Rostrum of Asclepius Vol 15, No. 2 (2016): April - June 2016

Sexual abuse constitutes one of the most serious social and public health problems worldwide, creating the need for new care approaches and treatment techniques for victims by specialized professionals. It causes injuries both physically and psychologically, with women being at greater risk. Factors such as alcohol, drug abuse and violence during childhood, seem to intensify this phenomenon. The victims must be given priority at the Emergency Department (ED), where the care of wounds, blood tests, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases and administration of contraceptive therapy are carried out. Then, specialized tests are performed, such as colposcopy, in order to find biological traces of the abuser. Abroad, the collection of evidence is carried out by specialized nurses in sexual abuse issues, who have appropriate knowledge and experience in order to collect data, and have direct approach to the victim, always maintaining his/her respect and dignity. Victims are encouraged to discuss the problem and seek help, while ensuring support and acceptance from their families

Keywords: Sexual assault, abuse, specialized nurse, special response units, protocols, legal framework

Brucellosis or Malta fever is the most frequently stated zoonosis in our country. The disease is endemic in Mediterranean countries because of unique environmental aspects and maintaining relatively large number of sheep and goat rearing. Worldwide, the most common bacterial zoonosis with estimated new cases annually more than half a million, while Brucella melitensis infection is the main cause of brucellosis and causes severe infection in humans. The disease presents a strong polymorphism and clinical manifestations of great range. The disease depending on the duration and course is distinguished into acute, subacute and chronic form. The diagnosis of brucellosis is based on the combination of clinical presentation, isolation of the microbe and finding antibodies by serological methods and confirmed by the isolation of Brucella in blood culture. Treatment depends on the location, form and severity of the disease, the patient and the ability of the antibiotic to act intracellularly. The incidence of Brucellosis in humans is depending on the incidence of the disease in animals. It is therefore necessary to take preventive measures such as vaccination of animals and pasteurization of dairy products. The purpose of this article is the comprehensive information of the health professional (doctor, nurse, health visitor), particular in primary health care with modern data relating to the prevention and treatment of brucellosis

Keywords: Brucellosis, brucella, zoonosis, undulant fever

Clinical instructor and clinical learning environment are parameters that contribute significantly to the clinical education of students. Purpose: To investigate nurses’ views about their role as a clinical instructor and the clinical learning environment. Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 94 nurses who worked in hospitals of Attica and in departments where students were being trained (May-July 2013). A questionnaire/special form of 30 questions was used for data collection concerning their demographic characteristics, opinions on the educational environment, the attitude in the educational process, opinions on the clinical instructor and educational needs. The results are presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: The majority of the sample were women 83% (n=78) aged 36-40 years old 28.7% (n=27) with 11-15 years of job experience 31.9% (n=30). 16 %(n=15) had a Master’s degree and 3.2% (n=3) held a doctorate. According to the responses nurses apply the functional system of care (54.3%) but recognize as best for education (61.7%) the total patient care. The 51.1% described the educational environment as moderate and 47.9% as excellent. The clinical setting according to 59.6% contributes by 70% -100% in the learning experience. The nurses’ rounds and nursing report were deemed important learning opportunities from 79.8% and 76.6% respectively. 85% of students follow nurses’ rounds, while the gap between theory and practice was characterized very high by 50% of nurses. A large percentage (74.5%) would like to attend also a special education program. Conclusion: Nurses recognize the role of the clinical instructor and the significance of the learning environment and wish to have special training to be able to plan educational experiences

Keywords: Clinical instructor, clinical environment, supervision

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the primary causes of death for thousands of adults dying annually. The informal caregivers are those who offer unpaid help to or supervise individuals with impairment(s). Considering that most patients and caregivers are burdened with the disease’s aggravation, direction towards a complete provision in regards with COPD would help them perceive the power of the holistic approach that focuses on spiritual provision. Aim: The specific qualitative research was conducted in order to investigate perceptions of Greek caregivers of COPD patients in relation to spirituality, its influence on their lives, as well as the assessment of their experiences in regards with their spiritual needs throughout care-giving. Materials and Method: A total of 46 caregivers of COPD patients participated in this qualitative research. Data were collected through structured interviews. Results: 10 (21.7%) of the 46 participants were men and 36 (78.3%) of them were women; 44 of the total amount were first-degree relatives with the patients. This research shows that, apart from any kind of emotional needs, there are deeply spiritual needs, since the caregivers “struggle” with their faith and their ability to believe in God or a supreme being. Conclusion: Despite the positive side of the informal provision, an official research that aligns with the physiology of the disease and indicates the important influence of spirituality and religiosity on caregivers of COPD patients has not been conducted in Greece up until now

Keywords: Spirituality, religiosity, caregivers, COPD, qualitative research

An Erasmus Intensive Programme (EIP) is a short programme of study lasting 2-6 weeks of subject related work. Its objectives are to prepare, execute and evaluate a short course on an innovative topic, which is not part of established curriculae. Purpose: to provide an overview of the eight EIPs and their relevance to continuous nursing education in which the nursing department of the ATEITH was involved. Method: The case method was used in this discussion paper in order to analyze critically the EIP initiative. Results: An EIP as a concise study educational tool can be ‘dissected’ in the following critical components: Target groups, Main educational activities, Learning outcomes, Expected outputs, Target topics, Main activities, Outputs, Progress of preparation, The innovative aspects and Final learning Outcomes. Thus, the 10 critical components of an EIP are presented and discussed further. Discussion: The EIPs emphasized on wider forms of knowledge (e.g. cultural) rather than the narrower understanding of knowledge students are expected to have, arising from more traditional educational methods. They also facilitated both students and teachers to work together in crosscultural and multinational teams in order to benefit from special learning and teaching conditions not available in a single institution, and to gain new perspectives on the topic being studied. Conclusions: The EIP paradigm has supported the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning in contemporary Europe, which in turn makes it highly relevant teaching and learning tool for advanced nursing education

Keywords: Intensive programmes, Erasmus, continuing nursing education