Huichao Zhang

Ms. Huichao Zhang

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2025 in Journal of Nursing Management
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
HZHuichao Zhang
Huichao Zhang
JXJiayi Xu
Jiayi Xu
XLXinyu Lu
Xinyu Lu
MXMingmei Xu
Mingmei Xu
Aim: To explore the perceptions of elderly patients with chronic diseases and their healthcare providers on the use of wearable devices for home health monitoring, identifying barriers and facilitators to their effective adoption in China’s rapidly aging population. Background: As China’s population ages, managing chronic diseases among elderly patients has become increasingly complex. Wearable health monitoring devices offer a promising solution, enabling remote and continuous health tracking. However, the adoption of these devices remains limited, particularly among elderly patients. Understanding the perspectives of both patients and healthcare providers is crucial for optimizing wearable device use in chronic disease management. Design: A qualitative descriptive study. Method: From May 2023 to March 2024, semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 elderly patients and 11 healthcare providers in Nanjing, China. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s 7‐step method, generating key themes that address both the challenges and opportunities in adopting wearable health technologies. Findings: Seven major themes emerged: (1) Technology Acceptance and Motivation, (2) Changes in Social Support and Interaction, (3) Adjustments in Healthcare Work Modes, (4) Barriers and Risks in Technology Application, (5) Device Compliance and Knowledge Gaps, (6) Identifying Key Features for Quality Assessment of Wearable Devices, and (7) The Role of Customization and Adaptability. While the potential benefits of wearable devices for chronic disease management were widely recognized, concerns about complexity, cost, and data security were key obstacles. Conclusion: Wearable devices hold significant potential for improving the management of chronic diseases among elderly patients, yet multiple barriers hinder their widespread adoption. Addressing issues related to usability, privacy, and affordability, alongside providing education and policy support, will be critical to enhancing their integration into healthcare settings. Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: This study underscores the importance of creating targeted strategies to overcome the challenges in using wearable health devices among elderly patients. Healthcare providers and policymakers should focus on simplifying technology, enhancing patient education, and addressing privacy concerns to foster broader acceptance and use of these devices in chronic disease care. Impact: By promoting the adoption of wearable health technologies, healthcare systems can improve chronic disease management outcomes for elderly patients, reduce the burden on healthcare services, and support a more patient‐centered approach to care. Patient or Public Contribution: Elderly patients with chronic diseases and their healthcare providers contributed valuable insights by sharing their experiences with wearable health monitoring devices, shaping the study’s findings.

6 November 2022 in Journal of Nursing Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HZHuichao Zhang
Huichao Zhang
YWYuan Wu
Yuan Wu
NWNannan Wang
Nannan Wang
XSXuhan Sun
Xuhan Sun
YWYuqing Wang
Yuqing Wang
YZYuxi Zhang
Yuxi Zhang
Aims The goal of this study was to explore caregivers' experiences, perspectives, emotions, knowledge and needs in caring for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. These included, but were not limited to, experiences in hospital care, home care and nursing home care. Background Because of the high mortality rate associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, senior care is critical. During the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers caring for older people have had unique experiences potentially affecting the quality of care provided. This topic has received substantial attention since the start of the pandemic and has been studied by numerous researchers. However, experiences may differ among countries and time periods. In addition, no qualitative systematic reviews on this topic appear to have been published. Evaluation In this systematic review of qualitative studies, data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Science Direct and PsycINFO. Titles and abstracts were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, full texts were screened and the methodological quality of included studies was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research by two independent reviewers. Key issue(s) A total of 141 findings were extracted and aggregated into 20 categories; 6 synthesized findings were identified. Conclusion This review indicates caregivers' experiences and perceptions regarding caring for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a qualitative systematic review show that caregivers' emotions, cognitions and knowledge have affected the quality of caregivers' senior care services during the pandemic. Caregivers caring for older adults should practise self-awareness, understanding their knowledge and attitudes to improve the quality of senior care. Moreover, health care administrators and policymakers should make concerted efforts to cultivate a better working environment. Implications for Nursing Management Managers should formulate timely and effective management strategies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the workload of caregivers has increased, thus requiring better scheduling by managers. Furthermore, managers should consider the negative emotions of caregivers and prevent negative emotions from affecting their work. Besides, virtual technology should be applied to senior care and psychological support be provided for caregivers in this special care setting.

24 September 2025 in Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
XLXinyu Lu
Xinyu Lu
SZShuyu Zhang
Shuyu Zhang
YCYuting Chen
Yuting Chen
SYShanshan Yu
Shanshan Yu
XLXiaoyan Li
Xiaoyan Li
YZYuxi Zhang
Yuxi Zhang
Palliative care nurses often need peer support due to their frequent exposure to emotional and ethical stress. This study aims to explore their experiences, perceptions, and preferences regarding peer support in China, and provide evidence for developing effective support systems to enhance these nurses’ mental well-being. A descriptive phenomenological approach under a qualitative design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 15 palliative care nurses were recruited from four centers in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and their themes and subthemes were classified. Nurses shared a range of experiences in peer support, involving emotional support, informational support, and clinical skills support. They perceived these supports helpful to reduce emotional isolation, shift attitudes on death, increase patients’ satisfaction with care, and polish clinical knowledge and skills. However, they also identified several barriers to implementing peer support, such as the lack of appropriate initiators and hierarchical differences, time constraints and fatigue, and lack of financial compensation. Despite these challenges, participants expressed clear preferences regarding peer support, particularly highlighting the characteristics of peer support providers and preferred formats of peer support. Emotional, informational, and clinical skills support from peers can help palliative care nurses cope with emotional and ethical stress in the face of death, thus enhancing their professional resilience, improving emotional well-being, and increasing patients' satisfaction with care. However, in establishing peer support programs, structural and cultural factors should be taken into account, such as heavy workloads, hierarchical differences, attitudes toward death, and expression of emotion. Government should increase palliative care funding, and work with health authorities to improve nurses’ welfare, and prioritize their mental health.

6 July 2026 in Nursing in Critical Care
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
HZHuichao Zhang
Huichao Zhang
MXMingmei Xu
Mingmei Xu
YXYahong Xu
Yahong Xu
YZYing Zhang
Ying Zhang
YZYaqian Zhang
Yaqian Zhang
LWLing Wang
Ling Wang

7 November 2025 in Research Square
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
HZHuichao Zhang
Huichao Zhang
JSJunmei Shu
Junmei Shu
RWRuoHan Wang
RuoHan Wang
QYQi Yu
Qi Yu
YXYixia Xu
Yixia Xu
JZJing Zhang
Jing Zhang
Background: Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and decompensated cirrhosis face a poor prognosis and complex decision-making. Advance care planning (ACP) can improve end-of-life care but is underutilised in China, where family-centred decision-making is predominant. The needs and experiences regarding ACP for this specific population and their families remain largely unexplored. Aim: To explore the needs, preferences, and barriers to ACP implementation among families of Chinese patients with advanced HCC and decompensated cirrhosis within a family-centred decision-making model. Design: A qualitative study informed by a phenomenological perspective, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit primary family decision-makers of patients with advanced HCC (BCLC Stage C/D) and decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B/C) from a major tertiary hospital in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and October 2024. Data were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Results: In-depth interviews with 20 family members revealed four main themes: 1) The Dual Dilemma of Cognitive Fog and Emotional Preparedness, 2) The Cultural Negotiation of Value Prioritization and Decision-Making Authority, 3) The Dynamic Network of Communication Bridges and Role Coordination, 4) The Dual Call for Institutional Safeguards and Plan Flexibility. Conclusion: Implementing ACP for advanced HCC patients in China requires addressing significant knowledge gaps, emotional ambivalence, and complex cultural dynamics. Effective strategies must be family-centred, involve healthcare professionals as skilled guides and moderators, ensure institutional recognition of ACP plans, and accommodate their dynamic nature. This study provides a foundation for developing culturally sensitive ACP models in China and similar contexts.

8 October 2026 in BMC Geriatrics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HZHuichao Zhang
Huichao Zhang
MXMingmei Xu
Mingmei Xu
SZShuyu Zhang
Shuyu Zhang
YZYuxi Zhang
Yuxi Zhang
The growing aging population has increased the demand for long-term care, especially for homebound older adults with disabilities. Skin health issues, such