Scandinavian journal of caring sciences
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of COPD self-care management education at a nurse-led primary health care clinic.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is disabling, with symptoms such as chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath and increased infections of the respiratory passage. The aim was to examine the effects of a structured educational intervention programme at a nurse-led primary health care clinic (PHCC) on quality of life (QoL), knowledge about COPD and smoking cessation in patients with COPD. This study had an experimental design in which 52 patients with COPD from a Swedish primary care setting were randomized into two groups (intervention or control). ⋯ This implies that patients were in a dependent relationship which may have affected the responses in a favourable direction. Our findings show that conventional care alone did not have an effect on patients' QoL and smoking habits. Instead, the evidence suggests that a structured programme with self-care education is needed to motivate patients for life-style changes.
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Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common condition among Europe's aging population. Findings indicate that CHF patients must make significant changes in many aspects of daily life. Previous studies of older primary health-care participants and their activities of daily living (ADL)-ability are rare. ⋯ Participants in NYHA III/IV (adjusted for age), had significantly increased effort (under motor cut-off) when performing ADL-tasks (OR: 15.5, CI 2.40-100.1, p = 0.004) compared to those in NYHA I/II. Older persons in primary health care with CHF exhibit a high amount of dependence, perceived strain and increased effort during performance of ADL. There is an association between NYHA class III/IV and a decreased ADL-ability (AMPS motor ability) even when adjusted for age.
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The prime purpose of this article is to present the results of a study of the significance of loneliness in patients with serious psychiatric disease, who live alone at home. This empirical study lasted about 1 year. Participatory observation, talks with the researcher and conversational qualitative interviews were employed. ⋯ Throughout the year, a gradual and deeper understanding of the informants' loneliness was sought through the interpretation process. Want as a common fate become visible as an ideographical invariance through summative discussions about the right to life. The results have implications for caring and nursing practice.