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The article focuses on patients' experiences and expectations regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and the role of healthcare professionals in improving these experiences, and researchers conducted a qualitative analysis of studies of patients' experiences.

The article focuses on benefits of national cardiology societies affiliating with the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP), including the enhancement of professional growth opportunities and the promotion of collaborative networks for improving cardiovascular care.

The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive assessment of psychological and social outcomes in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices, highlighting gaps in current research and advocating for standardized evaluation to improve patient care and quality of life.

Background The indication for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden death is now consolidated. However, there is no unanimous agreement on how patients experience certain aspects of their lives after an ICD implant. Various clinical studies have evaluated the impact of ICDs on patient mortality, survival, and their beneficial effects. Given the growing number of qualitative studies, a synthesis of qualitative evidence became desirable. Aims To explore and synthesize the results of qualitative studies addressing the experiences of patients with an ICD. Methods We employed a systematic review and meta-synthesis. PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were systematically searched to identify qualitative studies published between January 2005 and October 2020, which investigate the experience of patients living with an ICD. Selected studies were assessed for quality by two reviewers independently. Results A total of 24 papers were selected. Six themes emerged: fear and insecurity, the need for information, new impacts on life, living with ICD shocks, gender differences, and the role of the family. These results could help clinicians and researchers to develop new strategies and interventions to improve the quality of life in these patients. Conclusion This meta-synthesis underlines the difficulties experienced by patients with ICD implants. Despite the advanced therapeutic management programmes for this type of intervention, it is necessary to adopt and implement the current post-discharge care plans, where the family's involvement is essential to help patients adapt to their new lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The management of cardiovascular patients requires increasingly competent nursing professionals. In Italy, there are no specific postgraduate courses focused on specialist cardiac skills development for nurses. To develop such courses, content incorporating appropriate competencies is required and this study was designed to meet this. To delineate a set of core competencies to develop national educational interventions to ensure cardiac nurses in Italy achieve international standards. Methods and results A three-round e-Delphi study including a panel of 32 expert cardiac nurses from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy was conducted; 26 respondents completed all three rounds. The first round sought a list of five competencies from each participant which they were asked to prioritize in Round 2. In Round 3, they were asked to prioritize again with the knowledge of the priorities identified in Round 2. The final list of competencies was those achieving 70% agreement among participants. We identified 14 core competencies spanning a range of areas of competence including technical, interpersonal, health promotion, use of evidence, and management. Only minor differences were evident between the Italian and the international panel regarding the priority given to some core competences, such a leadership and taking patient history. Conclusion This is the first study in Italy to delineate cardiac nurses' core competencies. As such, it provides a foundation for the development of postgraduate educational programmes for cardiac nurses including competencies that are congruent with international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta‐synthesis of findings from qualitative research about sexuality and intimate relationship among patients with dermatological diseases. Background: Over the last few decades, there has been an increase in clinical research investigating aspects related to sex and sexuality in patients living with dermatological diseases. In fact, studies recognise a negative impact on various aspects of intimacy, such as sexual function, self‐esteem and romantic relationships. The body of qualitative literature about sexuality in the context of dermatological diseases is emerging but consists mainly of small studies that would benefit from aggregation, synthesis and interpretation to highlight and summarise the overarching dimensions to this clinical issue. Design: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies. Methods: BioMed Central, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ERIC, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched between June–November 2017 with no publication date limits. Screening and selection of studies was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). After retrieval, the qualitative data were subject to meta‐synthesis to identify overarching themes. Results: Ten qualitative studies were found. We identified four themes: (a) Embarrassment and shame; (b) Impaired sense of attractiveness and sexual avoidance; (c) Relationship issues; and (d) Lack of professional support. The patients in these studies adopted negative coping styles, such as avoidance and hiding their bodies. Conclusion: When assessing and evaluating patient care in dermatology, it is important that sexuality and the impact the disease could have on relationships is included. Relevance to clinical practice: An important part of nursing care is ensuring that patients are helped to develop positive coping strategies rather than negative ones. Patients with dermatological conditions also need advice and treatment to address any physically related sexual problems. Nurses need to be the initiators of these sensitive conversations to put patients at ease and work together to implement positive measures to reduce the sexuality‐related issues patients face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented which discusses need for continuous professional development (CPD), and postgraduate education for cardiac nurses in order to meet evolving medical and technical environment. Topics include challenges faced by cardiac nurses in dealing with telemonitoring of patients with implanted cardiac devices; initiatives taken by the Council of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP), for improving clinical practice; and need for well-defined education for nurses.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common sustained arrhythmia necessitating dual focus: acute complication management and sustained longitudinal oversight to modulate disease progression and ensure comprehensive patient care over time. AF is a multifaceted disorder; due to such a great number of potential exacerbating conditions, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) should manage AF patients by cooperating with a cardiologist. Effective management of AF patients necessitates the implementation of a well-coordinated and tailored care pathway aimed at delivering optimized treatment through collaboration among various healthcare professionals. Management of AF should be carefully evaluated and mutually agreed upon in consultation with healthcare providers. It is crucial to recognize that treatment may evolve due to the emergence of new risk factors, symptoms, disease progression, and advancements in treatment modalities. In the context of multidisciplinary AF teams, a coordinated approach involves assembling a diverse team tailored to meet individual patients' unique needs based on local services' availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developing nursing research skills, awareness and research utilisation are important for improving healthcare outcomes and are key to ensuring the full understanding and knowledge base necessary for optimal delivery of care. Nevertheless, little is known about research awareness in children's nurses. Aims and objectives: To address this issue, an integrative literature review was conducted for studies published between January 2007 and January 2017 to obtain up‐to‐date evidence about the extent of research awareness and utilisation among children's nurses. Methods: Using PubMed, Cochrane Library, ILISI and CINAHL databases, 21 studies related to children's nurses' research awareness were included in the final review, which was later developed and structured in keeping with PRISMA checklist and guidelines. Conclusions: The studies isolated show that nurses' knowledge about and utilisation of research vary and that there are many existent barriers to and facilitators of evidence‐based practice in the paediatric setting. Some studies report that introducing a cultural and/or change in clinical practice change to improve research utilisation can have positive impacts on healthcare outcomes and the quality of nursing care of children. It is recommended that structured approaches to improving research utilisation be considered and additional research is needed to explore the benefits of these approaches. Relevance to clinical practice: Despite more than three decades of the evidence‐based practice movement within nursing, barriers still exist among children's nurses in the use of research in practice. If the use of research to improve the delivery of children's nursing care is to become a reality, then nurses' research awareness needs to improve to underpin care delivery with optimal evidence in a cohesive informed manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paediatric nurses often face complex situations requiring decisions that sometimes clash with their own values and beliefs, or with the needs of the children they care for and their families. Paediatric nurses often use new technology that changes the way they provide care, but also reduces their direct interaction with the child. This may generate ethical issues, which nurses should be able to address in the full respect of the child. Research question and objectives: The purpose of this review is to describe the main ethical dimensions of paediatric nursing. Our research question was, ‘What are the most common ethical dimensions and competences related to paediatric nursing?’ Research design: A rapid evidence assessment. Method: According to the principles of the rapid evidence assessment, we searched the PubMed, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases for papers published between January 2001 and March 2015. These papers were then independently read by two researchers and analysed according to the inclusion criteria. Ethical considerations: Since this was a rapid evidence assessment, no approval from the ethics committee was required. Findings: Ten papers met our inclusion criteria. Ethical issues in paediatric nursing were grouped into three areas: (a) ethical issues in paediatric care, (b) social responsibility and (c) decision-making process. Conclusion: Few studies investigate the ethical dimensions and aspects of paediatric nursing, and they are mainly qualitative studies conducted in critical care settings based on nurses’ perceptions and experiences. Paediatric nurses require specific educational interventions to help them resolve ethical issues, contribute to the decision-making process and fulfil their role as advocates of a vulnerable population (i.e. sick children and their families). Further research is needed to investigate how paediatric nurses can improve the involvement of children and their families in decision-making processes related to their care plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To assess the effects of bed rest duration on short-term complications following transfemoral catheterization. Methods and results A systematic search was carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, SciELO and in five registries of grey literature. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies comparing different durations of bed rest after transfemoral catheterization were included. Primary outcomes were haematoma and bleeding near the access site. Secondary outcomes were arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, back pain, general patient discomfort and urinary discomfort. Study findings were summarized using a network meta-analysis (NMA). Twenty-eight studies and 9217 participants were included (mean age 60.4 years). In NMA, bed rest duration was not consistently associated with either primary outcome, and this was confirmed in sensitivity analyses. There was no evidence of associations with secondary outcomes, except for two effects related to back pain. A bed rest duration of 2–2.9 h was associated with lower risk of back pain [risk ratio (RR) 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.62] and a duration over 12 h with greater risk of back pain (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.16–3.24), when compared with the 4–5.9 h interval. Post hoc analysis revealed an increased risk of back pain per hour of bed rest (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04–1.11). Conclusion A short bed rest was not associated with complications in patients undergoing transfemoral catheterization; the greater the duration of bed rest, the more likely the patients were to experience back pain. Ambulation as early as 2 h after transfemoral catheterization can be safely implemented. Registration PROSPERO: CRD42014014222. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid evolution of the epidemiological picture and the recent SARS-COV-2 pandemic has expressed the vulnerabilities of health systems and focuses attention on the population's needs. The nurse's figure in the care teams is universally identified; however, the implementation of the role within some care settings turns out to be complex and challenging. This integrative review aims to identify the barriers and facilitators in implementing the role of the nurse in primary care settings. Methods: An integrative review was conducted on the Medline and Cinahl databases until 9 June 2020. Qualitative, quantitative, and Mixed-method research studies were selected to identify studies related to the barriers and facilitators of the nurse's role in nursing facilities' primary care. For the extraction of the results, the Consolidating Framework for Research Implementation (CFIR) was used to identify the factors that influence implementation in health care. Results: Following the duplicates' removal, the search identified 18,257 articles, of which 56 were relevant to the inclusion criteria; therefore, they were included in the summary. The selected studies were conducted in thirteen countries, most from Oceania, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The barriers reported most frequently concern the nursing profession's regulatory and regulatory aspects within the contexts of care, cultural and organizational aspects, training, and the transfer of specific skills, which were previously designated to doctors. The facilitators are mainly linked to the nurse's adaptability to the various contexts of care, recognizing the patient's role, and the desire to develop multidisciplinary and effective working groups to respond to the health needs of the population in primary care contexts. Conclusion: This review highlighted the main barriers and facilitators in implementing the nurse's role in primary care settings. These results offer useful elements for stakeholders to identify effective strategies in preparing programs and activities for implementing the nurse's role, acting on the elements identified as barriers and favouring the aspects that emerge as facilitators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Home and environmental hazards modification for fall prevention among the elderly. Topics discussed include Older adults lose autonomy (Milat et al., 2011), experience a decrease in quality of life, and have increased nursing home admissions; and research has long shown that home assessment and modification is an effective intervention to prevent falls and fall-related injuries.

Aim: This integrative review aims to explore how nursing leadership influences evidence‐based practice in contemporary health care settings. Background: Although managers and environmental ward culture have long been identified as being among the main barriers to evidence‐based practice, there is little overall conceptualization and understanding of the specific role of nurse leaders in directly influencing and supporting this. Evaluation: The team carried out an integrative literature review (n = 28) utilizing PubMed, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library (2006–2016). Key Issues: The key role of leadership, the methodology used, and understanding and addressing barriers to or facilitators of the implementation of evidence‐based practice emerged as key issues. Conclusion: Nurse managers have a particular influential role on the implementation of evidence‐based practice in terms of providing a supportive culture and environment. For this they need to have an underlying knowledge but also to be aware of and address barriers to implementation, and understand the key role of nurse managers in creating and supporting the optimum environment. Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse managers need to facilitate and enhance nurses' use of evidence‐based practice. Both managers and nurses need to have the necessary academic preparation, support and resources required for practising using an evidence base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To review the use of mixed-methods research in nursing with a particular focus on the extent to which current practice informs nurse researchers. It also aimed to highlight gaps in current knowledge, understanding and reporting of this type of research. Background Mixed-methods research is becoming increasingly popular among nurses and healthcare professionals. Emergent findings from this type of research are very useful for nurses in practice. The combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods provides a scientific base for practice but also richness from the qualitative enquiry. However, at the same time mixed-methods research is underdeveloped. Methods This study identified mixed-methods research papers and critically evaluated their usefulness for research practice. To support the analysis, we performed a two-stage search using CINAHL to find papers with titles that included the key term 'mixed method'. Conclusion An analysis of studies that used mixed-methods research revealed some inconsistencies in application and reporting. Attempts to use two distinct research methods in these studies often meant that one or both aspects had limitations. Overall methods were applied in a less rigorous way. This has implications for providing somewhat limited direction for novice researchers. There is also potential for application of evidence in healthcare practice that limited validity. Relevance to clinical practice This study highlights current gaps in knowledge, understanding and reporting of mixed-methods research. While these methods are useful to gain insight into clinical problems nurses lack guidance with this type of research. This study revealed that the guidance provided by current mixed-methods research is inconsistent and incomplete and this compounds the lack of available direction. There is an urgent need to develop robust guidelines for using mixed-methods research so that findings may be critically implemented in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses barriers to research awareness among nurses in Italy. Topics discussed include spread of evidence-based practice, Italian study revealing 41percent of care that nurses were expected to perform was missed and barrier due to refusal of regional research ethics committees for applications made by nurse researchers.