Association of postural balance and falls in adult patients receiving haemodialysis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Static postural balance performance is often impaired in people receiving haemodialysis (HD) for the treatment of stage-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5). However, the question as to whether lower postural balance is associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as falls has not been addressed yet.

Research Question: We conducted a prospective cohort study to explore the association between static postural balance and falls in people receiving HD.

The relative importance of frailty, physical and cardiovascular function as exercise-modifiable predictors of falls in haemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) patients on haemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of accidental falls. Previous research has shown that frailty is one of the primary contributors to the increased risk of falling in this clinical population. However, HD patients often present with abnormalities of cardiovascular function such as baroreflex impairment and orthostatic dysregulation of blood pressure (BP) which may also be implicated in the aetiology of falling.

Baroreflex function, haemodynamic responses to an orthostatic challenge, and falls in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis (HD) often present with dizziness and pre-syncopal events as a result of the combined effect of HD therapy and cardiovascular disease. The dysregulation of blood pressure (BP) during orthostasis may be implicated in the aetiology of falls in these patients. Therefore, we explored the relationship between baroreflex function, the haemodynamic responses to a passive orthostatic challenge, and falls in HD patients.

The utility of whole body vibration exercise in haemodialysis patients: a pilot study.

Background: Exercise improves physical capacity in patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis (HD), but few patients engage in it. Whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) is a novel protocol that has been shown to benefit frail elderly patients' rehabilitation. We assessed the utility of WBVE before HD sessions and tested methods to inform the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Patient experiences of nurse-led telephone follow-up following treatment for colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide, although mortality rates across most of Europe have decreased in recent years. Historically, patients are asked to return to hospital outpatient clinics following treatment to monitor for disease progression. However, new approaches are being called for that focus on meeting the information and support needs of patients.

A Virtual World Versus Face-to-Face Intervention Format to Promote Diabetes Self-Management Among African American Women: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Virtual world environments have the potential to increase access to diabetes self-management interventions and may lower cost.

Objective: We tested the feasibility and comparative effectiveness of a virtual world versus a face-to-face diabetes self-management group intervention.

Methods: We recruited African American women with type 2 diabetes to participate in an 8-week diabetes self-management program adapted from Power to Prevent, a behavior-change in-person group program for African Americans with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Telephone follow-up after treatment for breast cancer: views and experiences of patients and specialist breast care nurses.

Aims And Objectives: To explore the views of patients and specialist breast care nurses on telephone follow-up after treatment for breast cancer.

Background: A recent randomised controlled trial demonstrated that nurse-led telephone follow-up led to high levels of patient satisfaction with no physical or psychological detriment. This study aimed to explore in more detail the views of patients randomised to telephone follow-up and the nurses who conducted telephone appointments.

Promoting the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: patients' and carers' views.

Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to generate in-depth insights into patients' and family members' understanding of the causation, progression and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of health promotion with this population. In particular, we were interested in identifying the ways patients and family members considered that they could maximise their (patients') health, in the presence of this disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is highly prevalent and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, impacting on quality of life and healthcare expenditure.

Specialist community nurses: a critical analysis of their role in the management of long-term conditions.

The aim of this narrative review is to identify strategies in use by specialist community and public health nurses in the prevention, care and management of individuals with long-term conditions, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal disorders. These conditions have been selected as they are highly prevalent; a burden on health services globally and a major public health issue. From a UK policy perspective, specialist community nurses have been placed at the forefront of taking a lead role in the coordination and delivery of more responsive services for individuals with long-term conditions; whether this has been an effective use of skills and resource is questionable.

A narrative review of interventions to support family carers who provide physical care to family members with cancer.

Objectives: Most reports of cancer caregivers' needs focus on information and psychosocial needs. Less is known about practical knowledge and support carers need to provide physical care in the home. This review aimed to identity and critique studies of the development and/or evaluation of interventions to enable family carers to provide physical/practical care to a family member with cancer.

A review of the information and support needs of family carers of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aims And Objectives: The objectives of this narrative review were to identify: (1) The information and support needs of carers of family members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; (2) appropriate interventions to support carers in their caregiving role; (3) information on carers' needs as reported in studies of patients living with COPD in the community.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major health problem in the UK resulting in significant burden for patients, families and the health service. Current National Health Service policies emphasise, where medically appropriate, early discharge for acute exacerbations, hospital-at-home care and other models of community care to prevent or reduce re-hospitalisations of people with chronic conditions.

Smoking behavior and patient education practices of oncology nurses in six countries.

Worldwide, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, resulting in approximately 5 million deaths annually. Nurses are keenly positioned to work toward reducing tobacco-related illness and deaths. Therefore, guided by the health belief model, the purpose of this study was to explore the smoking behavior, beliefs, smoking cessation education practices, and existing smoking policies at the institutions of a sample of practicing oncology nurses in Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Smoking cessation interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of the family: a systematic literature review.

Aim: This paper is a report of a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of family-focused smoking cessation interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to determine what data on families are documented in studies of smoking cessation interventions.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major public health problem and cigarette smoking is the most important factor contributing to its development and progression. However, smoking cessation rates are low and relapse is common.

Relationship work in an early childhood home visiting program.

A significant component of the work of public health nurses and paraprofessional home visitors who provide home visits to families with young children involves establishing relationships to effectively deliver the visiting program. The purpose of this qualitative and descriptive study was to describe the relationships among participants in a home visiting program in one regional health authority in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Interviews were carried out with 24 public health nurses, 14 home visitors, and 20 parents.

Caring for patients with COPD and their families in the community.

Community matrons have a key role to play in the management of patients with long-term conditions. With the expected increase in prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), largely due to cigarette smoking, the management and care of patients with COPD is a priority for the NHS. This paper examines the current and future role of community matrons in the management of patients with COPD.

Issues related to delivering an early childhood home-visiting program.

Purpose: To describe the issues related to delivering an early childhood home visiting program, BabyFirst, from the perspective of public health nurses and lay home visitors (paraprofessionals).

Study Design And Methods: This descriptive, qualitative interpretive study had a sample of 24 public health nurses and 14 lay home visitors. One in-depth, semi-structured, audio-taped interview was conducted with each participant.

"Living with risk": mothering a child with food-induced anaphylaxis.

Food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA) affects an increasing number of children and families encountered in a variety of nursing environments. Sensitive nursing care requires consideration of the psychosocial impact of the condition. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to arrive at an understanding of the mother's lived experience of parenting a child with FIA.

Early childhood home visiting programme: factors contributing to success.

Aim: This paper reports a study of the factors that public health nurses, home visitors and parents consider important for the success of an early childhood home visiting programme.

Background: The primary aim of early child home visiting programmes is to promote healthy and safe growth and development of infants and children in at-risk families. Few studies have focused on actual programme components which foster this outcome.

Use of a blood glucose monitoring manual to enhance monitoring adherence in adults with diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Frequent blood glucose (BG) monitoring is a critical component of diabetes management, yet many barriers exist to consistent monitoring.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we sought to determine if an educational manual, the Blood Sugar Monitoring Owner's Manual (BGMOM), could increase adherence to BG monitoring by helping patients form realistic expectations and responses to BG monitoring results. The 199 participants were recruited from a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic and had high-risk diabetes (hemoglobin A(1C) >or=8.

Prevalence and correlates of smoking during pregnancy: a comparison of aboriginal and non-aboriginal women in manitoba.

Background: Prenatal smoking rates vary substantially among racial and ethnic groups. Although prevalence of smoking among Aboriginal people in Canada is higher than in the general population, little is known about smoking rates during pregnancy among Aboriginal women or the characteristics of Aboriginal women more likely to smoke during pregnancy. The study purpose was to describe and compare the prevalence and correlates of smoking during pregnancy among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women giving birth in the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Information and support needs of adolescent children of women with breast cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To elicit detailed descriptions of adolescents' information and support needs in response to their mothers' breast cancer.

Design: Exploratory, qualitative.

Setting: Four different outpatient and inpatient oncology settings in western Canada.

The description and evaluation of a longitudinal pilot study of a smoking relapse/reduction intervention for perinatal women.

Background: Up to 70% of women who quit smoking while pregnant will relapse during the first postnatal year. In this study, a community-based, ecological approach guided the development and implementation of a smoking cessation intervention for perinatal women.

Aims: The aims of this pilot project were to: (1) develop and implement a community-based intervention to assist women to stop smoking or prevent smoking relapse during the pre- and postnatal periods, (2) provide feedback on participants' perceptions of the helpfulness of the intervention, (3) compare perceptions of the helpfulness of the intervention between women who received the intervention during the prenatal vs.

The influence of question wording on assessments of interest in genetic testing for breast cancer risk.

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of different measures of interest in genetic testing for breast cancer risk. A telephone survey of a random sample of women without breast cancer was conducted in British Columbia, Canada. Interest in genetic testing for breast cancer risk was measured in three ways: (1) an unprompted assessment of interest, (2) assessment of interest when prompted with a hypothetical offer of testing, and (3) assessment of interest when provided with supplementary information.