Search

BackgroundThe incidence of social isolation among older adults is on the rise in today's health care climate. Consequently, preventing or ameliorating social isolation through technology in this age group is now being discussed as a significant social and health issue.AimThe purpose of the opinion paper is to clarify social transformation through technology and shed light on a new reality for older adults in situations of social isolation. Our goal is to persuade the reader that our position on this topic is a valid one. We support our claims with practice-based evidence and published research studies.MethodsTo do so, we checked the most recent literature, most of which came from the last decade. Our literature survey focused primarily on what is known about technology and how technology can affect social transformation and perceptions of social isolation.FindingsTwo dominant transformative realities became the focal points: the precarious implications of loneliness for older adults and the emerging reality of social change through digital technology central to eHealth and mHealth.DiscussionTo benefit from new technologies and reduce the detrimental effects of social isolation, we must engage older adults in a meaningful way and adapt the system of smart devices to reflect the specific physiological and psychological characteristics of the ageing population.ConclusionOlder adults need to comprehend the meanings of their social experiences to preserve their active lifestyle. Human interactions may be desirable, but technological dominance may also minimize the adverse effects of social isolation.

Medication non-adherence leads to poor clinical outcomes, particularly in older people with physical multimorbidity. The Medagogy model is a patient education process which enhances medication literacy resulting in medication adherence. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of the Medagogy-Based Medication Literacy Enhancement Program on medication adherence among older persons with physical multimorbidity. One hundred participants aged 60 and over with two or more physical chronic conditions living in northern Thailand were randomly assigned into either a control group (n = 50) or an experimental group (n = 50). The control group received only usual care, while the experimental group received the Medagogy-Based Medication Literacy Enhancement Program. The program consisted of exchanging information based on the P-pathophysiology, I-indication, T-treatment, and S-specific through transformative learning and the teach-back method, with six sessions, implemented twice a week for three weeks. Medication adherence was measured using the Brief Medication Questionnaire at the 8th week of the program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Paired and Independent t-tests. The results showed that after receiving the program, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean score for medication adherence than the control group. The results indicated that enhancing medication literacy through transformative learning resulted in improvement in medication adherence among older persons with physical multimorbidity. Therefore, nurses can use the Medagogy-Based Medication Literacy Enhancement Program to improve medication adherence among this population group. Further testing in other chronic conditions for the generalizability of the program and integrating digital technology or e-Health into the program are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the effects of health technologies on the promotion of health through physical activities of older persons. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of relevant articles published prior to 2020 was conducted from selected indices such as COCHRANE, PubMed, Science Direct, Proquest, including the use of hand search procedure. Twenty-seven articles were analyzed with significant findings influential to older people nursing: types of health technologies used for promoting physical activity; effects of technology use in promoting physical activity of older person care; and aspects that need to be considered in technology use among older persons. Characteristics of technologies were accuracy, usefulness, reliability, comfort, safety, and relevancy. Most technologies promoting physical activities for older people were wearable technologies that use artificial intelligence. Altogether, these technologies influenced overall healthcare behaviors of older persons. With healthcare technology efficiencies, proficiencies, and dependencies, technology-based healthcare have served older people well. Most technologies for older people care, such as wearables, reliably produce characteristics enhancing dependency and accuracy of bio-behavioral information influencing physical activities of older persons. Health technologies foster the values of physical activities among older persons thereby promoting healthy living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute ischemic stroke is a common medical emergency among older adults and requires immediate treatment. Prehospital delay limits the use of critical treatments, such as intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activators, leading to serious complications and often death. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model, this cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate and determine factors influencing prehospital delay among older persons with acute ischemic stroke. The participants consisted of 120 older persons with first‐time acute ischemic stroke diagnoses who received treatments at two hospitals in northern Thailand between November 2021 and February 2022. The results revealed that 70% of older persons experienced delays of over 3 hours following the onset of stroke symptoms. It was found that increased perceived severity of ischemic stroke and a shorter distance from home to the hospital were both associated with a reduced probability of prehospital delay. These findings highlight the significant factors influencing prehospital delay and suggest possible interventions to reduce prehospital delay among older patients with acute ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors present their study which assessed the effects of fear of COVID-19 among medical and nursing students at the Chiang Mai University (CMU) in Thailand. Also cited are a previous research about the impact of the disease on student fear, substance use, and mental health, and the rates of student substance use, particularly on tobacco, alcohol, and other substances.

The male nurse plays a vital role in clinical nursing, especially in the emergency department and intensive care unit; however, the turnover rate of nurses working in these areas is higher than other units, adding to nursing shortages. Thus, male nurses' intention to stay in the emergency department and intensive care unit is crucial for hospitals and health systems. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to identify the predicting factors of intention to stay among 240 male nurses in the emergency department and intensive care unit of five hospitals in China. The research instruments used to obtain the data were the Demographic Data Profile, McCain's Intention to Stay Scale, the Leadership Practices Inventory, the Career Growth of Nurse Scale, the Group Cohesion Scale, the Three-Component Model Employee Commitment Survey, and the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that the intention to stay of male nurses in the emergency department and intensive care unit was at a moderate level. Career growth was the strongest predictor followed by job satisfaction and transformational leadership, and these three predictors could predict intention to stay, accounting for 54.3% of the variance. Nurse administrators can use the results to develop appropriate strategies to retain male nurses in the emergency department and intensive care unit including supporting their career growth, improving job satisfaction, and promoting transformational leadership among male nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As human beings age, they become weak, fragile, and feeble. It is a slowly progressing yet complex syndrome in which old age or some disabilities are not prerequisites; neither does loss of human parts lead to frailty among the physically fit older persons. This paper aims to describe the influences of transhumanist perspectives on human‐technology enhancements and replacements in the transcendence of human frailties, including those of older persons, in which technology is projected to deliver solutions toward transcending these frailties. Through technologies including genetic screening and other technological manipulations, intelligent machines and augmented humans improve, maintain, and remedy human‐linked susceptibilities. Furthermore, other technologies replace parts fabricated through inorganic‐mechanical processes such as 3D‐printing. Advancing technologies are reaching the summit of technological sophistication contributing to the transhumanist views of being human in a technological world. Technologies enhance the transcendence of human frailties as essential expressions of the symbiosis between human beings and technology in a transcendental world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of social isolation among older adults is on the rise in today's health care climate. Consequently, preventing or ameliorating social isolation through technology in this age group is now being discussed as a significant social and health issue., Aim: The purpose of the opinion paper is to clarify social transformation through technology and shed light on a new reality for older adults in situations of social isolation. Our goal is to persuade the reader that our position on this topic is a valid one. We support our claims with practice-based evidence and published research studies., Methods: To do so, we checked the most recent literature, most of which came from the last decade. Our literature survey focused primarily on what is known about technology and how technology can affect social transformation and perceptions of social isolation., Findings: Two dominant transformative realities became the focal points: the precarious implications of loneliness for older adults and the emerging reality of social change through digital technology central to eHealth and mHealth., Discussion: To benefit from new technologies and reduce the detrimental effects of social isolation, we must engage older adults in a meaningful way and adapt the system of smart devices to reflect the specific physiological and psychological characteristics of the ageing population., Conclusion: Older adults need to comprehend the meanings of their social experiences to preserve their active lifestyle. Human interactions may be desirable, but technological dominance may also minimize the adverse effects of social isolation., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None.

Aims: The aims of this study were to examine knowledge and beliefs regarding HPV and cervical cancer and to predict HPV vaccination intention among young women in Thailand using a cross-sectional descriptive study design., Methods: An online survey was carried out to obtain young women's demographic, HPV and cervical cancer-related health characteristics, knowledge, and beliefs toward HPV and cervical cancer of a sample of young women aged 18-24 years (n = 391) recruited from universities/colleges located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant independent predictors of HPV vaccination intention., Findings: Five participants (1.2%) had received at least one shot of the HPV vaccine. Of 386 participants, 218 (56.5%) reported high intention to obtain the HPV vaccine. Young women's knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer was moderate, with a mean knowledge score of 7.89 (SD, 3.99; range, 0-15). Knowledge was significantly and positively related to perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and perceived benefits of HPV vaccination, but negatively related to perceived barriers to HPV vaccination. Participants with a higher level of knowledge were significantly more likely to obtain the vaccine. A multivariate logistic regression model identified predictors of HPV vaccination intention: recommendations from significant others, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and feeling embarrassed about getting the HPV vaccine., Conclusions: Health education efforts are needed to promote further understanding of HPV and cervical cancer, particularly with more attention to HPV vaccination.