Objective: to evaluate the impact of a ventilatory weaning protocol on the weaning quality and on the outcomes of the patients. Method: a quasi-experimental quantitative study, consisting of comparing a prospective study with a retrospective study. Data was collected through a weaning log sheet applied between September and December 2015 at an intensive care unit in northern Portugal following the implementation of a weaning protocol and compared with a base-line constituted in the year preceding the implementation of the ventilatory weaning protocol. Results: the experimental group had a score mean of higher overall quality of weaning, with a reduction in the timing for initiating the weaning in 27.3% and the weaning time in 36.6%. Conclusion: the implementation of the ventilatory weaning protocol improved the overall quality of the weaning, facilitating the identification of patients with criteria to initiate the process, starting earlier, resulting in a reduction in ventilatory weaning time.

Enquadramento: A pandemia de COVID-19 exigiu a implementação de medidas de isolamento nos casos de alto risco de doença. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do isolamento sobre a ansiedade, a satisfação com o apoio percebido, a aprendizagem e o aproveitamento escolar, de estudantes de enfermagem da região norte de Portugal. Metodologia: Estudo exploratório e quantitativo, realizado com 56 estudantes em isolamento devido à COVID-19. Foi aplicado um questionário de autopreenchimento para avaliação da evolução da ansiedade, da satisfação com o apoio percebido, ao nível pedagógico, emocional e do Serviço Nacional de Saúde e do impacto do isolamento na aprendizagem e aproveitamento escolar. Resultados: Foram reportados níveis de ansiedade com significado clínico. Foi referido maior satisfação com o apoio da instituição de ensino e menor com o Serviço Nacional de Saúde. A ausência às atividades letivas teve impacto negativo na aprendizagem e no aproveitamento escolar. Conclusão: O isolamento dos estudantes teve impacto na ansiedade e na aprendizagem. A saúde mental dos estudantes deve ser promovida pelas instituições de ensino superior.

Objectives: to assess the level of anxiety of nurses in an emergency room in view of the new Coronavirus and describe the relationship between the degrees of anxiety and their sociodemographic variables. Methods: quantitative descriptive-correlational study with a sample of 60 nurses. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument based on the Hamilton Anxiety Assessment Scale. Results: the nurses’ average anxiety is mild. A statistically significant relationship was found between anxiety and the variables “sex” and “children”, with women having higher levels of anxiety than men, and nurses who do not have children showing mild, moderate, or severe anxiety. Conclusions: COVID-19 triggers anxiety in nurses, sometimes at pathological levels. Being female and not having children increase the anxiety experienced. Sex can be considered the determining factor for the level of anxiety experienced.

Background: Population ageing has increased the number of older adults living in nursing homes, where loneliness and sleep disturbances are prevalent and negatively affect well-being. Evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between loneliness and sleep quality, although research in institutionalised populations remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to characterise the sociodemographic and health profile of nursing home residents in Northern Portugal and examine associations between sleep quality, loneliness, sociodemographic and health variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 157 older adults (≥65 years) across 13 nursing homes. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Portuguese version of UCLA Loneliness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Participants were predominantly female (72.6%), widowed (55.4%), and aged ≥80 years. Most reported chronic conditions (98.7%) and limitations in activities of daily living (75.2%). Age showed modest positive correlations with loneliness. Loneliness dimensions were strongly associated with poorer sleep quality and greater daytime dysfunction. Hierarchical regression revealed that sociodemographic variables explained only a small proportion of variance in sleep quality. The addition of loneliness variables increased explained variance to 38.1%, highlighting loneliness as a key psychosocial predictor. Conclusions: Loneliness significantly influences sleep quality among older adults living in nursing homes. Interventions should integrate strategies to enhance social engagement alongside sleep hygiene measures. Longitudinal studies are recommended to clarify causal pathways.

A suspensão das atividades letivas presenciais provocou uma disrupção no normal funcionamento das instituições de ensino superior. Com o objetivo de explorar e descrever as implicações da suspensão do estágio, durante a pandemia COVID-19, na saúde mental dos estudantes de enfermagem desenvolveu-se um estudo qualitativo. Os dados foram recolhidos durante os meses de abril e maio de 2020, com recurso a um questionário construído na plataforma Google docs®. Os dados foram analisados com recurso à técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. A pandemia COVID-19 teve um impacto negativo na saúde mental dos estudantes. Diversas emoções e sentimentos foram experienciados durante a primeira vaga. Perspetivar o futuro pressupõe (re)organizar metas pessoais e responder às inquietações profissionais. O acompanhamento e apoio emocional nestas situações são fundamentais para os estudantes ultrapassarem as emoções potenciadoras de elevados níveis de ansiedade. Descritores: COVID-19, Suspensão da Formação na Prática Clínica, Enfermagem, Saúde Mental. Mental health of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic : The suspension of face-to-face teaching activities caused a disruption in the normal functioning of higher education institutions. A qualitative study was developed with the purpose of exploring and describing the implications of the suspension of the internship during the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing students' mental health. Data were collected during the months of April and May 2020, using a questionnaire built in the Google docs® platform. Data were analyzed using Bardin's content analysis technique. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the students' mental health. Several emotions and feelings were experienced during the first wave. Looking to the future presupposes (re)organizing personal goals and responding to professional concerns. The monitoring and emotional support in these situations are essential for students to overcome the emotions that lead to high levels of anxiety. Descriptors: COVID-19, Suspension of Clinical Practice Training, Nursing, Mental Health. Salud mental de los estudiantes de enfermería durante la pandemia de COVID-19 Resumen: La suspensión de las actividades de enseñanza presencial provocó un trastorno en el funcionamiento normal de las instituciones de enseñanza superior. Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo con el propósito de explorar y describir las implicaciones de la suspensión de las prácticas durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en la salud mental de los estudiantes de enfermería. Los datos se recogieron durante los meses de abril y mayo de 2020, mediante un cuestionario construido en la plataforma Google docs®. Los datos se analizaron mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido de Bardin. La pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo un impacto negativo en la salud mental de los estudiantes. Durante la primera ola se sentiran varias emociones y sentimientos. Mirar al futuro presupone (re)organizar los objetivos personales y responder a las preocupaciones profesionales. El seguimiento y el apoyo emocional en estas situaciones son esenciales para que los alumnos superen las emociones que conducen a altos niveles de ansiedad.Descriptores: COVID-19, Suspensión de la Formación en la Práctica Clínica, Enfermería, Salud Mental.

Background/Objectives: In Portugal, evidence regarding the mental health of institutionalized older people is limited, leaving this area poorly described and the mental health needs of this population largely unknown. This research aims to describe the mental health of older persons residing in nursing homes in Northern Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted. We estimate that 567 participants will be recruited through convenience sampling. Potential participants must live in nursing homes in Northern Portugal, be aged 65 years or older, and exhibit cognitive impairment at an initial or intermediate stage. Ten web survey questionnaires will be administered to the participants, including one sociodemographic and health questionnaire and nine mental health assessment instruments evaluating fear of falling; sleep quality; frailty; anxiety, depression, and stress; loneliness and social isolation; risk of acute confusion; cognition; emotional literacy; and perceived hope. Data will be analyzed by employing descriptive, cluster, inferential, and bivariate analyses, with multiple regression models included. The study and the research protocol were submitted to and approved by the Ethics Committee of a major public university in Northern Portugal (CEICVS 007/2025). Expected Results: This is a pioneering study in Portugal, representing the first attempt to assess the mental health of older nursing home residents. Our study will enhance the understanding of the mental and multifactorial health needs of this population through a comprehensive description of their mental health, and sociodemographic and health characteristics.