the hands of caregivers. Receiving care highlights the human mode of being, which includes experiences of being exposed, which in turn motivates a seeking for valued and appreciated mutual interactions within the caring process. Within current nursing practice, our findings confirm the necessity of nurses to be fully aware of the importance of mutuality when giving care to patients. It is essential that modern nursing education continuously review the many complex aspects involved in the giving of, and receiving care.

Using the salutogenic approach to unravel informal caregivers’ resources to health: Theory and methodology

Objectives: This article describes the theoretical foundation and methodology used in a study intended to increase knowledge concerning informal caregivers’ resources to health (in salutogenesis; General Resistance Resources, GRRs). A detailed description of how the approach derived from salutogenic theory was used and how it permeated the entire study, from design to findings, is provided. How participation in the study was experienced is discussed and methodological improvements and implications suggested. Method: Using an explorative, mixed method design, data was collected through salutogenically guided interviews with 32 Swedish caregivers to older adults. A constant comparative method of analysis was used to identify caregiver-GRRs, content analysis was further used to describe how participation was experienced. Findings: The methodology unraveled GRRs caregivers used to obtain positive experiences of caregiving, but also hindrances for such usage contributing to negative experiences. Mixed data made it possible to venture beyond actual findings to derive a synthesis describing the experienced, communal context of the population reliant on these GRRs; Caregivinghood. Participating in the salutogenic data-collection was found to be a reflective, mainly positive, empowering and enlightening experience. Conclusion: The methodology was advantageous, even if time-consuming, as it in one study unravelled caregiver-GRRs and hindrances for their usage on individual, communal and contextual levels. It is suggested that the ability to describe Caregivinghood may be essential when developing health-promoting strategies for caregivers at individual, municipal and national levels. The methodology makes such a description possible and suggested methodological improvements may enhance its usability and adaptability to other populations.

Trends that have influenced the Swedish radiography profession over the last four decades

INTRODUCTION The expansion of the radiography profession in recent decades has widened the scope of radiographic practice. This has raised questions about which trends have had an impact on the profession over the years. The study aim was to explore trends that have influenced the radiography profession over the last four decades. METHODS A qualitative design was used. Eleven focus group interviews inspired by the Scenario Planning Method were conducted at 11 diagnostic radiology departments in public hospitals in Sweden. The target group consisted of 48 registered radiographers. To analyse the data, qualitative content analysis was used. RESULTS Thematic data analysis revealed three broad categories; technological development and radiation doses, current status of the radiography profession and specialisation leading to expert knowledge. Each category derived from two or three sub-categories. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate significant trends of influences on the radiography profession in Sweden over the last four decades. New methods and technology and control of radiation doses have had a favourable effect on the development of the radiography profession. Nevertheless, current status such as shortage of radiographers has had an adverse way. Specialisation leading to expert knowledge has an influence on career advancement and a specialist education regulated by the law, might be a prerequisite for the development of the radiography profession.

Home Care Encounters in a Multicultural Context - A Diverse Space for Caring

The aim of this study was to explore care encounters in homes of patients living in a multicultural area. The shadowing method enabled researchers to closely follow nurses in their everyday work. Complexities in the care environment, ambivalent roles played by the family, and varying meanings of care encounters were found. Despite difficulties in communication, nurses and patients created mutual space for caring. Regular meetings were essential for creation of trust, support, and consolation. Nurses’ sensitivity regarding patients’ needs and awareness of diversity of space for caring gave insights into the complexity of home care encounters in multicultural contexts.

Me and You in Caregivinghood – Dyadic resistance resources and deficits out of the informal caregiver's perspective

ABSTRACT Objective: To present Specific and Generalized Resistance Resources (SRRs/GRRs) and Deficits (SRDs/GRDs) described by 32 informal caregivers as originating from themselves and their older adult carerecipients as dyads. Method: Salutogenic interviewing was used to assemble data from caregivers. A theory-driven, memo-guided and comparative analysis using within- and across- case analysis was applied to unravel resources and deficits influencing the outcomes when they managed tension associated with caregiving. Findings: Living in fellowship in a well-functioning dyad unites the essence of having access to dyadic SRRs/GRRs. Such access enables dyads to use their specific dyadic tension management to resolve challenges through cooperation, derives ‘positive’ life-experiences and preserves dyad functioning. Struggling alone in a malfunctioning dyad indicates the presence of dyadic SRDs/GRDs counteracting such a development. If these SRDs/GRDs accumulate, the dyad become less able to resolve challenges, ‘negative’ life-experiences accumulates, the carerecipients capability to cooperate decreases, caregivers workload increases, the dyad becomes increasingly malfunctioning and moves towards the point where caregiving ends due to lack of usable SRRs/GRRs. Conclusions: Findings reveals the complex duality of caregiving and the necessity to assess all available SRRs/GRRs and SRDs/GRDs for caregiving dyads, including out of the carerecipients perspective. Appropriate ‘salutogenic’ support reduces SRDs/GRDs, makes available SRRs/GRRs usable or provides alternative SRRs/GRRs, thereby dyadic tension management and dyadic functionality is preserved during this phase of life labelled Caregivinghood. The study adds new knowledge to the salutogenic framework regarding central, theoretical concepts and suggests how data for health promoting initiatives conducted the ‘salutogenic way’ may be acquired.

Professional development for radiographers and post graduate nurses in radiological interventions: Building teamwork and collaboration through drama

INTRODUCTION The rapid development within Interventional Radiology presents new challenges. Hybrid operating rooms consist of interventional radiology, open surgery, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and other techniques. This means that several disciplines and professionals need to work in new constellations creating a multidisciplinary team around the patient. In accordance with this development, higher professional education must provide new pedagogic strategies to successfully address the knowledge expected in todays complex working life. AIM To explore the use of Applied Drama as a learning medium, focusing on the use of Forum Theatre, to foster team work and collaboration in the field of radiography and learning. METHODS A qualitative approach, closely related to Ethnography, was utilized. RESULT The Drama Workshop utilising Forum Theatre created a dynamic learning environment and enabled the participants from three professions to understand each others priorities better. The use of drama within health care education allows the students to take different roles in order to find the best way to co-operate. CONCLUSION Forum Theatre is a useful learning medium in order to promote teamwork and collaboration in the radiological intervention field. By choosing a personal working experience, Forum Theatre seem to engage the participants at a deeper level and to experience various communication strategies and how the outcome changed depending on the approach. This can lead to improved teamwork and collaboration.