A qualitative description design is particularly relevant where information is required directly from those experiencing the phenomenon under investigation and where time and resources are limited. Nurses and midwives often have clinical questions suitable to a qualitative approach but little time to develop an exhaustive comprehension of qualitative methodological approaches. Qualitative description research is sometimes considered a less sophisticated approach for epistemological reasons. Another challenge when considering qualitative description design is differentiating qualitative description from other qualitative approaches. This article provides a systematic and robust journey through the philosophical, ontological, and epistemological perspectives, which evidences the purpose of qualitative description research. Methods and rigor issues underpinning qualitative description research are also appraised to provide the researcher with a systematic approach to conduct research utilizing this approach. The key attributes and value of qualitative description research in the health care professions will be highlighted with the aim of extending its usage.

Pregnancy following perinatal loss has a profound effect on parents and may contribute to intense psychological distress including grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. The subsequent pregnancy may also be perceived as more stressful due to the fear of recurrent loss. Midwives and other health care professionals need to be sensitive and empathetic to the needs of these parents when providing care in a pregnancy subsequent to a loss. The aim of this integrated literature review was to explore parents' experiences of pregnancy following a previous perinatal loss using a systematic approach. This is presented in a five-stage process that includes problem identification, literature search, data extraction and evaluation, data analysis and presentation of results. A systematic search of seven electronic databases was conducted (Jan 2009 -Jan 2023) to identify relevant primary research which addressed parents' experiences of pregnancy following a previous perinatal loss. Seven papers met the eligibility criteria and were assessed for quality using Crowe's Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). Thematic analysis identified two themes. The key themes identified from the literature were; the psychosocial needs and challenges faced by previously bereaved parents in subsequent pregnancies; and the need for specialist care and support in a subsequent pregnancy. Psychological needs and challenges included continued grief, depression, anxiety, and disparities in the grief process between men and women. The importance of specialist care with an increased level of support from competent, confident and compassionate health care providers was highlighted. The experience of pregnancy following a perinatal loss can be a complex emotional experience for parents. The review identifies the need for post pregnancy loss debriefing and counselling and care pathways specific to caring for women and their partners in a pregnancy subsequent to a perinatal loss. Care in pregnancy subsequent to loss should be provided by empathetic, competent health care providers and include additional antenatal clinic appointments, pregnancy monitoring and psychological support in order to meet the needs of these expectant parents.

: The incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been consistently high in nursing sectors and are a significant cost to the health service due to absenteeism. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are more common among healthcare workers in nursing homes due to the high dependency needs of older persons which often include need for help with self-care and mobility. Therefore, staff are exposed to potential injury associated with moving and handling patients. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders significantly impact on the quality of life of affected individuals, can cause economic hardship and affect service provision. : To identify, review, and discuss interventions that may be effective in reducing the prevalence and consequences of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nursing homes. : An integrative literature review. : A systematic search of Embase, Science direct, Web of science and EBSCO Host was conducted and an ancestry search of the references of the reviewed articles were also reviewed. Peer reviewed primary research published between 2000 and 2020 were selected. The quality of these studies was appraised with Crowe Quality Appraisal Tool and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The components of the interventions were categorised using Burnard (2011) framework for content analysis. : Fifteen studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Interventions reported in the literature were in four categories; (i) Specialised equipment (ii) Staff training (iii) Policies and procedures to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and (iv) Support and follow up. A ceiling lift is the intervention of choice to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders, as it reduces the stress associated with pushing and pulling. Risk assessment is vital to determine the individual needs of clients for safe handling. Train-the-trainer roles could be used to implement training interventions where resources limit the employment of a designated lead to facilitate injury prevention. A multifaceted approach to prevent and reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders is recommended. Further research is required to ascertain the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on injury reduction in nursing homes. : These findings have the potential to inform the development and adherence to injury prevention policies and regulations by healthcare managers and staff which could reduce injuries. Identifying the appropriate interventions to prevent and reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders is significant for staff wellbeing, has economic implications in terms of reduced work-related musculoskeletal disorder absenteeism and ultimately will positively impact on the care of mobility impaired clients.

Perineal injury during childbirth is a very common event which affect women during childbirth. Significant morbidities are associated with third-and-fourth degree perineal tears in particular, also referred to as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). With an increasing global birth rate and rising interventions in birth, the incidence of perineal trauma following vaginal birth is increasing on an international scale, impacted also by more accurate classification and definitions of OASIS and increased pre-existing co morbidities amongst affected women. The consequences of OASIS can be physically and psychologically distressing for affected women and have significant impact on quality of life. The aim of this integrative review was to examine women's experience of OASIS following childbirth using a systematic approach. This is presented in a five-stage process that includes problem identification, literature search, data extraction and evaluation, data analysis and presentation of results. A number of academic electronic databases were systematically searched and results are presented and analysed. Results of the complete search are presented in PRISMA format. Eight papers, which were assessed for quality using an appropriate appraisal tool, are included in the review and thematic analysis used to identify themes. The themes identified were; psychological consequences, the role of the health care professionals and implications for future pregnancies. Psychological consequences included anxiety, loneliness, isolation, shame, fear, many of which were associated with physical ramifications of OASIS and how these feelings affect activities of daily living. The importance of access to and support from health care professionals was highlighted. The impact the experience of OASIS had on women's decisions about future pregnancies was also evident. The association between OASIS and maternal quality of life following childbirth can be substantial as evidenced by this literature review. The review identifies the need for improvement in the care and management of these women to alleviate the physical and psychological consequences of OASIS, including decisions in relation to future pregnancies and childbirth. Health care professionals caring for women in pregnancy and childbirth need to be educated and informed on the sequelae of OASIS, to ensure appropriate information and support is provided to these women and their families. Such knowledge may enable health care professionals to alleviate symptoms associated with OASIS and help women make sense and cope with their experiences.

Background: It is estimated that approximately 13% of expectant fathers experience a pathological and debilitating fear of childbirth. Objective: The aim of this integrative review was to examine and synthesise the current body of research relating to paternal experience of fear of childbirth. Methods: A systematic literature search of five databases—CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycArticles and PsycInfo—identified seventeen papers. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. Results: Thematic data analysis identified three themes: the focus of fathers’ childbirth-related fears, the impact of fear of childbirth on health and wellbeing, and fear of childbirth as a private burden. Discussion: Fear of childbirth is a significant and distressing experience for expectant fathers who may benefit from an opportunity to express their childbirth-related fears in an environment where they feel validated and supported. Antenatal education is recommended to enhance fathers’ childbirth-related self-efficacy to reduce fear of childbirth. Conclusions: Fear of childbirth may negatively impact the lives of men and consequently their families. Further investigation into methods and models for identifying and supporting men at risk of or experiencing fear of childbirth is required to improve outcomes for this population of men.