Background: Patients receiving care in intensive care units have confirmed or impending organ failure, acute or deteriorating, affecting one or more organ systems. Through advanced monitoring and treatment, care focuses on supporting, replacing, or preserving the function of the affected organs using equipment or medication. When further examinations or specialized care is required, patients may need to be transported, either within or between hospitals. Transports are often associated with an increased risk of adverse events or injuries, thereby posing a threat to patient safety. Nurses’ experiences are important for developing guidelines and procedures that strengthen patient safety and the working environment in intensive care.

Aim: The aim of this literature review was to analyse nurses’ experiences of performing intra- and interhospital transports of intensive care patients in critical conditions.

Method: A structured literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted. Eleven articles were analysed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis.

Result: Three themes and seven subthemes were identified. Prerequisites for safe transport emphasize the importance of thorough preparation and planning, a high level of readiness, risk awareness, and clear, well-functioning guidelines. Transport as a high-risk moment highlights experiences related to leaving the intensive care unit and how the unfamiliar environment increases stress and workload for the transporting nurse. Competence and collaboration in a complex care situation underline the importance of teamwork and effective communication, as well as how prior experience and training strengthen competence and a sense of security during transport.

Conclusion: Nurses perceive intra- and interhospital transports as complex and stressful situations, yet necessary to meet patients’ care needs. Further research is recommended to determine what type of education and training nurses find most beneficial in preparing for patient transports.

Background Intensive care is under constant development. The new standard of care presents a need to examine the benefits of non pharmacological interventions. Music therapy is a care action with many benefits with potential to improve the care for the intensive care patient.

Aim The aim of this study was to describe if music therapy has an effect on pain and stress in adult patients in the ICU. 

Methods The literature review was conducted through a structured literature search with an inductive approach in two databases. Quantitative studies that answered to the PICO inclusion criteria were included. The selection process was conducted by both authors independently through transparent inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as a quality assessment with CASP checklists. The analysis was conducted according to a modified analysis method for quantitative data. 

Results The structured literature review resulted in two main themes (reduced pain and reduced stress) as well as one incidental result (vital signs). The result showed that music therapy leads to lower CPOT and BPS scores as well as lower RASS-scores and cortisol levels in the blood. Some patients fell asleep during music therapy which indicates relaxation. The results also show that music therapy has a positive effect on certain vital signs as patients in the intensive care show lower heart rate and blood pressure during and after music therapy. 

Conclusion This literature review shows that music therapy has a positive effect on pain and stress in intensive care patients. Music therapy has the potential to be a cost effective, staff efficient intervention with a low carbon footprint. It is a care oriented intervention with the potential of enhancing the patients comfort in an inhospitable environment.

Future research Further need of primary studies with larger sample groups are needed to strengthen the evidence based care regarding music therapy in relation to intensive care.

Background: Dementia is a growing public health issue affecting cognitive, psychological and socialfunctioning. Dementia care is complex and requires nurses to have sufficient competence, caring abilityand organisational support. People with dementia are often dependent on support and may havedifficulties expressing their needs, which makes nursing care important.

Aim: To describe nurses experience of caring for people with dementia.

Method: The study was conducted as a general literature review with a qualitative approach. Tenscientific articles were identified through systematic searches in PubMed and CINAHL, in accordancewith Polit and Beck’s nine-step model. The articles were quality reviewed using SBU’s review templateand analysed using thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s six-step model.

Results: Nurses’ experiences of dementia care were characterised by competence, organisationalconditions and care-related challenges. Lack of knowledge, time constraints, staff shortages andinsufficient care environments affected care. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia andethical dilemmas created emotional strain. The care relationship emerged as central for security andindividualised care.

Conclusion: Nurses needed increased knowledge and organisational support to provide personcentred and ethically sustainable care.

Bakgrund: Suicid, en handling ofta till följd av djupt och långvarigt psykiskt lidande. Bedömning av suicidrisk utgör en central och komplex del av den psykiatriska omvårdnaden och ställer höga krav på sjuksköterskans kliniska kompetens samt förmåga att hantera stress.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att identifiera och beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenhet av att bedöma suicidrisk inom hälso- och sjukvården. 

Metod: En strukturerad litteraturöversikt genomfördes. Vars resultat baserades på 14 artiklar av kvalitativ design, framsökta via databaserna: CINAHL, PubMed och PsycINFO.  

Resultat: Fyra teman framkom: “Suicidriskbedömning som kliniskt tolkande process”, “Att bära ansvar med en känsla av osäkerhet”, "Emotionell och etisk påverkan” och “Förutsättningar för en säker bedömning”. Därtill 14 subteman: “Relation och tillit som förutsättning för bedömning”, “Att fånga “det outsagda””, “Kliniskt omdöme och intuition som en del av helhetsbedömningen”, “Bedömningens förutsättningar”, “Standardiserade instrument - Stöd, hinder och “juridisk trygghet””, “Stort ansvar i kritiska situationer”, "Föränderlig risk och rädsla att göra fel”, “Ensamhet, otydligt mandat och ansvarsfördelning”, "Emotionell belastning och självtvivel”, “Etiska dilemman - Autonomi och integritet vs skydd”, “Känsloreglering och balans mellan närhet och distans”, “Utbildning och erfarenhet ger trygghet”, “Kollegialt och organisatoriskt stöd”, “Samverkan och rutiner”.

Betydelse: Studien är betydelsefull för omvårdnad genom att bidra till fördjupad kunskap om sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av suicidriskbedömningar och de utmaningar som påverkar en säker och personcentrerad vård. Resultaten kan användas för att stärka specialistsjuksköterskans kompetens och utveckla kliniska färdigheter i syfte att öka patientsäkerheten.

Background

In pediatric care, a unique situation arises, in addition to the healthcare staff and the patient, the parent is also a large part of the care encounter. As a nurse it is important to take part in the parents' experiences.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe parents' care experiences in the pediatric emergency department.

Method

A general literature study with a qualitative approach. The data collection was made with Polit and Beck's nine-step model, and the thematic analysis was made with Braun and Clark's reflective model.

Results

Two themes were identified with two subthemes each: Theme 1 ‘Relationships that create participation and trust’ with subthemes ‘To be recognized as a central part of the child’s care' and ‘When communication is adapted to the child’s world'. Theme 2 ‘The environment that reinforces or alleviates vulnerability’ with subthemes ‘An environment that reinforces anxiety, stress and vulnerability' and ‘An environment that creates calm, trust and comfort.”

Conclusion

The care-relationship and empathy were described as crucial. Parents appreciated it when the staff adapted their communication to the child. The environment was described as stressful, and the parents highlighted a need to have access to private spaces to protect their integrity.

Background: HIV is a threat to public health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Stigmatization of the disease and factors contributing to limited access to treatment leads to AIDS in this otherwise treatable condition. Antiretroviral therapy enables a healthy life but requires lifelong treatment and responsibility for healthcare providers. There are challenges that hinder efforts to provide equitable care. 

Aim: To synthesize how people living with HIV experience their interactions with healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa.  

Method: A literature review based on 10 scientific articles with a qualitative approach. The articles were included following a search in CINAHL and PubMed databases and analyzed using a thematic analysis method.  

Results: The analysis identified three themes: The importance of trust in healthcare personnel, Being informed is a prerequisite for participation, and Attitudes and the importance of respect. 

Conclusion: The results showed that people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa experienced several shortcomings in their healthcare encounters, primarily related to lack of confidentiality, discrimination, stigma, and participation. These factors influenced trust, adherence to treatment, and healthcareseeking behavior. These experiences highlight a significant need for further knowledge and research regarding interactions with healthcare staff. 

Keywords: People living with HIV, patient experiences, professional-patient relationship, sub-Saharan Africa

Background 

Postpartum depression affects about 13% of new mothers worldwide. The consequences can be serious both for the woman and her family. Effective screening tools and treatments exist. Still many women are never identified or are diagnosed too late. Nurses play a central role in recognising these problems and offering support. But we know little about how nurses themselves experience these encounters.

Aim 

The aim of this study is to explore nurses’ experiences of caring for women with postpartum depression.

Method

A systematic review of 11 qualitative studies was conducted, using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Quality was assessed with the SBU appraisal tool.

Results 

Three main themes emerged: the relational encounter with mothers, feelings of inadequacy regarding knowledge and competence and organisational and cultural barriers. Nurses described trust as essential for identifying mental ill health. Lack of time, limited education, lack of organisational support and cultural stigma made nursing care harder to provide.

Conclusion 

Better training in perinatal mental health, clearer guidelines, and improved organizational conditions are needed to support person-centred care. More research is also required to identify what helps nurses in their work.

Background: In the end-of-life stage, spiritual needs may become particularly significant and constitute a central part of person-centered palliative care. Despite this, there is a risk that spiritual care is overshadowed by physical care in clinical practice.  Aim: The aim of the study was to explore nurses’ experiences of meeting the spiritual needs of patients at the end of life. Method: The study was conducted as a general literature study with a qualitative approach and was based on ten scientific original articles. Literature research was conducted in CINAHL and PubMed databases. The included articles were quality appraised and analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman. Results: The findings showed that nurses’ experiences were characterized by both opportunities and limitations in meeting patients’ spiritual needs. Two Categories were identified: Active presence enables support for faith and religious practices at the end of life and Limited resources affect the ability to meet spiritual needs. The results indicated that active presence, empathetic care, non-verbal communication, and individualized conversations were important for identifying and addressing spiritual needs. At the same time, lack of time and staff, insufficient knowledge, and the absence of clear guidelines made it difficult to integrate spiritual care into nurses’ clinical practice. Conclusion: Spiritual care is an important part of palliative care and can contribute to security, meaning, and dignity for patients receiving end-of-life care. To strengthen nurses’ ability to meet patients’ spiritual needs, increased knowledge, improved organizational conditions, and the development of clear structures and guidelines are required. The study also highlights the importance of integrating spiritual needs as part of equitable and person-centered care. 

Långvarig smärta är ett globalt folkhälsoproblem som påverkar ungefär 20% av den vuxna befolkningen i världen och hälsoproblemet ökar. För en tredjedel av dem bedöms smärtan leda till en stor påverkan på livet. Långvarig smärta är ett komplext tillstånd vilket kännetecknas av en förändrad nociception, där smärta kan uppstå utan tydliga tecken på vävnadsskada eller andra tecken på att sjukdom finns. Genom att beskriva hur sjuksköterskor erfar att möta vuxna patienter med långvarig smärta kan förståelsen öka och förbättringsområden identifieras.