Who can give ‘spiritual care’? The management of spiritually sensitive interactions between nurses and patients

kevern p. (2012) Journal of Nursing Management  20, 981–989
Who can give ‘spiritual care’? The management of spiritually sensitive interactions between nurses and patients Aims This article considers the purpose of contemporary ‘spiritual care’ in order to help managers make informed decisions about its appropriate delivery in a clinical context. Background Although there are national policies in place concerning spiritual care, surveys indicate that nurses are reluctant to engage with the spiritual needs of patients. Evaluation A consideration of the character of spiritual care indicates the need to take account of the context of contemporary Western society. A model drawn from the social psychology of religion is used to analyse the different types of nurse–patient interaction available in the provision of spiritual care. Key Issues Although religious and spiritual commitments can vary widely, they are subject to the same pressures in a secular and pluralist social context. This enables some general guidelines to be developed. Conclusions Effective spiritual care requires a consideration of both the patient’s and the nurse’s implicit and explicit religious commitments. Implications for nursing management Nurse managers need to take account of the personal commitments of nurses when directing them to offer spiritual care. This article offers a diagnostic tool for deploying nurses in an appropriate way.     

经颈胸腹三切口手术治疗食管癌2162例围术期并发症分析

目的研究颈、胸、腹＂三切口＂食管癌根治术对切除肿瘤的彻底性,防治主要并发症吻合口瘘。方法 2000年1月~2011年1月采用颈、胸、腹＂三切口＂行食管癌切除,全胃代食管术共2162例,介绍手术方法的改进,并发症的防治。结果手术切除率97%,发生吻合口瘘207例,平均发生率为9.9%,围术期死亡率为＂0＂。结论颈、胸、腹＂三切口＂食管癌切除术相对彻底地切除病灶（食管切除长度〉80%）并使＂三野＂淋巴结清除成为可能,＂三切口＂不能降低吻合口瘘的发生,但可降低这一并发症的死亡率。     

Bilateral approach for thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection in the dorsal area of the thoracic aorta in patients with esophageal cancer: A report of two cases

IntroductionThe incidence of lymph node metastasis in the dorsal area of the thoracic aorta (DTA) is relatively low in patients with esophageal cancer. It is difficult to approach the DTA using surgical procedures, such as an open thoracotomy and thoracoscopy in the left decubitus position.Case presentationCase 1: A 70-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection via a right thoracoscopic approach, followed by lymphadenectomy in the DTA via left thoracoscopy in the prone position. Microscopic findings revealed two metastatic lymph nodes in the DTA. The definitive diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and the pathological stage was T2N3M0 (Union for International Cancer Control [UICC], 7th edition). The patient showed lung metastasis 8 months after the surgery. Case 2: A 72-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy via a bilateral approach in the prone position, using a similar procedure as in case 1. The definitive diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and the pathological stage was T3N2M0. The patient showed a metastatic mediastinal lymph node 4 months after the surgery.ConclusionBilateral thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position can be safely performed, and it might be an alternative curative surgery for esophageal cancer. However, both our cases showed metastasis in the early postoperative period. The long-term outcome and significance of dissection of lymph nodes in the DTA in patients with esophageal cancer remains controversial. Further studies are required to establish the indications and efficacy of this therapeutic approach.     

加用复方龙星片治疗感冒后咳嗽的临床研究

[目的] 通过用复方甲氧那敏胶囊和加用复方龙星片的方法分别治疗感冒后咳嗽,观察两组的临床疗效。[方法] 将符合入组条件的80例患者在服用复方甲氧那敏胶囊(商品名:诺尔彤)的基础上,采用随机数字表法随机分为常规治疗组(对照组)40例,加用复方龙星片组(治疗组)40例,服药14 d为1个疗程。[结果] 治疗组临床总有效率为90.00%,对照组为80.00%,两组在总体疗效上差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组在日间咳嗽、夜间咳嗽、咳痰量、咽痒、喘息的改善情况要好于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);而两组在气短的症状改善上差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗组的起效时间快于对照组;治疗后两组的生活质量评分比治疗前都有了很大的提高,而治疗组提高明显高于对照组,两组间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。[结论] 经加用复方龙星片治疗感冒后咳嗽疗效明显优于对照组。     

纤维桩修复离体牙抗折强度的研究进展

纤维桩因其良好的力学性能和生物相容性,在临床上得到广泛应用。临床上纤维桩的抗折强度对纤维桩的固位起着非常重要的作用,因此学者们进行了一系列体外实验研究纤维桩的抗折强度。本文主要从纤维桩的长度、不同桩核系统、纤维桩表面处理等方面对影响纤维桩核抗折强度的因素做一综述,以期能为纤维桩核修复提供一定的临床依据。纤维桩核系统可以增强离体牙的抗折强度,折裂模式均为可修复性,利于牙根的保留,能够满足临床的治疗需要。     

Post‐traumatic stress disorder,social support and cognitive status in community‐based older veterans

Objective: The present study investigated the relationships between structural and qualitative aspects of social support, combat‐related post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cognitive status in a New Zealand veterans sample. Methods: A random sample of 232 New Zealand veterans completed a self‐report questionnaire and participated in a face‐to‐face interview. Results: Regression analysis showed that when controlling for age, income, education, depression and general health, PTSD scores had a negative relationship with cognitive status. Those who reported having private, restricted social networks had poorer cognitive functioning. These relationships were independent of each other. Conclusions: The findings suggest that while social support might be a potential target for interventions in at‐risk older adults, health professionals need to be aware of the concomitant possible influence of past trauma when dealing with this specific population.