bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case study of the educational future of the nursing section of the Institute of Medical and Health Care, Hong Kong Polytechnic
Authors: Keyzer Dirk M. , Spencer Patricia A.
Published: December 2006

This paper is based on a study which investigated the perceptions and expectations held by nominated nurse experts from Hong Kong, concerning the future developments of nursing education in the local context. A modified Delphi survey method was utilized to gain a consensus of opinion regarding the leadership role that the Hong Kong Polytechnic's newly established Nursing Studies Section should play. The findings suggested that the present plans proposed by the section were inadequate and in juxtaposition with the expectations held by nursing education experts working in this field. The respondents indicated that the section should take total responsibility for post‐basic nursing education, nursing research activities, curriculum development in association with the hospital schools of nursing and assisting clinical staff in the development of clinical and management practice.
Nursing patients — an enjoyable task?*
Authors: Marshall Pamela Diane
Published: December 2006

The paper describes a small study, in which the issue of patient popularity is re‐examined. A sample of 35 psychiatric in‐patients was used. The factors demonstrated by previous authors as affecting patient popularity are reconsidered in the light of theoretical, methodological, empirical and epistemological criticisms of previous research work in this area. The issues of consistency of patient popularity, both over time and between nurse raters, are also examined.
Advanced psychiatric nursing education in Britain*
Authors: Brooking Julia I.
Published: December 2006

This paper examines the British provision for advanced education in psychiatric nursing. Information was derived from a review of the literature, personal contacts with nurse educationalists, and an undergraduate project supervized by the author. After operationally defining advanced education, the paper describes courses at pre‐and post‐registration levels. These include degree, diploma, clinical, educational and managerial courses. The psychiatric component of nursing degree courses is also considered. Current provision is critically discussed and compared with similar courses for general nurses and educational provision abroad. The paper analyses how and why the current situation has occurred and the effects of current provision on psychiatric nursing practice. The paper concludes with proposals for future developments. These include recommendations for higher education based courses and consideration of a single register of nurses.
Can clients with schizophrenia describe feelings and beliefs about taking medication?
Authors: Davidhizar Ruth E.
Published: December 2006

The medical and nursing literature suggests measurement of attitude (feelings and beliefs) of clients with schizophrenia may be possible. This paper reports a study by the author using Fishbein's expectancy‐value model to measure attitude toward taking medication and reflects on significant implications of both the research reported in the literature and the author's study. How symptoms of schizophrenia affect communication, attitude toward treatment, attitude toward taking medication, and clinical implications of measuring the attitude of clients with schizophrenia toward taking medication are discussed.
Evaluating handwashing technique
Authors: Larson Elaine , Lusk Ed
Published: December 2006

Though standards for handwashing have been defined, little effort has been made to assess the quality of handwashing in clinical settings. This paper describes tests of reliability and validity of tools to evaluate two aspects of handwashing — appropriateness and technique. Based on these tests, methods to evaluate handwashing are recommended.
The impact of client selection on clinical teaching
Authors: Ross Margaret M.
Published: December 2006

Inclusion of gerontological nursing in curricula is emerging as an issue of concern to faculty of schools of nursing. Using research findings which view the setting and client selection as major determinants of learning outcomes, faculty are experimenting with teaching strategies which support a positive more realistic view of the elderly and their inherent potential and motivation for health. This paper examines the learning outcomes about ageing of a senior clinical experience at the baccalaureate level directed toward learning to nurse the elderly in a responsive and health promoting manner. Students were provided with an opportunity to become comfortable working with the elderly and their families in order to: 1 increase their level of knowledge about the process of ageing; and 2 incorporate this knowledge within a nursing framework by identifying critical aspects of development used in the health assessment of the elderly. The method of study was primarily experiential in nature with each student making a series of home visits over a 3‐month period to one selected client family. Two groups of clients participated in the programme: clients in group A were maintaining themselves in their own homes, were not anticipating institutionalization and were in good health; clients in group B were in hospital for treatment of a major health problem but would be recuperating in their own homes. By using Palmore's Facts on Ageing Quiz, it was determined that client selection did in fact make a difference vis‐à‐vis learning outcomes about ageing and the aged.
Burnout in psychiatric nursing
Authors: McCarthy Paul
Published: December 2006

Burnout is a syndrome characterized by progressive physical and emotional exhaustion involving the development of negative job attitudes and perceptions and a loss of empathic concern for patients. It is caused by chronic emotional stress resulting from prolonged intensive involvement with people. If unchecked, burnout will lead to a deterioration in the quality and quantity of nursing care received by patients. This study examines staff burnout among 31 registered psychiatric nurses working in a variety of clinical areas in the hospital setting. The Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals (SBS‐HP) was used to determine the relationship of SBS‐HP scores to respondents age, sex, and area of work. A comparison is made between this study and current research.
Twenty‐four hour reality orientation: changes for staff and patients
Authors: Bailey E. A. , Brown S. , Goble R. E. A. , Holden U. P.
Published: December 2006

A 24‐hour reality orientation programme was initiated in a long‐stay geriatric ward. Nursing and occupational therapy routines were changed specifically to meet the needs of the 20 patients participating in the programme. The assessments included the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly, the Holden Communication Scale, the Holden Orientation Facilities Scale, and the Oberleder Scale (adapted by Holden et al.). These scales were administered before, during and after completion of a study lasting 4 months. The CAPE scales showed no significant results. However, the Holden Communication Scale indicated that there were significant differences for certain groups of patients. Those patients with high scores initially tended to continue to have high scores and showed no real change. However, patients who had scores in the medium range initially, showed improvement. This finding indicated that severity at onset of the experiment was an important variable when considering outcome of treatment. Expectations regarding the future of the very elderly must be realistic, and to anticipate a return to previous vitality and total independence should not be expected. However, to find a means by which functional levels can be maintained, and even slightly improved, is desirable. It would seem that the 24‐hour reality orientation programme achieved this goal.
Older women: a literature review
Authors: Robinson Karen
Published: December 2006

Older women need special attention and study in the health care profession, yet this attention has not been forthcoming. Age has a serious impact on women. This paper reports on the state of the literature on older women. This literature review on older women includes specific problem areas, such as caregiving, social networks, and retirement. Nursing will have many opportunities for development and implementation of resources for this vast age group. The literature on older women is examined, including strengths and weaknesses. Recommendations for future research to build knowledge and theory in nursing are identified.
The nursing process: implications for curriculum planning
Authors: Hollingworth Sheila
Published: December 2006

The locus of this paper is an exploration of the implications for curriculum planning of adopting the nursing process; which, it is suggested, represents the most far‐reaching innovation in British nursing of recent years. An examination of the abilities required by nurses in order for them to deliver care in this way shows that to encompass the philosophy of the nursing process, fundamental changes need to be made in the way nurses are prepared in schools of nursing. In particular, to those elements of the curriculum dealing with content and teaching methods.
Communication patterns between nursing staff and the ethnic elderly in a long‐term care facility
Authors: Jones Daniel C. , van Amelsvoort Jones Gemma M. M.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine verbal communication interactions between nursing staff and the elderly residents in a long‐term care facility. Three groups of elderly were studied and compared. These were immigrant, Canadian‐born, and Anglo‐born elderly. Non‐participant observation and tape recordings were the methods by which data were collected. Findings were transcribed and quantified under headings of ‘words spoken’, ‘commands given’, ‘statements made’, and ‘questions asked and answered’. Significant differences in the observed interaction were found between groups. The findings indicate the need for nurses to be aware of the implications of ethnicity in caring for the elderly, and also for further communication studies in this area.
Learning styles of nursing students and environmental press perceptions of two clinical nursing settings
Authors: Laschinger Heather K.
Published: December 2006

Kolb's Learning Style Inventory and Environmental Press Questionnaire were used to study 68 third‐year baccalaureate nursing students’ learning styles and perceptions of environmental press differences in medical‐surgical and psychiatric nursing settings from the experiential learning theory perspective. Evidence for a hypothesized match between predominating student learning styles and predominating environmental press was sought. As hypothesized, student learning styles were found to be predominantly concrete as was the predominating environmental press in both nursing settings. Medical‐surgical and psychiatric nursing settings did not differ significantly from environmental press. A profile of competencies felt to be important in nursing emerged with concrete people‐oriented competencies rating higher than abstract competencies.
The development of a nursing centre on a college campus: implications for the curriculum
Authors: Dee McEvoy Mary , Vezina Maria
Published: December 2006

The development of nurse‐managed centres for health is receiving increased attention in the United States of America. Nursing centres serve a variety of clients and exhibit multiple management designs. This article describes the development of The Nursing and Health Information Centre (NHIC) at Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York, USA. The NHIC is unique in that it is managed by the Department of Nursing and serves as a site for implementing the clinical objectives of the nursing programme.
A comparison of nursing care requirements of patients in long‐term geriatric and acute care nursing units
Authors: Smith Donna Lynn , Molzahn‐Scott Anita E.
Published: December 2006

It is commonly assumed that elderly patients in long‐term care facilities require less total care and less professional care than patients in active‘treatment’ settings. However, no objective data have been available to support or refute these assumptions. This study examined patient classification data obtained from eight acute care medical and surgical units and four long‐term care geriatric units over a 1‐year period. Results indicated that (1) geriatric patients in long‐term care units had differing (as opposed to similar) nursing care needs, (2) nursing care requirements of geriatric patients in several long‐term care units differed from those of patients in another long‐term care unit, (3) geriatric patients in the selected long‐term care units required at least as much nursing care as those in the medical surgical units, and (4) the long‐term care units had many patients with extensive nursing care requirements but no patients with very complex requirements when compared with the medical/surgical units. The potential impact of these findings on staffing of long‐term care units is considerable. Issues relating to reliability, validity and comparability are discussed. There is a great need to utilize standardized, state‐of‐the‐art methods for nursing workload measurement to facilitate comparisons of nursing care requirements of geriatric long‐term care patients with those of patients in other areas.
Game playing: a way to look at nursing models
Authors: Hoon Elaine
Published: December 2006

This paper deals with macrotheories of nursing and a new way of looking at them. It also shows through the use of a board game why the discipline of nursing would be greatly hindered in its development by the acceptance of only one of the nursing macrotheories available today. The board game shows that macrotheorists of nursing do not discuss death and dying as a part of their conceptual models. Since death is not incorporated into the concepts, then they are not describing or explaining all the aspects dealt with in the discipline of nursing. This is not to say that theory is not necessary but that the acceptance of only one nursing macrotheory (model) is limiting and inhibiting. It denies nursing the ability to create and use intuition.
Hope, morale and adaptation in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Rideout Elizabeth , Montemuro Maureen
Published: December 2006

Clinical observation of a population of patients with chronic heart failure suggested that some patients adapt to their disease more effectively than others. This difference in response appeared to be more related to psychosocial variables, including a positive future orientation, than to variation in severity of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among the psychosocial variables of hope and morale, the level of function of the individual, and the physiological status of that individual. The sample for this descriptive study was patients who met inclusion criteria and who attended the Heart Failure Clinic at St Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (n= 23). Data were collected at one point in time. Population characteristics were obtained by chart extraction and patient interview. The Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Philadelphia Geriatric Centre Morale Scale, and an adapted version of the McMaster Health Status Index were administered. Physiological status was determined by clinical signs and symptoms in accordance with a scale devised by Lee. Patients who scored higher on the scales assessing hope and morale also scored higher on social function. There was very little relationship between these psychosocial variables and the physical variables of physiological status and physical function. These findings suggest that patients who are more hopeful maintain their involvement in life regardless of physical limitations imposed by their heart failure. Nursing interventions must continue to include the enhancement of hope for the future and active participation with others.
The nurse—client relationship: a mutual learning experience
Authors: Yuen F. K. H.
Published: December 2006

The nurse‐client relationship is a mutual learning experience and a corrective emotional experience for the client. The terms ‘learning’ and ‘corrective’ imply a change in the participants’ behaviour. Because the prospect of change is threatening, the skilful nurse provides a climate for the client that is conducive to expressing feelings at every step in the course of the nurse‐client relationship. Both positive and negative feelings are appreciated; both are put into the service of the problem‐solving venture other than being allowed to impede it. To the extent that this occurs, the nurse‐client collaborative efforts further the experience of each participant.
Binge eaters: a comparison of eating patterns of those who admit to binging and those who do not
Authors: Jones Susan L. , Doheny Margaret O'Bryan , Jones Paul K. , Bradley Nancy
Published: December 2006

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed bulimic or pre‐bulimic behaviours in a normal, but high risk population. A questionnaire eliciting information about eating habits and potential binge episodes, demographic background, and information about height and weight was completed by 479 college students. Subjects were designated as a non‐binger, a non‐labelled binger, or labelled binger according to their responses. Consistent with previous literature, findings showed a high prevalence of bulimia in the young, female, middle income population. Findings also revealed a group of students who described frequent binge episodes but did not consider themselves to have an eating disorder in that they did not label themselves as ‘binge eaters’ (the non‐labelled binge group).
The experience of suffering: conceptual clarification and theoretical definition
Authors: Kahn David L. , Steeves R. H.
Published: December 2006

This paper is concerned with the phenomenon of human suffering and is an attempt to justify and begin theoretical development of this phenomenon for nursing science. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section describes the interest of nursing science in the phenomenon and critically examines relevant literature in order to further conceptualize development and clarification. This section concludes with a theoretical definition of suffering derived from this critique. Suffering is defined as an individual's experience of threat to self and is a meaning given to events such as pain or loss. The second section elaborates on this definition and examines how it can inform theoretical discussion in two areas with import for nursing—the patient's experience of suffering and the nurse's experience of patient suffering. The final section briefly considers some implications for clinical research.
Factors affecting perioperative body temperature
Authors: Jose Closs S. , Macdonald Ian A. , Hawthorn Pamela J.
Published: December 2006

Factors affecting body temperature in the perioperative period were investigated in two groups of surgical patients (cholecystectomy and repair of fractured femur). Core, toe skin and thigh skin temperatures were assessed pre and postoperatively for all subjects. A control group showed a significant fall in toe skin temperature only during exposure to theatre conditions, whereas all of the surgical patients underwent falls in core temperature. The fractured femur patients sustained significantly greater reductions in core temperature than the cholecystectomy patients. Age and ambient theatre temperature were found to be the most influential factors affecting this fall in core temperature. Body composition had less of an influence than these two variables, but it was found that the patients with the greatest body fat contents had the smallest reductions in core temperature. Seven of the 31 patients returned to the ward with core temperatures below 35°C, and only one of these seven received assistance in rewarming. Four of the 31 patients developed significantly higher core temperatures than the remaining 27 during the immediate postoperative period, and these four subsequently developed respiratory tract infections. Standard monitoring of temperature on the wards during the immediate postoperative period failed to identify postoperative hypothermia or pyrexia in the majority of cases.
Discharge planning: an exploratory study of the process of discharge planning on geriatric wards
Authors: Waters Karen R.
Published: December 2006

The elderly are a vulnerable group of people who are high users of hospital and community services. The transition from hospital to home is a crucial time for them. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study into the process of discharge planning in four geriatric wards. It is suggested that discharge planning is not seen as a priority by ward nurses and doctors and that the present methods of communicating with patients in hospital need to be supplemented by written information.
Evaluation of a nursing aides scheme for elderly people
Authors: Betts Graeme
Published: December 2006

The need to provide appropriate domiciliary schemes to enable elderly people to remain in the community is of growing importance and while schemes have been initiated by health authorities, the majority of schemes have so far originated in social services departments. An evaluation of a nursing aides scheme is presented. The study examines the success of the scheme in maintaining elderly people in the community and the views and opinions of patients who have been in the scheme. On the basis of the available evidence it is likely that the intervention of the scheme enabled some elderly people to remain in the community and the majority (70%) of respondents believed that the nursing aides scheme had enabled them to stay at home.
Perceptions of self‐care in East Germany: a cross‐cultural empirical investigation
Authors: Whetstone William R.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this empirical investigation was replication for comparing self‐care phenomena in a cross‐cultural setting. Two self‐reporting inventories were employed to measure perceptual dimensions of self‐care agency and self‐concept. Both inventories were translated into German and administered to a convenience sample of 17 adults living in an agricultural collective in East Germany. One research concern was the usability of American‐constructed nursing assessment tools in another culture. Other research questions for cross‐cultural comparisons of means were formulated. Self‐care and self‐concept were related in the East German sample. Self‐care agency means for the East German sample were lower than for an American student sample. Study limitations are identified and cross‐cultural implications of the findings for nursing are discussed.
An innovative training programme for ward sisters
Authors: Dodwell Mahrokh , BSc Judith Lathlean
Published: December 2006

The need for the preparation and professional development of ward sisters is now well recognised, and recent actual and proposed changes affecting nursing and nursing education have served to highlight its role and the need further. The London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals have responded by establishing a training scheme for their sisters*. This aims to develop the knowledge and skills of sisters who are relatively new or inexperienced and combines periods of theoretical study with observation of work on wards and/or consolidation of learning in the sister's own clinical setting. The features of the scheme include a course with a comprehensive curriculum related to most, if not all, of the aspects of the sister's role, the extensive use of experiential learning methods, the use of facilitators to create links between the course itself, course members and the workplace, formal and informal evaluation, particularly during the pilot period, and a specifically appointed project director. The evaluation of this innovation has indicated positive outcomes, both in terms of improvements in individuals and beneficial effects in the hospitals. As a result of the relative success of the first 2 years, the scheme has now been incorporated into a programme of provision for trained nursing staff, and has stimulated the development of other initiatives for other grades of staff.
Analysing managerial responses in face‐to‐face contacts
Authors: Schmieding Norma Jean
Published: December 2006

Executive nurse managers, as well as other nurse managers, spend much time responding verbally to people. Whether or not their responses are effective in these situations remains an unexplored area in nursing administration. The author describes a research‐based framework to analyse managerial actions. Five types of actions, three non‐exploratory and two exploratory, were identified through previous research using Orlando's theory as the framework. Subsequent research suggests nurses prefer that their managers use exploratory action. The article contains discussion on how specific types of actions facilitate or thwart problem identification.
An investigation into the factors influencing variation in the growth of community psychiatric nursing services
Authors: Brooker C.G.
Published: December 2006

During the last 30 years community psychiatric nursing (CPN) services have become an established feature of mental health provision throughout the United Kingdom. The creation of new services peaked in the mid 1970s; however, the rate of individual service growth during the last 5 years has been variable. In 1980, the first national survey of community psychiatric nurses was carried out; 5 years later, in 1985, the survey was repeated by the author. A comparative analysis of the manpower data reveals interesting regional differences and these findings are presented. Using quantitative methods, five district health authorities were identified as extreme examples of variability in CPN team growth. The CPN service managers in these five health authorities were interviewed in depth using a semi‐structured interview guide. The data produced help to illuminate factors that are involved in the widely differing rates of growth in CPN teams.
Maternal opinion of psychosocial support: evaluation of an antenatal programme
Authors: PhD G. Larsson , Spangberg L. , Theorell T. , Wager J.
Published: December 2006

The aim of the study was to investigate the significance of psychosocial screening and psychosocial support in antenatal care. Different methods were used. Three hundred and sixty‐four pregnant women participated. There was no increase in obstetrical complications, premature births or growth retardation among the infants born to mothers with a high life stress score. A correlation between smoking and reduced birth weight was noted. Most women claimed that they had reduced their alcohol intake already before their first visit to the antenatal clinic. Those women who attended the most extensive psychosocial care had the most favourable attitudes towards the antenatal care. There was a positive correlation between intensive psychosocial support and sickness allowance. The question is raised whether all pregnant women should have the right to be out of work during the last 2 months of pregnancy without reduction of parent's allowance benefit.
An analysis of senior nursing students’ immediate responses to distressed patients
Authors: Haggerty Lois A.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effectiveness of senior nursing students’ immediate responses to patients is influenced by type of distress presented by patients or by type of student degree programme. Forty‐four ADN and 31 BSN seniors from four schools agreed to participate. Subjects viewed two videotaped simulations of ‘patients’ complaining of pain and two of ‘patients’ manifesting emotional distress. Content validity of simulations was established through nurse experts. After each tape, subjects answered four research questions based on Orlando's nursing process concept. The fourth question asked what subjects would say initially to ‘the patient’. The data revealed eight response categories which were scored according to their congruence with Orlando's concepts. Independent categorization of responses yielded a 0.92 interrelated reliability; t‐tests indicated that type of distress was related to response effectiveness (P<0.01) but type of degree was not (P >0.01). The presumed emphasis on communication and psychosocial foundations in BSN curricula may not translate into more effective exploratory skills in these students. These skills are a key component of the complex assessment skills which enable nurses to ‘diagnose human responses’ to health problems. Orlando's model is recommended for teaching BSN students to conceptualize the interactional process and its goals.
The future role of day hospitals for the elderly: the case for a nursing initiative
Authors: Nolan Michael R.
Published: December 2006

This paper describes the results of a research project investigating activity levels and consumer perceptions at two contrasting day hospitals for the elderly. Day hospitals traditionally function on a medical model with an important emphasis placed on treatment and discharge. Their claim to provide a therapeutic regime has been questioned however, the suggestion being that there are higher levels of such activities in day centres. The results of this study demonstrate that activity levels at day hospitals are far higher than previous research indicates but that the emphasis on discharge is contrary to the expressed needs of the majority of consumers. In view of the prevailing demographic trends the paper concludes with suggestions for service innovation with specific reference to the role of the nursing profession.
Models of nursing, nursing practice and nurse education
Authors: ABPsS Peter Aggleton MA MEd PhD , Chalmers Helen
Published: December 2006

Over the last few years, and concurrent with wider debates about the quality of patient care, increasing numbers of practising nurses and nurse educators have expressed interest in using conceptual models of nursing as a basis for planning and delivering nursing care. In the light of such interest, this paper identifies the distinctive features of three fundamental types of nursing model and explores the implications of these for contemporary approaches to nursing practice and nurse education.
Comparison of medical, surgical and oncology patients' descriptions of pain and nurses' documentation of pain assessments
Authors: MSN L. Dawn Camp RN , O'Sullivan Patricia S.
Published: December 2006

Eighty‐four nurse‐patient dyads were studied to obtain descriptions of pain from medical, surgical and oncology patients experiencing pain. These descriptions were compared with the documentation of pain assessment recorded by the nurses providing care to these patients. Neither the descriptions of pain nor the amount of information documented about that pain differed significantly across the three groups. For each group, nurses documented significantly less than 50% of what the patients described. Inadequate documentation of pain assessment has legal and continuity of patient care implications.
The schoolteacher on the hospital ward
Authors: MPhil Paddy M. Wiles BSc
Published: December 2006

This paper is concerned with the schoolteacher as a member of the team who look after the needs of children on hospital wards. A historical review is presented to show how the teachers came to be present and why they were employed. A description is given of an observational study made to compare the activities of 139 children on four hospital wards in Britain. Three wards had teachers. One ward had no teacher. A similar study is described that was undertaken on two wards of a hospital in the USA. The findings of the observational study are analysed to see whether the activities of the children require the presence of a teacher or could be undertaken by a play‐leader or volunteer. The play‐leader's role is discussed, as is that of the American child life worker. The conclusion is reached that the teacher is there to stimulate the children and provide them with a group situation in which there is a common work ethic and where there will be opportunities for creative expression. So the normality of school will be therapeutic.
Evaluation of a gerontological nursing continuing education programme: effect on nurses' knowledge and attitudes and on patients' perceptions and satisfaction
Authors: Harrison Lynda Law , Novak Debra
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a four‐session (8‐hour) gerontological nursing continuing education (CE) programme on nurses' knowlege of and attitudes towards the elderly. The study also sought to ascertain the effects of the CE programme on patient satisfaction with and perceptions of nursing care. Seventy‐six nurses completed the Miller‐Dodder Revision of the Palmore Facts on Ageing Quiz and the Kogan Attitudes Towards Old People Scale before and after participating in the CE programme. Post‐test scores on both measures were slightly but significantly higher than pretest scores. Thirty hospitalized elderly patients were interviewed before and 33 were interviewed after the CE programme was offered to the nurses on their hospital units, using the LaMonica‐Oberst Patient Satisfaction Scale and the Harrison‐Novak Patient Perception Scale. Post‐test measures of patient satisfaction and perception were not significantly different from pretest scores. Patients were generally satisfied with their nursing care, but perceived that nurses did not focus on health promotion activities. In addition, 59% of the patients indicated that they were unable to distinguish nurses from other health care providers. The article identifies implications of the study for nursing education, practice and research.
The ‘24‐hour reality orientation’ type of approach to the confused elderly: a minimum standard for care
Authors: McMahon Richard
Published: December 2006

The use of the two principle types of reality orientation with the confused elderly has been the subject of research by nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists. Reviews of this research suggest that the effects of these therapies on patient outcomes are extremely limited. However, a number of writers advocate their use on the grounds that their implementation results in more individualized care by nurses. This argument is rejected in favour of the demonstrated effect of introducing Individualized care from a basis in nursing theory. Nursing theory also provides the remit for nurses to control the physical and interpersonal environment of the confused elderly patient. By examining moral principles as they are applied to nursing, it is argued that the nature of that environmental control should be towards a 24‐hour reality orientation type approach. This should be implemented in an individualized way and should form the basis of a minimum standard of care for this client group.
Biometric outcomes of a geriatric health promotion programme*
Authors: Higgins Patricia Grant
Published: December 2006

A geriatric health promotion programme was conducted to determine biometric changes in cardiovascular, nutritional and musculoskeletal status. Sixty‐seven older adults participated in the study. The experimental group of 34 elderly subjects showed statistically significant increases in flexibility and high density lipoprotein with significant decreases in resting pulse rate, blood pressure, total cholesterol, weight and skinfold measures. The overall results of the wellness programme showed significant improvements in the physical health status of older adults.
Primary nursing: is it worth it?
Authors: Macdonald Margaret
Published: December 2006

In this paper a small sample of the massive, and largely North American, primary nursing literature is reviewed and three categories of writing identified: (1) descriptive literature, (2) literature of formative evaluation, and (3) literature of summative evaluation. The descriptive literature is examined in an attempt to decide whether primary nursing is worth trying. The literature of formative evaluation is then explored in order to determine whether the process of implementing primary nursing is, in itself, worthwhile. Finally, taking staff satisfaction, patient satisfaction, quality of care and the cost of primary nursing as the foci of evaluation, the literature of summative evaluation is considered to ascertain whether the outcomes of primary nursing merit the investment. The answers to each of these three questions of worth, posed by the three categories of writing, appear to be respectively a definite, a probable and tentative ‘yes’.
The process of parenting a child with a disability: normalization through accommodations
Authors: Deatrick Janet A. , Knafl Kathleen A. , Walsh Michelle
Published: December 2006

Professionals commonly advise parents of disabled children to raise their children as they would children who were not disabled. The purpose of this study was to describe the management styles used by the parents of 15 children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta. In particular, the behavioural strategies related to providing a normalized existence for the child and the family are discussed. Sources of threats, validation, and support for the process are also described. The convenience sample of parents was selected from the appointment calendar of a specialty clinic in a midwestern philanthropic, paediatric‐orthopaedic referral hospital. Qualitative interview data were gathered using a semi‐structured guide. During interviews parents described behavioural strategies they used to normalize their child's and family life. Data were analysed using a previously developed framework of normalization. This work of normalization was described as a constant process of active accommodation to the changing physical and emotional needs of the child or adolescent. It was initiated out of practical necessity at birth as a conscious solution to problems with activities of daily living, relating to the child, and engaging in family activities. Certain events constituted ‘threats’ to normalization and served as an impetus for parents to alter behavioural strategies. Implications for clinical practice and research are explicated.
Manic depressive psychosis: an alternative therapeutic model of nursing
Authors: Hume Anne J.A. , Barker Philip J. , Robertson William , Swan John
Published: December 2006

Traditionally, the approach to affective disorders has focused upon the biophysical aetiology of the disorder. Given that a significant proportion of the so called ‘recovered’ manic depressive population experience a relapse, the adequacy of traditional treatment methods is questionable. The nursing literature represents the view that manic depressive patients have little, if any, control over their condition and the nursing management, therefore, is predominantly custodial, supportive and directive in character. Recent research suggests that life events, in particular the patient's perception and interpretation of such events, are potentially significant in the development of manic depressive symptomatology. This paper reports some aspects of an on‐going nursing research project which is evaluating the efficacy of a multi‐model nursing management package. The therapeutic model of nursing under study is briefly discussed and results of locus of control measurements are presented, which compare a random sample of recovered manic depressive women with existing norms. A description is also given of an attribution schedule developed by the authors for the research project. This schedule attempts to specifically assess the patient's attitudes towards her control of her illness.
International nursing research in social support: theoretical and methodological issues
Authors: Norbeck Jane S. , Tilden Virginia P.
Published: December 2006

Social support has been widely studied within cultures as a variable that is protective of health and mental health, either directly or as a buffer against life stress. When research is conducted across cultures, several conceptual and methodological issues emerge. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the conceptual basis for assuming that social support is a universal phenomenon, to suggest areas in which manifestations of social support may be culturespecific, and to present methodological issues that need to be addressed in conducting valid international research on social support.
Changes in the self and professional images of student nurses
Authors: Weller Leonard , Harrison Michael , Katz Zahava
Published: December 2006

This study tested hypotheses concerning the development of self‐image and professional orientations among students of nursing in two Israeli schools (n = 235), one of which was religiously affiliated and the other secular. The study involved a longitudinal comparison of attitudes at the beginning of the programme of study and after 3 months, and a cross‐sectiotial comparison ofthe attitudes of students in each ofthe 3 years ofthe nursing programme. Based on a review ofthe literature, we predicted that the student's self‐image and her image ofthe ideal professional nurse would grow more congruent during her studies. In addition, we predicted that her image of the ideal professional and the image held by her instructor would grow more congruent. The latter hypothesis was partly supported by the panel data and strongly supported by the cross‐sectional data, whereas the hypothesis concerning self‐image and professional image was not supported. No support was found for two other hypotheses predicting that religious students would show a greater tendency towards the expected changes. Instead we found that the gap between the religious students' professional image and that held by their instructors was greater than it was for the secular students. Moreover, the supervisors in the religious school had different images of the profession than their secular counterparts.
Nurses and shift work: effects on job performance and job‐related stress
Authors: Coffey Linda C. , Skipper James K. , Jung Fred D.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of day, afternoon, night and rotating shift schedules on the job performance and job‐related stress of nurses. Registered nurses from five hospitals (n = 463) were surveyed using a structured questionnaire which measured both job performance and job‐elated stress. Analysis of data indicated that both the nurses'job performance and their job‐related stress were related to the type of shift they worked. Overall job performance was highest for the nurses on the day shift, followed by the night, afternoon, and rotating shifts. Rotating shift nurses experienced the most job‐related stress, followed in turn by the afternoon, day, and night shift nurses. The findings are interpreted within a conceptual framework which examines the social organization of work in the hospital by shift and the effects of shift work on biological rhythm synchronization.
Graduates in nursing: a report of a longitudinal study at the University of Hull
Authors: Kemp Joan
Published: December 2006

A longitudinal study ofthe career paths of graduates in nursing from the University of Hull is in progress. The study uses a postal questionnaire, which is sent annually to each graduate. Data on the total sample of 99 graduates between 1981 and 1986 are summarized and discussed. All the graduates have registered as general nurses; 96% entered nursing practice. They tend to consolidate general nursing experience in hospital before obtaining further nursing qualifications and/or specializing. Over a period of some 4 years, a gradual shift away from hospital nursing to the community (especially health visiting), research and innovative health care posts can be observed. The findings of the Hull study confirm earlier findings from the Universities of Manchester, Edinburgh and Surrey that graduate nurses do enter and stay in nursing, that they seek further academic and nursing qualifications and that there is a shift towards work in the community.
Individual learning styles of student nurses, their teachers and ward sisters
Authors: Hodges S. A.
Published: December 2006

This paper presents a brief description of an experiential learning theory, which provides a model of learning and adaptation processes consistent with the structure of human cognition and the stages of human growth and development. It conceptualizes the learning process in such a way that differences in individual learning styles and corresponding learning environments can be identified. Sixty‐two student nurses, 10 nurse teachers and 15 ward sisters completed a learning style inventory. No significant differences were detected. Learning style differences are discussed.
Group coping skills training for anxiety and depression: its application with chronic patients
Authors: Long Clive G.
Published: December 2006

The literature on group coping skills training is reviewed and a model involving the use of a wide range of coping strategies with patients heterogeneous in terms of presenting problem is advocated. This study evaluates the effect of such an approach with a chronic inpatient and day‐hospital patient population (n=36) presenting with problems of anxiety and depression. Results suggest that the use of such groups can facilitate the transition from hospital to community. Further they are associated with symptomatic improvement that is of clinical significance in up to 50% of cases, which is largely maintained at 1 year follow‐up and which is associated with a positive change in social functioning. In the light of this experience suggestions are made regarding the screening of patients and ways of enhancing group cohesion.
Comparison of four urine drainage systems
Authors: Roe Brenda H. , Reid Fiona J. , Brocklehurst J.C.
Published: December 2006

An evaluation of four urine drainage systems available for use by patients with indwelling urethral catheters and prescribed by general practitioners was performed. Twenty‐four patients in the community of one health district tested eaeh system for a number of weeks. Both users and carers responsible for the management ofthe urine drainage system tested their aceeptability and reported on preference, methods of support, ease of use and eomfort. The significance ofthe results and their implications for nursing are discussed.
A comparison of nurse‐related behaviour, philosophy of care and job satisfaction in team and primary nursing
Authors: Reed Suzanne Elizabeth
Published: December 2006

The study compares team and primary nursing modes of organization of nursing care on three related variables, namely: nurse‐related behaviour and quality of care, philosophy of care and job satisfaction for nurses. The historical dimension and evolution of modes of care, quality of care, philosophy of care and theories of job satisfaction are discussed within the context of the study. The literature and previous research studies conducted on team and primary nursing are reviewed and comparisons ofthe two are made. Analysis of data collated yielded results which are compared for differences and benefits between team and primary nursing. The results of the study suggest that when compared to team nursing mode of organization of care, primary nursing affords increased quality of care, a more coherent philosophy of nursing and increased job satisfaction for nurses. Methodological problems are examined and implications for policy explored.