Scandinavian journal of caring sciences
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The aim was to assess the methodological quality and describe recommendations for pain management in local clinical practice guidelines about induced second-trimester medical abortions at Swedish university and county hospitals. ⋯ The findings indicate that local clinical practice guidelines about induced second-trimester medical abortions are of inadequate methodological quality and that a large majority lack recommendations concerning systematic pain measurements. Although most recommend prophylactic and as needed pharmacologic management, national inconsistencies exist in Sweden with regard to recommendations of epidural analgesia, nitrous oxide and nonpharmacologic methods. In Sweden, there is room for improvement in the development of these guidelines.
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This paper describes first-line department healthcare professionals' experiences of conversations with young adults (16-25 years) who express existential concerns. Existential concerns encompass questions about the meaning of life and the choices people must make, and they are sometimes expressed during the period in which a child is becoming an adult. Sometimes the transition to adulthood can be difficult, and many young adults seek support from people in first-line departments, such as primary care providers, youth guidance centre personnel and student health service employees in high schools and universities. Conversations in which existential concerns are recognised may be important for preventing mental illness in the future. ⋯ Healthcare professionals are affected when young adults express their existential concerns, and they need more support to strengthen their ability to stay present and create inviting atmospheres.
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The use of measurement scales to assess pain in neonates is considered a prerequisite for effective management of pain, but these scales are still underutilised in clinical practice. ⋯ The persisting difference between Swedish and Norwegian units in pain assessment and the use of pain measurement scales are not easily explained. However, the reported increased availability and reported use of pain measurement scales in neonatal care units in both countries may be seen as a contribution towards better awareness and recognition of pain, better pain management and potentially less suffering for vulnerable neonates.
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Preventive home visits (PHVs) are healthcare services aimed at promoting the health of home-dwelling older people and to support their abilities to live independently. To enhance effectiveness, studies that explore older persons' experiences of PHVs are needed. ⋯ Annual, comprehensive PHVs to a general older population may support older persons' health and independence. Low response rate restricts the possibility to generalise the results.
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Instruments for evaluating end-of-life care by voicing experiences of family members have previously been lacking in Sweden. The objective of this study was therefore to adapt and validate the VOICES (SF) questionnaire to evaluate quality of end-of-life care in Sweden. The VOICES (SF) [Views of Informal Carers - Evaluation of Services (Short form)] is a questionnaire about bereaved relatives' experiences of care in the last three months of life of a deceased family member. ⋯ The VOICES (SF) can be considered as feasible in the Swedish context, provided that cultural adaptation has been achieved, that is translation alone is not enough. The Swedish version will be available for healthcare professionals to use for quality monitoring of the care provided over the last three months in life, and for research, it enables national and cross-national comparisons between different healthcare places and organisations.