Abstract

Aim. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating mental health status in critical care nurses working in Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (ED) and dialysis ward in teaching hospitals of Tehran, Iran.

Background: Nursing is known as a difficult profession which needs an endless patience and tolerance with patients and their families. Furthermore, nurses must update theirs knowledge in all nursing-related topics, but it seems that it is so hard for nurses to update knowledge and at the same time, do their professional tasks such as meeting patients and family needs which occupy nearly all their time. This could run them at risk mentally and physically. Besides, it is much more possible for critical care nurses to be affected because of aggravated work-related stresses.

Method: This is a cross- sectional descriptive study. The sample included 375 critical care nurses with at least one year of nursing experience and six months of working in critical care wards. The convenience sampling method was used. Three valid and reliable questionnaires were used in this

study: "Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire", "Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale", and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index". Questionnaires were filled by study participants and the data were analyzed by SPSS.

Findings: The findings revealed that %73 of nurses experienced mild levels of anxiety, and %16.5 of them reported mild to moderate levels of anxiety. The remaining had either moderate to severe or severe levels of anxiety. Regarding sleep quality, %89.2 of the samples had bad sleep quality. In terms of fatigue, all participants reported moderate to severe fatig.

Conclusion: Critical care nurses in teaching hospitals of Tehran do not have satisfying mental health status. Most of them are suffering from bad sleep quality, moderate to severe fatigue, and mild or mild to moderate anxiety.

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety of critical care nurses.

Background. Anxiety is one of  the important factors affecting nursing profession and the quality of care. Some complementary interventions such as Benson relaxation techniques may affects anxiety.

Method. This was an experimental study (pretest-posttest with control group design) in which 63 critical care nurses of Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Tehran in 2015. Stratified samples were selected based on ward and randomly allocated to to experimental and control group. Benson relaxation technique was implemented by experimental group for 20 minutes, twice a day, with at least six hours interval, and for a two weeks period. Data were collected through demographic questionnaire and Spielberger questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 21 using Chi-square test, t-test, Fisher's exact test and repeated measures ANOVA.

Findings. In experimental group, the mean and standard deviation of anxiety, before the intervention and  one and two weeks after intervention were 42.19±4.85, 43.67±7.55 and 42.12±6.12, respectively. A week after the intervention, the two groups had significant difference in terms of anxiety. The mean score of anxiety in the control group was more than nurses in the intervention group (P=0.011). Also, following application of Benson relaxation, anxiety intensity decreased in the intervention group as compared to baseline. In the control group, the mean score of anxiety increased overtime.

Conclusion. Implementation of Benson relaxation can reduce the anxiety of critical care nurses. This method is proposed as part of the nurses' anxiety reduction programs by managers and officials in medical centers.

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between critical care nurses’ occupational stress and their child anxiety in Shahid Rahimi Hospital in Khoramabad City, Iran, in 2017.

Background. Work-family conflict is the source of stress that most people, especially nurses experience and its consequences can also affect family members. 

Method. This study is a cross-sectional analytical study in which all critical care nurses (n=150) in Shahid Rahimi Hospital in Khoramabad City, Iran, were recruited using census sampling method and based on inclusion criteria. To collect data, a demographic form, Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS)-Parent Version, and Nurses Stress Scale were used. Data analysis was conducted SPSS 19 using descriptive and inferential statistics. 

Findings. The average scores of nurses’ stress and child anxiety were 75.61±14.98 and 77.04±11.14, respectively. Pearson Correlation Coefficient showed the relationship between critical care nurses job stress and child anxiety (p=0.008, r=0.214).

Aim. This study was conducted to evaluate the readiness of intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences for the implementation of family-centered care in 2017.

Background. Patients in the intensive care unit often are not able to participate in therapeutic decisions, therefore, involving families in decision-making process, implementation and treatment processes, and meeting the their needs improves treatment outcomes and increases patient and family satisfaction. Family-centered care is one of the means of providing care that recognizes and respects the vital role of the family.

Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which all of the intensive care units in the hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences were studied in terms of their preparedness for family-centered care. Proportionate stratified sampling method was used to recruit nurses, and the physicians were recruited based on convenience sampling. In order to investigate the structure and facilities, through a census of all specialized departments of hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, a checklist was filled out. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 22 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings. According to the results, 60.9% of nurses were opposed to implementing family-centered care and have a negative attitude, and 57.3% of physicians agreed to implement family-centered care. There was a statistically significant difference between the attitudes of nurses and doctors (p≤0.0001). Also, the overall scores obtained from hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences showed that the facilities and hospital structure were poor for implementing family-centered care. 

Conclusion. Differences in the attitudes of nurses and physicians about family-based care showed the need for clarifying the concept of family-centered care. The implementation of family-centered care requires structural changes and extensive equipment in accordance with the standards.