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Knowledge Deficits (knowledge + deficit)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	70%

Selected Abstracts

DIPKIP: A CONNECTIONIST KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY KNOWLEDGE DEFICITS IN PRACTICAL CASES

COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 1 2010
Álvaro Herrero
This study presents a novel, multidisciplinary research project entitled DIPKIP (data acquisition, intelligent processing, knowledge identification and proposal), which is a Knowledge Management (KM) system that profiles the KM status of a company. Qualitative data is fed into the system that allows it not only to assess the KM situation in the company in a straightforward and intuitive manner, but also to propose corrective actions to improve that situation. DIPKIP is based on four separate steps. An initial "Data Acquisition" step, in which key data is captured, is followed by an "Intelligent Processing" step, using neural projection architectures. Subsequently, the "Knowledge Identification" step catalogues the company into three categories, which define a set of possible theoretical strategic knowledge situations: knowledge deficit, partial knowledge deficit, and no knowledge deficit. Finally, a "Proposal" step is performed, in which the "knowledge processes",creation/acquisition, transference/distribution, and putting into practice/updating,are appraised to arrive at a coherent recommendation. The knowledge updating process (increasing the knowledge held and removing obsolete knowledge) is in itself a novel contribution. DIPKIP may be applied as a decision support system, which, under the supervision of a KM expert, can provide useful and practical proposals to senior management for the improvement of KM, leading to flexibility, cost savings, and greater competitiveness. The research also analyses the future for powerful neural projection models in the emerging field of KM by reviewing a variety of robust unsupervised projection architectures, all of which are used to visualize the intrinsic structure of high-dimensional data sets. The main projection architecture in this research, known as Cooperative Maximum-Likelihood Hebbian Learning (CMLHL), manages to capture a degree of KM topological ordering based on the application of cooperative lateral connections. The results of two real-life case studies in very different industrial sectors corroborated the relevance and viability of the DIPKIP system and the concepts upon which it is founded. [source]

Environmental Nursing Diagnoses for Aggregates and Community

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 1 2001
Pauline M. Green PhD
PURPOSE. To describe the application of group-appropriate methods to derive actual nursing diagnoses for a community. METHODS. A triangulation method using multiple sources of data, including an environmental survey, fish consumption survey, government reports, publications, and community assessments FINDINGS. Three priority community environmental nursing diagnoses for aggregates within the community: Knowledge deficit among community residents related to lack of awareness of contaminants in the Anacostia River; "risk for adverse human health effects" among pregnant and nursing women and preschoolers related to consumption of chemically contaminated fish; and knowledge deficit among community residents related to lack of awareness of health effects of consuming chemically contaminated fish. CONCLUSIONS. The diagnoses serve as the basis for community education and other interventions. The methods are practical and useful for this type of research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The nursing profession is experiencing a growing awareness of the close relationship between environmental health and the health of individuals and communities. There is a need for diagnostic labels to describe the responses of aggregates and communities to environmental hazards and conditions. [source]

Developing A Database to Describe the Practice Patterns of Adult Nurse Practitioner Students

JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 1 2000
Nancy A. O'Connor
Purpose: To describe the practice patterns of adult nurse practitioner students using a database composed of core health data elements and standardized nursing language. Design: Descriptive study of 3,733 patient visits documented by 19 adult nurse practitioner students in the academic year 1996,1997. Methods: A database was designed for documenting the full scope of practice of adult nurse practitioner students by use of core health data elements and the standardized nursing languages of NANDA and NIC. Nurse practitioner students used the database to document every linical encounter during their final clinical year of study. Most visits occurred in ambulatory care settings in a midwestern American city. Findingsx: Based on the American Medical Association's Evaluation/Management coding system, data indicated that 50% of visits were classified as problem focused, while 31.9% were expanded, 10% were detailed, and 8.1% were comprehensive. The most frequently occurring NANDA diagnoses were pain, health-seeking behavior, altered health maintenance, and knowledge deficit. The most frequently reported Nursing intervention classifications (NIC) were patient education, drug management, information management, and risk management. Conclusions: Using standardized nursing language to describe clinical encounters made visible the complex clinical decision-making patterns of adult nurse practitioner students. Systematic use of a database designed for documenting the full scope of practice of nurse practitioner students showed the applicability of standardized nursing language to advanced practice nursing contexts. [source]

Improving the quality of processing gastric cancer specimens: The pathologist's perspective,

JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Alyson L. Mahar BSc
Abstract Background and Objectives Research into surgeon and pathologist knowledge of guidelines for lymph node (LN) assessment in gastric cancer demonstrated a knowledge deficit. To understand factors affecting optimal assessment we surveyed pathologists to identify external barriers. Methods Pathologists were identified using two Ontario physician databases and surveyed online or by mail, with a 40% response rate. Results The majority (56%) of pathologists stated assessing an additional five LNs would not be a burden. Most (80%) pathologists disagreed with pay for performance for achieving quality standards. Qualitative analysis determined the majority of pathologists believed achieving quality standards was inherent to their profession and should not require incentives. Poor surgical specimen was identified as a barrier and underscores the importance of aiming quality improvement initiatives at the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion In addition to education, tailoring an intervention to address all barriers, including laboratory constraints may be an effective means of improving gastric cancer care. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:195,199. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese women: concerns and implications

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
TTC Kwan
Objective, To explore Chinese women's perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and their intention to be vaccinated. Design, A cross-sectional community-based survey study. Setting, Thirteen community women's health centres of The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. Sample, A total of 1450 ethnic Chinese women aged 18 or above who attended the health centres. Methods, Participants completed a written consent and an anonymous questionnaire onsite. Main outcome measures, Knowledge and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccination against cervical cancer and participants' own intention to be vaccinated. Results, About 38% of the participants (n = 527) had heard of HPV and 50% (n = 697) had heard of vaccination against cervical cancer. HPV infection was perceived to be stigmatising and detrimental to intimate, family and social relationships. Despite misconceptions and a grossly inadequate knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination, 88% of the participants (n = 1219) indicated that they would likely be vaccinated. Majority of the participants believed that sexually experienced women should be vaccinated, while 27% opposed vaccinating sexually naive women. Younger age women who perceived a disruptive impact of HPV infection on intimate relationship and their partners' approval were significantly associated with a positive intention to be HPV vaccinated. Conclusions, The easy acceptability of HPV vaccination among the mostly sexually experienced Chinese participants and their knowledge deficit on the subject may implicate potential misuse of the vaccines and a false sense of security against cervical cancer. There is a dire need for culturally sensitive and tailored education for the public, women of different ages and their partners about HPV and HPV vaccination. Emphasis must be placed on the prophylactic nature of the current vaccines, the uncertain effects when given to sexually experienced women, the importance of adolescent vaccination and the need for continued cervical screening whether vaccinated or not. [source]

DIPKIP: A CONNECTIONIST KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY KNOWLEDGE DEFICITS IN PRACTICAL CASES

A longitudinal evaluation of medical student knowledge, skills and attitudes to alcohol and drugs

ADDICTION, Issue 6 2006
Gavin Cape
ABSTRACT Aim To examine the knowledge, skills and attitudes of medical students to alcohol and drugs as training progresses. Design A longitudinal, prospective, cohort-based design. Setting The four schools of medicine in New Zealand. Participants All second-year medical students (first year of pre-clinical medical health sciences) in New Zealand were administered a questionnaire which was repeated in the fourth (first year of significant clinical exposure) and then sixth years (final year). A response rate of 98% in the second year, 75% in the fourth year and 34% in the sixth year, with a total of 637 respondents (47.8% male) and an overall response rate of 68%. Questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of 43 questions assessing knowledge and skills,a mixture of true/false and scenario stem-based multiple-choice questions and 25 attitudinal questions scored on a Likert scale. Demographic questions included first language, ethnicity and personal consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Findings The competence (knowledge plus skills) correct scores increased from 23.4% at the second year to 53.6% at the fourth year to 71.8% at the sixth year, being better in those students who drank alcohol and whose first language was English (P < 0.002). As training progressed the student's perceptions of their role adequacy regarding the effectiveness of the management of illicit drug users diminished. For example, at second year 21% and at sixth year 51% of students felt least effective in helping patients to reduce illicit drug use. At the sixth year, 15% of sixthyear students regarded the self-prescription of psychoactive drugs as responsible practice. Conclusion Education on alcohol and drugs for students remains a crucial but underprovided part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. This research demonstrated that while positive teaching outcomes were apparent, further changes to medical student curricula need to be considered to address specific knowledge deficits and to increase the therapeutic commitment and professional safety of medical students to alcohol and drugs. [source]

Acute-care nurses' attitudes towards older patients: A literature review

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 2 2000
Mary Courtney PhD
With increases in life expectancy and increasing numbers of older patients utilising the acute setting, attitudes of registered nurses caring for older people may affect the quality of care provided. This paper reviews recent research on positive and negative attitudes of acute-care nurses towards older people. Many negative attitudes reflect ageist stereotypes and knowledge deficits that significantly influence registered nurses' practice and older patients' quality of care. In the acute setting, older patients experience reduced independence, limited decision-making opportunities, increased probability of developing complications, little consideration of their ageing-related needs, limited health education and social isolation. Available instruments to measure attitudes towards and knowledge about older people, although reliable and valid, are outdated, country-specific and do not include either a patient focus or a caring perspective. This paper argues for the development and utilisation of a research instrument that includes both a patient focus and a caring dimension. [source]

Coherence and correspondence criteria for rationality: experts' estimation of risks of sexually transmitted infections

JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 3 2005
Mary B. Adam
Abstract The aim of this study is to examine both coherence and correspondence criteria for rationality in experts' judgments of risk. We investigated biases in risk estimation for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) predicted by fuzzy-trace theory, i.e., that specific errors would occur despite experts' knowledge of correct responses. One hundred twenty professionals with specific knowledge of STI risks in adolescents were administered a survey questionnaire to test predictions concerning: knowledge deficits (producing underestimation of risks); gist-based representation of risk categories (producing overestimation of condom effectiveness); retrieval failure for risk knowledge (producing lower risk estimates); and processing interference in combining risk estimates (producing biases in post-test diagnosis of infection). Retrieval was manipulated by asking estimation questions that "unpacked" the STI category into infection types or did not specify infection types. Other questions differentiated processing biases from knowledge deficits or retrieval failure by directly providing requisite knowledge. Experts' knowledge of STI transmission and infection risks was verified empirically. Nevertheless, under predictable conditions, they misestimated risk, overestimated the effectiveness of condoms, and also suffered from processing biases. When questions provided better retrieval supports (unpacked format), risk estimates improved. Biases were linked to gist representations, retrieval failures, and processing errors, as opposed to knowledge about STIs. Results support fuzzy-trace theory's dual-process assumptions that different types of errors are dissociated from one another, and separate failures of coherence and correspondence among the same sample of experts. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Emergency nurses' knowledge of perceived barriers in pain management in Taiwan

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11 2007
Feng-Ching Tsai MS
Aims and objectives., To explore knowledge of and perceived barriers to pain management among emergency nurses in Taiwan. Background., Pain is the most common patient complaint in emergency departments. Quality care of these patients depends on the pain knowledge and pain management skills of emergency nurses. However, no studies have explored emergency nurses' knowledge of and perceived barriers to pain management in Taiwan. Design and methods., Nurse subjects (n = 249) were recruited from nine hospitals chosen by stratified sampling across Taiwan. Data were collected using the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey-Taiwanese version, a scale to assess perceived barriers to pain management and a background information form. Results., The overall average correct response rate for the knowledge scale was 49·2%, with a range of 4·8,89·2% for each survey question. The top barrier to managing pain was identified by these nurses as ,the responsibility of caring for other acutely ill patients in addition to a patient with pain. Knowledge of pain management had a significant, negative relationship with perceived barriers to pain management and a significant, positive relationship with extent of clinical care experience and total hours of prior pain management education. In addition, scores for knowledge and perceived barriers differed significantly by the nursing clinical ladder. Perceived barriers also differed significantly by hospital accreditation category. Conclusions., Our results indicate an urgent need to strengthen pain education for emergency nurses in Taiwan. Relevance to clinical practice., The pain education should target knowledge deficits and barriers to changing pain management approaches for Taiwanese emergency nurses. [source]

The need for nurses to have in service education to provide the best care for clients with chest drains

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2007
Cert., DANIELA LEHWALDT BNS
The need for nurses to have in service education to provide the best care for clients with chest drains Chest drains are a widespread intervention for patients admitted to acute respiratory or cardiothoracic surgery care areas. These are either inserted intraoperatively or as part of the conservative management of a respiratory illness or thoracic injury. Anecdotally there appears to be a lack of consensus among nurses on the major principles of chest drain management. Many decisions tend to be based on personal factors rather than sound clinical evidence. This inconsistency of treatment regimes, together with the lack of evidence-based nursing care, creates a general uncertainty regarding the care of patients with chest drains. This study aimed to identify the nurses' levels of knowledge with regard to chest drain management and identify and to ascertain how nurses keep informed about the developments related to the care of patients with chest drains. The data were collected using survey method. The results of the study revealed deficits in knowledge in a selected group of nurses and a paucity of resources. Nurse managers are encouraged to identify educational needs in this area, improve resources and the delivery of in service and web-based education and to encourage nurses to reflect upon their own knowledge deficits through portfolio use and ongoing professional development. [source]

Nurse Practitioner Student Prescriptive Patterns

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 1 2000
CS-FNP M, Susan A. Fontana PhD
ABSTRACT As employment of nurse practitioners (NPs) increases in health care systems, there is a need to have current data on their prescribing practices and patterns, and to implement a system for updating such data. This study reports prescriptive data based upon 10,421 primary care visits conducted by 55 family NP students over a 15-month period in 1997 and 1998. Numbers of over-the-counter drugs taken regularly, prescription drugs currently prescribed and prescription drugs prescribed or refilled at the visit were recorded in addition to types of drugs, compliance issues, diagnoses rendered and socio-demographic information. Individual student data were aggregated and analyzed using Epi Info (Epidimiology Program Office of the Centers for Disease Control) and SPSS-PC®. Results identified that: 1) the majority of patient visits involved the prescription of 1-2 drugs (88%); 2) major compliance issues included financial concerns, knowledge deficits, and complexity/demands of treatment; 3) commonly rendered diagnoses at drug visits for chronic conditions were hypertension and diabetes; for acute conditions, otitis sinusitis and upper respiratory infections; 4) anti-microbial agents, drugs used for relief of pain, and cardiovascular drugs account for 60% of drug mentions; and 5) the numbers of drugs prescribed or refilled at visits were similar by type of preceptor, except fewer single drugs were prescribed or refilled at visits supervised by nurse preceptors. Findings are discussed relative to deepening the understanding of advanced practice nursing education and the prescribing practices of NP students and their preceptors. [source]

The relationship between personal breastfeeding experience and the breastfeeding attitudes, knowledge, confidence and effectiveness of Australian GP registrars

MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION, Issue 4 2008
Wendy Brodribb
Abstract In conjunction with other health professionals, doctors believe they play an important role in promoting breastfeeding to women. Although many have positive breastfeeding attitudes, significant knowledge deficits often limit their capacity to effectively encourage, support and assist breastfeeding women and their infants. Personal breastfeeding experience (of self or partner) may be the main source of breastfeeding knowledge and skill development and is related to improved knowledge, more positive attitudes and greater confidence. This paper describes the relationship between the cumulative length of personal breastfeeding experience and the breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of a cohort of Australian general practice (GP) registrars, as well as their confidence and perceived effectiveness assisting breastfeeding women. The Australian Breastfeeding Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire containing demographic items, a 20-item attitude scale and a 40-item knowledge scale was distributed between February and May 2007 to Australian GP registrars in their final year of training. Participants with more than 52-week cumulative personal (self or partner) breastfeeding experience had the highest mean knowledge score, had more positive attitudes, and were more confident and effective than all other participants. Parents with limited personal experience (,26 weeks) had the poorest breastfeeding attitudes and their knowledge base was similar to participants with no personal experience. Confidence and perceived effectiveness when assisting breastfeeding women rose with increasing cumulative breastfeeding experience. Personal breastfeeding experience per se does not guarantee better breastfeeding knowledge or attitudes although increasing length of experience is related to higher knowledge, attitude, confidence and perceived effectiveness scores. [source]

Cancer Pain Education for Medical Students: The Development of a Short Course on CD-ROM

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002
Paul A. Sloan MD
Objective., The purpose of this study was to assess the educational value and acceptability of a short CD-ROM course on cancer pain management given to third-year medical students at the University of Kentucky. Methods., Thirty-six medical students were given a short-course CD-ROM on cancer pain assessment and management. The Cancer Pain CD-ROM included textual instruction as well as video clips and a 15-item interactive self-assessment examination on cancer pain management. Students were asked to evaluate the computerized course with an 18-item survey using a Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Results., Twenty-seven medical students completed the course, however, only 11 returned evaluations. In general, the medical students appreciated the CD-ROM material, with the exception of the video clips. Students agreed most strongly (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) that the educational material on the CD-ROM was presented clearly (3.9 ± 1.1), the CD-ROM format was easy to use (4.0 ± 0.8), the CD-ROM course improved knowledge of opioid use for cancer pain (4.0 ± 0.7), and the course improved understanding of opioid-related side effects (4.0 ± 0.7). The self-assessment examination on cancer pain was rated easy to use and felt to be helpful (4.0 ± 0.9) for students to identify cancer pain knowledge deficits. The authors estimate that 150 man-hours were needed to complete production of the CD-ROM without any specialized training in computer skills. Conclusions., A short-course computer format program was developed by the authors to teach the basics of cancer pain management to medical students. A minority of students evaluated the program and agreed the material was clearly presented, improved knowledge of opioid analgesia, and was easy to use. [source]

Social outcomes of children with AD/HD: Contributing factors and implications for practice

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 6 2001
Melissa Stormont
The purposes of this article are to provide a review of the literature in the area of social characteristics of children with AD/HD, and to outline interventions for working with specific social problems. Research has consistently documented that children with AD/HD are more rejected and less accepted by their peers. Possible reasons for this peer rejection will be presented in this article and include inappropriate social behavior, social knowledge deficits and biases, and negative interactions with peers and teachers. Because children with AD/HD are at risk for negative social outcomes, multiple intervention options are necessary. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]