Title.  Representations of disability in nursing and healthcare literature: an integrative review Aim.  This paper is a report of an integrative review to explore the way in which disability has been considered in the multidisciplinary health and nursing literature. Background.  In the multidisciplinary health and nursing literature, two ways are presented in which disability can be understood: the traditional, functional perspective and a more contemporary, social perspective. Data sources.  Computerized databases of the CINAHL, Proquest Nursing and Allied Health Sources, EBSCO and Evidence Based Medicine Reviews Multifile and Cochrane databases were conducted for papers published in English in the period 1963–2007 using the keywords ‘models of disability’, ‘disability and nursing research’ and ‘theories of disability’. Methods.  An integrative review was performed and, of the 11,578 papers identified, 65 were included. Results.  The concept of functional disability refers to an individual who is physically ‘disabled’ and unable to perform expected roles. The concepts of social stigmatization and normalcy are associated with functional disability. In contrast, social disability concerns functional limitations within an individual’s experience of living with disability, examining how socially constructed barriers actually ‘disable’ people. Conventionally, disability research has been conducted from an etic perspective. Researchers contend that a shift towards an understanding from the emic perspective is needed for disability research to be emancipatory. Conclusion.  Adoption of a social perspective is necessary to inform an understanding of disability that addresses stigmatization and oppression. Research‐informed nursing practice, complemented by supportive health and social policies, could transform the experience of living with disability.

The purpose of this work was to develop an understanding of the meaning of disability for individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Canadian midwestern community from an emic perspective. A focused ethnographic design was used. Fifteen individuals participated in interviews. Narrative analysis was used to examine the interview data. Data analysis revealed 65 dilemma stories consisting of two structural components: the impairment, and the justification/explanation of the impairment. Participants' impairment might or might not have been known to others. In both situations, individuals were faced with choices of whether to explain/justify or attempt to conceal the impairment. Participants told these dilemma stories to convey the meaning of COPD as a disability invisible to others, and at times, to themselves. The information gained from this research will serve as an essential complement to the existing knowledge about this important yet often invisible chronic illness.

Clinicians' ability to hear an alternative understanding may be impeded when they only listen for what they already know, 'facts' concerning the relationship between smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Addressing vulnerable persons in such a manner may impede patients' efforts to be responsible for the development of their chronic illness and individualised care.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to highlight evidence and key nursing practice, education, organization and policy recommendations from the original and revised Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Best Practice Guideline, Nursing Care of Dyspnea: The 6th Vital Sign in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This paper introduces the notion of dyspnea as the sixth vital sign and presents evidence from the RNAO Best Practice Guideline and other relevant literature to support and enhance nursing care of dyspnea in clients with COPD.Background: COPD is an increasingly serious health issue. Nurses have significant opportunity to positively influence client outcomes and quality of life by assessing dyspnea, identifying problems, and applying appropriate evidence-based interventions. Best practice guidelines developed by the RNAO provide a framework to enhance nursing practice and client care.Design: A panel of nurses was assembled for the initial development of the guideline and more recently, the revision to the original guideline.Method: A structured evidence review based on the scope of the original guideline and supported by three clinical questions was conducted to capture the relevant literature and guidelines published since the original publication.Results: As a result of this work recommendations for nursing practice and education are discussed. Organizational and policy recommendations are also outlined. Conclusions:Nurses have opportunity to positively influence client outcomes and quality of life by assessing dyspnea, identifying problems, and applying appropriate evidence-based interventions.Relevance to Clinical Practice: Recommendations made in the best practice guideline will enhance nursing care of dyspnea in clients with COPD and dyspnea should be recognized as the sixth vital sign in individuals with COPD.

Aim: This paper reports an integrative review of international health literature that discusses health equity in relation to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs), policy makers, and decision makers rely on sound empirical evidence to make fiscally responsible and appropriate decisions about the allocation of health resources and health service delivery. CPGs provide statements and recommendations that aim to standardize care with an implicit goal of achieving equity of care among diverse populations. Developers of CPGs must be careful not to exacerbate inequity when making recommendations. As such, it is important to determine how equity is discussed within the context of CPGs.Design: This integrative review was conducted according to integrative review methods as outlined by Whittemore and Knafl (2005), and Toronto and Remington (2020).These authors outlined a systematic process for the identification of relevant literature across health disciplines to examine the state of knowledge pertaining to a phenomenon such as health equity.Search Methods: The computerized databases PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science were searched using a combination of keywords. Search parameters included international peer-reviewed published, full-text, English language articles, editorials, and reports over the last decade (January 2011 to February 2022). A reference search of included articles was conducted to identify any additional articles. Dissertations and theses were not included.Search Outcome: A total of 139 peer-reviewed English language articles were identified. Results:The findings of this review revealed five main ways in which health equity is in context of CPGs including if they target or exacerbate inequity among disadvantaged populations, equity and CPG development, implementation, and evaluation, and checklists and tools to assist developers and users of CPG to consider equity.Although critical appraisal tools exist to assist users of CPGs assess and to evaluate how well CPGs address issues of equity, the definition of equity and how CPG development panels should incorporate and articulate it remains unclear and haphazard.As such, recommendations intended to be implemented by HCPs to optimize health equity remains diverse and unclear.