Nurses and paramedics play a pivotal role when mass casualty incidents (MCI) occur, yet they often feel unprepared for such events. Implementation strategies for training activities, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) simulations, offer realistic and immersive learning experiences, enhancing skills and competencies for nursing students. The aim of this work was to investigate the adopted tools in studies on VR and AR simulations for training nursing and paramedic students in managing MCI. A scoping review was performed following the PRISMA-ScR statement, and the search strategy was conducted through five electronic databases from December 2022 to March 2023. Of 162 records identified, 27 full texts were screened and, six studies were included in this review. These studies involved students who were assigned to different training methods, including immersive VR simulation, written instruction, and traditional lecture. VR and AR and immersive simulation generally show promising evidence in enhancing practical skills and knowledge in MCI management. VR and AR showed to be promising in disaster education and preparedness training, offering different levels of immersiveness and engagement, encouraging active and experiential learning. Further research is needed to determine their long-term effectiveness. The choice of training method should consider program goals, target population, and available resources.

Self-care plays a critical role in symptom recognition, management, and risk factor modification for patients with chronic illnesses. Despite its significance, self-care levels in this population are generally poor. Health literacy (HL) is pivotal for promoting effective self-care, yet the association across specific chronic illnesses remains fragmented and conflicting. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted. Inclusion criteria encompass quantitative studies involving adult patients with at least one chronic illness reporting on the association between a measure of HL and one or more elements of self-care behaviors as outcomes. Databases to be searched include PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The studies will undergo risk of bias and certainty of evidence assessment using ROBINS-E and GRADE. Extracted data will include authors, publication date, aim(s), study location, design, sample characteristics, chronic illness type, study length, HL, and self-care measures. Understanding the link between HL and self-care can aid healthcare providers in implementing strategies to enhance health-promoting behaviors, contributing valuable insights to the scientific community and fostering nuanced discussions. This protocol ensures methodological transparency, stimulates discourse, and paves the way for informed interventions to improve overall health outcomes.

Chronic kidney disease affects many people around the world, leading those affected to replacement therapy such as hemodialysis. People who undergo hemodialysis generally undertake 2–3 treatments per week, lasting about 3–4 h each; patients spend many hours per week in contact with nurses, building a therapeutic relationship. The purpose of this work is to assess the quality of nurses’ perceived caring attitudes and behaviors and to determine their perceptions regarding the importance of the therapeutic relationship with the assisted patients. A self-reported questionnaire composed of three sections was administered to nurses; the first section included sociodemographic questions, the second the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Scale (CNPI-23), and the third part of the questionnaire was composed of open-ended questions investigating patients’ expectations according to nurses, the relevance of the therapeutic relationship on their work, and its effect on themselves and/or their own job satisfaction. Statistically significant correlations and trends have been observed between nurses’ sociodemographic data and the CNPI-23 items. In the clinical care area, nurses who have a post-basic degree or more years of experience feel more competent than those in other categories; in the relational care area, women tend to feel more competent than men. No correlations were found between the humanistic and comfort care areas. According to the results, the post-basic training of dialysis nurses and the adoption of organizational strategies that encourage nurse retention should be enhanced. This study was not registered.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials was conducted to collate evidence from studies implementing ancient grains and investigate the impact of ancient grain consumption on health outcomes of patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were included, and 13 were meta-analyzed. Interventions ranged from 1 day to 24 weeks; most samples were affected by DM type 2 (n = 28 studies) and the ancient grains used were oats (n = 10 studies), brown rice (n = 6 studies), buckwheat (n = 4 studies), chia (n = 3 studies), Job's Tears (n = 2 studies), and barley, Khorasan and millet (n = 1 study). Thirteen studies that used oats, brown rice, and chia provided data for a quantitative synthesis. Four studies using oats showed a small to moderate beneficial effect on health outcomes including LDL-c (n = 717, MD: 0.30 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.42 to -0.17, Z = 4.61, p < 0.05, I² = 0%), and TC (n = 717, MD: 0.44 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.63 to -0.24, Z = 4.40, p < 0.05, I² = 0%). Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes. For adults affected by DM type 2, the use of oats may improve lipidic profile. Further experimental designs are needed in interventional research to better understand the effects of ancient grains on diabetes health outcomes. CRD42023422386.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to assess low-cost simulation methods used in nursing education, evaluating how they balance educational effectiveness with budget constraints. Design: Scoping review conducted in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. Data sources: PubMed, Embase and CINAHL were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January 2000 and October 2023. Eligibility criteria: We included peer-reviewed primary studies involving nurses or nursing students, focused on the use of low-cost simulation in any healthcare setting. Studies had to describe the simulation strategy and its educational application. Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts and extracted data using a standardised form. Findings were synthesised narratively and categorised by type of simulation, educational context and competencies addressed. Results: Out of 3332 records, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies covered various clinical areas, including critical care, emergency, neonatal, paediatric and obstetric nursing, as well as transversal competencies such as communication and clinical reasoning. Low-cost methods included task trainers, mannequins, computer-based tools, hybrid models and serious games. Only 38% of studies reported detailed cost information. Conclusions: Low-cost simulation offers promising opportunities in nursing education but suffers from inconsistent cost reporting and a lack of standardisation. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term effectiveness and support broader implementation.

Objectives This scoping review aimed to explore the relationship between health locus of control (HLOC) and vaccine hesitancy among parents of children aged 0–18 years, focusing on the tools and methods used to assess these constructs. Design The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines and adhered to established methodologies for scoping reviews, including systematic searches across four electronic databases. Data sources PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant studies on 24 September 2024. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Studies were included if they examined HLOC and vaccine hesitancy in parents, measured these constructs with validated tools and focused on childhood vaccination. Data extraction and synthesis Data were extracted into a structured table capturing study characteristics, HLOC and vaccine hesitancy measurements, and key findings. Results were synthesised narratively to highlight associations and patterns. Results Five studies involving a total of 11 758 parents and caregivers of children aged 0–18 years met inclusion criteria. Higher internal HLOC was consistently associated with lower vaccine hesitancy and higher compliance, while lower chance HLOC correlated with greater hesitancy. Powerful others HLOC (ie, trust in healthcare professionals) emerged as a key predictor of better vaccine adherence. Conclusions The findings suggest that internal HLOC and trust in healthcare providers are predictors of vaccine acceptance among parents. However, standardised tools and longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate these relationships and inform targeted interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy.