Qualitative Research (Health Sciences)

Introduction: The presence of a child with a specific learning disability in the family who needs care and has special educational problems is a source of stress for mothers, affecting their mental health and adjustment. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of mothers of children with specific learning disability (SLD). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach. The participants were 14 mothers of children with specific learning disability (SLD) whose data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected using purposive sampling and the collected data were analyzed via Colaizzi's method of data analysis. Results: Analysis of the data revealed 4 main themes including “impact on family”, “the mother’s life”, “the student’s problems”, “concerns”, and “needs”, and 14 subthemes. Conclusion: The present study showed that specific learning disability has diverse effects on the child, mother, and family,...

Introduction: Spirituality is an important aspect of health care that has been proposed in nursing over the past decades. It is recommended as an inseparable component of holistic nursing. This study aims to explore the nurses' and patients' perception of spirituality in cancer care. Method: In a conventional qualitative content analysis, data was collected through purposive sampling by semi-structured deep interviews with 17 participants (10 patients and 7 nurses) in oncology units of hospitals in Tabriz, and was analyzed simultaneously. Robustness of data analysis was evaluated by the participants and external control. Results: The emergent main theme was the "spirituality raising interactions". This theme consisted of three sub-themes of "spiritual elevation in cancer care", "spiritual care barriers", and "religion-based strategies". Patients with cancer understand cancer as an opportunity for belief correction, closeness to God, and awareness of death as reincarnation. Nurses had poor skills in assessing and responding to patients' spiritual needs and there were no support from organizations and clergymen for them in addressing spiritual distress of patients. However, they were a source of energy, joy, hope, and power for patients through their empathy, compassion, and openness. Patients and nurses used strategies based on religious beliefs for strengthening their spiritual dimension. Conclusion: Spiritual care requires a patient-centered approach in communication. Communication in which the religious and spiritual beliefs of patients are considered as a valuable source of spiritual coping, and which gives them the feeling of empathy, trust, passion, and joy. For reduction of barriers, the integration of spiritual care issues in the curriculum of nursing and service training programs is recommended. Care environment must be changed for religious practices and spiritual advisors and clergymen should help patients and nurses in coping with spiritual distress.

The aim of this study was to investigate how individuals;who had been victims of school bullying;perceived their bullying experiences and how these had affected them;and to generate a grounded theory of being a victim of bullying at school. Twenty-one individuals;who all had prior experiences of being bullied in school for more than one year;were interviewed. Qualitative analysis of data was performed by methods from grounded theory. The research identified a basic process of victimising in school bullying;which consisted of four phases: (a) initial attacks;(b) double victimising;(c) bullying exit and (d) after-effects of bullying. Double victimising refers to a process in which there was an interplay between external victimising and internal victimising. Acts of harassment were repeatedly directed at the victims from their social environment at school – a social process that constructed and repeatedly confirmed their victim role in the class or the group. This external victimising affected the victims and initiated an internal victimising;which meant that they internalised the socially constructed victim-image and acted upon this image;which in turn often supported the bullies’ agenda and confirmed the socially constructed victim-image. The findings also indicate the possible positive effect of changing the social environment.

There is a widespread idea that in grounded theory (GT) research, the researcher has to delay the literature review until the end of the analysis to avoid contamination – a dictum that might turn educational researchers away from GT. Nevertheless, in this article the author (a) problematizes the dictum of delaying a literature review in classic grounded theory, (b) presents arguments for using extant literature in the substantive field within a constructivist grounded theory, and (c) suggests data sensitizing principles in using literature, which are: theoretical agnosticism, theoretical pluralism, theoretical sampling of literature, staying grounded, theoretical playfulness, memoing extant knowledge associations, and constant reflexivity.

There is a widespread idea that in grounded theory (GT) research, the researcher has to delay the literature review until the end of the analysis to avoid contamination – a dictum that might turn educational researchers away from GT. Nevertheless, in this article the author (a) problematizes the dictum of delaying a literature review in classic grounded theory, (b) presents arguments for using extant literature in the substantive field within a constructivist grounded theory, and (c) suggests data sensitizing principles in using literature, which are: theoretical agnosticism, theoretical pluralism, theoretical sampling of literature, staying grounded, theoretical playfulness, memoing extant knowledge associations, and constant reflexivity.

This report is based on research carried out for a GMC study into the effectiveness of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It has involved non-training doctors from staff grades to senior consultants, including those primarily involved in management, CPD provision and assessment; and institutional officials, such as in Deaneries and universities, across a range of specialties to determine their understanding of:

Οι αιματολογικές κακοήθειες μολονότι αποτελούν το 8% των περιπτώσεων καρκίνου δεν έχουν μελετηθεί επαρκώς από ψυχοκοινωνική σκοπιά. Η παρούσα έρευνα επιχειρεί τη διερεύνηση των αφηγήσεων 8 Ελλήνων ασθενών με αιματολογικό καρκίνο. Στόχος ήταν η κατανόηση της υποκειμενικής εμπειρίας του αιματολογικού καρκίνου και της νοηματοδότηση της ασθένειας, αλλά και η μελέτη της αναπαράστασης της ασθένειας στη γενικότερη αυτοβιογραφία και της επιρροής ευρύτερων συστημάτων στο προσωπικό βίωμα. Η έρευνα βασίστηκε στην αφηγηματική μέθοδο για τη συλλογή των δεδομένων καθώς και την ανάλυση και την ερμηνεία των αποτελεσμάτων. Από τη διαδικασία της αφηγηματικής ανάλυσης προέκυψαν τρία σημαντικά ζητήματα. Πρώτον, με αφετηρία τη θεωρία του Bury (1982) για τη βιογραφική ρήξη, περιγράψαμε και επιχειρήσαμε να ερμηνεύσουμε το πώς και σε ποιους τομείς άλλαξαν (ή δεν άλλαξαν) οι ζωές των συμμετεχόντων μετά τη διάγνωση του αιματολογικού καρκίνου. Δεύτερον, με βάση τους αφηγηματικούς τύπους του Frank (1995) μελετήσαμε το πώς οι συμμετέχοντες αναπαριστούν και νοηματοδοτούν την εμπειρία της ασθένειας και πώς προσαρμόζονται σε αυτήν. Τέλος, περιγράφουμε την αβεβαιότητα που βιώνουν οι συμμετέχοντες ως ένα πυρηνικό χαρακτηριστικό των αφηγήσεων της εμπειρίας του αιματολογικού καρκίνου, την οποία συνδέουμε με τη ροή της πληροφορίας ανάμεσα στην οικογένεια, τον ασθενή και το ιατρικό προσωπικό, καθώς και με το μοντέλο της μεταιχμιακότητας για την υποκειμενική εμπειρία του καρκίνου.

Consultation is an important feature of research and, increasingly, researchers are required to work in partnership with stakeholders to increase the impact of their work. Our aim is to demonstrate what can be learned from the scholarship on, and practice of, member checking to facilitate productive knowledge exchange. Using dialogical analysis we explore three member check interactions from three different qualitative psychology projects focusing our analysis on difficult moments between researchers and participants conceptualised here as ‘sore spots’. We identify two major genres in these sequences: participant ambivalence and participant challenge. We then consider passages that allow us to explore a more theoretical understanding of these two genres in terms of the metaphor of portraits and mirrors. Overall, we outline how implicit epistemologies and theories of subjectivity (uncomplicated, blank, and complex) may be linked to the way in which stakeholders approach research. We also provide a map with regard to the theories within which member checks can be undertaken, associated research practices in terms of a range of researcher responses to stakeholder ambivalence and challenge, and implications of these moments for knowledge exchange for qualitative research but also for psychological science as a whole. We conclude that sore spots in knowledge exchange process can be productive opportunities of transformational validity.

Keywords: member check; knowledge exchange; research impact; dialogical analysis; participant validation

Background: Obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and bladder, and/or between the vagina and rectum,
triggered by prolonged obstructed labor. The World Health Organization has estimated that at least 50,000 to
100,000 cases of obstetric fistula occur every year, and that over two million women with obstetric fistula in
developing countries remain untreated. Research on women’s lived experiences of obstetric fistula is limited. This
study aimed to explore the lived experience of women with obstetric fistula at Bahir Dar Hamlin Fistula Center,
Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.
Methods: A qualitative study design, drawing from a phenomenological approach, was employed to explore the
lived experience of purposively-selected sample of ten women with obstetric fistula. In-depth interviews were
conducted in the local language (Amharic) using an interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and translated
into English, and transcripts were entered as primary documents into Atlas.ti 7 software. Thematic categories were
identified, and transcripts were coded accordingly.
Results: Participants perceived that the contributing factors to obstetric fistula were: instrument-assisted delivery;
inappropriate physical examination and care; early marriage; and long duration of labour. As a result of obstetric
fistula, the patients suffered from uncontrolled dripping of urine and/or faeces (and associated offensive odours),
ostracization by their family and community members, and feeling hopeless and isolation from the community.
Patients used different coping mechanisms, including frequent washing of clothes and changing of underwear;
they also expressed that they preferred to be alone.
Conclusion: Women with obstetric fistula experienced urine incontinence and associated bad odour; social and
psychological problems like isolation, divorce and fears were commonly reported. Our findings from perspectives of
Ethiopian setting suggest that integrated services for women with obstetric fistula are warranted, including physical
therapy, psychological support and social reintegration.

Aim: Our aim is to offer and illustrates a novel meta-methodology to enhance the rigour of method selection and understanding of results in pluralist qualitative research (PQR).
Method: To do so, we make innovative use of Braun and Clarke’s (2006) articulation of four discrete dimensions characterising different forms of thematic analysis. We provide secondary analyses of an interview from the Social Media, Men who have Sex with Men and Sexual Health project using critical discursive psychology, dialogical analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, and psychosocial narrative analysis.
Results: All four methods identified aspects of three central foci: Compartmentalisation, Detachment, and Jouissance.
Conclusion: We discuss how our proposed meta-methodology provides a rationale for the selection of methods in a PQR, offer evidence that it can anticipate the relative similarity in focus of the methods employed, and argue that our meta-methodology reveals the possibility of identifying an ‘axial’ or ‘hub’ method’ of a PQR which might be particularly fruitful in exploring commonalities and differences in results. Finally, we examine the synergies and challenges of combining pairs of the methods we used.

Background: Knowledge of mental health service users views is important in service planning, to ensure access for everyone and in particular for those in minority groups. Depression is common in older people and it has been suggested that ethnic elders may be more vulnerable to mental illness. This study therefore explored and compared the views of White British (WB) and Black African–Caribbean (BC) older people on depression as an illness, avenues of help and the place of mental health services. Methods: A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews using vignettes describing an older man with depression and a woman with psychosis. The purposive sample consisted of 40 WB and BC older people half of who had been depressed. Results: 21 WB (10 depressed and 11 not depressed) and 19 BC (10 depressed and 9 not depressed) were interviewed. Most people irrespective of ethnicity or depression recognised that there was something wrong with the man with depression. Most did not consider it an illness. Ethnicity but not depression effected the interpretation of the aetiology of the symptoms. A minority thought that consulting the GP would help but some BC specified that it would be inappropriate. BC who had not been depressed thought that spiritual help was appropriate. Both ethnic groups suggested that mental health services were for care, incarceration or dealing with violence. None of those who had been depressed thought that the mental health services were for dealing with violence. Limitations: We interviewed established BC immigrants and our results might not apply to new BC immigrants or other immigrant groups. Descriptions within the vignettes of depression and psychosis were defined by us. Conclusions: Most older people do not view depression as a mental illness. Older people, particularly BC therefore often do not see psychiatric services as appropriate and believe they are primarily for psychosis and violence. These views are amenable to change. Doctors should be explicit that services are for people with depression.

Introduction: Near-death experience (NDE) is a phenomenon with paranormal elements which follows pervasive and deep personal and social changes for patients. The familiarity of medical staff with the components of this phenomenon, and their appropriate response to patients’ experiences could facilitate understanding and integration process of NDEs for patients. Due to the impact of medical staff reaction to patients’ experiences, and the lack of research on NDEs which described the elements, this study aimed to explain the elements of Iranian patients’ NDEs. Method: This qualitative study was performed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. The subjects of the study consisted of 10 people with NDE. They were selected through purposive sampling method. Data were collected via individual tape-recorded interviews, and simultaneously analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis method. Results: Through data analysis, 113 codes were extracted which were classified under 11 seman...

Objectives: We aim to provide an understanding of the psychological sequela of androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) in phenotypic females in order to begin to inform psychosocial health care services.

Design: Eight adult women with AIS were recruited through the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group-United Kingdom (AISSG-UK). Data was collected via two semi-structured interviews with each woman.

Methods: Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory and a conceptual model was developed which suggests a way of understanding the AIS distress experienced by the participants.

Results: The pivotal concept is a woman's fear of devaluation. This is connected to her level of adaptation and perception of having a compromised womanhood. These, in turn, are related to her medical management and involvement with others via a support group and in talking about AIS.

Conclusions: Participants showed a clear preference for open communication about their condition throughout the process of medical management. We recommend sensitive, pacing of information to allow young women and their families to make informed decisions about treatment and a realistic adaptation to life with AIS.

Introduction: In qualitative research the sampling process is usually determined by the methodology employed. However, this is not always evident in published qualitative research papers as many qualitative studies appear not to have a clearly defined methodological approach. Indeed, pragmatic researches focus on the need to adopt a flexible rather than rigid approach to application of qualitative methodologies. Therefore, this study was performed to review previous research to clarify qualitative sampling. Valid articles and books were used in this review study. Method: The keywords qualitative research and sampling were searched in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Medline databases. Results: Although sampling methods in qualitative research are known as purposive sampling, there is an extensive spectrum of sampling methods such as quota, snowball, theoretical, critical cases, homogeneity, sequential, criterion, and combination sampling. Conclusion: The purpose of sampling in qualitative research is not to establish a random or representative sample draw from a population, but rather to identify specific groups of people, who either possess characteristics or live experiences relevant to the social phenomenon being studied. Informants are identified because they will enable the exploration of a particular aspect of behavior relevant to the research. The benefits of the qualitative approach to health care research are becoming increasingly recognized by both academics and clinicians. However, misunderstandings about the philosophical basis and the methodological approach remain. The process of sampling is one of the principal areas of confusion. Sampling is a very complex issue in qualitative research. This is due to the many variations of qualitative sampling described in the literature, and much confusion and overlapping of types of sampling.

Arts-Based Educational Research and Qualitative Inquiry: Walking the Path

Thalia M. Mulvihill, Ball State University
and
Raji Swaminathan, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

This book introduces novice researchers to arts-based qualitative research methods. In the last decade, qualitative research has expanded to include new and emergent methods that has led to more novice
researchers seeking out arts-based expertise to support their work. Following primarily the strands of visual, narrative, and performative inquiry, the book is relevant for all novice qualitative researchers interested in arts based inquiry methods.

This article introduces grounded theory and places this method in its historical context when 1960s quantitative researchers wielded harsh criticisms of qualitative research. The originators of grounded theory, sociologists Glaser and Strauss, sought to defend the quality of qualitative research and argued that grounded theory increased its quality by providing a method of theory construction. Our major foci include: (1) introducing the logic of grounded theory, with emphasis on how researchers can use it to construct theory, (2) detailing criteria for quality in the major forms of grounded theory advocated by Glaser and Strauss and augmented by Glaser, Strauss and Corbin and refined by Corbin, and Charmaz and (3) providing an analysis of how constructivist grounded theorists Thornberg, Halldin, Bolmsjö and Petersson attended to the interviewing process, coding, and developing their theoretical concept of double victimizing. Students and researchers new to the method can use our concluding guidelines as a checklist to assess the quality of their constructivist grounded theory research.

Introduction: Clinical judgement as a tool for professionals allows the nurses to play their roles and explore their opinion. This necessitates clarification of the structure of clinical judgment. It is difficult to give a unanimous definition for clinical judgement therefore, exploration of the structure of the concept is necessary to understanding clinical judgment. The aim of this study is to explore the structure of clinical judgment of nurses. Method: This qualitative research was a grounded theory study based on purposed sampling. 18 clinical nurses from Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed in Microsoft Word Office, and then the data were analyzed in MAXQDA2007. Constant comparison analyses were used simultaneously with data collection. Results: The participants in study include 9 men and 9 women, with at least 3 years of experience of nursing in variable clinical settings. Final research findings could be discussed in five...

La presente ricerca di dottorato è stata condotta in co-tutela tra l’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II e l’Universidad Nacional de Tucuman, Argentina, attraverso la conduzione di un’indagine empirica qualitativa dedicata all’analisi dell’esperienza vissuta in prima persona da parte di persone che presentano una condizione di Iperplasia Surrenale Congenita (ISC) con particolare riferimento agli interventi chirurgici, alle terapie sostitutive e allo stigma psicosociale.

Introduction: Clinical competency in psychiatric nursing education provides the foundation for the development of competency in nursing practice. There are different definitions of clinical competency, but there is no certain definition for it in psychiatric nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore the definition of and method of achieving clinical competency in psychiatric nursing students. Method: In this qualitative study semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (5 undergraduate senior students in their last term, 2 MSc students in the psychiatric field, 4 faculty members of the Department of Psychiatric Nursing, 3 head nurses, and 2 nurses working in psychiatric wards). In addition, we used two focused group interviews with nursing students. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis method. Results: During data analysis, four main themes emerged; preparation and familiarization, confrontation, involvement, and competency. Conclusion: Undergraduate nursing students need to pass specific stages before attaining clinical competency as a mental health nurse. Each stage has specific factors that may help the students on their path.

Introduction: Patient safety is one of the main components of health services quality which is defined as the prevention of harm to patients during health care provision. Medical students as members of the treatment team play an important role in patient safety. This study aimed to identify the role of medical students in patient safety in medical centers in Semnan province. Methods: This applied-qualitative study was carried out using a content analysis approach via the framework analysis method. The participants were key informants and experts of patient safety friendly hospital program. They were selected using purposive sampling and the sampling process continued until the data saturation (n=14). The data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using MAXQDA software (version 10). Results: Of 468 primary codes, 6 main codes were extracted including the importance of student education, student participation in teamwork, interaction with patients, medical errors ...

Arts-Based Educational Research and Qualitative Inquiry: Walking the Path Thalia M. Mulvihill, Ball State University and Raji Swaminathan, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee This book introduces novice researchers to arts-based qualitative research methods. In the last decade, qualitative research has expanded to include new and emergent methods that has led to more novice researchers seeking out arts-based expertise to support their work. Following primarily the strands of visual, narrative, and performative inquiry, the book is relevant for all novice qualitative researchers interested in arts based inquiry methods.

Introduction: Although it is an accepted fact that using coping strategies have an important role in the coping process and quality of life following spinal cord injury (SCI), there is still little information about this issue in the world and especially in Iran. The purpose of this study was to explore important coping strategies used by Iranian patients with spinal cord injuries. Method: 18 patients with SCI from The Brain and Spinal injury Repair Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and the Protection Center of the disabled with spinal cord injury were interviewed deeply. Data were collected through recorded interviews, and concurrently analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. Results: Data analysis showed seeking help from religious beliefs (understanding the disease as a divine fate and test, appeal to Imams, and increasing worship), to be an important coping strategy. Conclusion: Understanding strategies that influence the patients’ coping ...

Introduction: Despite its importance, interprofessional communication in emergency wards seems unfavorable. Identifying the underlying factors of an effective interprofessional communication can help care providers better design appropriate interventions. This study was designed to explore factors that influence interprofessional communication in the emergency wards. Method: A qualitative study was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews with 22 participants with a variety of jobs, positions, ages, genders, and work experiences. Data analysis was performed with content analysis method with inductive approach. Results: Data analysis revealed 4 categories of underlying effective factors of interprofessional communication in the emergency ward; knowledge and skill, communication skills, the positive effect of religion on communication, similar demographic characteristics. These 4 categories revealed the 2 main themes of competency and cultural similarity. Conclusion: This study provided a better understanding of underlying factors in interprofessional communication in the emergency ward. Improving the knowledge and skills of health providers in the emergency ward, and employing personnel with common culture and demographic variables can improve interprofessional communication in the emergency ward. Interprofessional communication has a major role in the outcome of patient care and job satisfaction of staff; thus, it is of great importance.

Introduction: Induced demand utilizes the advantage of higher information in respect to patients and too much care is presented with suspicious value. Therefore, the theory of induced demand is based on the assumption of asymmetric information between physician and patient. The patients do not have sufficient expertise to assess the level and quality of provided services. They rarely know what and how much medical care they need. In fact, due to some reasons, patients can influence the demand induction. They have unlimited wishes and desires in respect to the offered services. This article examines the role of the patient in the phenomenon of induced demand with the use of the experiences of experts of Isfahan University Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Method: The present research was a qualitative study. Semi-structured interview was used for data generation. Participants in this study were people who had been informed in this regard, were experienced, and were known as experts. P...

Spurred by the value it can add, the use of qualitative research methods has been steadily growing by social pharmacy researchers around the globe, either separately or as part of mixed methods research projects. Given this increase, it is important to provide guidance to assist researchers in ensuring quality when employing such methods. This commentary addresses both theoretical fundamentals as well as practical aspects of establishing quality in qualitative social pharmacy research. More specifically, it provides an explanation of each of the criteria of trustworthiness proposed by Lincoln and Guba (credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability) and different techniques used in establishing them. It also provides a brief overview of authenticity, a more recent and less widely used set of criteria that involve demonstrating fairness, ontological authenticity, educative authenticity, catalytic authenticity, and tactical authenticity. For each of these terms, the commentary provides a definition, how it applies to social pharmacy research, and guidance on when and how to use them. These are accompanied by examples from the pharmacy literature where the criteria have been used. The commentary ends by providing a summary of competing viewpoints of establishing quality in the published literature while inviting the reader to reflect on how the presented criteria would apply to different qualitative research projects.

Introduction: Islam has always stressed the importance of health and wellness. For centuries, Muslims have recognized the value of a good, clean, and healthy life. The purpose of this study is to explain the health-oriented lifestyle in the Islamic culture based on opinions, experiences, and perceptions of clergies, teachers, and students. Method: A qualitative research method was conducted in this study by grounded theory approach. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with participants. Moreover, the existing resources, such as case studies, life stories, letters, diaries, and press interviews have been used. Results: This study's central variable was deviation from moderation of thought, belief and behavior. Seven main categories were gained by analysis of data. They were: "policy in the health system", "Islamic education"," Islamic movement in people's family centered lives", "work, effort, and money", "ethics ...

Introduction: The quality of qualitative research is an important issue for clinicians and researchers that use research in order to deliver high quality care. Gaining quality in qualitative research, such as grounded theory, is not an accident and is achieved by abiding a set of circumstances. The aim of this study was to identify the most important criteria in assessing the quality of grounded theory studies. Method: This is a review study done by an extensive review of literature in the form of electronic and printed materials. This paper therefore, has reviewed 10 related books and 11 related papers. Results: The result of literature review showed that compliance to methodological principles of research is the key element in achieving quality in grounded theory studies. Paying attention to dynamic research process, theoretical sampling, theoretical sensitivity, constant comparison, theoretical saturation, methodological fitness, and linking research and body of knowledge are important factors in achieving quality in grounded theory. Conclusion: Quality in grounded theory is an important issue in qualitative research. Grounded theory researchers must have a thorough understanding of methods used in research. Moreover, they must try to improve the quality of grounded theory studies by considering ontological and epistemological assumptions.

Introduction: Drug addiction has always been considered as one of the most pervasive social problems. Although the risk of drug addiction is high in men, but this risk has been increased in women as well. Method: This qualitative study was conducted on 21 addicted women in Bushehr who were selected using purposive sampling method. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interview. All interview were recorded, immediately written, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: After data analysis, 3 main themes including personal, family, and social factors with 17 items were obtained. Conclusion: The main factors affecting drug addiction in women in Bushehr were personal and family factors. Some interventions such as increasing the knowledge of people about factors affecting drug addiction and family education can be effective in the prevention of drug addiction in women.

Introduction: Parents who have children with cerebral palsy are exposed to the complicated care procedures of the afflicted child. Thus, they need support in order to decrease problems in this respe ct. However, their needs are not sufficiently met. Ther efore, this study was conducted to explore barriers to support for parents of children with cerebral palsy . Method: This qualitative study was conducted in 2011-2012 using content analysis. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants and continued u ntil data saturation was reached. As a result, 31 participants from among parents of children with ce rebral palsy referred to the rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran, and experts were selected. The data w ere collected by in-depth semi-structured interview s and from collected documents, and were analyzed by induction method. Results: Data analysis results revealed three main categori s f organizational barriers (poor institutional coordination and communication, and lac...

Introduction: Test anxiety, a common phenomenon among college students, is one of the problems of educational systems. According to the Islamic religious doctrines, spiritual relationship with Allah (God) comforts the hearts and prevents anxiety. Therefore, this study was performed with the goal of exploring the experiences of the effect of Holy Quran reading on students test anxiety in

The use of a modified style of problem-based learning in graduate nursing is conventional. An assessment of collaborative learning experiences of students can be effective in identifying ways to increase productivity and efficiency of this approach. The aim of this study was to explain the collaborative learning experiences of graduate and postgraduate M.Sc. nursing students in problem-based learning method. Method: In this study 15 M.Sc. nursing students, who had the experience of using problembased learning, participated in this study. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews, and focus group. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The main themes extracted from the data analysis showed that the problem-based learning method is an active and collaborative learning experience that supports self directed learning, and analytical thinking. Lack of resources, lack of training and skills in accessing resources, being time consuming, inadequate guidance, and inconsistency of team members were the limitations experienced by students. Conclusion: Adequate skills and consistency in team work could facilitate and deepen the students learning. Providing an educational package, accessible resources, and adequate guidance for students, and preparing them to effectively use their time seems necessary. Nursing students need to be supported by the educational system and skilled educators in order to be able to use PBL method during their education.

Introduction: Renal transplantation is considered as the first and the most effective approach of alternative treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although receiving transplant can improve the quality of life, it may also cause new challenges and anxieties in recipients. To be adopted with new challenges, patients have to follow coping strategies. This study aimed to deeply understand the coping strategies used by those undergone renal transplantation to adopt with challenges emerged from that. Method: 11 in-depth semi-structured interviews were done to follow the aim of the study. The age of participants ranged between 18 and 57 years with mean average of 37 years. A purposive sampling was used to emerge statured data, codes and themes. Using content analysis inspired by Graneheim and Lundman, all interviews analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed ten subthemes that finally categories into four themes including: focus on spirituality, developing self-management and empowerment, improvement of self-reflective practice, and reality acceptance. Conclusion: Although it is not possible to say that each coping strategy is used in a specific time schedule, but it seems that in each step, patients are more likely to use a specific coping strategy. Therefore, if nurses and family members are aware of this process, they would be better perceiving the reasons behind renal transplant recipient behaviors. We suggest providing relevant education program for them. This consequently enables family members and care team to have an active role in supporting tranplant recipients.

Introduction: Infidelity as one of the main causes for divorce has very deleterious effects on family, mental health, and feelings of the victims. The purpose of this study was to identify and explain emotional experiences and reactions of women victims of infidelity. Method: In this interpretative study with phenomenology method, study population consisted of women victims of infidelity in Shemiranat, Tehran City, Iran, in 2016. 18 women of 22-64 years who were victims of the infidelity were selected through purposive sampling and were investigated by a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method. Results: The data analysis resulted in two main themes, 12 subthemes, and 61 initial concepts. As the first theme, ‘maladaptive emotional reactions’ consisted of subthemes as the feelings of separation from life (including feelings of sadness, frustration, and desire for death), separation from oneself (including inadequacy, and sense of abandonment)...

Introduction: Death anxiety is one of the ultimate anxieties of humankind, which is caused by consciousness of mortality and inevitability of death. Considering the fact that knowledge of death and experience of death anxiety arise from childhood, the objective of this study was to explore the experiences of children with heart disease and cancer about death anxiety. Methods: This study was conducted qualitatively with a phenomenological approach. The participants were 15 children with cancer and congenital heart disease (CHD) at Ali Asghar (AS), Modarres, and Rasoul-e-Akram hospitals in Tehran in 2018, whose information was collected through semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected via purposive sampling and the data were analyzed by Colaizzi's method. Results: The analysis of the data led to the development of a main category called anxiety, which consists of six subcategories including imaginary manifestations of death, loneliness and nothingness, fear and a...

Introduction: Consistent with health care changes, nursing schools also require revising of clinical education programs, especially, the nursing student's first clinical experience. The first clinical experience is considered the cornerstone in professional nursing education. The present study was conducted with the aim to identify challenges of clinical training of the fundamentals of nursing to undergraduate students and develop them with a collaborative approach in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Method: The presents study reports the two operating cycles of an action research with a collaborative approach and focus group discussion, and with the participation of 84 stakeholders. Content analysis approach was used to analyze the data obtained in focus discussion interviews. In addition, reflective evaluation was performed during the operation and final evaluation at the end of each cycle with the participation of all members, including students. Results: The findings of this qualitative study detected a lack of consistency in planning and implementation of curriculum, inadequate intra-and extra-organizational communication management, inadequate student understanding of situation, and improper control of restrictors and improper use of facilitators in teaching and practice. After classification of problems, educational decision-making authorities of the School developed an operational program within the national curriculum framework through participation in clinical skills and principles training program. Overall, the evaluation results in the two operating cycles confirm that the general success of the action plan is based on professional collaboration of faculty trainers and administrators, and clinical nurses involved in the process. Conclusion: Planning fundamentals of nursing training in partnership with all those involved in practice and education, together with students can be effective in reducing educational failures, gap between theory and practice, and result in the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Introduction: Gradual and inevitable deterioration of mind and self causes wide ranges of somatic, emotional, and financial needs in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Nurses have a main role in preparing a suitable environment and care for patients. The aim of this research was to understand caring experience and perspective of staff in nursing homes. Method: In a qualitative study, 10 female and three male caregivers in Iranian nursing homes were selected based on purposeful sampling. The subjects were interviewed and data was analyzed using content analysis method. After data immersion, interview texts were transcribed verbatim and initial codes were extracted. These initial codes were re-evaluated and categorized. Results: Nearly 850 initial codes were extracted and categorized as three main themes of aspects, bases, and characteristics of care. In addition, 17 sub-themes were identified. Conclusion: Caring for patients' with Alzheimer's disease consists of physical routines. Other aspects of care receive limited attention and are provided unprofessionally, based on common sense and personal experience. Employing and continuous education of trained staff in assessment and caring of patients with Alzheimer's disease can improve the environment of nursing homes, the quality of the provided care, and patients' quality of life.