bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying a phenomenological method of analysis derived from Giorgi to a psychiatric nursing study
Authors: Koivisto Kaisa , Janhonen Sirpa , Väisänen Leena 
Published: March 2003

Background.  The experience of mental ill health is fundamentally disempowering. The processes of psychiatric hospital care and treatment may also add to the personal feeling of disempowerment. This disempowerment is partly due to the failure of others to afford a proper hearing to the person's story of his/her experiences and problems in life. Hence, there is a need to investigate patients' experiences of being mentally ill with psychosis and being helped in a psychiatric hospital. Aim.  This paper describes the application of a phenomenological method of analysis derived from Amadeo Giorgi to an investigation of psychiatric patients' experiences about being mentally ill with psychosis and being helped in a psychiatric hospital ward in Northern Finland. Method.  This phenomenological study was conducted with nine voluntary adult patients recovering from psychosis. In 1998, patients were interviewed regarding their experiences of psychosis and being helped. The verbatim transcripts of these interviews were analysed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. Giorgi's method of analysis aims to uncover the meaning of a phenomenon as experienced by a human through the identification of essential themes. Patients' experiences of psychosis and being helped were clustered into a specific description of situated structure and a general description of situated structure. Findings.  The Giorgian method of phenomenological analysis was a clear‐cut process, which gave a structure to the analyses and justified the decisions made while analysing the data. A phenomenological study of this kind encourages psychiatric nurses to focus on patients' experiences. Conclusion.  Phenomenological study and Giorgi's method of analysis are applicable while investigating psychiatric patients' experiences and give new knowledge of the experiences of patients and new views of how to meet patients' needs.
Tobacco use and baccalaureate nursing students: a study of their attitudes, beliefs and personal behaviours
Authors: Chalmers Karen , Seguire Marilyn , Brown Judy 
Published: March 2003

Aim.  To report findings about student nurses' attitudes, beliefs and personal behaviour in relation to tobacco issues. Rationale.  Nurses have the potential to influence clients' behaviours and public policy concerning tobacco use. However, a review of the literature suggests that this is not happening. Further understanding of nursing students' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours regarding tobacco use is needed in order to develop strategies which can positively impact on their future health promotion role. Methods.  A cross‐sectional survey of the total population of baccalaureate nursing students in one Canadian province was employed. Students were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire, which included questions related to their smoking history; stage of behavioural change, and beliefs and attitudes towards tobacco. Students also completed the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) and the Fagerström Nicotine Tolerance Scale. Findings.  Two hundred and seventy‐two students (61·9%) responded. Sixty (22·1%) indicated that they smoked daily or in social situations. These smokers were found to have a fairly low level of nicotine dependence and although 91·4% said they wanted to quit, few were actively engaged in the quitting process (16·9%). When comparing the beliefs and attitudes of smoking and non‐smoking students, proportionally more of the non‐smokers agreed that smokers will need close family/friends to help them quit; that the health of society should be protected by laws against smoking; and that nurses should set a non‐smoking example. Non‐smokers indicated more health promoting behaviours on items in the HPLP especially on the variables of physical activity, nutrition and stress management. Conclusions.  Nurses have the potential to influence clients' behaviours and public policy concerning tobacco use. Developing future nurses with the knowledge and skill to do so needs to be an important emphasis of nursing curricula.
Caring as a slave morality: Nietzschean themes in nursing ethics
Authors: Paley John 
Published: March 2003

Background. Sceptical arguments about ‘caring’ can be divided into three categories. First, it is suggested that, while caring is no doubt an admirable thing in itself, it is just one ideal among others. Secondly, it is claimed that caring is not really a virtue at all, and that it should be regarded as more of a vice, because it promotes favouritism, injustice, and self‐deception. Thirdly, there is a worry that caring is not politically realistic, and that its advocates underestimate the powerful organizational and social structures which conspire to subvert nursing.Aim. This paper outlines a fourth, and more radical, type of scepticism, which explains why caring is subject to these drawbacks. In doing so, it considers the relation between caring, phenomenology and holism in nursing discourse, and the way in which all three fit together to form the ‘caring paradigm’.Methods. The paper adopts a genealogical approach, borrowed directly from Nietzsche'sGenealogy of Morality. That book argues that the values associated with caring are the expression of a profound resentment, harboured by the slaves (weak, powerless, timorous) against the nobles (strong, powerful, self‐confident). Caring represents an inversion, a sort of ‘fantasy revenge’, in which the nobles can be portrayed as ‘evil’, while the slaves portray their own weakness as ‘good’. Taking its cue from Nietzsche, the paper shows that theGenealogynarrative can be transposed into a modern health care context, with nurses as the ‘slaves’ and the medical profession as the ‘nobles’.Conclusions. The ideology of caring is, in theGenealogy'sterms, a slave morality. It represents an attack on the ‘medical‐scientific model’, motivated by resentment, and designed to establish nursing's superiority. Its effects have been debilitating, and it has prevented nursing from becoming a ‘noble’ (that is, a properly scientific) discipline.
Confusing rhetoric with reality: achieving a balanced skill mix of nurses working with children
Authors: Smith Joanna , Long Tony 
Published: March 2003

Background and rationale. The option of separate registration in children's nursing has been a feature of nursing in the United Kingdom since 1919, but this is currently under review. The recently superseded governing body of nursing, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, has suggested that generic nurse registration with later specialization would be a more appropriate structure. Polarized views tend to dominate the debate over whether or not children's nursing should remain a discrete branch of nursing rather than simply another postregistration speciality. A long series of reports is often referred to in the debate, but the recommendations of these are often misconstrued and misrepresented. Aims. First, to provide a factual historical overview of the significant reports on the provision of child health care over the past 50 years, identifying the key principles of each, and to develop from this analysis reasoned conclusions regarding the priorities in skill mix for nursing children. Second, to propose an alternative framework for nursing skill mix that will ensure that children receive care appropriate to their needs, and that nurses are appropriately prepared for the level of service to be offered. Conclusion: The problems associated with expectations of universal provision of registered children's nurses for all children requiring nursing intervention have resulted from misunderstandings of the recommendations of key historical reports. In the light of evidence presented for the drive for abolition of specialist registration, and the main arguments of the polar stances of genericism or specialization, it is vital that alternative strategies are developed and debated. The proposed framework, based on pragmatism and key principles established from major reports, is discussed in an attempt to address the real issues; namely that all children are cared for by nurses who have adequate preparation commensurate with their needs, and that there is a strong career trajectory for all nurses working in the field of child heath.
Nurses' perceptions of critical incidents
Authors: O'Connor Jillian , Jeavons Sue 
Published: March 2003

Aims of the study.  To determine: (1) the types of clinical events nurses perceived as ‘critical’; and (2) whether nurses' experiences of critical incidents were associated with any demographic variables such as qualifications and current area of work. Background.  A review of the literature revealed little research has investigated in detail which clinical events nurses perceived as ‘critical’, apart from two North American studies. Exploratory research of Australian nurses was undertaken to confirm and contrast their understandings and views with those of other work specialities and North American findings. Design/methods.  Two hundred and twenty‐seven full‐time registered nurses at a metropolitan medical centre responded to a survey questionnaire designed for the study based on findings of earlier studies regarding critical incidents. Results.  Respondents viewed the sexual abuse of a child and death of a child as the most critical of events listed on the questionnaire and an emergency situation as the most frequent and stressful incident in the previous year. Factor analysis indicated the existence of three types of critical incident represented by Grief, Emergency, and Risk Scales. Events on the Grief scale were most stressful for respondents. Although several significant relationships were found for demographics with the Grief and Risk Scales, findings were considered tentative because of disproportionate representation on many of the demographics. Conclusion.  Further research is necessary to substantiate the findings of the study. However, the identification of the scales provided a concise way of conceptualizing the essential elements of critical incidents.
Preparing nurses to face the pandemic of diabetes mellitus: a literature review
Authors: Hjelm Katarina , Mufunda Esther , Nambozi Grace , Kemp Joan 
Published: March 2003

hjelm k., mufunda e., nambozi g.&kemp j. (2003) Journal of Advanced Nursing 41(5), 424–434

Preparing nurses to face the pandemic of diabetes mellitus: a literature review Background. Diabetes constitutes a global public health problem. Today about 135 million people are affected and it is estimated that the number in 2025 will be 300 million. Aims. By reviewing existing literature the aim is to raise awareness among nurses, nurse educators and nursing students of the global epidemic of diabetes mellitus, its multiple underlying causes, especially social ones, and how to fight it. A further aim is to discuss the implications for future curriculum content in nurse education programmes. Findings. The main underlying causes of the disease are genetic and environmental factors, such as urbanization and industrialization, as well as increased longevity and changes in lifestyle from a traditional healthy and active life to a modern, sedentary, stressful life and over‐consumption of energy‐dense foods. This process, labelled ‘coca‐colonization’, is evident all over the world, although more so in developing countries. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus varies among populations due to differences in genetic susceptibility and social risk factors such as change in diet, obesity, physical inactivity and, possibly, factors relating to intrauterine development. Migrants are especially affected. Diabetes mellitus needs to be treated by a holistic approach through dietary adjustment, exercise, medication (if needed), education and self‐care measures. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a preventable disease. The main implication for nurses and nursing curricula is to change the focus from the individual with diabetes mellitus and management to prevent deterioration of health (secondary prevention), to population‐based community‐intervention programmes. These need to focus on health promoting activities to raise awareness among healthy people of the risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. Nurses all over the world have an important role in fighting the diabetic pandemic by health promotion aimed to keep people healthy as long as possible.
Sustainability in changing clinical practice promotes evidence‐based nursing care
Authors: Wallin Lars , Boström Anne‐Marie , Wikblad Karin , Ewald Uwe 
Published: March 2003

wallin l., boström a.‐m., wikblad k. &ewald u. (2003) Journal of Advanced Nursing 41(5), 509–518

Sustainability in changing clinical practice promotes evidence‐based nursing care Aim. To examine the relationship between sustained work with quality improvement (QI) and factors related to research utilization in a group of nurses. Design. The study was designed as a comparative survey that included 220 nurses from various health care organizations in Sweden. These nurses had participated in uniformly designed 4‐day basic training courses to manage a method for QI. Method. A validated questionnaire covering different aspects of research utilization was employed. The response rate was 70% (154 of 220). Nurses in managerial positions at the departmental level were excluded. Therefore, the final sample consisted of 119 respondents. Four years after the training courses, 39% were still involved in audit‐related activities, while 61% reported that they had discontinued the QI work (missing = 1). Results. Most nurses (80–90%) had a positive attitude to research. Those who had continued the QI work over a 4‐year period reported more activity in searching research literature compared with those who had discontinued the QI work (P  = 0·005). The QI‐sustainable nurses also reported more frequent participation in research‐related activities, particularly in implementing specific research findings in practice (P  = 0·001). Some contextual differences were reported: the QI‐sustainable nurses were more likely to obtain support from their chief executive (P  = 0·001), consultation from a skilled researcher (P  = 0·005) and statistical support (P  = 0·001). Within the broader health care organization, the existence of a research committee and a research and development strategy, as well as access to research assistant staff, had a tendency to be more common for nurses who had continued the QI work. Conclusion. Sustainability in QI work was significantly related to supportive leadership, facilitative human resources, increased activity in seeking new research and enhanced implementation of research findings in clinical practice. It appears that these factors constitute a necessary prerequisite for professional development and the establishment of evidence‐based practice.
Moving toward an unstable equilibrium: saddle nodes in population systems
Authors: Cushing  , Dennis Brian , Desharnais  , Costantino  
Published: March 2003

1.  We identify an unstable equilibrium with a two‐dimensional stable manifold and a one‐dimensional unstable manifold in a three‐state variable (larva, pupa, adult) insect population growth model. 2.  The saddle node forecasts that the time series of some initial numbers of larvae, pupae and adults are drawn closely to the unstable equilibrium before approaching the asymptotic stable attractor (a two‐cycle), while the time series of other initial points are not. 3.  Using two quantitative indices, we examine time series from a Tribolium experiment for evidence of the predicted saddle node. We conclude that a saddle node accounts for the transient dynamics in these data and for the differences between the transient behaviour of different replicates of the same experiment.
Demographic consequences of sex‐biased dispersal in a population of brushtail possums
Authors: EFFORD MURRAY 
Published: March 2003

1.  A population of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington, New Zealand was live‐trapped three times a year for 15 years. Almost all births occurred in a single autumn pulse, and many young were tagged while still with their mothers in spring before becoming independent in summer. Yearlings could be distinguished from adults until the following summer. An age‐structured mark–recapture analysis distinguished in situ recruitment from immigration. 2.  The sex ratio of young in June, soon after birth, was male‐biased (56·1%); by September, late in the pouch phase, the observed ratio was closer to parity (52·5%). Disappearance immediately after independence was not sex‐biased and did not coincide with noticeable immigration, so it is believed to be due almost entirely to mortality. 3.  Recurrent seasonal patterns of disappearance and immigration differed between sex and age classes. Adult disappearance was high in winter (June–September), particularly among males, and low through the rest of the year. The disappearance of yearlings, which seldom bred, showed the least sexual dimorphism in winter. Almost no immigration was detected for either age class over winter. Winter disappearance was therefore attributed to in situ mortality, made worse in adult males by their abrupt loss of condition during the autumn breeding season. 4.  The largest seasonal influx of immigrants was of nominally adult males in the intervals September to February and February to June. Many of these were young males in their second summer that could not be distinguished from adults by body size. It is inferred that the majority of natal dispersal was delayed until after their first winter of independence, which may have the effect of reducing dispersal‐related mortality. 5.  Immigration by males exceeded that by females in both adult and yearling age classes, and at all times of year. In total, 74% of immigrants were males. About three in four breeding males and one in five breeding females were immigrants. 6.  The inverse seasonal relationship between mortality and dispersal suggests that the proximate motivation for dispersal in brushtail possums is not related to weather or food shortage. Immigration probably exceeded emigration, indicating that dispersal was not a strategy to escape high densities. Dispersal appears to be an integral part of male development. The rules governing the settlement of dispersers remain unknown.
Density dependence of clutch size: habitat heterogeneity or individual adjustment?
Authors: BOTH CHRISTIAAN 
Published: March 2003

1.   Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain density‐dependent patterns in reproduction. The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis (HHH) explains density‐dependent reproduction at the population level from poorer quality territories in hetero geneous environments only being occupied at high densities. No effect of population density is expected on reproduction within a given territory. If reproduction and territory quality are correlated, there will be a negative correlation between reproduction and density. Alternatively, density‐dependent responses could be caused by variation in reproduction with population density. This will be referred to as the individual adjustment hypothesis (IAH). 2.  The HHH predicts that individuals breeding on the same territory in years with different densities would show no response in reproduction to changes in population density. The response in reproduction of the population to changes in density would therefore be stronger than the within territory response. Under the IAH, the response of individuals on specific territories would be similar to the average response in the whole population. 3.  This paper attempts to discriminate between these two hypotheses using data on clutch sizes of great tits Parus major L. from six different populations. In all populations the mean clutch size was negatively correlated with the population density. In four out of the six study populations individual females breeding on the same territory showed a negative correlation between the change in clutch size between years and the change in density. In none of the populations it was found that the response within territories was significantly smaller than the average response for the population. 4.  These data suggest that density dependence of clutch size in great tits is not due to poorer quality territories being occupied more frequently at higher population densities. Within territories, individual females adjusted their clutch size to changes in density, and this was sufficient to explain the density dependence of clutch size in five of the six populations. In one population some evidence supporting the HHH was found.
Rarity in the tropics: latitudinal gradients in distribution and abundance in Australian mammals
Authors: Johnson C. N. 
Published: March 2003

1. In many groups of species, range size and population density are positively correlated (the ‘distribution−abundance relationship’) and range size is positively correlated with latitude (‘Rapoport's Rule’). This study investigated these two relationships among Australian forest mammals, and also tested for the existence of a relationship between population density and latitude in the same fauna.2.All three relationships were significant, with the distribution–abundance relationship the strongest pattern of the three, and Rapoport's Rule the weakest. Partial correlation analysis showed that: (i) range size and population density remained positively correlated when latitude was held constant; and (ii) population density and latitude remained positively correlated when range size was held constant; but (iii) latitude and range size were not significantly correlated when population density was held constant. For (i) and (ii), partial correlation did not reveal stronger relationships than were revealed by simple correlation. These results suggest that the distribution–abundance relationship is conditioned by latitude to produce small ranges and low population densities in the tropics, and that tropical species tend to have low population densities relative to range size.3.Body mass accounted for little variation in population density, and for no variation in range size and latitudinal position. The small ranges and low population densities of tropical species were not related to a latitudinal gradient in species richness, which did not occur in this fauna.4.The latitudinal gradient in population density held within widespread species as well as among species. The effect of Bergmann's Rule (the tendency for organisms in cool environments to be larger bodied than organisms in warm environments) meant that in some species, population energy use rose more steeply with latitude than did population density.5.I argue that all three relationships might be due to a tendency for the foraging efficiency of animals to be lower in tropical than in temperate ecosystems, as a result of a lower concentration of nutrients in tropical ecosystems. For resource‐limited species, foraging efficiency should influence both range size and population density. Differences in foraging efficiency may therefore produce the distribution−abundance relationship as well as latitudinal gradients in range size and population density.