You are currently searching within the context of the global site
Search in local site-
Sexuality and sexual intimacy in later life
Sexuality is as important in older age as it is throughout life, and its expression can be positive, empowering, joyful and life-affirming. The concept of sexuality has many dimensions including identity, need and desire, relationships and behaviour, all of which develop through ageing and life experiences. The evidence on all aspects of sexuality in later life tends to focus on biological dysfunction rather than fulfilment, well-being and quality of life, and does not acknowledge the enormous diversity of older people in terms of age, sexualities, ethnicity and culture. However, the evidence base is growing and, in broad terms, what older people want is becoming more clearly articulated.This article acknowledges the current evidence and, building on this, suggests ways in which nurses working in health and social care services can address some of the challenges, enhance their own understanding and skills, and work creatively with older individuals to offer services that help them to live, and end, their lives according to their individual identities, choices and deepest, most personal, priorities.
-
Recognising and managing non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are organisms that live in water systems, soil and vegetation. Humans come into contact with NTM every day, but relatively few people become unwell as a result. In those that do, pulmonary symptoms are the most common effects. The incidence of NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing worldwide. However, early diagnosis of the infection is challenging and treatment can be unsuccessful. Moreover, the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are likely to have delayed diagnosis of many cases of NTM-PD.Patients with NTM-PD have multiple needs, so appropriate person-centred support should be in place. This article explains the epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of NTM-PD. It also details the long-term follow-up care and support that healthcare services should provide to patients in the community and emphasises the need for community NTM infection services and NTM nurse specialist roles.
-
Identifying and managing patients with disease-related malnutrition in primary care
Disease-related malnutrition can be challenging to treat. A disease, its treatment or the consequences of treatment can cause patients to experience a reduction in appetite and the desire to eat, resulting in an inability to consume sufficient food and drink to maintain or improve nutritional status. This article summarises a four-step approach to identifying and managing patients with disease-related malnutrition, and details how community and primary care nurses can effectively identify and manage the underlying causes of malnutrition and assist in advising on dietary modifications to enable enhanced patient outcomes.
-
Applying public health theory to practice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Public health has a long history and a contested meaning. Furthermore, public health operates in a social context and its messages may be rejected by the public. Nurses who have a direct public health role, notably those working in the community and in primary care, need to be able to articulate and discuss public health theory and practice, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This article provides an overview of public health, including its meaning and historical development, and discusses six essential elements of public health theory and practice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These six essential elements are related to public health interventions provided by nurses and to Platform 2 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency for registered nurses, which is particularly applicable to public health. The aim of the article is to support nurses to gain a better understanding of their role in public health.
-
Helping people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term condition characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. It is preventable and treatable, but still results in high levels of morbidity and mortality. This affects health service costs, but more importantly it affects the person with COPD, and their relatives and carers. If healthcare services continue to focus on managing the disease process rather than the person living with the disease itself, they may continue to produce the same outcomes and fail to substantially reduce the burden of the disease. Helping people live with COPD requires clinicians to communicate effectively with people, families and carers and share multidisciplinary team decisions with patients. Clinicians must consider the physical, psychological, social and spiritual implications of the disease. This article explores how nurses can have a positive effect on the lives of people with COPD and provides practical strategies and suggestions on giving them effective support.
-
Nurse prescribing: developing confidence, autonomy and collaboration
Nurse prescribing has been introduced in many countries with benefits for patients, prescribing clinicians and healthcare systems. However, nurse prescribing is not without challenges and the role of nurse prescriber has been debated. Some nurses may be reluctant to take on the role because they are concerned about making prescribing errors, acquiring sufficient knowledge and skills, or having to give up some of their other nursing roles. This article discusses the fundamental requirements for nurses to become effective and safe prescribers, a process underpinned by developing confidence, autonomy and collaboration – in particular with prescribing mentors. This article is written from the combined perspectives of the Australian and UK contexts.
-
How to discuss the human papillomavirus infection with patients in primary care
Human papillomavirus infection is extremely common and is often eliminated by the immune system without being detected or causing harm. However, in some cases, it becomes persistent, and can induce cell changes that may potentially lead to cancer. Despite HPV infection being common, there is a lack of knowledge about it, as well as associated misconceptions and stigma. The UK cervical screening programme is moving from cytology to HPV testing as the primary method of reducing the risk of cervical cancer. This means that many women will be diagnosed with HPV infection and may consequently have concerns or experience distress.This article provides an overview of HPV, including its types, transmission, natural history, links to cancer and testing. It also explains how nurses working in primary care can discuss HPV infection with patients, providing information, reassurance and support.
-
Supporting people with dementia who mobilise excessively around and outside of the home
Family carers of people with dementia often report that the person they care for appears to ‘wander’ around or wants to leave the home. Community nurses are in an ideal position to offer guidance and support to carers who may not understand this behaviour. This article discusses the potential reasons why people with dementia may be increasingly mobile and/or walk with purpose. It provides information for community nurses on how they can support and advise family carers. It also details practical measures that can be taken to ensure the safety of people with dementia, in a person-centred and compassionate manner.
-
How to support nursing students to develop community care planning skills
Care planning for patients is an important element of the nurse’s role, yet some nursing students may miss its relevance to their practice. However, they can learn many skills by care planning thoroughly in partnership with patients. They can also expand their knowledge of the wider aspects of holistic care, including the importance of empowering and educating patients.This article discusses how to structure care planning systematically and assists practice supervisors to guide nursing students working in the community in their learning, showing how to relate certain aspects of care to specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals. The article also describes a structure for developing interventions for a care plan – professional values, assessment, treatment and education (PATE) – which nursing students can use to incorporate a chronological order into care that also encompasses health promotion.
-
How to make clear and compelling written arguments: advice for nurses
Nurses are regularly required to make clear and coherent written arguments. Formulating arguments is an important element of academic coursework for nursing students, while nurses are required to demonstrate evidence of their learning, reflection and continuing professional development as part of their revalidation. Improving their practice knowledge and skills also requires nurses to reason and express themselves in writing. This article explains how context contributes to the formulation of arguments and how to differentiate between argument and opinion. It details how premises and supporting information are used to underpin an argument. The article uses a case study to demonstrate how a coherent written argument can contribute to practice improvement.
