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Advances in Clinical Nursing: Integrating Advanced Surgical and Medical Nursing...
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Advances in Clinical Nursing: Integrating Advanced Surgical and Medical Nursing for Enhanced Patient Outcomes

A special issue of Clinics and Practice (ISSN 2039-7283).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 784

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Georgios Vasilopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
Interests: surgical nursing; wound care; quality of life; negative pressure wound therapy; acute care nursing; evidence based nursing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on contemporary advancements in clinical nursing, highlighting the integration of advanced surgical and medical nursing practices aimed at improving patient outcomes. It emphasizes evidence-based nursing interventions, management of complex conditions, and the role of advanced nursing competencies in both surgical and medical specialties. Pathophysiological concepts, comprehensive clinical assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches for enhancing patient safety, symptom management, and recovery will be thoroughly explored.

Dr. Georgios Vasilopoulos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Clinics and Practice is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • clinical practice
  • advanced surgical nursing
  • health care
  • health care systems
  • evidence-based nursing
  • evidence-based medicine
  • patient outcomes

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 259 KB  
Article
Fatigue Among Caregivers of Hospitalized Patients
by Eleni Maria Mitrou, Lamprini Avramopoulou, Dimitrios Alefragkis, Athanasia Tsami and Maria Polikandrioti
Clin. Pract. 2026, 16(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16010022 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 100
Abstract
Introduction: Caregiving has been an emerging public health priority mainly due to the rapid pace of population aging, increase in chronic diseases and shortages of health professionals. In clinical settings, caregivers have a crucial role by providing support to patients. Consequently, they [...] Read more.
Introduction: Caregiving has been an emerging public health priority mainly due to the rapid pace of population aging, increase in chronic diseases and shortages of health professionals. In clinical settings, caregivers have a crucial role by providing support to patients. Consequently, they may experience physical and emotional burden mainly attributed to environmental, personal or family stressors. The aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue and the associated factors among caregivers of hospitalized patients in medical-surgical wards. Methods and Material: In the present study caregivers of hospitalized patients in medical and surgical wards were enrolled. Collection of data was performed with the following: a. Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), b. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and c. Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), which included patients’ characteristics. In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected using the method of convenience sampling. Results: Of the 142 participants, the majority were spouses (64.8%), female (64.8%) and over 60 years old (53.6%). The mean FAS score was 25.9 ± 9.3, the mean SAS was 38.1 ± 9.0, and the mean AIS score was 7.6 ± 4.7, indicating moderate, moderate to low and moderate levels of fatigue, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Moreover, fatigue showed a positive linear correlation with both anxiety (Spearman’s rho = 0.713) and insomnia (Spearman’s rho = 0.671). The factors found to be statistically significantly associated with caregivers’ fatigue were the following: gender (p = 0.001), length of hospitalization (p = 0.013), experience of environmental stressors (p = 0.045), experience of financial stressors (p = 0.001), and unfamiliarity with the provision of care (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Provided that caregivers’ involvement in care not only enhances patient well-being but also supports clinical teams, it is widely comprehended that addressing their needs should be emphasized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Nursing: Integrating Advanced Surgical and Medical Nursing for Enhanced Patient Outcomes)
15 pages, 236 KB  
Article
Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Ileostomy
by Panagiota Makrygianni, Maria Polikandrioti, Ioannis Koutelekos, Ilias Tsiampouris and Georgios Vasilopoulos
Clin. Pract. 2026, 16(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16010018 - 18 Jan 2026
Viewed by 150
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with colorectal cancer who undergo ileostomy surgery confront multifaceted challenges that significantly impact their daily lives and cause symptoms of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the anxiety and depression experienced by colorectal cancer patients undergoing [...] Read more.
Introduction: Patients with colorectal cancer who undergo ileostomy surgery confront multifaceted challenges that significantly impact their daily lives and cause symptoms of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the anxiety and depression experienced by colorectal cancer patients undergoing ileostomy with three assessments. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study included 96 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer who underwent scheduled ileostomy surgery at two public hospitals in Attica. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) was used, which included patients’ characteristics. Measurements were collected at three distinct time points: preoperatively (Time 1), postoperatively between the 12th and 14th day (Time 2), and after stoma closure, approximately one year later (Time 3). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 26.0 statistical package and the statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The proportion of participants reporting moderate levels of anxiety (scores 8–10) was 15.6% at Time 1, which increased to 27.1% at Time 2, and had a slight increase to 28.1% at Time 3. The increase was statistically significant between Time 1 and Time 2 and at Time 1 and Time 3 (p < 0.001). Regarding high levels of anxiety (scores >11), the percentage of affected individuals increased from 13.5% at Time 1 to 17.7% at Time 2 and reached 15.6% at Time 3. The comparison between Time 1 and Time 2 revealed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.016), while the subsequent decrease between Time 2 and Time 3 was not statistically significant (p = 0.508). In terms of depression, at Time 1, 84.4% of patients had low depression, which decreased significantly to 56.3% at Time 2 and 39.6% at Time 3 (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The percentage of patients who were moderately depressed at Time 1 was 9.4%; this percentage increased significantly to 32.3% at Time 2 and remained high, reaching 29.2% at Time 3. Finally, the proportion of patients who had high levels of depression at Time 1 was 6.3%, a figure that rose to 11.5% and 31.3% for Time 2 and Time 3, respectively. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression experienced by colorectal cancer patients undergoing ileostomy surgery escalate postoperatively and remain at high levels after ileostomy closure. Understanding these mental health challenges is crucial for providing comprehensive patient care. Further research is needed on the early recognition and management of these emotional difficulties, which are key elements of holistic oncology care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Nursing: Integrating Advanced Surgical and Medical Nursing for Enhanced Patient Outcomes)

Review

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10 pages, 193 KB  
Review
Attention to Elderspeak: A Call for Dignity-Affirming Communication in Advanced Nursing Care
by Takahiko Nagamine
Clin. Pract. 2026, 16(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16010021 - 22 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 119
Abstract
Elderspeak is a form of communication overaccommodation directed toward older adults, characterized by simplified language and an elevated pitch. While typically well-intentioned, it is rooted in ageist stereotypes and linked to negative health outcomes. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and [...] Read more.
Elderspeak is a form of communication overaccommodation directed toward older adults, characterized by simplified language and an elevated pitch. While typically well-intentioned, it is rooted in ageist stereotypes and linked to negative health outcomes. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO (2018–2025), yielding 24 key articles focusing on acute and surgical settings. The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize current evidence on Elderspeak within acute care hospitals and propose a research framework and intervention strategies. Elderspeak is a key determinant of resistiveness to care (RTC), particularly in acute settings where it is triggered by functional impairment. Exposure increases patient distress and negatively impacts vital signs and cooperation with medical interventions. Inconsistent measurement is being addressed through standardized schemes like the Iowa Coding Scheme for Elderspeak (ICodE). This paper proposes that future research must employ mixed-methods, longitudinal designs to capture the impact of Elderspeak on long-term outcomes. Drawing on the ICodE, we propose a qualitative self-reflection tool for clinicians to enhance awareness in high-stakes acute settings. Eliminating Elderspeak is a foundational necessity for patient safety and dignity-affirming care in advanced nursing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Nursing: Integrating Advanced Surgical and Medical Nursing for Enhanced Patient Outcomes)
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