The state of the science of emotional intelligence related to nursing leadership: an integrative review

akerjordet k. & severinsson e. (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18, 363–382
The state of the science of emotional intelligence related to nursing leadership: an integrative review Aim To explore the state of the science of emotional intelligence (EI) related to nursing leadership and its critiques. Background The phenomenon of EI has emerged as a potential new construct of importance for nursing leadership that enhances educational, organizational, staff and patient outcomes. Nevertheless, important questions and critical reflections related to exaggerated claims, conceptualizations and measurements exist. Method A literature search was conducted using international databases covering the period January 1999 to December 2009. A manual search of relevant journals and significant references increased the data. Results Critical reflection seems to be associated with the unsubstantiated predictive validity of EI in the area of nursing leadership. In addition, important moral issues are called into question. Conclusions It is important to possess in-depth knowledge of EI and its scientific critique when integrating the concept into nursing research, education and practical settings. More attention to the nature of emotion in EI is necessary. Implications for nursing leadership The dynamics of EI should be explored in the context of both the surrounding environment and individual differences, as the latter can be adaptive in some settings but harmful in others.     

Liver transplantation: The death/life paradox

Lumby J. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 231–238
Liver transplantation: The death/life paradox
Transplantation of organs has increased dramatically over the last 3 decades. The Australian National Liver Transplant Unit was established in 1985 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Their first 5 years was reported in a paper in 1992 in which survival was defined as 'going home'. The study reported in this paper followed a 3 year study with one woman who experienced a liver transplant in which survival had many dimensions, of which going home was not one. This post doctoral study of 2 years extended the earlier work with one woman by exploring the experience with eight 'survivors'. It highlighted the paradox of facing life and death at the same time, which occurs when one has a terminal illness but is on a waiting list for a donor organ which could be life saving. Focus groups were used as the methodology while story telling within the group became the means by which individuals and the group recalled and made meaning of their experiences.     

Patients' experiences of being infected with MRSA at a hospital and subsequently source isolated

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 101–107
Patients' experiences of being infected with MRSA at a hospital and subsequently source isolated
Background:  Patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) during a large outbreak of E-MRSA 16 between 1997 and 2001 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, were moved from their speciality ward to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases for care in source isolation as long as the patient needed hospital care.
Aim:  To get knowledge regarding patients' experiences who contracted MRSA at the hospital and subsequently source isolated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases.
Method:  The interviews were designed according to qualitative research. Six patients, aged 35–76 years, who contracted MRSA at Sahlgrenska hospital and subsequently source isolated for at least 1 week were interviewed. The interviews were tape-recorded and an inter-subjective analysis was accomplished.
Findings:  The study found that the patients felt violated for having contracted MRSA at the hospital and the isolation was described as traumatic, albeit accepted because they took responsibility for not spreading MRSA. The patients felt that they did not receive rehabilitation on the same conditions as other patients and lacked information about MRSA. They felt vulnerable due to negative reactions from the nursing staff, family members and other patient's surroundings.
Conclusion:  Patients who contract MRSA need information about what the MRSA contagion involves. There is a great need for an elevated knowledge of MRSA among staff members. An increased awareness of how the contagion spreads will allay fears of MRSA among staff and patients. The source isolation should be as short as possible to minimise the feeling of confinement.     

The meaning of follow-up in intensive care: patients' perspective

The growing understanding of correlations between experiences and memories from a period of intensive care treatment and complaints of mental character has led to the development of various patient follow‐up offers. Little, however, is known about what follow‐up may mean to patients. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of patients’ lived experience of being followed‐up in a programme consisting of patient diaries, post‐intensive care unit (ICU) conversations and visits back to the ICU. Field notes were made from encounters with patients (n = 10) during follow‐up. Then they were interviewed twice, at about 6 months (n = 8) and at about 18 months (n = 6) after discharge from hospital. The first interview focused on the patients’ experience during intensive care and on their reflections on the experience. The second interview had a particular focus on the meaning for each individual of the sources for understanding that they had been offered. The data was analysed by using a hermeneutic‐phenomenological approach. The study corroborated earlier research that found that patients seek to understand experiences they have undergone. They search for meaning in experiences and memories. It is realized that the diary as text and photos, in addition to conveying care and love, is important to induce postexperience reflections. It provided guideposts that follow‐up conversations could pursue in the patient’s quest for meaning. The conversation also provided an opening for, and could in itself be essential to, the patient’s willingness to talk about experiences. It allowed the nurse to accompany the patient in his quest for meaning. The return visit appeared to be significant in the patient’s quest for meaning. It was via ‘feeling’ the room that ‘things’ fell into place. The study is important in elucidating aspects that are beneficial in the patient’s follow‐up and which lay the basis for further development of existing and new follow‐up offers.