Introduction: Nursing is a relationship-cantered profession often accompanied by serious stress, affecting the quality of care and the job satisfaction of healthcare workers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between compassion fatigue and the quality of care, with a focus on the mediating role of nurse resilience at Lenjan Martyrs Hospital. Methods: This applied descriptive research was conducted on 158 paramedics and nurses from Lenjan Martyrs Hospital in Isfahan Province in 2023. A researcher-made demographic questionnaire, the Compassion Fatigue Questionnaire (2010), Quality of Care questionnaire (1975), and Resilience Scare (2003) were used for data collection. Finally, data were analyzed using structural equation path analysis with Smart PLS software. Results: The results confirmed a significant direct negative relationship between compassion fatigue and quality of care. However, resilience was found to be a significant mediator in this relationship. The path coefficients from compassion fatigue to resilience and from resilience to quality of care were 0.70 (P<0.05) and 0.78 (P<0.05), respectively. Ultimately, a Sobel test proved the mediating effect (Z=9.46, P<0.01), indicating that resilience mitigates the negative impact of compassion fatigue on care quality. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue negatively impacted the quality of care provided by nurses, such that higher levels of compassion fatigue corresponded to lower quality of care. Therefore, resilience, as a mediating variable, can play a crucial role in mitigating compassion fatigue while improving patient care behaviour.
Background and aims: Alcohol addiction affects various aspects of life, including physical health, mental well-being, and social relationships. This study aimed to identify which domains of the quality of life (QOL) are mostly influenced in individuals with alcohol addiction compared to non-alcoholics. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective public health strategies to improve the well-being of those affected by alcohol addiction. Methods: This case-control observational study included 30 male alcoholics and 30 non-alcoholics. After obtaining ethical approval and participant consent, general socio-demographic data were collected from Jaipur in 2020. Then, addiction was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and QOL was measured with the World Health Organization QOL-BREF. Finally, the data were analyzed using MS Excel and Primer 7, with unpaired t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables (P<0.05). Results: Alcoholics were often uncertain about their QOL, while non-alcoholics generally rated it as good. The mean QOL score was 75.8 and 65.29 for the control and alcoholics. No significant difference in general health was found between the groups. However, there were considerable differences (P<0.001) in psychological health and environmental domains. Conclusion: Overall, psychological and social aspects of QOL are more significantly affected by moderate alcohol addiction than physical health. Accordingly, policymakers should focus on enhancing the mental and social well-being of alcoholics.
Background and aims: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended universal vaccination to control the spread of the virus. Reports of menstrual disorders began to appear in the community after the initiation of vaccination. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their relationship with resilience among women following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 200 vaccinated and 200 non-vaccinated women aged 18–45 years covered by comprehensive health centers in Shahrekord, Iran. They were selected using two-stage random sampling. The data were collected between February and October 2023 using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart to assess menstrual disorders, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25) to measure psychological resilience. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS 27 using an independent t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The overall prevalence of menstrual disorders among 100 vaccinated women was 50.0%, with 44% in Sinopharm and 56% in AstraZeneca recipients (P=0.028). Most disorders occurred after the first vaccine dose in the AstraZeneca group (P<0.001). In addition, the most common disorders were increased bleeding volume and spotting (both P=0.001). The mean total resilience scores were 59.23±6.85, 60.90±6.84, and 57.28±7.07 in the Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, and non-vaccinated groups, respectively (P<0.001). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between total resilience score and the severity of menstrual disorders (r=–0.32, P<0.01), indicating that higher resilience was associated with fewer menstrual problems. Conclusion: Our findings revealed an association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes among women, with a higher prevalence of disorders among AstraZeneca recipients. Vaccinated women demonstrated higher resilience scores, and greater resilience appeared to buffer against menstrual disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of psychological resilience in moderating post-vaccination reproductive changes. However, causal relationships cannot be inferred due to the case-control design.
Background and aims: This study aimed to design an emotional labor model for nurses within the Department of Treatment of Shahrekord. Methods: A descriptive phenomenology approach based on Colaizzi’s method was employed. The participants were nurses from the Department of Treatment of Shahrekord, selected through purposeful sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved, resulting in 14 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nurses regarding their lived experiences of emotional labor and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The validity and reliability of the data were confirmed through Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria: credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability. Results: Data analysis resulted in the identification of concepts within two main dimensions: intrinsic factors of nurses’ emotional labor (62 initial themes, 12 sub-themes, 4 main themes) and the interactional factors of nurses’ emotional labor (73 initial themes, 13 sub-themes, 4 main themes). Conclusion: The findings indicated that nurses’ emotional labor is influenced not only by their personal and intrinsic characteristics but also significantly by the quality of interpersonal interactions and emotional expression in patient communication. The proposed model, based on these two categories of factors, provides a practical framework for healthcare managers and policymakers to enhance nursing service quality and improve nurses’ work experiences.
Problem: Thousands of women in Iran experience disrespectful and traumatic childbirth annually, which can lead to postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and influence decisions about future fertility. Beyond the psychological impact, this issue also imposes serious social and economic burdens on the healthcare system. Key Results: In our study of 420 women 1–12 months postpartum, over 60% reported experiences of disrespect or violations of their rights during childbirth. Moreover, higher levels of respectful maternity care were significantly associated with lower severity of postpartum PTSD. Recommended Action: Implementing RMC protocols, including staff training, standardized procedures, and continuous monitoring, can reduce postpartum PTSD while improving childbirth experiences and supporting positive fertility decisions. Urgency: Without immediate action, more women will experience psychological harm. In addition, healthcare costs for mental health support will rise, and fertility rates may be negatively affected. Target Audience: The Ministry of Health officials, hospital and healthcare center administrators, health policymakers, and maternal health advocates.
Background and aims: In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been considered a useful tool for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role and impact of AI in the nursing care of cancer patients. Caring for cancer patients presents many challenges. These challenges include timely interventions, high accuracy, and interdisciplinary coordination. Given the complexities of cancer care, nurses have an increasing need for accurate and rapid decision-making. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of AI in improving nursing care for cancer patients and the challenges and opportunities in this field. This article considers the new methods and techniques used in this area. Methods: We searched and screened studies published between January 2015 and March 2025. Titles, abstracts, and then full texts were screened in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 80 studies were reviewed using the search strategy for each database, and 40 articles were included. Critical evaluation was then performed. Results: The findings show that AI technologies have been used in areas such as early detection, symptom monitoring, predicting complications, assisting in nursing decision-making, and patient education. Although the results are promising, challenges such as maintaining privacy, clarifying algorithm performance, and ethical concerns remain. Conclusion: AI appears to have the potential to improve the quality of nursing care and support personalized treatment, provided that it is developed under appropriate ethical and professional supervision.
Background and aims: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, adversely affecting various aspects of patients’ lives, including their sexual activity. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and sexual activity patterns of patients following MI. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted among patients admitted to Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, from April to October 2024. A total of 102 patients who experienced their first MI completed a demographic questionnaire, the "Sexual Activity Patterns" checklist, and the Persian version of the "Sex after MI Knowledge Test" (α=0.70) at hospital discharge and again two months later. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS version 25, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 102 participants, 82 were men (80.4%) and 20 women (19.6%), with a mean age of 54.95±6.98 years. The mean post-MI sexual knowledge score was 49.75±4.07, with the lowest knowledge observed in emotional reactions (48.82% correct answers). Frequency and duration of sexual intercourse significantly decreased after MI (P<0.001). Additionally, sexual desire, orgasm experience, sexual enjoyment, and engagement in foreplay also significantly decreased (P<0.001 and P=0.002), whereas fear of initiating sexual intercourse significantly increased after MI (P<0.001). Conclusion: Post-MI sexual knowledge, particularly regarding emotional reactions, was inadequate, and patients experienced adverse changes in their sexual activity patterns. These findings highlight the need to integrate structured sexual education and counseling into cardiac rehabilitation programs to enhance sexual knowledge and promote healthier sexual behaviors among patients.
Background and aims: Prescribing is an important development for the nursing profession. It improves the quantity and quality of healthcare and increases the professional autonomy of nurses. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the status of nurse prescribing and identify related challenges and opportunities, focusing on the results of studies conducted in this field in Iran. Methods: This narrative review study was conducted in 2025 on Persian and English studies on nurse prescribing in Iran. Data were collected by searching several Persian keywords equal to prescribing, nurse, and prescription. In addition, English keywords ‘Nurse,’ ‘Prescriber,’ ‘Prescribing,’ and ‘Prescription’ were searched independently and in combination using specific search indicators in national (SID and Magiran) and international (ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar) databases, without time limits. Results: After a careful review, 18 articles were identified and investigated, comprising 9 qualitative articles, 4 quantitative articles, 3 review articles, and 2 letters to the editor. The results revealed that the discussion of nurse prescribing in Iran is a new topic, and there is increasing attention among health policymakers and nursing researchers in this regard. Conclusion: It should be noted that nurse prescribing in Iran has not yet been recognized as a legal duty. Accordingly, the reformation of laws related to nursing prescribing can have a positive impact on Iran’s health system, thereby improving health services.
Background and aims: The intentional delay of childbearing and its relationship with infertility are essential questions in the minds of couples and health service providers. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between infertility and intentional delay of childbearing in couples. Methods: This case-control study on 145 infertile couples with medical records at Al-Zahra Infertility Center of Shahrekord was in the case group, and 145 fertile couples covered by comprehensive health centers of Shahrekord were in the control group. Data were collected through a checklist and analyzed using SPSS software version 18. The chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and independent t-test were used with a significance level<0.05. The validity of the checklist was confirmed using the opinions of experts in the research field of this study. Results: The study’s results showed no difference in intentional delay of childbearing (the duration of contraceptive use) between the case and control groups. The most common contraceptive method used by both groups was the withdrawal method. The use of condoms and oral contraceptive pills (OCP) was significantly higher in the control group, and the use of intrauterine device (IUD) was significantly higher in the case group. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the duration of use of contraceptive methods is not related to infertility, but the type of contraceptive method is related to infertility, so the rate of IUD use is more observed in infertile couples.
Background and aims: Nurses are key contributors to healthcare policy, planning, and service delivery. The quality of care, especially in intensive care units (ICUs), relies heavily on their well-being, particularly their mental health. This study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual intervention based on the GHALB SALIM model on the subjective stress of ICU nurses. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 80 nurses from the ICU at Hajar and Ayatollah Kashani hospitals in Shahrekord. Spiritual intervention based on the GHALB SALIM model was provided through an 18-session program, delivered virtually (16 sessions) and face-to-face (2 sessions). Each session lasted 45 minutes and was held every other day for a month. We evaluated subjective stress questionnaires before and after a three-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS/19 with independent t-tests and analysis of covariance. Results: Pre-intervention, subjective stress decreased from 40.90±6.40 to 36.33±7.64 post-intervention and 30.68±10.33 three months later (P<0.01). The intervention significantly improved all three variables immediately and three months later. Notably, subjective stress reduction was more pronounced in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, the GHALB SALIM model can serve as a foundation for reducing subjective stress. This, in turn, has the potential to elevate performance, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of healthcare services.
Background and aims: This study aimed to assess the effect of the Family-Centered Empowerment Model on the self-efficacy and health literacy of Iranian menopausal women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out on 80 menopausal women aged 40–59 years. The participants were divided randomly into an intervention group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). Results: The results showed that the design and implementation of a Family-Centered Empowerment Model can enhance the health literacy and self-efficacy of menopausal women. Conclusion: Family-Centered Empowerment Model for health literacy and self-efficacy can be crucial in managing menopausal symptoms. Therefore, authorities should consider this model as a strategy for enhancing quality of life and health of menopausal women.
Background and aims: The significant spread of COVID-19 in Iran and the increasing number of cases and deaths caused by this deadly disease have faced the healthcare system with one of the biggest health challenges in the last decade. In such a situation, the role of families in dealing with challenges is inevitable. The present study was designed to explain the challenges faced by families in caring for a patient with COVID-19 during the home quarantine period. Methods: In this qualitative design, data were collected from 38 family members of patients with COVID-19 who took care of their patients at home by using semi-structured interviews in Lar, Evaz, and Gerash between December 2021 and March 2022. The participants in the study were chosen using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The interviews were recorded and transcribed word-for-word in Persian. The content analysis approach of Graneheim and Lundman (2004) was used to analyze the data. Results: This study’s participants were 38 people, the average age of whom was 42.79±12.796 years. After analyzing the data, five main categories of personal factors, social factors, economic factors, environmental factors, and physical and physiological factors with 28 subgroups were extracted. Conclusion: The results showed that families caring for patients with COVID-19 have faced many challenges. Based on this, social, economic, psychological, and educational measures and support can greatly reduce these challenges.
Background and aims: Nurses are vital healthcare team members, playing a crucial role in planning and implementing healthcare services within the healthcare system. Providing quality services by nurses, especially in intensive care units (ICUs), depends on strengthening clinical performance and timely and effective patient decision-making. The aim is to determine the effect of problem-solving skill training, utilizing Goldfried’s social problem-solving model and the problem-solving method (PSM) model, on the clinical performance of ICU nurses. Methods: The present study employed a semi-experimental design. The statistical population of this study included nurses from Hajar and Ayatollah Kashani, as well as the ICU of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (SKUMS) in 2022. Fifty nurses were selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups. An educational intervention program designed to develop problem-solving skills, based on the Goldfried model, was implemented in six two-hour sessions. A written educational program for problem-solving skills was developed, also utilizing the problem-solving model. The PSM model was implemented in six two-hour sessions. Before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention, the Nurse’s Clinical Performance Questionnaire (NCPQ) was used to assess the clinical performance of ICU nurses. Results: The study’s results showed that the clinical performance of nurses in both groups (Goldfried’s model group and PSM group) improved two months after the intervention (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in clinical performance between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Medical center managers and officials can utilize problem-solving skills training based on the social problem-solving model to enhance the performance of nurses and other hospital employees, thereby improving overall performance.
Background and aims: Individuals affected by COVID-19 exhibit a range of symptoms, including, but not limited to, cough and dyspnea. However, there is a limited understanding of the effects of this infection on the physiological well-being of women. Methods: This quasi-experimental investigation aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Participants included Iranian women of reproductive age (18-50 years) who completed a self-reported questionnaire regarding the occurrence of PMS symptoms in the first menstrual cycle following a COVID-19 infection, compared to the occurrence of these symptoms in the menstrual cycles prior to contracting the disease. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23, employing descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and repeated measures analysis. Results: Approximately 63.7% of participants experienced changes in the length of their menstrual cycles following a COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, COVID-19 exacerbated PMS symptoms in 80.65% of the participants. The most pronounced impact was observed on mood-emotional symptoms, followed by behavioral, physical, and personality symptoms, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the mean scores among the four symptom categories (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study indicates that COVID-19 may exacerbate both the physical and psychological symptoms of PMS in some women, significantly affecting mood, behavior, and personality. These findings underscore the potential negative effects of the virus on women’s reproductive health and highlight the need for further research to explore the relationship between COVID-19 and women’s health.
Background and aims: Studies have shown that traditional measures are not enough in the care and treatment of children with coronavirus. Although the model has been used in adults, it has been used less in children. While children need a comprehensive care approach due to their special sensitivity, so the purpose of this study was to apply Roy’s adaptation model in children with COVID-19. Methods: we used Roy’s adaptation model in a child with COVID-19. Roy’s nursing model considers the goal of nursing actions to promote adaptive responses in each of the four dimensions of Physiological Mode, Self-Concept Mode, Independence and Interdependence Mode, and Role Function Model. Case Presentation: A 2-year-old girl develops febrile seizures following COVID-19. He weighed 10 kg. He had a history of complete vaccination and a history of close contact with a patient with respiratory signs and symptoms. The patient had a febrile seizure and the fever had started the day before. The patient recently had chills for several minutes, cyanosis, and tachycardia. The patient was admitted for further evaluation. Due to seizure, EEG was done, which showed normal signs. Laboratory findings showed an inflammatory condition. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest showed peripheral involvement, but a chest X-ray was normal. In addition, based on paraclinical findings, we further evaluated the patient for SARS-Cov-2 infection. After thorough evaluation, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs and chest HRCT, the patient was diagnosed as a positive case of COVID-19. In this way, the patient was treated and cared for and discharged after five days of hospitalization with normal vital signs. The data were collected using observation, interview and patient documentation and were analyzed in four dimensions, based on the steps of the nursing process in Roy’s adaptation model. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the use of Roy’s adaptation model with emphasis on physical and mental dimensions in children improved nursing care. Although this is a case study and the number of samples was small, it is recommended that researchers can use this model in children’s nursing care in future experimental studies.
Background and aims: Teamwork is essential in nursing, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) where complex working conditions prevail. Many nurses are inadequately prepared for teamwork, leading to workflow disruptions and inefficient resource use. This study evaluates the effects of an emotional intelligence-based empowerment program on the professional competence of ICU nurses. Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted in Shahrekord educational hospitals in 2023, where nurses were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in a four-day online workshop focused on emotional intelligence. Teamwork assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. Initially, the control group had a teamwork score of 141.9±19.8, while the intervention group scored 144.5±16.5. There was no significant difference between the groups initially (P=0.59), but post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly improved performance (P=0.001). Results: The teamwork score in the control group was 141.9±19.8, while in the intervention group, it was 144.5±16.5. Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significantly improved performance compared to the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: The emotional intelligence-based empowerment program effectively enhanced ICU nurses’ self-confidence and teamwork skills, highlighting it as a strategic approach to improving nursing service quality and patient care outcomes. It is recommended that nurses, managers, and healthcare stakeholders utilize these insights to strengthen nurses’ qualifications through targeted in-service training.
Background and aims: Chronic fatigue and decreased quality of life are complications of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the impact of the continuous care model implementation on fatigue and quality of life of patients with COVID-19. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted with pre-test and post-test design in Shahrekord, Iran, 2022. The study was conducted on 80 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Hajer hospital in Shahrekord and Seyed al-Shohda hospital in Farsan. They entered the study by convenient sampling and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups using cards. The continuous care model was implemented in 4 stages for the intervention group for three months. Data were gathered using the demographic data questionnaire, Krupp et al.’s fatigue intensity questionnaire (1989), and St. George’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (SGRQ) (1991), then analyzed with SPSS19 software. Results: Before the intervention, both groups had no statistically significant difference between fatigue intensity (P=0.65) and quality of life (P=0.47). The fatigue intensity immediately after the intervention and three months later in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.001). The quality of life immediately after the intervention and three months later in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the continuous care model in COVID-19 complications, it is recommended that healthcare professionals train and use it to take care of these patients and in similar cases.
Background and aims: To compare the effect of telephone and SMS follow-up of an empowerment program on quality of life (QOL) and fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Non-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT). Two hospitals and clinics in Shahrekord. 105 patients with COPD grades 2 and 3 were recruited and, after implementation in empowerment sessions, were randomly assigned to three control, telephone follow-up, and SMS follow-up groups (35 individuals in each group). First, the pulmonary empowerment program was designed and implemented for six 90-minute sessions. Then, the patients were randomly assigned to three groups using a random number table. Follow-up ended after three months, and the control group received routine care. Data were collected in the first and sixth sessions of the empowerment program and at the end of the follow-up period using demographic (QOL) and fatigue questionnaires. Eventually, they were analyzed through correlation coefficient and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests in the SPSS software (Version 20). Results: The study results on QOL showed that the groups were not statistically significantly different before and after the empowerment (respectively: P=0.29 and P=0.56). However, the groups showed statistically significant differences at the end of the quarterly follow-up period (P<0.001). ANOVA results for fatigue indicated no statistically significant differences between the groups before and after the empowerment (respectively: P=0.10 and P=0.32). The results of this study showed that follow-up by SMS and telephone improved patients’ QOL, and SMS had a greater effect in this regard. Conclusion: The findings suggest using follow-up as an essential approach to empowerment using various technology methods and designing more comprehensive empowerment to reduce patient fatigue.
Background and aims: This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals (HCPs) preparedness to continue using telehealth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine the perceived ability of HCPs to appraise the reliability of online information sources (digital literacy) and, to examine whether a relationship exists between this and preparedness to continue using telehealth. Methods: Single-site cross-sectional survey of HCPs in an outpatient and community therapy setting. The survey was based on a rapid literature review guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Technology Acceptance Model. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant demographics, preparedness for telehealth, and digital literacy (based on confidence in appraising online information). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the associations between preparedness to continue using telehealth, the ability to evaluate online information sources, and demographic variables. Results: A total of 783 HCPs were invited, 310 responded, with 287 participants included in the final analysis (37% response rate excluding incomplete surveys). The analysis shows that 54.8% of participants preferred to return to in-person care. Preparedness to continue telehealth varied by profession and clinical activity, with medical professionals and script provision showing the highest readiness for continued telehealth use and allied health professionals the least likely to continue using telehealth (36%). Most (89%) of HCPs felt confident identifying reliable online information sources and there was no relationship between perceived ability to evaluate online information and preparedness to use telehealth. Conclusion: Results suggest hesitancy amongst allied staff toward continued telehealth use post the pandemic, which may be due to the type of care they provide. Future studies on technologies that support HCPs in providing more intensive virtual care would be of benefit.
