Validation of the Arabic Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory to Measure Anxiety in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors : Ghadeer Al-Dweik, Mohannad Eid AbuRuz
Abstract : Background and purpose: Anxiety after acute myocardial infarction is well-known phenomenon. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Brief Symptom Inventory to measure anxiety in this population. Methods: This was a prospective observational study among 460 patients. Patients answered the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to measure anxiety. Complications and other clinical variables abstracted from medical records. Results: Cronbach's α was .86, indicating adequate internal consistency. The item-total correlations and all interitem correlations were all acceptable. Anxiety was independent predictor for complication after acute myocardial infarction and higher in females supporting the construct validity. Conclusion: Arabic version of the Brief Symptom Inventory is a valid and reliable instrument to measure anxiety after acute myocardial infarction.
Keywords : Arabic; Brief Symptom Inventory; Anxiety; Reliability; Validity.
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The Effect of Patients' Acuity Level on Nurses Shift Assignment in Jordan: A Qualitative Approach
Authors : Ghadeer Al-Dweik , Muayyad Ahmad
Abstract : Background: Matching nursing shift assignment to patients' acuity scores may promote a more equitable and effective workload balance, increasing nurses' satisfaction, and improving quality of care (QoC). Purpose: This article explores nurses' perspectives about the nursing assignment process after implementing a project to promote an improved nursing assignment process in medical/surgical wards by using Perroca patient acuity tool (PAT). Design: Qualitative approach was used with two focus group discussions including a total of 13 participants, selected by purposive sampling. Results: Four main themes were generated from the data. The main study themes were: assignment based on acuity score, challenges and limitation, change journey and participants' suggestions, and recommendations for improving the assignment process. Conclusions: Implementing the tool will yield better nursing assignments; better nursing and patient outcomes and improve QoC.
Keywords : Nurses' satisfaction; Nursing assignment; Nursing workload; Patient acuity tools; Patient classification systems.
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Undergraduate Nursing Student Perspectives about Challenges in Clinical Education in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Authors : Ghadeer Al-Dweik , Heba Khalil, Maha Atout, Abeer Al Zaghmouri, Mohannad Eid AbuRuz
Abstract : Introduction: Clinical education is an essential element in a baccalaureate nursing program, providing nursing students with the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that are required to deliver professional nursing care after graduation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the student perceived challenges associated with nursing instruction in the clinical environment. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to identify the challenges associated with clinical instruction from the nursing students’ perspective. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 187 nursing students from three universities in Jordan, including one public and two private. Results: The major challenges to clinical education were fear of committing mistakes; lack of facilities for students; lack of knowledge among community and patients about the nursing profession; fear of infection; lack of availability of equipment in the clinical setting; students’ lack of preparedness and skills in planning care; and lack of collaboration from clinical staff. Conclusion: Identifying the challenges is necessary to formulate strategies to address them, to improve curriculum designed and clinical education for nursing students accordingly.
Keywords : Barriers, Challenges, Clinical education, Nursing education, Socio demographic, Content validity index.
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Depressive symptoms, perceived control and quality of life among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: a prospective cohort study
Authors : AbuRuz ME, Al-Dweik G
Abstract : Background: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is an intervention directed toward improving the Quality of Life (QoL) for patients with coronary artery disease. Depression can affect QoL negatively among this population. Perceived control (PC) decreased the effect of anxiety on QoL, however, this effect has not been well-studies regarding depression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to check the effect of depression on QoL among CABG patients and to determine if preoperative PC moderates this effect. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted on a consecutive sample of 200 patients from three hospitals in Amman, Jordan. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Short-Form Health Survey-36, and Arabic version of the Control Attitude Scale-Revised were used to measure depressive symptoms, QoL and PC respectively. Data were analyzed using t test and step wise multiple regression followed by simple slope analysis. Results: Postoperative Physical Component Summary (PCS) was better than preoperative PCS (mean ± SD: 38.2 ± 9.4 vs. 36.6 ± 9.5, P < 0.001). Postoperative Mental Component Summary (MCS) was better than preoperative MCS (mean ± SD: 44.3 ± 11.5 vs. 41.4 ± 11.4, P < 0.001). Preoperative depression was higher than postoperative depression; (mean ± SD: 12.8 ± 6.8 vs.11.1 ± 6.7, P < 0.01). Simple slope analysis was significant (simple slope = 0.41, t = 6.1, P < 0.001), indicating the moderating effect of PC. Conclusion: Patients undergoing CABG surgery had poor QoL and high levels of depression. Perceived control moderated this relationship and improve QoL. Assessing depression levels and implantation of interventions to enhance perceived control levels prior to operation might improve QoL.
Keywords : CABG, QoL, Depression, perceived Control
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The Effect of Persistent Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms on Quality of Life among Patients with Heart Failure
Authors : Alemoush R, Al-Dweik G, AbuRuz ME
Abstract : Background: Anxiety and depressive symptoms interfere with physical and psychological status, worsening symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among patients with heart failure (HF). This study assesses the impact of persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms on QoL among patients with HF in Jordan. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of a consecutive sample with a confirmed diagnosis of HF, recruited from four hospitals in Jordan during the period 1-31 March 2020. QoL was measured using the Arabic version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey, while anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Of 127 patients who participated in the study, 72 (56.7%) were persistently anxious and 60 (47.3%) were persistently depressed. In multiple regression models, persistent anxiety, persistent depression, and higher levels of New York Heart Association functional class were independent predictors for both Physical Component Summary (of which history of DM was another predictor) and Mental Component Summary. The model explained 78.4% of the variance for PCS, P < 0.05. These predictors reduced QoL/(PCS) by 0.261, 0.398, 0.09, and 0.325 units respectively. Mental Component Summary (MCS) regression model explained 76.1% of the variance, P < 0.001. These predictors reduced QoL/(MCS) by 0.286, 0.346, and 0.359 units respectively. Conclusions: Persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with poor QoL among patients with HF. It is highly recommended to assess psychological health for the patients with HF, especially anxiety and depression, and to include this dimension in treatment protocols.
Keywords : Anxiety; Depressive symptoms; Heart failure; Quality of life.
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Academic performance and socio-demographic characteristics of students: Assessing moderation effect of self-esteem
Authors : Masa’Deh, R., AlAzzam, M., Al-Dweik, G., Masadeh, O., Hamdan-Mansour, A. M., & Basheti, I. A.
Abstract : Self-esteem has a profound role in students’ academic performances. This study was designed to examine the moderation effect of self-esteem on the relationship between academic performance and students’ socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 20 schools in Jordan. A nonrandom consecutive sampling method was used to recruit students who provided their demographic information and answered the Arabic Version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Participating students (n = 1800) showed a mean self-esteem of 23.07 (SD = 2.69), while the academic performance showed a mean of 86.5 (SD = 6.34). Self-esteem moderated the relationship between socio-demographics (gender, educational sector, and education program) and academic performance. Self-esteem is an important indicator of academic performance and should be strongly considered by stakeholders at all school programs and types. The differences in self-esteem and academic performance according to gender need to be investigated further to draw conclusive future plans.
Keywords : Academic performance self-esteem gender school Jordan
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A cross-cultural translation and adaptation of the Arabic Cardiac Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for patients with coronary heart disease
Authors : Abedalmajeed Shajrawi, Heba Khalil , Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi , Ghadeer Al Dweik ,Paul Slater
Abstract : Aim: The aim of this study is to cross-culturally translate and adapt the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Questionnaire into Arabic and subsequently evaluate the psychometric properties of that translation in a population of Arabic patients. Method: The original English version of the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Questionnaire was translated into Arabic following a process recommended by the World Health Organization. A convenience sample consisting of 268 Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease was recruited from a university-affiliated hospital in Amman, Jordan. Data were collected from October 2018 to March 2019. The factor structure, face and content validities, and internal consistency of the Arabic Cardiac Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (A-CSEQ) were evaluated. Results: The factor structure analysis supported a three-factor high-order structure of the A-CSEQ. Face validity showed that the language used, style, and format were clear. The content validity demonstrated a very good content validity index. The reliability was good with ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 for all questionnaire subscales. Conclusion: The A-CSEQ is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the cardiac self-efficacy of Arabic patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Further assessment of the psychometric properties of the A-CSEQ with different cardiac problems is now recommended.
Keywords : cardiac self-efficacy; coronary heart disease; cross-cultural translation; psychometric property.
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The impact of preoperative pain-related psychological factors on pain intensity post-surgery in Jordan
Authors : Khalil, H., Shajrawi, A., Dweik, G., Zaghmouri, A., & Henker, R.
Abstract : This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative psychological factors on postoperative pain. We included 300 postoperative patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery. Pain Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were completed by patients preoperatively and at 24 hours after surgery. Clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Postoperative pain was predicted by pain catastrophizing and anxiety symptoms. High preoperative catastrophizing and anxiety levels were associated with increased pain postoperatively. However, the relationships between preoperative depressive and stress symptoms and postoperative pain were not significant.
Keywords : anxiety; catastrophizing; depression; postoperative pain; stress
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Checking the Moderating Effect of Perceived Control on the Relationship between Anxiety and Post-Operative Hospital Length of Stay among Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patient
Authors : AbuRuz ME, Al-Dweik G, Al Akash H.
Abstract : Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cardiovascular disease (CVD). Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the most common treatment used for CAD. Patients undergoing this surgery are always anxious, which might increase complications in the postoperative period, especially prolongation of postoperative length of stay (LOS). It has been shown that perceived control (PC) moderated the relationship between anxiety and complications in a cardiac population, but its effect has not been studied in post-CABG. Aim: The aim of this study was to check if there is a moderating effect for the PC on the relationship between anxiety and LOS post-CABG. Patients and methods: A non-experimental, prospective, observational study was conducted with a consecutive sample of 250 patients who underwent elective CABG from four hospitals in Amman, Jordan. PC was measured by the Arabic version of the Control Attitude Scale-Revised (CAS-R), and anxiety was measured by the Arabic version of the anxiety subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. LOS and other needed information were obtained from patients’ medical records. Results: Preoperative anxiety was significantly higher than postoperative anxiety (mean [SD]: 12.80 [6.70] vs 11.01 [6.74], P<0.001). Female patients were more anxious and had longer LOS compared to male patients. In stepwise regression, anxiety and PC scores were independent predictors for LOS. Every unit increase in preoperative anxiety increased LOS by 0.381 days, and every unit increase in PC decreased the postoperative LOS by 0.210 days. Moderating effect was checked by simple slope analysis for high (+1 SD) and low (−1 SD) levels of PC. Patients with high anxiety and low PC had the longest LOS, and patients with low anxiety and high PC had the shortest LOS, indicating the moderating effect of PC on the relationship between anxiety and LOS. Conclusion: High levels of anxiety were associated with longer LOS after CABG. PC moderates this relationship. Enhancing PC in this population can improve outcomes and decrease LOS and morbidity.
Keywords : anxiety, perceived control, length of stay, coronary artery bypass graft
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Depressive Symptoms and Complications Early After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Gender Differences
Authors : AbuRuz ME, Al-Dweik G
Abstract : Background: Cardiovascular disease is the first leading cause of death worldwide. Coronary heart disease is the most common manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Acute myocardial infarction is the primary manifestation of coronary heart disease. Depression is a common and predicted complication after acute myocardial infarction. Limited studies evaluated gender differences in depressive symptoms after acute myocardial infarction especially in developing countries. Objective: The study aimed to determine whether there was a difference in depression levels and rate of complications based on gender early after acute myocardial infarction. Method: This was a prospective comparative study on 230 patients (150 men and 80 women) with a confirmed diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. All participants signed an informed consent, filled sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Depression Subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Clinical data were abstracted from the participants’ medical record after discharge. Results: Eighty-six participants (37.4%), 54 men and 32 women, developed 1 or more complications during hospitalization. Female patients were more depressed (14.4±3.5 vs. 8.3 ± 2.6) and developed more complications (1.9 ± 0.9 vs. 0.8 ± 0.5) than male patients did. Depressive symptoms increased the occurrence of complication by 40% and 33% for female and male patients respectively after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms independently predicted complications after acute myocardial infarction in both men and women. The inclusion of depression assessment tools in acute myocardial infarction treatment protocols is highly recommended.
Keywords : Depression, MI, Complications
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Matching Nursing Assignment to Patients' Acuity Level: the Road to Nurses' Satisfaction
Authors : Al Dweik G., Ahmad M.
Abstract : Background and purpose: Nurses face many healthcare challenges, such as high turnover, workload, and unfair assignments, that lead to nurses' dissatisfaction. Linking nursing shift assignment to patients' acuity scores may increase the workload balance, achieving equitable nursing assignment and nurses' satisfaction. This article aimed to (a) describe the effectiveness of the Perroca patient acuity tool (PAT) by measuring nurses' satisfaction with workload and standard of care pre and post the acuity tool application, and (b) measure nurses' satisfaction about the implemented patients' acuity tool. Methods: Quasi-experimental (one group pre- and postdesign) was used. Donabedian's structure-process-outcome (SPO) model was followed as a conceptual model to guide the implementation process of this study. A convenience sample of 64 nurses participated in the study. Two scales were used to measure nurses' satisfaction with workload and with standard of care. Perroca's scale was used to measure nurses' satisfaction about patient acuity level. Results: Significant differences were found on nurse's total satisfaction level, satisfaction with workload, and satisfaction with standard of care between the two times, pre- and post-Perroca PAT application. The majority of nurses had positive impressions of the tool. Conclusion: This study concludes that linking PAT to nursing shift assignment has several positive outcomes. It increases nurses' satisfaction and serves as managers' voice for important staffing decisions like recruitment, assignment distribution, employing new staff, and improving quality of care.
Keywords : nurses' satisfaction; nursing assignment; nursing workload acuity; patient acuity tools; patient classification systems.
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Maturity level of stigma concept as associated to cancer diagnoses and nursing literature
Authors : Ahmad, M., Musallum R, Habeeb A., Al Dweik G.
Abstract : Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the maturity level of stigma as a concept in nursing and its relationship to care provided for patients with cancer. Methods: The four principles of Morse and his colleagues were used to evaluate the maturity level of the stigma concept: epistemological, logical, pragmaticl, and linguistic. Analysis was conducted with the literature published between 2006 and 2016. Results: The findings of this study suggest that the concept of stigma in nursing is immature, defined inconsistently, and measured with different instruments. How stigma is defined can influence nurses in their assessment of patients with cancer and identification of their needs. Conclusion: Although extensive studies have been conducted in the field of mental illness, it is only recently that the effect of stigma on treatment of cancer patients has attracted attention. Thus, substantial work yet needs to be done to understand the breadth and scope of stigma impacting on individuals with cancer.
Keywords : Stigma; cancer; concept analysis; maturity level; nursing
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Nurses' Experiences of Grief Following Patient Death: A Qualitative Approach
Authors : Khalaf I, Al Dweik G
Abstract : Purpose: To explore the lived experiences of nurses' feelings, emotions, grief reactions, and coping mechanisms following their patients' death. Background: On a daily basis, nurses are experiencing patients' death, which exposes them to grief. Nurses' grief has not been sufficiently addressed in practice settings, although it has been a well-known threat to health and work performance. Design: A qualitative design guided by a phenomenological approach was adopted. Method: Data were collected from a purposive sample of 21 Jordanian nurses by conducting three focus groups and analyzed using Colaizzi's framework. Findings: Four themes were generated in which participants reported feelings of grief following their patients' death. Their grief emotions were reported as sadness, crying, anger, shock, denial, faith, fear, guilt, fear of the family's reaction, and powerlessness. Conclusions: The study provided evidence that nurses respond emotionally to patients' death and experience grief. Nurses are burdened by recurrent patients' deaths and try to cope and overcome their grief. This study emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to help nurses positively cope with their grief from a holistic perspective. This will reflect positively on the nurses' performance.
Keywords : Jordanian nurses; death; dying; experiences; grief; qualitative; support.
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Depressive symptoms are associated with in-hospital complications following acute myocardial infarction
Authors : AbuRuz ME, Alalol F, Al-Dweik G.
Abstract : Aim: To examine the effect of depressive symptoms on in-hospital complication rates after Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the primary cause of death worldwide. AMI is the most common consequence of CHD. Depressive symptoms are an important risk factor for CHD and increased risk of AMI. Understanding the relationship between depressive symptoms and short term complications for patients with AMI is important for determining their needs, developing interventions, and evaluating the outcomes of interventions. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 175 patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of four large hospitals in Jordan. During the interview, within 72h (mean, 38±16h) of admission to the hospital, participants completed the sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory Scale. Results: The mean age was 66.9±11.0years. The number of patients with mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms who developed complications was significantly higher than those with minimal depressive symptoms, p˂0.001. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms had longer lengths of stay in the ICU and in hospital than patients with minimal depressive symptoms. Patients with mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms were at 1.22 times higher risk for developing complications than patients with minimal depressive symptoms. Moreover, previous AMI history increased the risk for developing complication by 150%. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were an independent predictor of complications and increased length of stay after AMI. Interventions to control depressive symptoms early after AMI are necessary.
Keywords : Coronary disease; Culture; Depressive symptoms; Myocardial infarction.
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice about Evidence-Based Practice: A Jordanian Study
Authors : AbuRuz ME, Hayeah HA, Al-Dweik G
Abstract : Background: Evidence-based practice has become a worldwide concern for healthcare staff and administrators as well as researchers. Evidence-based practice has been considered as critical element to improve quality of health services and achieving excellence in patient care. The implementation of Evidence-based practice in clinical environments has been challenging. One of the most important barriers to implement Evidence-based practice is knowledge deficit. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe Jordanian nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding evidence-based practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in seven major hospitals in Amman/ Jordan. Five hundred nurses answered a self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the data. Results: Attitudes toward Evidence –Based Practice had the highest mean followed by the knowledge/skills and finally the practice. Female nurses practice research less, have less positive attitude, and less knowledge about research compared to male nurses. Nurses with MSc degree, working in ICU and private hospitals have more positive attitude, reported higher levels of knowledge and skills compared to nurses with BSc, nurses working in other units, and nurses working in ministry of health and Royal Medical Service respectively. Conclusion: Ongoing education for nurses and minimizing barriers are recommended to promote the use of Evidence –Based Practice in Jordan.
Keywords : Evidence-based practice; Nurses; Attitudes; Knowledge
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Perceived Stress in Nurses: A Comparative Study
Authors : Rami Masa’Deh , Fadwa Alhalaiqa , Mohannad Eid AbuRuz , Ghadeer Al-Dweik & Hekmat Yousef Al-Akash
Abstract : PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived stress in nurses working in various departments including mental health and psychiatric nurses in Jordan and compare the all together. METHODS: Using a non-random convenience sample, 310 nurses working in various departments in Jordan representing five different hospitals were included. Nurses answered the Arabic Version of Perceived Stress Scale 10-Items Questionnaire (PSS10) and a Characteristic Checklist. RESULTS: This study showed that nurses working in psychiatric departments perceived the highest stress levels followed by oncology nurses (ONs), ICU/CCU, and ER nurses respectively. Medical and surgical nurses reported the lowest level of stress. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that psychiatric nurses have the highest levels of stress among all participated nurses. This might lead to dissatisfaction with the work and high rates of burn out and turn over. All these factors can easily affect patients care and safety issue, especially psychiatric patients. It is highly recommended that nurse managers and policy makers pay a particular attention to this phenomenon and looking for causes of such high level of stress is important.
Keywords : Stress, Nurses
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Policy Development: Family Presence During Resuscitation
Authors : Laila AL-Daken, Ahmad Rayan, Hana Abu- Snieneh, Ghadeer Al-Dweik, Maysoun Atoum, Atif katib, Fathieh Abu Mogli.
Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to develop a policy regarding family presence during resuscitation in Jordan. Methods. Policy context, issue statement, stakeholders, identification and of evaluation of policy alternatives were described. Results. The recommended solution allows family members of all patients undergoing resuscitation to be given the option of presence at the bedside during CPR, and family members decide if they want to attend CPR situation or not. Conclusion. Policy makers should consider developing specific policies regarding family members presence during resuscitation of their beloved one in culturally and legally acceptable manner.
Keywords : Resuscitation, Family Presence, Policy, Problem, Critical, Procedure, Jordan
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Work- Related Empowerment among Nurses: Literature Review
Authors : Al- Dweik, G., Al-Daken, L., Abu Snieneh, H., and Ahmad, M.
Abstract : This literature review discusses several issues about nurses' work-related empowerment, in order to determine empowerment concept, significance and the factors contributing their empowerment and identify the gaps from the literature. A systematic review was carried out focusing on empirical research on several issues related to nurses' empowerment. A literature search was conducted with certain electronic databases for the period 2009 to 2015. Forty-five studies were identified through a systematic search of the literature. The results of this review should be of interest to the planners, decision makers, managers, practitioners who are working in the field of management, educators who have particular focus and interest in nurse's empowerment. Hospital managers and decision makers need to work towards the implementation of empowerment environment and focus on the factors promoting empowerment to enhance nurse's productivity, to provide high quality care for patient in clinical sittings and to achieve positive health outcomes.
Keywords : Employee empowerment; employee disempowerment; promoting factors; impeding factors; leadership; nurses; nurse managers; literature review; hospital management; patient care; nurse productivity; healthcare services.
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The relationship between Total Quality Management Practices and Organizational Performance at Jordanian Hospitals
Authors : Sweis, R., Al Ahmad, K.M.A., Al- Dweik, G., Alawneh, A. and Abu – Hammad, A
Abstract : This study aims at exploring the relationship between applying total quality management programs (i.e., training, teamwork, top management commitment, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction), and the organizational performance in Jordanian hospitals. A proposed research model and hypotheses are developed based on a comprehensive literature review. A questionnaire is used to collect data from a sample of managerial employees of major Jordanian hospitals. Regression analysis is performed to examine the relationships. Results reveal positive relationship between the total quality management practices and the organizational performance in Jordanian hospitals. Organizational performance is affected mostly by top management. The study concludes that organizational performance improves under the existence of the explored practices of quality management. The study implies that managers should consider quality improvement strategies as a top priority to enhance and promote the organizational performance and effectiveness.
Keywords : TQM practices; organizational performance; Jordan; healthcare management; total quality management; training; teamwork; top management commitment; continuous improvement; customer satisfaction; quality improvement strategies; organizational effectiveness.
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Enhancing Knowledge, Beliefs, and Intention to Screen for Prostate Cancer via Different Health Educational Interventions: a Literature Review
Authors : Ahmad M Saleh *, Marjaneh M Fooladi , Wasileh Petro-Nustas , Ghadeer Dweik , Mohammad H Abuadas.
Abstract : Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men globally, constituting the sixth leading cause of cancer related death in males, and the eleventh leading cause of death from cancer in all age groups. In Jordan, prostate cancer is the third most common cancer in the male population, accounting for one third (6.2%) of cancer related deaths and in 2010 alone, 218 (9.4%) new cases were identified. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of different health education interventions aimed at enhancing knowledge, beliefs and intention to screen for prostate cancer. Materials and methods: A literature search from January 2000 to April 2015 was conducted using the key words "prostate disease," "educational program," "knowledge," "prostate cancer," "demographic factors and prostate cancer," "knowledge and prostate cancer," "education for patients with prostate cancer," "factors that affect intention to screen," "knowledge, beliefs, and intention to screen for prostate cancer," "impact of prostate educational program on beliefs," and "impact of educational program on intention to screen." Results: Majority of studies reviewed indicated that men had low levels of knowledge regarding prostate cancer, and mild to moderate beliefs with good intention to screen for prostate cancer. Conclusions: Most studies indicated that men's knowledge levels about prostate cancer were poor and they had mild to moderate beliefs and intentions to screen for prostate cancer. Therefore, development of an assessment strategy based on the Health Belief Model seems essential. An effectively designed and implemented educational program can help identify the needs and priorities of the target population.
Keywords : Knowledge, Beliefs, Prostate Cancer, education, program.
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The impact of Information Technology (IT) Adoption on the Quality of Construction Projects: The Case of Jordan’
Authors : Sweis, G., Sweis, R., Al-Shboul, M., Al- Dweik, G.
Abstract : Despite the advances and the developments of technology, research investigating the impact of Information Technology adoption on the quality of construction projects has been limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Information Technology adoption on the quality of Jordanian construction projects. Measures and analysis procedures were survey based. Ninety questionnaires were distributed among different construction companies to study the impact of (IT) adoption on the quality of the project during the four phases of construction. Descriptive statistics were obtained and regression test was applied. Results indicate that more investment and encouragement of the use of (IT) in the construction sector essentially increase the quality of the project in the construction throughout its four phases (Planning, Design, Construction and Finishing). The main limitation of this study is that it is conducted with a convenience sample. The academic and managerial implications of the findings are discussed and further research directions are offered.
Keywords : Information Technology, (IT), Quality of Construction Projects, Jordan
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The impact of total quality management practices on employee empowerment in the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia: a study of King Khalid Hospital
Authors : Sweis, R.J., Al-Mansour, A., Tarawneh, M. and Al-Dweik, G.
Abstract : The impact of TQM practices on employee empowerment has not been investigated in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this unique study is to examine the impact of TQM predictors (i.e., training, teamwork, top management commitment, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction) on employee empowerment in Saudi healthcare. A proposed research model and hypotheses are developed based on a comprehensive literature review and tested by using a questionnaire-based survey, distributed to collect data from employees working at King Khalid Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Results indicate that TQM practices when implemented have a favorable impact on employee empowerment. The study concluded that empowerment levels look healthy and stronger under existence of effective training programs, cooperation and teamwork, committed top management, continuously improved process, and satisfied customers. The main limitation of this study is that it is conducted with one hospital. The academic and managerial implications of the findings for managers, decision-makers and researchers are discussed and further research directions are offered.
Keywords : Total quality management, employee empowerment, healthcare sector, Saudi Arabia
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