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Qualitative Content Analysis (qualitative + content_analysis)
Selected AbstractsCross-cultural Comparisons of Online CollaborationJOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 1 2002Kyong-Jee Kim This study investigated two interconnected conferences formed by students and instructors from two different cultures,Finland and the United States,to discuss case situations or problems in school observations, in order to examine cross-cultural differences in online collaborative behaviors among undergraduate preservice teachers. A conference for Korean students in the following semester was added and analyzed for more diverse cross-cultural comparisons. In terms of the first part of this study, computer log data indicated that there were more cross-cultural postings in the Finnish conference by U.S. students than Finnish visitors within the U.S. conference. In addition, student postings made up nearly 80 percent of these discussions. Qualitative content analyses of computer transcripts were conducted to compare their collaborative behaviors with the conferences. Results revealed some cross-cultural differences in the participants' online collaborative behaviors. Korean students were more social and contextually driven online, Finnish students were more group-focused as well as reflective and, at times, theoretically driven, and U.S. students more action-oriented and pragmatic in seeking results or giving solutions. The U.S. and Finnish students spent much time sharing knowledge and resources and also providing cross-cultural feedback. Findings indicate that instructors who facilitate online collaboration among multicultural students need to be aware of cultural differences in the learners' online collaborative behaviors, and such differences need to be taken into account to foster online collaboration among culturally diverse learners. Some data from post-collaboration questionnaires, student interviews, and videoconferencing further informed these findings. [source] Promoting Female Weight Management in 1920s Print Media: an Analysis of Ladies' Home Journal and Vogue MagazinesFAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Tamara D. Fangman This study explored if and how editorial and advertising content published in 1920s women's magazines promoted the thin female body ideal of that time. The work was guided by symbolic convergence theory, which suggests that rhetorical visions within the media contribute to audience perceptions of social reality. Ladies' Home Journal and Vogue were selected for analysis. Qualitative content analysis revealed three overarching rhetorical visions concerning female weight management. Through these visions, advertisement and editorial content achieved the rhetorical aims of promoting external and internal means of body control; constructing weight loss as readily achievable, safe, and valuable; and constructing body size as indicative of youthfulness, beauty, and fashionability. The role of visual images in supporting these rhetorical visions is discussed, and findings are situated within their social context. In addition, the relevance of the findings to the recurring popularity of the slim female ideal in the 20th century is explored. [source] Personal understandings of illness among people with type 2 diabetesJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2004Åsa Hörnsten MSc RN Background., Professionals and patients understand the experience of illness from different worlds. Professionals' explanatory models focus on aetiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment, while patients' explanatory models are more focused on consequences and influences on daily life. The differences between patients and professionals in their understanding often result in conflicting expectations about treatment, priorities and outcomes of care. Aim., The aim of this study was to describe personal understandings of illness among people with type 2 diabetes in Sweden. Method., A sample of 44 patients, 47,80 years, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 2 years, was recruited from four health care centres. Narrative thematic interviews were used covering the areas of developing, coping with and living with diabetes. Qualitative content analysis was performed. Findings., The findings were formulated into six categories: image of the disease, meaning of the diagnosis, integration of the illness, space for the illness, responsibility for care and future prospects. Conclusions., The findings demonstrate that patients' personal understanding of illness is an important complement to the traditional professional view of diabetes. They could serve as a foundation for development of health history interviewing, as well as development of systems of documentation. Patients' personal understandings of diabetes in their daily lives are considered to be an important shared source of information for planning meaningful care. [source] Views of xerostomia among health care professionals: a qualitative studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2009Solgun Folke Aim., To explore and describe views of xerostomia among health care professionals. Background., Xerostomia (dry mouth) is caused by changes in quality and quantity of saliva due to poor health, certain drugs and radiation therapy. It is a common symptom, particularly among older people and has devastating consequences with regard to oral health and general well-being. Methods., Data were obtained and categorised by interviewing 16 health care professionals. Qualitative content analysis was chosen as the method of analysis. Design., Qualitative. Results., The latent content was formulated into a theme: xerostomia is a well-known problem, yet there is inadequate management of patients with xerostomia. The findings identified three categories expressing the manifest content: awareness of xerostomia, indifferent attitude and insufficient support. Conclusions., Although xerostomia was recognised as commonly occurring, it was considered to be an underestimated and an ignored problem. Proper attention to conditions of xerostomia and subsequent patient management were viewed as fragmentary and inadequate. Additional qualitative studies among patients with xerostomia would be desirable to gain further understanding of the problems with xerostomia, its professional recognition and management. Relevance to clinical practice., A holistic view, positive professional attitudes and enhanced knowledge of xerostomia seem essential to augment collaboration among health care professionals and to improve compassion for and support of patients with xerostomia. [source] Opioid-taking tasks and behaviours in Taiwanese outpatients with cancerJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15 2008Shu-Yuan Liang PhD Candidate Aim., The aim of this study was to describe those tasks and behaviours that contribute to self-efficacy in the context of opioid-taking in Taiwanese outpatients with cancer and to explore those factors that influence a patient's self-efficacy with engaging in these behaviours. Background., Self-management with prescribed opioid regimen has become a necessary component of the cancer pain experience at home. Tailoring prescribed regimens is a complex and continuing effort for cancer pain control. Few studies, however, have explored the specific skills and behaviours required by patients to manage their opioid analgesics effectively. Design., A qualitative approach was used to explore those behaviours that contribute to patients' ability to self-manage medication for their cancer pain. Method., Ten Taiwanese cancer patients aged between 41,75 years attending two oncology outpatient departments, who were prescribed opioid analgesics, were interviewed. All interviews were tape-recorded and were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken to identify categories. Results., Five main categories of behaviours were identified, which reflected patient's perceptions of the actions required for effective opioid-taking. These behavioural domains included communicating about pain and analgesic-taking, taking analgesics according to schedule, obtaining help, tailoring medication regimens and managing treatment-related concerns. In addition, patients described various situations in which performance of these behaviours was more or less difficult. Conclusions., Our results suggest that self-efficacy with opioid-taking includes not only beliefs about the ability to communicate, but also the ability to fulfil more complex tailoring of medication regimens and management of treatment-related concerns. Relevance to clinical practice., Health professionals need to incorporate strategies to assist cancer patients' ability to engage in these behaviours and to manage situational impediments that may influence this ability. More importantly, clinicians need to assist patients to enhance their beliefs in their ability in overcoming various situation impediments for opioid-taking. [source] Perceived Benefits on Family Health of Small Groups for Families With ChildrenPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2007Arja Häggman-Laitila ABSTRACT Background: Thus far, international research on small groups has focused on health problems. Research on preventive, resource-, and family-oriented small groups and their impact on family health is scant. Objectives: To describe the experiences of families with small children concerning resource-enhancing small support groups, and to identify the benefits to family health described by participating parents at the end of the group processes. Sample: The study population consisted of parents (n=123) attending 13 small groups. Participants included 63 mothers and 14 fathers (63% response rate). Methods: Data were collected through group interviews. Qualitative content analysis of latent content was the method of analysis. Results: Small groups provided the parents with knowledge about family life and encouraged them to seek information, made them feel refreshed, strengthened their social support networks, enhanced their awareness of their own resources and the different developmental needs at times of change in the family, and increased their confidence concerning their ability to cope. Conclusions: Concepts from this study can be used in the future to construct instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of small groups from the perspective of families and family health. The findings add to our professional understanding of resource-oriented family work from the perspective of families. [source] Healthy Behaviors and Sources of Health Information Among Low-Income Pregnant WomenPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2004Lynne Porter Lewallen PhD Abstract This article addresses responses from two open-ended questions, describing the healthy behaviors and sources of health information in 150 low-income pregnant women. Data for this exploratory study were collected as part of a larger descriptive correlational study. Qualitative content analysis was used in the analysis. One hundred fifty English-speaking pregnant women aged 18 and over were interviewed at a public prenatal clinic in the Southeastern United States at their first prenatal visit. Health behaviors were placed into seven mutually exclusive categories: food-related behaviors, substance-related behavior, exercise/rest/activity, self-awareness/appearance, learning, focus on baby, and no specific behaviors. Sources of information questions were placed into seven mutually exclusive categories: family, health personnel, reading, hearing, other people, self-intuitive, and no response. Low-income pregnant women are aware of healthy behaviors and report practicing them during their pregnancies. Because family members are a common source of information for health practices, they should be included in health education efforts. [source] Dental hygienists' work environment: motivating, facilitating, but also tryingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 3 2010A Candell To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene,8, 2010; 204,212 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00420.x Candell A, Engström M. Dental hygienists' work environment: motivating, facilitating, but also trying Abstract:, The aim of the present study was to describe dental hygienists' experiences of their physical and psychosocial work environment. The study was descriptive in design and used a qualitative approach. Eleven dental hygienists participated in the study and data were collected during spring 2008 using semi-structured interviews. The material was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the dental hygienists experienced their work environment as motivating and facilitating, but at the same time as trying. The three categories revealed a theme: Being controlled in a modern environment characterized by good relationships. Motivating factors were the good relationship with co-workers, managers and patients, seeing the results of your work, having your own responsibility and making your own decisions. The new, pleasant and modern clinics, good cooperation between co-workers and varying duties were described as facilitating factors. The trying factors, as described by the dental hygienists, were above all being controlled by time limits or by some elements of the work, such as teamwork. The dental hygienists also felt stress because appointments were too-short. To conclude, the participants described their work environment as trying in several ways, despite the modern clinics and good relationships. [source] The meaning of guilt and shame: A qualitative study of mothers who suffer from eating difficultiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010Kristine Rørtveit ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to illuminate and interpret guilt and shame expressed by mothers with eating difficulties (ED). The research question was: What is the meaning of guilt and shame experienced by mothers with ED? Experiences of guilt and shame in mothers with ED may be strong, yet concealed, and should be addressed when promoting women's mental health. The study design was explorative, and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight mothers suffering from ED. The data were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis and interpreted according to a hermeneutic approach. The main theme ,Struggling in silence with guilt and shame as a mother living with ED and trying to keep it secret' was interpreted on two levels: emotional, ,Feeling worried about failure and wanting to be successful', and cognitive, ,Having condemning thoughts about one's own sense of responsibility'. In addition, each theme contained two subthemes. Feelings and awareness of guilt and shame are strong; they vary between individuals and are intensified in mothers who suffer from ED. It is important for mental health nurses to help mothers with ED articulate such feelings in order to promote health. [source] Conducting rehabilitation groups for people suffering from chronic painINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010Elin Dysvik RN PhD Dysvik E, Stephens P. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 233,240 Conducting rehabilitation groups for people suffering from chronic pain The aim of this study was to offer guidelines for counsellors who work with rehabilitation groups of patients with chronic pain. The sample involved nine counsellors engaged in a multidisciplinary pain management programme. Two focus group interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. These indicate that main challenges facing counsellors were related to maintaining constructive group processes and being mentally prepared. The counsellors reported that knowledge concerning self-awareness, theoretical frameworks and counselling techniques was important. Personal learning included: group leadership, teamwork, grasping the inside story and obtaining supervision. The results show how important it is to have trained counsellors that are well prepared to prevent and deal with challenging group processes. Counsellors need to understand the concept of pain and be acquainted with cognitive behavioural framework and group processes. The results indicate that counsellors perceive regular supervision as supportive and is likely to promote good team functioning. [source] Self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Model development during action researchINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 4 2008Päivi Löfman The purpose of this article is to describe the content and the development of the model to promote self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a point of view of patients and nurses. For the patients the data were gathered using semistructured interviews and for the nurses through three focus groups in the initial and evaluation phases. The data were analysed by themes using qualitative content analysis. The model consisted of the concept of self-determination, impediments to and preconditions for self-determination, promoting and focusing on consequences. Patient's activity was a new view of the concept. Impediments to self-determination were linked to limitations and preconditions to patients' freedom to express themselves. Support developed an important factor promoting self-determination. The results indicate a clear need for various types of supportive nursing care to promote self-participation in patient care. [source] Attitudes of Egyptian nursing home residents towards staying in a nursing home: a qualitative studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OLDER PEOPLE NURSING, Issue 4 2009Thomas Boggatz RN Aim., The aim of this study was to identify the attitudes of Egyptian nursing home residents towards staying in a nursing home and to differentiate between various types of these attitudes. Background., The number of older persons in Egypt who require nursing care is increasing. In response, nursing homes in bigger cities like Cairo were founded, although family care seems to be the prevalent norm. Methods., Semi-structured guideline interviews were performed with 21 residents from four different nursing homes in Cairo. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings., One category of resident was those who were sent to the nursing home by persons closely related to them. Another category made their own decision to move to a nursing home. Relationships with social networks and self-help abilities are factors of importance in influencing decision-making. Conclusion., Nursing homes in Egypt fulfil different functions for different types of older persons. Charitable institutions are a last resort for those with no income and a disrupted social network. For better-off older persons, nursing homes may provide the benefits of socialising with peers and receiving medical treatment. [source] Still going strong: perceptions of the body among 85-year-old people in SwedenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OLDER PEOPLE NURSING, Issue 1 2008Regina Santamäki Fischer PhD Background., Studies on the lived experience of an aging body are scarce. Aim and objectives., The aim of this study was to illuminate the experiences of the body among elderly people. Design., This study is part of the Umeå 85+ Study, a cross-sectional investigation into successful aging and threats against successful aging. The present study has an explorative design. Methods., The text from 40 thematic interviews with 85-year-olds was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results., Two themes and seven subthemes were developed. The theme: Still going strong encompassed the subthemes of Exercising and being active, Caring for one's body, Standing on one's own two feet and Feeling healthy. The theme: Adapting to a failing body encompassed the subthemes of Not being able to perform activities and manage by oneself, Feeling fatigued and Compensating for bodily decline. Conclusions., The participants felt that the body was still a source of pleasure, in spite of its defects. Assistive devices were important for the maintenance of independence when the body declined. Relevance to clinical practice., When caring for elderly people with declining bodily function, it is important to have appropriate and well-tested equipment in readiness. [source] How nursing home staff deal with residents who talk about deathINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OLDER PEOPLE NURSING, Issue 4 2007Barbro Wadensten PhD Aims., The overall aim of this study was to gain knowledge about how nursing staff treat and communicate with residents who talk about death and about their reasons for their treatment as well as to investigate how staff explain residents' reasons for talking about death. Background., Studies have established that nursing staff have problems in dealing with patients who talk about death and that staff do not know how they should relate to talking about death. Method., A qualitative explorative design. Interviews with staff were performed and analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Findings., Staff descriptions of their various ways of dealing with a situation in which residents talk about death could be divided into two qualitatively different main categories: ,allow and facilitate talk about death' and ,avoid talk about death'. The most common explanation provided by staff in all categories was that they acted the way they did because they did not know how to address discussions about death. Staff members' descriptions of residents' reasons for talking about death were quite different. Conclusions., The study indicates that nursing staff need to reflect on their own attitudes towards death and that they need to develop further. Their behaviour may depend on each staff member's individual attitudes and development. Nursing staff need training in and knowledge about how to communicate with residents who talk about death. This knowledge could be acquired through training, guidance and joint reflection in groups. [source] Tactile stimulation associated with nursing care to individuals with dementia showing aggressive or restless tendencies: an intervention study in dementia careINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OLDER PEOPLE NURSING, Issue 3 2007Kirsti Skovdahl PhD Aim., This study aimed to describe from documentation both the caregivers' experiences of giving tactile stimulation to five people with moderate-to-severe dementia and who showed aggressive or restless tendencies, and the changes seen in them. Background., Clinical experiences indicate that tactile stimulation can contribute to a feeling of trust and confirmation as well as to improving communication, promoting relaxation and easing pain. There is, however, very little scientific documentation of the effects of touch massage for people with dementia. Design., From caregivers' documentation (28 weeks) of experiences, the giving of tactile stimulation to five randomly selected people with dementia showing aggressive or restless tendencies and the subsequent changes noticed. Method., The documentation was analysed by using qualitative content analysis. Results., All residents displayed signs of positive feelings and relaxation. The caregivers stated that they felt able to interact with the residents in a more positive way and that they felt they had a warmer relationship with them. Conclusion., Tactile stimulation can be seen as a valuable way to communicating non-verbally, of giving feedback, confirmation, consolation or a feeling of being valuable and taken care of. Relevance to clinical practice., Tactile stimulation has to be administered with respect and care, and given from a relational ethics perspective. Otherwise, there is a risk that tactile stimulation will be used merely as a technique instead of as a part of an effort to achieve optimal good, warm nursing care. [source] Public health nurses' supervision of clients in NorwayINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 3 2005S. Tveiten rn Aim:, The aim of this study was to explore and describe what public health nurses (PHNs) understand by client supervision and how they perform it. Background:, The main principles of the health promotion discourse initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) over the last 20,30 years are client participation and the view of the client as expert. Supervision is one relevant intervention strategy in the empowerment process, in which these principles play a central role. There is a lack of research pertaining to the intervention models employed by PHNs. Methods:, Twenty-three transcribed audiotaped dialogues between PHNs and their clients were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Findings:, What the PHNs understand by supervision and how they perform it can be described by three themes: continuity in relationships and reflexivity in the supervision approach, communicating with the client about his/her needs, problems and worries; and the organization of client supervision. Conclusions:, The PHNs in this study understand client supervision as communication and relationships with clients on the subject of a healthy lifestyle, child development and coping with everyday life. The PHNs' approach to client supervision seemed to include aspects of empowerment by means of client participation and the view of the client as expert. However, the PHNs themselves had an expert role. [source] Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetesJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 7 2010Bjørg Oftedal oftedal b., karlsen b. & bru e. (2010) Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(7), 1500,1509. Abstract Title.,Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes. Aim., This paper is a report of a study of how adults with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support provided by healthcare practitioners and how various attributes of support can influence people's motivation to self-manage their disease. Background., Motivational problems seem to be a major reason for poor diabetes management. According to well-known theories of motivation, expectations of being able to perform certain behaviours are a key element. Different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners are likely to influence such expectations. To date, no researchers have specifically examined how people with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners and how these may influence their motivation to manage their disease themselves. Methods., A descriptive/explorative qualitative design and focus groups were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 19 adults with type 2 diabetes, and the data were collected in 2007 and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings., Five themes were identified, reflecting perceived attributes of support from healthcare practitioners: (1) an empathetic approach, (2) practical advice and information, (3) involvement in decision-making, (4) accurate and individualized information and (5) ongoing group-based support. Conclusion., Healthcare practitioners may strengthen the self-management motivation among adults with type 2 diabetes by enhancing expectations of being able to perform the necessary diabetes care, and through the provision of empathetic, individualized, practical and ongoing group-based support. [source] Clients' experiences of living at home with a mechanical ventilatorJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2009Randi Ballangrud Abstract Title.,Clients' experiences of living at home with a mechanical ventilator. Aim., This paper reports on a study of how clients experience living with home mechanical ventilation and how they experience care and supervision of healthcare personnel. Background., The number of people living at home with mechanical ventilators is increasing, and this is considered a successful approach to reducing incapacity and mortality. Method., Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 service users in 2006. The informants were 18,75 years old and had varying diagnoses and levels of functioning. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Findings., Two main themes emerged: Theme 1. Having a home ventilator enhances quality of life , a life worth living. The ventilator treatment builds up strength and improves well-being. Participants emphasized that it was important to feel in control of their own situation and had an overriding wish to live a normal and active life; Theme 2. Competence and continuity of healthcare personnel are factors for success. The experience was that competence and follow-up by healthcare personnel varied, and that good quality teaching and information were important. Conclusion., Users of home mechanical ventilators should be active partners in their own care so that their experience is taken into account. It is important for clients having home mechanical ventilation to be empowered and have control in their daily lives, as well as having competent caregivers and continuity of care. [source] Perceived Benefits and Negative Impact of Challenges Encountered in Caring for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in the Transition to AdulthoodJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 1 2008Cher Rapanaro Background, This study investigated the perceived benefits and negative impact associated with stressful events and chronic caregiving demands encountered by parents caring for young adults with an intellectual disability in the period of transition to adulthood. Methods, A sample of 119 parents of young adults described these outcomes in a questionnaire, which were then analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results, Although parents identified a range of negative outcomes, they also reported positive outcomes (perceived benefits) in relation to stressful events and chronic demands encountered in this period, including personal growth and enhanced personal resources. Conclusions, The language of stress and burden often used to describe parents' experiences during the period of their son or daughter's transition to adulthood, needs to coexist with a language of fulfilment, growth and gain, as used by parents themselves. The implications of these findings, in relation to professional interaction with and support of parents in this period, are discussed. [source] Patients' experiences of being deliriousJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2007Gill Sörensen Duppils PhD Aim., The aim was to describe patients' experiences of being delirious. Background., Delirium is a serious psychiatric disorder that is frequently reported from hospital care settings, particularly among older patients undergoing hip surgery. It involves disturbances of consciousness and changes in cognition, a state which develops over a short period of time and tends to fluctuate during the course of the day. It is a certified fact that delirium is poorly diagnosed and recognized although the state often is described as terrifying. To be able to give professional care, it is of the utmost importance to know more about patients' experience of delirium. Method., Included in the interviews were patients who had undergone hip-related surgery and during the hospital stay experienced delirium. Fifteen patients participated in the interviews. Of these, six had experienced episodes of nightly delirium (sundown syndrome) and nine experienced delirium during at least one day. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results., The entry of delirium was experienced as a sudden change of reality that, in some cases, could be connected to basic unfulfilled physiological needs. The delirium experiences were like dramatic scenes that gave rise to strong emotional feelings of fear, panic and anger. The experiences were also characterized by opposite pairs; they took place in the hospital but at the same time somewhere else; it was like dreaming but still being awake. The exit from the delirium was associated with disparate feelings. Relevance to clinical practice., It is necessary to understand patients' thoughts and experiences during the delirious phase to be able to give professional care, both during the delirium phase and after the recovery. [source] Self-evaluation and peer review , an example of action research in promoting self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3a 2007LicNSc, Päivi Löfman RN Aims and objectives., The aim of this paper was to describe the areas that have been performed well and the areas in need of further development of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Background., Nurses' self-evaluation and peer review are important methods for ascertaining the changes and success in the development of nursing practice. To date, there has been minimal research regarding the use of those evaluation methods in nursing practice. Design., The findings of self-evaluation and peer review of nurses are described in a participatory action research study aimed at promotion of self-determination for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods., In self-evaluation, the collection of data was accomplished using a self-evaluation instrument with the permanent nursing staff (n = 18), then analysed through quantitative methods. For peer review, the data were gathered through focus groups (n = 21) using a tool similar to the one used for self-evaluation. The participants included many of the same nurses as in self-evaluation. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results., Well-performed areas in nursing of rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to be promoting patient participation, supporting self-determination, performing patient-centred nursing and raising patient self-respect. The areas in need of development were connected to the nursing staff themselves: increasing collaboration of nursing staff, decreasing authoritarianism in nursing care and developing nursing practice with colleagues. Conclusions., Self-evaluation and peer review are complementary and support one another, especially since nurses were found to be more critical in their self-evaluations than in peer review. Relevance to clinical practice., Both evaluation tools proved to be useful methods in the evaluation phase of the action research process as a means of professional development. Also assisting in the development of clinical nursing practice. [source] Survival of intimate partner violence as experienced by womenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3 2005Aune Flinck MNSc Aims and objectives., The study set out to describe women's experiences of intimate partner violence, the consequences of such violence, the help they received and women's experiences of their survival. Background., Social and health professionals do not have sufficient ability to identify and help families who suffer from intimate partner violence. Methods for identifying and treating partner violence not have been developed adequately. Method., The study was conducted in Finland by loosely formulated open-ended interviews with seven battered women. The data were analysed by inductive qualitative content analysis. Findings., Women had past experience of maltreatment and a distressing climate at their parental home. Women experienced both themselves and their spouse as having weak identities; their ideals, patterns of marriage and sexuality were different. Violence occurred in situations of disagreement. Women tried to strike a balance between independence and dependence in the relationship. The different forms of couple violence were interlinked. The women sought help when their health and social relationships got worse. An awareness of the problem, taking action, counselling and social relationships helped them survive. Religiousness was a factor that involved commitment to the couple relationship, made religious demands on women and promoted the recovery of integrity. Conclusions., Intimate partner violence was associated with the family model, childhood experience of maltreatment, the partners' weak identity and conflicts between individualism and familism. Social and healthcare professionals need competence in early intervention and skills to discuss moral principles, sexuality, and violence in a way that is free of prejudice and condemning attitudes. Spiritual approaches in the context of interventions should be taken into consideration. Relevance to clinical practice., In a clinical context, nurses should be aware of the symptoms of violence, and they should have skills in dealing with intimate moral and spiritual issues. [source] Clinical group supervision in an intensive care unit: a space for relief, and for sharing emotions and experiences of careJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2002Berit Lindahl MSc Summary , ,Much has been written about models, aims and the concept of clinical group supervisional, although few studies are empirical or focus on intensive care. , ,The aim of the study was to illuminate the process and describe, using qualitative content analysis, the content of conversations carried out during the course of clinical group supervision sessions among Registered Nurses (RN) and enrolled nurses (EN) working in an intensive care unit (ICU). , ,During the supervision sessions, ENs talked about their life-world from a caring perspective, while RNs focused on their professional development. Both ENs and RNs regarded the supervision sessions as a space for relief and for sharing emotions and caring experiences, which helped to manage complex nursing care. , ,The findings are viewed in the light of Roach's theoretical framework describing the attributes of professional care as five Cs. Clinical group supervision is interpreted as supportive in developing interpersonal skills and a sensitive nursing practice. [source] Nurses' experiences of research utilization within the framework of an educational programmeJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2001Kerstin Nilsson Kajermo RN ,,This paper explores nurses' reflections on their experiences of disseminating and implementing research findings in clinical practice within the framework of an educational programme. ,,Ten registered nurses, all in clinical practice, participated in a research-orientated educational programme with the aim of facilitating the dissemination and implementation of research findings in clinical practice. Thus, the programme contained different activities designed to disseminate and implement research findings in the participants' wards. ,,Focus groups were used to collect data and a qualitative content analysis was performed. The main themes that were developed were: organizational and leadership issues; acquiring a new role; responses and reactions by others; and orientation to research. ,,Organizational and leadership issues, nurses' interest in research, nurses' reading habits, and support and feedback from their head nurses and other managers and from their nursing colleagues and physicians were seen as important. ,,This study confirms that research utilization and the change to research-based nursing practice are complex issues which require both organizational and educational efforts. [source] Family involvement in perioperative nursing of adult patients undergoing emergency surgeryJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2001Eija Paavilainen PhD ,,The purpose of this study was to describe how adult patients undergoing emergency surgery experience family centredness in perioperative nursing practice. The central aim was to generate knowledge to be used while developing the practice, education and management of perioperative nursing. ,,Data were collected using a questionnaire with emergency surgical patients in five regional hospitals in Southern Finland. The number of distributed questionnaires was 132. The response rate was 85% (n=112). ,,The results were mainly described as frequencies and percentages. The open-ended sections of the answers were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings from the open-ended questions were used for deepening and complementing the quantitative description of the results. ,,In the preoperative phase, ascertaining the family situation and informing the family member chosen by the patient were not achieved systematically. Family situation was also rarely examined in the intraoperative and postoperative phases, although it is central to coping after surgery, especially in home care. ,,The results support the view of earlier research about the importance of individuality of patients and their families during the perioperative care process and hence enhance the endeavour to develop nursing based on families' real needs. [source] Peer evaluation in nurses' professional development: a pilot study to investigate the issuesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2000Riitta Vuorinen MNSc ,,Peer evaluation in nursing is a method by which the nurse evaluates the work of a peer, according to set evaluation criteria. ,,The aim of the study was to clarify the potential significance of peer evaluation with regard to nurses' career development and relates to the introduction of a career development programme for nurses in a Finnish University Hospital. ,,The research concepts were created on the basis of literature analysis. The concepts served as a basis for data collection, and five open-ended questions were devised from them. Informants (n = 24) gave free-form essay-type answers to these questions. The material was analysed using qualitative content analysis. ,,The results indicate that self-evaluation constitutes the basis for peer evaluation. Peer evaluation allows nurses to give and receive professional and personal support promoting professional development. Professional support offers possibilities for change and alternative action. Personal support requires respect for the peer's equality and individuality. Personal peer support can decrease feelings of uncertainty and insecurity caused by work. ,,The conclusion is drawn that peer evaluation is a means of promoting nurses' professional development to further on-the-job learning in collaboration with peers. [source] Relatives of persons with recently discovered serious mental illness: in need of support to become resource persons in treatment and recoveryJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010K. NORDBY cand. polit. rpn Accessible summary ,,Relatives want the health workers to regard the patient not only as sick but also regard him/her as a person. Parents want to get involved at an early stage and find it important that their opinions and experiences are heard. The staff also express that relatives possess knowledge that should be important for them to receive. ,,The relatives underline the importance of an opening for hope to be present at all time, else you do not have the strength to cope with the situation. No matter how pessimistic the staff are, hope must be expressed. ,,The relatives want to know what happens after discharge. They do not always know what questions to ask before discharge as challenges are discovered gradually. They want to know how to behave and what to say to their family member with a psychiatric illness. When parents can impart their concerns and receive adjusted counselling their level of stress is reduced. ,,It is important to consider relatives as resource persons. The staff consider themselves as experts on psychosis and the parents as experts on their own children. Abstract A considerable amount of research on the treatment of young people suffering from serious mental illnesses states that good collaboration with relatives is essential for reducing relapse, improving recovery and enhancing quality of life for patients and relatives. The aim of this study was to explore and describe what facilitates active involvement for relatives in the treatment and rehabilitation of their family member. The present study is a part of a larger cooperative inquiry project carried out in a mental hospital in southern Norway focusing on improving practices for collaboration with relatives. This sub-study presents results from eight focus group interviews with relatives and staff members. Data were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the relatives had mostly positive experiences from their encounters with the staff, although some negative experiences were articulated. Both relatives and staff underlined the importance of developing a good encounter characterized by sharing information, giving guidance and support according to the relatives' needs as well as addressing existential issues. This was perceived as a necessary basis for the relatives to become active participants in the treatment and rehabilitation process. To activate this basis, the relatives are dependent on the staff members' ability to convey and nurture hope related to the patient's recovery and quality of life. [source] Insights from inside: the duties and activities of nurses at the psychiatric clinic Münsterlingen (CH).JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 7 2009A qualitative study In the German-speaking countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland, which have a joint annual conference in psychiatric nursing, the process of academization of nursing has led to a discussion about which adaptations to make in psychiatric nursing in order to develop a profile, which is practicable in the future. Therefore, it was necessary to describe the current duties and activities of psychiatric nurses. With this, the knowledge and abilities of the nurses were to be made more explicit and their identity was to be strengthened. Data were generated by using participant observation and group discussions with the involved nurses to validate the observations and the emerging categories of activities. Participant observation took place in a psychiatric clinic in Switzerland over a period of 11 months on 14 psychiatric wards with different specializations. Data analysis followed a qualitative content analysis. Findings show that by means of descriptions of nursing situations the duties and activities of the nurses can be summarized into 12 categories. Many of the described activities can be found in psychiatric nursing textbooks. This concurrence suggests that there is something like a basic framework of psychiatric nursing. In addition, the findings illustrate how wide the variety of tasks are and how challenging psychiatric nursing is. [source] Individual quality of life of people with severe mental disordersJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2009A. PITKÄNEN mnsc People with mental disorders have been found to suffer from impaired quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the assessment of QoL has become important in psychiatric research. This explorative study was carried out in acute psychiatric wards. Thirty-five patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related psychosis were interviewed. QoL was rated by the Schedule for Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life which is a respondent-generated QoL measure using semi-structured interview technique. Patients named five areas of life important to them and then rated their current status and placed relative weight on each QoL area. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. The most frequently named areas for QoL were health, family, leisure activities, work/study and social relationships, which represented 72% of all QoL areas named. Patients' average satisfaction with these QoL areas ranged 49.0,69.1 (scale 0,100). The mean global QoL score was 61.5 (standard deviation 17.4; range 24.6,89.6; scale 0,100). Awareness of patients' perceptions of their QoL areas can enhance our understanding of an individual patient's QoL and reveal unsatisfactory areas where QoL could be improved with individually tailored needs-based interventions. [source] The dynamics between structure and flexibility in constant observation of psychiatric inpatients with suicidal ideationJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2005G. B. VRÅLE rn cand.mag The aim of the study is to describe how expert nurses perform constant observation of patients with suicidal ideation. A qualitative content analysis is used to analyse individual and focus group interviews of five nurses. One main finding is identified: organizing phases and transitional phases formed during constant observation and the creation of a therapeutic relation. The findings are explained and discussed. In summary, the findings show that constant observation of inpatients with suicidal ideation seems to consist of two main aspects. One refers to its phases and consists primarily of assessing the need for control and controlling the patient from self-harm. The other aspect refers to the relationship between the nurse and the patient during a period of constant observation. There is a dynamic relation between structure and flexibility, and between control and the development of a therapeutic relationship between the patient and the nurse. The therapeutic relation is important when staff assess the need to continue round-the-clock observation. [source] | |||||||||||||