bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative analysis of the information needs of informal carers of terminally ill cancer patients
Authors: ROSE KARNE E
Published: March 2003

• This article discusses issues relating to information arising from a qualitative study of the experiences of informal carers of terminally ill cancer patients.

• Qualitative data analysis, drawing on methods of literary criticism, revealed that information was a key area in carers' experience.

• The findings are presented in the context of needing to provide individualized care to every family and deal with information needs relating to the illness and prognosis.

• The question of who is in possession of what information is raised, and the effect that this can have on couples is discussed, together with the issue of false information which carers may receive.

• The discussion centres on the complexity of understanding carers' information needs and considers how these are affected by the context within which carers operate.

• The work of Glaser and Strauss on awareness contexts is discussed in this respect.

• Finally, the importance of the nurse's role as a sensitive mediator of information is considered.
Identifying older people in need using action research
Authors: MOYER ALWYN , CORISTINE MARJORIE , JAMAULT MYRIAM , ROBERGE GINETTE , O'HAGAN MARYAN
Published: March 2003

• An ageing population has implications for community‐based health promotion and disease prevention. There is concern about older people who do not fit into existing programmes and services yet need minimal support to maintain independence.

• A study was designed to develop approaches to gain access to this hard to reach population, assess needs and design and test interventions to integrate them into the community.

• The study, informed by theories of health promotion and social support, used action research methods. Participant observation documented in field notes, together with case notes and clinical assessments, provided a rich source of qualitative and quantitative data.

• This article discusses the needs assessment. Over a 3‐year period, public health nurses linked with community groups in a predominantly francophone, urban community to identify the target group.

• Key characteristics of the target group included limitations with instrumental activities of daily living and low levels of social support combined with stressful life situations that challenged adaptation.

• Three patterns of inadequate support were identified.
The risk of pressure sores: a conceptual scheme
Authors: DEFLOOR TOM
Published: March 2003

• Based on a review of the literature related to the prediction and prevention of pressure sores, a conceptual scheme on pressure sores is introduced.

• The article highlights the four elements of the scheme: pressure, shearing force, tissue tolerance for pressure and tissue tolerance for oxygen. Factors influencing pressure and shearing forces, the pressure distribution capacity of tissue, the oxygen need of tissue and oxygen supply to tissue are discussed.
‘Going to the bathroom four or five times a night …’: seven men talk about their experiences of benign prostatic hyperplasia and the perioperative period
Authors: Kiviniemi Kirsi , Suominen Tarja
Published: March 2003

• This study describes ageing men’s experiences of benign prostatic hyperplasia and transurethral resection.

• The experiences of ageing men participating in this study vary in different periods of their treatment.

• It is evident that experiences are attached to feelings, cognitive thinking and responses.
Patients’ experiences of having an underwater seal chest drain: a replication study
Authors: Fox Valerie , Gould Dinah , Davies Nigel , Owen Suzanne
Published: March 2003

• The nursing management of patients who have a chest drain in situ has received little attention.

• The findings of a single small‐scale study previously indicated that such patients’ needs for information are not always fully met and pain control is inadequate.

• This small‐scale study was replicated to produce broadly similar findings in a second hospital 2 years later.

• Despite some differences in the approach to management it was apparent that patients were still not well prepared pre‐operatively and there was scope for improving pain control.

• All the patients reported considerable discomfort and pain of moderate to severe intensity. The type of pain described is typical of deep somatic/visceral pain.
Patients’ views on quality of care: age effects and identification of patient profiles
Authors: Wilde Larsson Bodil
Published: March 2003

• Age differences among physically ill inpatients, regarding their evaluation of the subjective importance of various care conditions, as well as their actual evaluations of these conditions, were explored.

• Subjective importance ratings were found to be unrelated to age. Patients’ perceptions of the care they actually received indicated increasingly more positive evaluations with increasing age.

• Profiles of more and less satisfied patients were obtained using cluster analysis. Lowest satisfaction was reported by younger and well‐educated women with a lower sense of coherence (as measured by Antonovsky’s (1987) version of the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire) who stayed for a short period of time in hospital.

• It was concluded that caregivers need to focus on individual patient characteristics when looking at quality of care from a patient perspective. Generalizations based on age alone tend to be misleading.
Women living with type II diabetes: the intrusion of illness
Authors: Koch Tina , Kralik Debbie , Sonnack Diana
Published: March 2003

• This study is part of a larger research project which aimed to create an understanding of how people with type II diabetes incorporated chronic illness into their lives. We aimed to find wellness in the context of a chronic illness.

• The participatory action‐orientated research (PAR) approach is consumer based and managed, and six women with diabetes and the research team met for eight two‐hour sessions in August and September 1998.

• The objectives were to contribute to understanding of the health of adults who live with chronic illness by providing greater insight and understanding into the worlds of people who live with a chronic illness and allowing the voices of people with diabetes to be clearly heard in relation to their health.

• There was a wellness theme around taking time out, but considering the other dominant negative experiences, this study can only be considered as an attempt to find wellness in the context of chronic illness.

• The PAR process, built upon sharing, listening and reconstructing stories, worked toward the women being heard and having a voice for the first time.

• Listening and acting upon the voices of the women has implications for the practice of health care professionals.
Determining older people’s need for registered nursing in continuing healthcare: the contribution of the Royal College of Nursing’s Older People Assessment Tool
Authors: Ford Pauline , McCormack Brendan
Published: March 2003

• This paper presents an overview of the work of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in developing an assessment tool to determine the need for registered nursing by older people in continuing care.

• In the past, healthcare has been provided free and social care ‘means‐tested’.

• The erosion of the NHS’s responsibility for continuing care provision through the development of eligibility criteria has resulted in the majority of older people having their care services means‐tested, including their nursing care.

• The RCN has argued that older people have inter‐related health and social care needs, that nursing care is an integral component of healthcare provision and that therefore older people should not have to pay for nursing care.

• This paper describes the work undertaken by the RCN to develop a tool for use in assessing older people’s need for registered nursing –‘The RCN Nursing Older People Assessment Tool’.

• The underpinning theoretical framework is outlined and the process of constructing the tool is described.

• In addition, the stages of assessment using the tool are outlined.

• A pilot study in seven nursing homes managed by three different companies was undertaken to test the reliability and acceptability of the tool. 178 paired assessments were completed (89% of the intended sample).

• The results of the pilot study demonstrated that the tool has a high degree of reliability and acceptability.

• Further testing of the tool is recommended using a larger sample of nursing home residents.
Conceptual analysis of compliance
Authors: Kyngäs Helvi , Duffy Mary E. , Kroll Thilo
Published: March 2003

• Compliance has been studied from a wide range of scientific perspectives including medicine, nursing, psychology and health economics.

• There is no agreement regarding a commonly accepted definition. Lack of consistency in the definition and measurement of compliance is a major problem in research which becomes more complicated in an international study.

• The response to the confusion over the term compliance has been to suggest and use alternative terms such as adherence, co‐operation, mutuality and therapeutic alliance. These terms are ill‐defined and often are used as synonyms.

• The purpose of this paper is to analyse definitions of the concept of compliance. Abstracts from MEDLINE have been analysed in order to identify the types of compliance research that have been carried out.
Infection control in wound care: a study of fatalism in community nursing
Authors: Hallett Christine E.
Published: March 2003

• As part of a study of community nurses’ perceptions of quality in nursing care, the author conducted in‐depth qualitative interviews with seven community‐based nurses.

• As part of the study, nurses were asked to describe episodes of wound care and to discuss the factors which could affect the quality of such care.

• One of the most interesting themes to emerge from the data was the apparent ambivalence of the nurses’ attitudes towards infection control in wound care.

• Nurses discussed the concept of ‘aseptic technique’ in fatalistic terms and seemed uncertain about what could be achieved in terms of infection control.

• Although their policy guidelines referred to ‘aseptic technique’, their educational experience appeared to have made them feel uncertain about the implementation of the measures involved.

• With the proviso that this was a small scale qualitative study, the author concludes by suggesting that there is a need for greater clarity, both in what is taught and in what is included in practice policy with regard to infection control in wound care.
The image of the children’s nurse: a study of the qualities required by families of children’s nurses’ uniform
Authors: Campbell Steve , O’Malley Christine , Watson Don , Charlwood Jan , Lowson Susan M.
Published: March 2003

• Traditional views of the nurse see ‘her’ in a nurse’s uniform, whether she be a ‘sex symbol’, ‘angel of mercy’ or ‘battle axe’. Children’s nursing has, over recent years, moved away from the idea of the uniform into more child friendly clothes, though the traditional uniform is still presented to the public by the media.

• The staff members of a Children’s Outpatients Department (COPD) of a large acute hospital requested knowledge of the qualities families required from the uniform of nurses caring for them, prior to any change in uniform. This study aimed to develop an understanding of these qualities via the use of a survey presented to those attending the COPD.

• The findings indicate that there is a complex relationship between the qualities that families wish the uniform to present. A balance is needed between presenting a professional authority figure, providing security for families and suggesting an approachable figure, to allow effective communication between staff and families.
Discharge planning: an exploratory study
Authors: McKenna Hugh , Keeney Sinead , Glenn Anita , Gordon Pauline
Published: March 2003

• The desire to reduce the length of waiting lists in the modern health service means that strategies for decreasing the length of hospital stay are exercising the minds of service planners.

• This has led to renewed emphasis on well planned discharge policies and procedures.

• The aim of this study was to analyse all discharge policies and procedures currently in use in one large integrated NHS trust in Northern Ireland and formulate a Corporate Discharge Policy for general use in NHS trusts.

• Objectives of the study included examining the current process of discharge, reviewing the interface between ward staff and district nursing services and examining the quality and standard of documentation in use.

• Findings indicate the need for standardization of the discharge planning process and sufficient notice of discharge, and for clarification and education regarding staff roles, the importance of multidisciplinary working, and the lack of quality communication between acute and community services.
Investigating recovery from stroke: a qualitative study
Authors: Dowswell George , Lawler John , Dowswell Therese , Young John , Forster Anne , Hearn Jeff
Published: March 2003

• A recent randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of specialist nurses providing information, advice and support to caregivers and patients at home during the first year after a stroke.

• Reported here are the results of a complementary study which used qualitative methods to examine the experience of patients and caregivers during the year of recovery after a stroke.

• We used semi‐structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of 30 patients and 15 caregivers at the end of a randomized controlled trial (13–16 months post‐stroke).

• Patients and caregivers provided vivid descriptions of the recovery process. Recovery was perceived in terms of the degree of congruence patients identified between their lives before, and after, stroke. Patients therefore had individual and personal yardsticks for measuring their recovery.

• In conclusion, further research and interventions must consider the diverse, complex, dynamic and highly personal character of stroke recovery. Traditional outcome measures are too simplistic to capture patients’ and caregivers’ experiences. There do not appear to be single or simple solutions to the problems of facilitating psycho‐social adjustment.
Professionals’ perceptions of children’s participation in decision making in healthcare
Authors: Runeson Ingrid , Enskär Karin , Elander Gunnel , Hermerén Göran
Published: March 2003

•  The purpose of this study was to identify factors of importance for children’s participation in medical and nursing care.

•  A method close to the critical incident technique was used.

•  A total of 92 stories told by staff and containing different levels of children’s participation in decision making were analysed.

•  The factors affecting children’s participation in decision making were grouped into six categories: the child’s protest, the child’s age and maturity, the role of parents, attitudes of staff, the time factor and alternative solutions to the problem.

•  This study shows that in certain cases children can affect their situation, but also that violating actions are performed on children.
Nurse–doctor interactions during critical care ward rounds
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Street Annette
Published: March 2003

• This paper describes the participation of critical care nurses in ward rounds, and explores the power relations associated with the ways in which nurses interact with doctors during this oral forum of communication.

• The study comprised a critical ethnographic study of six registered nurses working in a critical care unit.

• Data collection methods involved professional journalling, participant observation, and individual and focus group interviews with the six participating nurses.

• Findings demonstrated that doctors used nurses to supplement information and provide extra detail about patient assessment during ward rounds. Nurses experienced enormous barriers to participating in decision‐making activities during ward round discussions.

• By challenging the different points of view that doctors and nurses might hold about the ward round process, the opportunity exists for enhanced participation by nurses.
Caring for dying infants: experiences of neonatal intensive care nurses in Hong Kong
Authors: Yam Bernard M. C. , Rossiter Joh Chin , Cheung Karen Y. S.
Published: March 2003

• Ten registered nurses working in a neonatal intensive care unit in Hong Kong were interviewed to explore their experiences of caring for infants whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment, their perceptions of palliative care, and factors influencing their care.

• Eight categories emerged from the content analysis of the interviews: disbelieving; feeling ambivalent and helpless; protecting emotional self; providing optimal physical care to the infant; providing emotional support to the family; expressing empathy; lack of knowledge and counselling skills; and conflicting values in care.

• The subtle cultural upbringing and socialization in nurse training and workplace environment also contributed to their moral distress.

• Hospital and nurse administrators should consider different ways of facilitating palliative care in their acute care settings. For example, by culture‐specific death education, peer support groups, bereavement teams, modification of departmental policies, and a supportive work environment.

• Future research could include the identification of family needs and coping as well as ethical decision‐making among nurses.
Spiritual support for terminally ill patients: nursing staff assessments
Authors: Kuuppelomäki Merja
Published: March 2003

• This study is part of a larger questionnaire survey concerned with the views of nursing staff on physical, emotional and spiritual support for terminally ill patients and decision making on the transition to the terminal phase of treatment.

• This article discusses the results concerning the spiritual support offered to terminally ill patients. The results describe the readiness and willingness of nursing staff to provide spiritual support, the expression of spiritual needs by patients, the provision of spiritual support, and problems occurring in providing this support.

• A total of 328 nurses working on the in‐patient wards of 32 community health centres took part. Data were collected with a questionnaire including both multiple choice items and open‐ended questions. The data were processed with SPSS software and the responses to the open‐ended questions were interpreted using content analysis.

• The results revealed shortcomings in nurses’ readiness and willingness to provide spiritual support and clearly highlighted the need for further training. Half of the nurses said they only rarely offered spiritual support to their patients.

• The nurses drew attention to problems within themselves, their patients and with the availability of the chaplain’s services. The results also pointed to factors related to the health centre and nursing staff.
Ovarian cancer patients: are their informational and emotional needs being met?
Authors: JEFFERIES HILARY
Published: March 2003

• A study was undertaken to assess if the informational and emotional needs of ovarian cancer patients were being met according to their individual requirements.

• In the study, a gynaecology oncology specialist nurse provided hospital nursing support through individual care and a patients' support group.

• A questionnaire was completed by 24 patients using an integrated qualitative and quantitative data collection.

• This study showed that respondents evaluated positively the care provided in these two ways.

• Further research into the needs of gynaecological cancer patients should be undertaken.
Nursing‐led in‐patient units for intermediate care: a survey of multidisciplinary discharge planning practice
Authors: GRIFFITHS PETER
Published: March 2003

• The effectiveness of post‐acute intermediate care in nursing‐led intermediate care in‐patient units (NLIU) has been studied over the past 20 years.

• Accounts, both positive and negative, have tended to view it as a uni‐disciplinary intervention. The previous studies are in effect a series of single case studies and as such need to be accompanied by richer descriptions of care processes in order to be useful.

• A survey was conducted, in parallel with a randomized‐controlled trial (n=177), to compare multidisciplinary care and discharge planning practice on the NLIU with 16 wards that referred patients to it.

• The findings identify that a wide range of professions participate in care on the NLIU with physiotherapists and occupational therapists most widely involved.

• In general the team composition and care processes differed little between the NLIU and control wards. There was some evidence that there was lower participation in care on the NLIU from occupational therapy and social work. It is concluded that the NLIU is a complex multidisciplinary intervention.

• Positive results from some NLIUs may only be generalizable to settings with similar skill mix across the multidisciplinary team as that found in the acute hospital. Reduced skill mix may be a causal factor leading to extended stays and increased total care costs.

• This caution should be extended to other models of intermediate care, whether or not they are nursing‐led.
Nurses' altered conceptions of work in a ward with all‐RN staffing
Authors: LUNDGREN SOLVEIG M. , SEGESTEN KERSTIN
Published: March 2003

• The aim of this study was to investigate how nurses' conceptions of their patients and work changed after reorganization to all RN‐staffing and the adoption of a patient‐in‐focus philosophy on the ward.

• The study builds on the perspective that the individual's conception of work precedes and forms the basis for the development of knowledge, skills and attributes used in accomplishing work.

• The findings are based on a secondary analysis of two open interviews with 22 nurses on the ward. These interviews were conducted on two occasions with an interval of 2 years. The third interview was carried out 6 months later, when 10 nurses were asked to talk about a patient's care episode in a narrative form.

• The nurses' conceptions changed towards a holistic view of the patient, they developed a new approach to work and they used the altered circumstances in their work.
Exploring multi‐agency working in services to disabled children with complex healthcare needs and their families
Authors: WATSON DEBBY , TOWNSLEY RUTH , ABBOTT DAVID
Published: March 2003

• Children with complex healthcare needs typically require technical and/or medical equipment in the home. This growing group of children and families need support that crosses agency and professional boundaries, necessitating effective multi‐agency working.

• There are many examples of multi‐agency working around the United Kingdom (UK), some specifically designed to meet the needs of children with complex healthcare needs and their families. Recent legislation and policy statements have highlighted the importance of joint planning and working. Currently no research exists that examines the impact of these initiatives on disabled children with complex healthcare needs and their families.

• The `Working Together' project is an ongoing research study based at the Norah Fry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. The project aims to explore the impact of multi‐agency work on children with complex healthcare needs and their families.

• This paper examines the literature on barriers to disabled children and the need for multi‐agency working. It also considers the concept of multi‐agency working and how different approaches to working together might be perceived by children and families.
Cross‐boundary working: implications for the multiprofessional team
Authors: SCHOLES JULIE , VAUGHAN BARBARA
Published: March 2003

• This paper explores cross‐boundary working and the impact it may have on the manner in which multiprofessional teams function. It draws on data collected for a study commissioned by the Department of Health, Human Resource Initiative entitled Evaluating New Roles in Practice (ENRiP).

• A series of case studies formed one part of the study that aimed to map the process of implementation of new roles in practice, identify the organizational barriers and levers that affected the implementation process and explore the meaning of the new roles from the perspective of postholders, patients and stakeholders.

• A naturalistic approach to enquiry was taken using a combination of participant observation, interviews and reflection.

• The article includes an overview of the current context in which cross‐boundary work is developing, a review of current literature related to multiprofessional issues and team‐working, a brief descriptions of the typology of new roles that emerged as one strand of the ENRiP study, and the impact that these roles had on both interprofessional and multiprofessional working.

• It concludes with a discussion of the implications for practice and the need to ensure that both education and policy are considered in planning for the future.
Need for appropriate written information for patients, with particular reference to head and neck cancer
Authors: SEMPLE CHERITH J. , McGOWAN BRIAN
Published: March 2003

• Patients need and want written information. There is evidence that giving comprehensible information increases overall satisfaction with the care given by healthcare professionals.

• This paper provides a review of the literature on patients' need for appropriate information, with particular reference to head and neck cancer, based on searches of electronic databases.

• Head and neck cancers are among the least common cancers in the UK but these patients have very specific and great needs.

• Written information is a cost‐effective intervention that complements verbal advice given by healthcare professionals.

• Evidence suggests that patient information leaflets are poor and are in language that is difficult for the public to understand.

• Considerable time, effort and user involvement are required to produce acceptable and appropriate information leaflets for patients.
An experimental study on the use of manual pressure to reduce pain in intramuscular injections
Authors: CHUNG JOANNE W. Y. , NG WINNIE M. Y. , WONG THOMAS K. S.
Published: March 2003

• To investigate whether the application of manual pressure to the injection site before intramuscular injection reduces pain.

• An experimental study with intrasubject comparison was conducted using manual pressure to reduce pain associated with intramuscular injection.

• Seventy‐four subjects, participating in an immunization vaccination campaign, were recruited by convenience sampling from a university. They were required to receive two doses of vaccines via intramuscular injections. One was given in a conventional way, i.e. without manual pressure being applied prior to the injection (control condition). The other was given with manual pressure being applied prior to the injection (experimental condition) for 10 seconds. The two conditions were randomly allocated for each subject. The instrument for measuring the perceived pain intensity was the Pain Intensity Verbal Rating Scale (Cantonese). To ensure the consistency of manual pressure being applied to the injection site, a mechanical pressure sensor device was used to record the manual pressure being applied.

• The mean manual pressure applied was 190.82 mmHg (SD=5.25). Results demonstrated a significant difference in the perceived pain intensity for experimental and control conditions. Subjects with manual pressure applied before injections reported lower pain intensity scores, whilst those without the application of manual pressure before injections reported higher pain intensity scores.

• Applying manual pressure to an injection site before performing an injection could be an effective means of decreasing pain intensity.
Patients' learning needs after hip arthroplasty
Authors: JOHANSSON KIRSI , HUPLI MAIJA , SALANTERÄ SANNA
Published: March 2003

• The purpose of this study was to describe patients' learning needs after hip arthroplasty and compare them prior to and 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

• Data were collected in two phases from 22 surgical wards in 17 hospitals in Finland using a Canadian Patient Learning Needs Scale (Galloway et al., 1996). The first questionnaire (n=212, 81%) was completed before hospital discharge and the second (n=144, 55%) was completed at home after hospital discharge.

• Results indicated that patients' learning needs diminished significantly after hospital discharge. In both questionnaires patients felt that the most important information was about complications and symptoms. Information about medication was ranked the second most important.

• Demographic variables such as age, gender, education and working life were clearly related to learning needs. Women over 60 years old, and less educated and retired respondents had many learning needs.
Clinical group supervision in an intensive care unit: a space for relief, and for sharing emotions and experiences of care
Authors: Lindahl Berit , Norberg Astrid
Published: March 2003

•  Much has been written about models, aims and the concept of clinical group supervisional, although few studies are empirical or focus on intensive care.

•  The aim of the study was to illuminate the process and describe, using qualitative content analysis, the content of conversations carried out during the course of clinical group supervision sessions among Registered Nurses (RN) and enrolled nurses (EN) working in an intensive care unit (ICU).

•  During the supervision sessions, ENs talked about their life‐world from a caring perspective, while RNs focused on their professional development. Both ENs and RNs regarded the supervision sessions as a space for relief and for sharing emotions and caring experiences, which helped to manage complex nursing care.

•  The findings are viewed in the light of Roach's theoretical framework describing the attributes of professional care as five Cs. Clinical group supervision is interpreted as supportive in developing interpersonal skills and a sensitive nursing practice.
Attitudes toward patient aggression amongst mental health nurses in the ‘zero tolerance’ era: associations with burnout and length of experience
Authors: Whittington Richard
Published: March 2003

•  UK government policy now officially encourages an attitude of ‘zero tolerance’ towards aggression against health care staff.

•  This study examines levels of such tolerance amongst a group of mental health care staff and associations between tolerance and other occupational and stress factors.

•  Thirty‐seven staff completed a Tolerance Scale (from the Perceptions of Aggression Scale) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

•  Tolerance for aggression was higher amongst more experienced staff (P < 0.01) and high tolerance was associated with low emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and high personal accomplishment (P < 0.01).

•  Some staff endorse positive statements about patient aggression and a tolerant attitude may be linked to low burnout.

•  Nurse attitudes to patient aggression therefore are complex and do not necessarily equate with an approach of ‘zero tolerance’.
Changes in self‐esteem during a 3‐year pre‐registration Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing) programme
Authors: Randle Jacqueline
Published: March 2003

• Nurses’ self‐esteem affects patient care.

• This study measured self‐esteem of pre‐registration nursing students over their 3‐year training programme.

• Quantitative data were measured by the Professional Self‐Concept Nursing Inventory and the Tennessee Self‐Concept Scale.

• Students's self‐esteem decreased during their training programme.

• Results indicate a need to address the damaging effects of the process of becoming a nurse.
Computer‐networks in education—a better way to learn?
Authors: Ådnanes M. , Rønning W.M.
Published: March 2003

Abstract In the period 1992–1994 a project on the use of computer‐networks in education was carried out in five secondary schools in Norway (SIRNET). An important goal was to provide an environment to facilitate quality control in the learning process with a special focus on active student learning. Two different models were explored: completely distributed classes and courses, and partly distributed courses. The results presented here are based on the last year of the project. The main results of the evaluation of SIRNET demonstrated that the first model was the most successful in promoting student responsibility. In this model, the teachers had to rely completely on the technology and on the student's ability to work more independently. The paper concludes that a necessary prerequisite for a successful connection between pedagogy and computer‐technology, requires a common pedagogic view amongst the teachers involved. It is suggested that a certain set of criteria should serve as a ‘check‐list’ in the development and accomplishment of such projects in the future.
An evaluation of the development of IT in a college of nursing and midwifery
Authors: Lauder W. , Currie S. , White J. , Scott B.
Published: March 2003

This paper presents the findings of a case study of the development of IT in a College of Nursing and Midwifery. Data were collected by means of postal questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, direct observations and documentary evidence. The findings suggest that the majority of staff used some form of IT on a regular basis, but only 50% of students used college‐based IT facilities. The main use of IT was for administrative and productive purposes and there was little evidence of IT in teaching/learning methods. Training offered to staff was poorly attended and training offered to students did not meet what they perceived as their needs. Although most staff used IT there was still evidence of resistance and stress related to IT use. The use of IT in the study college was driven by tactical considerations rather than as a part of an explicit strategy.
The impact of computer anxiety and self‐efficacy upon performance
Authors: Brosnan M. J.
Published: March 2003

The relationship between computer anxiety and computer performance is examined using a self‐efficacy framework. A novel database searching task was demonstrated to 50 participants using two procedures (namely, accessing the data tables directly and constructing look‐up tables). Levels of computer anxiety, prior experience and perceptions of self‐efficacy were recorded. The results indicate that computer anxiety directly influences the number of correct responses obtained whilst self‐efficacy determines how the task is attempted. Less anxious subjects obtained more correct responses and subjects with higher perceptions of self‐efficacy used more look‐up tables. The results indicate that self‐efficacy theory can account for around half the variance in computer performance and that how a task is attempted should be assessed in addition to accuracy and speed of performance.
Language learning strategies with sound‐hints in computer‐based drill
Authors: Ikeda N.
Published: March 2003

As a result of the increasing use of computers in education, many CAI and multimedia teaching materials have been developed and used. However, evaluation methods and evaluation standards for these materials and their educational effects, have not yet been established. Much of the research on CAI in language education is related to its development. In this study, the learning histories of using voice hints acquired through lessons using CAI teaching materials developed for students of Japanese as a foreign language have been analysed. The difference in the learning strategies between upper and lower level learners was examined. As a result of this research, it has been possible to identify a difference in the number and timing of the use of voice hints by different students.
The learning value of computer‐based instruction of early reading skills
Authors: Mioduser D. , Tur‐Kaspa H. , Leitner I.
Published: March 2003

Abstract This study examined the unique contribution of computer‐based instruction when compared with more conventional modes of instruction (i.e. teacher instruction with textbooks) to early reading skills acquisition, as well as the effects of specific features of computer technology on early reading skills performance. Forty‐six pre‐school children (aged 5–6), at high risk for learning disabilities, participated in the study. They were assigned to one of three study groups that received different treatments. Three dependent variables were defined, i.e. children's phonological awareness, word recognition and letter recognition skills measured prior and after the treatment. Results clearly indicated that children at high risk who received the reading intervention program with computer materials significantly improved their phonological awareness, word recognition, and letter naming skills relative to their peers who received a reading intervention program with only printed materials and those who received no formal reading intervention program. The results are discussed in detail, with reference to the features of the computer‐based materials that contributed to the acquisition of critical early reading skills.
Gender preferences for multimedia interfaces
Authors: Passig D. , Levin H.
Published: March 2003

Abstract This study examined the gender differences in the preferences to varying designs of multimedia learning interfaces. In the study it was assumed that design characteristics add to the interest in learning and a taxonomy of design of efficient user interfaces for both boys and girls was developed. The research included 90 children from three kindergarten classes who used interactive multimedia stories. The research subjects responded to questions which elicited their level of satisfaction with the various interfaces. The research findings indicate that there is a significant difference in the level of satisfaction between boys and girls depending on the design of the learning interfaces. This paper reports on the findings which were statistically significant.
Computer‐assisted vs. teacher‐directed teaching of numeracy in adults
Authors: Νicol M.M. , Anderson A.
Published: March 2003

Abstract  Whilst a good deal of research literature has been published on using Computer‐Assisted Instruction (CAI) to help teach children with learning disabilities, there are fewer published studies examining the use of CAI with adults with a mild learning disability. This paper reports on an experiment comparing computer‐assisted and teacher‐implemented instruction in numeracy with this population, with a third group acting as a control group. All groups were pre‐tested on two psychometric tests of numeracy, after which the experimental groups received one half‐day per week training in numeracy, with all groups being reassessed after three months and after six months. It was found that overall the three groups improved in their numeracy scores, and that teacher‐led and computer groups improved more as a function of time on the intervention than did the control group. The issue of how much teacher support is required when this population uses CAI is discussed, as are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the software used in the study.
Exploring novice users' training needs in searching information on the WWW
Authors: Lazonder A.W.
Published: March 2003

Abstract  Searching for information on the WWW involves locating a website and locating information on that site. A recent study implied that novice users' training needs exclusively relate to locating websites. The present case study tried to reveal the knowledge and skills that constitute these training needs. Fourteen pre‐university students, classified as novice (n = 7) or experienced WWW‐user (n = 7) performed three web search tasks. Their actions and verbalisations were recorded. Between‐group comparisons showed minimal performance differences. However, qualitative analyses of novice users' search performance suggest that their ability to locate websites could be enhanced by instructing monitoring skills and advanced system knowledge.
Policy and practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: Mitchell Jeremy
Published: March 2003

Abstract: The UK currently has well‐developed but very fragmented systems and structures for consumer protection in banking and financial services, including legislation, regulatory bodies and various forms of self‐regulation. At the time of writing, the government has launched proposals for a much more integrated, statute‐based system that would cover a large part of the market place and that would be implemented by a single new regulatory body, the Financial Services Authority. However, a number of significant details are still absent from the proposals or are the subject of strong criticism, either from the industry side or from consumer organizations. Also, some types of life assurance, non‐life insurance and most mortgage lending may remain outside the proposed new system. It remains to be seen when the proposals will become law and what precise form they will take.
Changes and trends in alcohol consumption patterns in Europe
Authors: Smith David E. , Solgaard Hans Stubbe , Beckmann Suzanne C.
Published: March 2003

Consumer behaviourists and consumer policy‐makers are interested in the degree to which global convergence is occurring for various consumer behaviour dimensions, the extent to which the consumption patterns in different parts of the world are becoming similar and the extent to which these trends may be influenced and/or influence consumer policy. With increasing internationalization and cultural cross‐fertilization, the industrialized societies of the world are converging in many ways. Shifts in alcohol consumption patterns in Europe over the past 50 years represent a case in point. As traditional cultural boundaries become blurred, consumer preferences for alcoholic beverages appear to be driven less by long‐standing local and regional traditions and more by growing acceptance of a wider choice. The disparity in total alcohol consumption among the 15 countries studied has also decreased. Other powerful forces are likely to accelerate the pace of convergence in the future.
The sustainability of consumer credit growth in late twentieth century Australia
Authors: Griffiths Margaret
Published: March 2003

This article reports on a study about the use of credit by Australian consumers between 1980 and 1996. Considerable growth in the use of credit by consumers was coupled with an increasing reliance on credit to finance purchase transactions as consumers’ other sources of purchase finance became depleted. An increasing number of consumers were found to be experiencing difficulty meeting their debt‐ servicing commitments. These results suggest that the growth in use of consumer credit that has occurred in Australia may not be in the long‐term interest of consumers or the economy.
Changes in family food habits: the role of migration
Authors: Opare‐Obisaw Clara , Fianu Docea A. G. , Awadzi Kezia
Published: March 2003

The food habits of people generally dictate their nutritional well‐being, which subsequently affects their physical and mental health. A change in environment is one of the major factors that could bring about positive or negative changes in food consumption patterns. The food habits of 50 migrant families living in a suburb of Accra were studied to find out what changes have taken place as a result of a change in living environment. The homemaker in each family was interviewed to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics, past and present food procurement and consumption patterns, food avoidances and factors that influence food selection and consumption. The findings revealed that, although the majority stuck to foods they were accustomed to, there were striking changes in sources of food procurement, the number of meals prepared at home and the relative frequency of consumption of some staple foods. One‐third of the study group felt that their diets had become poorer as a result of the change in environment. Two factors, time and money, were associated with the changes that had taken place. The study provides some evidence for the existence of inadequate diets among migrant families. This might even reflect a more serious situation facing the numerous migrant youth, who have no families to cater for them and, hence, put their health at risk. Home economists and other related professionals could be instrumental in drawing up intervention programmes to ensure adequate selection and consumption of food to promote good health among migrants to the city.
Problems of large‐scale fashion designers in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Fianu Docea A.G. , Zentey Evelyn Araba
Published: March 2003

A survey was conducted to investigate the problems faced by large‐scale fashion designers in Ghana. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The problems the respondents encountered were manpower, economic, logistic and social. Additional training in fashion design outside Ghana and a high level of education were identified as assets in the export trade. Suggestions to the Ghanaian Government and other stake holders, to improve the fashion industry and thus enable the industry to contribute effectively to the realization of the economic goals outlined in ‘Ghana’s Vision 2020’ (development plan), are discussed.
Spatial and temporal variation in population size of Eichhornia paniculata in ephemeral habitats: implications for metapopulation dynamics
Authors: Husband Brian C. , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: March 2003

1 The annual plant Eichhornia paniculata occurs in discrete, ephemeral habitats formed by pools, wet ditches and flooded pastures in arid north‐eastern Brazil. We conducted a large‐scale geographical survey of populations four times over a 7‐year period (1982–89) and measured population size, population persistence and patch occupancy. In total, 167 populations were censused.

2 To investigate the importance of local and regional influences on population size, we posed the following specific questions. Are fluctuations in population size independent of their initial size and independent among years? Is persistence uniform among populations of different size and age? Are the proportion of patches occupied related to the density of habitat patches in a region? What are the relations between the size, persistence and density of populations?

3 Population size averaged 86 over the 4‐year period with 52% of populations containing less than 100 individuals. Sixty‐four per cent of populations persisted from one year to the next, but the rate at which populations became absent from a patch was independent of initial population size and time since the last census. For populations that persisted, there was a significant positive correlation between the initial census number and their size in subsequent years.

4 In 29 transects through different regions of north‐eastern Brazil, an average of 21.6% (range 3.8–47.2%) of suitable habitat patches were occupied by E. paniculata. The proportion of patches occupied was positively correlated with the density of patches in a region. No populations were found when the density of patches fell below 0.23 patches km−1 or 0.18 patches km−1 in 1988 and 1989, respectively, indicating the probable existence of a habitat threshold for species persistence within a region. There was no correlation between patch occupancy and either the average number of individuals per population or the probability of persistence in a region. Hence, even when E. paniculata is regionally common, it is not necessarily locally abundant.

5 We conclude that the distribution of E. paniculata populations in north‐eastern Brazil is governed, in part, by metapopulation dynamics.