Sarah Ryan
Promoting effective teamwork in the healthcare setting
Patients require access to various healthcare professionals to manage their healthcare needs. Most nurses work in a team established to provide optimum care for patients. This article explores the stages necessary to develop an effective healthcare team and identifies the attributes required for effective teamwork. These include: effective leadership, a shared mental approach (a common understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all members of the team), respect among team members and shared training. Scenarios involving a rheumatology team that includes the author are used to demonstrate how effective teams can be established in practice, and the benefits of effective healthcare teams to staff well-being and patient care.
Conquer Chronic Pain: An Innovative Mind-Body Approach
The focus of this book is on helping people to live effectively with chronic pain by addressing how the mind interprets pain and how a negative social, emotional or physical context to the pain can act as a barrier to recovery.
Managing lifestyle factors in adults with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability in older people in the UK. The symptoms of joint pain and stiffness can lead to reduced joint function and deformity. Addressing lifestyle factors, namely exercise and maintaining an optimum weight, can reduce pain and improve joint function. This article focuses on how, by using the concept of goal setting, nurses can work with patients to develop a plan for becoming more active and for losing weight – if the patient is overweight – to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Psychological effects of living with rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition that can affect physical, psychological and social function. The condition is not curable – although drug therapy can be used to reduce inflammation – and patients often experience daily symptoms of joint pain and stiffness, fatigue and functional limitations. Patients may also experience psychological challenges. This article focuses on the psychological implications of living with rheumatoid arthritis, including reaction to diagnosis, anxiety and depression, body image, sexuality, self-esteem and social role. It aims to explore the role of the nurse in addressing these psychological challenges to optimise the physical and psychological status of each patient.
Care of patients with fibromyalgia: assessment and management
Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, muscle stiffness, unrefreshed sleep and fatigue. The condition is associated with several physical and psychological manifestations, including irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety. The efficacy of drug therapy is limited, therefore the nurse has an important role in providing advice and guidance on symptom management to optimise functioning for patients.
Assessing the effect of fibromyalgia on patients’ sexual activity
Aims The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether a questionnaire developed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could also be used with patients who have fibromyalgia. A secondary aim was to assess the impact of fibromyalgia on sexuality. Method In the first of two phases the face and content validity of a sexuality questionnaire already being used in patients with RA were assessed in a qualitative, audio-taped, interview study of five patients with fibromyalgia. The second phase consisted of a self-report questionnaire distributed to 60 patients with fibromyalgia. Findings The interview data confirmed that the content of the RA sexuality questionnaire was relevant to patients with fibromyalgia. A total of 43 (72%) questionnaires were returned and, of these, 41 (95%) were usable. Patients reported that fibromyalgia had altered their sexual relationship. They cited pain, stiffness, fatigue, reduced sexual drive and the impact of drug therapy as the main reasons. Conclusion The symptoms associated with fibromyalgia had a negative effect on sexual enjoyment. The questionnaire appears to be useful in addressing sexuality in patients with fibromyalgia.
Assessing the effect of fibromyalgia on patients’sexual activity
Aims The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether a questionnaire developed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could also be used with patients who have fibromyalgia. A secondary aim was to assess the impact of fibromyalgia on sexuality. Method In the first of two phases the face and content validity of a sexuality questionnaire already being used in patients with RA were assessed in a qualitative, audio-taped, interview study of five patients with fibromyalgia. The second phase consisted of a self-report questionnaire distributed to 60 patients with fibromyalgia. Findings The interview data confirmed that the content of the RA sexuality questionnaire was relevant to patients with fibromyalgia. A total of 43 (72%) questionnaires were returned and, of these, 41 (95%) were usable. Patients reported that fibromyalgia had altered their sexual relationship. They cited pain, stiffness, fatigue, reduced sexual drive and the impact of drug therapy as the main reasons. Conclusion The symptoms associated with fibromyalgia had a negative effect on sexual enjoyment. The questionnaire appears to be useful in addressing sexuality in patients with fibromyalgia.
Implementing research in the clinical setting: the road map for implementing research
There are many excellent books that focus on research methodologies, but this one has adopted a different approach focusing on how research can be implemented in practice settings. In doing so, the authors removes the mystic and jargon that is often attributed to research. making research seem both logically and accessible — a feat in itself!
Nurse-led drug monitoring in the rheumatology clinic
Nurses are increasingly incorporating into their skills areas of care traditionally undertaken by medical colleagues. In rheumatology, nurses have taken responsibility for monitoring disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and cytotoxic therapy. Phelan et al (1992) found that 86 per cent of rheumatology nurse specialists considered drug monitoring to be part of their role