ABSTRACT Background Prehospital emergency care attends to patients experiencing acute suffering; a sudden and profound disruption affecting the person's life, body and existential well‐being in the context of illness, injury or crisis. In this unpredictable and vulnerable setting, a central question emerges: how can caring needs be effectively met? Aim The aim of this paper is to develop a concept synthesis grounded in a caring science paradigm within the prehospital context, clarifying the nature of caring. Method A concept synthesis based on a caring science theoretical framework was conducted using a combined deductive–inductive approach, integrating theory, clinical experience and relevant literature through an abductive and iterative process. Results The synthesis introduces three interrelated concepts: acute Suffering (S), act of Togetherness (T) and On‐scene space (O), situated within Prehospital emergency care (P). These concepts collectively shape the STOP synthesis. STOP positions caring as the core of prehospital emergency care, emphasizing a holistic perspective that extends beyond a purely biological understanding. It provides a structured framework for understanding and practicing the complexity of caring in this setting. Conclusion Using the STOP‐sign metaphor, the STOP synthesis highlights the importance of pausing in prehospital emergency care to recognize the patient as a multidimensional human being experiencing acute suffering. By integrating the concepts of acute Suffering, act of Togetherness and On‐scene space within the prehospital context, the synthesis promotes a shift beyond a solely biomedical perspective toward a caring science understanding of suffering and care. The synthesis may support prehospital professionals, particularly nurses, in integrating caring and medical knowledge in clinical practice and provides a theoretical basis for future research, education and a holistic prehospital emergency care.
Background Mentorship programmes are widely used to support the professional transition of newly employed nurses; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness in developing countries remains limited.Aim This study aimed to examine the effects of a mentorship programme based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring on new nurses' transition experience, job satisfaction and intention to leave, and to explore the experiences and perceived benefits of both mentor and mentee nurses. Methods This study employed a longitudinal multiphase explanatory mixed-methods design. The study was conducted between June 2022 and June 2023 at a university hospital in western T & uuml;rkiye. The mentorship programme lasted nine months and involved monthly face-to-face meetings between mentor (n = 15) and mentee nurses (n = 24). Quantitative data were collected before and four months after the programme from the completing mentee nurses (n = 16) to assess transition experience, job satisfaction and intention to leave. Qualitative data were obtained through monthly interviews with mentors who completed the process (n = 11) and open-ended evaluation forms completed by both mentors and mentees at the end of the programme. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical tests for dependent groups, while qualitative data were examined through content analysis. Results No statistically significant differences were found in new nurses' job satisfaction, intention to leave or perception of the transition process (p > 0.05). However, a moderate effect size was observed for the perception of the transition process (r = 0.41), indicating the potential positive influence of the mentorship programme. Qualitative findings showed that the programme enhanced mentors' communication and leadership skills and supported the professional and clinical adaptation of mentee nurses. Conclusion Mentorship programmes structured within Watson's Theory of Human Caring may provide a supportive and healing framework that facilitates the early clinical adaptation of new nurses.
Background Interdisciplinary teams in home care and home nursing are being implemented across Denmark, inspired by the Buurtzorg model. While structural aspects have been studied, less is known about the concrete, observable behaviours that make interdisciplinary teams function well in practice.Aim To identify and thematise observable behaviours in well-functioning interdisciplinary teams' meetings in home care and home nursing care, thereby contributing to practice development and implementation.Method The study used a qualitative descriptive, practice-oriented design to identify concrete behaviours rather than generate new theory. Data were collected during the implementation of interdisciplinary teams in a metropolitan municipality covering 10 districts and about 185 professionals. Material comprised 14 preliminary observations, 64 structured participatory observations of team meetings across all the municipality's 16 interdisciplinary teams, and two individual and three focus group interviews with staff and leaders. Data were analysed thematically, with two authors coding independently before refining themes iteratively through discussion.Ethical Issues The study complied with the Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and national legislation. Informed consent was obtained, and GDPR requirements were observed.Results Thirty-six observable actions were identified and grouped into four sets of behaviours: (1) performing meeting goals (shared understanding, shared solving, shared deciding); (2) following the meeting's methodology (role clarity, documentation, participatory dialogue); (3) creating conditions (presence, psychological safety, adequate facilities, and leadership support); and (4) sharing perspectives, recognising others (disciplinary and holistic perspectives, including existential care). A distinctive marker of well-functioning teams was the practice of open questioning, which fostered sensemaking and co-creation.Limitations Findings are drawn from one municipality, which limits generalisability.Conclusions Well-functioning interdisciplinary teams are characterised less by information exchange and coordination than by achieving shared understanding, collective problem-solving, and integration of diverse perspectives. These behaviours reflect and produce a shift from efficiency-driven management towards co-creation and holistic care and can guide future implementation of interdisciplinary teams.
ABSTRACT Introduction Research indicates that shame may undermine self‐worth, particularly in societies marked by high demands for self‐realization and individual responsibility, where failures are often internalized. Shame is a pervasive and potentially harmful affect, closely linked to self‐evaluation, mental health and societal expectations, yet its lived and existential dimensions remain insufficiently explored. In this study, shame is understood in relation to life‐suffering, an ontological dimension of suffering that touches the whole human being when dignity, belonging, life understanding and possibilities of being are challenged. Aim The study aims to deepen the understanding of shame as it is experienced and expressed, using life‐suffering as a theoretical framework. Method Hermeneutical reading of classic texts was used as the methodological framework and research method. Two contemporary novels written by Marie Aubert and Helga Flatland were selected as material for reading and interpretation. Findings The findings highlight shame as an interplay between desire and self‐disqualification, embodied shame and the vanishing self, shame arising from the sense of being different, shame as a generalized sense of not being enough as a human being, the shame of wanting to stand out, shame as unmet expectations and the sense of living the wrong life, and shame as the breaking point that opens new possibilities and dreams. Conclusion Shame, as a lived and dynamic force intertwined with life suffering, shapes human beings' understanding of self, human worth, belonging, relationships and capacity to act. Being seen, acknowledged and received by others in ways that affirm human dignity and restore vitality and agency. Rather than needing to be eliminated, shame may be borne, reconciled with and transformed through experiences of meaning, recognition and connection. In this way, existential vulnerability emerges not only as a source of suffering but also as an opening toward renewed meaning, hope and courage to live.
ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study is to describe how nurses assess interventions to promote patients' sleep on hospital wards. Desing The study was a cross‐sectional survey, and it was conducted among nurses in Finnish specialist healthcare in 2022. Methods Out of 482 eligible participants in the sampling frame, 129 nurses returned a completed questionnaire. The open‐ended question was answered by 36 participants. Data were analysed using statistical methods and inductive content analysis. Results In general, participants assessed that they perform well in sleep‐promoting activities in a hospital ward. Participants gave the highest assessment to supporting patients' mental and emotional well‐being. Minimising disturbance related to nursing interventions got the lowest scores. Based on the open‐ended questions, respondents described that the realisation of patients' sleep support in the hospital related to the care environment, patient placement within the ward, resources available for nursing interventions, sleep‐supporting aids, care culture and training related to supporting patients' sleep. Conclusion Nurses assess that they are implementing patient sleep‐promotion interventions well. Nurses realise patients' sleep promotion as a part of their daily activities. Nurses can promote patient's sleep with small activities, as long as the organisation takes care of the nurses' skills and ensures practical interventions so that the patient gets enough rest during the treatment period.
