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Professional Practice (professional + practice)
Selected AbstractsFactors Associated with the Use of and Compliance with the IIA Standards: A Study of Anglo-culture CAEsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDITING, Issue 1 2009Mohammad J. Abdolmohammadi Chief audit executives (CAEs) are required to use and comply with The International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards). However, this study finds that 13.5 percent of CAEs in Anglo-culture countries do not use the Standards. Furthermore, of those who use the Standards a significant number fail to comply with specific standards. Multivariate tests of data from CAEs in this study show that ,Length of IIA membership' and ,Internal auditing certification' are positively associated with use. Other significant variables are ,Superseded by local/government regulations or standards,',Not perceived as value added by management/board' and ,Compliance not expected in the country' that are inversely related to use. The length of training is also positively associated with compliance, while other significant variables are internal audit certification, ,Standards are too costly,',Not perceived as value added by management/board' and ,Inadequate internal audit staff' that are negatively associated with compliance. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications of these results for practice and research. [source] The Career Cycle Approach To Defining The Interior Design Profession's Body Of KnowledgeJOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, Issue 1 2004Denise A. Guerin Ph.D. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to define and document the interior design profession's body of knowledge at a single point in time. This was done using a career cycle approach and a health, safety, and welfare framework. The method and framework used to define the body of knowledge are presented in the article. The body of knowledge was defined from a career cycle approach using the four stages of a professional interior designer's career cycle: education, experience, examination, and legal regulation (NCIDQa, 2003). A content analysis was conducted of the written documents of the organizations that represent each stage in the cycle. Eighty-one knowledge areas were identified from this content analysis and placed into one of seven categories: Codes; Communication; Design; Furnishings, Fixtures, and Equipment; Human Needs; Interior Building Construction; and Professional Practice. These categories and knowledge areas are what defined the interior design profession's body of knowledge based on this approach. Next, each knowledge area was analyzed using a health, safety, and welfare framework to determine its benefit to the public. Finally, a review of literature was conducted to document that the knowledge areas comprise the specialized knowledge necessary for the professional interior designer to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. The method used to define the interior design profession's body of knowledge assessed several limited bodies of knowledge that had been developed for a specific purpose, such as education or examination. While this comprehensive body of knowledge reflects a single point in time, it provides a venue for dialogue from which revision can occur and updating can continue, leading to further development of the profession. [source] Professional Practice: What to Do If You Are SuedJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 3 2001Article first published online: 24 MAY 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Learning in Professional PracticeNEW DIRECTIONS FOR ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION, Issue 86 2000Barbara J. Daley This chapter explores how professionals construct knowledge in the context of their practice by connecting concepts from their experiences and continuing professional education activities. [source] Rationing: Constructed Realities and Professional Practices Developing Good Practice in Community CareHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2002Jill Manthorpe MA No abstract is available for this article. [source] Reconstructing the Effects of Computers on Practice and Education during the Past Three DecadesJOURNAL OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2002ALFREDO ANDIA Architectural practice and education are consuming the phenomenon of digital technologies in their own distinctive manner. Professional practice has used computers mainly to increase the efficiency of how the profession has functioned in the past 150 years. Architectural academia has taken a more critical position and has used computer technology to reshape the scope of the profession. The schools of architecture supporting this view have become testing grounds for new design imagination, methods and materials, and types of projects. [source] Professional practices and experiences with complementary medicines: a cross-sectional study involving community pharmacists in EnglandINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007Joanne Barnes associate professor in herbal medicines Objective As retailers of complementary medicines (CMs), pharmacists are well placed to advise consumers on the safe and effective use of these products; where CMs are available in pharmacies, pharmacists should be well informed about such products. This study explored the extent to which CMs are available in community pharmacies in England, and examined pharmacists' experiences, professional practices and training with regard to these products. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a structured questionnaire posted to community pharmacists. Coded follow-up mailings were sent to non-responders after 2 and 4 months, and a reminder telephone call made after 3 months. Setting All community pharmacists in six areas (Devon, Cornwall, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Stockport) of England (total n = 1337). Key findings The response rate was 66.5%. Overall, 92% of respondents reported that CMs (excluding vitamins/minerals) are sold in the pharmacy in which they practise, 81% had received requests from patients/consumers for specific CMs in the previous year, and 58% had recommended CMs. Around 70% of respondents rarely/never asks about CMs use when counter-prescribing conventional medicines or when receiving reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with conventional medicines. In total, 40% of respondents had undertaken training in complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Pharmacists who had undertaken training were more likely to ask patients/consumers specifically about use of CMs when counter-prescribing conventional over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (37.0% versus 23.4%, respectively; ,2 = 17.4; P = 0.0003) and when receiving reports from patients/customers of suspected ADRs associated with conventional (prescribed or OTC) medicines (35.6% versus 23.8%, respectively; ,2 = 13.0; P = 0.0003). Conclusion CMs are widely available in pharmacies in England, and pharmacists interact with users of these products. An opportunity exists for pharmacists to embrace a professional role as expert advisors on CMs. However, pharmacists' training, professional practices and competence with respect to CMs first need to improve. [source] Is multidisciplinary learning effective among those caring for people with diabetes?DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2002N. Munro Abstract The role of multi-professional learning for those providing clinical services to people with diabetes has yet to be defined. Several assumptions are generally made about education in the context of multi-professional settings. It is argued that different professions learning together could potentially improve professional relationships, collaborative working practices and ultimately standards of care. Greater respect and honesty may emerge from a team approach to learning with a commensurate reduction in professional antagonism. Personal and professional confidence is reportedly enhanced through close contact with other professionals during team-based learning exercises. We have examined current evidence to support multidisciplinary learning in the context of medical education generally as well as in diabetes education. Previous investigation of available literature by Cochrane reviewers, aimed at identifying studies of interprofessional education interventions, yielded a total of 1042 articles, none of which met the stated inclusion criteria. Searches involving more recent publications failed to reveal more robust evidence. Despite a large body of literature on the evaluation of interprofessional education, studies generally lacked the methodological rigour needed to understand the impact of interprofessional education on professional practice and/or health care outcomes. Nevertheless, planners continue to advocate, and endorse, joint training between different groups of workers (including nurses, doctors and those in professions allied to medicine) with the objective of producing an integrated workforce of multidisciplinary teams. Whilst the concept of multi-professional learning has strong appeal, it is necessary for those responsible for educating health care professionals to demonstrate its superiority over separate learning experiences. [source] The role of reflection in the library and information sector: a systematic reviewHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007Maria J Grant Objectives:,To systematically review published literature on the role of reflection in the library and information science sector. To identify examples of good practice and to investigate the reported contribution, if any, of reflection by library and information workers as part of their professional practice. Methods:,Free text searches (reflective or reflection* or reflexion*) were conducted for English language papers on the Library and Information Science Abstracts (lisa) bibliographic database in two phases; in March 2004 for literature dating from 1969 to 2003 and between 2004 and 2006 in January 2006. Thirteen papers met the inclusion criteria and were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Results:,Two categories of reflection exist: analytical and non-analytical. These focus on events in the recent and distant past. Non-analytical reflective accounts generally adopt a retrospective tone in reporting on multiple events over a number of decades. In contrast, analytical accounts of reflection focused on single events and attempt to understand the relationship between past experiences and how this might impact on future practice. Conclusion:,From the examples of reflective practice identified, greatest personal and professional benefit is reported when time is given to considering the implications of past events on future practice, that is, analytical reflection. [source] Relations between characteristics of workplace practices and types of informal work-related learning: A survey study among Dutch PoliceHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2008Anja J. Doornbos Some organizations seek to promote informal work-related learning to stimulate organizational performance. This study focuses on six types of work-related learning in relation to personal, relational, and work characteristics of the workplace practice. A survey was conducted to identify types and levels of work-related learning for executive Dutch police officers in terms of intentionality, developmental relatedness, and interaction partner's professional practice and hierarchical position. Analysis of the data found that police officers frequently learn from their peers and together. They learn from new and less-experienced colleagues infrequently. Of the nine characteristics of workplace practices researched in this study, some seemed to individually facilitate work-related learning; in particular, the individual's value of workrelated learning, possibilities for collegial feedback, and a relatively high level of work pressure seemed to stimulate informal work-related learning. Implications of the findings for HRD research and practice are discussed. [source] Systematic review of the effectiveness of integrated care pathways: what works, for whom, in which circumstances?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2009Davina Allen RGN BA(Hons) PhD Abstract Aim, Integrated care pathways (ICP) are management technologies which formalise multidisciplinary team-working and enable professionals to examine their roles and responsibilities. ICPs are now being implemented across international healthcare arena, but evidence to support their use is equivocal. The aim of this study was to identify the circumstances in which ICPs are effective, for whom and in what contexts. Methods, A systematic review of high-quality randomised controlled trials published between 1980 and 2008 (March) evaluating ICP use in child and adult populations in the full range of healthcare settings. Results 1For relatively predictable trajectories of care ICPs can be effective in supporting proactive care management and ensuring that patients receive relevant clinical interventions and/or assessments in a timely manner. This can lead to improvements in service quality and service efficiency without adverse consequences for patients. 2ICPs are an effective mechanism for promoting adherence to guidelines or treatment protocols thereby reducing variation in practice. 3ICPs can be effective in improving documentation of treatment goals, documentation of communication with patients, carers and health professionals. 4ICPs can be effective in improving physician agreement about treatment options. 5ICPs can be effective in supporting decision-making when they incorporate a decision-aide. 6The evidence considered in this review indicates that ICPs may be particularly effective in changing professional behaviours in the desired direction, where there is scope for improvement or where roles are new. 7Even in contexts in which health professionals are already experienced with a particular pathway, ICP use brings additional beneficial effects in directing professional practice in the desired direction. 8ICPs may be less effective in bringing about service quality and efficiency gains in variable patient trajectories. 9ICPs may be less effective in bringing about quality improvements in circumstances in which services are already based on best evidence and multidisciplinary working is well established. 10Depending on their purpose, the benefits of ICPs may be greater for certain patient subgroups than others. 11We do not know whether the costs of ICP development and implementation are justified by any of their reported benefits. 12ICPs may need supporting mechanisms to underpin their implementation and ensure their adoption in practice, particularly in circumstances in which ICP use is a significant change in organisational culture. 13ICP documentation can introduce scope for new kinds of error. Conclusions, ICPs are most effective in contexts where patient care trajectories are predictable. Their value in settings in which recovery pathways are more variable is less clear. ICPs are most effective in bringing about behavioural changes where there are identified deficiencies in services; their value in contexts where inter-professional working is well established is less certain. None of the studies reviewed included an economic evaluation and thus it is not known whether their benefits justify the costs of their implementation. [source] Managing professionals: The emerging leadership role of Victorian Maternal and Child Health coordinatorsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 2 2004Kerreen Reiger PhD Drawing on research into cultural and organizational change in the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service during the 1990s, this paper examines implications for the nursing leadership provided by service coordinators. The project included a quantitative survey of nurses and semistructured interviews with managers and coordinators. Under a strongly neo-liberal state government in Victoria, Australia, services were fundamentally restructured through tendering processes. A competitive, productivist culture was introduced that challenged the professional ethos of nurses and a primary health orientation to the care of mothers and infants. This paper focuses on the pressures that the entrepreneurial environment presented to maternal and child health nurses' identity and collegial relations and to the coordination role. It argues that coordinators emerged as a significant nursing management group at the interface of administrative change and the management of professional practice. Although many nurses skilfully negotiated tensions with peers and management, their leadership role needs further clarification and support. [source] An exploration of work-related stress in Northern Ireland community pharmacy: a qualitative studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 5 2009Laura McCann Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was, through qualitative methodology, to explore the factors which contribute to job-related stress in community pharmacy in Northern Ireland. Methods All community pharmacists in Northern Ireland were invited to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Interview schedules explored pharmacists' attitudes to job-related stress and the situations that may contribute to stress. All interviews took place at participants' work sites between December 2007 and April 2008, were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, read independently by the authors and analysed using thematic analysis. Key findings Seventeen pharmacists participated in the interviews. The main themes that emerged in relation to job-related stress were workplace issues, issues regarding professional expansion, recognition and responsibility, and a demanding public. Although there was general support for development in community pharmacy, this was tempered by concerns as to how expectations would be met and how all services would be delivered. Conclusions The themes that emerged from this work reflect what was reported from a survey conducted in 2007 and reinforce the tension between developments in practice and the ability to deliver. Developments in professional practice can be positive; however, commissioners and policy-makers need to consider whether community pharmacists have the infrastructure in terms of environment, personnel and multi-professional support to deliver what is required of them. [source] The impact of portfolios on health professionals' practice: a literature reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 6 2008Andrzej Jerzy Kostrzewski senior principal pharmacist in education Objectives The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the use of a portfolio and discuss the evidence for the impact of a portfolio on professional practice, in particular pharmacy practice. Method A literature review was performed using databases from health care and education, namely AMED, BEI, CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, IPA, MedLine, PHARM-LINE, Psycinfo, TIMELIT and ZETOCs, as well as a manual search of relevant journals and documents between 1991 and 2007. The search terms included portfolio, progress files and assessment, and these were linked with pharmacy. Articles were included in the review if they had a focus on the portfolio as a contribution to professional practice. Key findings Portfolios have been used in the education field for over decade. A total of 26 out of 1901 papers were identified which examined portfolios in a post-registration setting. The majority of these publications were from medicine (12), with education (six), pharmacy (five) and nursing (three) making up a small proportion. Portfolios were seen as (a) a tool for use in feedback, (b) a useful trigger for reflection and (c) a link between academic learning and practice. A similar set of findings were seen in the educational context. In addition, a portfolio (a) requires motivation to record and (b) can change behaviour towards colleagues. Conclusions There is still confusion about the meaning of a professional portfolio in health care professions. It is suggested that portfolios should be classified according to a modified system from the teaching profession. The evidence that portfolios can contribute to practice is limited. This review suggests the need for more studies into the impact of portfolios on professional practice, in particular in a pharmacy context. [source] Educating Australian pharmacists about the use of online information in community pharmacy practiceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 2 2005Margaret Bearman Lecturer Objectives Community pharmacists practice in an information technology-rich society, however many have not been educated in internet use for professional practice. The aims of this study were to investigate how community pharmacists use the internet in their practice; to develop an intervention to address their educational needs; and to examine the benefits and weakness of a flexible delivery programme. Method We conducted two focus groups investigating community pharmacists' internet use and education needs. We subsequently developed and provided a four-module educational course on CD ROM, ,Advanced web skills for pharmacists: finding quality on the internet'. In total, 147 pharmacists participated. A survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of the course. Key findings The focus group findings provided a clear rationale for an educational intervention. One-hundred and four pharmacists completed the course. Participating pharmacists were highly positive about the learning experience, in particular the provision of education by flexible delivery. Many reported specific changes to practice. They also described the time-consuming nature of the course as the biggest barrier to further education. Conclusions This project demonstrates the need for community pharmacists to have access to internet education. Flexible CD ROM-based learning provided a successful delivery medium. [source] Rethinking social work ethics: what is the real question?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE, Issue 2 2010Against difference, Responding to Stephen Webb's, diversity in social work' Jose J. Rethinking social work ethics: what is the real question? Responding to Stephen Webb's ,Against difference and diversity in social work' Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 246,252 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. In his recent article, Stephen Webb argued that the real question for social work ethics concerns ,recognising the Same and of restoring the principles of equality and social justice'. This argument also included raising questions about what should be considered an appropriate philosophical basis for progressive social work ethics. In his view, social work's emancipatory potential has been blunted by overstated and philosophically ill-informed human rights claims about difference and diversity. He suggested that French philosopher Alain Badiou offers social workers a ,set of conceptual devices for rethinking social work ethics'. I argue that pressing his points into Badiou's philosophical mould is unlikely to lead to a progressive social work practice, let alone solve the issues identified by Webb. Badiou's philosophical pronouncements about ethics are of questionable value and offer little or no assistance to social workers seeking to establish an ethical grounding for their professional practice. [source] The role of law in welfare reform: critical perspectives on the relationship between law and social work practiceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE, Issue 1 2006Suzy Braye This article considers the complex relationships between law, welfare policy and social work practice, in order to address the question of what role legal frameworks might play in achieving welfare policy and professional practice goals. It traces how law has developed as a core component of professional practice, and challenges some of the false expectations placed upon it. It then draws on findings from an international knowledge review of law teaching in social work education to propose a model for understanding how professional practice incorporates legal perspectives, and proposes ways in which legal frameworks can provide positive and constructive vehicles for accountable practice. [source] Genetics education in the nursing profession: literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2006Sarah Burke BA MA Aim., This paper reports a literature review exploring genetics education for nursing professionals. The aim was to contribute to the debate about the future direction of such education. Background., Advances in genetics science and technology have profound implications for health care and the growing importance and relevance of genetics for everyday nursing practice is increasingly recognized. Method., A search was conducted in February 2005 using the CINAHL and Google Scholar databases and the keywords nurse, midwife, health visitor, education and genetics. Papers were included if they were published in English between 1994 and 2005 and included empirical data about genetics education in nursing. In addition, attempts were made to access the grey literature, with requests for information on research, for example, to members of the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors and searches of relevant websites. Findings., Agreement on the relevance of genetics for nursing practice is extensive. Empirical evidence of the learning needs of practitioners highlights widespread deficits in knowledge and skills, and low confidence levels. Provision of nursing education in genetics is patchy and insubstantial across a number of countries, further hampered by lack of strategic development. Significant progress has been made in the identification of learning outcomes for nurses. Research on the delivery of genetics education is limited, but the role of skills-based training, use of clinical scenarios, and importance of assessment have all been identified as factors that can promote learning. Conclusion., Whilst areas of good performance were revealed, many studies identified gaps in professional competence and/or education. New initiatives are underway to support genetics education and its integration into professional practice, but further research is needed on the most effective forms of educational delivery, and an international collaborative approach to this should be considered. [source] Fit for purpose: the relevance of Masters preparation for the professional practice of nursing.JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2000A 10-year follow-up study of postgraduate nursing courses in the University of Edinburgh Fit for purpose: the relevance of Masters preparation for the professional practice of nursing. A 10-year follow-up study of postgraduate nursing courses in the University of Edinburgh Continuing education is now recognized as essential if nursing is to develop as a profession. United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) consultations are currently seeking to establish appropriate preparation for a ,higher level of practice' in the United Kingdom. The relevance of Masters level education to developing professional roles merits examination. To this end the results of a 10-year follow-up study of graduates from the Masters programme at the University of Edinburgh are reported. The sample was the entire cohorts of nurses who graduated with a Masters degree in the academic sessions from 1986 to 1996. A postal questionnaire was designed consisting of mainly closed questions to facilitate coding and analysis but also including some open questions to allow for more qualitative data to be elicited. The findings indicated clearly that the possession of an MSc degree opened up job opportunities and where promotion was not identified, the process of study at a higher level was still perceived as relevant to the work environment. This applied as much to the context of clinical practice as to that of management, education or research. The perceived enhancement of clinical practice from a generic Masters programme was considered a significant finding. Also emerging from the data was an associated sense of personal satisfaction and achievement that related to the acquisition of academic skills and the ultimate reward of Masters status. The concept of personal growth, however, emerged as a distinct entity from that of satisfaction and achievement, relating specifically to the concept of intellectual sharing, the broadening of perspectives and the development of advanced powers of reasoning. [source] A review of hand-washing techniques in primary care and community settingsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2009Sheree MS Smith Aim., This review seeks to identify the most effective hand-washing and hand-cleansing practice that could be used in primary care. Background., Healthcare associated infection is a major problem in the UK causing 5000 deaths every year. Current guidelines indicate expert opinion is the level of evidence for hand washing as an activity to reduce infection. Design., Systematic review. Method., Publications on hand-washing, hand-cleansing studies, policy and practice-based documents were sought by searching several databases. Terms used included hand washing, hand cleansing, hand hygiene, hand decontamination, infection control and primary care. Results., Few articles described the hand-washing technique in detail and some publications simply referred to either the European and British Standards or the Centre for Disease Control statement on hand washing. Major discrepancies in hand position and water flow direction were found. Several methodological problems were also identified and few studies were undertaken in primary care. Conclusion., This review has found a lack of evidence for hand-washing techniques being undertaken in practice today. Findings from hand-washing technique studies were inconclusive and methodological issues exist resulting in sparse reliable evidence. There is an urgent need to undertake methodologically sound studies of hand-washing techniques for use in the ever expanding scope of primary care practice. Relevance to clinical practice., Evidence for hand-washing and hand-cleansing techniques will inform healthcare professional practice, and contribute to the overall management of infection control in primary care. [source] Can you keep a secret?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Confidentiality in psychotherapy Abstract Confidentiality is the secret-keeping duty that arises from the establishment of the professional relationship psychologists develop with their clients. It is a duty created by the professional relationship, it is set forth in the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct, and it is codified in many state regulations. However, the difference between confidentiality and legal privilege; how, why, and when it can be violated; and the reasons for so doing are not well understood by many practitioners. While on the surface confidentiality might seem to be an easy concept to apply to professional practice, in fact it is quite complex and filled with exceptions that frequently differ from circumstance to circumstance and from state to state. A lack of respect for and a lack of familiarity with the significance of these exceptions could have dire professional consequences. This article reviews the ethical imperative of confidentiality and then provides examples of legal cases that help to better understand its complexity. Then, we offer strategies designed to help metal health practitioners when they are confronted with questions regarding confidentiality and privilege. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 64: 1,12, 2008. [source] Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: Clinical assessment and treatmentJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Fred Friedberg Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are closely related illnesses of uncertain etiology. This article reviews the research literature on these biobehavioral conditions, with an emphasis on explanatory models, clinical evaluation of comorbid psychiatric disorders, assessment of stress factors, pharmacologic and alternative therapies, and cognitive-behavioral treatment studies. Furthermore, clinical protocols suitable for professional practice are presented based on an integration of the authors' clinical observations with published data. The article concludes with the recognition that mental health professionals can offer substantial help to these patients. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 433,455, 2001 [source] Clinical supervision: what do we know and what do we need to know?JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 8 2006A review, commentary Aims, This study is addressed to nurses but the issues are of equal concern to both midwives and health visitors. Clinical supervision ideally both challenges nurses as well as help their practice. There is need to identify critical elements that help professional practice and understand more clearly the changing nature of supervisory relationships. Background, Clinical supervision in nursing is over a decade old in the UK and yet emerging nursing literature suggests that many ideas remain unfamiliar to nursing practice. The resistance shown by nurse towards clinical supervising remains perplexing. Moreover, ideas concerning clinical supervision have been applied without a substantive evidence base. Methods, The discussion draws on varied ideas concerning supervision, including those outside of nursing, to ask what do we know and still need to know about clinical supervision. This study suggests that, a single approach to clinical supervision could be unhelpful to nursing. Findings and conclusion, Nursing knowledge concerning many aspects of clinical supervision is increasing because of research. Much of the literature suggests that clinical supervision is scholarly activity requiring much the same attention to relationships as the therapeutic activities it supports. This discussion concludes with the idea that clinical supervision might work at its best as a quiet activity allowing nurses to think about nursing work in ways that suit individual learning styles. [source] Do we really understand how to retain nurses?JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2006LINDA O'BRIEN-PALLAS RN Aim, To compare views of nurse executives with those of nurses who have left the profession on the importance of retention strategies. Background, Although much has been written about nursing turnover, there continues to be dissonance among decision makers as to why nurses leave the profession and what the most crucial issues are for retention. Method, Factor analysis was undertaken to compare responses of nurse executives with those of nurses employed outside of nursing. Results, Contract requirements represented the greatest discrepancy, 1.07, followed by legal and employer issues, 1.02; worklife/homelife balance, 0.91; external values and beliefs about nursing, 0.75; and professional practice, 0.29. Conclusions, A disparity exists between perceptions of nurse executives and those of nurses who have left the profession as to which issues are most critical in retention. We suggest that nurse executives ensure sufficient organizational support for nursing unit managers who are more likely to understand methods of retaining nurses at the clinical interface. [source] Home Care Nurses' Descriptions of Important Agency AttributesJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 4 2003Linda Flynn Purpose: To identify attributes of home care agencies described by nurses as important to their professional practice and job satisfaction. Design: Seven focus groups with home health care staff nurses were conducted at 6 home care agencies located in three states in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A total of 58 home care nurses participated in the study. Methods: Transcriptions of tape-recorded focus groups were subjected to open and axial coding techniques. Results: Six major categories and eight subcategories of organizational attributes described by home care nurses as important to the support of their practice and job satisfaction were identified. Conclusions: Attributes described by home health nurses were not only similar to those described by hospital-based nurses as reported in the ,magnet hospital' literature, but they also were consistent with key concepts described in theories of professional workforce organization. Findings provide insight into developing workplace environments to support home care nurses. [source] Can the introduction of a quality of life tool affect individual professional practice and the quality of care planning in a community mental health team?JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 10 2009N. MURPHY rmn dip he bsc (hons) msc pgchepr Accessible summary ,,Audit should not be restricted to one form of methodology and should embrace mixing methods of data collection. ,,Use of a quality of life tool allows users more of a voice, enhancing the partnership with service providers and presenting an alternate view of risk. ,,Implementation of any change to practice needs to address local level barriers and engage the service providers in the process, therefore, avoiding the common perception of being given more work without negotiation and feelings of alienation. Abstract This practice development paper demonstrates the scope for creativity in mixing audit and methods of investigation. It details the evolution of Quality of Life (QOL) perspectives and relates them to the practice of care planning. The process proved enlightening and affirming to practitioners and engaged them in considering value-based practice (recovery-orientated) from the perspective of the client. It was clear that subtle changes to care planning emerged, and the goal of giving responsibility for self determining issues was addressed. [source] Forensic psychiatric nursing: a literature review and thematic analysis of role tensionsJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2002T. Mason phd bsc (hons) rmn pnmh rgn This literature review was undertaken to explore the emergent issues relating to the difficulties encountered in forensic psychiatric nursing. The rationale for the study revolved around the paucity of research undertaken to identify the constituent parts of this professional practice. The aims included both a thematic analysis of the literature and the construction of a theoretical framework to guide further research. The method was a snowballing collection of literature and a computerized database search. The results were the identification of a series of major issues, which were broadly categorized as negative and positive views, security vs. therapy, management of violence, therapeutic efficacy, training and cultural formation. From this the six binary oppositions, or domains of practice, emerged as a theoretical framework to develop further research. These were medical vs. lay knowledge, transference vs. counter-transference, win vs. lose, success vs. failure, use vs. abuse, and confidence vs. fear. Further research is currently underway. [source] Multiprofessional clinical supervision: challenges for mental health nursesJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2001K. Mullarkey ma bsc(hons) rn cpncert rnt Recent reform and developments in mental health care provision have increasingly espoused the value of multiprofessional teamwork in order to ensure that clients are offered co-ordinated packages of care that draw on the full range of appropriate services available (DoH 1999a; DoH 2000). Supervision in some form is seen as a key part of all professional practice to provide support to practitioners, enhance ongoing learning, and, to a greater or lesser degree, offer some protection to the public (Brown & Bourne 1996, UKCC 1996). Clinical supervision has gained increasing momentum within the nursing profession, but to a large extent this has been within a uni-professional framework , nurses supervising other nurses. This paper seeks to explore the ways in which multiprofessional working and clinical supervision interlink, and whether supervision across professional boundaries might be desirable, possible, and/or justifiable. Whilst our own view is that multiprofessional supervision is both possible and desirable, we seek to open up a debate, from our perspective as mental health nurses, about some of the issues related to the concept. Our motivation to explore this topic area emanates from our experiences as supervisors to colleagues within multiprofessional teams, as well as the experiences of those attending supervisor training courses. Following a brief overview of the development of clinical supervision in mental health care and recent policy guidelines, some models of clinical supervision are reviewed in terms of their suitability and applicability for multiprofessional working. [source] Case-based pedagogy as a context for collaborative inquiry in the PhilippinesJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 5 2001Elvira L. Arellano The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for using case-based pedagogy as a context for collaborative inquiry into the teaching and learning of elementary science. The context for this study was the elementary science teacher preparation program at West Visayas State University on the the island of Panay in Iloilo City, the Philippines. In this context, triple linguistic conventions involving the interactions of the local Ilonggo dialect, the national language of Philipino (predominantly Tagalog) and English create unique challenges for science teachers. Participants in the study included six elementary student teachers, their respective critic teachers and a research team composed of four Filipino and two U.S. science teacher educators. Two teacher-generated case narratives serve as the centerpiece for deliberation, around which we highlight key tensions that reflect both the struggles and positive aspects of teacher learning that took place. Theoretical perspectives drawn from assumptions underlying the use of case-based pedagogy and scholarship surrounding the community metaphor as a referent for science education curriculum inquiry influenced our understanding of tensions at the intersection of re-presentation of science, authority of knowledge, and professional practice, at the intersection of not shared language, explicit moral codes, and indigenization, and at the intersection of identity and dilemmas in science teaching. Implications of this study are discussed with respect to the building of science teacher learning communities in both local and global contexts of reform. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 502,528, 2001 [source] Let us talk about it: Safe adolescent sexual decision makingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 9 2007CS (Assistant Professor), Josie A. Weiss PhD Abstract Purpose: To discuss important factors that influence teens and provide guidance for nurse practitioners (NPs) to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making. Data sources: A selective review of current professional literature and professional practice. Conclusions: To promote safe sexual decision making in adolescents, communication with parents, other significant adults, and teens is essential. Being knowledgeable about factors that influence the choices of adolescents and willing to discuss them openly is an important component of NP practice and could make a difference in the lives of many teens. Implications for practice: NPs are frontline healthcare providers who have many opportunities to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making. This article provides a guide to assist in this work. [source] |