Background and Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most highly prevalent and life-threatening digestive tract cancers. CRC and its treatment are associated with numerous complications in the patients. Orem's self-care model is a theory on clinical improvement and reducing fatigue in patients with CRC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Orem's self-care theory on the nutrition status and fatigue of CRC patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 patients diagnosed with CRC in the teaching hospital of Imam Reza in Kermanshah, Iran in 2014. Samples were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. Data were collected using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). After data collection, a self-care training program was implemented based on Orem's self-care theory. Results: Self-care training intervention in the experimental group improved the consumption patterns of fruits (P=0.002), vegetables (P=0.001), and dairy products (P=0.001). Moreover, general fatigue of CRC patients in the experimental group decreased after the intervention (P=0.0001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Orem's self-care model could reduce the clinical symptoms and fatigue of patients with CRC. Therefore, it is recommended that this model be applied to enhance the self-care behaviors and clinical conditions of CRC patients.

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Background and Purpose: Professionalism refers to the professional character and manners of an individual, which encompasses different attributes and a lifestyle reflecting responsibility and commitment. Effective communication between physicians and nurses enhances the quality of patient care, reduces medical errors. Over the years, there have been repeated admonitions to improve nurse-physician communication, which is influenced by several factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of professionalism on the professional communication between nurses and physicians. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the phenomenological approach developed by Husserl. Semi-structured interviews (n=15) were performed on eight nurses and seven physicians engaged in the hospitals of different cities in Iran in 2014. Participants were asked to describe their experiences regarding the professional communication between nurses and physicians. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Four main themes emerged from data analysis, including professionalism, communication patterns, confounders, and communication usefulness, the most important of which was professionalism. In this study, we focused on professionalism and its subthemes, including autonomy, dignity and respect, responsibility and preparedness. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, professionalism plays a key role in establishing efficient professional communications. Therefore, it is recommended that structured communication interventions be implemented in clinical environments in order to improve the quality of nurse-physician communication.

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Background and Purpose: Nurses are frequently exposed to anxiety-related problems. In fact, anxiety and stress can negatively affect nurses' mental health and performance. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of emotional intelligence training on employed nurses in Sabzevar, Iran in 2014. Methods: In this experimental trial, 135 nurses working in Sabzevar hospitals were enrolled and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The subjects were evaluated, using a demographic questionnaire, Bar-On's emotional quotient inventory, and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The intervention group was trained in six sessions by an expert. In the final session, the questionnaires were completed by the participants and analyzed. For statistical analysis, t-test and non-parametrical tests were performed. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results:Based on the findings, 80% of the samples were female. The mean age of the participants was 32.11±6.68 years. Before the intervention, the difference between the two groups was insignificant (P>0.05), while after the intervention, a negative relationship was found between the STAI score and emotional intelligence in the two groups. Also, the difference between the groups regarding STAI scores was significant (P<0.003). Following the intervention, the emotional intelligence scores were higher in comparison with the pre-intervention period in the intervention group. Also, after the intervention, anxiety decreased in the intervention group in comparison with the pre-intervention period (P<0.001). Conclusion: The present results showed that emotional intelligence scores could improve as a result of training, while the STAI scores significantly decreased.

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Background and Purpose: Cancer is associated with significant changes in the lifestyle of patients. Spiritual well-being has been shown to be an inherent element of health, quality of life, increased survival rate, and enhanced adaptability of cancer patients with the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the spiritual health of cancer patients and their nurses. Methods: This descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 hospitalized cancer patients and 60 nurses in the hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran during March-October 2014. Participants were selected via accident sampling, and data were collected using the Spiritual Well-being Scale (SWBS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and T-test. Results: In cancer patients, mean scores of religious, existential and spiritual well-being were 52±2.32, 46±1.23 and 99±3.73, respectively. In the studied nurses, these scores were 29±4.43, 40±1.17 and 70±4.02, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the scores of spiritual well-being between cancer patients and nurses (P=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, spiritual well-being largely contributes to the mental health of cancer patients. Therefore, higher spiritual well-being of nurses could enhance the spiritual health of cancer patients as well.

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Background and Purpose: Vitamin C is administered orally or intravenously for the treatment of burn wounds. However, effects of the topical application of vitamin C remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical vitamin C solution on the necrotic tissue volume of second-degree burn wounds. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 30 patients with second-degree burns admitted to the burn unit of Vasee Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran. Burn wound areas were divided into two parts, receiving routine treatment with sulfadiazine ointment and vitamin C in addition to sulfadiazine. After cleaning the wounds, dressings were replaced daily. Depth of burn wounds in each area was observed to be similar. Burn wounds were examined on days one, three, seven and 14 after the burn incidents using Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: In patients of the experimental area, mean volume of necrotic tissue was1.033±0.182 at baseline, while it reached 1.233±0.430 on day 14 after the incident. In the control group, mean volume of necrotic tissue was 1.000±0.000 at baseline, while it increased to 1.700±0.794 on day 14 after the incident. On day 14, a significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups in this regard (P=0.018; f=5.982). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, topical administration of vitamin C could be largely effective in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds.

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Background and Purpose: Hepatitis B is a major health problem around the globe the prevalence of which varies depending on the region and study. In this study, we aimed to determine the epidemiology and prevalence rates of hepatitis B in Fasa, Iran. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed using medical records of all the hepatitis B patients referring to Fasa Health Center during 2002-2014. The demographic variables and other required data were obtained and recorded, and then descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and percentage) were reported using SPSS, version 18. Results: In this study, from the 208 patients, 83.2% were male, and 83.2% were aged between 21 and 30 years. The majority of the hepatitis B patients (97.1%) did not have history of vaccination against the disease. The number of addicts using intravenous injection and suffering from hepatitis B was higher (31.7%) than others. The prevalence rate of this disease was 0.01% in 2014. Conclusion: The prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B in 2014 in Fasa indicate the necessity of prevention and vaccination for those at high risk of the disease. Health education programs in schools, universities, organizations, and even mosques can play a major role in preventing the prevalence of the disease.

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Background and Purpose: Diabetes in the elderly is mostly associated with increased risk of development and worsening of geriatric syndromes. In addition, it has a significant impact on various aspects of individuals with these syndromes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in elderly diabetic patients. Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 88 elderly diabetic patients (selected from 1400 diabetic patients) with medical records at diabetes centers in Kashan, Iran in 2006. The study tools were demographic questionnaire and Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (41-item version), applied to evaluate the general (13-52 scores), specific (27-108 scores) and total (40-160 scores) aspects of QOL. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: In total, 65.9% of the patients were female and 34.1% were male. In terms of the aspects of QOL (i.e., general, specific and total), 68.2%, 77.3% and 53.4% of the elderly patients had weak scores, respectively. Conclusion: Given the low QOL in the majority of elderly diabetic patients, our results indicated that these type of patients need special healthcare. In other words, this study reaffirmed the role of caring for the health of elderly diabetic patients.

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