bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitor lizards: a pan‐African check‐list of their zoogeography (Sauria: Varanidae: Polydaedalus)
Authors: Bayless Mark K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim  This goal of this paper is to present an up‐to‐date, accurate check‐list and distribution of the monitor lizards on the African continent. No such list of their distribution has been attempted since Robert F. Mertens' (1942) treatise (Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 462, 465, 466).Location  The localities included herein are all countries on the African continent, and adjacent islands, with a list of Varanus known to Yemen and Saudi Arabian Republics included for clarity. One fossil Varanus rusingensis is included, as it is the first, and only described, fossil African Varanus known.Methods  Locality records were reviewed from literature sources, museum voucher specimens, personal comments, field observations and photographic records.Results  A summation of 3,268 locality records are included herein from the methods listed, with maps depicting these records.Main conclusions  From the locality records listed herein, it is evident that the Nile monitor (V. niloticus) has the widest distribution, and that the Yemen monitor (V. yemenensis) has the most restricted distribution; paradoxically, both features may be indicative of their relic habitation on the African continent.
Factors associated with the adaptation of parents with a chronically ill child
Authors: Hentinen Maija , Kyngäs Helvi 
Published: March 2003

• The purpose of this paper is to describe the adaptation of parents who have a child with a chronic condition and some factors connected to it.• Data were collected by a questionnaire from 189 parents who had a child with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or asthma. Most (85%) of the responses were from mothers.• The data were analysed using factor analysis. A four‐factor model turned out to describe best the adaptation of the parents and their coping with the care of a chronically ill child. Two factors showed good adaptation and two poor adaptation.• Emotional and instrumental support were connected to adaptation on each of the four factors.• Support from health care staff and the parents' need to obtain more information were not connected to adaptation as clearly as emotional and instrumental support.• Parents wished for support more in families where the child was under nine years old than in families where the child was over nine years old.
Advanced practice nursing in the Nordic countries
Authors: Lorensen Margarethe , Jones Dorothy E. , Hamilton Glenys A. 
Published: March 2003

• Changes in the delivery of health care and changes in population characteristics and health care requirements mandate changing requirements in nursing education.• This is necessary to meet patient and family needs and to deliver quality health care.• This paper describes the background to nursing education in the Nordic countries and gives an account of an initiative in Norway to prepare advanced practice nurses for clinical practice in this dynamic environment.
Parental guidance and counselling by doctors and nursing staff: parents' views of initial information and advice for families with disabled children
Authors: TAANILA ANJA , JÄrvelin MARJO‐RIITTA , Kokkonen Jorma 
Published: March 2003

• This paper describes changes that have taken place, over a period of 10 years, in the way physicians and nursing staff in Finland give initial information and advice to the parents about their child's disability. It also discusses the association between quality of information given and parents' feelings of insecurity or helplessness.• In the study, we compared the experiences of parents of older (aged 12–17) disabled children with those of parents with younger (aged 7–9 years) disabled children. There were 85 children, whose disabilities were either learning or physical, or, in a few cases, both.• Parents completed a questionnaire and were interviewed by a social worker.• According to these reports, the initial information and advice received by the parents with younger children about their child's disability and its treatment, and on coping with the child at home, was better than that received by the parents of the older children. The parents of the younger children also reported feeling better prepared to take care of their child.• Those parents who reported having received little information and practical advice on coping with their child at home experienced feelings of insecurity and helplessness five times as often as those who were satisfied with the information and advice.• Feelings of being poorly prepared to take care of their child at home were reported four times more often by dissatisfied parents than by satisfied parents.• More attention should be paid to the manner in which information is given to parents, and doctors and nurses need to develop better ways to support parents and facilitate their adaptation.
An evaluation of the lecturer‐practitioner role in the independent health care sector
Authors: McGee Paula 
Published: March 2003

• This study examined the impact of the introduction of lecturer‐practitioner (LP) roles in four Nuffield Hospitals over a period of two years. A series of interviews was conducted with the practitioners themselves, the staff and the managers. LPs also maintained structured diaries.• Nursing practice in the independent sector is influenced by a number of factors, including caring for patients in individual rooms and working directly with consultants because there are no junior medical staff. Nurses encountered patients with very diverse problems, and accordingly needed help to maintain a wide professional knowledge base.• Nursing staff benefited from the presence of an LP in terms of linking theory to practice, role modelling, obtaining career advice and introducing change. Non‐nursing staff also benefited from the LPs' adoption of an interdisciplinary approach to certain care situations.• LPs were valued as a resource for staff and seen as important in enabling the company to maintain its image as a provider of high‐quality care. The LP was also well placed to raise the profile of nursing in the independent sector through research activities.• LPs themselves benefited from their experiences and were able to develop their own skills.
The assessment and management of self‐harming patients in an Accident and Emergency department: an action research project
Authors: Mc ELROY ALASTAIR , SHEPPARD GERRY 
Published: March 2003

• The Government, in Health of the Nation (DoH, 1992), set targets for health authorities to introduce specific interventions intended to reduce the rates of suicide in the districts for which they are responsible.• Those who deliberately harm themselves are an important group for interventions aimed at suicide prevention.• Self‐harming individuals are known to seek help from a range of care providers, not just those specifically intended to meet their needs.• Individuals with problems of self‐poisoning and self‐injury have placed increasing pressure on general hospital staff involved in their care. There should therefore be adequate services for suicide attempters in every general hospital.• Policies and protocols must be introduced and evaluated, to ensure that the self‐harmer's experience during crisis is not a catalogue of unhelpful encounters.• This paper is an account of an action research project concerned with the assessment and management of self‐harming patients in one accident and emergency department.• The project aimed to enhance departmental policies and procedures for managing this group of patients.• Practical problems can inhibit the introduction of even the most desirable of innovations. Action research provides a way of overcoming these problems whilst doing research at the same time.
The effectiveness of a group approach to clinical supervision in reducing stress: a review of the literature
Authors: WILLIAMSON GRAHAM R. , DODDS SARAH 
Published: March 2003

•There is little research evidence to suggest that clinical supervision reduces stress. However, this probably does not mean that clinical supervision is not valuable, just that the evidence is not yet there, because consensus exists that group clinical supervision may be beneficial in reducing stress in nurses.•The work by Butterworth et al. is the only directly relevant study investigating the stress‐reducing potential that a group approach to clinical supervision has, and this work establishes ground rules for future evaluation.
Intervention studies to reduce the prevalence and incidence of pressure sores: a literature review
Authors: Gould Dinah , James Trudi , Tarpey Aideen , Kelly Daniel , Pattison Dorothy , Fox Carolyn 
Published: March 2003

• Much has been written about the prevention of pressure sores. However, electronic and manual searches located only 10 studies within the literature in the UK that described interventions able to reduce either their incidence or prevalence.• All the studies located contained serious methodological flaws. Apparent success in reducing the number or severity of pressure sores could have resulted because staff involved in data collection were aware that the study was being undertaken and thus took more interest in pressure area care.• From the review findings it is apparent that there is a dearth of research evidence upon which to base practice in the sphere of pressure sore prevention and further research is urgently required.
Assessment and documentation of bowel care management in palliative care: incorporating patient preferences into the care regimen
Authors: Cadd Ann , Keatinge Diana , Henssen Monika , O’Brien Lynne , Parker Deborah , Rohr Yvonne , Schneider Jennifer , Thompson Judith 
Published: March 2003

• Nurses in a palliative care unit (PCU) recognized that there were several inconsistencies relating to assessment and documentation of patient preferences in bowel care management.• Although bowel care is recognized as of key importance to the wellbeing of palliative care patients, there is little evidence in current literature about accommodation of patient preferences in bowel care management.• A questionnaire was developed to assess whether patient preferences were elicited on admission to the PCU, were documented, and were included in the bowel care regimen.• Data were collected from 100 patients in two PCUs in Australia.• The findings suggested that little was assessed or documented about bowel care management on admission except functional or pharmacological information.• According to patients in the study, their preferences were seldom incorporated into the bowel care regimen. Lack of documentation of bowel care preferences was also found following an audit of patient notes.• Techniques for eliciting information, awareness of alternative or complementary methods of bowel care and better documentation procedures are all recommended for inclusion in nursing practice in the palliative care setting.
Feminist research or humanistic research? Experiences of studying prostatectomy
Authors: Pateman Brian 
Published: March 2003

• This paper highlights issues related to men’s health research arising from a small‐scale study, carried out by a male researcher, to identify the experience of men following transuretheral resection of prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The intention of this paper is to stimulate methodological debate rather than to be a research report.• For the study, an informal interview approach was used within a phenomenological framework, and interview experiences raised issues which have been previously discussed under the rubric of feminist research.• The conclusion drawn is that a style of research which attempts to gain a holistic view of patients’ experiences is better termed ‘humanistic research’ because the term ‘feminist research’ clearly cannot be applied to men studying men’s health‐related experiences.
Caring in nursing: perceptions of Hong Kong nurses
Authors: Yam Bernard M. C. , Rossiter Joh Chin 
Published: March 2003

• Ten registered nurses in Hong Kong were interviewed on their perceptions of caring behaviours in their clinical settings, barriers to these behaviours, and possible ways to overcome those barriers.• Findings showed that respondents valued the importance of expressive behaviours and interpersonal communication skills in providing holistic patient care. They felt constrained by social, economic, cultural, and personal variables such as staff shortages, the traditional task‐orientated approach of nursing, the dominance of medicine in the healthcare system, the influence of Chinese culture on work attitudes, and their limited skills and lack of education.• The situation could be improved through better staff education, colleague support, effective human resources allocation, and promotion of a democratic working environment.• A creative approach is necessary to integrate these strategies into a healthcare system dominated by technology and economic constraints.
Patient satisfaction with emergency nurse practitioners in A & E
Authors: Byrne Geraldine , Richardson Marion , Brunsdon Julie , Patel Asmita 
Published: March 2003

• In recent years the complex process of managing services for patients requiring emergency care has been increasingly under scrutiny and considerable diversity has arisen in the organization of emergency care in both hospital and community settings.• One innovation which has been particularly widespread is the development of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs): experienced Accident and Emergency nurses who assume entire responsibility for patients with minor injuries, in emergency settings.• The present paper reports on a study which compared patients’ satisfaction with care given by Emergency Nurse Practitioners with that provided by doctors and nurses working together in a traditional A & E.• Patients were significantly more likely to have received health education and first aid advice from an ENP than from a doctor. They were also significantly more likely to have been given written instructions to take home and told whom to contact if they needed more help and advice following discharge. Those seen by an ENP also reported that they were subsequently significantly less worried about their health, than did patients seen in a traditional A & E.
A randomized trial of a Telephone Reassurance Programme for patients recently discharged from an ophthalmic unit
Authors: Boter Han , Mistiaen Patriek , Groenewegen Ingrid 
Published: March 2003

• Patients often experience problems after discharge, for instance with housekeeping or a general lack of information.• The effect of a nurse‐initiated Telephone Reassurance Programme (TRP) on ophthalmic patient outcomes was investigated.• Patients in the intervention group were phoned by a nurse 3–6 days after being randomized and discharged home.• Patients in both intervention and control groups received a questionnaire 1 week and 1 month after discharge to assess the patient outcomes ‘Informational needs’, ‘Uncertainty’, ‘Emotional complaints’ and ‘Functional limitations’.• In an attempt to explain the lack of statistically significant results, the limitations related to the participants, intervention and outcomes are discussed.
Self‐care in adults with asthma: how they cope
Authors: MÄkinen Satu , Suominen Tarja , Lauri Sirkka 
Published: March 2003

• The purpose of this study was to find out how well adult asthma patients in Finland cope with self‐care in three areas of asthma treatment. The areas of physical, psychological and social asthma treatment were examined. Associations between demographic background data and self‐care were also studied.• Data (n = 130) for the study were collected using a questionnaire specially developed for this study. A deductive perspective was employed in data analysis.• Respondents showed fairly good competence in self‐care in all three areas of asthma treatment. However, up to 30% of the asthma patients had pets and 16% were smokers.• Extra stress was reduced by exercise and positive thinking. Humour was also important in helping most of the respondents cope mentally.• Social support played a significant part in fighting the sense of powerlessness which is caused by asthma.• According to the results, women coped better than men in the social area of self‐care.
Prevalence and nursing staff awareness of hearing impairment in older hospital patients
Authors: Heron Rebecca , Wharrad Heather J. 
Published: March 2003

•  This paper reports on a research study carried out on three Health Care of the Elderly wards in Nottinghamshire.•  Two cross‐sectional surveys were undertaken to determine nursing competence in relation to the assessment and care of hearing impaired elderly patients.•  Using pure‐tone audiometry, 90.5% of the sample were found to have a hearing impairment of ≥25 dBHL in the better‐hearing ear.•  Results indicated that nurses possessed the relevant theoretical knowledge but that their practical skills were limited.
Screening swallowing function of patients with acute stroke. Part two: detailed evaluation of the tool used by nurses
Authors: Perry Lin 
Published: March 2003

• Stroke is a common problem and a major consumer of health and social care budgets in the UK.• Dysphagia is a frequent accompaniment and its management has the potential to exert significant influence within the rehabilitation process.• This study explores in detail the performance of a screening tool (based on the Standardized Swallowing Assessment) used by nurses.• Based on 68 complete screening episodes by independently competent nurses, with the effects of chance removed, the tool demonstrated good agreement with summative clinical judgement of swallow function (κ=0.88). The accuracy of results supported the full training and education programme for nurses.• Not all components of the tool were required; analyses suggested elimination of three variables but further exploration is warranted.• As a component of evidence‐based guidelines for nutritional support in acute stroke, the screening initiative contributed to improved patient outcomes.
Nursing activity in general intensive care
Authors: HARRISON LYNNE , NIXON GILLIAN 
Published: March 2003

• In this cost‐conscious climate there is a need to make explicit and justify the rationale to support direct patient contact by Registered Nurses. The current shortage of qualified nursing staff means that it is essential that experience and expertise be utilized to the benefit of patients and the service as a whole.• This study used a descriptive approach to describe, categorize and quantify the activities of nurses working in a six‐bed general intensive care unit.• Data were collected using a self‐reporting diary log sheet that identified the focus of an individual's activity at 5‐minute intervals. All Registered Nurses, on all shifts over a 7‐day period, completed log sheets.• The results demonstrate that nurses working in this general intensive care unit spent 85% of their time in activities associated with providing direct patient care. However, up to 6% of time was spent undertaking non‐nursing duties, and analysis of unit activity provided data to support an increase in the establishment and review of the shift patterns of health care assistants.• The findings of the study indicate that nurses in charge of shifts spend 24.1% of their time in managerial and administrative activity; this reduces the amount of time spent in direct patient contact.
Children's nursing and interprofessional collaboration: challenges and opportunities
Authors: KENNY GERARD 
Published: March 2003

• Interprofessional working has been the subject of recent debate in the nursing press.• Despite this heightened scrutiny little attention has been given to putting this development in the context of practitioners working within children's nursing.• This paper seeks to redress this imbalance by focusing on the challenges and opportunities for professional development that interprofessional collaboration working offers.• This is illustrated by acknowledging existing themes of good practice, and identifying the potential for new ways of working that maintain professional status, skills and knowledge but also facilitate wider collaboration.
Management of relatives of patients who are dying
Authors: Main Jill 
Published: March 2003

Summary? Previous research in a retrospective community‐based study suggested that some relatives had difficulty coping with their bereavement when the pre‐bereavement period had not been managed well.? This prospective study in a hospital setting explored the issues further to include the views and needs of staff as well as relatives.? Staff were interviewed in focus groups and relatives were interviewed individually.? Analysis of data was qualitative using thematic analysis.? Findings demonstrated that staff often felt ill‐equipped for providing support for relatives when a patient is dying.? Training is required to help nurses support and care for the relatives of dying patients.
Psychosocial maturity among people with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hörnsten Åsa , Norberg Astrid , Lundman Berit 
Published: March 2003

Summary? There is a relationship between coping with chronic illness and a person's psychosocial development.? The aim of this study was to describe dimensions of psychosocial development based on results of a previous factor analysis of the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory among people with type 2 diabetes.? Interviews were carried out with 10 people with diabetes. The transcribed interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis into main categories, categories and themes.? The categories were trust, lack of trust, positive identity, identity confusion, integrity and lack of integrity. Themes that permeated the categories in a positive way were ‘activity’ and ‘involvement’, while themes that permeated the categories in a negative way were ‘passivity’ and ‘alienation’. Our interpretation is that the category ‘trust’ is the basis for ‘identity’, and together ‘trust’ and ‘identity’ are the basis for maturity and ‘integrity’.? A conclusion is that positive psychosocial maturity has to do with attaining trust, identity and integrity through activity and involvement. Qualities important for maturation through trust, identity and integrity are understanding, capacity, purposefulness and fortitude. Our interpretation of maturity is considered as being an important and interesting focus in nursing, while the above related qualities are closely connected to coping with diabetes.
‘Understanding and being understood’ as a creative caring phenomenon – in care of patients with stroke and aphasia
Authors: Sundin Karin , Jansson Lilian 
Published: March 2003

Summary• Five care providers particularly successful at communicating with patients with communication difficulties were video‐recorded together with three patients with aphasia after stroke, during morning care activities. The care providers were then interviewed immediately after the video‐recordings, about their experiences of communicating with such patients.• The interviews with the care providers were interpreted by means of a phenomenological hermeneutic method.• Co‐creating was the main theme found.• Care providers invite the patient to participate in the creative act of communication. They have a communicative attitude and show interest in the patients' personal desires. The care providers encounter the patient as a presence in a caring communion. In part, care providers communicate by continuously conveying their presence to the patient and even creating availability in a close and open intersubjective relationship.• A relaxed and supportive atmosphere facilitates reciprocity between care provider and patient. The communication is not technical or strategic; instead care providers share the patients' experiences in a silent dialogue. This silent dialogue involves sharing the patients' feelings and thus receiving messages from the patient.