Altered serum stress neuropeptide levels in critically ill individuals and associations with lymphocyte populations.

Objective: Potential physiological correlates of stress and the role of stress neuropeptides, other than those of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, in critical illness have not been addressed. We investigated: (a) serum levels of stress neuropeptides (ACTH, substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cortisol, prolactin) in critically ill individuals compared to matched controls, (b) associations with lymphocyte counts, (c) associations among stress neuropeptide levels, and (d) associations with perceived intensity of stress, critical illness severity and survival.

Methods: Correlational design with repeated measures.

'The patient is my space': hermeneutic investigation of the nurse-patient relationship in critical care.

Background: The nurse-patient relationship has been postulated to lie at the core of nursing care. However, it is unclear how this concept applies in critical care, as a great majority of critically ill patients are unable to communicate.

Aims: Through a phenomenological hermeneutical perspective, we aimed to explore intensive care nurses' perceptions and meanings regarding their interpersonal relationship with critically ill individuals.

A critical review of the evidence for nurses as information providers to cancer patients.

Aims: To review evidence on the role of oncology nurses in the provision of information to cancer patients and to delineate evidence-based implications for clinical practice and research.

Background: Provision of information is central for the empowerment of patients to participate in their care. There is not enough evidence regarding the nursing role in the information delivery process in cancer patients.

A randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention on Hellenic nursing staff's knowledge and attitudes on cancer pain management.

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to explore the effectiveness of an educational intervention on nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding pain management and to explore associations with nurses' characteristics. A four Solomon group experimental design was employed to assess the effect of the intervention and potential effects of pre-intervention testing. One hundred and twelve nurses were randomized to two intervention and two control groups.