British Journal of Community Nursing最新文献

Background: Board games are increasingly used in education to support skills such as communication, decision-making and teamwork. This study explored their role in developing leadership skills among post-registration nursing students at a UK university.

Methods: Strategy-based board games were introduced to promote team collaboration, strategic thinking and social interaction. Participants, enrolled in a district nursing programme, identified leadership skills during gameplay. Data were collected through questionnaires, written debriefs and group discussions.

Results: Key themes included role awareness, decision making, conflict resolution and communication. Participants reported increased self-awareness, stronger leadership insight and improved teamwork and communication.

Conclusions: Board games offer a practical, engaging approach to developing leadership skills in nursing education through active learning and team interaction.

Implications for practice: Board gameplay encourages increased awareness of leadership styles and personality types, which impacts the quality of patient care, improves communication within teams and enhances staff morale, wellbeing and overall team performance.

A significant population in the UK aged 65 years and above is living with frailty. Strategic government and health service agenda has a clear priority: to increase preventative and proactive care for those with frailty and, where possible, care to be delivered at home to reduce inappropriate hospital admissions. To support this goal, a skilled and competent workforce is needed to assess, diagnose and plan evidence-based care. Decision support tools can be used by practitioners to evidence the care they deliver. In this case study, the decision support tool CURB-65 will be discussed along with its application in a community setting, while caring for a patient with community-acquired pneumonia.

It cannot be disputed that the NHS is under considerable pressure, with the nursing workforce struggling to meet increasing demands. As the current government is focussing on care closer to home, community nursing needs to consider how it is going to maintain provision of care and attract more staff, particularly newly qualified nurses. Pre-registration programmes often do not focus adequately on community nursing, in both curriculum content and placement availability, and this issue needs to be addressed. In addition, once qualified, community nurses often struggle to embrace evidence-based practice for a number of reasons, which can leave them feeling undervalued and frustrated. The author has been appointed to a unique post, being employed by both a higher education institute and a foundation trust in east London. It is anticipated that this hybrid role will provide insights into the challenges faces in both these areas and strategies can be put in place to address them efficiently.

Polypharmacy is a common and growing issue, particularly among older adults with multiple chronic conditions. While polypharmacy is often necessary for managing complex health needs, it can lead to adverse drug reactions, harmful interactions and prescribing cascades, which increase the risk of hospitalisations, disability and death. Nurses play a pivotal role in identifying polypharmacy, monitoring medication use and facilitating communication between patients, prescribers and pharmacists to ensure safe and effective medication management. Addressing polypharmacy requires a collaborative approach across the healthcare system, involving the use of accurate medication lists, deprescribing unnecessary drugs and applying tools such as the STOPP/START criteria for medication reviews. Medication reconciliation, especially during care transitions, is also essential for reducing medication errors and improving patient outcomes. This article explores the impact of polypharmacy, highlights the role of nurses in its management and outlines strategies to mitigate the risks associated with multiple medications. By incorporating shared decision-making, structured medication reviews and improved communication across care teams, healthcare systems can enhance patient safety and optimise medication management for older adults.

Background: Post COVID-19, the migration of skilled nurses has increased, with many Irish nurses relocating to Australia for better opportunities. Factors such as workload, work-life balance and workplace support influence their engagement and job satisfaction.

Aims: This study examines the work engagement levels of young Irish nurses who migrated to Australia, identifying key factors shaping their professional experiences, compared to their tenure in Ireland.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with eight participants. Thematic analysis identified key themes related to work engagement, workload, wellbeing and resilience.

Findings: Nurses in Australia reported higher engagement because of structured shifts, improved patient-to-nurse ratios, better personal time and strong workplace support. In contrast, systemic challenges in Ireland contributed to nurse migration.

Conclusions: Addressing staffing shortages, improving workplace policies and promoting work-life balance is crucial for nurse retention in Ireland, especially in community and district nursing.

The 'preserving safety' section of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's code is integral to the delivery of safe and effective care. Nurses working in community settings are often exposed to unique challenges linked to their environment and the nature of their caseloads. The author addresses some of the ways in which community nurses can optimise their own safety while safeguarding the public. This article also explores best practice when things go wrong from a duty of candour perspective.

Mrs MJ is a 92-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities, including mobility issues, atrial fibrillation, glaucoma, hypertension, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, lymphovenous disease and corneal problems. The primary concern was understanding how these conditions could impact the healing of her leg ulcers, and how the Lindsay Leg Club could support her recovery.