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BACKGROUND: University nursing tutoring from clinical nurses is an essential and necessary component in supporting students to be successful in curricular activities in support of classroom learning. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of the nurse involved in clinical tutoring of students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing course at an Italian university. METHODS: A survey questionnaire created on the basis of a literature review was sent to all nurses involved in clinical tutoring within the ASL Bt. RESULTS: 67.44% reported that they had never received any kind of specific training despite the fact that 92.51% considered it essential for the correct performance of the role. 82.13% believe that this activity is not adequately valued CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained represent beginning of an educational pathway aimed at standardising the training processes of the clinical tutor, oriented towards improving the learning pathway of the future nursing class.

Rectal perforations during pelvic surgery are rare but serious complications. The occurrence of rectal involvement is generally lower than that of the involvement of other portions of the bowel. The urologic field is responsible for the majority of iatrogenic rectal injuries from pelvic surgery; general and gynecologic surgeries are prone to the occurrence as well, the latter especially in the case of rectal shaving for deep infiltrating endometriosis. Attention should be posed to the prevention of rectal injuries, especially in case of challenging or salvage procedures; some tricks may be recommended to avoid thermal and mechanical damages and to realize a safe dissection. Intraoperative detection of rectal injuries is of paramount importance; once confirmed, immediate management with the closure of the defect is recommended. In general, rectal injuries diagnosed after surgery are liable to significantly worse outcomes than those detected and managed intraoperatively. Patient summary: Rectal perforation is a rare but possible complication of pelvic surgeries. The more challenging the procedure (ie, surgery for locally advanced tumors or after radiation therapy), the higher the risk of rectal lesion. Intraoperative management of the injury should be attempted, with direct repair of the defect with or without fecal diversion.

We sought to create an Italian version of Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale, dedicated to people undergoing conservative rehabilitation for urinary incontinence, for studying uncertainty as a determinant of therapeutic adherence. Urinary incontinence has a high prevalence worldwide, ranging from 25% to 45%. Incontinence is often treatable with conservative interventions but demands a long and intensive commitment from the patient. Results are not immediate, and relapses are possible. These patients can experience uncertainty and difficulty complying with rehabilitation programs, hence the importance of the therapeutic relationship with a healthcare professional. Mishel's theory of uncertainty can be used to measure uncertainty and the effects of such a relationship, but no instrument currently exists for this purpose. Prospective observational study enrolling all male and female adult patients admitted to a nurse‐led outpatient pelvic clinic for non‐neurogenic urinary incontinence, excluding puerpera. A scale named MUIS‐PF (pelvic floor) was created, based on previous versions of Mishel's scale, and administered during the first consultation and at the end of the rehabilitation program. Internal consistency was assessed, and exploratory factor analysis was conducted. A total of 109 patients enrolled (54 M, 55 F) aged 64 ± 5 years, medial initial leakage 245 grams/day, IQR [90; 370]. Seventy‐nine percent obtained continence; there were no dropouts during the study. Internal consistency of the MUIS‐PF was high (93%), and structure analysis yielded a clear separation of the factors. Patient uncertainty decreased significantly at the end of the program compared to the first consultation (p < 0.001). The MUIS‐PF is valid and reliable. Utilizing the correct approach, the nurse could significantly reduce the uncertainty of persons with incontinence by listening, giving clear information and searching for the best solution for their continence issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many robotic platforms are currently available for urologic surgery, each with its technical characteristics. It can be hypothesised that these characteristics might affect postoperative nursing, as they affect several aspects of surgery. They could, therefore, impact the surgical outcomes and wound characteristics, involving aspects of postoperative care such as mobilization, nutrition and length of stay. Although data are available on surgical technique aspects and intraoperative nursing, studies have yet to offer insights and considerations about the potential effect of having different robotic platforms on postoperative nursing care. We aimed to verify whether the technical features of the available robots could impact postoperative nursing. We conducted an integrative review on PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free‐text terms; wildcards and boolean operators were also used. Studies of any design were included. Fifteen papers were retrieved; the key themes emerging from the literature regard trocar setup, technical characteristics of the robots (e.g. single or multiple ports), pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg degree. According to the literature, none of these characteristics produce differences in postoperative nursing. The fundamental concepts of postoperative care in surgical inpatients stay the same no matter the robotic platform used. Having competing platforms able to ensure reduced complications without impacting postoperative nursing allows health care facilities to adopt the newest technologies without the need for differentiated nursing protocols. This is an advantage in times of global nursing shortage as it avoids the need for additional platform‐based nursing training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early recognition, prevention, and treatment of complications are key aspects of nursing care planning for people with Atrial Fibrillation (AF). However, recent studies suggest that nurses' knowledge of AF is only sometimes accurate. No studies are currently available in Italy. Aim: To study nursing students' knowledge of Atrial Fibrillation in an Italian setting. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of nursing students from three Italian universities during the 2022/2023 academic year. The validity and reliability of the Italian version of the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Assessment Tool (AFKATita) were investigated. Results: 246 students (response rate 73.21%) were enrolled. The total of correct answers was Me = 18 IQR [16; 19] (theoretical range 0-21). The number of correct answers increased with age (p < 0.001), year of the course advances (p < 0.001), and in those who had direct contact with people with AF during their clinical experience (p < 0.001). The Content Validity Index (S-CVI) of the AFKAT-ita was 92.10, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.695, and McDonald's ω was 0.726. Conclusion: Overall, students showed a moderate level of knowledge. These results provide an initial overview of the knowledge of AF in Italian nursing students; in-depth studies are desirable. The psychometric properties of the AFKAT-ita confirm it as a valid and reliable tool for assessing AF knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite various studies on the impact of incontinence on patients' lives, the existing literature has not investigated the contribution of nursing care during rehabilitation in terms of quality of life. Fewer data, therefore, exist on the characteristics and perceived impact of the therapeutic relationship as part of the rehabilitation program. Aims: To investigate the characteristics of the nurse–patient therapeutic relationship and its impact throughout the rehabilitation program; to describe the levels of patient burden on everyday activities. Materials and Methods: A monocentric, retrospective, multimethod descriptive study was conducted in the nurse‐led continence clinic of a major teaching hospital in Northern Italy. A phenomenological approach with semistructured interviews was adopted after 6 weeks of rehabilitation, following the method of phenomenological enquiry by Giorgi. The short form 12 questionnaire was administered upon admission of patients to the clinic, after 6 weeks, and during the last consultation to investigate the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on daily activities and physical and psychological quality of life. Results: Ninety‐one adult patients of both genders presenting for nonneurogenic nonpostpartum UI were consecutively enrolled. Physical scores (PCS‐12) and MCS‐12 scores significantly increased over time. Psychological scores showed great variability upon admission, which was reduced halfway through the rehabilitation program. The thematic analysis highlighted four categories based on data saturation: the impact of UI on daily activities, strategies to face the problem, feelings, and the role of nurses. Conclusions: This mixed‐method investigation suggests the importance of therapeutic nursing relationships, clinical expertise, and rehabilitative skills. Quality of life is arguably related to the positive results of the rehabilitation program but also to the environment, patients perceive in terms of support, honesty, and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with neurological diseases often suffer from overactive bladder. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation is mentioned in guidelines as a treatment when antimuscarinics fail or cannot be tolerated by patients, but the evidence is scant. This article summarizes the evidence on the practical aspects of tibial nerve stimulation for neurogenic overactive bladder (NOAB), such as electrical parameters and treatment duration, and identifies areas requiring further investigation. Scoping review. Literature search on PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, including studies from 2010 to 2024 regarding tibial nerve stimulation for NOAB. Sixteen papers were considered: seven on transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), seven on percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and two protocols. Most studies enrolled neurological and non‐neurological patients or studied non‐randomized samples of a few patients. Clinical outcomes, treatment duration, number of sessions, and follow‐up times showed considerable heterogeneity, but some practical recommendations could be drawn. For PTNS, most authors suggest using 20 Hz and 200 μs, but the amplitude is highly variable among studies. For TTNS, 10 Hz and 200 μs are suggested, with considerable variability in the number of sessions and overall treatment duration. Most papers propose similar criteria regarding the frequency and duration of the stimulation, and all of them support the efficacy of tibial nerve stimulation, except for one. The areas requiring research include long‐term results, allowing for shaping adequate maintenance programmes to avoid losing the results achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) represents a major public health problem for women with a significant impact on their quality of life. In many cases of CPP, due to gynecological causes—such as endometriosis and vulvodynia—improper pelvic floor muscle relaxation can be identified. Treatment of CPP with pelvic floor hypertonicity (PFH) usually involves a multimodal approach. Traditional magnetic stimulation has been proposed as medical technology to manage muscle hypertonicity and pelvic pain conditions through nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, and muscle relaxation. New Flat Magnetic Stimulation (FMS)—which involves homogeneous rather than curved electromagnetic fields—has the potential to induce sacral S2–S4 roots neuromodulation, muscle decontraction, and blood circulation improvement. However, the benefits of this new technology on chronic pelvic pain symptoms and biometrical muscular parameters are poorly known. In this study, we want to evaluate the modification of the sonographic aspect of the levator ani muscle before and after treatment with Flat Magnetic Stimulation in women with chronic pelvic pain and levator ani hypertonicity, along with symptoms evolution. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary-level Urogynaecology department and included women with CPP and PFH. Approval from the local Ethics Committee was obtained before the start of the study (protocol code: MAGCHAIR). At the baseline, the intensity of pelvic pain was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), and patients were asked to evaluate their pelvic floor symptoms severity by answering the question, "How much do your pelvic floor symptoms bother you?" on a 5-answer Likert scale. Transperineal ultrasound (TPU) was performed to assess anorectal angle (ARA) and levator ani muscle minimal plane distance (LAMD). Treatment involved Flat Magnetic Stimulation alone or with concomitant local or systemic pharmacological therapy, depending on the patient's preferences. FMS was delivered with the DR ARNOLD system (DEKA M.E.L.A. Calenzano, Italy). After the treatment, patients were asked again to score the intensity of pelvic pain using the 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) and to evaluate the severity of their pelvic floor symptoms on the 5-answer Likert scale. Patients underwent TPU to assess anorectal angle (ARA) and levator ani muscle minimal plane distance (LAMD). Results: In total, 11 patients completed baseline evaluation, treatment, and postoperative evaluation in the period of interest. All patients underwent eight sessions of Flat Magnetic Stimulation according to the protocol. Adjuvant pharmacological treatment was used in five (45.5%) patients. Specifically, we observed a significant increase in both ARA and LAMD comparing baseline and post-treatment measurements (p < 0.001). Quality of life scale scores at baseline and after treatment demonstrated a significant improvement in both tools (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Flat Magnetic Stimulation, with or without adjuvant pharmacological treatment, demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing pelvic floor hypertonicity, resulting in improvement in symptoms' severity and sonographic parameters of muscular spasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]