Objective: This case study revealed the experiences of families who lost a severely ill member to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: The study participants were the family members of two patients who passed away due to COVID-19. Dada collection involved using unstructured interviews. Further, The data were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively. Results: Based on the experiences of these families twelve categories were derived. Both the cases had a common aspect wherein the families were exhausted by the assumptions and realities they experienced based on the limited information. These families were also distanced and distressed by the medical professionals and surroundings. The family in Case #1 struggled to accept the patient’s death, while the family in Case #2 accepted it. Conclusion: It is important for healthcare professionals to fully understand the individual experiences of family members and support these families appropriately.

Objective: To clarify the decision-making processes of pediatric certified specialist nurses (pediatric CNS) in supporting children. Methods: A survey and analysis using the modified grounded theory approach were performed with eight pediatric CNS. Results: The analysis generated two categories: “Cycle of adjustments to explanations and approaches tailored for children” and “perceptions and awareness of pediatric CNS that are the foundation of support.” Seven subcategories were also generated. The category “cycle of adjustments to explanations and approaches tailored for children” involved a cycle of pediatric CNS’ “understanding the acceptance of the child” after “recognizing the need for support” and providing “explanations and/or suggestions based on the child’s situation” and “waiting for the child to decide for him/herself.” The category “perceptions and awareness of pediatric CNS that are the foundation of support” was composed of the following two base subcategories: “Ethics that form the basis of decisions in providing support” and “thorough understanding of the children’s ability and situation for deciding on methods of providing support.” Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that “perceptions and awareness of pediatric CNS that are the foundation of support” is necessary to support children’s decision-making.

Objective: This study aims to clarify the decision-making support provided by certified chronic heart failure nurses (CNs) and obtain suggestions regarding decision-making support for heart failure patients. Methods: Twelve CNs were interviewed using a semi structured interview and the gathered data were qualitatively analyzed inductively. Results: The following five core categories of practices for CNs to assist patients with chronic heart failure in making decisions were identified: building trusting relationships that lead to decision-making, understanding patients and their families, promoting the understanding of the disease and treatment methods, eliciting patients’ wishes and assisting them in realizing their desired lifestyle, predicting patients’ future, and working with them when they can express their own will. Conclusions: The CNs offered guidance on the patient’s condition and medical treatment while considering their desired way of life. Furthermore, in daily contact with patients, CNs were interested in the expression of patients’ intentions, and they practiced situation-appropriate intention confirmation and support.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the status of home-visit nursing care for children and to identify any associated problems. Methods: We posted questionnaires to 2,500 visiting nursing stations (VNSs) listed as designated medical institutions for specific pediatric chronic diseases. We then conducted statistical and qualitative analyses via an inductive approach. Results: Notably, 71.7% of VNSs received specific pediatric chronic disease designation, and those with pediatric users accounted for 60.7%. The reason provided for the absence of pediatric home-visits was most commonly “no request made.” The number of nurses and users at VNSs was high and the number of pediatric users at each VNS was most frequently 1. The proportion of users on a ventilator was 58.2%. Measures and systems to expand pediatric home-visit nursing involved requests for improving educational support and creating a system to facilitate collaboration. Conclusion: We noted a need for a) the cooperation of VNSs experienced in pediatric home-visits, b) educational support to compensate for any lack of experience, c) a multidisciplinary collaboration system, d) provision of associated remuneration, and e) dissemination of information to society.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explain the components of monitoring capabilities of patients’ families to support elderly diabetes patients undergoing insulin therapy and the process of acquiring monitoring capabilities. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 family members of elderly diabetes patients who are undergoing treatment at home and receiving assistance with insulin injections. We analyzed the data using the modified grounded theory approach as reference. Results: The monitoring capabilities comprised seven categories (to fear hyperglycemia or/and hypoglycemia, to monitor glycemic excursions with one’s own assessment measure, to naturally assist elderly family member with eating and insulin injections when required and watch over him/her, to notice aging of elderly family member to the extent where he/she has become unable to perform self-injections, to love and respect aged family members, to obtain a doctor’s endorsement, and to take pride in one’s own assessment measure to administer injections in an experienced manner), which enabled us to describe the process of acquiring the capabilities. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest it is possible to provide instructions on family care based on monitoring capabilities.

Objective: This study is intended to investigate 1) the self-perceived burden (SPB) among patients with advanced cancer who were receiving care from family members and 2) the relationship between SPB and coping strategies. Methods: A total of 150 patients with advanced cancer who were receiving care from family members were surveyed using a questionnaire. Both the relationship between SPB and the patients’ use of coping strategies and the relationship between SPB and participant characteristics were tested using the Mann-Whitney or χ² test. Results: Eighty-four patients completed questionnaires that were used for analysis. Many patients used various coping strategies to alleviate their SPB. Patients who practiced any 7 of the 12 types of coping strategies had stronger SPB. Patients who “made efforts to move autonomously” and “reflected on themselves and made modifications for improved methods” were in better physical shape. Most caregivers were women. A higher percentage of patients who “expressed their appreciation to their family in words” and “left decisions to be made by the family” were women. Conclusions: This study’s findings suggest the need to encourage efforts by patients to cope with SPB while also supporting them so that they can face their cancer together with their family.

Objective: This study aims to clarify the actual situation and management of allergies among nurses working in hospitals in Japan. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire. The question items included the presence or absence and onset of allergies, frequency of contact with allergens, and tissue health care. Results: A total of 264 valid responses were analyzed. The results indicated that 82.6% of the respondents had at least one allergic symptom. The most common allergy was allergic rhinitis (41.7%). In all cases, the onset time for those with allergies to rubber products was after admission to a primary nursing educational institution or employment. Moreover, 32.2% of the respondents indicated that their allergic symptoms worsened after entering nursing. Significant associations existed between increased allergic symptoms after employment and allergies to rubber products, detergents, or soap and allergic rhinitis. The results also revealed assigning the management of allergies to individual nurses. Conclusions: This study revealed that allergy management in the workplace was poor, even though most of the nurses had allergic symptoms. Therefore, in addition to a deeper understanding of allergies among nurses, improved allergy management in the workplace is needed.