Background/Objectives: Family caregivers in palliative care often face complex physical, emotional, and logistical challenges, which can result in a significant caregiving burden. Dyadic interventions—designed to support both the patient and the caregiver simultaneously—have emerged as a promising holistic approach to enhancing well-being and quality of life. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of dyadic support interventions in reducing caregiver burden among middle-aged and older adults receiving palliative care. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for grey literature) covering the period from 2019 to January 2025. Results: Of 653 records identified, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were typically delivered by multidisciplinary teams and included weekly in-person consultations, telephone follow-up, telemedicine, physical exercise sessions, laughter therapy, and music therapy over durations ranging from 16 weeks to 6 months. These programs resulted in reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms (PHQ-4, HADS, SDS, BAI, SAS), improved functional and social performance (SF-36), and/or enhanced quality of life (MQLQ, QOL-AD, KCCQ-12, EORTC QLQ-C30). In patients, they contributed to better symptom control (ESAS, CFS), while in caregivers, they effectively reduced burden (ZBI-12, FCBSI, CBI) and/or supported the anticipatory grief process (PGQ, AGS). However, not all studies reported consistently positive outcomes. Conclusions: Structured dyadic interventions that involve both patients and caregivers significantly improve outcomes in palliative care for middle-aged and older adults. Future research should examine their long-term impact and explore the integration of artificial intelligence to optimize intervention delivery.

Background/Objectives: Individualized nursing care allows for systematic assessment and intervention; considers a patient’s preferences, values, and context; and contributes to a positive care trajectory. However, its operationalization has proven to be challenging. This research aimed to evaluate nurses’ perceptions of individualized care and analyze their relationship with sociodemographic variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 122 eligible and registered nurses at a Hospital Center, in the Ophthalmology (operating room and inpatient ward) service, the Cardiology service, the Internal Medicine service, and the Medical Emergency Unit, for adults/older adults in Portugal. The nursing version of the Individualized Care Scale (ICS-Nurse) was used for the assessment, including three sub-dimensions: clinical situation, personal life situation, and decisional control over care-related decisions. Cronbach’s alpha and principal component analysis were used for the data analysis. The STROBE checklist was used to report this study. Results: No statistically significant differences were found based on the age, gender, level of education, or years of professional experience of the nurses within the sub-dimensions of individualization. The nurses overall had a good perception of the importance of individualized care (4.06 ± 0.46 ICS-A-NURSE) but faced difficulties in its implementation during the last shift they worked (3.97 ± 0.49 ICS-B-NURSE). Conclusions: The items considered to be of greatest importance were the response to the physical and emotional needs arising from illness and assistance in decision-making through educational instructions. Aspects related to the personal lives of patients, such as family inclusion in an individual’s care plan, everyday habits, and previous experiences of hospitalization, received the lowest scores. Recognizing priority areas for improvement in the individualization of nursing care can contribute to developing training programs and policies that promote a holistic approach. Future studies should consider patient outcomes related to their needs for individualization.

Introduction: Staff shortages following the pandemic and the growing complexity of healthcare require continuous reflection on the part of professionals to improve patient protection efforts in high-pressure environments. This makes it essential to better understand and reinforce the role of patient advocacy in clinical practice. This study aims to map the concept of patient advocacy in nursing, identifying its key attributes, antecedents, and consequences in acute and perioperative settings, contributing to its update and integration into the current healthcare paradigm. Methods: A scoping review, based on Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, analyzed studies from 2019 to 2024, across CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. It focused on nursing-related patient advocacy in acute and perioperative settings, excluding non-nursing roles, self-advocacy, and non-research articles. Two independent reviewers independently selected 14 studies using Rayyan®. Results: Key attributes of patient advocacy include safeguarding, effective communication, empowerment, and ethical decision-making support. Facilitating antecedents were professional motivation, training, nurse autonomy, and spiritual care, while hindering factors included ineffective communication, religious/cultural conflicts, and gaps in patients’ health literacy. The consequences were mostly positive for patients, such as empowerment and shared decisions, and mixed for nurses, ranging from moral distress and frustration to gratitude and professional satisfaction. Conclusion: This study synthesized the evolving conceptualizations of patient advocacy, addressing post-pandemic challenges and reinforcing the importance of communication, ethical support, and training. It revealed emerging facilitators and previously overlooked barriers, highlighting the need for stronger policies and organizational structures to empower nurses and safeguard patients.

Introduction: The use of robotic surgery has revolutionised surgical procedures, offering benefits such as less blood loss, faster recovery and fewer post-operative complications. However, the increase in surgical time and technical challenges impose the need for systematic perioperative nursing interventions to guarantee patient safety and the efficiency of the process. Aim: To systematise the nursing interventions in the pre-, intra- and post-operative phases of robotic surgery that generate safety in the perioperative period. Method: Systematic literature review using the Joanna Briggs Collaboration methodology and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension. The MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library databases were searched and 16 primary and secondary studies published between January 2014 and May 2024 were included. The data were extracted and analysed independently by two reviewers. Results: Nursing interventions in the pre-operative phase were characterised by rigorous technical preparation, effective communication and the use of checklists. In the intra-operative phase, team communication and coordination, proper patient positioning and the use of support surfaces were crucial. In the post-operative phase, continuous monitoring, pain management, self-care training and emotional and educational support were identified as fundamental. Conclusion: Nursing interventions play a crucial role in the safety and effectiveness of perioperative care in robotic surgery. Continuous training, technological adaptation and the use of systematic approaches are essential to maximise the benefits of this technology, as well as promoting patient safety and wellbeing.

The rising prevalence of CKD, particularly within aging populations, demands effective and accessible self-management strategies. Three middle-aged and older adult inpatients (one female, two males; mean age 58.6 years ± 23) with CKD and preserved cognitive capacity (Mini-Mental State Examination) participated. A multiple case study was conducted in a Portuguese nephrology unit between November 2024 and February 2025, utilizing baseline assessments that included the Braden, Barthel, and Morse scales, as well as the KDQOL-SF. A targeted educational program addressed key CKD management aspects: disease understanding, vascular access care, medication regimens, and dietary restrictions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured knowledge gains. Results indicated improvements in participants’ knowledge and self-management capabilities across several domains. These included enhanced understanding of the disease process, vascular access for hemodialysis, dietary requirements, and fluid restrictions. Participants also demonstrated improved self-assessment of support systems, coping mechanisms, and family involvement. A 15% average increase in knowledge scores post-intervention was observed. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the efficacy of a structured educational nursing program in improving CKD self-management. The significant improvements in knowledge and self-reported confidence suggest that targeted education is a valuable component of comprehensive CKD care. Future research should incorporate larger, more diverse samples and explore the long-term impact of the intervention. Furthermore, the integration of technological tools, such as personalized learning platforms and digital health, holds a significant promise for enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of such educational programs.

Background/Objectives: Elderly cancer patients in perioperative intensive care units represent a highly vulnerable population due to complex medical needs and physiological challenges. In these high-pressure settings, nurses play a crucial role as patient advocates to ensure well-being and person-centered care. However, there is limited understanding of how nurses operationalize this advocacy role for this specific patient group. This study aimed to explore the conditions and strategies guiding nurses in advocating for elderly cancer patients in perioperative ICU contexts. Methods: Using a Grounded Theory approach, six nurses with direct experience in caring for elderly cancer patients in an oncology institution were recruited. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and field notes. Analysis followed the constant comparative method and was supported by MAXQDA software to systematically identify codes, dimensions, and categories, highlighting essential elements of nursing advocacy. Results: Advocacy emerged as a central nursing function, serving both practical and ethical imperatives. Conditions activating advocacy included patients’ complex vulnerability, threatening dignity, mitigated by the family’s anchoring role. Institutional barriers, such as professional devaluation and staffing shortages, often hindered advocacy, resulting in moments of “failure to advocate.” Strategies formed a dynamic process: beginning with in-depth knowledge, progressing through communication mediation, and culminating in direct action. Conclusions: This study contributes to the development of a data-driven theory that deepens the understanding of nursing advocacy in perioperative intensive care for elderly cancer patients, offering valuable implications for practice, education, and policy development, ultimately supporting optimized care delivery and improved patient outcomes.