Aim The aim of this qualitative systematic review is to identify and synthesize qualitative studies of frontline nurses’ experiences and challenges when caring for patients with COVID‐19 in hospitals. Background This review is the first qualitative systematic review of nurses’ experiences since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020. Understanding nurses’ experiences with COVID‐19 is important because nurses are among the most vital of healthcare workers. Methods This study used a qualitative systematic review methodology with thematic synthesis to analyse the included studies. Five databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) were searched from January to mid‐August 2020, and 25 abstracts were screened. Based on inclusion criteria, this qualitative systematic review included nine studies. Results Five themes were identified as barriers to COVID‐19 care by 133 hospital‐based nurses: limited information about COVID‐19, unpredictable tasks and challenging practices, insufficient support, concerns about family, and emotional and psychological stress. Conclusions The five barriers identified in this review should be overcome to improve nurses’ experiences and, in turn, the quality of care patients with COVID‐19 receive. Implications for nursing and health policy The findings from this review can be used to reform current healthcare and hospital‐support systems for populations with COVID‐19. They can also be used to point towards areas of research interested in improving frontline nursing. Finally, nursing leaders, healthcare policymakers and governments should use these findings to better support the nursing workforce in the current or a future pandemic.

No abstract

This article is the second report from a study examining perceived stigma in persons with dementia with findings regarding the association between stigma and quality of life outcomes being reported here. Fifty persons with dementia and 47 family caregivers were sampled, with data being collected at baseline and six, 12, and 18 months. The modified Stigma Impact Scale measured perceived stigma. Quality of life outcomes included: depression, anxiety, behavioral symptoms, personal control, physical health, self-esteem, social support, and activity participation. Linear mixed model or generalized linear mixed model (for depression) analyses revealed that some aspect of perceived stigma was associated with each outcome. Social rejection was associated with anxiety, behavioral symptoms, health, and activity participation. Internalized shame was associated with anxiety, personal control, health, self-esteem, social support understanding and assistance, and activity participation. Finally, social isolation was associated with depression, anxiety, personal control, health, self-esteem, social support understanding, and activity participation. The complexity of relationships between perceived stigma and quality of life outcomes is evident from these findings.

Background Virtual reality (VR) has several applications in the medical domain and also generates a secure environment to carry out activities. Evaluation of the effectiveness of VR among older populations revealed positive effects of VR as a tool to reduce risks of falls and also improve the social and emotional well-being of older adults. The decline in physical and mental health, the loss of functional capabilities, and a weakening of social ties represent obstacles towards active aging among older adults and indicate a need for support. Existing research focused on the effects of VR among older populations, and its uses and benefits. Our study investigated the acceptance and use of VR by the elderly. Methods This pilot study was conducted on 30 older adults who voluntarily participated during March to May 2018. Nine VR applications that promote physical activities, motivate users, and provide entertainment were chosen for this study. Participants were asked to use any one of the applications of their choice for 15 min twice a week for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model and a literature review, to evaluate their acceptance of VR technology. Cronbach’s alpha reliability analysis was used to test the internal consistency of the questionnaire items. Pearson’s product moment correlation was used to examine the validity of the questionnaire. A linear regression and mediation analysis were utilized to identify relationships among the variables of the questionnaire. Results In total, six male and 24 female participants aged 60~95 years volunteered to participate in the study. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social norms, and perceived enjoyment were seen to have had significant effects on the intention to use VR. Participants agreed to a large extent regarding the perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and their experience of using VR. Thus, VR was seen to have high acceptance among this elderly population. Conclusions Older people have positive perceptions towards accepting and using VR to support active aging. They perceived VR to be useful, easy to use, and an enjoyable experience, implying positive attitudes toward adopting this new technology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-019-1218-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

No abstract