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Rheumatology Nurses (rheumatology + nurse)

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Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses' knowledge, attitudes and management

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009
Han Repping-Wuts
Abstract Title.,Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses' knowledge, attitudes and management. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare the knowledge, attitudes and current management of rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue in British and Dutch rheumatology nurses. Background., After pain, fatigue is the most important symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but little is known about the current management of this fatigue by healthcare professionals. Methods., A questionnaire was mailed in 2007 to rheumatology nurses who were members of British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (N = 267) and the Dutch Society of Rheumatology Nurses (N = 227). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t -test and Pearson chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results., A total of 494 nurses returned questionnaires (response rate 48%). In general, their knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis fatigue was in accordance with the literature and all indicated a positive attitude towards assessing and managing rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. However, respondents reported contradictory views about managing fatigue. Although they believed that other team members could help patients, they seldom referred patients on to other professionals. Although nurses believed that other advice besides pacing and balance between activity and rest might help, they did not offer this to patients. Despite acknowledging that there is poor communication about fatigue between patients and nurses, respondents reported that it is patients rather than nurses who raise the issue of fatigue in consultations. Conclusion., British and Dutch rheumatology nurses are sympathetic but do not know how to manage rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. Strategies to support self-management for this fatigue, and to increase communication between healthcare professionals and patients, should be initiated to help improve patient outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. [source]

Rheumatoid arthritis patient education: RA patients' experience

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 14 2009
Paula Mäkeläinen
Aim and objective., The purpose of this paper is to describe the content of patient education as portrayed and evaluated by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Background., Rheumatology nurses have an important role in educating and supporting RA patients. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the RA patients' own perspective of patient education. Design., Survey. Method., Data for this study were collected from 173 RA patients from 11 hospitals and 23 health centers using open-ended questions. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the patients described the content of patient education and eighty-one percent (81%) evaluated it expressing their experience and satisfaction with it. Data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical tests. Results., Rheumatology nurses mostly gave their RA patients information about how to use the anti-rheumatic drugs prescribed to them (26%). About half (51%) of the patients were satisfied with patient education. However, every fourth patient (24%) was not satisfied, the main reason for the dissatisfaction being that nurses did not focus on the patient's emotional support. The patients of over 57 years of age and those who had suffered from RA for over five years were more satisfied with their education than the others. Conclusions., It is important that rheumatology nurses, besides passing on medical treatment-related information, concentrate on RA patients' emotional well-being. Relevance to clinical practice., The results provide a useful insight into RA patient education. Nurses should avoid merely passing on information in a routine workmanlike way. It is important that they take time to discuss their patients' feelings and worries especially with newly diagnosed patients. RA patient education should balance patients' information needs with their need for emotional support. [source]

Rheumatology nurses' work-related empowerment

MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 2 2007
Heidi Juhola RN MScN
Abstract Objective:,The purpose of the study was to investigate rheumatology nurse specialists' work related empowerment. Method:,Nine nurses undertaking graduate studies were asked to write an essay on ,What work related skills does the rheumatology nurse need to master?' In addition, one interview was conducted. The material was analysed using the method of inductive content analysis. Results:,The following key areas of work related empowerment were identified as important: knowledge about rheumatic diseases; treatments and follow up monitoring care; knowledge about patient education and counselling; collaboration and the ability to co operate; mastery of manual skills and development of the quality of nursing care for patients with rheumatic disease. Conclusion:,The study contributes to a better understanding of work related empowerment among rheumatology nurses. The results of the study can be used to develop the role components of healthcare professionals who attend patients with rheumatic disease. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses' knowledge, attitudes and management

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009
Han Repping-Wuts
Abstract Title.,Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses' knowledge, attitudes and management. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare the knowledge, attitudes and current management of rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue in British and Dutch rheumatology nurses. Background., After pain, fatigue is the most important symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but little is known about the current management of this fatigue by healthcare professionals. Methods., A questionnaire was mailed in 2007 to rheumatology nurses who were members of British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (N = 267) and the Dutch Society of Rheumatology Nurses (N = 227). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t -test and Pearson chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results., A total of 494 nurses returned questionnaires (response rate 48%). In general, their knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis fatigue was in accordance with the literature and all indicated a positive attitude towards assessing and managing rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. However, respondents reported contradictory views about managing fatigue. Although they believed that other team members could help patients, they seldom referred patients on to other professionals. Although nurses believed that other advice besides pacing and balance between activity and rest might help, they did not offer this to patients. Despite acknowledging that there is poor communication about fatigue between patients and nurses, respondents reported that it is patients rather than nurses who raise the issue of fatigue in consultations. Conclusion., British and Dutch rheumatology nurses are sympathetic but do not know how to manage rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. Strategies to support self-management for this fatigue, and to increase communication between healthcare professionals and patients, should be initiated to help improve patient outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue. [source]

Rheumatoid arthritis patient education: RA patients' experience

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 14 2009
Paula Mäkeläinen
Aim and objective., The purpose of this paper is to describe the content of patient education as portrayed and evaluated by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Background., Rheumatology nurses have an important role in educating and supporting RA patients. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the RA patients' own perspective of patient education. Design., Survey. Method., Data for this study were collected from 173 RA patients from 11 hospitals and 23 health centers using open-ended questions. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the patients described the content of patient education and eighty-one percent (81%) evaluated it expressing their experience and satisfaction with it. Data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical tests. Results., Rheumatology nurses mostly gave their RA patients information about how to use the anti-rheumatic drugs prescribed to them (26%). About half (51%) of the patients were satisfied with patient education. However, every fourth patient (24%) was not satisfied, the main reason for the dissatisfaction being that nurses did not focus on the patient's emotional support. The patients of over 57 years of age and those who had suffered from RA for over five years were more satisfied with their education than the others. Conclusions., It is important that rheumatology nurses, besides passing on medical treatment-related information, concentrate on RA patients' emotional well-being. Relevance to clinical practice., The results provide a useful insight into RA patient education. Nurses should avoid merely passing on information in a routine workmanlike way. It is important that they take time to discuss their patients' feelings and worries especially with newly diagnosed patients. RA patient education should balance patients' information needs with their need for emotional support. [source]

Rheumatology nurses' work-related empowerment

MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 2 2007
Heidi Juhola RN MScN
Abstract Objective:,The purpose of the study was to investigate rheumatology nurse specialists' work related empowerment. Method:,Nine nurses undertaking graduate studies were asked to write an essay on ,What work related skills does the rheumatology nurse need to master?' In addition, one interview was conducted. The material was analysed using the method of inductive content analysis. Results:,The following key areas of work related empowerment were identified as important: knowledge about rheumatic diseases; treatments and follow up monitoring care; knowledge about patient education and counselling; collaboration and the ability to co operate; mastery of manual skills and development of the quality of nursing care for patients with rheumatic disease. Conclusion:,The study contributes to a better understanding of work related empowerment among rheumatology nurses. The results of the study can be used to develop the role components of healthcare professionals who attend patients with rheumatic disease. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Influences that drive clinical decision making among junior rheumatology nurses: A qualitative study

MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 4 2006
Domini Jayne Bryer MA BSc(Hons) RN
Abstract This paper presents a qualitative study exploring the influences that drive clinical decision making among a small group of junior rheumatology nurses. A qualitative, descriptive design was chosen. Semi-structured interviews were used with a purposive sample of six junior staff nurses from two inpatient rheumatology wards in a large teaching hospital in the North of England. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed using Burnard's (1991) thematic content analysis. The findings demonstrate four distinct themes which influence clinical decision making including professional development, patient-focused care, working in a specialty and rheumatology nursing. Development of experiential knowledge alongside access to specialized information and expert practitioners was also influential in informing decisions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]