[in Japanese]

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This study aimed to examine the effects of a novel intervention termed “illness reflection support” among inpatients with heart failure. A non-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients hospitalized for heart failure was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, in which both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The researcher provided “illness reflection support” to the intervention group, and quantitative data obtained from a questionnaire survey were compared between the intervention and control groups. Additionally, narratives obtained from participants in the intervention group during the intervention were qualitatively analyzed. The primary outcome, “motivation to discuss the future”, was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group（p＜0.0003）. Participant narratives included preparation and discussion regarding the future course of their illness and possible unexpected events. The “illness reflection support” intervention enhanced the willingness of patients with heart failure to engage in discussions about the future and may facilitate more natural conversations about future illness and unexpected events.

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This study aimed to clarify the nursing practices that foster hope in patients with advanced heart failure treated with an extracorporeal ventricular assist device（VAD）and hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six certified nurse specialists in critical care nursing and two certified nurses in critical care or intensive care. The interview analysis revealed that these practices included “identifying patients’ distress through their reactions”, “understanding patients’ perception of reality”, “identifying patients’ motivation to remain positive”, “providing relief from VAD-related pains and a sense of comfort”, “empathizing with the distress of patients living with a VAD”, “strengthening patients’ sense of self through interactions with others”, “bringing patients’ everyday lives to mind and aligning with their wishes”, and “assessing patients’ perception of realistic future”. Understanding patients’ feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and cognitions by identifying their distress and motivation, alleviating their total pain, enforcing their sense of existence, and aligning with their wishes is essential for fostering their hope.

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[in Japanese]

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