BackgroundAlthough the research in health seeking behavior has been evolving, its concept remains ambiguous. Concept clarification, as a central basis of developing knowledge, plays an undeniable role in the formation of nursing sciences. As the initial step toward the development of theories and theoretical models, concept analysis is broadly used through which the goals can be used and tested. The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of “health seeking behavior”.MethodEmploying a rigorous evolutionary concept analysis approach, the concept of health seeking behavior was examined for its implications, use, and significance in the discipline of nursing between 2000 and 2012. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 40 articles and 3 books were selected for the final analysis.ResultsThe definition of attributes, antecedents, and consequences of health seeking behavior was performed through concept analysis. Core attributes (interactional, processing, intellectual, active, decision making based and measurable) were studied. The antecedents of concept were categorized as social, cultural, economic, disease pattern and issues related to health services. Health-seeking behavior resulted in health promotion and disease risk reduction. In addition, it led to predicting the future probable burden of the diseases, facilitation of the health status, early diagnosis, complete and effective treatment, and complication control.ConclusionHealth-seeking behavior, as a multi-dimensional concept, relies on time and context. An awareness of health-seeking behavior attributes antecedents and consequences results in promoting the status, importance and application of this concept in the nursing profession.

BackgroundOrganizational citizenship behavior (OCB) improves efficiency and employees’ participation and generally provides a good ambiance. This study was conducted to determine the role of job satisfaction (JS), organizational commitment (OC) and procedural justice (PJ) in explaining OCB among nurses working in fifteen educational-treatment centers in Tehran-Iran, to provide guidelines for health care managers’ further understanding of how to encourage citizenship behavior among nurses.MethodsIn this multi-center descriptive-correlational study 373 nurses were evaluated through a Multi-stage cluster sampling method after obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch and Tehran University of Medical Sciences Research Deputy. Nurses who signed the informed consent and holding a bachelor or master degree, having a minimum one year of job experience and not having organizational management position during the questionnaire distribution were included in the study. In order to collect data, Demographic questionnaire, Podsakoff et al. (Leadersh Q 1(2):107–142, 1990) OCB questionnaire, OC questionnaire, Aelterman et al. (Educ Stud 33(3):285–297, 2007) JS questionnaire and PJ questionnaire were used. These questionnaires were translated into Persian and content validity was confirmed by an expert group; their reliability was calculated by the internal consistency Cronbach alpha coefficient and it was satisfied. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Comparative mean tests, correlation coefficient and multiple-regression in the SPSS software version 11.ResultThe general mean and all five aspects of OCB that ranked higher than 3 were evaluated in a “quite desired” state. The mean for perceived procedural justice, the general mean for JS and the mean of general grade for OC from the nurses’ was in “quite desired” state. Finding from multiple regression indicated that OC and PJ exhibit about 19 % of OCB variance totally which is statistically significant (P < 0.01). JS had no significant impact on explaining OCB.ConclusionOC was the strongest predictor of nurses’ OCB followed by perceived procedural justice. So, improving these factors can initiate better citizenship behavior among nurses.

Background:Remarkable advances in educational measurement have proved need to the implementation of modern and appropriate methods of clinical evaluation. This study was carried out to compare the effect of applying direct observation procedural skills and routine evaluation method on clinical skills of nursing students.Methods:This randomized clinical trial was conducted on students of Nursing Army College, Tehran, Iran. After obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee of the Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Research Deputy, all nursing students and instructors who agreed to participate in this study sign the informed consent. The participants were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. After the teachers were trained and an inter-raters reliability test was conducted, evaluation was performed through DOPS in the intervention group while the control groups were evaluated through the routine method. Assessment checklists for two procedures (Intra venous catheterization and change dressing) were valid and reliable. Finally data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics (Chi-square, t-test, Repeated Measure ANOVA) using SPSS version 16.Results:No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of demographic variables (P>0.05), but a significant difference was observed between intervention and control scores (P=0.000). In other words, application of DOPS has improved clinical skills of the students significantly.Conclusion:Using this new method improved the students’ scores in clinical procedures implementation; therefore, we suggest that nursing colleges apply this evaluation method for clinical education.

BackgroundDifferent measuring tools have been used to understand the outcomes of renal replacement therapies. The goal of renal transplantation is both to ensure survival, and to promote quality of life in the patients. One of the widely used disease-specific instruments to measure the quality of life is the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25).ObjectivesThe current study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and assess the psychometric properties of the KTQ-25 to Persian.Materials and MethodsThe KTQ-25 was trasnlated according to International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation methodology. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and test-re-test were used to determine internal consistency, and reliability respectively.ResultsIn the test–re-test reliability of all questionnaire items, Pearson correlation was r = 0.96 (P < 0.001). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient estimated the internal consistency for each scale andalpha equal or more than 0.73 was considered satisfactory. Criterion-related validity, measured by the correlation coefficients between the KTQ-25 and the SF-36 Health Survey, was r = 0.63 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25) in Persian have proven to be satisfactory, therefore the application of this questionnaire in clinical practice can be recommended.

Background: The prevalence of skin manifestations in hemodialysis patients is increasing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate skin manifestations in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis from among 120 patients referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Abadan and Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Khorramshahr were assessed. A demographic questionnaire and a checklist about skin disorders were used for data collection. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 software using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The most common skin findings were pale skin (87%), dry skin (71%), hyperpigmentation (46%), and purpura (35%). Among nail manifestations, the most common finding was a half-and-half nail (50%) and the rarest symptom was dystrophy (1%). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that ESRD was associated with multiple skin symptoms, the most prevalent of which were pale skin and dry skin symptoms. Therefore, early diagnosis of these problems is a major step in improving the quality of life of these patients.

BackgroundClinical services evaluation with specific indicators are very helpful to identify improvable points. This study was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the quality of clinical nursing services and offer practical solutions for accreditation of clinical nursing services.MethodsThe present study was conducted using Delphi method with two rounds. At the beginning of the study a questionnaire was prepared using results of another project (clinical nursing services audit). This questionnaire was sent to 47 nursing and accreditation professionals. After the first round, causes and solutions were categorized. Then participants were asked to comment on the significance of each strategy on the prepared questionnaire.ResultsIn the first round of Delphi in response to the question about the main causes and solutions of low quality of nursing clinical services, 394 causes and 212 solutions were mentioned by the participants. In the second round, considering moralists and specialization in the selection of nursing managers, staffing according to workload and attendance in comprehensive exam after graduation and before entering clinical fields attained the most importance.ConclusionMismatch of human resources with workload and lack of clarity with regard to duties have maximum correlation with poor quality of care. Organizational structure and communication program categories gained the highest and lowest importance respectively. This information could be used by nursing managers and policy makers to plan programs in order to improve the quality of clinical nursing services.

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Background & Aim: Mo‍re clarification of the concept of nursing helps to review policies, standards, codes of ethics, professional values and nursing roles. The purpose of this study was to analyze nursing concept using Rodgers evolutionary method. Materials & Methods: With employing a rigorous evolutionary concept analysis approach, the concept of nursing was examined. After an extensive search, about 6706 articles were found; 43 articles and 6 related books published in English from 1980 were reviewed vigorously. Then data about the nursing concept was analyzed using evolutionary concept analysis approach. Results: The definition of attributes, antecedents, as well as consequences of nursing was performed through concept analysis. Core attributes (the goal of nursing, nursing scope, dimensions, practice and interventions, roles, audience, and professional values) were studied. The antecedents of nursing include getting a degree and nursing qualification, standards, and ethical codes. In addition, it led to health promotion. Care was an interchangeable concept of nursing. Missed and individualized nursing care, advanced nursing practice, holism and health improvement were obtained as nursing related concepts. Conclusion: Recognition of main attributes boundaries and professional differences in health care context prevents perplexity in nursing and leads to professional development and self-confidence.