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Aim(s): To describe advanced practice nursing (APN) in the French healthcare landscape and to provide insights on how the role is defined and implemented and how the role is perceived by physicians. Design: A mixed‐method approach incorporating qualitative and quantitative data to offer a global understanding of APN implementation in France was used. Methods: Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with APNs and physicians in diverse healthcare settings in France. The questionnaire assessed the roles, relationships with physicians and patients and the perceived implementation success of APNs. In‐depth interviews explored experiences, definitions, challenges and perspectives of APNs. A thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data to complete the quantitative exploration. Descriptive analyses were performed for quantitative data. Results: A total of 41 APNs and 12 physicians were involved in this study between December 2022 and March 2023. The findings underscore APN as a pivotal, independent profession integrating advanced clinical expertise and interprofessional skills. The challenges encountered by APNs include role ambiguity, ongoing resistance and the need to address institutional barriers. Despite the fact that 73.2% of APNs reported that their role was well implemented, only 17.1% had clearly defined roles at the outset. Conclusion: This study revealed the dynamic and evolving nature of APN in France, highlighting its challenges and opportunities. Despite facing role ambiguity and resistance, APNs play a crucial role in the healthcare system. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: The results highlight the need for specific interventions to tackle challenges and facilitate successful integration of APN. These insights lay a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at boosting the impact and acceptance of APN in France, potentially influencing policy modifications and professional development. Impact: Problem Addressed: The study aimed to enhance comprehension of the implementation and role of advanced practice nursing (APN) in France. It focused on defining APN in the French context, identifying barriers and facilitators to its implementation and evaluating its impact. Main Findings: The study revealed that APN in France is evolving with expanded competencies and clinical autonomy, but faces challenges like role ambiguity and professional resistance. Key findings include the successful integration of APNs in healthcare settings, positive relationships with medical doctors and patient satisfaction. However, the study also highlighted the necessity to resolve role ambiguity and to improve the understanding and acceptance of APN roles among healthcare professionals for successful APN integration. Impact of the research: This research will primarily impact healthcare systems and policy‐making in France, guiding the future development and integration of APN roles. It is also relevant for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and physicians, by providing information about the evolving nature of APN and its benefits in patient care. Globally, the study contributes to the broader discourse on APN, offering insights that could inform APN implementation strategies in other countries facing similar healthcare challenges. Reporting Method: COREQ—STROBE. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease associated with the potential for blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputations. The global prevalence of diabetes is rising, particularly in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region, where accessing treatment and antidiabetic drugs is complex, leading to challenges in managing the condition. Intentional and structured therapeutic education has demonstrated its ability to enhance health outcomes in diabetes patients. Given the numerous healthcare deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa, the authors have reevaluated the role of therapeutic patient education (TPE) in this context. Methods: This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We queried four databases between March 14 and June 30, 2023 and conducted Cochrane's Risk of Bias analysis on the included studies. Subsequently, a qualitative synthesis of the results was performed. Results: The final analysis included thirteen studies. Seven of these, which assessed glycemic control, reported statistically significant results. Additionally, other clinical parameters such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipid levels also exhibited some significant improvements. Knowledge substantially increased following the intervention, while attitude, self-care practices, and medication adherence showed no significant improvements. Nurse-led and peer-led intervention programs produced positive outcomes, whereas technology-based intervention methods did not yield favorable results. Conclusion: TPE programs in sub-Saharan Africa have a significant impact on both clinical and non-clinical outcomes in diabetes patients. However, the sustainability of these outcomes remains uncertain. Further research is needed to assess the long-term effects of TPE on diabetes patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the expectations, acceptability, and challenges identified by nurses and key healthcare stakeholders regarding the implementation of advanced practice nursing in Gabon. Background: Advanced practice nursing presents an opportunity to address the epidemiological transition and the shortage of healthcare professionals in Africa. In anticipation of establishing a master's degree program in advanced practice nursing and its subsequent implementation, it is important to understand Gabon's specific needs and characteristics. Design: This study used a multicenter cross‐sectional mixed‐method design. Methods: From April to May 2022, a total of 187 healthcare professionals were included from two hospitals and two universities in Gabon. Data were collected through questionnaires and complemented by focus group discussions, guided by the existing literature, the PEPPA framework, and Hamric's model. Results: The implementation of advanced practice nursing was generally well accepted. Factors influencing acceptability included being female, awareness of advanced practice nursing, and supporting the role of advanced practice nurses in diagnosing chronic diseases. Barriers to implementation included the absence of a legal framework for the profession and a lack of recognition of nursing skills by both nurses and doctors. Facilitators included the establishment of a master's degree program, formalization of a legal framework, raising awareness, providing training to medical doctors and other healthcare professionals about advanced practice nursing, and the development of nursing leadership. Implications for nursing: Advanced practice nursing can play a crucial role in addressing healthcare resource shortages and the dual burden of chronic and infectious diseases in Gabon, as well as in other African countries. Implications for nursing policy: To successfully implement advanced practice nursing in Gabon and French‐speaking Africa, it is essential to regulate the nursing and advanced nursing professions by creating a legal framework and establishing nursing councils. An effective implementation strategy for advanced practice nurses should be based on the specific needs of the country. Guidelines: COREQ, STROBE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 31.4 million people in low- and middle-income countries die from chronic diseases annually, particularly in Africa. To address this, strategies such as task-shifting from doctors to nurses have been proposed and have been endorsed by the World Health Organization as a potential solution; however, no comprehensive review exists describing the extent of nurse-led chronic disease management in Africa. Aims: This study aimed to provide a thorough description of the current roles of nurses in managing chronic diseases in Africa, identify their levels of knowledge, the challenges, and gaps they encounter in this endeavor. Methods: We performed a scoping review following the key points of the Cochrane Handbook, and two researchers independently realized each step. Searches were conducted using five databases: MEDLINE, PyscINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase, between October 2021 and April 2023. A descriptive analysis of the included studies was conducted, and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Downs and Black Scale. Results: Our scoping review included 111 studies from 20 African countries, with South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana being the most represented. Findings from the included studies revealed varying levels of knowledge. Nurses were found to be actively involved in managing common chronic diseases from diagnosis to treatment. Facilitating factors included comprehensive training, close supervision by physicians, utilization of decision trees, and mentorship. However, several barriers were identified, such as a shortage of nurses, lack of essential materials, and inadequate initial training. Conclusion: There is significant potential for nurses to enhance the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases in Africa. Achieving this requires a combination of rigorous training and effective supervision, supported by robust policies. To address varying levels of knowledge, tailored training programs should be devised. Further research is warranted to establish the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on population health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are among the most common and feared side effects of cancer treatments. Their presence has a negative impact on the quality of life and morbidity associated with the disease. Despite increasingly effective antiemetic treatments, 40% of cancer patients experience CINV during the acute or delayed phase of their treatment. This distressing experience lived through by a large number of people makes it a priority in the improvement of cancer patients and a daily concern for nurses in cancer care units. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, the idea of using aromatherapy as supportive care has led the authors to research the knowledge available on this subject. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the existing scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of respiratory aromatherapy on CINV in addition to standard treatment compared with their recommended management in people with cancer. Design: Systematic review. Methods: This review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and queried six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Database, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar). An analysis of the risk of bias using the Cochrane ‘‘Risks of Bias’’ tools and a qualitative synthesis of the results of the studies were carried out. Results: Eleven studies were included, nine in adults and two in children. Seven out of nine studies showed statistically significant results in adults with either direct or dry inhalation. Four out of seven alleviated both nausea and vomiting thanks to peppermint, ginger essential oil; three decreased nausea only with chamomilla, ginger or cardamom essential oil. Atmospheric diffusion and the use of inhaled aromatherapy in children did not show any benefit. Conclusions: Results appear promising for the use of direct inhaled aromatherapy in the management of CINV. However, most of the studies found the women concerned suffered from gynecologic cancers and had certain methodological limitations. Indeed, small samples and a wide variety of interventions were studied (different essential oils, number of drops of essential oils used, method of administration, etc.), making it impossible so far to generalize these results. Studies with a more robust methodology and larger samples will make it possible to confirm the potential usefulness of this complementary treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]