Investigating factors associate to nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care and to identify factors associate with such attitudes. Background: Caring for and supporting parents whose infant has died is extremely demanding, difficult and stressful. It is likely that the attitude of nursing staff can influence recovery from a pregnancy loss and nurses with positive attitude to bereavement care can help bereaved parents to cope during their grieving period. Method: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire; 334 nurses were recruited (63% response rate) from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit in five hospitals in Hong Kong during May–August 2006. Outcome measures including attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care, importance on hospital policy and training support for bereavement care. Results: Majority of nurses in this study held a positive attitude towards bereavement care. Results showed that only 39·3% (n = 130) of nurses had bereavement related training. By contrast, about 89·8% of nurses (n = 300) showed they need to be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and understanding in the care and support of bereaved parents and more than 88·0% (n = 296) would share experiences with colleagues and seek support when feeling under stress. Regression model showed that age, past experience in handling grieving parents and nurses’ perceived attitudes to hospital policy and training provided for bereavement cares were factors associate with nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care. Conclusions: Hong Kong nurses emphasized their need for increased knowledge and experience, improved communication skills and greater support from team members and the hospital for perinatal bereavement care

The Recognition of Excessive blood loss At ChildbirTh (REACT) Study: a two-phase exploratory, sequential mixed methods inquiry using focus groups, interviews and a pilot, randomised crossover study

Objectives: To explore how childbirth-related blood loss is evaluated and excessive bleeding recognised; and develop and test a theory of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) diagnosis. Design: Two-phase, exploratory, sequential mixed methods design using focus groups, interviews and a pilot, randomised crossover study. Setting: Two hospitals in North West England. Sample: Women (following vaginal birth with and without PPH), birth partners, midwives and obstetricians. Methods: Phase one (qualitative): 8 focus groups and 20 one-to-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women, 5 birth partners, 11 obstetricians, 1 obstetric anaesthetist and 19 midwives (n=51). Phase two (quantitative): 11 obstetricians and 10 midwives (n=21) completed two simulations of fast and slow blood loss using a high-fidelity childbirth simulator. Results: Responses to blood loss were described as automatic, intuitive reactions to the speed, nature and visibility of blood flow. Health professionals reported that quantifying volume was most useful after a PPH diagnosis, to validate intuitive decisions and guide on-going management. During simulations, PPH treatment was initiated at volumes at or below 200ml (fast mean blood loss 79.6ml, SD 41.1; slow mean blood loss 62.6ml, SD 27.7). All participants treated fast, visible blood loss, but only half treated slow blood loss, despite there being no difference in volumes (difference 18.2ml, 95% CI -5.6 to 42.2ml, p=0.124). Conclusions: Experience and intuition, rather than blood loss volume, inform recognition of excessive blood loss after birth. Women and birth partners want more information and open communication about blood loss. Further research exploring clinical decision-making and how to support it is required

Investigating factors associate to nurses' attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care

10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02007.xJournal of Clinical Nursing174509-51

Factors influencing Macao nurses' intention to leave current employment

10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02463.xJournal of Clinical Nursing186893-90

Investigating factors associated with depression of older women in Macau

10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.02867.xJournal of Clinical Nursing18212969-297

Exploring the profiles of nurses' job satisfaction in Macau: Results of a cluster analysis

10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.02902.xJournal of Clinical Nursing193-4470-47