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Descriptive Design (descriptive + design)
Kinds of Descriptive Design Selected AbstractsHelp-seeking among Korean American women with urinary incontinenceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2009Youngmi Kang ABSTRACT Background: Despite the availability of effective treatments, many women manage their urinary incontinence (UI) silently rather than seeking professional help. Delays in seeking help in effectively managing UI can lead to a worsening of the incontinence and in overall quality of life. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the help-seeking behaviour (HSB) among Korean American women with UI. The following research question guied this study: is there any difference in HSB for UI according to severity of UI among Korean American woment with UI?. Methods: 149 community-dwelling Korean American women who are age 30 years and older and self-identified as being incontinent were invited to particpate in the study. Data collection was conducted in 12 Korean religious organizations. This study uses a correlation descriptive design by means of interviews. The HSB scale was used to measure the propensity ot help-seeking. Results: This study showed that the propensity of seeking help among Korean American women was lower than that of general population. It indicated that Korean women cope urinary symptoms nonmedical measures rather seeking professional help. The severity of UI is associated with help-seeking among Korean American women with UI. Conclusions: Health care providers need to be aware of low rates of seeking care among Korean women for this problem, and the need for further education in this area. [source] Family-Based Weight Management With Latino Mothers and ChildrenJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2008Kathy Shadle James PURPOSE.,This paper aims to design a culturally appropriate weight management intervention for high-risk Latino families and to examine the feasibility of recruiting program participants. DESIGN AND METHODS.,A descriptive design using qualitative and quantitative data collected during preliminary phases of an ongoing intervention study. RESULTS.,From the preliminary works, a curriculum was revised for Latino families who have overweight children. The curriculum was modified to include suggestions from the focus groups, including helping mothers set limits with their children and make the transition to lighter foods and a more active family life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,The information will aid professionals in the process of program design for Latino families who have weight concerns. [source] Confounding Factors in Infant Pain Assessment During Recovery From AnesthesiaJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 2 2003Madalynn Neu ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To investigate in what ways infant pain assessments differed between outpatient surgical recovery areas (OPSRA) and other clinical settings that included inpatient postsurgical recovery areas. METHODS. Using a qualitative descriptive design, 8 nurse participants working in OPSRA and 7 nurse participants working in other clinical settings were interviewed. RESULTS. The assessments of participants in the OPSRA differed from those of other participants and were confounded by effects of a short-acting anesthetic, lower expectations of pain, and several extraneous factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Recognizing infant pain in OPSRA is complex. Nurses working in OPSRA may need to assume leadership to address issues relating to accurate identification of infant pain and alleviating extraneous factors that may influence adequate treatment of pain. [source] Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young childrenJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2010Cherith J. Semple semple c.j. & mccance t. (2010) Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young children. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(6), 1280,1290. Abstract Title.,Experience of parents with head and neck cancer who are caring for young children. Aim., This paper is a report of a study exploring the experience and support needs of parents with head and neck cancer, who are also caring for their young children. Background., The incidence of head and neck cancer is steadily rising in the younger age groups (under 50 years). As a direct consequence, more parents of young children are being diagnosed with this cancer. Methods., Using a qualitative descriptive design, 12 patients with young children under the age of 16 were interviewed during 2008. The data were analysed using cognitive mapping. Findings., At diagnosis, parents experienced the fear of missing milestones in the life of their children and fear of telling the children about their diagnosis. During treatment, parents' inevitable stays in hospital led to separation from the children and the need to prepare their children for the first hospital visit. Parents experienced many debilitating effects of treatment, which had an impact on family activities, especially those that involved eating. There was often changing roles within the family. After treatment, the experience of living with cancer for parents resulted in the desire to get back to day-to-day life. Parents had an increased appreciation of life but were also living with uncertainties. The most important support networks for parents were their spouse, family and friends. Conclusion., Oncology nurses are in an excellent position to offer support and guidance to parents with cancer who have children, and should encourage them to explore with the family the best way of managing role change during treatment. [source] Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses in Macao: instrument validationJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 4 2009Ming Liu Abstract Title.,Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses in Macao: instrument validation. Aim., This paper is a report of a study to test the reliability and construct validity of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses. Background., A reliable competency assessment tool is a basic yardstick to assist in assessing the generic competencies of nurses and to evaluate the outcome of various education programmes. The Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses was developed in mainland China. Confirmatory evidence is needed to support its proposed structure, and to further estimate its psychometric properties. Methods., A quantitative descriptive design and stratum random sampling method were used to recruit 533 Registered Nurses in Macao in 2007. Internal consistency reliability and stability were estimated by Cronbach's , and paired t-test, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the construct validity of the instrument. Results., Internal consistency Cronbach's , was 0·908 for the overall scale and 0·718,0·903 for subscales. The factor loading value across 55 items ranged from 0·310 to 0·725. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model exhibited acceptable goodness-of-fit statistic indices. The 7-factor structure of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses, with 55 items included after deletion of three low loading items, was confirmed. Conclusion., The model of Registered Nurses' competency was confirmed. As the instrument was initially developed in mainland China and successfully validated in this group, it is suggested that this instrument also has the potential for cross-cultural application. [source] Patients' perceptions of information and support received from the nurse specialist during HCV treatmentJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 19-20 2010Anne Grogan Aim., To identify patients' perceptions of support received from the nurse specialist during Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Background., HCV is a worldwide health problem. However, it is a treatable disease and treatment success rates are high. Unfortunately, treatment comes with a multitude of adverse side effects and patients require informational and psychological support from specialist nurses while on treatment. To date, there is little nursing research on support received from this specialist nursing care. Design., This study used a quantitative descriptive design. Method., A 59-item questionnaire collected data from 106 patients with a diagnosis of HCV attending a HCV outpatient clinic. Results., Overall, patients were very satisfied with support received. Advice on contraception was well received. However, many patients did not feel supported with regard to advice on sleep management. There were no statistically significant differences between overall satisfaction and gender, age, genotype and risk factor. However, there were significant correlations found between support received and reported genotype. Those patients presenting with genotype 1, who are mostly infected through blood or blood products, indicated that they require more support in relation to information on side effects of treatment, quality of life and support groups. Specific approaches to support and advice for this cohort may need to be incorporated into current services. Conclusion., Results of this study reinforce the need for the ongoing use of specialist nurse services and development of this service where no such facilities exist. In addition, the service may need to further recognise and support the information and psychological needs of patients with differing modes of HCV infection. Relevance to clinical practice., Findings provide information to practising nurse specialists about patient's views of information and support received from nurse specialists in HCV treatment centres and identify where deficits exist. [source] Relatives' information needs and the characteristics of their search for information , in the words of relatives of stroke survivorsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 19-20 2010Catarina Wallengren Aim and objectives., To explore relatives' information needs and the characteristics of their information-seeking process shortly after the stroke event and six months later. Background., Providing relatives of stroke survivors with information is important, as lack of information increases their uncertainty and risk becoming the ,second patient in the family' and early death. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of relatives' information needs and information-seeking process the first six months after stroke. Design., This qualitative study has a descriptive design. Method., Open-ended interviews were conducted with sixteen relatives after stroke survivor's admission to stroke unit and six months later with nine of these relatives. Data were analysed by means of content analysis. Results., The identified information needs covered the spectrum from stroke survivor's medical condition because nurses' actions to relatives' changed health and life situation. Furthermore, relatives' information-seeking process was found to be related to their level of personal involvement, situational circumstances, different forms of knowledge and sources of information. Conclusions., Relatives' search for information emerges when health and lifestyle changes occur in survivors or themselves. It is important that this information affect them personally. Also, they need to develop different forms of knowledge when they cannot trust their own competences. As a result, instead of following established curricula based on their beliefs of relatives' information needs, nurses need to practice on identifying relatives' information needs. Relevance to practice., Different information needs and characteristics described in the study can serve as guidance in the development and implementation of pedagogical interventions to support relatives of stroke survivors. One pedagogical implication is to explore what a specific relative wants to know by how he/she talks or thinks about it. Thus, it must be taken into consideration that level of personal involvement, situational circumstances, sources of information and factual knowledge, understanding and skills are intertwined. [source] Organisational climate, organisational commitment and intention to leave amongst hospital nurses in TaiwanJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11-12 2010Shwu-Ru Liou Aims and objectives., To examine: (1) Taiwanese nurses' perceptions of organisational climate, levels of organisational commitment and intention to leave, as well as relationships between these three variables; (2) demographic differences in the levels of these variables; and (3) mediating effects of organisational commitment on the relationship between organisational climate and intention to leave. Background., Organisational climate is related to organisational commitment and affects nurses' performances and attitudes towards an organisation. Design., A cross-sectional, descriptive design. Method., Registered nurses working in eight hospitals in southern Taiwan for more than six months were recruited. Data were collected using the Litwin and Stringer's Organisational Climate Questionnaire, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire and a five-item scale measuring intention to leave. Questionnaires were distributed to 612 potential participants; 486 valid returned questionnaires were analysed. Results., The study's participants were generally satisfied with their hospital's climate and yet claimed low commitment to their organisation and, nevertheless, reported low intention to leave their job. Single nurses were more satisfied with their hospital's climate and were more committed to their hospital and had a lower intention to leave their job compared to married nurses. Nurses working in district hospitals perceived a better hospital climate and had a lower intention to leave than nurses working in teaching or regional hospitals. Staff nurses perceived a better organisational climate than did nurse managers. Organisational climate, organisational commitment and intention to leave were intercorrelated. Organisational climate had almost 60% indirect effect on organisational commitment related to intention to leave. Conclusions., Creating a good organisational climate may increase nurses' organisational commitment and, in turn, decrease their intention to leave. Relevance to clinical practice., To motivate nurses' positive organisational behaviours and to address their diverse needs, hospital administrators are encouraged to understand nurses' work-climate perceptions and to address nurses' varied demographic factors. [source] Gender differences in physical activity and its determinants in rural adults in KoreaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5-6 2010Hyun Kyung Kim Aim., This study aimed to examine gender differences in physical activity and its determinants among rural adults in Korea. Background., Only limited studies exist that examined gender differences in physical activity in Korean adults. Major determinants for physical activity such as self-efficacy, benefits and barriers have been studied, but little is known about their gender differences. Nurses promoting and teaching adults to increase physical activity need data for evidence-based practice. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Method., Participants were 481 adults living in a rural area of Korea. The physical activity status, exercise self-efficacy, benefits, barriers and sociodemographics were compared between men and women. Descriptive statistics, t -test and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results., The physical activity status, perceived self-efficacy and benefits of physical activity in women were significantly lower than those of men. For men, only self-efficacy was statistically significant in explaining recommended physical activity as well as physical activity participation. However, for women, benefits and barriers as well as self-efficacy significantly explained their participation of physical activity, but not the recommended physical activity. Unlike men, women's physical activity was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors. Conclusion., Gender differences found in this study should be the basis for evidence-based nursing practice. Tailored nursing interventions based on gender would improve physical activity of rural adults in Korea and beyond. Relevance to clinical practice., Nurses providing care for rural adults should know the gender differences in the determinants of physical activity and provide gender-specific interventions to improve their physical activity. [source] Promoting the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: patients' and carers' viewsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3-4 2010Ann Caress Aims and objectives., The aim of this study was to generate in-depth insights into patients' and family members' understanding of the causation, progression and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the role of health promotion with this population. In particular, we were interested in identifying the ways patients and family members considered that they could maximise their (patients') health, in the presence of this disease. Background., Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is highly prevalent and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, impacting on quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Health promotion is, therefore, an important consideration. There are few examples in the literature of health promotion programmes for this population, including those directed at smoking cessation, which also focus on the family or significant others. Design., An exploratory, descriptive design was employed. Method., Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 14 patients and 12 family caregivers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using content analysis procedures which captured the meaning of the data. Results., The three main themes were ,health promotion: what's that?', ,community resources for health promotion' and ,it wasn't just the smoking'. Many participants seemed unaware that their health might benefit from a healthier life style and provided little spontaneous information on any activities they carried out to maintain or improve their health. Conclusions., This study highlighted a dearth of health promoting activity amongst people affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The reality for most patients was to manage the day-to-day demands that the symptoms of the disease imposed on them. Our data suggest that a more wide-ranging approach, encompassing aspects of health promotion, might be welcomed by many patients and their family carers. Relevance to clinical practice., The findings from this study highlight gaps in patients' and carers' understanding of the potential role of health promotion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and areas for intervention by health professionals. With the increase in smoking rates of women and predicted future increases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is imperative that health professionals find effective ways to provide support and health promotive care for patients and families. [source] The spectrum of barriers to and facilitators of research utilization in Iranian nursingJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 16 2008Neda Mehrdad MSN Aim., The focus of the study is the identification of barriers to and facilitators of research utilization in nursing practice from the perspective of Iranian nurses. Background., In Iran, research utilization is a new phenomenon thus our knowledge with regard to those factors that promote or discourage research use is limited. No overall picture of the state of research utilization in Iran therefore exists. Method., A descriptive design is used. The questionnaire was distributed to 410 nurses from educational hospitals and nursing schools affiliated with Tehran Medical Sciences University in Iran. Results., The major barriers to research utilization were that the nurses do not have time to read research; facilities are inadequate for implementation; and nurses do not feel they have enough authority to change patient care procedures. Findings revealed a number of facilitators which were categorised into two main groups of human resources and individual/organisational factors. Conclusion., The healthcare system in Iran does not provide the incentive for nurses to engage in research or to avail themselves of research findings. Also, time is the major issue owing to a nursing shortage. If research utilization is to increase in Iran, therefore, the most important organisational change that needs to occur is the provision of available facilities for nurses to use research evidence. Relevance to clinical practice., Key factors that need attention in implementing research results into practice are suggested. Clearly, identification of barriers and facilitators is useful potentially to overcome barriers and enforce facilitators and this could ultimately improve nursing practice. [source] Menopausal symptom perception and severity: results from a screening questionnaireJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2008FAANP, Judith A Berg PhD Background., Although it is widely acknowledged women experience symptoms during their transition from reproductive to postreproductive stage, there is inconsistency as to the prevalence of symptoms as well as their severity ratings. Aim and objectives., The purpose of this study was to describe symptom perception and severity in mid-life women volunteering for an intervention study for menopause symptom management. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to provide data on presenting symptoms in a sample of women negotiating the menopausal transition. Methods., A community-based sample of Caucasian women aged 43,55 years was recruited from national nursing media, local media and a variety of local community sources. A screening questionnaire was administered to determine qualification for study entry based upon symptom severity scores from the questionnaire. This report includes results from the screening questionnaire. Results., One hundred and sixty-five women were screened to obtain 110 qualified participants with mean age of 49·3 SD 3·04 years who were 4·7 SD 7 months past their last menstrual period. Sleep difficulties, forgetfulness and irritability were perceived by the highest number of women while sleep difficulties, night sweats, irritability and forgetfulness were rated the most severe. Conclusions., Findings from this study expand understanding of the menopause symptom experience, because few reports include symptom severity reports. All aspects of the symptom experience are necessary to develop appropriate interventions and to evaluate them. Relevance to clinical practice., Providing education about menopause symptoms is central to nursing practice of mid-life women. Therefore, nurses must keep abreast of current knowledge to prepare women for their transition to postreproductive phase or to reassure women who are surprised to find hot flashes are not the only symptoms encountered. [source] Swedish Registered Nurses' incentives to use nursing diagnoses in clinical practiceJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 8 2006Lena Axelsson BSc Aims and objectives., The purpose of this study was to describe Registered Nurses' incentives to use nursing diagnoses in clinical practice. Background., The use of nursing diagnoses is scarce in Swedish patient records. However, there are hospital wards were all nurses formulate and use nursing diagnoses in their daily work. This leads to the question of what motivates these nurses who do use nursing diagnoses in clinical practice. Design., A qualitative descriptive design. Methods., A purposeful sampling of 12 Registered Nurses was used. Qualitative interviews to collect data and a content analysis were performed. Results., Five categories were identified: identification of the patient as an individual and as a whole, a working tool for facilitating nursing care, increasing awareness within nursing, support from the management and influence on the professional role. The principle findings of this study were: (i) that the Registered Nurses perceived that nursing diagnoses clarified the patient's individual needs and thereby enabled them to decide on more specific nursing interventions, (ii) that nursing diagnoses were found to facilitate communication between colleagues concerning patient care and thus promoted continuity of care and saved time and (iii) that nursing diagnoses were perceived to increase the Registered Nurses' reflective thinking leading to a continuous development of professional knowledge. Conclusions., The present findings suggest that the incentives to use nursing diagnoses originate from effects generated from performing a deeper analysis of the patient's nursing needs. Further research is needed to test and validate the usability and consequences of using nursing diagnoses in clinical practice. Relevance to clinical practice., Motivating factors found in this study may be valuable to Registered Nurses for the use and development of nursing diagnoses in clinical care. Moreover, these factors may be of relevance in other countries that are in a similar situation as Sweden concerning application of nursing diagnoses. [source] Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a perioperative pain experienceJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 4 2006Margareta Warrén Stomberg PhD Aim., The aim was to evaluate patient's perioperative pain experience after total hip replacement and patients' satisfaction with pain management. Background., Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure intended to reduce pain and return patients to better function. Realistic expectations about total hip arthroplasty is important for optimal postoperative recovery and the information must be adapted to fit the individual patient. Methods., A descriptive design was used comparing patients outcome data. Pitman's test was used for statistical analyses. Adult patients (n = 112) undergoing surgical hip replacement procedures answered a 17-item questionnaire on the fourth postoperative day. The questionnaire included given alternatives and visual analogue scales (0,100 mm) for the pain assessment. Result., The patients' postoperative pain experience after hip replacement surgery was in average low, 33·1 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Patient's pain experience was reported to be highest on the first postoperative day for most of the patients. The preoperative pain experience tends to be higher than the postoperative pain experience. Older patients reported less average pain level postoperatively. Satisfaction with pain management was high. Conclusion., The pain experience tends to be higher preoperatively than postoperatively. Patients who reported a higher pain experience postoperatively reported that their pain experience was significant higher than preoperative expected. Relevance to practice., It is important for the postoperative outcome measure that the patients have a realistic expectation of pain experiences after total hip arthroplasty. The nurse is one of the staff members responsible for information to the individual patient. [source] Hospitalized elders and family caregivers: a typology of family worryJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2005Hong Li PhD Objective., This qualitative study explored the kinds of worry that family caregivers experience when their older relatives are hospitalized. Background., Little is known about what kinds of worries family caregivers may have in association with the hospitalizations of older relatives. An understanding of the different patterns of family worry may help health care teams intervene more effectively to meet family caregiver's needs by reducing their anxiety. Design., A qualitative descriptive design with Loftland and Loftland (1984) approach for the study of a phenomenon occurring in a social setting was used. Method., A purposeful sample of 10 participants was obtained that included six family caregivers and four nurses. Participants were recruited from two hospitals in the northwest US. Intensive interviews and participant observations were used for data collection, and Loftland and Loftland's (1984) qualitative approach was used for data analysis. Results., Family worry was defined as family caregivers' felt difficulty in fulfilling their roles because of worry. Four categories of family worry were identified as a result of this study: (i) worry about the patient's condition; (ii) worry about the patient's care received from the health care team; (iii) worry about future care for the patient provided by the family caregiver; and (iv) worry about finances. Conclusions., The findings of this pilot study provide nurses with the initial knowledge of the typology of family worry associated with elderly relatives' hospitalizations. Relevance to clinical practice., The findings of this study may sensitize the nurses to more precisely evaluate family caregivers' worry about their hospitalized elders and provide more effective nursing interventions to improve outcomes of both patients and their family caregivers. [source] Older patients with chronic heart failure within Swedish community health care: a record review of nursing assessments and interventionsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2004Anna Ehrenberg PhD Background., Older patients with chronic heart failure constitute a large group within community home care that is at high risk for re-hospitalization. However, hospital readmission can be prevented if early signs of deterioration are recognized and proper interventions applied. Aims and objectives., The aim of the study was to audit nursing care for older chronic heart failure patients within the Swedish community health care system. Design., The study adopted a retrospective descriptive design. Methods., In a Swedish urban municipality nursing documentation from 161 records on patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure was collected retrospectively from community nursing home care units. Patient records were reviewed for characteristics of nursing care and assessed for comprehensiveness in recording. Results., The main results showed that medical care of patients with chronic heart failure was poorly recorded, making it possible only to follow fragments of the care process. The nursing notes showed poor adherence to current clinical guidelines. Only 12% of the records contained notes on patients' body weight and only 4% noted patients' knowledge about chronic heart failure. When interventions did occur, they largely consisted of drug administration. Conclusions., The findings revealed flaws in the recording of specific assessment and interventions as well as poor adherence to current international clinical guidelines. Relevance to clinical practice., Supportive guidelines available at the point of care are needed to enhance proper community-based home health care for older patients with chronic heart failure. [source] Nurse practitioner,client interaction as resource exchange in a women's health clinic: an exploratory studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2003Rebecca K. Donohue PhD Summary ,,Empirical research has thoroughly documented the success of nurse practitioners (NPs) in terms of patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. What is missing is the in-depth knowledge of the interactive process through which this is accomplished during a clinic visit. ,,The aim of this study was to understand the special nature and processes of NP and client encounters in the ambulatory primary care context using a resource exchange perspective. ,,An exploratory descriptive design was used to address the following research questions: (i) What do midlife female clients expect in terms of resources to be exchanged prior to a visit with a NP in an ambulatory clinic visit? (ii) What resources are actually exchanged during the clinic visit? (iii) To what extent is there congruence between a woman's expectations and what she is actually receiving from the clinic visit in terms of resources exchanged? ,,The participants included two women health NPs and eight midlife female clients. ,,Data for the study were comprised of audiotaped pre- and postencounter interviews with the clients, audiotapes of the entire clinic visits with the NP and field notes recorded by the researcher of the client visits. Content analysis was conducted using ETHNOGRAPH software. ,,Findings indicated that clients of both NPs had surprisingly similar expectations of receipt of services as well as actual receipt of services. Resources expected and received from the visits included some combination of services, health information, trust, self-disclosure, support, affirmation, time, acceptance and respect. ,,Results of this study suggest that resource exchange theoretical formulations can be applied to NP,client interactions to understand and explain the specific nature of resources the clients expect and receive from a NP during a woman's health clinic visit. [source] Examining the knowledge, attitude and use of research by nursesJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2008ANN BONNER MA, B App Sc (Nursing), MRCNA Aim, This study sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and use of research by nurses. Background, There is little evidence about whether nurses are aware of using research and how much research they use in their clinical practice. Method, Using a descriptive design, 347 registered and Enrolled Nurses completed the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey. Results, Senior Nurse Managers were more likely to have a positive attitude towards research, and completion of university subjects on nursing research was significant in determining attitude and knowledge of research. All nurses, regardless of position identified barriers to performing research. Conclusion, Nurses require specific research education, clinical nursing leadership and work environments conducive to ensure practice is evidenced-based. Implications for nursing management, A positive attitude towards research by Senior Nurse Managers has the potential to influence other nurses in establishing an active nursing research culture and promote evidence-based practice in the workplace. [source] Situations influencing habits in diet and exercise among nurses working night shiftJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 5 2006M. PERSSON RNT Objectives, The aim of the investigation was to describe situations with a significant influence on healthy diet and exercise habits among nurses working night shift. Methods, A qualitative descriptive design with a Critical Incident Technique approach was used. Situations were collected by means of interviews with 27 registered/enrolled community nurses. Results, A total of 143 situations were identified comprising two main areas: coping ability at work and coping ability during leisure hours. Coping ability at work included 81 critical incidents grouped into two categories: the nurses' diet and exercise habits were influenced by social interaction with colleagues at work and by the disruption to their circadian rhythm. Coping ability during leisure hours included 62 critical incidents grouped into two categories: the diet and exercise habits were influenced when the nurses recovered from the disruption to their circadian rhythm and when they took advantage of the freedom of action offered by night work. Conclusions, By identifying the factors that influence diet and exercise habits among nurses working night shift, strategies can be developed in order to strengthen the factors with a positive influence. [source] Breastfeeding Support and Early CessationJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 2 2006Lynne Porter Lewallen Objective:, To examine the types of help women received with breastfeeding both in the hospital and at home and the reasons why women stopped breastfeeding earlier than intended. Design:, A descriptive design with open-ended questions. Setting:, After participant recruitment in the postpartum hospital room, data were collected by phone 8 weeks after delivery. Patients/Participants:, Three hundred seventy-nine women planning to breastfeed for at least 8 weeks after uncomplicated delivery. Main Outcome Measures:, Breastfeeding status at 8 weeks postpartum; report of help with breastfeeding in the hospital and at home. Results:, Sixty-eight percent of women were still breastfeeding at 8 weeks, although 37% of those reported supplementing with formula. Of those who had stopped, the most common reason was insufficient milk supply. Other reasons included painful nipples and latch problems, personal reasons, returning to work or school, and drugs/illness of the mother or baby. Most women received help with breastfeeding in the hospital, but only 55% received help with breastfeeding after hospital discharge. Conclusions:, The primary reasons for early cessation of breastfeeding are amenable to nursing intervention. Every opportunity should be taken to address these issues both in the hospital and through follow-up calls. JOGNN, 35, 166-172; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552-6909.2006.00031.x. [source] Stages of Change, Processes of Change, and Social Support for Exercise and Weight Gain in Postpartum WomenJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 2 2006Colleen Keller Objectives:, To test the extent to which social support and variables included in the Transtheoretical Model were explanatory for exercise initiation and weight maintenance in postpartum women. Design:, A cross-sectional descriptive design. Setting:, Data were collected in the participant's homes. Participants:, Postpartum women who had normal pregnancies were interviewed and measured on body fat, physical activity, and psychosocial scales. Main outcome measure:, (a) Stages of exercise change measure, (b) Seven Day Recall, (c) Friend and Family Support for Exercise Scale, (d) Processes of Change Questionnaire, and (e) body fat measures including body mass index and percent body fat. Results:, Forty percent reported engaging in vigorous activity less than 1 hour daily, 55% walked less than four city blocks daily, and 52% engaged in less than 2 hours of vigorous weekend activity. Multilinear regression showed that the processes of change contributed 36% to the body mass index, and 21% of the variance in waist-thigh ratio. Of the processes of change, environmental reevaluation correlated significantly with body mass index. Conclusion:, The impact of a woman's weight on others as well as information concerning the health effects of obesity and physical activity could enhance the initiation of exercise in the postpartum woman. JOGNN, 35, 232-240; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552-6909.2006.00030.x [source] Promoting Health in Older Adults: A Four-Year AnalysisJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 1 2001Barbara Resnick PhD, FAANP PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to consider the influence of selected health promotion and disease prevention interventions in elderly residents of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) over a four-year period by comparing actual health promotion practices of the residents. DATA SOURCES Original research using a descriptive design, face-to-face interviews of residents (N=176-200), chart reviews, and administration of a minimental state exam (MMSE) and health survey administered annually. CONCLUSIONS In each year the mean age of the residents was at least 85, the majority were female, Caucasian, and unmarried. With the exception of checking stools for occult blood, there was a statistically significant change in all health promotion behaviors over the four-year period. The most significant change was in the area of exercise behavior, which increased from 24% of the residents participating in regular exercise in year one to 61% by year four. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The purpose of health promotion and disease prevention in older adults is to reduce the potential years of life lost in premature mortality and ensure better quality of remaining life. In addition to regularly scheduled interventions (group education, on-site administration of pneumonia and flu vaccines, on-site exercise room and walking group), individualized counseling regarding the pros and cons of health-promotion activities was provided to help residents make an educated decision about engaging in these activities. These interventions can be used to help facilitate participation in health promotion activities as appropriate and desired for each older adult. [source] Influences that drive clinical decision making among junior rheumatology nurses: A qualitative studyMUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 4 2006Domini Jayne Bryer MA BSc(Hons) RN Abstract This paper presents a qualitative study exploring the influences that drive clinical decision making among a small group of junior rheumatology nurses. A qualitative, descriptive design was chosen. Semi-structured interviews were used with a purposive sample of six junior staff nurses from two inpatient rheumatology wards in a large teaching hospital in the North of England. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed using Burnard's (1991) thematic content analysis. The findings demonstrate four distinct themes which influence clinical decision making including professional development, patient-focused care, working in a specialty and rheumatology nursing. Development of experiential knowledge alongside access to specialized information and expert practitioners was also influential in informing decisions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Emotional intelligence, reactions and thoughts: Part 2: A pilot studyNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 3 2009Kristin Akerjordet int, mnsc Abstract This article, the second in a series of four, focuses on new mothers' perceptions of emotional intelligence, reactions and thoughts by means of a descriptive design. The study included 250 postnatal mothers (a response rate of 80%). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that, from a health promotion perspective, emotional intelligence might be an important component in relation to stress management and mental health. However, emotionally perceptive women seem to be affected by stress and depression to a greater extent. The relative strength of the associations between the scales also provides a valid and useful overall measure of new mothers' perceptions. Further validity scores for the scales must be obtained before any conclusions can be drawn. [source] Parents' perspectives on having their children interviewed for research,RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 1 2008Emily K. Hadley Abstract We describe parents' perspectives on research interviews with their children with single gene conditions. One hundred forty-two parents were interviewed between 2002 and 2003 in a larger study using a qualitative descriptive design. Two questions from the semi-structured interview guide were used to identify parents' perspectives about future interviews. Almost all of the parents said they would allow an interview with their children, but some parents specified stipulations. These stipulations included: focusing on age-appropriate information, limiting information with child, considering input from parents, and providing a child-oriented environment. Knowing this information, researchers can prepare to work more collaboratively with parents and include them more fully in the research process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:4,11, 2008 [source] Medication adherence patterns in adult renal transplant recipients,RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 6 2006Cynthia L. Russell Abstract Patient adherence to immunosuppressive medications adherence is crucial to survival of the patient and a transplanted kidney, yet adherence is variable. Using a prospective, descriptive design, immunosuppressive medication adherence of 44 renal transplant recipients was followed for 6 months at a Midwestern transplant center using electronic monitoring. Four medication adherence patterns emerged from a hierarchical cluster analysis: those who took medications on time, those who took medications on time with late/missed doses, those who rarely took medications on time and who were late with morning and/or evening doses, and those who missed doses. This study is a step toward developing and implementing interventions targeted to specific patterns of poor adherence. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 29: 521,532, 2006 [source] Hemodialysis patient beliefs by stage of fluid adherenceRESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 2 2001Janet L. Welch Abstract Fluid limitations are difficult for hemodialysis patients to follow, and factors related to fluid adherence are not well known. The primary purpose of this study, which was guided by the health belief model and the transtheoretical model for behavior change, was to determine whether differences exist in perceived benefits, barriers, susceptibility, seriousness, or self-efficacy among individuals in different stages of fluid adherence. In a cross-sectional descriptive design, 148 persons (mean age=53.9 years; 52% male) were interviewed using a structured format. Hemodialysis patients in the action/maintenance stage perceived significantly more benefits to fluid adherence than persons in the precontemplation stage. Persons who were in the action/maintenance stage perceived they were significantly more susceptible to pulmonary edema than persons in the contemplation stage. Stage-appropriate interventions may be needed to target specific beliefsabout fluid adherence. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 24: 105,112, 2001 [source] What helps when it hurts: children's views on pain reliefCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2008L. S. Franck Abstract Background Previous studies have focused on children's views of sources of pain and only secondarily explored their views on pain-relief strategies. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional descriptive design and ,draw and write' technique were used to investigate what children think helps them when they have pain. Results The sample (n = 71) was comprised of 33% boys and 67% girls, with an age range of 4,16 years (mean ± SD: 9.25 ± 3.04). Four overarching themes were derived that were common to both the texts and drawings: ,People who help', ,What I do that helps', ,What other people do that helps' and ,Things that help'. Children also described their emotional reactions to pain or pain relief. Multiple themes were represented in most of the texts and drawings. There were few differences in the themes present in the children's texts and drawings based on developmental age and no differences based on gender. Conclusions Children across the three developmental age groups view themselves as active agents in pain relief. Although less than half of the children described specific behaviours they had taken, almost all children indicated their active role as the central figure in relation to use of objects or the actions of others. [source] Systematic review on embracing cultural diversity for developing and sustaining a healthy work environment in healthcareINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 1 2007Alan Pearson RN, FRCN, FRCNA Abstract Objectives, The objective of this review was to evaluate evidence on the structures and processes that support development of effective culturally competent practices and a healthy work environment. Culturally competent practices are a congruent set of workforce behaviours, management practices and institutional policies within a practice setting resulting in an organisational environment that is inclusive of cultural and other forms of diversity. Inclusion criteria, This review included quantitative and qualitative evidence, with a particular emphasis on identifying systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials. For quantitative evidence, other controlled, and descriptive designs were also included. For qualitative evidence, all methodologies were considered. Participants were staff, patients, and systems or policies that were involved or affected by concepts of cultural competence in the nursing workforce in a healthcare environment. Types of interventions included any strategy that had a cultural competence component, which influenced the work environment, and/or patient and nursing staff in the environment. The types of outcomes of interest to this review included nursing staff outcomes, patient outcomes, organisational outcomes and systems level outcomes. Search strategy, The search sought both published and unpublished literature written in the English language. A comprehensive three-step search strategy was used, first to identify appropriate key words, second to combine all optimal key words into a comprehensive search strategy for each database and finally to review the reference lists of all included reviews and research reports. The databases searched were CINAHL, Medline, Current Contents, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, Sociological Abstracts, Econ lit, ABI/Inform, ERIC and PubMed. The search for unpublished literature used Dissertation Abstracts International. Methodological quality, Methodological quality was independently established by two reviewers, using standardised techniques from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (SUMARI) package. Discussion with a third reviewer was initiated where a low level of agreement was identified for a particular paper. Following inclusion, data extraction was conducted using standardised data extraction tools from the JBI SUMARI suite for quantitative and qualitative research. Data synthesis was performed using the JBI Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument and JBI Narrative, Opinion and Text Assessment and Review Instrument software to aggregate findings by identifying commonalities across texts. Quantitative data were presented in narrative summary, as statistical pooling was not appropriate with the included studies. Results, Of the 659 identified papers, 45 were selected for full paper retrieval, and 19 were considered to meet the inclusion criteria for this review. The results identified a number of processes that would contribute to the development of a culturally competent workforce. Appropriate and competent linguistic services, and intercultural staff training and education, were identified as key findings in this review. Conclusions, The review recommends that health provider agencies establish links with organisations that can address needs of culturally diverse groups of patients, include cultural competence in decision support systems and staff education as well as embed them in patient brochures and educational materials. The review also concluded that staff in-service programs consider the skills needed to foster a culturally competent workforce, and recruitment strategies that also explicitly address this need. [source] | ||||||||||