Showing papers by "Yanika Kowitlawakul published in 2019"

Effectiveness of an advanced practice nurse-led delirium education and training programme.

Abstract: Aim To develop an education and training programme to enhance bedside nurses' knowledge, competency and compliance in accurately performing delirium screening in intensive care units. Background Delirium in intensive care units is associated with several poor patient outcomes. Delirium detection can be improved by enhancing nurses' knowledge, competency and compliance in accurately performing delirium screening. Methods A descriptive quantitative study with pretest-post-test design was adopted. There were 245 nurses from five intensive care units who participated in the study. Multiple-choice questions were used to assess nurses' knowledge change before and after the education programme. Competency was assessed before and 2 months after the programme by simulation with a standardized patient, followed by real patients at the bedside. Compliance data on screening were collected from the documentation of the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU before and 3 and 10 months after the programme. Data collection took 1 year, from June 2014 to May 2015. Results Despite nurses' improved knowledge and good competency, delirium screening documentations after 3 months were poor. However, screening documentations subsequently improved when measured at 10 months, following further emphasis by the senior nursing staff. Implications for nursing practice and policy Nursing administrators and bedside nurses need to be involved in the policy-making process and plan a training programme for the new nursing staff in the high-risk areas. A short refreshment course should be offered to the nursing staff 3 months after the initial training programme. Conclusions Improved knowledge and competency in assessment did not improve compliance and documentation of delirium screening. Therefore, it is important to reinforce nurses' compliance of delirium screening over time.

Effect of a mHealth programme on coronary heart disease prevention among working population in Singapore: A single group pretest-post-test design.

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and examine the effectiveness of a 4‐week Mobile Health (mHealth) programme using the smartphone app Care4Heart on awareness, knowledge, perceived stress, and a heart‐related lifestyle among working population in Singapore. Design: A quasi‐experimental single group pretest and repeated post‐test design. Methods: A total of 160 nonhealth‐related working adults were recruited from February 2016–April 2016. The Care4Heart app was installed on the participants’ phones. Outcome measures, including the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire‐2, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and the Perceived Stress Scale were collected online at baseline, 4th week, and 6th month from baseline. Results: Compared with the baseline, the participants had significantly higher total mean scores for awareness and knowledge of coronary heart disease (CHD) after study intervention at 4 weeks and 6 months from baseline. However, there were no significant differences in perceived stress levels and heart‐related lifestyle behaviours before and after the intervention. Conclusions: The study contributed some evidence that the mHealth app helped to improve awareness and knowledge of CHD. Impact: Coronary heart disease remains one of the major causes of death and disability. It imposes a heavy financial burden on working adults. However, working adults were less able to identify the risk factors and adopt healthy lifestyles due to gaps in knowledge and awareness. This study demonstrated some effects of a mHealth programme in improving awareness and knowledge of CHD among the working population. mHealth provides a potential avenue for primary prevention of CHD.

The Development of a Diabetes Application for Patients With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: The prevalence of patients with diabetes mellitus has increased in recent years. This has resulted in increased demand for face-to-face diabetes education by diabetes nurse clinicians. The use of mobile-health technologies in diabetes education is an innovative way of learning and has the potential to engage patients and influence positive health behaviors, including meeting desired goals and diabetes-related outcomes. The aim of the study was to develop and test the usability and feasibility of an empirical diabetes application for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mobile-based, gamified Diabetes Application was developed based on a full systems development life-cycle framework. Eight patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus completed a pilot study that consisted of a postapplication survey to assess the usability and feasibility of the diabetes application. The findings affirmed the usefulness and feasibility of the diabetes application for patients with diabetes mellitus. It increased awareness, enriched knowledge, promoted user engagement, motivated positive behaviors, and affirmed patient belief in diabetes self-management. This article discusses the development and evaluation of the diabetes application, including modifications made based on the results of the pilot study.