Isabel Gonçalves , Hospital da Luz Lisboa nurse coordinator, concluded her doctorate degree in Nursing, last May 28, at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Portuguese Catholic University. Her thesis – entitled “Effect of the reference nurse model in elderly care with multimorbidity at hospital: Quasi-experimental study” – earned the unanimous approval of the jury with maximum rating ( Summa Cum Laude ). The reference nurse is a model of organization with a nurse responsible for the nursing care provided to the patient along the whole hospitalization period. It is the responsibility of this nurse to identify the patient’s care needs at the time of admission, establish a plan, evaluate the results, and prepare in advance the hospital discharge, besides articulating that care plan with other health professionals. “This study analysed the impact of the reference nurse on the therapeutic selfcare of the elderly person with multiple chronic diseases, in hospitalization, as well as the satisfaction with the care provided”, explains Isabel Gonçalves. In that sense, a quasi-experimental study was developed with a control group, at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. Two inpatient units were compared: in the intervention unit, the reference nurse model was implemented; in the control unit, there was no alteration to the usual care providing model. The study comprised three evaluation moments of the therapeutic selfcare (admission to the inpatient unit, discharge, and follow-up a month later). Satisfaction with the nursing care provided was evaluated at the time of discharge. Results showed that: Participants in the intervention group registered gains in therapeutic selfcare competences throughout hospitalization, compared with the control group. The dimensions registering statistically significant differences were the dimension of signals and symptoms acknowledgement, and the dimension of medication management. Satisfaction with nursing care provided was higher in the intervention unit, with emphasis on the feeling of safety and respect for each one’s individuality. “This work reinforces the importance of continuity and coordination of nursing care ensured by the reference nurse model, in terms of autonomy promotion and quality of life of these patients”, concluded Isabel Gonçalves. The doctorate advisors were Elisabete Nunes (Lisbon Superior School of Nursing – ESEL) and Élvio de Jesus (Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Portuguese Catholic University – FCSE/UCP). It also counted with the collaboration of Sofia Almeida (FCSE/UCP) in the statistical data processing. In the photo above , the new doctor and the jury: Pedro Lucas (ESEL), Fernando Amaral (Coimbra Superior School of Nursing), Ana Mineiro (FCSE/UCP), Isabel Gonçalves, Élvio de Jesus, José Manuel Pereira de Almeida (UCP and president of the jury), Beatriz Araújo (FCSE/UCP) and Sílvia Caldeira (FCSE/UCP).
