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The article explores the impact of nighttime itching on sleep quality among older adults, particularly focusing on the interplay between mobility and this relationship. Using sensing devices, the pilot study aims to objectively assess how nighttime itching, sleep quality, and mobility levels are interconnected, potentially paving the way for innovative interventions to improve the well-being of older adults in chronic care settings.

Background: The number of people with chronic and long‐term conditions has increased during recent decades; this has been addressed by leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to develop new self‐care solutions. However, many of the developed technological solutions have not been tested in terms of impact(s) on patients' quality of care. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify the current best evidence on the types of interventions that have been developed to improve the quality of patient care through the clinical application of ICT in primary, tertiary or home care. Design: A systematic review, including a meta‐analysis, was conducted according to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis guidelines. Data sources Relevant data were identified from four electronic databases: CINAHL, PUBMED, SCOPUS and MEDIC. Review methods: The eligibility criteria were formatted according to PICOS inclusion and exclusion criteria. At least two researchers performed the screening process separately, after which they agreed upon the results. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment and JBI Critical Appraisal tool for randomised controlled studies (RCTs) were used to assess research quality. Data were extracted, and a meta‐analysis was performed if the research met quantitative requirements. Results: Of the 528 initially identified studies, 11 studies were chosen for final data synthesis. All of the interventions integrated ICT solutions into patient care to improve the quality of care. Patients across all of the RCTs were educated through direct training, the provision of information relevant to their disease or one‐to‐one educational coaching. The interventions included various interactions, e.g. nurse expert visits and support, and support provided by peers, groups or family members. These interactions occurred through face‐to‐face coaching, virtual human coaching or virtual coaching that relied on an algorithm. The performed meta‐analysis included 6 of the 11 identified studies. The overall effect was nonsignificant, with three studies demonstrating a significant postintervention effect on patients' quality of care and quality of life and three studies a nonsignificant effect. Conclusions: The presented results suggest that ICT‐based care should be developed in collaboration with nurses and other health care professionals, involve patients in decision‐making and combine ICT solutions with human interaction and coaching. ICT education was found to be essential to the success of an intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of nonwearable actigraphy to assess changes in motor activity before and after rescue analgesic administration in terminally ill cancer patients. Background: Evaluating pain in terminally ill cancer patients is difficult; pain assessment tools are needed. Methods: This was an exploratory descriptive study conducted within a palliative care unit. A nonwearable actigraph was used to measure the activity score and movement index of terminally ill patients with weeks‐long prognosis and pain. The actigraph and medical data were integrated, and data were compared 6 h before and after rescue analgesic administration. Results: Among 10 patients (age: 75.8 ± 12.3 years; six men), we evaluated 28 pain episodes (mean activity score: 130.9 ± 180.5 counts per minute; movement index: 68.8%). When pain was relieved at night following rescue analgesic administration, activity score and movement index decreased significantly (6 h before vs. 6 h after analgesics, respectively: 113.1 to 69.7 counts per minute; 64.3% to 41.8%; both p < 0.0001). With no relief after rescue analgesic administration, activity score did not differ significantly 6 h before and after analgesics: 147.3 to 137.7 counts per minute. Conclusion: Pain in terminally ill cancer patients could be assessed using a nonwearable actigraph to capture motor activity and improve pain assessment. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Pain assessment in terminally ill patients with cancer relies on a subjective patient complaint as well as observations by caregivers, such as nurses and physicians. However, pain assessment can be challenging because some patients do not complain of pain, which contributes to poor pain control.Evaluating pain in terminally ill patients with cancer is difficult; therefore, developing pain assessment tools is required. What this paper adds? This is the first report to show that pain in patients who are in bed changes motor activity. Therefore, measuring motor activity could be used as an indication of pain. The implications of this paper: This study suggests that motor activity measurement with a sensing device could be used to indicate patient pain and improve pain assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to explore mentoring competence in nursing student mentors during clinical practice by identifying different mentor profiles and connections between different competence areas among five European countries and Japan. Methods: The study implemented a cross‐sectional design in Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia, Spain, and Japan during 2016 and 2019. In total, 6208 mentors were invited, and 1862 participated from 58 healthcare organizations. The data were collected with a survey questionnaire by including background question items with the Mentor Competence Instrument. K‐clustering and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Results: Four mentor profiles, A (43%), B (30%), C (18%), and D (9%), were identified according to the seven mentoring competence areas with high statistical significance (p < 0.001). Higher mentoring competence (mean >3.50) was observed among Finnish, Lithuanian, and Slovenian mentors with university education in nursing, older ages, more work experience, and previous education in mentoring. Lower competence (mean <2.49) was observed among Japanese and Italian mentors with diplomas in nursing, younger ages, less work experience, and no previous education in mentoring. Conclusion: Mentoring requires motivated, highly competent mentors since mentoring is a critical aspect of nursing education. Mentoring roles should be given to nurses with higher education and mentoring training. Younger, less experienced nurses without formal mentoring training may need support from senior nurses when performing mentoring roles and could also facilitate a more balanced workload between patient care and mentoring for senior nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To identify key areas of competence for digitalisation in healthcare settings, describe healthcare professionals' competencies in these areas and identify factors related to their competence. Background: Digitalisation requires changes in healthcare practices, policies and actions to revise job expectations and workflows. The aspects of patient safety and integration of digitalisation into the professional context necessitate an assessment of healthcare professionals' competencies in digitalisation. Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following Center of Reviews and Dissemination guidelines, including application of a PRISMA statement. Four databases—CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science and Academic Search Premiere (EBSCO)—were searched for relevant original peer‐reviewed studies published between 2012–2017. Twelve were chosen for final analysis: five quantitative studies and seven qualitative studies, which were, respectively, subjected to narrative and thematic synthesis. Results: Key competence areas regarding digitalisation from a healthcare perspective identified encompass knowledge of digital technology and the digital skills required to provide good patient care, including associated social and communication skills, and ethical considerations of digitalisation in patient care. Healthcare professionals need the motivation and willingness to acquire experience of digitalisation in their professional context. Collegial and organisational support appear to be essential factors for building positive experiences of digitalisation for healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Healthcare organisations should both pay attention to the social environment of a workplace and create a positive atmosphere if they want to improve the response to digitalisation. The successful implementation of new technology requires organisational and collegial support. Relevance to clinical practice: Recommendations for clinical practice include the following: development of competence in digitalisation by healthcare professionals when using technological equipment to minimise errors; provision of sufficient resources, equipment and room for technology usage; and provision of regular education that considers the participants' competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current novel coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) in nursing homes (NH). Implementing effective IPC requires behavioral changes in NH healthcare workers. When considering promising IPC interventions, a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of behavioral change is needed. We aimed to identify the determinants of IPC behavioral changes in NH healthcare workers from a comprehensive literature review and map these determinants based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF). Additionally, we aimed to identify the research gap in this research field. We used a scoping review methodology based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. We conducted an online literature search up to March 31, 2022, using two medical and nursing field databases, searching for literature 1) concerning IPC practice in NH and 2) exploring the determinants of IPC practice implementation among healthcare workers in NH. Next, we extracted descriptions of IPC practice determinants from the eligible literature and performed a TDF-based thematic analysis consisting of 14 domains. From 1,161 identified records, we included 25 reports. Seventy-six determinants of IPC practice were identified based on the thematic analysis. The "Environment Context and Resources" domain was the most frequently extracted domain, containing 25 determinants, of which the most frequently extracted determinants were "inadequate facility infrastructure," "insufficient sanitation equipment," "low staffing," and "conflict between home-like care and IPC practice." The next most frequently extracted domain was "Social Influences," containing 10 determinants. We were able to extract the least number of determinants in the "Social/Professional Role and Identity," "Belief about Capability," "Optimism," "Reinforcement," "Goals," and "Emotions" domains. In this review, we identified and mapped 76 determinants of IPC behavior changes in NH healthcare workers based on TDF. Research gap exists in domains related to individuals' beliefs, perceptions, and motivations about IPC practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]