Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.8
2.0
Journals
Nursing Reports
Special Issues
Caring in Emergency Settings: Nursing, Professional Practices, and Shared Experiences
share announcement

Caring in Emergency Settings: Nursing, Professional Practices, and Shared Experiences

A special issue of Nursing Reports (ISSN 2039-4403).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 3151

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Francisco Velarde-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Group in Social Health Care Needs for the Population at Risk of Exclusion, School of Nursing, Red Cross University, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28003 Madrid, Spain
2. Research Nursing Group of Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio Maranon (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
3. Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), 28922 Alcorcon, Spain
Interests: emergency care; critical care; end-of-life care; clinical simulation; qualitative research; vulnerable populations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Oscar Arrogante

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podology, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: emergency care; critical care; clinical simulation; nursing students

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emergency care settings represent some of the most complex and demanding environments within the healthcare system, where care must be delivered rapidly, effectively, and humanely. This Special Issue aims to explore the multiple dimensions of care in urgent contexts, encompassing not only professional nursing practices but also the informal forms of care that emerge in these situations, such as the support provided by families and other non-professional caregivers. Our goal is to shed light on both the technical and organizational challenges as well as the emotional, ethical, and interpersonal experiences involved in caring during critical moments. We welcome original research, case studies, reviews, and reflective narratives that address topics such as clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, nursing staff resilience, ethical dilemmas, and emergency nursing education, while also considering the family’s role in supporting and caring for individuals in crisis. Through this Special Issue, we seek to foster critical reflection on the concept of care in its broadest sense—recognizing not only its technical aspects, but also its human, relational, and community-based dimensions.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this important and evolving area of nursing science.

Dr. Juan Francisco Velarde-García
Dr. Oscar Arrogante
Guest Editors

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. Nursing Reports 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

  • emergency nursing
  • interprofessional relations
  • family caregivers
  • critical care
  • first aid
  • transportation of patients

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

19 pages, 410 KB  
Article
Comfort and Person-Centered Care: Adaptation and Validation of the Colcaba-32 Scale in the Context of Emergency Services
by Maria do Céu Marques, Margarida Goes, Ana João, Henrique Oliveira, Cláudia Mendes, Rute Pires and Nuno Bravo
Nurs. Rep. 2025, 15(11), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15110383 - 28 Oct 2025
Viewed by 903
Abstract
Introduction: Patient comfort is a central concept in nursing practice, and is particularly important in emergency contexts, where clinical complexity and care overload challenge the provision of humanized care. Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort offers a robust theoretical framework for assessing and promoting [...] Read more.
Introduction: Patient comfort is a central concept in nursing practice, and is particularly important in emergency contexts, where clinical complexity and care overload challenge the provision of humanized care. Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort offers a robust theoretical framework for assessing and promoting comfort in multiple domains. The main objective is to psychometrically validate the adapted version of Kolcaba’s Comfort Scale—COLCABA-32—in critically ill patients treated in a Portuguese hospital emergency department. Method: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 165 adult patients triaged with urgent clinical priority. Data collection was performed through individual interviews. The COLCABA-32 Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and correlation with clinical priority according to the Manchester Triage. Results: PCA revealed six factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, explaining 59.01% of the total variance of the scale. The dimensions identified were psycho-emotional comfort and autonomy, physical and symptomatic comfort, relational comfort and information, spiritual comfort, environmental comfort and motivational comfort and hope. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.897, indicating excellent internal consistency. Correlations with clinical priority confirmed partial convergent validity. Conclusions: The COLCABA-32 Scale demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for assessing the comfort of critically ill patients in an emergency setting and is a valid, reliable, and sensitive instrument for the multiple dimensions of comfort, as proposed by Kolcaba. Its application can contribute to more person-centered and evidence-based nursing practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Caring in Emergency Settings: Nursing, Professional Practices, and Shared Experiences)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 750 KB  
Article
Parents as First Responders: Experiences of Emergency Care in Children with Nemaline Myopathy: A Qualitative Study
by Raúl Merchán Arjona, Juan Francisco Velarde-García, Enrique Pacheco del Cerro and Alfonso Meneses Monroy
Nurs. Rep. 2025, 15(8), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15080271 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1315
Abstract
Background: Nemaline myopathy is a rare congenital neuromuscular disease associated with progressive weakness and frequent respiratory complications. In emergency situations, families often serve as the first and only responders. The aim of this study is to explore how parents in Spain care [...] Read more.
Background: Nemaline myopathy is a rare congenital neuromuscular disease associated with progressive weakness and frequent respiratory complications. In emergency situations, families often serve as the first and only responders. The aim of this study is to explore how parents in Spain care for children with nemaline myopathy during emergency situations, focusing on the clinical responses performed at home and the organizational challenges encountered when interacting with healthcare systems. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 17 parents from 10 families belonging to the Asociación Yo Nemalínica. Semi-structured interviews were performed via video calls, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive method and ATLAS.ti software (version 24). Methodological rigor was ensured through triangulation, reflexivity, and member validation. Results: Four themes were identified. First, families were described as acting under extreme pressure and in isolation during acute home emergencies, often providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respiratory support without professional backup. Second, families managed ambiguous signs of deterioration using clinical judgment and home monitoring tools, often preventing fatal outcomes. Third, parents frequently assumed guiding roles in emergency departments due to a lack of clinician familiarity with the disease, leading to delays or errors. Finally, the transition to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was marked by emotional distress and rapid decision-making, with families often participating in critical choices about invasive procedures. These findings underscore the complex, multidisciplinary nature of caregiving. Conclusions: Parents play an active clinical role during emergencies and episodes of deterioration. Their lived experience should be formally integrated into emergency protocols and the continuity of care strategies to improve safety and outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Caring in Emergency Settings: Nursing, Professional Practices, and Shared Experiences)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

30 pages, 2225 KB  
Systematic Review
Biopsychosocial and Occupational Health of Emergency Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Rafael Galindo-Herrera, Manuel Pabón-Carrasco, Rocío Romero-Castillo and Miguel Garrido-Bueno
Nurs. Rep. 2025, 15(12), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15120430 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 418
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emergency healthcare professionals are continually exposed to high clinical and organizational demands that compromise their mental, physical, and occupational health. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence and interrelations of biopsychosocial and work-related health outcomes among emergency personnel, providing an integrated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Emergency healthcare professionals are continually exposed to high clinical and organizational demands that compromise their mental, physical, and occupational health. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence and interrelations of biopsychosocial and work-related health outcomes among emergency personnel, providing an integrated synthesis of recent empirical evidence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL identified 6214 records, of which 50 studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed (total n = 278,000 emergency professionals). Eligible studies (2020–2025) evaluated biopsychosocial outcomes (burnout, depression, stress, resilience, sleep quality) and occupational indicators (workplace violence, job satisfaction, effort-reward imbalance, engagement, turnover intention). Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models (DerSimonian-Laird method), producing pooled prevalence estimates for each outcome based on the number of studies that reported the corresponding variable. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools, with most studies rated as moderate-to-high quality. Results: Pooled estimates showed fair self-perceived health in 44.0%, severe burnout in 10.7%, depressive symptoms in 35.1%, moderate-to-severe stress in 74.6%, and poor sleep quality in 40.1% of staff. Workplace violence affected 76.9% of professionals. Job satisfaction averaged 68.1%, turnover intention 62.1%, and effort-reward imbalance 61.9%. Resilience was predominantly moderate (33.9%). Considerable heterogeneity was observed; however, patterns were consistent across regions and professional roles. Conclusions: Emergency healthcare personnel face substantial biopsychosocial strain and occupational risks, driven by persistent structural pressures. Health systems should implement integrated organizational strategies to reduce violence, enhance psychological support, ensure safe staffing, and protect rest and recovery. Improving staff well-being is essential for maintaining a resilient and effective emergency care workforce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Caring in Emergency Settings: Nursing, Professional Practices, and Shared Experiences)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop