Evidence and Practice
Supporting previously bereaved parents following the birth of a rainbow baby: a health visiting pilot
Initiating insulin therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes: a practical guide
Factors inhibiting self-care in African-American men with hypertension
Clinical
Supporting previously bereaved parents following the birth of a rainbow baby: a health...
Why you should read this article: • To learn more about health visiting bereavement support • To understand how continuity is important following the loss of a baby • To recognise how health visiting can support parents expecting a rainbow baby A ‘rainbow baby’ is the term used for a live child born after the parents have experienced a previous miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. In the community, health visitors are well placed to provide support to bereaved families after the death of a child. However, recent NHS budgetary constraints mean that health visitors are often unable to provide the additional support that families require at such a challenging time or when they subsequently find that they are expecting another child. This article details a service evaluation of a health visiting pilot, which sought to provide parents with targeted support after the birth of a rainbow baby. The pilot provided a named health visitor to monitor the parents’ general mental health and provide trauma-informed parenting support. The author describes the background, development and evaluation of the pilot. Five sets of parents were surveyed and all stated that they found the pilot supportive and beneficial.
Factors inhibiting self-care in African-American men with hypertension
Recognising cultural and psychological factors helps nurses encourage behaviour to reduce health risks
Nurses’ experiences caring for people who inject drugs with a physical health condition
Literature review identified lack of knowledge, emotional challenge, stigmatisation, fear and safety
Vaccinating preterm infants: a timeliness study
Parents must be supported in vaccination decision-making in the early weeks of a child’s infancy
Reducing health inequalities in cervical screening: a general practice project
Inequalities related to uptake of screening are addressed via interventions including staff training
Introducing a named nurse model of care into a community nursing service
How a named nurse model improved person-centred care and staff morale
CPD articles
Initiating insulin therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes: a practical guide
Why you should read this article: • To reinforce your knowledge of indications and treatment regimens for insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes • To enhance your understanding of psychological insulin resistance and strategies to overcome it • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Supporting adults with type 2 diabetes is an important part of primary care nursing. Insulin therapy is key to managing hyperglycaemia and reducing the risk of long-term diabetes-related complications, so many patients with type 2 diabetes will require insulin therapy as their condition progresses. However, they may have concerns about burdensome side effects such as hypoglycaemia and weight gain or about implications for driving. They may also struggle with concordance with treatment, for example if a suboptimal injection technique leads to pain and lipohypertrophy. This article provides nurses working in primary care with a practical guide to initiating insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes, such as how to determine whether a patient needs insulin therapy, selecting the most appropriate regimen for each patient, supporting patients to overcome psychological insulin resistance and minimising common side effects.
Perinatal mental health issues: early recognition and management in primary care
It is vital to be able to identify red flags and feel confident about offering emotional support
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: reducing the risk of winter exacerbations
How to undertake a comprehensive review and interventions that community and primary care nurses can make
Promoting an inclusive approach to assessing and managing chronic wounds
Optimal wound assessment helps with effective decision-making on care and management
Infant feeding issues related to gastrointestinal conditions: assessment and management
Developing positive relationships with parents and working in partnership with them
Long term conditions: three ways to give patients the confidence to self-care
Teaching self-care can be woven into the routine conversations nurses have with patients
Research focus
How primary care nurses can identify and manage self-harm
Primary care nurses need to be able to identify and manage self-harm. This research focus explores high risk groups and management strategies
How can community and primary care nurses support and treat people with hoarding...
Three studies highlight the complexity of this disorder – and the provision of treatment
How to ensure better integrated care
Three recent studies look at methods to facilitate greater integrated care
How to treat eating disorders in primary care
Three studies highlight the growing incidence of eating disorders in primary care
Upper limb rehabilitation following a stroke
Rehabilitation for upper limb impairment, which occurs in a majority of strokes, is reviewed
Dementia therapy through music
Three studies examine the benefits of music-based therapies for people with dementia