Sex Disparities in the Direct Cost and Management of Stroke: A Population-Based Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Previous studies have identified disparities in stroke care and outcomes by sex. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the average cost of stroke care and the existence of differences in care provision by biological sex. (2) Methods: This observational study adhered to the recommendations of the STROBE statement.

Innovative Health and Social Integrated Care Model Effectiveness to Improve Quality Care for Chronic Patients: A Single Group Assignment Clinical Trial.

Background: Patients with chronic disease have become one of the major challenges for health and social protection systems in developed countries. Integrated care models (ICM) have demonstrably improved the quality of care of chronic patients. However, new models of integration need further evaluation of its effectiveness and outcomes.

The costs associated with stroke care continuum: a systematic review.

Stroke, a leading cause of death and long-term disability, has a considerable social and economic impact. It is imperative to investigate stroke-related costs. The main goal was to conduct a systematic literature review on the described costs associated with stroke care continuum to better understand the evolution of the economic burden and logistic challenges.

[Organization and costs of stroke care in outpatient settings: Systematic review].

Objective: To review the bibliography on stroke costs (ICD-10 code I63) in the field of primary care.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: PubMed/Medline, ClinicalTrials.

The experiences of parents as caregivers of adolescents with mental illnesses, the impact of the crisis and the admission to a day hospital.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the caregiving experience of parents whose adolescent children with a mental illness require admission to a day treatment hospital for mental health services.

Method: The study used qualitative interpretative research methods. A total of 18 parents participated in the semi-structured interviews.

A Mobile App-Based Intervention Program for Nonprofessional Caregivers to Promote Positive Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: While nonprofessional caregivers often experience a sense of fulfillment when they provide care, there is also a significant risk of emotional and physical burnout. Consequently, this can negatively affect both the caregiver and the person being cared for. Intervention programs can help empower nonprofessional caregivers of people with chronic diseases and develop solutions to decrease the physical and psychological consequences resulting from caregiving.

The structure and contents of the helping relationship as a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention: A modified e-Delphi study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the content validity of the helping relationship as a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention.

Design And Methods: The present research work is a modified e-Delphi study. A total of 205 experts were identified between January and May 2018, and a questionnaire was sent to all of them in different rounds.

Effectiveness of the integrated care model Salut+Social in patients with chronic conditions: A mixed methods study protocol.

Introduction: Integrated care models aim to provide solutions to fragmentation of care by improving coordination. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new integrated care model (Salut + Social), which will promote the coordination and communication between social and healthcare services in southern Catalonia (Spain) to improve quality of life, adherence to treatment and access to medical services for patients with chronic conditions, and also to reduce caregiver burden. Additionally, we will evaluate the experience of caregivers, health professionals and social workers with the new model implemented.

Risk of Dependency: A Challenge for Health and Social Care Planning-Observational Stroke Cohort.

Background: After a stroke, families require the coordinated assistance of health and social care. Currently there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation and assessment tools to identify discharge needs, and there is separate management of health and social resources, and access to these services is variable between regions.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with risk of dependency after stroke and propose a suitable instrument for identifying patients at higher risk.

A multi-centre, randomized, 3-month study to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone app to increase caregiver's positive mental health.

Background: To assess the effectiveness of a smartphone app-based intervention compared to a regular intervention of caregivers in primary health care institutions. The intervention is aimed at increasing positive mental health and decreasing caregiver's burden.

Methods/design: Randomized and controlled trial with an experimental group and a control group.

"Living together with dementia": Training programme for family caregivers - A study protocol.

Highlights: The increased incidence of dementia places the family in the role of caregiver.It is important to create, to implement and to validate training programmes for family caregivers of people with dementia living at home.The programme "Living together with dementia" addressed in this protocol seeks to be a response to empower these caregivers.

[Competence of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments].

Objectives: To identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics variables and competence levels of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments.

Material And Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments in the southwestern area of Catalonia (Ebre River territory). We used an instrument for evaluating competencies (the COM_VA questionnaire) and recording sociodemographic variables (age, sex, total work experience, emergency department experience, training in critical patient care and triage) and perceived confidence when performing triage.

Positive Mental Health and Prevalence of Psychological Ill-Being in University Nursing Professors in Catalonia, Spain.

The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence of psychological ill-being among university nursing professors in Spain and determine their grade of positive mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2013 to December 2013 with a sample of 263 university nursing professors. Sociodemographic and occupational variables, as well as variables related to daily habits and lifestyle, were collected.

Nursing assessment as an effective tool for the identification of delirium risk in older in-patients: A case-control study.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of comprehensive nursing assessment as a strategy for determining the risk of delirium in older in-patients from a model of care needs based on variables easily measured by nurses.

Background: There are many scales of assessment and prediction of risk of delirium, but they are little known and infrequently used by professionals. Recognition of delirium by doctors and nurses continues to be limited.

Training programmes for family caregivers of people with dementia living at home: integrative review.

Aims And Objectives: To establish primary features of training programmes designed to assist family caregivers of people with dementia living at home and to propose a model programme based on literature findings.

Background: Due to dementia's distinctive progression, there is a widely felt need to train family members who undertake the responsibility of caring for relatives diagnosed with this condition to provide positive care, particularly during the early and middle stages of the disease.

Design: Integrative review.

Caring for family caregivers: An analysis of a family-centered intervention.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) on family caregivers through the use of scales to measure anxiety, depression and emotional distress; and to explore facilitating factors and obstacles for its use based on the narrative of nurses. Method A clinical trial and an exploratory focus group with the use of mixed analysis methodology. The study was conducted in a primary health care center in Tarragona, Spain, and the sample consisted of 122 family caregivers who were included in the home care service, and 10 nurses who participated in the intervention group.

Diagnosed, identified, current and complete depression among patients attending primary care in southern Catalonia: different aspects of the same concept.

The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence and the conceptualizations of depression detected by the healthcare system, identified by the patient or classified/identified in the validated Goldberg's questionnaire in a community. We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation of 317 patients. The different types of depression diagnosed, identified, current or total were stratified by age and gender groups.

Effectiveness of problem-solving technique in caring for family caregivers: a clinical trial study in an urban area of Catalonia (Spain).

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the problem-solving technique in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among primary caregivers and to describe and evaluate the process carried out by nurses to find strengths and areas of improvement.

Background: In Spain, home care for the chronically ill patients and their family caregivers should be a priority in health and social policies due to the increase in ageing population and the progressive increase in dependent individuals. One of the areas involved is home-based nursing and counselling for family caregivers.

[Effectiveness of problem solving technique applied by nurses: decreased anxiety and depression in family caregivers].

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Problem Solving Technique in reducing anxiety and depression, and increased perceived well-being in women family caregivers of chronic patients.

Design: A clinical trial FIELD OF STUDY: Health centres in Tarragona, Spain, during 2007-2011.

Participants: A sample 122 caregivers of patients in home care programs that met the inclusion criteria, were assigned to intervention or control group according to a simple random process.

[Competency evaluation].

How can we ensure that a professional is competent? In order to respond to this question in an adequate manner it is necessary to know what nursing competencies are and how to evaluate them. The current challenge is based on having these evaluations serve to establish well-defined competency levels, and that these are seriously considered when responsibilities are demanded, but also to bestow professional acknowledgement.

[Nursing profession and competency levels].

After reflecting on the nursing profession as one characterized as a profession which watches over the care of persons and their health and well-being, the authors analyze the Dreyfus and Brenner models as means to acquire and develop skills and how these are applied in the nursing profession.

[Nursing professionals joining the work force].

One's first professional experience requires an adaptation time when a sense of companionship and help from the institution prove important to ease this process. If this tutoring occurs correctly the newly certified nurse will live that experience in a more positive way and, therefore, joining the work force will provide more satisfaction for the new professional as well as for the entire caretaking team.