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European Academy of Nursing Science Summer Conference 2018: Leadership in Nursing: challenges for the future

Ghent, Belgium. 11-12 July 2018

A Correction to this article was published on 03 February 2019

This article has been updated

Keynote presentations

K1 Leadership mentoring in nursing research, career development and scholarly productivity: what is already known?

Thóra B. Hafsteinsdóttir1,2,3 (t.hafsteinsdottir@umcutrecht.nl)

1Associate Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing Science, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; 2Associate Professor of Nursing, Allied Health Care for people with chronic illnesses, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands; 3Visiting Professor of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland

Background

Although nursing has been an academic discipline for decades, nursing research in many European countries was shown to be fragmented and postdoctoral nurses have difficulties with developing academic career. Lack of leadership is an important reason for this. The Dutch Leadership Mentoring in Nursing Research (LMNR) program was set up for postdoctoral nurses and their experiences with this program investigated.

Aims

To investigate leadership practices of postdoctoral nurses; explore post-doctoral nurses’ experiences with their leadership and career development; develop the LMNR program and to investigate the fellows’ expectations and experiences with the program, as well as the impact on their leadership practices.

Methods

A national survey investigated leadership practices of postdoctoral nurses, followed by a generic qualitative study exploring experiences of postdoctoral nurses working in academe; the LMNR-program developed, and qualitative study investigated the fellows experiences of the program.

Results

Dutch postdoctoral nurses have moderate leadership practices. Thirteen postdoctoral nurses were interviewed and five themes emerged: Taking the lead; Professional Identity; Supportive culture; Scientific World and Search for Balance. The LMNR program offers a two-year leadership and mentoring through which post-doctoral fellows extend competencies in leadership practices in research. Ten fellows finished the program who aspired furthering own research career, with a strong researcher and nurse identity. The one-year evaluations were positive, with participants describing changes in identity and leadership practice.

Conclusions

Leadership practices of postdoctoral nurses further need to be developed. Additional steps should be taken to further develop leadership and promote more academic career opportunities in order to strengthen nursing science. Leadership is highly important for successful career development and postdoctoral nurses use leadership to balance aspects in their career development. The structured and funded postdoctoral leadership program strengthened leadership competencies and career development and the fellows experienced the program as very successful. This is the first leadership and mentoring program in Europe and worldwide which focuses on postdoctoral nurses, and it represents an innovative way to strengthen nursing science.

K2 Organisational development in coproduction between service users and staff: insights into achievements, challenges, and the contribution of nurses

Julie Repper1,2,3 (julie.repper@nottshc.nhs.uk)

1Director of Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change (ImROC), Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK; 2Recovery Lead, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK; 3Associate Professor of Recovery, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Background

Traditionally, nurses have been trained to ‘fix’ people; to have the answers to their questions: to be the experts. Increasingly, we are recognising that not only do we not have all the answers; but we are unable to fix everyone and we definitely are not the experts when it comes to enabling people to find the best ways of managing their own condition, their own treatment and most importantly, their own lives. As more people are living for longer and medical interventions become ever more effective, we are seeing many more people with long term, multiple and complex conditions, many of which are compounded by social factors such as poor housing, poor literacy, financial problems, relationship problems and mental health conditions. Whilst we might not be able to solve all of these problems, nurses have an important role in working in partnership with individuals, their families and their communities to facilitate greater self-management and control for the individual, greater confidence and support for family members, and more capable and inclusive communities.

In the presentation the unique position and role of nurses in creating co-productive partnerships that both value the contribution of all members and bring benefits for all involved are discussed. At an individual level coproduction is synonymous with shared decision making. At a team, service and community level, coproduction releases a huge additional set of resources and expertise that can enable people to recover and live well with meaningful roles and relationships within their communities.

Methods

The presentation will draw on evidence and practical examples from the ImROC programme (Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change) to illustrate ways in which nurses can lead coproduction to influence organisational values and purpose; achieve greater patient satisfaction, improve health outcomes and create more informed communities.

ImROC utilises a tried and tested methodology to achieve demonstrable change, including:

  • Ten Organisational Challenges – to provide a baseline assessment, priority areas for change and develop coproduced action plans

  • The PDSA (Plan Do Study Act) cycle in a continual process to guide and review change at every level of the organisation

  • Recovery focused quality improvement interventions (such as the Team Recovery Implementation Plan; the employment of peer workers; the development of Recovery Colleges; the introduction of coproduction structures) to inform and evaluate change

  • Recovery focused/transformational leadership approaches

  • The facilitation of local action learning sets

  • The production of accessible, evidence based, coproduced and free to download Briefing papers to inform best practice.

Conclusions

Nurses have a key role in enabling these changes. Owing to their training, experience, values and the size of the nursing workforce within health and social care organisations they are pivotal in the success of initiatives to develop Recovery focused cultures and practices. However, these developments are transformational and require a shift away from traditional practices so nurses will need coaching, training and mentoring to support them to lead and sustain these improvements.

K3 Advanced practice nursing roles in Europe

Claudia B Maier1,2,3 (c.maier@tu-berlin.de)

1Postgraduate researcher, Department of Healthcare Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; 2Senior fellow, Center for Health Outcomes and Policies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 3Consultant, World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland

Background

Health and nursing care has become increasingly complex, due to technological advances, more complex treatment and multimorbidity on the rise. The study aimed to analyse the roles of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in Europe, related reforms and implementation.

Methods

International study, based on the TaskShift2Nurses expert survey in 39 countries, including 93 experts, a literature review, and routine data on Nurse Practitioners (NP).

Results

Eleven countries had extensively expanded the scopes-of-practice for NP/APN. The size of the NP workforce is small, but increasing rapidly, at a higher rate than among the physician workforce; this is partly linked to the rise in educational programmes to train nurses in advanced roles. Many countries in Europe (e.g. Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Netherlands, Poland, Spain) have adopted new laws since 2010 to authorise nurses to prescribe medicines, but the number of medicines and levels of independence vary considerably.

Conclusions

Many countries are expanding the roles for nurses, some with major reforms underway, others slowly progressing. Overcoming policy barriers is key to ensure a smooth transition for nurses, teams and patients.

References

1. Maier CB, Aiken LH, Busse R (2017). Nurses in advanced roles. Policy Levers for Implementation. OECD Working Paper.November 2017. http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/nurses-in-advanced-roles-in-primary-care_a8756593-en

Speaker presentations

S1 EFFIP (E-support for Families & Friends of Individuals affected by Psychosis) – developing and evaluating an eHealth complex intervention for family carers

Jacqueline Sin1, Claire Henderson2, Aurora Sesé3, Luke Woodham3, Kavirthana Krishnamoorthy3, Steve Gillard1

1Population Health Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, UK; 2Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; 3e-Learning Unit, Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's, University of London, London, UK
Correspondence: Jacqueline Sin (jasin@sgul.ac.uk)

Background

Psychosis including schizophrenia are the most common severe mental illness. [1,2] Coping with psychosis is often challenging and difficult not just for the individuals themselves but everyone close to them. [3,4,5] The EFFIP project is a five-year research programme aiming to develop and evaluate an online intervention providing support, information, and coping strategies to promote the wellbeing of carers of people affected by psychosis.

Methods

This nurse-led project enlists a team of multi-disciplinary clinical and academic experts, digital health professionals, people with lived experience of psychosis, carers and key stakeholders. We use a mixed methods study design based on the UK Medical Research Council’s framework for the development, modelling and piloting, and evaluation of complex interventions.[6]

Results and conclusions

Over the last two years, we have completed two systematic reviews [4,5] and focus group studies with carers and service users, to map out the design and content of the intervention. We built the intervention prototype and ran a usability study to test its usability and to further refine it through an iterative consultation process with carers and extensive Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) activities. Third and lastly, we just launched a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the online intervention in promoting carers’ wellbeing and caregiving experiences (ISRCTN 89563420).

Acknowledgements

We also acknowledge all the inputs and contributions from the Project Reference Group and Expert Advisory Group members – see http://cope-support.org/team/

References

  1. 1.

    NICE (2014) Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: Treatment and management (CG 178). London: The British Psychological Society & The Royal College of Psychiatrists.

  2. 2.

    The Schizophrenia Commission (2012) The Abandoned Illness: A Report from the Schizophrenia Commission. London: Rethink Mental Illness.

  3. 3.

    Pharoah F., Mari J., Rathbone J. & Wong W. (2010) Family intervention for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 12. Art. No.:CD000088. DOI:10.1002/14651858. CD000088.pub3.

  4. 4.

    Sin J., Gillard S., Spain D., Cornelius V., Chen T. & Henderson C. (2017) Effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions for family carers of people with psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review. 56: 13-24.

  5. 5.

    Sin J., Henderson C., Spain D., Cornelius V., Chen T. & Gillard S. (2018) eHealth interventions for family carers of people with long term illness: A promising approach? Clinical Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.01.008.

  6. 6.

    Medical Research Council (2008) Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions: New Guidance. Retrieved from: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/documents/pdf/complex-interventions- guidance/(last accessed on 27th July 2017).

S2 Advancing the science of literature reviewing in nursing: the Focused Mapping Review and Synthesis as a novel approach

Caroline Bradbury-Jones, Julie Taylor

School of Nursing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Correspondence: Caroline Bradbury-Jones (c.bradbury-jones@bham.ac.uk)

Background

Literature reviews are an important and popular part of synthesising evidence in nursing [1]. There are numerous approaches, each with their distinctive features and purposes [2]. Most types of review involve exhaustive searching and retrieval of as much relevant evidence as possible on a particular subject and from this, firm conclusions can be drawn or gaps in evidence identified. We present and critique a new form of review: The ‘Focused Mapping Review and Synthesis’ (FMRS).

Methods

Using illustrative examples from our published FMRS papers and extant literature on leadership, we present this new review type. In line with the conference theme, we use leadership in nursing as an example.

Results

Rather than synthesising evidence of ‘what works’, a FMRS approach aims to identify the contours, boundaries or assumptions associated with a subject within a specific body of literature.

Conclusions

FMRS offers a useful addition to the methodological toolkit of researchers.

References

1. Aveyard H (2010) Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide. Berkshire: Open University Press.

2. Grant MJ, Booth A (2009) A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 2009, 26(91-108).

S3 Development of a psycho-educational intervention program in oncology according to the complex interventions methodology

Otília Barreto1,2, Adriana Henriques2

1Regional Health Service of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Madeira, Portugal; 2University of Lisbon and School of Nursing of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Correspondence: Otília Barreto (maria.barreto@campus.esel.pt)

Background

The diagnosis of cancer disease has a great negative impact on both the patient and his/her family. This disease implies the adoption of coping strategies in order to cope with it. Some people need the specialized intervention of health professionals to adopt effective strategies to deal with the disease.

Methods

The development of the psychoeducational intervention program followed the guidelines of the Medical Research Council. This study covered the Development Phase and the Feasibility Phase of the Complex Interventions Model. In each phase the mixed method was used. We did two Systematic Reviews of Literature, submitted the program to expert peers and a Focus Group at the end of the program with the participants.

Results

The final result of this process of construction of the psychoeducational program gave rise to a multifamily group intervention program. The program's contents cover the concept of cancer, the demystification of this disease, adaptation to cancer, strategies to deal with anxiety and stress, family adaptation to cancer and lastly the resources of support that can appeal throughout the process of disease.

Conclusions

This construction process allows us to conclude this specific intervention as a working tool for nurses who develop their professional activity, and to change the current nursing care.

S4 Nurses’ working context as an antecedent of autonomy-supportive communication - the contribution of the Self-Determination Theory

Veerle Duprez1, Maarten Vansteenkiste2, Dimitri Beeckman1, Sofie Verhaeghe1, Ann Van Hecke1

1University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 2Developmental Psychology, Department of developmental, personality and social psychology; Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence: Veerle Duprez (Veerle.Duprez@UGent.be)

Background

Within chronic care, it is generally accepted that patients are empowered to take the lead in their chronic condition management. A clincal leadership needs to be established, characterized by a collaborative partnership between the patient and the nurse. However, nurses sometimes leave little room for an approach that aknowledges a central role to patient participation and autonomy.

Methods

Rooted in the Self-Determination Theory, this study addressed (1) nurses’ autonomy-supportive approach, (2) whether work-related antecedents predict their approach while supporting patients towards self-management, and (3) the possible mediating role of burnout in these effects by structural equation models. A multicentre study was conducted within chronic care nurses (N=509).

Results

A two-dimensionality differing in person-centeredness and directiveness was present, i.e. autonomy-supportive, structuring, controlling, or chaotic approach. Antecedents indicated that nurses who experienced autonomy, competence and relatedness in their work context tended more to an autonomy-supportive approach. Nurses’ motives for self-management support differently predict the use of autonomy-supportive or more controlling approaches.

Conclusions

Managers face the challenge to provide job autonomy, as well as endorse the value of self-management support, which in turn leads to nurses’ provision of autonomy to patients.

S5 Coproduction of knowledge for practice through a participatory action research and process evaluation project (Lydia Osteoporosis Project 2, LOP 2)

Margaret Coulter Smith1, Anthony Schrag2, Fiona Kelly1, Claire Pearson1, Alison Bacigalupo1

1Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; 2Division of Media, Communication and Performing Arts, School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Correspondence: Margaret Coulter Smith (msmith1@qmu.ac.uk)

Background

Participatory action research (PAR) is active, collaborative and seeks to develop knowledge from everyday occurrences (Reason and Bradbury 2013). A creative movement workshop developed from the Lydia Osteoporosis PAR Project 2 (LOP 2) and enabled volunteer local research collaborators and participants to articulate new practice knowledge.

Methods

A workshop co-designed by nurse researchers and artists as facilitators aimed to explore beliefs, understandings, mental models, and ‘tacit’ knowledge about osteoporosis and fracture risk in an ageing population (IOF 2017, SIGN 2015). Theoretical frameworks included ‘Embodied cognition’ (Balcetis and Cole 2009), ‘model-based learning environments’ (Pirnay-Dummer et al, 2012), biomedical knowledge, and creative arts.

Results

Workshop participants (N=19) progressed through activities ranging from individual drawings of human figures to more physical movement tasks influenced by ‘embodied cognition’, with tissue paper ‘exoskeletons’ as a metaphor for fracture risk. The activities created dissonance and puzzlement to challenge beliefs and knowledge structures. Multiple materials were used. Processes and creative outputs were documented in photographs and text. Data analysis was undertaken and a metaphor appeared to convey practice when assisting with mobility ‘Mobilising with osteoporosis is like a dance. Sometimes you will lead. Sometimes you will follow’.

Conclusions

Workshop was positively evaluated.

S6 From qualitative meta-summary to qualitative meta-synthesis: developing a new situation-specific theory of barriers and facilitators for self-care in heart failure patients

Oliver Rudolf Herber (Oliver.Herber@med.uni-duesseldorf.de)

Institute of General Practice (ifam), Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany

Background

Situation-specific theories provide nurses with a vehicle to guide their decisions or make assumptions. Yet, a theory on barriers and facilitators for self-care in heart failure patients is absent in spite of sufficient primary qualitative research required to execute a qualitative meta-synthesis represented as a situation-specific theory. The purpose is to describe the development of a situation-specific theory of barriers and facilitators to heart failure self-care.

Methods

We employed meta-synthesis techniques to integrate statements of findings pertaining to barriers and facilitators to heart failure self-care that were derived previously through meta-summary techniques.

Results

According to the proposed theoretical model, self-care behaviour is the result of a patient’s decision-making process. This process is mainly influenced by two key concepts: ‘self-efficacy’ and the ‘patient’s disease concept.’ Facilitative and inhibitive factors have been identified influencing these two key concepts as well as the decision-making process itself, thereby either enabling or hampering the execution of effective heart failure self-care.

Conclusions

A situation-specific theory of barriers and facilitators to heart failure self-care provides a blueprint for nursing practice. Further research is needed to validate the model through empirical testing. Once fully matured, the model may be useful in developing behavioural interventions.

S7 Leadership competencies and attributes in advanced nursing practice: an integrated review

Maud Heinen1, Anita Huis1, Hester Vermeulen2, Catharina van Oostveen2, Jeroen Peters2

1IQ healthcare, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; 2University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Correspondence: Maud Heinen (m.machiels@maastrichtuniversity.nl)

Background

Developments in healthcare and within the nursing profession ask for well trained nurses with leadership qualities at all levels of the healthcare system. Clinical nurses who are trained at master’s level, e.g. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) are ideally positioned to lead health care reform in nursing. Identifying leadership competencies and attributes internationally is the first step for an evidence based curriculum on leadership.

The aim of this study is to contribute to defining leadership by establishing what leadership competencies and attributes are expected of the Master level educated nurse (APN & CNL) from an international perspective.

Methods

An integrative review design was used which allows for the combination of various methods to synthesize the findings of included studies and literature. The Embase, Medline and Cinahl databases and websites of international professional nursing organizations were searched for publications on leadership competencies.

Results

Seventy-eight competencies were identified in ten studies and six frameworks. Synthesis of results led to the identification of 26 core competencies within the clinical, professional, health systems and health policy leadership domains (Hamric et al 2014). The least number of competencies were identified in the health policy domain.

Conclusions

This model of leadership core competencies could be used as a solid base for international leadership development.

S8 Clinical leadership: how can we define and recognize leaders in bedside nursing care?

Nele De Roo, Sabrina Nachtergaele

Artevelde University College Ghent, Nursing Department, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence: Nele De Roo (nele.deroo@arteveldehs.be)

Background

Nurses have a considerable role in coordinating and implementing interdisciplinary care in hospitals in order to guarantee quality of care (QoC). Therefore every nurse has to possess leadership qualities, including nurses without a formal leadership role.

The aim of this study was to define the concept of clinical leadership and to understand how clinical leaders can be recognized within a nursing team.

Methods

A literature research was conducted combined with in-depth interviews with experts and semi-structured focus groups. A qualitative content analysis of the transcribed expert and focus group interviews was done.

Results

The concept ‘clinical leadership’ involves bedside nurses who deliver daily care, act as role models and influence, motivate and inspire others with their values and beliefs to improve patient care, without having formal authority. Characteristics like creativity, clinical expertise, flexibility, communication skills and vision towards the future are linked to this concept. There is a positive correlation between the presence of these clinical leaders and QoC. Senior nurses acknowledge and recognize these leadership qualities in bedside nurses, but nurses do not recognize this within themselves.

Conclusions

Understanding of this concept is necessary to raise leadership-self-awareness in bedside nurses, which has a positive impact on QoC.

S9 Nursing in the governance model of health programmes

Andreia Silva da Costa1, Adriana Henriques2

1Directorate of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal; 2ESEL – Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa e ISAM – Instituto Superior Ambiental da Faculdade de Medicina Preventiva de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Correspondence: Andreia Silva da Costa (andreiasilva@dgs.min-saude.pt)

Background

The epidemiological and demographic patterns of transition present shifting challenges to European health systems. Aging and higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases challenge health services organisations.

Attribution of responsibilities and activities amongst professionals and their interactions can be adapted, creating new strategies and governance models implying nurses can equate national programmes from management to execution.

This paper aims to describe good practices in Portugal reflecting national programmes implemented locally by nurses articulated with multiple stakeholders.

Methods

The methodology used involved detailed analysis of governance models available on health ministry websites and monitoring reports showing process and outcome indicators of national, regional and local programmes managed by nurses.

Results

Analysis revealed programmes nationally coordinated by nurses, namely the National Programme for Children and Youth Health. This Programme provides health surveillance from birth through interventions of health professionals. Indicators related to health promotion and disease prevention revealed positive results and its indicators place Portugal positively when compared to European countries.

Conclusions

The dissemination of these governance models is considered relevant for the recognition of nurses in the coordination of programmes at local and national levels, specifically related to child health and vaccination, as health gains obtained place Portugal amongst European countries with the best results in this field.

S10 Core Outcome Set (COS) for health- and nursing research: the case of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD)

Karen Van den Bussche, Dorien De Meyer, Dimitri Beeckman

1Skin Integrity Research Group, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence: Karen Van den Bussche (karen.vandenbussche@ugent.be)

Background

In health- and nursing science, clinical trials contribute to evidence-based practice and informed clinical decision making. However, trial results are often contradictory due to varying methodological quality, populations, interventions, and outcomes. The lack of comparability of clinical trial outcomes is a major challenge in the field of IAD prevention and treatment. Numerous initiatives to standardise outcomes have been launched since the 1990s. Today, the concept of a Core Outcome Set (COS) is widely accepted.

Methods

A list of outcome domains was generated through a systematic literature review, consultation of experts and three patient interviews. The project team reviewed and refined the outcome domains prior to starting a three-round Delphi procedure. The panellists, including healthcare providers, researchers and industry were invited to rate the importance of the outcome domains.

Results

We extracted 1852 outcomes from 244 articles. Experts proposed 56 and patients 32 outcomes. After refinement, 57 panellists from 17 countries rated a list of 58 outcome domains. The final list of outcome domains includes erythema, erosion, maceration, IAD-related pain, and patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

The use of a COS in clinical trials will contribute to international standardisation, comparability between trials, patient-centred care, and informed clinical decision making.

S11 Experiences with a nurse-led self-management support intervention for people with chronic conditions; a mixed-methods approach

AnneLoes van Staa1, Janet Been-Dahmen1, Heleen van der Stege1, Denise Beck2, Mirjam Tielen2, Marleen van Buren2, Cora Braat3, Emma Massey2, Wendy Oldenmenger3, Erwin Ista2

1Department of Healthcare & Welfare, NHL University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; 2Erasmus University Medical Centre, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; 3Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Correspondence: AnneLoes van Staa (a.van.staa@hr.nl)

Background

Self-management support is a core task for nurses, but it is unclear what it entails. Using Intervention Mapping, a nurse-led intervention was developed: people with kidney transplant (KT) and head-neck cancer (HNC) indicated their support needs. The intervention combines the assessment of self-management challenges using a conversational tool (Self-Management Web) with solution-focused communication techniques, including goal-setting, action-planning and monitoring progress. This pilot-study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and first effects of the intervention.

Methods

A controlled before-after evaluation study was conducted in 2 outpatient clinics of a Dutch University Hospital. To gain insight into fidelity, feasibility, and acceptability, we did interviews and observations. Quantitative methods consisted of pre-post surveys within-group comparison; and intervention (n=23 KT; n=27 HNC) versus historic control (n=43 KT; n=28 HNC) between-group comparison.

Results

The intervention was highly valued because of the open, holistic focus. It helped patients to build a relationship of trust with the nurse and made them more competent in problem-solving skills. Quantitative analyses indicated a significant change in self-efficacy (HNC) and in patient-centredness of nursing care (KT) but not in self-management skills.

Conclusions

This holistic self-management support intervention seems a promising tool to help chronic patients deal with daily life challenges.

S12 Leadership activities and associated competencies of advanced practice nurses and midwives: a cross-sectional study

Regine Goemaes1, Elsie Decoene2, Dimitri Beeckman1, Sofie Verhaeghe1,3, Ann Van Hecke1,4

1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 2Cancer Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; 3Vives University College, Roeselare, Belgium; 4Nursing Science, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence: Regine Goemaes (Regine.Goemaes@UGent.be)

Background

Advanced practice nursing and midwifery roles are increasingly implemented internationally. Although leadership is an important part of these roles, research regarding leadership activities of advanced practice nurses and midwives within and beyond healthcare organizations is scarce.

Methods

A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was undertaken among advanced practice nurses and midwives in hospitals to examine leadership activities and associated, self-reported competencies. Activity and competency level frequencies were calculated. Regression analysis identified factors associated with task non-execution.

Results

Advanced practice nurses and midwives (n=63) mainly focus on guideline and care protocol development within the hospital, maintaining contacts with colleagues in other healthcare organizations and participating in policy development meetings regarding domain-specific topics. A minority of advanced practitioners participate in hospital (department) policy meetings and (inter)national advisory boards, or maintain contacts with international professional associations and patient organizations. Non-execution of several leadership activities was associated with advanced practitioners feeling incompetent.

Conclusions

As feeling incompetent was associated with task non-execution, optimization of advanced practice nurses and midwives’ training regarding leadership activities should be considered. Leadership competencies are essential for the advancement of nursing and midwifery on a national and international level and for the further professionalization of nursing and midwifery policy.

S13 Job satisfaction in relation to communication among nurses

Peter Vermeir1,2, Sophie Degroote1, Dominique Vandijck1,3,4, Rik Verhaeghe2,3, Dirk Vogelaers1,2, An Mariman1,2

1Department of General Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; 2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 3Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 4Department of Business Economics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Correspondence: Peter Vermeir (peter.vermeir@uzgent.be)

Background

Within the context of a worldwide nurse shortage and high turnover rates, improving nursing effectiveness is an important goal.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

Inter-professional teamwork is achieved by the interactive efforts of all team members involved through good communication and respect for the role of the other team members. There should be room for the contribution of each team member.

Communication impacts job satisfaction and job satisfaction impacts nurses’ turnover, which negatively influences quality of care. Furthermore, patient satisfaction is also influenced by nurses’ job satisfaction.

Inter-professional education which focuses on helping teams to communicate in appropriate and effective ways, is needed. Examples are: TeamSTEPPS (inter-professional communication training model), learning from errors and the SBAR structure.

Conclusions

Communication- and job satisfaction are the result of a complex and multifactorial interaction, involving both internal and external factors. Job dissatisfaction is a reliable predictor for turnover. Achieving a balance is important for enabling job satisfaction which is required for both organizational stability and for guaranteeing patient safety. This can only be achieved through an organization wide multimodal prevention and intervention program which aims to optimize different modalities of inter-professional communication, workload and job satisfaction.

Change history

  • 03 February 2019

    Abstract

    After publication of this supplement [1], it was brought to our attention that in abstract 11, the author affiliation No. 1 is incorrect. It should be ‘Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam, The Netherlands’, but not ‘Department of Healthcare & Welfare, NHL University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands’.

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European Academy of Nursing Science Summer Conference 2018: Leadership in Nursing: challenges for the future. BMC Nurs 17 (Suppl 1), 34 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-018-0301-3

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