Omar AL-Rawajfah - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Omar AL-Rawajfah
British journal of nursing, 2021
BACKGROUND The authors were unable to find studies comparing the critical thinking skills of nurs... more BACKGROUND The authors were unable to find studies comparing the critical thinking skills of nursing students on advanced standing programmes (ASP) and on traditional 4-year BN programmes in Canada. The ASP is a condensed Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme, designed for students who already have a university degree or similar qualification. AIM To measure and compare the critical thinking skills of ASP students and traditional 4-year BN students. METHOD A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire used to collect data from 100 nursing students at a university in Canada. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All research ethics were taken into consideration. FINDINGS All participants scored highly in their critical thinking skills. However, ASP students scored significantly higher than their counterparts on the 4-year programme (M=21.6 vs M=18.9, F=4.75, P=0.035). CONCLUSION Higher critical thinking skills among ASP nursing students is a ...
International journal of palliative nursing, 2021
BACKGROUND Health professionals must be knowledgeable and skilled in providing palliative care. T... more BACKGROUND Health professionals must be knowledgeable and skilled in providing palliative care. This short report reviews the literature that has assessed student nurses' knowledge of palliative care. METHOD The following databases were searched: CINHAL, ScienceDirect, Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar for manuscripts published from 2014 to 2020. Only six articles met the inclusion criteria and were thoroughly reviewed. FINDINGS Students were found to have a poor knowledge of palliative care, especially the management of a patient's symptoms and the definition of palliative care. CONCLUSION Integrating palliative care education within nursing curricula is a priority, although the best method to accomplish this is yet to be established.
American Journal of Educational Research, 2017
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of instructional video training method of teaching about CPR ... more Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of instructional video training method of teaching about CPR in comparison with conventional format. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted with 210 students. Students were randomly assigned to receive instructional video training (n = 111) or conventional format of teaching (n = 90). The primary outcome measure was the baseline to endpoint change in knowledge level. Results: A significantly higher overall post-test score was observed for instructional video training group as compared to lecture. Conclusions: instructional video training is as effective as conventional format of teaching in teaching and learning basic emergency skills.
Seminars in Oncology Nursing
OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to explore symptom clusters among women with breast cancer in... more OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to explore symptom clusters among women with breast cancer in Jordan. DATA SOURCES A cross-sectional survey of 516 women with breast cancer who were recruited from three hospitals. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that women with breast cancer experienced several symptoms at the same time. These symptoms tend to cluster in five main groups, and patients experiencing the psychological, nausea and vomiting, and pain clusters are expected to have a lower mean score of quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses need to assess and manage symptoms as clusters to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Symptoms clusters should guide symptoms management practice and be given a priority equal to the active treatment of cancer. Symptoms management and cancer treatment should be started simultaneously.
Nursing Forum
BACKGROUND Fostering a healthy work environment becomes a necessity in health care institutions t... more BACKGROUND Fostering a healthy work environment becomes a necessity in health care institutions that value quality care and patient safety. However, limited studies investigated the impact of work environment characteristics including staffing and teamness among healthcare teams on adverse patient events in Oman. AIMS To examine the (1) impact of work environment, interprofessional teamness, staffing levels on adverse patient events and (2) predicting factors of perceptions of work environment among nurses in the Sultanate of Oman. METHOD A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized to collect data from 2113 nurses. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire that included a set of instruments. RESULTS The results showed a strong positive relationship between work environment and teamness (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Nurses working in a favorable environment that has positive teamwork reported a reduction in adverse events including patient and family complaints, patient and family verbal abuse, patient falls, nosocomial infections, and medication errors (p < 0.001). There was a nonsignificant correlation between staffing and adverse patient events. CONCLUSION Fostering a healthy and supportive work environment continue to be crucial for ensuring patient safety. Nurse administrators should strive to improve work environment through creating a culture that values interprofessional teamwork and collaborative relationships.
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND Authentic leadership has been consistently cited as a strong precursor of sustained jo... more BACKGROUND Authentic leadership has been consistently cited as a strong precursor of sustained job performance and work effectiveness in nurses; however, studies linking authentic leadership with nurses' safety actions, nurse-assessed adverse patient events, and nursing care quality are scarce. AIM To examine whether nurses' safety actions mediate the relationship between authentic leadership, nurse-assessed adverse events, and nursing care quality. METHODS A multi-centre, cross-sectional study involving 1,608 nurses employed in acute care facilities in Oman. Multi-stage regression analysis was conducted in testing for the mediation model. FINDINGS Nurse managers in Oman were perceived to be highly authentic by their staff nurses. Authentic leadership significantly predicted nurses' safety actions (β = 0.168, p < 0.001), decrease in nurse-assessed adverse events (β = -0.017, p = 0.024), and increase care quality (β = 0.121, p < 0.001). Further, the association between authentic leadership and nurse-assessed adverse events (β = -0.063, p = 0.057) and care quality (β = 0.038, p = 0.002) were mediated by nurses' safety actions. CONCLUSION Results suggest the importance of developing nurse managers' authentic leadership to foster nurses' safety actions and reduce adverse patient outcomes and promote nursing care quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Developing authentic leadership among nurse leaders through leadership programmes, education, and relevant policies can be a potential organisational measure to address patient safety issues and improve the quality of nursing care.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
BACKGROUND: Given the restrictions associated with COVID-19, feelings of loneliness among youth m... more BACKGROUND: Given the restrictions associated with COVID-19, feelings of loneliness among youth may increase. AIMS: The aims of the current study were to assess the prevalence of loneliness among young people at the time of COVID-19 and to identify whether selected variables related to the pandemic predicted the level of loneliness. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using WhatsApp and Facebook social media platforms was conducted to survey 1,057 young people aged 15 to 24 years from six Middle Eastern countries. Participants completed survey items including demographic and COVID-19-related questions; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of experienced loneliness was 1 (0.1%), 625 (59.1%), 429 (40.6%), and 2 (0.2%), reflecting low, moderate, moderately high, and high experiences for loneliness, respectively. History of depression or anxiety, being dissatisfied with life, and havi...
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND As an important organizational feature, the nurse work environment has been associated... more BACKGROUND As an important organizational feature, the nurse work environment has been associated with increased work effectiveness, reduced patient safety issues and improved care quality. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains unexplored. AIM To assess the mediating role of interprofessional collaboration in the relationships between nurse work environment, select patient safety outcomes, and job satisfaction. METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study used five standardized scales and included 881 clinical nurses employed in select teaching hospitals in Oman. RESULTS Nurses who worked in teaching hospitals in Oman perceived their work environment as highly favorable. Nurse work environment was directly and indirectly associated with nurse-assessed quality of care, adverse patient events, and job satisfaction, through interprofessional collaborations. CONCLUSION Findings of the study suggest that enhancing nurse work environments can be a potential strategy to foster interprofessional collaboration and improve job satisfaction and patient safety outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Organizational strategies to improve patient safety outcomes and job satisfaction in nurses can be facilitated by improving nurses' work conditions and enhancing interprofessional collaboration through supportive leadership, theory-driven approaches, obtaining hospital accreditation/certification, and relevant workplace policies.
Depression Research and Treatment
Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronav... more Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the current prevalence of these illnesses. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to (1) explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth and (2) identify to what extent certain variables related to COVID-19 could predict depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among young people in six different countries. Participants were requested to complete an online survey including demographics and the DAS scale. A total of 1,057 participants from Oman (n=155), Saudi Arabia (n=121), Jordan (n=332), Iraq (n=117), United Arab Emirates (n=147), and Egypt (n=182) completed the study. The total prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 57%, 40.5%, and 38.1%, respectively, with no significant differences between countries. Significant predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression were being female, being in contact wi...
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND Leadership styles of a nurse manager have a profound influence on staff nurses' mo... more BACKGROUND Leadership styles of a nurse manager have a profound influence on staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal nursing leadership roles; however, the mechanism underlying this pattern of influence remains unknown. AIM To assess the direct and indirect effect of nurse managers' authentic leadership on staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal leadership roles, through the intermediary role of nurse work environment and leadership self-efficacy. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 1534 nurses from 24 acute care hospitals in the Sultanate of Oman. FINDINGS Nurse managers' authentic leadership was associated with staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal leadership roles. Nurse practice environment and leadership self-efficacy mediated partially the association between authentic leadership and motivation to engage in formal leadership roles. CONCLUSION Results of this study underscore the value of authentic leadership in creating a healthy work environment and fostering nurses' leadership self-efficacy, resulting in greater motivation to engage in nursing leadership roles. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Organizational strategies to attract nurses to undertake leadership roles should include measures to bolster authentic leadership behaviours in nurse managers through theory-driven leadership development programmes or interventions, continuing education, effective succession planning, and creating a supportive work environment.
International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship
Remote teaching (RT) was the only option left to educators to continue education with public poli... more Remote teaching (RT) was the only option left to educators to continue education with public policy of lockdowns and social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic. RT is the online mode of instructional delivery. Globally it has become mandatory for all nurse educators to switch to RT mode. Many factors have been identified for effective implementation of RT, of which the major elements are choice of online teaching mode, pedagogy to choose the platform or technology, faculty preparedness, and the learner motivation and expectations. The dire need to meet the educational objectives demanded sudden transition to online mode. The paradigm shifts to RT brought many challenges and pragmatic guidance for teachers and institutions Remote teaching is flexible, student centered and feasible with opportunities to develop technically empowered faculty and coherent digital education strategies. However, tackling threats like academic integrity, inequity in accessibility and limited faculty prepar...
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ]
Objectives: This study aimed to assess and explore factors affecting diabetes self-management (DS... more Objectives: This study aimed to assess and explore factors affecting diabetes self-management (DSM) among Omani adults with type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2018. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from three referral hospitals in Oman. Data were collected using the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire, Empowerment Scale (short form), Medical Outcome Study Social Support Scale, Diabetes Knowledge Test and glycosylated haemoglobin test results. Linear multiple regression analysis was used to explore possible predictors of DSM. Results: A total of 210 people participated in the study (response rate: 87.5%). The majority of participants were female (70.5%) with a mean age of 26.82 ± 8.25 years. The mean score for DSM was 6.8 ± 1.4, which represents 68% of the total maximum score. More than one-third (36.2%) of the participants had poor glycaemic control. The predictors of high levels of DSM we...
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing
Background Knowledge of and compliance with universal isolation precautions are important issues ... more Background Knowledge of and compliance with universal isolation precautions are important issues and were found to be low in many previous studies. However, there were no Jordanian studies that have examined the effect of an infection control teaching course on nursing students' knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions. Purpose This study aimed to assess knowledge and compliance levels, assess the relationships between knowledge and compliance, and examine the effect of infection control teaching courses on knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions among university nursing students. Methods A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design using a convenient sample of 130 third-year nursing students was applied. The experimental group (n = 60) were third-year nursing students who registered for infection control clinical course for 3 months. On the other side, the control group (n = 70) were students at the same academic level but did not register for the course and never attended the course. Results The mean knowledge of and compliance with universal precaution were quite low, with a mean (SD) of 7.82 (1.98) and 49.36 (11.13) respectively. There was a statistically significant weak positive correlation between knowledge of and compliance with standard precaution (r = 0.28, P = .003). An independent t test indicated a significant effect of the infection control clinical course (t119 = −5.36, P = .01) on knowledge mean score (mean [SD], 15.51 [1.41]) and compliance with universal precaution mean score (mean [SD], 89.00 [10.17]; t119 = 6.26, P = .02) compared to the control group. Paired t test revealed that knowledge and compliance were significantly higher in the posttest than in the pretest in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion Knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions were relatively low among nursing students. The application of an infection control teaching course helps improve both knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions among university nursing students.
Journal of Emergency Nursing
BACKGROUND Because most primary health care centers in Oman do not use a formal triage system, th... more BACKGROUND Because most primary health care centers in Oman do not use a formal triage system, there are no available data on the effectiveness of implementing this system. PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of implementing an Emergency Severity Index triage system in primary health care centers in Oman. METHODS A pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design was used. The sample comprised 187 patients before Emergency Severity Index implementation and 102 patients after implementation. Waiting time, length of stay, patient satisfaction, and accuracy of classification were compared across the 2 groups. RESULTS The mean time (hour:minute) from registration to triage was reduced in the post-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 0:18, SD = 0:14) compared with the pre-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 0:23, SD = 0:19) (t = 2.59, P = 0.01). Furthermore, the mean length of stay was reduced in the post-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 1:09, SD = 0:37) compared with that of the preimplementation group (mean = 1:24, SD = 0:41) (t = 3.10, P = 0.002). Patient satisfaction in the postimplementation group was improved (mean = 66.95, SD = 8.33) compared with that of the Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 65.01, SD = 8.73), but it did not reach statistical significance (t = -1.83, P = 0.07). The inter-rater agreement of triage level in post-Emergency Severity Index implementation markedly improved in the postimplementation group (Cohen's kappa = 0.910, P < 0.001) compared with that of the preimplementation group (Cohen's kappa = 0.082, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Although this is a single-setting study, the results have shown that the Emergency Severity Index system can contribute to a decrease in the negative crowding outcomes in primary health care centers in Oman.
Infectious Diseases
Abstract Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly type of hospi... more Abstract Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly type of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) worldwide. Despite individual studies, there is also no clear statistics on the SSI prevalence rate in the East Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SSI in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching three international databases (Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus) from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2018. The keywords used included ‘Prevalence’ OR ‘incidence’ OR ‘surgical site infection’ OR ‘wound infection’ OR ‘Postoperative Wound Infections’ and ‘Middle east’. The Hoy et al.’s tool was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. Result: Out of 889 initial studies, 40 studies from 12 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region were included in the final stage of the study. Based on the results of random effect method, the overall prevalence of SSI in 137,452 patients was 7.9% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 7.1, 8.8; I2=96.7%). The prevalence of SSI in cardiac surgery and general surgery wards was 10 and 9.2%, respectively. The prevalence of SSI was lower in women than in males, although this difference was related to caesarean section. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of SSI in the Eastern Mediterranean region, timely diagnosis, proper prevention and postoperative control are necessary in the region using the same international guides in all countries.
International Nursing Review
AIMS To (1) examine the level and variability of nurse work environment and job satisfaction and ... more AIMS To (1) examine the level and variability of nurse work environment and job satisfaction and (2) explore how nurse job satisfaction in tertiary hospitals in Oman is influenced by the nurses' characteristics and work environment. BACKGROUND In Oman and the Middle East, a scarcity of research addressing nurse work environment and job satisfaction exists. Such evidence is necessary for policymaking to positively impact nurse job outcomes, and therefore, quality of care. METHODS We used a cross-sectional descriptive design employing a sample of 454 local and expatriate nurses who responded to a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS The work environment was favourable, and it positively correlated with job satisfaction. Nationality, education, hospital type, staffing, resources and participation in hospital affairs were significant predictors of nurse job satisfaction. The greatest amount of variation in nurse job satisfaction was explained by the work environment. CONCLUSION The influence of work environment on nurse job satisfaction is greater than nurse characteristics and hospital and unit types. Enhancing nurse participation in hospital affairs and providing adequate staffing and resources are central means of establishing healthy work environments, which is an auspicious, cost-effective strategy for satisfying, and therefore, retaining nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY To enhance nurse work environment and job satisfaction in Oman and the Middle East, nurse and health leaders need to consider developing work and professional regulations and adopting policies to promote staffing, resources, wages, and benefits for nurses and encourage their promotion and career advancement; and foster nurse participation in hospital affairs.
American Journal of Infection Control
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe nurs... more BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe nurses' knowledge and practice of and attitude toward infection control and prevention standards. METHODS In the present systematic review, 4 electronic databases were searched from the inception of databases through March 2018. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Hoy tool. RESULTS Eighteen studies conducted on 4,577 employed nurses and nursing students entered the final stage. Results indicated that nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge (n = 10, 40%-90%) and positive attitude (n = 4, 37%-100%). However, most studies reflected average and poor nursing practices with regard to adherence to infection control and prevention standards. The most frequent recommendations proposed for improving nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice included periodic training via scientific conferences and relevant practical courses (n = 12), combining up-to-date theoretical and practical programs (n = 6), and training at the beginning of hospital employment (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that although nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge of and positive attitude toward health care-associated infections, because of average and poor practices, they need systematic and integrated implementation of the presented recommendations.
Disability and Rehabilitation
Caring for a child with a disability in the family is associated with a major increase in care-gi... more Caring for a child with a disability in the family is associated with a major increase in care-giving demands and burden. This qualitative study explores the perspectives, challenges and adaptations of Jordanian mothers living with a child with disability. Phenomenological qualitative tradition was utilized. Seven Jordanian mothers of children with disability were purposefully selected as having rich experiences for caring for a child with a disability. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to extract main themes and subthemes. Mothers' experiences were reflected into four main themes: (1) increased perceived stigma, (2) fear for the future, (3) increased perceived care-giving burden and (4) adaptations to the child's disability. This study highlights key gaps in the provision of family-centered services for this population as well as multiple sociocultural issues impacting participation and quality of life. Healthcare professionals must deal with the child's disability from a family-centered and cultural perspective. Implications for rehabilitation When therapists meet the whole family's needs through a family-centered approach, the child with disability is less likely to be ignored, maltreated or abused. Family-centered practice adopts a sociocultural model which looks at the child from a wider point of view rather than just the disability itself. It requires therapists to review the context in which the child lives and address the specific needs of parents, siblings and other involved family members. Culture plays a huge role in shaping the family's perspective on disability and has a huge impact and implications for service delivery and development, quality of life and participation for children with disability and their families. Rehabilitation professionals must accommodate their time schedules to provide families with the communication, education, advocacy and consultations needed.
British journal of nursing, 2021
BACKGROUND The authors were unable to find studies comparing the critical thinking skills of nurs... more BACKGROUND The authors were unable to find studies comparing the critical thinking skills of nursing students on advanced standing programmes (ASP) and on traditional 4-year BN programmes in Canada. The ASP is a condensed Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme, designed for students who already have a university degree or similar qualification. AIM To measure and compare the critical thinking skills of ASP students and traditional 4-year BN students. METHOD A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire used to collect data from 100 nursing students at a university in Canada. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All research ethics were taken into consideration. FINDINGS All participants scored highly in their critical thinking skills. However, ASP students scored significantly higher than their counterparts on the 4-year programme (M=21.6 vs M=18.9, F=4.75, P=0.035). CONCLUSION Higher critical thinking skills among ASP nursing students is a ...
International journal of palliative nursing, 2021
BACKGROUND Health professionals must be knowledgeable and skilled in providing palliative care. T... more BACKGROUND Health professionals must be knowledgeable and skilled in providing palliative care. This short report reviews the literature that has assessed student nurses' knowledge of palliative care. METHOD The following databases were searched: CINHAL, ScienceDirect, Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar for manuscripts published from 2014 to 2020. Only six articles met the inclusion criteria and were thoroughly reviewed. FINDINGS Students were found to have a poor knowledge of palliative care, especially the management of a patient's symptoms and the definition of palliative care. CONCLUSION Integrating palliative care education within nursing curricula is a priority, although the best method to accomplish this is yet to be established.
American Journal of Educational Research, 2017
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of instructional video training method of teaching about CPR ... more Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of instructional video training method of teaching about CPR in comparison with conventional format. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted with 210 students. Students were randomly assigned to receive instructional video training (n = 111) or conventional format of teaching (n = 90). The primary outcome measure was the baseline to endpoint change in knowledge level. Results: A significantly higher overall post-test score was observed for instructional video training group as compared to lecture. Conclusions: instructional video training is as effective as conventional format of teaching in teaching and learning basic emergency skills.
Seminars in Oncology Nursing
OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to explore symptom clusters among women with breast cancer in... more OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to explore symptom clusters among women with breast cancer in Jordan. DATA SOURCES A cross-sectional survey of 516 women with breast cancer who were recruited from three hospitals. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that women with breast cancer experienced several symptoms at the same time. These symptoms tend to cluster in five main groups, and patients experiencing the psychological, nausea and vomiting, and pain clusters are expected to have a lower mean score of quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses need to assess and manage symptoms as clusters to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Symptoms clusters should guide symptoms management practice and be given a priority equal to the active treatment of cancer. Symptoms management and cancer treatment should be started simultaneously.
Nursing Forum
BACKGROUND Fostering a healthy work environment becomes a necessity in health care institutions t... more BACKGROUND Fostering a healthy work environment becomes a necessity in health care institutions that value quality care and patient safety. However, limited studies investigated the impact of work environment characteristics including staffing and teamness among healthcare teams on adverse patient events in Oman. AIMS To examine the (1) impact of work environment, interprofessional teamness, staffing levels on adverse patient events and (2) predicting factors of perceptions of work environment among nurses in the Sultanate of Oman. METHOD A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized to collect data from 2113 nurses. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire that included a set of instruments. RESULTS The results showed a strong positive relationship between work environment and teamness (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Nurses working in a favorable environment that has positive teamwork reported a reduction in adverse events including patient and family complaints, patient and family verbal abuse, patient falls, nosocomial infections, and medication errors (p < 0.001). There was a nonsignificant correlation between staffing and adverse patient events. CONCLUSION Fostering a healthy and supportive work environment continue to be crucial for ensuring patient safety. Nurse administrators should strive to improve work environment through creating a culture that values interprofessional teamwork and collaborative relationships.
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND Authentic leadership has been consistently cited as a strong precursor of sustained jo... more BACKGROUND Authentic leadership has been consistently cited as a strong precursor of sustained job performance and work effectiveness in nurses; however, studies linking authentic leadership with nurses' safety actions, nurse-assessed adverse patient events, and nursing care quality are scarce. AIM To examine whether nurses' safety actions mediate the relationship between authentic leadership, nurse-assessed adverse events, and nursing care quality. METHODS A multi-centre, cross-sectional study involving 1,608 nurses employed in acute care facilities in Oman. Multi-stage regression analysis was conducted in testing for the mediation model. FINDINGS Nurse managers in Oman were perceived to be highly authentic by their staff nurses. Authentic leadership significantly predicted nurses' safety actions (β = 0.168, p < 0.001), decrease in nurse-assessed adverse events (β = -0.017, p = 0.024), and increase care quality (β = 0.121, p < 0.001). Further, the association between authentic leadership and nurse-assessed adverse events (β = -0.063, p = 0.057) and care quality (β = 0.038, p = 0.002) were mediated by nurses' safety actions. CONCLUSION Results suggest the importance of developing nurse managers' authentic leadership to foster nurses' safety actions and reduce adverse patient outcomes and promote nursing care quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Developing authentic leadership among nurse leaders through leadership programmes, education, and relevant policies can be a potential organisational measure to address patient safety issues and improve the quality of nursing care.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
BACKGROUND: Given the restrictions associated with COVID-19, feelings of loneliness among youth m... more BACKGROUND: Given the restrictions associated with COVID-19, feelings of loneliness among youth may increase. AIMS: The aims of the current study were to assess the prevalence of loneliness among young people at the time of COVID-19 and to identify whether selected variables related to the pandemic predicted the level of loneliness. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using WhatsApp and Facebook social media platforms was conducted to survey 1,057 young people aged 15 to 24 years from six Middle Eastern countries. Participants completed survey items including demographic and COVID-19-related questions; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of experienced loneliness was 1 (0.1%), 625 (59.1%), 429 (40.6%), and 2 (0.2%), reflecting low, moderate, moderately high, and high experiences for loneliness, respectively. History of depression or anxiety, being dissatisfied with life, and havi...
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND As an important organizational feature, the nurse work environment has been associated... more BACKGROUND As an important organizational feature, the nurse work environment has been associated with increased work effectiveness, reduced patient safety issues and improved care quality. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains unexplored. AIM To assess the mediating role of interprofessional collaboration in the relationships between nurse work environment, select patient safety outcomes, and job satisfaction. METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study used five standardized scales and included 881 clinical nurses employed in select teaching hospitals in Oman. RESULTS Nurses who worked in teaching hospitals in Oman perceived their work environment as highly favorable. Nurse work environment was directly and indirectly associated with nurse-assessed quality of care, adverse patient events, and job satisfaction, through interprofessional collaborations. CONCLUSION Findings of the study suggest that enhancing nurse work environments can be a potential strategy to foster interprofessional collaboration and improve job satisfaction and patient safety outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Organizational strategies to improve patient safety outcomes and job satisfaction in nurses can be facilitated by improving nurses' work conditions and enhancing interprofessional collaboration through supportive leadership, theory-driven approaches, obtaining hospital accreditation/certification, and relevant workplace policies.
Depression Research and Treatment
Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronav... more Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental illnesses among young people. Crisis like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may increase the current prevalence of these illnesses. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to (1) explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth and (2) identify to what extent certain variables related to COVID-19 could predict depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among young people in six different countries. Participants were requested to complete an online survey including demographics and the DAS scale. A total of 1,057 participants from Oman (n=155), Saudi Arabia (n=121), Jordan (n=332), Iraq (n=117), United Arab Emirates (n=147), and Egypt (n=182) completed the study. The total prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 57%, 40.5%, and 38.1%, respectively, with no significant differences between countries. Significant predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression were being female, being in contact wi...
Journal of Nursing Management
BACKGROUND Leadership styles of a nurse manager have a profound influence on staff nurses' mo... more BACKGROUND Leadership styles of a nurse manager have a profound influence on staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal nursing leadership roles; however, the mechanism underlying this pattern of influence remains unknown. AIM To assess the direct and indirect effect of nurse managers' authentic leadership on staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal leadership roles, through the intermediary role of nurse work environment and leadership self-efficacy. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 1534 nurses from 24 acute care hospitals in the Sultanate of Oman. FINDINGS Nurse managers' authentic leadership was associated with staff nurses' motivation to engage in formal leadership roles. Nurse practice environment and leadership self-efficacy mediated partially the association between authentic leadership and motivation to engage in formal leadership roles. CONCLUSION Results of this study underscore the value of authentic leadership in creating a healthy work environment and fostering nurses' leadership self-efficacy, resulting in greater motivation to engage in nursing leadership roles. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Organizational strategies to attract nurses to undertake leadership roles should include measures to bolster authentic leadership behaviours in nurse managers through theory-driven leadership development programmes or interventions, continuing education, effective succession planning, and creating a supportive work environment.
International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship
Remote teaching (RT) was the only option left to educators to continue education with public poli... more Remote teaching (RT) was the only option left to educators to continue education with public policy of lockdowns and social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic. RT is the online mode of instructional delivery. Globally it has become mandatory for all nurse educators to switch to RT mode. Many factors have been identified for effective implementation of RT, of which the major elements are choice of online teaching mode, pedagogy to choose the platform or technology, faculty preparedness, and the learner motivation and expectations. The dire need to meet the educational objectives demanded sudden transition to online mode. The paradigm shifts to RT brought many challenges and pragmatic guidance for teachers and institutions Remote teaching is flexible, student centered and feasible with opportunities to develop technically empowered faculty and coherent digital education strategies. However, tackling threats like academic integrity, inequity in accessibility and limited faculty prepar...
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ]
Objectives: This study aimed to assess and explore factors affecting diabetes self-management (DS... more Objectives: This study aimed to assess and explore factors affecting diabetes self-management (DSM) among Omani adults with type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2018. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from three referral hospitals in Oman. Data were collected using the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire, Empowerment Scale (short form), Medical Outcome Study Social Support Scale, Diabetes Knowledge Test and glycosylated haemoglobin test results. Linear multiple regression analysis was used to explore possible predictors of DSM. Results: A total of 210 people participated in the study (response rate: 87.5%). The majority of participants were female (70.5%) with a mean age of 26.82 ± 8.25 years. The mean score for DSM was 6.8 ± 1.4, which represents 68% of the total maximum score. More than one-third (36.2%) of the participants had poor glycaemic control. The predictors of high levels of DSM we...
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing
Background Knowledge of and compliance with universal isolation precautions are important issues ... more Background Knowledge of and compliance with universal isolation precautions are important issues and were found to be low in many previous studies. However, there were no Jordanian studies that have examined the effect of an infection control teaching course on nursing students' knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions. Purpose This study aimed to assess knowledge and compliance levels, assess the relationships between knowledge and compliance, and examine the effect of infection control teaching courses on knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions among university nursing students. Methods A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design using a convenient sample of 130 third-year nursing students was applied. The experimental group (n = 60) were third-year nursing students who registered for infection control clinical course for 3 months. On the other side, the control group (n = 70) were students at the same academic level but did not register for the course and never attended the course. Results The mean knowledge of and compliance with universal precaution were quite low, with a mean (SD) of 7.82 (1.98) and 49.36 (11.13) respectively. There was a statistically significant weak positive correlation between knowledge of and compliance with standard precaution (r = 0.28, P = .003). An independent t test indicated a significant effect of the infection control clinical course (t119 = −5.36, P = .01) on knowledge mean score (mean [SD], 15.51 [1.41]) and compliance with universal precaution mean score (mean [SD], 89.00 [10.17]; t119 = 6.26, P = .02) compared to the control group. Paired t test revealed that knowledge and compliance were significantly higher in the posttest than in the pretest in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion Knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions were relatively low among nursing students. The application of an infection control teaching course helps improve both knowledge of and compliance with universal precautions among university nursing students.
Journal of Emergency Nursing
BACKGROUND Because most primary health care centers in Oman do not use a formal triage system, th... more BACKGROUND Because most primary health care centers in Oman do not use a formal triage system, there are no available data on the effectiveness of implementing this system. PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of implementing an Emergency Severity Index triage system in primary health care centers in Oman. METHODS A pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design was used. The sample comprised 187 patients before Emergency Severity Index implementation and 102 patients after implementation. Waiting time, length of stay, patient satisfaction, and accuracy of classification were compared across the 2 groups. RESULTS The mean time (hour:minute) from registration to triage was reduced in the post-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 0:18, SD = 0:14) compared with the pre-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 0:23, SD = 0:19) (t = 2.59, P = 0.01). Furthermore, the mean length of stay was reduced in the post-Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 1:09, SD = 0:37) compared with that of the preimplementation group (mean = 1:24, SD = 0:41) (t = 3.10, P = 0.002). Patient satisfaction in the postimplementation group was improved (mean = 66.95, SD = 8.33) compared with that of the Emergency Severity Index group (mean = 65.01, SD = 8.73), but it did not reach statistical significance (t = -1.83, P = 0.07). The inter-rater agreement of triage level in post-Emergency Severity Index implementation markedly improved in the postimplementation group (Cohen's kappa = 0.910, P < 0.001) compared with that of the preimplementation group (Cohen's kappa = 0.082, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Although this is a single-setting study, the results have shown that the Emergency Severity Index system can contribute to a decrease in the negative crowding outcomes in primary health care centers in Oman.
Infectious Diseases
Abstract Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly type of hospi... more Abstract Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly type of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) worldwide. Despite individual studies, there is also no clear statistics on the SSI prevalence rate in the East Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SSI in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching three international databases (Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus) from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2018. The keywords used included ‘Prevalence’ OR ‘incidence’ OR ‘surgical site infection’ OR ‘wound infection’ OR ‘Postoperative Wound Infections’ and ‘Middle east’. The Hoy et al.’s tool was used to evaluate the quality of the articles. Result: Out of 889 initial studies, 40 studies from 12 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region were included in the final stage of the study. Based on the results of random effect method, the overall prevalence of SSI in 137,452 patients was 7.9% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 7.1, 8.8; I2=96.7%). The prevalence of SSI in cardiac surgery and general surgery wards was 10 and 9.2%, respectively. The prevalence of SSI was lower in women than in males, although this difference was related to caesarean section. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of SSI in the Eastern Mediterranean region, timely diagnosis, proper prevention and postoperative control are necessary in the region using the same international guides in all countries.
International Nursing Review
AIMS To (1) examine the level and variability of nurse work environment and job satisfaction and ... more AIMS To (1) examine the level and variability of nurse work environment and job satisfaction and (2) explore how nurse job satisfaction in tertiary hospitals in Oman is influenced by the nurses' characteristics and work environment. BACKGROUND In Oman and the Middle East, a scarcity of research addressing nurse work environment and job satisfaction exists. Such evidence is necessary for policymaking to positively impact nurse job outcomes, and therefore, quality of care. METHODS We used a cross-sectional descriptive design employing a sample of 454 local and expatriate nurses who responded to a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS The work environment was favourable, and it positively correlated with job satisfaction. Nationality, education, hospital type, staffing, resources and participation in hospital affairs were significant predictors of nurse job satisfaction. The greatest amount of variation in nurse job satisfaction was explained by the work environment. CONCLUSION The influence of work environment on nurse job satisfaction is greater than nurse characteristics and hospital and unit types. Enhancing nurse participation in hospital affairs and providing adequate staffing and resources are central means of establishing healthy work environments, which is an auspicious, cost-effective strategy for satisfying, and therefore, retaining nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY To enhance nurse work environment and job satisfaction in Oman and the Middle East, nurse and health leaders need to consider developing work and professional regulations and adopting policies to promote staffing, resources, wages, and benefits for nurses and encourage their promotion and career advancement; and foster nurse participation in hospital affairs.
American Journal of Infection Control
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe nurs... more BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe nurses' knowledge and practice of and attitude toward infection control and prevention standards. METHODS In the present systematic review, 4 electronic databases were searched from the inception of databases through March 2018. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Hoy tool. RESULTS Eighteen studies conducted on 4,577 employed nurses and nursing students entered the final stage. Results indicated that nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge (n = 10, 40%-90%) and positive attitude (n = 4, 37%-100%). However, most studies reflected average and poor nursing practices with regard to adherence to infection control and prevention standards. The most frequent recommendations proposed for improving nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice included periodic training via scientific conferences and relevant practical courses (n = 12), combining up-to-date theoretical and practical programs (n = 6), and training at the beginning of hospital employment (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that although nurses in most studies had adequate knowledge of and positive attitude toward health care-associated infections, because of average and poor practices, they need systematic and integrated implementation of the presented recommendations.
Disability and Rehabilitation
Caring for a child with a disability in the family is associated with a major increase in care-gi... more Caring for a child with a disability in the family is associated with a major increase in care-giving demands and burden. This qualitative study explores the perspectives, challenges and adaptations of Jordanian mothers living with a child with disability. Phenomenological qualitative tradition was utilized. Seven Jordanian mothers of children with disability were purposefully selected as having rich experiences for caring for a child with a disability. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to extract main themes and subthemes. Mothers' experiences were reflected into four main themes: (1) increased perceived stigma, (2) fear for the future, (3) increased perceived care-giving burden and (4) adaptations to the child's disability. This study highlights key gaps in the provision of family-centered services for this population as well as multiple sociocultural issues impacting participation and quality of life. Healthcare professionals must deal with the child's disability from a family-centered and cultural perspective. Implications for rehabilitation When therapists meet the whole family's needs through a family-centered approach, the child with disability is less likely to be ignored, maltreated or abused. Family-centered practice adopts a sociocultural model which looks at the child from a wider point of view rather than just the disability itself. It requires therapists to review the context in which the child lives and address the specific needs of parents, siblings and other involved family members. Culture plays a huge role in shaping the family's perspective on disability and has a huge impact and implications for service delivery and development, quality of life and participation for children with disability and their families. Rehabilitation professionals must accommodate their time schedules to provide families with the communication, education, advocacy and consultations needed.