Yasemin Tokem

Research in cardiovascular care: a position statement of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals of the European Society of Cardiology

To deliver optimal patient care, evidence-based care is advocated and research is needed to support health care staff of all disciplines in deciding which options to use in their daily practice. Due to the increasing complexity of cardiac care across the life span of patients combined with the increasing opportunities and challenges in multidisciplinary research, the Science Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals (CCNAP) recognised the need for a position statement to guide researchers, policymakers and funding bodies to contribute to the advancement of the body of knowledge that is needed to further improve cardiovascular care. In this paper, knowledge gaps in current research related to cardiovascular patient care are identified, upcoming challenges are explored and recommendations for future research are given.

Examination of the Relationship Between Hopelessness Levels and Coping Strategies Among the Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer.

Background: Family caregivers who provide care for cancer patients may have to cope with a variety of physical, social, and economic problems during the caregiving process. A sense of hopelessness seems to lead to increasingly negative evaluations of new situations and less effective coping strategies. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between hopelessness and the coping strategies of the family caregivers of oncology patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design study was carried out in the adult oncology unit and outpatient radiation oncology units of a university hospital in Turkey. The research sample was composed of 110 family caregivers. A sociodemographic data form, the Coping Stress Strategies Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale were used in face-to-face interviews. Results: Significant correlations were found between hopelessness and coping strategies. There was a positive correlation between hopelessness and the helpless approaches, which constitute a part of the emotion-focused coping strategies (r = 0.254, P < .01). There was a negative correlation between hopelessness and problem-focused coping strategies (optimistic approach and seeking social support) (r = −0.484, P < .01; r = −0.190, P < .05). Conclusion: In our study, we found that when the hopes of family caregivers are raised, they may adopt a more optimistic approach, and seek more social support, and display more effective coping strategies. Implications for Practice: This study could be used to help develop nursing interventions and efficient coping strategies. It suggests how oncology nurses may support family caregivers to increase their level of hope.

The Effects of Self–Pain Management on the Intensity of Pain and Pain Management Methods in Arthritic Patients

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of pain management education on the intensity of pain and frequency of utilization of pain management methods in two groups of patients with arthritis of different pathogenesis and clinical features, and to compare whether a significant difference existed between the two groups. The study was carried out between September 2007 and June 2008 on 30 female patients with gonarthrosis and 30 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) followed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and those related with the illness were collected using a special survey. Each patient was given information about the features, causes, and treatment of the arthritis and how to cope with pain, emphasizing the importance of pain management methods. The intensity of pain and efficacy of pain management methods were assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Pain Management Inventory at baseline and the second and sixth weeks after the education. The SPSS (v15.0) statistical package was used for statistical analysis. After education, significant improvements in pain intensity scores compared with baseline scores were observed in both groups (p < .05), and there was no significant difference between the RA and gonarthrosis groups. Among the various pain management methods, the education program led to significantly more utilization of massaging the painful area, exercising, and using complementary methods to control stress in both groups of patients, and there was no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, the pain management education given in this study alleviated the intensity of pain and significantly increased the use of some pain management methods in both gonarthrosis and RA cases.

An analysis of the cultural problems encountered during caregiving by the nurses working in two different regions of Turkey

The aim of this study was to identify the cultural problems encountered during caregiving by the nurses working in two university hospitals located in western and eastern Turkey. This descriptive, comparative study was conducted between July 2008 and October 2009 with 338 nurses who volunteered to take part in the study. The study data were collected using an individual description questionnaire consisting of 10 questions and another questionnaire consisting of 14 questions to identify the cultural problems encountered by nurses when giving care. The study showed with respect to training received on transcultural nursing that only 59 nurses had this training, but the percentage was higher in the nurses working at the hospital in the west (54.2%) (P > 0.05). It was found that a large number of nurses in the sample group (n = 286) gave care to at least one individual from another culture, but the percentage was significantly higher in the nurses working in the west (56.7%) than in the nurses working in the east (43.3%) (P   0.05). The problem experienced in this area was mostly because of the fact that patients ‘did not speak Turkish’ (63.8%). In conclusion, the nurses gave care to patients from different cultures, and most of them had trouble when giving care to patients from different cultures.

Investigation into the use of complementary and alternative medicine and affecting factors in Turkish asthmatic patients.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine usage in asthmatic patients living in the west of Turkey, the most frequently used complementary and alternative medicine methods and socio-demographic factors affecting this and factors related to the disease. BACKGROUND While the rate of complementary and alternative medicine usage in asthmatic patients and the reasons for using it vary, practices specific to different countries and regions are of interest. Differing cultural and social factors even in geographically similar regions can affect the type of complementary and alternative medicine used. METHODS Two hundred asthmatic patients registered in the asthma outpatient clinic of a large hospital in Turkey and who had undergone pulmonary function tests within the previous six months were included in this study, which was planned according to a descriptive design. The patients filled out a questionnaire on their demographic characteristics and complementary and alternative medicine usage. RESULTS The proportion of patients who reported using one or more of the complementary and alternative medicine methods was 63·0%. Of these patients, 61·9% were using plants and herbal treatments, 53·2% were doing exercises and 36·5% said that they prayed. The objectives of their use of complementary and alternative medicine were to reduce asthma-related complaints (58%) and to feel better (37·8%). The proportion of people experiencing adverse effects was 3·3% (n = 4). Factors motivating asthmatic patients to use complementary and alternative medicine were the existence of comorbid diseases and a long period since diagnosis (p < 0·05). No statistically significant difference was found between the use of complementary and alternative medicine and the severity of the disease, pulmonary function test parameters, the number of asthma attacks or hospitalisations because of asthma within the last year (p > 0·05). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Understanding by nurses of the causes and patterns of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in asthmatic patients helps them in directing patient care and patient safety. Nurses should conduct comprehensive diagnostics in the light of complementary and alternative medicine use, and they should be aware of the potential risks.

Case management in care of Turkish rheumatoid arthritis patients.

&NA; This study examined the effectiveness of a case management (CM) intervention in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a pilot study in a teaching hospital in Turkey. Two groups were compared with respect to disability, quality of life, cost, and patient satisfaction: RA patients who received CM plus usual nursing care and RA patients who received usual nursing care alone. All patients underwent follow‐up interviews at 3 and 6 months after being discharged from the hospital. Disability scores were significantly better in the RA group receiving CM, but there were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to quality of life, patient satisfaction, and total healthcare costs. Using CM in the care of patients with RA may favorably affect disease‐related outcomes.

The Science committee of the CCNAP: Eager to start

In 2010, the Council of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) initiated the forming of a Science Committee (SC) with the aim to take responsibility for activities related to researc ...

Retrospective analyses of reasons why children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes visit the emergency department.

Objectives: This retrospective study evaluates the clinical and laboratory values of children with type 1 diabetes at the time of first admission to the emergency service. Methods : It is a retrospective study to examine the clinical & laboratory findings of children visiting the emergency service between 2009 & 2012. The sample of the study included 111 children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Student t test and chi-square test were used in the analysis. Results: HbA1c and blood glucose levels and ketoacidosis frequency was found significantly changed (p<0.05). It was detected that the frequency of ketoacidosis at the time of diagnosis was 60% in the children with type 1 diabetes while it was 45% in the second group and 34% in the third group. This difference at the time of admisison was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It became possible to diagnose children with type 1 diabetes much earlier over the course of time, and the number of patients that could be treated before severe diabetic ketoacidosis developed increased. This results is of great importance as it will provide a guide for all medical professionals including nurses.

Hemşirelerin Bireysel ve Profesyonel Değerlerinde Kuşaklararası Farklılıklar / Personal and Professional Difference between the Generation of Nurses

Amac: Bu arastirmanin amaci hemsirelerin bireysel ve profesyonel degerleri arasindaki kusaklararasi farkliliklari belirlemektir. Gerec ve Yontem: Tanimlayici ve karsilastirmali tipteki bu calisma, Izmir’deki bir universite hastanesinde calisan, X kusagindaki 85(dogum tarihi 1965-1979 yillari arasinda olanlar) ve Y kusagindaki 79 (dogum tarihi 1980-1999 yillari arasinda olanlar) olmak uzere toplam 164 hemsire ile yurutulmustur. Veriler, arastirmacilar tarafindan 30 dakikalik sure icerisinde yuz yuze gorusme yontemi ile Birey Tanitim Formu, Portre Degerler Anketi ve Hemsirelerin Profesyonel Degerleri Olcegi-Revize kullanilarak toplanmistir. Verilerin degerlendirmesinde tanimlayici istatistikler, Ki Kare, Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U testi ve spearman korelasyon analizi kullanilmistir. Bulgular: Arastirmaya katilan hemsirelerin %51.8’i X kusagi, %48.2’si ise Y kusagidir (n=164). X kusagindaki bireylerin %96.4’u kadin olup, %52.9’u universite mezunu, %72.6’si evli; Y kusagindaki bireylerin ise %93.7’si kadin, %51.9’u universite mezunu, %58.2’si evlidir ve bu ozellikler acisindan X ve Y kusagi arasinda istatistiksel olarak fark yoktur. X kusagindaki hemsirelerin Portre Degerler Anketi ve Hemsirelerin Profesyonel Degerler Olcegi puan ortalamalari arasindaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamli degildir. Calismaya katilan X ve Y kusagindaki hemsirelerin Portre Degerler Anketi ile Hemsirelerin Profesyonel Degerleri Olcegi puan ortalamalari arasinda pozitif yonde anlamli bir iliski oldugu belirlenmistir. Sonuc: Calismada, X ve Y kusagindaki hemsirelerde bireysel ve profesyonel degerler acisindan fark olmadigi belirlenmistir. X ve Y kusagi hemsirelerin birlikte calismasi, surekli iletisim ve etkilesim halinde bulunmalarinin sonucu etkiledigi dusunulmektedir.

Obesidade e hipertensão em adolescentes e adultos com deficiência intelectual

Objective The aim of this study is to determine the rate of obesity and hypertension in individuals with intellectual disability. Methods This study was carried out with the adolescents and adults with intellectual disability in three centres, in Izmir, Turkey. The BMI of the adults were classified according to the Turkey Obesity Prevention and Control Program. The BMIs of the adolescents were evaluated according to the BMI percentile curves for Turkish children. For the evaluation of blood pressure levels of adults, the classification system determined by the Turkish Society of Cardiology was used. Blood pressure diagnosis in adolescents is different from that in adults. In terms of age and gender, systolic and diastolic blood pressures lower than the 90th percentile are considered as normal. Results The mean measurements for adults were as follows: height 166 ± 0.1 cm, weight 71.7 ± 1.86 kg, systolic blood pressure 120.8 ± 1.53 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 74.8 ± 1.35 mmHg, and BMI 25.96 ± 5.98. The mean measurements for adolescents were as follows: BMI 23.02 ± 6.3 systolic blood pressure 117 ± 14.3 mmHg and diastolic pressure 70 ± 13.8 mmHg. 37.3% of adults were of normal weight and 28% were overweight. Analysis of BMI of the adolescents demonstrated that 46.1% were between the 5th and 85th percentiles, 26.3% appeared above the 95th percentile and 18.4% were below the 5th percentile. Of the subjects, 59.8% had an optimal systolic pressure and 77.5% had an optimal diastolic pressure of adults. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that the rate of obesity and hypertension is high in adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities and therefore, these individuals are at a serious risk of developing cardiovascular disease.