Michal Itzhaki - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Michal Itzhaki

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Applied Nursing Research, 2018

Background: Few previous studies found that people's knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk fa... more Background: Few previous studies found that people's knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors and symptoms is a predictor of high compliance with CRC screening. Feelings about CRC have rarely been examined. Aim: This mixed method study is aimed at examining knowledge and feelings about CRC among the Jewish adult population in Israel. Methods: One hundred and ninety six Jewish Israelis were interviewed using semi-structured face to face personal interviews. Clinical characteristics and knowledge about CRC were analyzed by quantitative methods. Feelings about CRC were analyzed by the qualitative constant comparative method. Results: Most of the participants were at risk for developing CRC due to their native background as Jews of Eastern European origin. The most well known risk factor was family history of CRC, but only a third were aware of it. Screening for CRC by colonoscopy was known to about half the participants. CRC evoked negative feelings of fear of contracting an oncological disease, stress as a result of a new realty, sadness at the possibility of late discovery, disgust and embarrassment because of the involvement of an intimate area and the connection to body secretions. Positive feelings of optimistic faith and hope were found with regard to survival. Conclusion: The knowledge level of the participants about CRC symptoms, risk factors, and recommended screening was low to moderate. CRC evoked mainly negative feelings. Increasing knowledge about CRC and reducing negative feelings evoked by CRC are essential.

International Nursing Review

Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2021

To examine the emotions demonstrated by parents of children hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ... more To examine the emotions demonstrated by parents of children hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ward. Background: Although Covid-19 is mostly a mild disease in children, a small proportion develop severe disease requiring prolonged intensive care support. Methods: On October 1st, 2020, a unique ward for children with Covid-19 was established in a large hospital in Israel. Interviews were conducted with parents of children who had been hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ward. Findings: A total of 22 parents of children aged 3 weeks to18 years were interviewed. Three themes emerged: Theme 1: Recognizing their child needed hospitalization in the Covid-19 ward, caused parents anxiety and fear of the unknown. Theme 2: Their child's hospitalization in the Covid-19 ward caused fear and worry at their child's condition, parental stress, shame, boredom, and acceptance. Theme 3: Parents initially felt emotional loneliness towards the healthcare staff in the Covid-19 ward, as well as loss of control, later replaced by feelings of confidence. Conclusion: Parents have diverse emotions in response to needing to accompany their children who are hospitalized and isolated in a closed ward due to Covid-19. Practical implications: Health care professionals are immensely important in providing support for parents and for their children suffering from Covid-19. A national plan should be established to address inpatient childcare during an epidemic. Nurses can encourage parents and family to be involved in the child's care and communicate effectively to reduce both the parents' and the child's uncertainty, shame, fear and stress.

Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2021

Aims: To examine nursing students' stress and coping with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)... more Aims: To examine nursing students' stress and coping with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through an ecological model of resilience. Specifically, to examine the relative contribution of different resilience levels in decreasing nursing students' strain symptoms: at the individual level, resilience trait; at the relational level, students' coping strategies; at the university level, nursing students' perceptions on their university's readiness to handle the virus outbreak; and at the national level, nursing students' trust in policymakers' decisions. Design: The study used a cross-sectional design. Methods: Undergraduate students of five universities were recruited via an electronic link sent to their emails during the first months of the COVID-19 outbreak: May-July 2020. Of them, 492 participants completed the research questionnaire. Results: Hierarchical Regression Analysis revealed that nursing students' resilience, as a multi-level factor, decreased the students' level of strain symptoms above and beyond their stress levels and control variables. Specifically, the nursing students' trait resilience, perceptions of their university's positive response to the pandemic and trust in their national policymakers were negatively associated with their strain symptoms. Conversely, disengagement-in-emotion coping strategies was positively associated with the students' strain symptoms. Conclusions: Nursing students' resilience should be seen as a flexible resource that can be developed and influenced by their academic and clinical training, and by the intentions and actions of their university and the nursing administration at the Ministry of Health (MOH). Impact: The findings call for the nursing administration at the MOH and for the university deans and department heads to prepare in advance a crisis plan that could be rapidly and effectively implemented when needed. Furthermore, topics such as developing flexible coping strategies should be integrated into the nursing curricula. These would allow students to prepare and cope better with adversity in their routine and in times of crisis.

Nursing Science Quarterly, 2007

Nurses in Israel struggle with many of the same problems faced by nurses in other parts of the wo... more Nurses in Israel struggle with many of the same problems faced by nurses in other parts of the world, such as increased use of technology, overwhelming amounts of information, and demands for high quality of services to larger numbers of people within tighter budgets. In addition to the aging of the general population, the country has welcomed large numbers of immigrants. The nation's expenditures for healthcare and nursing education have, at times, had to take a back seat to the government's efforts to house new immigrants, to relocate groups, and to defend the nation against politically motivated violence and attacks. All of this is in the context of regional conflicts and international debates.

International Nursing Review, 2012

The aim of this study is to examine perceptions of job satisfaction among immigrant registered nu... more The aim of this study is to examine perceptions of job satisfaction among immigrant registered nurses (RNs) in Israel and the USA. Background: Former Soviet Union (FSU) RNs in Israel and Filipino RNs in the USA make up the majority of the immigrant nursing workforce in their host countries. However, little is known about their perception of job satisfaction. Methods: Data were gathered using the Index of Work Satisfaction Scale among 71 FSU RNs recruited from three different courses in baccalaureate and master's degree programmes at a central Israeli university, and 96 Filipino RNs attending a national convention hosted by the Philippine Nurses Association of America. The required sample size was obtained by means of the WINPEPI COMPARE2 program, used to determine power and sample size for comparisons of two groups in cross-sectional designs. Findings: The findings show that FSU RNs perceived pay and professional status as important, although they were least satisfied with pay. For Filipino RNs, organizational policies and interactions were most important and they were least satisfied by task requirements. Although the average length of residence in the host country was similar in the two samples, significant differences were found between FSU and Filipino RNs in selected demographic variables and components of job satisfaction. Conclusions: Different characteristics of immigrant RNs affect their distinct perceptions of job satisfaction. As successful adjustment of international immigrant RNs to their workplace could enhance perceptions of job satisfaction, nursing managers should support professional advancement of immigrant RNs through mentorship and educational programmes. There is a need to conduct longitudinal studies among international immigrant RNs in order to better understand changes in their job satisfaction over time and contributing factors. Study Limitations: Generalization of the findings is limited, because a convenience sample was used to recruit FSU and Filipino immigrant RNs.

International Nursing Review, 2010

Background: Former Soviet Union (FSU) nurses in Israel and Filipino registered nurses (RNs) in th... more Background: Former Soviet Union (FSU) nurses in Israel and Filipino registered nurses (RNs) in the United States of America (USA) play significant roles in the delivery of health-care services in their host countries. However, little is known about how they acculturate in a different culture. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to determine the levels of and the difference in acculturation of FSU nurses in Israel and Filipino RNs in the USA. Methods: Acculturation was assessed using A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans and t-test was conducted to determine the difference in acculturation between these two groups of immigrant nurses. Findings: Results revealed that Filipino RNs have an acculturation level that leaned towards their host culture while FSU nurses have an acculturation level that was closer to their original culture than the Israeli culture and that there was a significant difference in acculturation between these two groups of immigrant nurses. Conclusions: Differences in acculturation between two predominant groups of immigrant nurses in Israel and the USA exist. Understanding the differences and the factors that affect their integration into their host cultures could be used to develop strategies to assist Filipino and FSU immigrant nurses achieve positive personal and work-related outcomes.

International Nursing Review, 2013

Previous research has focused on physician's perspectives of end-of-life (EOL) decision m... more Previous research has focused on physician's perspectives of end-of-life (EOL) decision making as well as patient and family EOL decision making. There is a lack of research pertaining to the EOL treatment preferences of nurses and especially nurses working in a variety of care settings. The aim of this study was to compare nurses' EOL treatment preferences in Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy and the USA. A comparative descriptive design was used with a convenience sample of nurses (n = 1089). A survey questionnaire using EOL hypothetical clinical case scenarios was used to collect data between June 2011 and July 2012. Nurses in every country consistently chose a more aggressive option for patients than for themselves or for a parent. The treatment preferences of nurses varied from country to country. Lack of knowledge of patients' wishes and duty of care were the main influencing factors on treatment preferences. The study was limited to the hypothetical nature of the scenarios; however, the study highlights numerous future research questions. This study is the first to examine and compare nurses' preferred EOL treatment choices in five countries from three different continents. The findings of this study raise several important questions for healthcare researchers, for policy development, and highlight the need for further international collaboration.

CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 2022

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Patients' attitudes towards sharin... more <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Patients' attitudes towards sharing their personal health information are critical for implementation of Health Information Exchange (HIE). Nurses contribute significantly to information sharing within the care continuum in hospitals and community. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness and readiness of patients and nurses to use HIE. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> A cross sectional study among 312 inpatients with a chronic illness, 110 nurses working in internal wards, and 55 contact nurses working in a large Health Maintenance Organization. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess the associations between knowledge, attitudes, socio-demographics, and both the readiness and intention to use HIE. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Mean levels of awareness were low across all three groups. The readiness to share information with medical healthcare providers was higher than the readiness to share information with agents not involved in direct care. Contact nurses expressed a more positive attitude than internal ward nurses or patients and were more willing than patients to share information with health care workers. All nurses (Internal ward and contact) were more willing to share information with medical agents not involved in direct care as compared to patients. Contact nurses expressed a significantly greater intention to use HIE than did internal ward nurses or patients </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Before implementation of an HIE system, it is important to raise awareness, readiness, and intention to use HIE among the general public, nurses, and other medical staff. Policy makers should organize national campaigns under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, in order to present the advantages of HIE and provide detailed information about the systems. </sec> <sec> <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> None </sec>

Applied Nursing Research, 2022

To examine the emotion management of women at risk for premature birth, and the connection to the... more To examine the emotion management of women at risk for premature birth, and the connection to their optimism and social support. A shortened uterus cervix in early pregnancy (24-34 weeks gestation) is a predictor of preterm birth and is a common reason for hospitalization in a high-risk unit. Women hospitalized for this reason often feel a wide spectrum of emotions that may require emotional work, where deep acting techniques are used to evoke or suppress emotions in order to meet social expectations. The emotions, optimism, and social support of women with high-risk pregnancies have implications for their health and well-being. A cross sectional study at a high-risk pregnancy unit in a large hospital in Israel. Eighty-six pregnant women hospitalized between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation in a high-risk unit due to premature contractions and/or cervical shortening, responded to a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using reliability testing, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regressions. A significant correlation was found between social support and optimism (r = 0.45, p < .01). A negative correlation was found between optimism and emotion management (r = -0.24, p < .05) and deep acting emotion management (r = -0.21, p < .05). High-risk pregnant women manage their emotions mainly through deep emotion work. Social support and optimism contribute to their emotional coping. It is recommended that healthcare professionals working in high-risk pregnancy units, and especially nurses, employ interventions designed to provide professional support and legitimize the sharing of emotions.

Background: Patients' attitudes towards sharing their personal health information are critica... more Background: Patients' attitudes towards sharing their personal health information are critical for implementation of Health Information Exchange (HIE). Nurses contribute significantly to information sharing within the care continuum in hospitals and community. The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness and readiness of chronic ill patients and nurses to use HIE.Methods: A cross sectional study among 312 inpatients with a chronic illness, 110 nurses working in internal wards, and 55 contact nurses working in a large Health Maintenance Organization. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess the associations between knowledge, attitudes, socio-demographics, and both the readiness and intention to use HIE. Results: Mean levels of awareness were low across all three groups. The readiness to share information with medical healthcare providers was higher than the readiness to share information with agents not involved in direct care. Contact nurses expressed more...

International Nursing Review, 2021

AIM The purpose of this study was to explore the emotion work and resilience of Israeli healthcar... more AIM The purpose of this study was to explore the emotion work and resilience of Israeli healthcare personnel who treat paediatric patients from the Palestinian Authority in Israel. BACKGROUND Healthcare personnel deal with internalized emotional conflict deriving from the ethos of health care and the ethos of conflict. Emotion work may be used to overcome emotional conflict, while resilience serves as a protective process against emotional conflict. METHODS A mixed methods study among 101 healthcare workers: 84 nurses and 17 physicians. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS 24.0, and qualitative data were analysed using the constant comparative analysis method. FINDINGS Empathy was the highest ranking emotion and contempt was the lowest, for experienced and expected emotions. Positive correlations were found between identification with the ethos of health care and resilience, emotional gap and emotion work, and between the level of Arabic language and emotion work. A negative correlation was found between emotional gap and resilience. The qualitative data yielded three themes: Knowledge of the Arabic language, familiarity with the Arab culture and equitable treatment. DISCUSSION The language proficiency of patients belonging to a minority group increases nurses' and physicians' emotion work. Identification with the ethos of health care increases resilience, as both are linked to a sense of vocation and an intrinsic willingness to care for paediatric patients. CONCLUSION The study supports the theory of emotion work and refines the role of the ethos of health care in building resilience. Language and cultural capability have a significant role in providing healthcare personnel with methods to treat minorities equitably. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY Hospital managements may supply tailor-made interventions to enhance healthcare personnel's transcultural communication skills, build resilience and cultivate emotion work capabilities. Nursing practice could encourage the use of nursing care plans specific to the individual paediatric patient that can be used by nursing staff to keep care current and applicable.

Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2021

Purpose: The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for nurses. The aim... more Purpose: The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for nurses. The aim of this study was to examine the managerial and clinical challenges of nurse managers in mental health centers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A mixed-methods study based on an analysis of data obtained in focus groups with 25 nurse managers from two mental health centers in Israel. Methods: The quantitative phase was conducted prior to the group sessions using a structured self-administered questionnaire that examined the nurse managers' (a) background data, (b) communication with the staff nurses, (c) perceptions of nurses' functioning, (d) perceptions of their own functioning, and (e) management as impacted by the pandemic. The qualitative phase included three sessions of focus groups in which the nurse managers discussed both their challenging and positive issues during the pandemic. Findings: The most important challenges were related to the need to protect patients from infection and communicating with families and primary caregivers. Work policies and procedures were less well adapted to pandemic conditions; nevertheless, nurse managers felt a sense of purpose, duty, and pride in their work. Three themes emerged: (a) "management complexity" included the change from a familiar routine to a new reality, working in capsules, protecting against infection, functional confusion, and insights into future epidemics; (b) "challenging communication" included communication with patients through glass walls and communication with staff through screens and (c) "bright spots" referred to staff cohesion and the provision of respectful care. Conclusions: Mental health nurse managers have experienced during the pandemic a change in their roles from being less managerial to focusing more on clinical work. Communication between nurse managers and staff nurses and between mental health patients and staff were the main challenges. Nurse managers favorably noted the uniformity and humanity of the staff, sense of cohesion, and shared responsibility. Clinical Relevance: In the first wave of the pandemic, there was confusion as to the functional role of ward nurse managers, as the focus of their activities became more clinical and less managerial. During and after the pandemic, preventive interventions should be carried out in order to assist patients, staff nurses, and nurse managers in mental health centers.

Using Predictive Analytics to Improve Healthcare Outcomes, 2021

International Nursing Review, 2017

Aim: To examine the influence of nurses' patriotism and organizational commitment on their intent... more Aim: To examine the influence of nurses' patriotism and organizational commitment on their intention to report for work in a national emergency, in Israel. Background: Healthcare systems need to forecast the number of staff likely to report for work in emergencies and mass casualty events. Introduction: Patriotism and nurses' commitment to work are factors that prompt nurses to leave their families and report for duty, even knowing that they are putting themselves in danger. However, patriotism as a variable that might affect nurses' intention to report for work in emergencies has not been investigated. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was used with a convenience sample of 152 registered nurses. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and t-tests were used to analyse the data. To examine the unique contribution of the independent variables to the explanation of the dependent variableintention to report to work in emergencymultiple regression analysis was performed. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between age, seniority and research variables (organizational commitment, patriotism and intention to report for emergency work). Patriotism differed by gender, ethnicity and religion. Patriotism and gender explained 23% of the variance regarding intention to report for emergency duty, with patriotism playing a major role. Discussion: Patriotism has religious and cultural dimensions. Cultural differences explain the discrepancy in organizational commitment between Israeli-born nurses and immigrants. Conclusion and implications for nursing policy: Emergency training drills for nurses should feature discussions on universal ethical principles in emergency planning, preparedness and responses. The willingness of ethnic/religious minorities and immigrants to report for work in a national emergency should be taken into consideration in healthcare system disaster planning, so as to lessen the impact of disparate patriotism.