bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dental care of a child in pain – a comparison of treatment planning options offered by GDPs in California and the North‐west of England
Authors: Blinkhorn A. , Zadeh‐Kabir R. 
Published: December 2004

Summary. Objective. To compare the treatment plans offered by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the North‐west of England (UK) and California (USA) in dealing with a child in pain.Methods. A cross‐sectional postal survey of a convenience sample of 135 UK and 170 USA GDP. These GDPs were asked to consider a case scenario of a 5‐year‐old child with pain from a lower first primary molar and to offer a treatment plan. The plan was to have three phases: immediate care, follow‐up care and longer term preventive strategy. The influence of cost on treatment plans was also recorded.Results. Response rates for the GDPs were 117 (86·6%) from the UK and 139 (81·8%) from the USA. The major differences in immediate care were as follows: 98% of Americans would take a radiograph, 41% would consider extraction, 37% would place a space maintainer and 4% would use general anaesthesia to extract a tooth. Comparable proportions for the English dentists were 20%, 21%, 2% and 40%. Later clinical options also showed differences: 39% of UK dentists would extract all first primary molars compared to only 1% of Americans. Eighty‐eight per cent of USA dentists would place a nickel chrome crown compared to 4% of UK respondents. There were also differences in the longer term preventive measures. Greater proportions of American dentists would offer fluoride varnish (30%) and fluoride mouthrinse (37%). Comparable UK responses were 13% and 28%. Cost of care was only mentioned by 3% of UK dentists, whereas 70% of USA dentists mentioned cost as a factor in treatment planning.Conclusion. There were marked differences in the treatment of a child in pain between general practitioners in the UK and the USA. Further investigations are required to elucidate the reasons for these differences.
The atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach to restoring primary teeth in a standard dental clinic
Authors: Honkala E. , Behbehani J. , Ibricevic H. , Kerosuo E. , Al‐Jame G. 
Published: December 2004

Summary. Objectives. The aims of this study are to assess the feasibility of the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach in primary teeth and to compare the ART approach with traditional amalgam restorations in primary molars.Methods. This study was conducted in a paediatric dentistry clinic in Kuwait between April 1999 and December 2001. The ART and amalgam restorations were placed randomly on comparable pairs of primary molars, if available. In addition, the ART approach was used for other primary teeth that had no pulpal involvement and no perceived pain before treatment. The restorations were assessed by both the ART evaluation criteria and USPHS criteria in August–September 2000 and in August–December 2001. The mean follow‐up period for the restorations was 8·3 months in the first assessment (2000) and 22 months in the second assessment (2001). The assessment was possible for 35 children (mean age = 5·7 years), 18 of whom had comparable pairs (n = 35 pairs) of restorations in their primary molars. In addition, 48 other ART restorations were assessed in 2000 and 42 in 2001.Results.In a 2‐year follow‐up, 89·6% of all ART restorations were considered successful. The failure rate of the comparable pairs of ART and amalgam restorations was 5·7%. There was no significant difference in success rate between ART and amalgam techniques.Conclusions. Based on a 2‐year follow‐up evaluation, the class I ART restorations seemed to have a high success rate, indicating the appropriateness of the ART approach in primary teeth.
Occlusion and tooth/arch dimensions in the primary dentition of preschool Jordanian children
Authors: Abu Alhaija E. S. J. , Qudeimat M. A. 
Published: December 2004

Summary. Objectives. To assess tooth and arch dimensions, occlusal relationships and the presence of spacing or crowding in primary dentition of Jordanian children.Study design. A list of 10 kindergartens was randomly selected in the governate of Irbid, Jordan. A total of 1048 children (2·5–6 years old) with complete primary dentitions were examined for occlusal relationships in three planes, and the presence of spacing or crowding. Of those, study casts were taken for 87 randomly selected 4–5‐year‐old children (39 girls, 48 boys). Measurements of tooth and arch dimensions were made using electronic digital sliding callipers.Results. In general, males had larger mesiodistal tooth width and larger arch dimensions. Bilateral mesial step molar relationship was found in 47·7% of children followed by bilateral flush terminal molar relationship in 37% and bilateral distal step in 3·7%. Asymmetric right/left molar relationship was found in 11·6% of children examined. Class I canine relationship was found in 57% of children, followed by Class II canines in 29% and Class III canines in 3·7%. Fifty per cent of children examined had Class I incisors, 24·7% had Class II Division 1, 13·5% had Class II Division 2 and 11·8% showed reversed overjet. Ideal overbite was seen in 44·3% of children, reduced overbite in 21·8%, increased overbite in 28·2% and 5·7% had anterior openbite. Buccal crossbite was seen in 7% of the sample. Generalized spacing was found in 61·8% and 61·1% of children in the upper and lower arches, respectively. Anthropoid spaces were found in 70% of the upper arches and in 51% of the lower arches.Conclusions. Males had larger tooth/arch dimension than that of females in the primary dentition stage. Mesial step molar relationship was found in 47·7% of the subjects followed by flush terminal molar relationship in 37%. The majority of children examined had spaced primary dentition.
The salience of the body: transition in sexual self‐identity for women living with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kralik Debbie , Koch Tina , Eastwood Sue 
Published: December 2004

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to outline understandings about the construction of sexuality and the impact of a changing body for women living with multiple sclerosis (MS). We suggest that the process of transition towards incorporating the experience of chronic illness into one's life is influenced by the (re)construction of self‐identity. Design and methods. A participatory action process guided the research. The women joined the authors for five group sessions that totalled 15 hours of contact time. In addition, we offered women the opportunity for one‐to‐one interviews at home. Nine women volunteered to participate. This allowed us to gain additional in‐depth data about individual experiences. The interpretive framework was guided by the self‐identity literature. When reading the transcripts we questioned: What is going on here? What does this say about the construction of self? What does this say about the construction of identity? What influence does the body have in the construction of self‐identity? Analysis was collaborative (with the women) and the resultant emerging construction of sexuality is shared in this paper. Data generated during one‐to‐one interviews are privileged and we include two accounts from women who live with MS. The women's stories focus on sexuality, however, within this sexual context, we observed shifts in self‐identity which we contend may shape the illness transition experience. Findings. The rationale for privileging only two accounts is to expand understanding of Ordinariness and Extraordinariness with particular focus on the salience of the body in the ‘sexual’ lives of the women. Self‐identity was shaped by how they felt about themselves as sexual beings, how they experienced their body, how they felt about sexual activities and by the way others reacted to them. Importantly, we view the women's sense of self, identity and the relationship to the body and find that shifts in self identity shape the woman's transition towards Ordinariness. Conclusions. This exploration of illness experiences is a reminder that our bodies are vehicles for our sense of self and identity. Cultural, educational, social, religious and family contexts all impact on women's capacity to shape the consequences of illness and the choices available to them. Facilitating women towards an awareness of the choices available in order to sustain or reclaim self may in turn expedite transition towards Ordinariness so that illness may become a part of their life.
A training programme for prevention of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens: impact on knowledge, behaviour and incidence of needle stick injuries among student nurses in Changsha, People's Republic of China
Authors: Wang Honghong , Fennie Kristopher , He Guoping , Burgess Jane , Williams Ann B. 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Although the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in China is expanding rapidly, the principles of universal precautions (UP) are not widely disseminated in Chinese hospitals. Lack of training about occupational prevention of bloodborne pathogens (BBP) may place student nurses at risk when they are in clinical practice. Aim.  To examine the impact of structured training on prevention of occupational exposure to BBP on knowledge, behaviour, and incidence of medical sharp injuries among student nurses in Changsha, China. Methods.  A quasi‐experimental study evaluated changes in knowledge, self‐reported UP behaviours, observed adherence to UP, and needle stick/sharp injuries during a 4‐month follow‐up period. The study population consisted of 106 student nurses in two classes. One class served as the experimental group, while the other served as a control group. Students in the experimental group participated in a structured training intervention consisting of lectures and demonstrations. Results.
At 4 months, the group that received the BBP training scored significantly higher than the standard education group on both knowledge (
P
< 0·001) and behaviour (
P
= 0·002). Although students in the experimental group were not observed to practise UP significantly more frequently than those in the control group, they were less likely to experience needle stick/sharp injuries (OR = 0·29; 95% CI 0·11, 0·74;
P  = 0·004). Conclusion.  Structured training in prevention of occupational exposure to BBP improved knowledge and behaviour and reduced the number of needle stick/sharp injuries among Chinese student nurses, compared with students who did not receive the training. Training in the techniques of UP could play a role in reducing the risk for occupational exposure to BBP among Chinese future nurses. In view of the accelerating HIV epidemic, implementation and evaluation of such training programmes are urgently needed.
Cognitive interviewing: verbal data in the design and pretesting of questionnaires
Authors: Drennan Jonathan 
Published: December 2004

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to discuss problems that occur in questionnaire responses and how cognitive interviewing can be used to identify problematic questions prior to using the questionnaire in the field. Background. Questionnaire design involves developing wording that is clear, unambiguous and permits respondents successfully to answer the question that is asked. However, a number of problems in relation to respondents' understanding and successfully completing questionnaires have been identified. Cognitive interviewing, an amalgamation of cognitive psychology and survey methodology, has been developed to identify problematic questions that may elicit response error. The overall aim is to use cognitive theory to understand how respondents perceive and interpret questions and to identify potential problems that may arise in prospective survey questionnaires. Methods. A literature review is used to examine the process of questionnaire design and how cognitive interviewing can be used to reduce sampling error and increase questionnaire response rates. Findings. Cognitive interviewing involves interviewers asking survey respondents to think out loud as they go through a survey questionnaire and tell them everything they are thinking. This allows understanding of the questionnaire from the respondents' perspective rather than that of the researchers. Cognitive interviews have been used in a number of areas in health care research to pretest and validate questionnaires and to ensure high response rates. Interviewing has been found to be highly effective in developing questionnaires for age specific groups (children and adolescents) and in ascertaining respondents' understanding in health surveys prior to distribution. However, cognitive interviews have been criticized for being overly subjective and artificial. Conclusion: Cognitive interviews are a positive addition to current methods of pretesting questionnaires prior to distribution to the sample. They are most valuable in pretesting questions that are complex, where questions are sensitive and intrusive and for specific groups for whom questionnaire completion may pose particular difficulties.
Comparing doctor‐ and nurse‐led care in a sexual health clinic: patient satisfaction questionnaire
Authors: Miles Kevin , Penny Nikki , Power Robert , Mercey Danielle 
Published: December 2004

Background. A new model of comprehensive care nurse‐led clinics has enabled experienced genitourinary medicine nurses to co‐ordinate the first‐line, comprehensive care of female patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health conditions and issues. Aim. This paper describes the development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire to compare the satisfaction of women attending nurse‐led or doctor‐led clinics at a central London genitourinary medicine clinic. Methods. A previously validated questionnaire was adapted using the findings of qualitative interviews exploring patient expectations of the service. The draft questionnaire was tested for internal consistency, sub‐scale homogeneity, construct validity and stability. The final version consisted of a 34 item, five‐point Likert scale, which was found to be both reliable (Cronbach's α 0·91) and stable (test–retest 0·95). There was some evidence of construct validity. The questionnaire was then distributed to a convenience sample of 132 women attending a nurse‐led clinic and 150 seen at a doctor‐led clinic. Results. There was a 90% response rate. The median total satisfaction scores, out of a total of five, were 4·47 and 4·30 for the nurse‐led and doctor‐led groups, respectively (P  = 0·05). Significantly higher scores on the sub‐scales measuring quality and competence of technical care (P  < 0·001), provision of information (P  = 0·01) and overall satisfaction (P  = 0·01) were seen for the nurse‐led group. No significant differences were found in the sub‐scales measuring service attributes and specific attributes of interpersonal relationships. Conclusion. The rigorous development, piloting and testing phases of this satisfaction questionnaire led to reliable and valid results. This study demonstrated that nurse‐led clinics within this service are an acceptable alternative to the existing doctor‐led clinics.
The Internet and access to evidence: how are nurses positioned?
Authors: Estabrooks Carole A. , O'Leary Katherine A. , Ricker Kathryn L. , Humphrey Charles K. 
Published: December 2004

Background. Published literature that describes the use of the Internet by nurses is scant, but it does reveal that there has been a delay in the acceptance of the Internet as a workplace tool by the medical community and, in particular by nurses. Aims. The purpose of this article is to report on a study of how often and from what location nurses accessed the Internet, as well as the types of information they were seeking. In addition, our goal was to compare nurses' Internet use with that of physicians and the public at large, and to highlight structural and institutional challenges to nurses' use. Methods. Surveys (1996 and 1998) of Alberta Registered Nurses were used to examine their use of technology at work and at home. Additional data sources were used to compare nurses to physicians and to the general public. Results. While nurses' Internet and e‐mail use at home increased over the 2‐year period and was comparable with other groups, Internet use at work was low compared with other groups despite adequate workplace access. Conclusions. Nurses are more likely to value interpersonal contact, and prefer to use personal experience and communication with colleagues and patients rather than on‐line and traditional sources of practice knowledge. In order for an information source to be seen as valuable in the clinical setting, contextually relevant information needs to be accessed quickly and efficiently. Energies should be focused on constructing information systems that address the particular needs of nurses.
Nursing theory views on how to support the process of ageing
Authors: Wadensten Barbro , Carlsson Marianne 
Published: December 2004

Background.  An important purpose of theories is to challenge practice, create new approaches to practice and remodel the structures of rules and principles. Therefore, it is of interest to study whether it is possible to make use of nursing theories in care of older people, when the aim is to support them in the process of ageing. Aim.  To review 17 well‐known nursing theories/models in order to delineate the views on ageing presented and discover whether there are descriptions of how nursing care of older people could be organized. Methods.  Seventeen nursing theories/models originating over a 30‐year period from the early 1960s to the early 1990s were chosen. A search of CINAHL was done and lists of reference from books were used to find original sources. For the review, a list of research questions were formulated and addressed to each theory. Results.  Results showed that most nursing theorists see human ageing from a developmental perspective, but do not discuss what ageing implies. In only a few theories are some important aspects of nursing care of older people discussed, but no concrete instructions are given on how to apply these to nursing care. Conclusion.  There is a need to develop a nursing care model that – more than other contemporary theories – takes into consideration human ageing.
Confronting life with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Melanson Patricia M. , Downe‐Wamboldt Barbara 
Published: December 2004

Background. Older people with rheumatoid arthritis are confronted with a variety of chronic stressors on a daily basis. Living with rheumatoid arthritis means learning to cope with physical limitations, fatigue, losing mobility and independence, pain, uncertainty and role changes related to periods of exacerbation and remission. There is a paucity of literature that addresses the stress and coping processes over time for older people who have had rheumatoid arthritis since midlife.Aim. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe, at three points in time and over two 6‐month intervals, the illness‐related stressors perceived by older people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis since midlife; their stress‐related emotions and the coping strategies they used to manage the illness‐related stressors.Methods. A longitudinal, descriptive design was used to assess older people's perceptions of illness‐related stress, their stress emotions and the coping strategies used to manage the illness‐related stressors.Findings. The majority of participants most frequently identified physical limitations as their illness‐related stressors, harm as the stress emotion they experienced, and use of confrontive coping strategies to manage the stress associated with rheumatoid arthritis.Conclusions. The findings provide nurses with a better understanding of the experiences, emotions and coping strategies used by older people to manage the adversity of rheumatoid arthritis in daily living.
Living with a woman with fibromyalgia from the perspective of the husband
Authors: Söderberg Siv , Strand Marie , Haapala Maria , Lundman Berit 
Published: December 2004

Background. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, which affects mostly middle‐aged women. The syndrome is poorly understood and treatment is mainly palliative. The diagnosis is established from diagnostic criteria. Living with FM means living a life greatly influenced by the illness in various ways for people affected.Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of living with a woman with FM from the husbands' perspective.Methods. Five men married to women with FM were interviewed using a narrative approach. The interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis.Findings.The analysis resulted in the following seven themes: increasing responsibility and work in the home; being an advocate for and supporting the wife; learning to see the woman's changing needs; changing relationship between spouses; changing relationship with friends and relatives; deepening relationship with the children and lacking information and knowledge about FM. The findings show that the women's illness had a great impact on husbands' lives, and that husbands lacked information about the woman's illness.Conclusion. This study shows that it is not only the women with FM who experience a changed life; the whole family life is influenced and limited by FM. The husband's role in the family changes, first and foremost concerning responsibility and workload within the family. This must be taken into consideration in care planning. This study also highlighted the need of information and knowledge about FM expressed by the participants, information that health care personnel have a great responsibility to give.
A systematic review of stress and stress management interventions for mental health nurses
Authors: Edwards D. , Burnard P. 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Health care professionals in the United Kingdom (UK) appear to have higher absence and sickness rates than staff in other sectors, and stress may be a reason for nurses leaving their jobs. These problems need to be addressed, particularly in the mental health field, if current service provision is to be maintained. Aim.  The aim was to identify stressors, moderators and stress outcomes (i.e. measures included those related to stress, burnout and job satisfaction) for mental health nurses, as these have clear implications for stress management strategies. Method.  A systematic review of research published in English between 1966 and 2000 and undertaken in the UK that specifically identified participants as mental health nurses was carried out to determine the effectiveness of stress management interventions for those working in mental health nursing. Studies from non‐UK countries were examined as potential models of good practice. The study was limited to primary research papers that specifically involved mental health nurses, where the health outcomes measured were stressors, moderators and stress outcomes and where sufficient data was provided. Results.  The initial search identified 176 papers, of these 70 met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies have been reported since the completion of the review and have been included in this article. Sixty‐nine focused on the stressors, moderators and stress outcomes and eight papers identified stress management techniques. Relaxation techniques, training in behavioural techniques, stress management workshops and training in therapeutic skills were effective stress management techniques for mental health nurses. Methodological flaws however, were detracted from the rigour of many of the studies. Conclusions.  The review demonstrated that a great deal is known about the sources of stress at work, about how to measure it and about the impact on a range of outcome indicators. What was found to be lacking was a translation of these results into practice, into research that assessed the impact of interventions that attempt to moderate, minimize or eliminate some of these stressors.