Search

AIM: To report a study on the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in hospitals, conducted as part of a wider study on the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions. BACKGROUND: Issues concerning legislation and regulation with respect to the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide gave the Dutch Minister for Health reason to commission a study on the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions in hospitals, homecare and nursing homes. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent in 2003 to 692 nurses employed in 73 hospital locations. The response suitable for analysis was from 532 (76.9%) nurses. Data were quantitatively analysed using spss version 11.5 for Windows. RESULTS: In almost half of the cases (45.1%), the nurse was the first with whom patients discussed their request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Consultations between physicians and nurses quite often took place (78.8%). In several cases (15.4%), nurses themselves administered the euthanatics with or without a physician. It is not self-evident that hospitals have guidelines concerning euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide. CONCLUSIONS: In the decision-making process, the consultation between the physician and the nurse needs improvement. In administering the euthanatics, physicians should take responsibility and should not leave these actions to nurses. Guidelines may play an important role to improve the collaboration between physicians and nurses and to prevent procedural, ethical and legal misunderstandings. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses in clinical practice are often closely involved in the last stage of a person's life. Consequently, they are often confronted with caring for patients requesting euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. The results provide relevant information and may help nurses in defining their role in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, especially in case these practices should become legalised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe and interpret the phenomenon of communication as lived by Lebanese cancer patients. Phenomenology based on the Utrecht School was chosen as an interpretive descriptive methodology to guide the processes of data collection, analysis and synthesis. In-depth semi structured interviews were carried out with a purposeful sample of ten cancer patients. Results of this qualitative study emphasise the needs of Lebanese cancer patients for a clear and truthful communication with healthcare professionals, and family members. Informants highlighted the influence of words used during communication on their outlook and morale. They also stressed the need to move from the paternalistic approach in care provision to patient-centered care that promotes patient autonomy. Informants clearly accentuated their rights to be told the truth about their condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of the findings of a study into the role of district nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in homecare organizations, conducted as part of a study into the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions. Background. Issues concerning legislation and regulation with respect to the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide gave the Minister for Health reason to commission a study into the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions in hospitals, nursing homes and homecare organizations. This is the first quantitative study from the perspective of nurses. Previous quantitative studies were conducted under physicians and information on the role of nurses was obtained indirectly. Method. A questionnaire was sent in 2003 to 500 district nurses employed in 55 homecare organizations. The absolute response rate was 86.0% and 81.6% (408) could be used for analysis. Results. In 22.3% of 278 cases, the district nurse was the first with whom patients discussed their request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. In about half (49.8%) of 267 cases nurses were not involved in the general practitioner's decisionmaking process, and in only 13.3% of 264 cases, did they attend the administration of the lethal drugs. District nurses had provided some degree of aftercare to the surviving relatives in 80.3% of 264 cases. Conclusion. Collaboration between general practitioners and district nurses needs improvement, particularly in relation to decision-making. Our Dutch data could help nurses in other countries to define their (future) role in euthanasia and physician- assisted suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.-Many strategies are available to treat and prevent migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH). Broadly these strategies can be divided into four groups, including (i) health care consultations, (ii) medication and alternative remedies, (iii) general (acute and prophylactic) strategies, and (iv) social support.Objective.-This study aimed to compare headache management between migraine (MO), migraine with aura (MA), and those with CDH over the last 12 months.Design.-A postal questionnaire was sent to 887 members of the Migraine Action Association (MAA). The response rate was 60.5% (n= 537), and 438 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Migraine (n= 117) and MA (n= 239) patients were classed according to the International Headache Society (IHS). CDH (n= 82) was diagnosed when respondents had 15 or more headache days per month. Descriptive tests, analysis of variances (ANOVAs),[chi]2, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis (P<.05).Results.-The three groups did not differ in age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, and employment status. Significant differences in management strategies between the groups were found in the number of respondents who had consulted headache specialists (P= .002) and neurologists (P= .004), the number and types of acute medications (eg, triptans,P= .002), the use of antidepressants (P= .004), and some acute and prophylactic avoidance techniques. Although, no significant differences between the groups were found in the use of other health professionals (eg, GP), alternative health professionals, general acute management, and the use of social support, they all actively used these strategies.Conclusions.-The respondents of this study were active users of management strategies that are based on a combination of health care consultations, medication and alternative remedies, general management, and social support. In comparison to previous findings, the respondents in this study frequently reported higher use of management strategies (such as the use of triptans), which may be related to this group of patients being better informed about headache management than those with headache within the general population. Thus, the findings may not be representative for the general population, but they give an indication of the influence and importance of headache-related education carried out by patient organizations such as the MAA.(Headache2005;45:571-581) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to gain insight into the management of migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) from the patients' perspective. This article outlines the patients' perceptions of migraine and chronic daily headache. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with patients suffering from IHS migraine. Five patients, due to their headache frequency of more than 15 headache days per month, were classed as CDH patients. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed in accordance with the grounded theory methodology. The main themes were: headaches, impact and headaches related to health issues. The theme 'headaches' was sub-divided into 'their pain and symptoms', 'differentiating between their headaches' and 'perceptions of headaches as barriers and facilitators to management'. The patients' perceptions of migraine and CDH were sometimes conflicting and influenced the patients' management behaviours. The qualitative methodology may help to inform doctors, other healthcare professionals and headache researchers about the patients' perspective and possibly develop future headache research, care and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: The aim of the study was to gain insight into the patients' perceptions of migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) management. METHODS: Thirteen, semi-structured and individual interviews with seven migraine and five CDH patients were carried out and analysed in QSR NUD*IST5, using a grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: The participants described using five areas of management: 1) health care use; 2) medication use; 3) alternative therapies; 4) social support; and 5) lifestyle and self-help. The participants described their expectations, preferences, worries and (dis)satisfaction in relation to these five areas of management. The participants adapted headache management to suit their needs and preferences, making migraine and CDH management highly individual and giving the headache patient a central role within their own care. CONCLUSION: Health care is changing towards a greater involvement of the patients in their own care. Therefore, it is important to increase understanding of the patients' perspective of chronic diseases, including migraine and CDH. The results from this study inform health care professionals of the range of their patients' needs and preferences. This knowledge can be used to shape clinical practice, to develop patient education programmes and to further research efforts into issues that are important to the headache patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In the Netherlands much attention has been paid to pressure ulcer prevention. National guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention were developed in 1985 and adapted in 1992 at the request of a national organization for quality assurance in health care. Several studies indicate that nurses seem to be insufficiently informed about pressure ulcer preventive activities. There is, however, no information available about the reasons why nurses seem to be insufficiently informed.Aims and objectives. This study was planned to elucidate the views and beliefs of health care workers (especially enrolled nurses) in Dutch nursing homes about pressure ulcer prevention and about issues related with pressure ulcer prevention.Design. A qualitative study with semi-structured, tape-recorded interviews.Method. Interviews were conducted with enrolled nurses, team leaders, head nurses, staff nurses and physicians. The interviews were coded and analysed.Results. Analysis of the interviews revealed that today's pressure ulcer preventive activities are very much based on old traditions in nursing. It also showed that enrolled nurses have no intention to change the care they deliver with regard to pressure ulcer prevention.Conclusions. It is concluded that a systematic approach is necessary to change nursing thinking and acting with regard to pressure ulcer prevention.Relevance to clinical practice. This study gives an overview of the views and beliefs of health care workers (especially enrolled nurses) in Dutch nursing homes about pressure ulcer prevention. These views and beliefs can be used as a starting point for effective implementation of guidelines regarding the prevention of pressure ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In a resident-oriented care model the assignment of patients to primary nurses takes place. These primary nurses are responsible for the total nursing care of their patients and make use of the nursing process. According to job demand-control models, these enlarged and enriched jobs can be described in terms of autonomy, job demands and social support, and the presence of these work characteristics has a positive influence on workers' psychological and behavioural outcomes. AIMS: This paper reports a study to investigate the extent to which the various features of resident-oriented care were implemented and its effects nurses' on work characteristics and on psychological and behavioural outcomes in three Dutch nursing homes. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental design, experimental and control groups were followed over 22 months, using a pretest and two post-tests with questionnaires, interviews and qualitative observations. RESULTS: The quantitative data showed significant increases in resident assignment, the two variables measuring the nursing process and, in the psycho-geriatric experimental group, on resident-oriented tasks. The qualitative data showed that a partly task-oriented division of labour was still used and that the planned delegation of coordination tasks to primary nurses was not fully achieved. Effects on work perceptions were limited. After implementation of the new system, the experimental group showed an increase in job autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention appeared to be only partly successful. Most of the expected results regarding work characteristics and psychological and behavioural outcomes did not materialize. Theoretical and methodological reflections are presented in the light of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although important progress has been made during the past decade, research on pain in people with intellectual disabilities is still scarce. Pain assessment in people with intellectual disabilities is a frequent and difficult problem, especially for nurses working with people with intellectual disabilities on a daily basis. Gathering more information about pain in people with intellectual disabilities is of major importance and relevance for nursing, and adds to the developing body of knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nature and relative importance of non-verbal indicators used by nurses to assess pain in people with a severe or profound intellectual disability. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 158 indicators of pain was used. A total of 135 nurses from nine institutions specializing in the care of people with intellectual disability were asked to rate each indicator on a scale of 1-10 to show which non-verbal expressions they considered important in diagnosing pain. RESULTS: A total of 109 nurses responded. All 158 indicators were mentioned as being important to indicate pain. All except four had a range of 9. Seven (moaning during manipulation, crying during manipulation, painful facial expression during manipulation, swelling, screaming during manipulation, not using (affected) body part, and moving the body in a specific way of behaving) were reported as 'very important' by more than 50% of nurses. The lowest score (median 5.5; minimum 1, maximum 10) was given to the indicator 'waving arm movements'. The pain of people with severe intellectual disability appeared to be assessed differently from that of people with profound intellectual disability. Indicators belonging to the 'physiological' category scored relatively higher in the group of nurses specializing in profound disability. In contrast, indicators belonging to the 'social-emotional' category were scored relatively higher by nurses specializing in severe disability. CONCLUSION: Nurses used a wide range of indicators to assess pain in people with intellectual disability. Functional abilities and level of disability seem to influence the indicators used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute care hospitals participating in the Dutch national pressure ulcer prevalence survey use the results of this survey to compare their outcomes and assess their quality of care regarding pressure ulcer prevention. The development of a model for case-mix adjustment is essential for the use of these prevalence rates as an outcome measure.Objective: The development of a valid model for case-mix adjustment to compare the prevalence rates in the acute care hospitals that participated in the 1998 Dutch pressure ulcer prevalence survey, for the purpose of performance comparisons among the hospitals.Design: Cross-sectional design.Subjects: Subjects were patients residing in the 43 acute care hospitals that participated in the national pressure ulcer prevalence survey on May 26, 1998.Measures: The study examined the validity of a model for case-mix adjustment of pressure ulcer prevalence rates and compared hospitals to evaluate the impact of adjusted prevalence rates on their performance.Results: A logistic model was developed for case-mix adjustment, using age, malnutrition, incontinence, activity, mobility, sensory perception, friction and shear, and ward specialty. This model was found to have content, construct, and internal validity. Case-mix adjustment influenced the hospitals' performance.Conclusion: The data of the national pressure ulcer prevalence survey can be used to develop a valid model for case-mix adjustment. Conclusions about the quality of care were influenced by the use of case-mix adjusted outcomes as a measure of this quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-seven health care providers from three nursing homes were interviewed about the autonomy of stroke patients in rehabilitation wards. Data were analysed using the grounded theory method for concept development recommended by Strauss and Corbin. The core category 'changing autonomy' was developed, which identifies the process of stroke patients regaining their autonomy (dimensions: self-determination, independence and self-care), and the factors affecting this process (conditions (i.e. circumstances) and strategies of patients; strategies of care providers and families; and the nursing home). Teamwork on increasing patient autonomy is recommended, which can be stimulated by multidisciplinary guidelines and education, and by co-ordination of the process of changing autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this literature review, several models for quality of working life and workload appropriate for home help servives are presented. The aim was to develop a model for assessing the psychological and physical outcomes of working in home help services: Although the models described in this review include many relevant aspects, such as job characteristics, working conditions, social support, stress, job satisfaction and burnout, they are not fully adequate for the specific situation in home help services. Accordingly, a new research model was developed based on the models presented and their research results. This integraated moddel has three main component: work-load, psychological and physical outcomes and capacity for coping. Although a relationship among these tree components is assumed, its nature needs to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of stroke patients' relatives during the hospitalization period. BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, the consequences of a stroke, and the needs of stroke patients and their relatives are becoming increasingly important. In hospital, however, nursing care is still focused on the patients. A previous qualitative study on the needs of relatives of stroke patients identified four categories of needs. This present study aims to test the results of the previous study in a larger setting and to identify the factors that influence the needs of the relatives. DESIGN/METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional design. A questionnaire was designed for the purpose of data collection. This questionnaire was completed by 106 relatives of stroke patients admitted to the neurology wards of 19 Dutch hospitals (response rate 64%). The data were analysed using descriptive and multivariate analyses. RESULTS/FINDINGS: The findings of the study indicate that the needs of the relatives of stroke patients are best divided into three categories. These are the need for information, counselling (a combination of communication and support) and accessibility. In all cases, the most important need of the relatives of stroke patients is that their questions are answered honestly. The findings show a discrepancy between the importance of the needs and the degree to which these needs are met. Multivariate data analyses show that female relatives requested most information, whereas highly educated relatives needed less counselling. Satisfaction about the care provided is positively influenced by the period of hospitalization and negatively influenced by prior experiences of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a model 'changing autonomy' which was developed in a grounded theory study among stroke patients on admission into nursing homes for rehabilitation. Three dimensions of autonomy were identified: self-determination, independence, and self-care. On admission, patients' conditions (disabilities, multimorbidity, emotional state, and feeling like a layperson) and patients' strategies (waiting and seeing, and acting as a subordinate) constrain autonomy. Several environmental factors facilitate patient autonomy. The nursing home sustains patient autonomy by providing a hopeful atmosphere and room for autonomy. The health professionals facilitate autonomy by giving therapy, support and information, attentiveness and respect, paternalism and teamwork. Facilitating strategies of the family encompass emotional and instrumental support. Care routines, lack of privacy, an unfamiliar environment, waiting periods, boredom, and lack of information were identified as constraining environmental factors. Developing guidelines and multidisciplinary courses regarding the approach to patient autonomy on admission is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure-related self-care behaviour is important to optimize outcomes for patients with heart failure. Such behaviours include adherence to medication, diet and exercise, but self-care also refers to such things as seeking assistance when symptoms occur, and daily weighing. The study aim was to describe heart failure-related self-care behaviour, to test the effect of education and support on self-care behaviour and to discuss limitations. Data were collected from 128 heart failure patients during their hospital stay and at 1-, 3- and 9 - month follow-ups. Concepts from Orem's general theory of nursing were used to describe heart failure-related self-care behaviour and its limitations. The effects of intensive systematized and planned education from a nurse in hospital and at home were evaluated in an experimental design. Results showed that education enhanced self-care behaviour significantly at 1 and 3 months after discharge. Despite intensive education and support, patients did not manifest all self-care behaviours that might be expected. Patients in both the intervention and control groups described limitations in knowledge, judgement/decision-making and skills. It can be concluded that supportive-educative intervention is effective in enhancing heart failure-related self-care behaviour early after discharge. To optimize such intervention, more emphasis must be placed on behavioural strategies (e.g. self-medication), social support (e.g. from family members) and reinforcement (e.g. home visits). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This literature review focuses on substitution-related innovations in the nursing care of chronic patients in six western industrialized countries. Differences between primary and secondary care-orientated countries in the kind of innovations implemented are discussed. Health care systems are increasingly being confronted with chronic patients who need complex interventions tailored to their individual needs. However, it seems that today's health care professionals, organizations and budgets are not sufficiently prepared to provide this kind of care. As a result, health care policy in many countries targets innovations which reduce health care costs and, at the same time, improve the quality of care. Frequently, these innovations are related directly to the 'substitution of care' phenomenon, in which care is provided by the most appropriate professional at the lowest cost level, and encompass advanced nursing practice, hospital-at-home care and integrated care. The main conclusion of this paper is that integrated care innovations are implemented in both primary care as well as in secondary care-orientated countries. However, innovations in hospital-at-home care and advanced nursing practice are primarily implemented in primary care-orientated countries. Whether these innovations positively influence the quality of care, costs of care or patients' use of health care facilities remains rather unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the experiences and needs of relatives of hospitalized stroke patients. In semi-structured interviews, 17 relatives of stroke patients were asked about their experiences during the hospitalization period. The interviews were analysed by thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that the experiences of the relatives change during the hospitalization period, and that they are influenced by four factors: the individual character of the relatives, the position of the patient, the people in the relatives' social environment and the hospital situation. Four categories of needs were also found: the need for information, communication, support and accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of a primary nursing care delivery system on some work-related factors of nurses in long-stay psychiatric care settings. In a quasi-experimental research design a cohort of 176 nurses was followed for 2.5 years. Results showed that as a result of primary nursing the primary nurses found more autonomy in their work and experienced it to be less complex. Furthermore, primary nurses performed personal care tasks less frequently and worked more according to a patient-oriented care model. Several additional analyses were performed owing to the two main problems encountered in this study, namely a high dropout due to job turnover among nurses and the imitation of the intervention by the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature often suggests and assumes that children are under-medicated postoperatively. A review of the literature leads to the conclusion that only a few studies answer the question of whether children's pain is relieved insufficiently. The lack of consensus on expected pain intensity after surgery and caution about prescribing analgesics could explain why analgesics are often prescribed on a pro re nata (prn) basis. Prescription on a prn basis, in fact, means that the nurse makes the decision whether or not an analgesic should be administered. Some studies suggest, however, that nurses under-medicate children and that postoperative pain is relieved insufficiently. In some situations, nurses under-estimate the child's pain, while in others, nurses' attitudes, beliefs and knowledge regarding pain relief strategies play an important role. On the basis of this review of the literature standard prescription of pain medication instead of prn is recommended. Furthermore, research on the incidence and prevalence of pain in children and on the effectiveness of analgesic administration postoperatively is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the literature on the factors influencing decision-making in the nursing care of children in pain. To that effect published and unpublished references were reviewed. The most frequently cited factors influencing the assessment and management of pain in children are summarized and discussed. Finally recommendations are made where further research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is lacking on factors influencing nurses' decision-making directed at the diagnosis of pain in children and its related interventions. This paper reports on two studies, namely a qualitative study and its replication, in which we explored factors influencing nurses' pain assessments and interventions in children. Those factors found to influence nurses' decisions were: medical diagnosis, child's expressions, age, and parents, and the nurses' knowledge, experience, attitude and workload. Some of these factors seem to have more influence than others. For example, the presence of a medical diagnosis seems to legitimate being in pain. Furthermore, it is suggested that mainly vocal expressions, especially crying, influence nurses' decisions to administer analgesics. Finally, nurses' negative views on non-narcotic analgesics were striking. In this paper, the results of both studies and their relationship to information reported in the literature are further elaborated and discussed, and hypotheses on strength and direction of influence of factors on pain assessment and intervention are generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the result of two studies conducted to further validate the Abu-Saad Paediatric Pain Assessment Tool, a Dutch-language questionnaire developed to assess pain in school-age children. Children of 5 to 15 years of age reported in the first study their post-operative pain before and after the administration of analgesic medication using word descriptors of pain, the 10-cm scale, the Oucher, and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Lower mean pain scores at 4-hourly intervals post-analgesia supported the construct validity of the tool. Convergent validity was supported in both studies when scores on all concurrently administered measures positively correlated with the pain tool. In the second study, the correlations between pain and fear, a concurrently used measure with the pain instruments, were low, substantiating the discriminant validity of the pain tool. The significance of the results in relation to instrument development and multidimensional pain assessment in children are further discussed and elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review was an assessment of the efficacy of aftercare in chronic patients and the frail elderly when discharged from hospital, as regards quality of life, compliance, costs, medical consumption and quality of care. In pursuit of this goal, 17 publications on the effects of aftercare after discharge from hospital were examined. A systematic assessment of methodological quality by two blinded independent reviewers resulted in a consensus score (0-100 points), based on four categories: the study population, description of the interventions, measurement of the outcome and the analysis and presentation of the data. Only three of the 17 studies scored more than 50 points, indicating that most of the studies were of poor methodological quality. The most prevalent methodological problems were that co-interventions were not avoided, a placebo group was lacking, the assessment was not blinded and the analysis was not made on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. The majority of the studies did not report clear beneficial effects in favour of the intervention group. The positive effects reported were limited to costs and quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was set up to test the effectiveness of primary nursing on the burnout level of psychiatric nurses. It was expected that, under certain conditions, such as a primary nursing care delivery with an adequate feedback system, the burnout level would decrease. In a quasi-experimental research design, a cohort of 161 psychiatric nurses was followed for 2.5 years. Results showed that although the burnout level did not change as a result of primary nursing, psychiatric nurses and the practical nurses seemed able to work according to the principles of primary nursing. Strong indications were found that the job turnover decreased as a result of the introduction of primary nursing. Because two main problems were encountered in this study, a high drop-out due to job turnover among nurses and the imitation of the intervention by the control group, several additional analyses were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing continuing-education programmes may differ in the extent to which they affect nursing practice. Differences may be explained by characteristics of the participants' background, the programme itself, teacher(s), relationship between participants, relationship between participants and teacher(s), physical environment during the programme, participants' social system, knowledge, skills and attitudes, and intention to change. In this literature review, a model is presented which integrates these variables and which may be used to explain why continuing-education programmes have no, little or considerable effect. On the basis of current scientific knowledge, colleagues' and superiors' support emerges as the most important determinant of behavioural changes in nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the findings of a study into the role of Dutch nurses in the alleviation of pain and symptoms with a life-shortening intention, conducted as part of a study into the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions. A questionnaire survey was carried out using a population of 1509 nurses who were employed in hospitals, home care organizations and nursing homes. The response rate was 82.0%; 78.1% (1179) were suitable for analysis. The results show that in about half of the cases (55.8%) nurses were involved in the decision making by the physician and that nurses were frequently (81.5%) involved in administering the medication. The authors' conclusion is that alleviation of pain and symptoms with a life-shortening intention represents a ;grey' area, in which physicians and nurses act on the basis of personal ethical norms rather than legal rules, professional guidelines or shared moral values.

Background: Issues concerning legislation and regulation with respect to the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide gave the Minister for Health reason to commission a study of the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions in hospitals, home care and nursing homes., Aim: This paper reports the findings of a study of the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, conducted as part of a study of the role of nurses in medical end-of-life decisions. The findings for hospitals, home care and nursing homes are described and compared., Method: A questionnaire was sent to 1509 nurses, employed in 73 hospitals, 55 home care organisations and 63 nursing homes. 1179 responses (78.1%) were suitable for analysis. The questionnaire was pilot-tested among 106 nurses, with a response rate of 85%., Results: In 37.0% of cases, the nurse was the first person with whom patients discussed their request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Consultation between physicians and nurses during the decision-making process took place quite often in hospitals (78.8%) and nursing homes (81.3%) and less frequently in home care situations (41.2%). In some cases (12.2%), nurses administered the euthanatics., Conclusions: The results show substantial differences between the intramural sector (hospitals and nursing homes) and the extramural sector (home care), which are probably linked to the organisational structure of the institutions. Consultation between physicians and nurses during the decision-making process needs improvement, particularly in home care. Some nurses had administered euthanatics, although this task is by law exclusively reserved to physicians.

This article presents the attitudes of nurses towards three issues concerning their role in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1509 nurses who were employed in hospitals, home care organizations and nursing homes. The study was conducted in the Netherlands between January 2001 and August 2004. The results show that less than half (45%) of nurses would be willing to serve on committees reviewing cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. More than half of the nurses (58.2%) found it too far-reaching to oblige physicians to consult a nurse in the decision-making process. The majority of the nurses stated that preparing euthanatics (62.9%) and inserting an infusion needle to administer the euthanatics (54.1%) should not be accepted as nursing tasks. The findings are discussed in the context of common practices and policies in the Netherlands, and a recommendation is made not to include these three issues in new regulations on the role of nurses in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

A large number of breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy is suffering from fatigue. Until now there has been a lack of knowledge concerning the course of fatigue in breast cancer patients between two cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore a prospective cohort study was conducted including 151 breast cancer patients from six hospitals in The Netherlands. The object of the study was to investigate the course of fatigue between the third and the fourth cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, and to prove whether that course is influenced by different chemotherapy schedules. The patients were treated either with a doxorubicin containing schedule (21 or 28 days) or with a combination of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF, 28 days). To assess fatigue patients were asked to write a diary cotaining the Shortened Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ) from the beginning of the third cycle to the start of the fourth one. All days after completion of the third chemotherapy treatment were analysed. The main hypothesis to be tested was that the maximum fatigue level occurs in the first four days after treatment. Results revealed a chaotic pattern of fatigue between both cycles of chemotherapy in each of the treatment group. Smooth (splines) curves showed an average highest level of fatigue on day 3 post treatment. For the regimens with 28-days-intervalls another peak of fatigue was registered on day 11. A significant larger number of patients experienced maximum fatigue levels before day 5. The course of fatigue in the CMF group was significantly different compared with both doxorubicin groups. Women of the CMF group experienced lower fatigue peaks than patients of other groups. The results confirm the main hypothesis. The first days after treatment with chemotherapy are the worst ones for breast cancer patients. The course of fatigue is significantly related to the type of chemotherapy. Knowing these effects patients can better prepare oneself and their daily living for the time of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: This study aimed to test the preliminary psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Assessment Pain Scale (MAPS), a clinical instrument developed for assessing postoperative pain in critically ill preverbal children., Methods: The MAPS was developed using pain indicators observed in postoperative critically ill infants. Content validity was established by a panel of experts. The scale was tested for validity and reliability in 43 postoperative children aged 0-31 months admitted to the pediatric intensive care units of two tertiary referral hospitals. Pain was measured concurrently by three independent assessors using the MAPS, the Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (FLACC) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to assess concurrent and convergent validity., Results: Internal consistency was moderate (r = 0.68). Interrater reliability of the MAPS was good (kappa: 0.68-0.84) for all categories and moderate for breathing pattern (kappa = 0.54). Excellent interrater reliability was shown for total MAPS (intraclass correlation 0.91). Agreement measurements between MAPS and FLACC, and MAPS and VAS showed that the risk of measurement error was small., Conclusion: Although initial psychometric testing of the MAPS shows promising results, the tool requires further psychometric testing, including responsiveness to analgesic effect (currently in progress).

In a qualitative study, 22 stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation in three nursing homes were interviewed about constraints on and improvements in their autonomy and about approaches of health professionals regarding autonomy. The data were analysed using grounded theory, with a particular focus on the process of regaining autonomy. An approach by the health professionals that was responsive to changes in the patients' autonomy was found to be helpful for restoration of their autonomy. Two patterns in health professionals' approach appeared to be facilitatory: (1) from full support on admission through moderate support and supervision, to reduced supervision at discharge; and (2) from paternalism on admission through partial paternalism (regarding treatment) to shared decision making at discharge. The approach experienced by the patients did not always match their desires regarding their autonomy. Support and supervision were reduced over time, but paternalism was often continued too long. Additionally, the patients experienced a lack of information. Tailoring interventions to patients' progress in autonomy would stimulate their active participation in rehabilitation and in decision making, and would improve patients' preparation for autonomous living after discharge.

Objective: Developing good care for dying people is important nowadays. Normative expectations about what could be considered as a good death are inextricably bound up with this issue. This article aims to offer an insight in the way terminally ill patients talk about death and dying and how they refer to current western normative expectations about a 'good' death., Method: Thirteen patients with a life expectancy of less than 3 months living at home were interviewed about how they experienced the last phase of their lives. The analysis focused on the way patients tell their personal stories by using normative expectations that are part of a broader cultural western framework., Results: Five categories of normative expectations were discriminated in the stories of patients: awareness and acceptance, open communication, living one's life till the end, taking care of one's final responsibilities and dealing adequately with emotions., Conclusions: The results of this study show that in the search of a good death people show a clear diversity in their way of referring to as well as in dealing with normative expectations that are part of the current cultural paradigm., Practice Implications: Professional caregivers should be responsive to how a patient deals with and relates to normative expectations about a good death and should support patients in their individual process of dying an 'appropriate death'.

The purpose of this study was to determine the course of the activity level, seen as a dimension of fatigue, as a function of chemotherapy within a breast cancer population receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The second purpose of this study was to determine the course of the interference of fatigue, in general, with daily activities within a breast cancer population receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. In a prospective cohort study, a sample of 157 patients with breast cancer was interviewed, at the first, third, and fifth cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy as well as 4 and 12 weeks after the last cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapy was administered with either a doxorubicin-containing schedule or cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil. These 2 groups were compared. The activity level was measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. A linear multilevel model was used to analyze the course. The revised Piper Fatigue Scale was used to examine the behavioral changes in the interference of fatigue with activities of daily living. A logistic multilevel model was used to analyze the course of this interference over time. The activity level seems to be rather stable during the treatment with chemotherapy. After the completion of chemotherapy, an improvement is observed. The activity levels reported at the first and the last measurement do not significantly differ. The course of the activity level is not affected by the type of chemotherapy regimen. Age, having children, and the stage of breast cancer turn out to be important determinants of the course of activity level. At all measurement occasions, women with a mastectomy were significantly more hampered in their activity level than women that had undergone a lumpectomy. The longer the duration of radiotherapy, the less active, and the longer the time interval between the last radiotherapy session and the measurement point, the more active patients were at that measurement point. A phenomenon not easy to explain is that the activity level in women who had received, in total, more chemotherapy treatments was significantly less diminished than those who had received fewer treatments. During the study period, in approximately 15% to 35% of the sample, fatigue interferes considerably with their daily living activities. Furthermore, the interference of fatigue with activities in daily life first increases after the start of chemotherapy and decreases after the completion of chemotherapy. Fatigue definitely affects the daily living activities of patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. With this knowledge, healthcare providers can inform patients on what they can expect. Further research should include the trajectory preceding chemotherapy and a healthy control group.

Background: Pain is a common and major problem among nursing home residents. The prevalence of pain in elderly nursing home people is 40-80%, showing that they are at great risk of experiencing pain. Since assessment of pain is an important step towards the treatment of pain, there is a need for manageable, valid and reliable tools to assess pain in elderly people with dementia., Methods: This systematic review identifies pain assessment scales for elderly people with severe dementia and evaluates the psychometric properties and clinical utility of these instruments. Relevant publications in English, German, French or Dutch, from 1988 to 2005, were identified by means of an extensive search strategy in Medline, Psychinfo and CINAHL, supplemented by screening citations and references. Quality judgement criteria were formulated and used to evaluate the psychometric aspects of the scales., Results: Twenty-nine publications reporting on behavioural pain assessment instruments were selected for this review. Twelve observational pain assessment scales (DOLOPLUS2; ECPA; ECS; Observational Pain Behavior Tool; CNPI; PACSLAC; PAINAD; PADE; RaPID; Abbey Pain Scale; NOPPAIN; Pain assessment scale for use with cognitively impaired adults) were identified. Findings indicate that most observational scales are under development and show moderate psychometric qualities., Conclusion: Based on the psychometric qualities and criteria regarding sensitivity and clinical utility, we conclude that PACSLAC and DOLOPLUS2 are the most appropriate scales currently available. Further research should focus on improving these scales by further testing their validity, reliability and clinical utility.

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the course of fatigue referring to cognitive symptoms (scale 'mental fatigue') as well as the motivation to start any activity (scale 'reduced motivation'), as a function of chemotherapy, in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy., Patients and Methods: In a prospective cohort study a sample of 157 patients with breast cancer was interviewed at the first, third and fifth cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy as well as 4 and 12 weeks after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were treated with standard adjuvant chemotherapy, either a doxorubicin containing schedule or CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil). The psychological dimensions of fatigue were measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. A linear multilevel model was used for analysing the courses., Results: The course of mental fatigue and motivation were not affected by the type of chemotherapy. The course of mental fatigue and motivation varied, but seemed to be stable during the treatment of chemotherapy. After the completion of chemotherapy, a weak improvement was seen. Relatively many patients experienced depressive symptoms during the study. These symptoms were correlated with both dimensions of fatigue. At all measurements mental fatigue was influenced by type of operation where women with a mastectomy were significantly more mentally fatigued than women that had undergone a lumpectomy, but nevertheless they were significantly more motivated to start any activity. Age, marital status, number of treatments and the interval between the operation and the first treatment of chemotherapy also seemed to be important determinants., Conclusions: An unequivocal pattern of mental fatigue and reduced motivation during as well as after adjuvant chemotherapy was not found. Depressive symptoms were definitely related to these variables. Type of operation had a significant impact on mental fatigue and motivation to start any activity. Health care providers should be aware of the high rate of patients who experience depressive symptoms during and after the treatment of chemotherapy. Further research should include the trajectory preceding adjuvant chemotherapy and a longer study period afterwards. Moreover, the exact influence of the variables 'age', 'marital status', 'number of treatments' and 'the interval between the operation and the first treatment of chemotherapy' on fatigue is unclear and needs further study.

Objective: To examine whether participating in a pressure ulcer prevalence survey and receiving feedback results in an improvement in quality of care., Design: Cross-sectional studies from 1998 to 2002 were compared over time., Setting: Sixty-two acute care hospitals in the Netherlands., Study Participants: Patients hospitalized at the moment of the surveys., Interventions: Each hospital was given hospital-specific performance data and national aggregate data, and peer comparisons to improve the quality of care., Main Outcome Measures: The case-mix-adjusted prevalence of pressure ulcers of grade >or=2, the percentage of high-risk patients receiving adequate prevention, and the total number of enabling conditions present were compared between successive surveys using multi-level analysis, in order to estimate a linear trend model and trend differences for each hospital., Results: The case-mix-adjusted prevalence of pressure ulcers decreased over the 5-year period, while the percentage of patients receiving adequate prevention and the total number of enabling conditions present increased. The total number of enabling conditions had a significant effect on the decrease in case-mix-adjusted prevalence: more enabling conditions led to a lower case-mix-adjusted prevalence (chi(2) = 125; degrees of freedom = 1; P < 0.00). The percentage of patients receiving adequate prevention also had an effect on the change in case-mix-adjusted prevalence, with a higher percentage leading to a lower case-mix-adjusted prevalence. This effect, however, was not significant., Conclusions: Monitoring prevalence and giving feedback results in an improvement in quality of care in terms of pressure ulcer prevention. It is very important to continue conducting surveys to avoid attention moving away from this topic, which may in turn lead to a deterioration in the quality of pressure ulcer care. Further research to find the most effective feedback approach is needed.