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1
Curry, Tamika. "Adopting Innovative Approaches to Care: Facilitators & Barriers of School Nursing Practice in an Urban School District." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2019. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/551882.
Full textAbstract:
Urban EducationPh.D.
As new approaches to practice become available for school nurses, urban school districts must address the need to provide facilitators for the dissemination and adoption of new evidenced based practice models. With instructional capacity, curriculum challenges, and school climate at the center of the decision making of educational leaders, the needs of school health become neglected. As new innovations become available, school nurses working in urban school districts often rely on individual continuing education to access new ideas due to barriers that exist in urban schools with limited funding and resources. This dissertation research had two primary aims: (1) expand current research regarding specific barriers and facilitators to practice, and (2) to better understand the school nurses’ adoption of the Framework for the 21st Century School Practicing Nurse in an urban school district. This framework addresses the specific needs of the school nurse working in an evolving educational health setting. Using a descriptive and inferential quantitative design with a convenience sample of school nurses in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), participants completed an online survey designed to examine awareness, agreement, and alignment with the framework, as well as barriers and facilitators of adoption. The results revealed differences in level of awareness of the framework across various demographic groups within the SDP. After presenting the framework to participants, school nurses agreed with the importance of fully aligning practice. Further, there were variations in level of importance regarding specific practice components of the framework. Participants identified facilitators and barriers that impacted their ability to fully align school nursing practice with the framework.
Temple University--Theses
2
Hayes-Burrell, Ingrid Monique. "Financing School-Based Health Centers: Sustaining Business Operational Services." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1684.
Full textAbstract:
Walden University
College of Management and Technology
This is to certify that the doctoral study by
Ingrid Hayes-Burrell
has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.
Review Committee
Dr. Ify Diala, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Dr. Anne Davis, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Dr. Yvette Ghormley, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.
Walden University
2015
â??
School-based health centers (SBHCs) have faced challenges in securing adequate funding for operations and developing sound business systems for billing and reimbursement. Specifically, administrators often lack strategies to develop and sustain funding levels to support appropriate resources for business operations. The focus of this descriptive study was to explore best practice strategies to develop and sustain funding through the experiences of SBHC administrators. The conceptual framework included Elkington's sustainability theory, which posits that corporate social responsibility, stakeholder involvement, and citizenship improve manager's effect on the business system. Twenty full-time SBHC administrators working in separate locations throughout the state of Maryland participated in semistructured telephone interviews. The van Kaam process was used to cluster descriptive experiences in data analysis that resulted in the development of thematic strategies for implementing best practices relevant to developing and sustaining funding for SBHC business operations. Major themes provided by the participants were interagency communications, creating marketing plans, and disparities in the allocation of funding for programs and professional staff. Findings indicated SBHC administrators continue to face challenges in developing and sustaining adequate funding for operations in the state of Maryland. Suggestions for future research include how administrators can develop marketing plans and explore long-range funding for SBHC services. The findings in this study may contribute to positive social change by demonstrating to officials in the Maryland State Department of Education the significance of SBHCs, and the need to increase mental health services.
3
Finnell, Deborah S., Elizabeth L. Thomas, Wendy M. Nehring, Kris A. McLoughlin, and Carol J. Bickford. "Best Practices for Developing Specialty Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2015. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/6707.
Full textAbstract:
Nursing specialization involves focusing on nursing practice in an identified specific area within the entire field of professional nursing. A defined specialty scope of practice statement and standards of professional practice, with accompanying competencies, are unique to each nursing specialty. These documents help assure continued understanding and recognition of nursing’s diverse professional contributions. The purpose of this article is to demystify the process for specialty nurses who are creating or revising their specialty nursing scope and standards of practice. We provide best practices for the developmental process based on our recently published scope and standards of specialty nursing practice. The conclusion provides strategies to disseminate scope and standards documents to appropriate stakeholders.
4
Bree, Caroline. "Lesbian mothers: queer families the experience of planned pregnancy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science (Midwifery), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, 2003." Full thesis. Abstract, 2003.
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5
Caka, Ernestina Masebina. "Best practice guideline for the transition of final year nursing students to professional nurses in the military health service in South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021097.
Full textAbstract:
The transition period from student nurses to professional nurses has been acknowledged as being very stressful, particularly in the military health service due to the dual transition. The phase is marked as final year nursing students try to consolidate the experience and knowledge gained during their four year training period with clinical decision making and problem solving skills being applied in the work environment. The students require support and guidance to effect a successful transition from being a student to being a professional nurse. The transition of students in the military health setting might be experienced differently due to the context that is vastly different from the other health care settings (Moore, 2006:541). The aim of the research was to explore the experiences of role transition of final year nursing students, particularly their preparedness to take up the role of a professional nurse in the military health setting in order to assist managers and educators to support and facilitate this professional adjustment appropriately. A qualitative, descriptive, contextual design was employed for the study and followed a three-phase approach. Phase one comprised a qualitative approach, where semi-structured and focus group interviews were conducted to gather the data. Nurse managers, nurse educators, final year nursing students and novice professional nurses formed part of the population for the study. Creswell’s method of data analysis was employed in analysing the data. The second phase dealt with the integrative review of literature on the transition of final year nursing students into professional nurses. Data extracted from the guidelines formed themes that were triangulated to form phase three of the study. Lastly, a best practice guideline was developed to facilitate the transition period of final year nursing students to professional nurses. Principles of trustworthiness were adhered to, participants were treated in a fair manner and confidential information was not divulged without the consent of the participants. Participants were asked to take part voluntarily and without coercion. Ethical approval was requested to give consent for the study to be undertaken and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Findings were then disseminated after the conclusion of the study.
6
Diamond-Caravella, Monica L. Diamond-Caravella. "Reopening a Dialog on Open Airways for Schools: Closing the Educational Gap Using a Multi-Site Academic-Practice Partnership." Case Western Reserve University Doctor of Nursing Practice / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=casednp1512210590712455.
Full text
7
Griffiths, Debra. "Agreeing on a way forward management of patient refusal of treatment decisions in Victorian hospitals /." full-text, 2008. http://eprints.vu.edu.au/2036/1/griffiths_debra_thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study is to investigate and develop a substantive theory, of the processes adopted by nurses and medical practitioners when patients with serious illness refuse medical treatment. The study seeks to identify the main constraints confronting nurses and medical practitioners and to explain the key factors that moderate the processes of dealing with refusal decisions. Using a grounded theory method, a sample of 18 nurses and 6 medical practitioners from two public hospitals in Melbourne were interviewed. In addition, observations and documentary evidence were utilised. The basic social psychological problem shared by nurses and medical practitioners is conceptualized as Competing Perspectives: Encountering Refusal of Treatment, which reflects the diverse perceptions and beliefs that confront participants when patients decide to forgo therapy. In utilizing the grounded theory method of analysis, it is recognised that participants deal with this problem through a basic social psychological process conceptualized as Endeavouring to Understand Refusal: Agreeing on a Way Forward. This core variable represents the manner in which participants, to varying extents, deal with the situations they face and it incorporates the various influences which moderate their activities. Endeavouring to Understand Refusal: Agreeing on a Way Forward comprises a series of three transitions. The first involves a struggle for participants to come to terms with, or even recognize that patients are rejecting treatment. The second transition illustrates the varied responses of participants as they interact with patients, relatives and each other, in order to clarify and validate decisions made during episodes of care. The third transition reflects the degree to which patients and family members are incorporated into treatment decisions, and highlights a shift in emphasis, from a focus on the disease state, to the patient as a person with individualistic thoughts and wishes. The remaining social processes evident in the study consist of four categories. The first, Seeking Clarification, embodies exploration undertaken by participants and their recognition that treatment is actually being refused. The second category, Responding to Patients and Families, demonstrates the level of expertise of participants communicating, and their ability to encourage reciprocity in the professional-patient relationship. The third category, Advocating, highlights the extent and manner in which patient and family wishes are promoted to members of the treating team. The fourth category, Influencing, reveals the ability of participants to utilize a degree of authority or power in order to shape particular outcomes. The findings also indicate that over arching the core variable and categories are various contextual determinants that moderate the way nurses and medical practitioners deal with patient refusal of treatment. These determinants are categorized into three main influences: The Context of Work, describes the of the environment and organisational factors pertinent to public hospitals; Beliefs and Behaviours, illustrates the perceptions of, and values held, by four key groups involved in decisions, namely, nurses, medical practitioners, patients, and family members; and Legal and Ethical Frameworks, examines the existing principles that support or guide professional practice in situations where patients with serious illness refuse medical treatment.
8
Armstrong, Angela. "Dermoscopy : An Evidence-Based Approach for the Early Detection of Melanoma." UNF Digital Commons, 2011. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/382.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a practice-based dermoscopy training program for dermatology healthcare providers in order to improve their technique of performing clinical skin exams for the early detection of melanomas. The overall incidence of melanoma continues to rise. More than 75% of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. Advanced melanoma spreads to lymph nodes and internal organs and can result in death. One American dies from melanoma almost every hour (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2009). Early diagnosis and excision are essential to reduce morbidity and to improve patient survival. This one-group before-and-after study design utilized a convenience sample of three dermatology healthcare providers (DHPs). The primary investigator conducted a retrospective review of the pathology logs for each provider. The time frame for the review was a three-month period in 2010, which represented the same time frame that the study was conducted in 2011. The DHPs participated in a four-hour training workshop that included pattern analysis recognition using dermoscopy. Following the workshop, each DHP was given a DermLite 3Gen DL100 to use in practice when performing clinical skin examinations. All DHPs completed a data collection sheet to document their pattern of decision making with and without a DermLite. The outcome of interest was the use of dermoscopy by DHPs to demonstrate an increased detection of melanoma when compared to naked-eye examination. The outcome was evaluated 12 weeks postworkshop training. There were 120 evaluations made with the DermLite as compared to the naked eye. The overall agreement was 0.52, AC1 coefficient (95% CI) was 0.36 (0.30, 0.42), p < .001, and kappa coefficient (95% CI) was 0.27 (0.20, 0.43), p < .001. Overall, the risk of lesion under exam being suspicion for skin cancer was higher on 27.5% (33 out of 120) of the evaluations and lower on 20.8% (25 out of 120) evaluations. The risk of lesion was evaluated the same on 51.7% (62 out of 120) of the evaluations. This is an indication of “Poor” agreement between the two methods. The diagnosis and disposition made using DermLite compared to naked-eye results for both coefficients provided an “Intermediate to Good” agreement between the two methods in assigning diagnosis and disposition. This indicates that there is no difference between DermLite and naked-eye evaluations. More studies are needed in order to provide better evidence on the value of dermoscopy in clinical practice at the Dermatology and Laser Center. Future projects should be more explicit regarding the methods used and lesion selection in order to better understand the benefits of dermoscopy.
9
Griffiths, Debra. "Agreeing on a way forward: management of patient refusal of treatment decisions in Victorian hospitals." Thesis, full-text, 2008. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/2036/.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study is to investigate and develop a substantive theory, of the processes adopted by nurses and medical practitioners when patients with serious illness refuse medical treatment. The study seeks to identify the main constraints confronting nurses and medical practitioners and to explain the key factors that moderate the processes of dealing with refusal decisions. Using a grounded theory method, a sample of 18 nurses and 6 medical practitioners from two public hospitals in Melbourne were interviewed. In addition, observations and documentary evidence were utilised.
The basic social psychological problem shared by nurses and medical practitioners is conceptualized as Competing Perspectives: Encountering Refusal of Treatment, which reflects the diverse perceptions and beliefs that confront participants when patients decide to forgo therapy. In utilizing the grounded theory method of analysis, it is recognised that participants deal with this problem through a basic social psychological process conceptualized as Endeavouring to Understand Refusal: Agreeing on a Way Forward. This core variable represents the manner in which
participants, to varying extents, deal with the situations they face and it incorporates the various influences which moderate their activities. Endeavouring to Understand
Refusal: Agreeing on a Way Forward comprises a series of three transitions. The first involves a struggle for participants to come to terms with, or even recognize that
patients are rejecting treatment. The second transition illustrates the varied responses of participants as they interact with patients, relatives and each other, in order to clarify and validate decisions made during episodes of care. The third transition reflects the degree to which patients and family members are incorporated into
treatment decisions, and highlights a shift in emphasis, from a focus on the disease state, to the patient as a person with individualistic thoughts and wishes.
The remaining social processes evident in the study consist of four categories. The first, Seeking Clarification, embodies exploration undertaken by participants and
their recognition that treatment is actually being refused. The second category, Responding to Patients and Families, demonstrates the level of expertise of participants communicating, and their ability to encourage reciprocity in the professional-patient relationship. The third category, Advocating, highlights the extent and manner in which patient and family wishes are promoted to members of
the treating team. The fourth category, Influencing, reveals the ability of participants to utilize a degree of authority or power in order to shape particular outcomes.
The findings also indicate that over arching the core variable and categories are various contextual determinants that moderate the way nurses and medical practitioners deal with patient refusal of treatment. These determinants are
categorized into three main influences: The Context of Work, describes the of the environment and organisational factors pertinent to public hospitals; Beliefs and
Behaviours, illustrates the perceptions of, and values held, by four key groups involved in decisions, namely, nurses, medical practitioners, patients, and family
members; and Legal and Ethical Frameworks, examines the existing principles that support or guide professional practice in situations where patients with serious
illness refuse medical treatment.
10
Watson, Lesley A. "The relationship between informatics in the undergraduate nursing curricula and the preparation of nurses for practice." Thesis, 2005. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/15728/.
Full textAbstract:
At a time when quality health care is increasingly dependent on the use of information and computer based technologies, Nursing Informatics, which encompasses the use of such technologies, is of increasing importance as it facilitates practitioners' access to current information on which to base such care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence between the informatics competencies educators believe should be included in the undergraduate nursing curriculum and those identified
by newly registered nurses as relevant to their clinical practice. This two-phased study used the Delphi Technique, a research methodology for determining group opinion. In Phase One a purposively selected group of nurses experienced in the informatics domain generated a list of informatics competencies. In Phase Two a panel of nurse educators and a panel of newly registered nurses reviewed these competencies to establish their relevance to the areas
of education and practice.
11
Faulds, Stuart. "Exploration of Zulu mothers' choice of food for their children." Thesis, 2005. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/18161/.
Full textAbstract:
South Africa has a high incidence of childhood mortality and morbidity.
More than fifty percent is attributed to mild and moderate malnutrition and
the highest incidences occur in rural communities such as North Kwa Zulu
Natal (NKZN). Despite recent South African government interventions, such
as the Integrated Nutrition Programme, Integrated Management of
Childhood Illnesses and the introduction of Food Based Dietary Guidelines,
malnutrition is still a severe problem. Nutritional research studies on
children aged one to five years confirmed that malnutrition results from
inadequate intake of nutrient and energy rich food. However, contextual
influences on the mothers' food choices for their children had not been
reported.
The purpose of this study was to explore and understand, from the
perspective of NKZN mothers, the influences on their choices of food for
their children aged one to five years. A qualitative research design using a
naturalistic approach was implemented. The strategies used for collecting
data from eight mothers of children with identified nutrition related
illnesses included interviews, observations and a focus group discussion. Indepth
interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted to explore
food choices from the mothers' perspectives. Further understanding of
their food practices was gained by observing the broad features of each
informant's home, living conditions, surrounding environment and various food preparation practices and resources. The data were analysed for
common patterns of meaning and categories of influence in the mothers'
choice of food.
The influences on the mothers' food choice that emerged from the study
included the geographic location of the informants in the form of isolation
from shops, their living conditions, family income and seasonal availability
of food. Social and cultural changes, such as declining numbers of adult
males in each household and the shift from subsistence farming to the
dependence on the cash economy, were substantial influences. Most
importantly, limited knowledge of food value and of nutrition related
illnesses influenced the choice of food that NKZN mothers provided to their
children.
This study discovered that despite the many problems confronted by NKZN
mothers, they were enthusiastic in their request for knowledge to improve
the health of their children, albeit requiring the assistance and cooperation
from health care professionals and policy makers. Insight of the contextual
influences will enable health care professionals and policy makers to
develop appropriate programmes that assist NKZN mothers in the provision
of energy and nutrient-rich food for their children.
12
Mountford, Suzanne Kristine Blume. "A therapeutic nursing relationship." Thesis, 1997. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/15451/.
Full textAbstract:
The relationship between nurse and patient is important to nursing care and health outcomes. This relationship can be therapeutic for both nurse and patient. However, the current lack of conceptual consensus and descriptive clarity in nursing theory has precluded the relationship from the realms of therapy and healing. The goal of this study was to discern, from descriptions given by nurses and
patients, the essential structure, dynamics, practical application and advantages to nursing practice of a therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient.
13
Rodriguez, Lori A. "Confronting life and death responsibility: The lived experiences of nursing students and nursing faculty response to practice breakdown and errors in nursing school." Diss., 2007. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3289350.
Full text
14
Li, Ke. "A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Acupuncture on Increasing Milk Supply of Lactating Mothers." 2003. http://eprints.vu.edu.au/241/1/02thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Breastfeeding benefits the mother as well as the baby. Breast milk is a complete food for newborn human infants, adequately supplying all nutritional needs for at least the first 4- 6 months of life (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002). In 1993, the Commonwealth of Australia recommended the following goals for promoting breastfeeding by the year 2000 and beyond (Nutbeam, Wise, Bauman, Harris & Leader, 1993): For infants to the age of three months, 60% should be fully breastfed or 80% should be partially breastfed. For infants to the age of six months, 50% should be fully breastfed or 80% should be partially breastfed. However, according to the most recent national survey, these targets have not been met (Donath, 2000). In effect, breastfeeding figures have not changed in the last ten to fifteen years (Mortensen, 2001). Research indicates that the largest decrease in breastfeeding occurs between two weeks and six weeks after birth (Binns & Scotts, 2002; Stamp & Crowther, 1995; Mogan 1986), with women giving Insufficient Milk Supply (IMS) as the major reason for stopping. Despite research in the field of physiology, biochemistry, psychology and socioeconomics, this phenomenon of IMS remains an 'enigma' (Hill, 1991, p. 312). However, failure to thrive in infancy can be seen in babies who do not achieve an adequate weight gain within the normal time span. According to lactation consultants at the Royal Womenâs Hospital Breastfeeding Assessment Service in Melbourne, some babies who are breastfed present with inadequate weight gain due to IMS. Women with low breastmilk supply who wish to persist with breastfeeding often look for some means to increase their milk supply. There are very few alternative treatment to assist them. For over a thousand years mothers in China have used acupuncture to increase their supply of breast milk. Within the last decade, several authors have published results of studies on the effect of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) on lactation (Wu, 2002; Huang & Huang, 1994; Tureanu, 1994; Dong, 1988; Kang, 1990). These study all indicated improvement in lactation after TCA therapy. However, all these studies have been uncontrolled clinical trials. This research is a first single blind controlled clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture for the treatment of IMS. The aim of the study is to find out whether a course of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture treatment would help mothers diagnosed with insufficient breast milk supply produce more milk. This clinical trial was conducted by a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. The researcher gained a Bachelor of Medicine degree in TCM after completing the five years program at the Beijing College of TCM in China. The researcher has been in clinical practice for more than 15 years. This is a pilot study. The final number of subjects in the study was 27,: 9 in the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) Group; 6 in the Sham Acupuncture (SA) Group and 12 in the Non-Treatment Control Group. The major finding of the study was that - 'Other things being equal, infants whose mothers received TCA weighed 160.13 grams more on average than those whose mothers received SA. This effect is marginally significant (p less than 0.1)'. The finding generally confirms that the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture intervention to the mother is effective in increasing infant weight gain.
15
Joyce, Patricia. "An Interpretive Phenomenological Exploration of Quality of Life Issues in Autologous Blood Cell Transplant Recipients." 2005. http://eprints.vu.edu.au/528/1/528contents.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Autologous blood cell transplantation (ABCT) has been successfully used to treat a variety of haematological cancers and some solid tumours. The number of patients who are long term survivors and free of disease following this treatment is growing rapidly. To enable nurses and health care workers to provide optimal supportive care for these patients, an understanding of how the transplant has affected their quality of life (QOL) is essential. In the last two decades numerous studies have focused on QOL issues in this patient group. However, the majority of these studies tend to approach QOL from a bio-physiological perspective, generating knowledge about the treatment and its side effects. Little is known about the patients' experiences and how they interpret their QOL in the years following their transplants. The purpose of this study was to explore QOL issues from the perspectives of 12 patients who had undergone an ABCT. Heideggerian phenomenology (interpretive phenomenology) was chosen as the theoretical framework for the study, as it allows for the transparent world of people's everyday lived experiences to be illuminated, and so reveal how they interpret their QOL. The aims of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of QOL issues through the participants interpretations of their experiences, and to uncover themes and different patterns of meaning which embody the participants' QOL. Data was collected through in-depth, unstructured interviews with each participant. Thematic analysis, exemplars and paradigm cases were utilised to present the participants' interpretations of their QOL. The findings showed that the participants' QOL was influenced by their interpretations of embodiment, being in time, being in society and re-appraisal of life. The findings also revealed that QOL following an ABCT is a highly individualised, dynamic experience that depends on the challenges the participants confront in their everyday lives. As the participants re-interpreted their lives following their transplants, their perspectives on their QOL changed. For some this was a positive experience, but for others their QOL diminished. The implication of this study is that nurses must be committed to providing individualised, patient focused care following an ABCT. The findings of this study offer a deeper understanding of patients' everyday lived experiences and their QOL following an ABCT, and will enable nurses and other health professionals to develop supportive care infrastructure to assist patients during their recoveries, thus improving their QOL.
16
Welch, Dianne. "A Heideggerian phenomenological study of nurses' experience of presence." Thesis, 2001. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/17922/.
Full textAbstract:
Nursing brings together two persons' worlds, one being that of the nurse and
the other of the patient. Their worlds embody past experiences, expectations,
limitations and potential. Nurse theorists have described this bringing together
as an intersecting intersubjectivity or presence. This Heideggerian
phenomenological study enabled the researcher to explore six registered
nurses' meaning of presence as experienced within their clinical practice.
These registered nurses were all clinicians with extensive experience in a
variety of clinical settings. A hermeneutical analysis of their experiences
revealed that presence is a powerful intersecting of nurses' and patients'
subjective worlds. Presence, according to these nurses, was an enriching
experience within nursing practice that provided them with immense
professional satisfaction. It was from the spiritual connectedness of care that
their need to care for and be with patients in meaningful interactions was
fulfilled. Despite the difficulties these participants encountered, their
commitment to care and need to find meaning in their practice motivated them
to transcend these encumbrances and connect with patients in deep meaningful
ways. This study recommends strategies be implemented within nursing to
acknowledge these experiences, and for nurses to create times and space to
share these subjective experiences.
17
Crozier, Rosemarie. "The 48 hour patient - who reaps the rewards?" 2008. http://eprints.vu.edu.au/1577/1/R_Crozier_Thesis_May_08_g_THE_48_HOUR_PATIENT_-_WHO_REAPS_THE_REWARDS.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this evaluative case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 48 hour Medical Unit in relation to Patient Satisfaction, Patient Care, Nursing Staff Job satisfaction and the Average Length of Stay for patients' Pre and Post a Rapid Assessment Medical Unit's (RAMU) inception. The study used a combination of Patient Satisfaction Survey's, Interviews, and data of the average length of stay of patients pre and post RAMU. This report aims to provide a comprehensive description of the research process and the results obtained from the collection of data throughout this research project. An evaluative case study using Yin (2003), as a framework of this study was deemed appropriate, as no research to date had been conducted on 48 hours Medical Wards, because of their uniqueness. A case study allowed for "multiple sources of evidence gathering", thus ensuring that the findings to this study are more likely to be accurate if based on several different sources of information. Despite the study's limitations, the results to this study were surprisingly supportive and positive of those patients who had participated in this research project. Nursing Staff on both wards that participate in the interviews had a positive attitude in relation to how well RAMU is functioning. The findings indicate there are a few minor changes that are required and further research is recommended, however the hospital and staff have managed to find a formula that works extremely well in providing patient satisfaction, patient care and job satisfaction in a short period of time.
18
Li, Ke. "A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Acupuncture on Increasing Milk Supply of Lactating Mothers." Thesis, 2003. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/241/.
Full textAbstract:
Breastfeeding benefits the mother as well as the baby. Breast milk is a complete food for newborn human infants, adequately supplying all nutritional needs for at least the first 4- 6 months of life (Kramer & Kakuma, 2002). In 1993, the Commonwealth of Australia recommended the following goals for promoting breastfeeding by the year 2000 and beyond (Nutbeam, Wise, Bauman, Harris & Leader, 1993): For infants to the age of three months, 60% should be fully breastfed or 80% should be partially breastfed. For infants to the age of six months, 50% should be fully breastfed or 80% should be partially breastfed. However, according to the most recent national survey, these targets have not been met (Donath, 2000). In effect, breastfeeding figures have not changed in the last ten to fifteen years (Mortensen, 2001). Research indicates that the largest decrease in breastfeeding occurs between two weeks and six weeks after birth (Binns & Scotts, 2002; Stamp & Crowther, 1995; Mogan 1986), with women giving Insufficient Milk Supply (IMS) as the major reason for stopping. Despite research in the field of physiology, biochemistry, psychology and socioeconomics, this phenomenon of IMS remains an 'enigma' (Hill, 1991, p. 312). However, failure to thrive in infancy can be seen in babies who do not achieve an adequate weight gain within the normal time span. According to lactation consultants at the Royal Women's Hospital Breastfeeding Assessment Service in Melbourne, some babies who are breastfed present with inadequate weight gain due to IMS. Women with low breastmilk supply who wish to persist with breastfeeding often look for some means to increase their milk supply. There are very few alternative treatment to assist them. For over a thousand years mothers in China have used acupuncture to increase their supply of breast milk. Within the last decade, several authors have published results of studies on the effect of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) on lactation (Wu, 2002; Huang & Huang, 1994; Tureanu, 1994; Dong, 1988; Kang, 1990). These study all indicated improvement in lactation after TCA therapy. However, all these studies have been uncontrolled clinical trials. This research is a first single blind controlled clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture for the treatment of IMS. The aim of the study is to find out whether a course of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture treatment would help mothers diagnosed with insufficient breast milk supply produce more milk. This clinical trial was conducted by a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. The researcher gained a Bachelor of Medicine degree in TCM after completing the five years program at the Beijing College of TCM in China. The researcher has been in clinical practice for more than 15 years. This is a pilot study. The final number of subjects in the study was 27,: 9 in the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) Group; 6 in the Sham Acupuncture (SA) Group and 12 in the Non-Treatment Control Group. The major finding of the study was that - 'Other things being equal, infants whose mothers received TCA weighed 160.13 grams more on average than those whose mothers received SA. This effect is marginally significant (p less than 0.1)'. The finding generally confirms that the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture intervention to the mother is effective in increasing infant weight gain.
19
Georgiou, Helen. "Reasons for use and disclosure of complementary medicine by people with haemoglobinopathy." 2006. http://eprints.vu.edu.au/1479/1/Georgiou.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
An increasing number of people with chronic illness use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) (Metz, 2000) and rarely disclose such use to treating biomedical physicians [B/M] (Adler & Fosket, 1999). Although the incidence of CAM use amongst people with chronic illness has been investigated (Nader et al., 2000; Sharon & Mark, 2006; Yang et al., 2002) research specifically examining that section of people who require ongoing biomedical treatment from a very early age until death has never before been conducted. This thesis examined the patterns of self-prescribed and CAM practitioner prescribed CAM use, reasons for CAM use and disclosure of CAM use to treating physicians, among people with a lifelong medical condition, thalassaemia major (TM). To examine the reasons for use and disclosure of CAM in this population, 21 people (eight males, 13 females) aged between 24 and 43 years volunteered for the three-phase study, which forms the thesis. The participants were English speakers whose physical and cognitive capacities did not prevent participation in the study. Interviews were conducted in the participants’ homes and followed standard consent procedures. All phases were conducted face-to-face. In Phase 1, using an in-depth unstructured questionnaire and two structured questions, participants were asked about their medical history, CAM use and whether they disclosed such use to their biomedical physician/s. In addition, the participants were asked to nominate any CAM practices they had heard of, that people might use. A written list was devised as the participants mentioned CAM therapies/treatments. The participants were then asked which of these CAM therapies/treatments they had used. In Phase 1, all of the participants reported having multiple co-morbidities and at least one major surgical procedure. Twelve of the participants reported using CAM when asked a dichotomous choice question. All participants were found to be CAM users when CAM was estimated according to the substances and therapies that participants reported using. Phase 1 showed that CAM estimates varied according to which CAM definition was applied to analyse the data. In Phase 1 there was only one participant out of 21 (4.76%) who reported CAM disclosure and disclosure was ongoing in that case. The reasons for CAM use and disclosure were elicited using in-depth conversational interviews, which constituted Phases 2 and 3 respectively. The operational definition of CAM devised for this thesis was based on the intent of CAM use and not prescribed by a biomedical physician. Based on the operational definition of CAM proposed for thesis there were 21 CAM users. Examination of the reasons the participants gave for CAM use confirmed there were 21 CAM users. Phase 2 showed the participants wanted safe and effective treatment to manage and cure the primary illness and co-morbidities. Phase 2 also indicated that CAM was used, at times in lieu of biomedicine, to prevent illnesses and to enhance quality of life (QoL) and to increase life expectancy. Phase 2 showed biomedical failure and adverse outcomes from biomedicine motivated CAM use. These reasons shaped perceptions of dissatisfaction with biomedical treatment and the prescribers of such treatment. Phase 3, addressed CAM disclosure, showed most of the participants considered they had disclosed their CAM use when they asked their treating biomedical physician about CAM. Phase 3 demonstrated most participants attempted to disclose CAM use and whilst they felt it was important for the treating physician to know about such use, they abandoned disclosure because of dissatisfaction with biomedical practitioners’ responses to their attempts to disclose. Other reasons for non-disclosure or aborted disclosure included a desire to maintain privacy and a belief that CAM was harmless. Phases 2 and 3 showed core reasons for CAM use and CAM non-disclosure were dissatisfaction and a loss of confidence in biomedicine. The one person who did disclose CAM use stated disclosure symbolised their dissatisfaction with biomedicine. This thesis showed people with a serious life-long illness used CAM because biomedicine was often ineffective, frequently palliative and sometimes considered deleterious to health. These aspects of biomedical care instigated dissatisfaction and a loss of confidence in biomedicine treatment and practitioners. The negative perceptions held by the participants of biomedical treatment and biomedical physicians were the primary motivators for CAM use and disclosure. All participants were found to be CAM users and this might have serious implications for their on-going biomedical treatment because some CAM products have a pharmacological effect that might interact with prescribed biomedicine medication. The findings suggest CAM was beneficial in an environment in which biomedicine could only offer palliative care, but this finding requires further research. This thesis showed that CAM use and disclosure are complex issues, deserving indepth examination in people with a range of medical conditions, as well as in the general population.
20
Harten, Peta. "Exploration of spousal carers' lived experience of loss." Thesis, 2001. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/17916/.
Full textAbstract:
During the last century, much of the literature that discussed loss and grief was
developed within an empirical-analytical paradigm. Stage models and theories of grief
were proposed to explain and describe a universal process of grieving. Nurses, to a
large extent, accept and perpetuate these notions of loss and grief and continue to
provide prescriptive care in order to help their patients through each stage of grief.
These theories and models fail to recognise individuals' unique circumstances that shape
their actions and reactions to loss. Especially, these theories and models are inadequate
in informing nurses when caring for people whose loss is not through death.
The aim of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore spousal carers'
lived experience of loss. Ten spousal carers of partners with Multiple Sclerosis
participated in this study. In-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted and
transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using a modified form of the method
outlined by Diekelmann, Allen, and Tanner, (1989). Three relational themes:
experiencing the loss, caring as worrying and reinterpreting life meaning, were
identified. The constitutive pattern that emerged was weaving through a web of
paradoxes. Within this web were three paradoxes: loss/gain, limiting/enabling and
vulnerability/strength.
The relational themes and constitutive pattern explicated illuminate these carers'
experiences of loss from their perspective thus enabling deeper insight of their
experience. The constitutive pattern provides understanding into what these participants
(and their families) are living through, their personal strengths, weaknesses, hopes and
resources in coping with loss not through death. The findings of the study therefore
have implications for nursing practice, education and research, and health service
provision.
21
Machado, Teresa da Fonseca Barbosa. "Relatório de estágio : clinical practice report." Master's thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/24137.
Full textAbstract:
presente relatório de estágio surge no âmbito da Unidade Curricular Relatório,
desenvolvido na área de Saúde Infantil e Pediátrica, enquadrado no Curso de Mestrado
Profissional com Especialização em Enfermagem de Saúde Infantil e Pediátrica do Instituto
de Ciências da Saúde do Porto (ICS) da Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), servindo
de documento de avaliação para a obtenção do grau de Mestre. O estágio de Saúde Infantil,
correspondente ao Módulo I, realizou-se na ULS Matosinhos, numa UCC, em contexto de
saúde escolar e no ACeS Porto Ocidental, numa UCC, nos projetos de promoção da
parentalidade. A temática da promoção da saúde na escola e a promoção de uma
parentalidade positiva são domínios que se enquadram nas funções do Enfermeiro
Especialista em Saúde Infantil e Pediátrica, tendo sido o foco de intervenção deste estágio.
Este documento teve como intuito fazer uma análise crítico reflexiva das atividades
realizadas, de modo a demonstrar o processo do desenvolvimento de competências, quer em
contexto de estágio, quer no percurso profissional já efetuado. O estágio, tanto no âmbito da
saúde escolar como nos projetos da parentalidade, permitiu-me desenvolver e aprimorar
competências, propostas pelo plano de estudos do curso, num processo dinâmico de
aprendizagem. Refletir, de forma crítica e sistemática, sobre todo este processo, foi essencial
para a maturação do caráter reflexivo, crítico e deontológico-profissional, indispensável ao
enfermeiro especialista.This internship report comes as part of the Curricular Unit Report, developed in the area of Children's Health and Pediatrics, which belong to the Professional Master Program with Specialization in Child Health Nursing and Pediatrics, from the Institute of Health Sciences of Oporto of the Portuguese Catholic University. This document was written with the purpose to serve as an evaluation document to obtain the degree of Master. The Child Health internship, corresponds to the Module I, was held at the ULS of Matosinhos, in a UCC, in the context of school health and at AceS Porto Ocidental, in a UCC, in the projects of the promotion of parenthood. The theme of health promotion in school and the promotion of positive parenthood are areas that fall under the guidance of the Specialist Nurse in Child Health and Pediatrics, being the aim of intervention of this internship. This document as the aim to provide a critical analysis of the skills developed during the internship and to demonstrate the competences acquired from the professional pathway already carried out. The internship, both in the scope of school health and in projects of parenthood, allowed me to develop and improve competences proposed by the course study plan, in a dynamic process of learning. Consider and reflect through a critical and systematic view about all this theme was essential to the development of the reflective, critical and deontological character, which are imperative for a specialist nurse.
22
Brown, Elvira. "Understanding childbirth education: a phenomenological case study." Thesis, 2010. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/21318/.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigated childbirth education programs in Victoria from the
perspective of the educators themselves. Prior to the study the Ministerial
Review of Birthing Services in Victoria (1990) entitled “Having a Baby in
Victoria” identified shortcomings in the childbirth education programs offered to
expectant women and their partners. The study sought to interpret the
experiences of the childbirth educators with regard to the development,
implementation, delivery and evaluation of their programs.
23
Nunn, Julie M. "A sample of female Australian tourists' travel health intentions and behaviour while holidaying in south east Asia." Thesis, 2001. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/17918/.
Full textAbstract:
Over 456,000 Australians spend time holidaying in South East Asia each
year; it is Australia's top tourist destination. Much of the attraction of South
East Asia is the novelty of exotic tropical environments. However, these can
result in strange and diverse health hazards.
This exploratory research used sequential in-depth interviews to explain
the relationship between the travel health advice tourists receive and their
behaviour while holidaying in South East Asia. When providing travel
health advice to tourists travel health advisers need to understand the
psychology underlying reasoned behaviours such as travel health behaviours
if they want to persuade tourists to practice preventative health measures.
After review of the relevant literature it would appear that this is the first
time that the theory of reasoned action, developed by Ajzen and Fishbein in
1980, had been used to explore travel health beliefs, attitudes, intentions and
behaviours.
The research found that the travel health advice received by tourists had marginal effect on their travel health behaviours as the source, extent and
relevance of the advice was left wanting. The tourists hoped to relax and
desired a good time on their holiday by entering into the 'holiday spirit'
offered by South East Asia. This impeded their ability to recognise the very
real travel health risks they faced.
24
Joyce, Patricia. "An Interpretive Phenomenological Exploration of Quality of Life Issues in Autologous Blood Cell Transplant Recipients." Thesis, 2005. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/528/.
Full textAbstract:
Autologous blood cell transplantation (ABCT) has been successfully used to treat a variety of haematological cancers and some solid tumours. The number of patients who are long term survivors and free of disease following this treatment is growing rapidly. To enable nurses and health care workers to provide optimal supportive care for these patients, an understanding of how the transplant has affected their quality of life (QOL) is essential. In the last two decades numerous studies have focused on QOL issues in this patient group. However, the majority of these studies tend to approach QOL from a bio-physiological perspective, generating knowledge about the treatment and its side effects. Little is known about the patients' experiences and how they interpret their QOL in the years following their transplants. The purpose of this study was to explore QOL issues from the perspectives of 12 patients who had undergone an ABCT. Heideggerian phenomenology (interpretive phenomenology) was chosen as the theoretical framework for the study, as it allows for the transparent world of people's everyday lived experiences to be illuminated, and so reveal how they interpret their QOL. The aims of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of QOL issues through the participants interpretations of their experiences, and to uncover themes and different patterns of meaning which embody the participants' QOL. Data was collected through in-depth, unstructured interviews with each participant. Thematic analysis, exemplars and paradigm cases were utilised to present the participants' interpretations of their QOL. The findings showed that the participants' QOL was influenced by their interpretations of embodiment, being in time, being in society and re-appraisal of life. The findings also revealed that QOL following an ABCT is a highly individualised, dynamic experience that depends on the challenges the participants confront in their everyday lives. As the participants re-interpreted their lives following their transplants, their perspectives on their QOL changed. For some this was a positive experience, but for others their QOL diminished. The implication of this study is that nurses must be committed to providing individualised, patient focused care following an ABCT. The findings of this study offer a deeper understanding of patients' everyday lived experiences and their QOL following an ABCT, and will enable nurses and other health professionals to develop supportive care infrastructure to assist patients during their recoveries, thus improving their QOL.
25
Nokdee, Somjai. "Self-directed learning among Thai nurses in clinical practice." Thesis, 2007. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/1407/.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this research was to explain the process of nurses’ self-directed learning in
clinical practice according to their self-perceptions. The researcher applied a
phenomenological research approach as it enabled the researcher to discover and
understand the direct daily experiences of nurses as they relate to self-directed
learning in clinical practice. The research took place in a provincial Thai general
hospital with over 500 beds. The participants were seven nurses from seven wards
and four nurse educators from four departments of this hospital. Each participant had
at least one year of work experience in a general hospital with 500 patient-beds in
Thailand. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant
observation and field notes over seven months from July 2003 to January 2004.
Inductive analysis was used to interpret participants’ perceptions, experiences and
behaviors. Data are presented to illustrate and substantiate interpretations of the selfdirected
learning process of nurses in clinical practices. The findings show that nurses
defined self-directed learners by four characteristics: 1) independent in learning, 2)
effective in learning, 3) accepting of responsibility for learning, and 4) able to use
problem solving skills. It was also found that nurses learned about patients, nursing
practice and nursing communications through self-direction by selecting their own
methods of learning, as well as choosing the sources of their learning. Nurse educators
have a role in encouraging and supporting nurses to learn through self-direction by
providing and suggesting how to use learning resources, building a conducive
atmosphere and environment for learning, and evaluating the effectiveness of nurses’
self-directed learning. The findings from this study indicate that the opportunity to
learn through self-direction already exists in the clinical setting. The nurses in this
study primarily utilized learning sources within the hospital setting when engaged in
self-directed learning, in particular human resources. Both structured and unstructured
activities contributed to learning opportunities for nurses in clinical practice. Critical
to their learning was the capability of identifying the learning opportunities that arise
in their work. These results can be applied in nursing development plans in order to
increase the self-directed learning potential of professional nurses. This effort may
then enhance lifelong learning among nursing personnel of hospitals. Nurses can use their knowledge and skills from self-development to provide higher quality nursing
care to patients. Eventually, their self-development will lead to their career
development and finally to the development of the organization.
26
English, Carolyn J. "The experience of the menopause and climacteric of women in Australia from a non-English speaking background." Thesis, 1997. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/33014/.
Full textAbstract:
Naturalistic inquiry was the method used in this qualitative study, examining the
experience of the menopause and climacteric of women in Australia from a
non-English speaking background. Women form over one-half of the
Australian population, with 12% of this number being from a non-English
speaking background country, and 14% of these women speaking a language
other than English (LOTE) in the family home. These women seek health-care
in a care system which was established and is maintained in the Anglo-Celtic
tradition. As these women approach the menopause and the climacteric years,
how culturally appropriate is our health-care service for these women? The
study was conducted in the Western suburbs of Melbourne which has a higher
percentage of people born overseas (34.6%) than the national or Victorian
percentage of 22%. Data was collected by in-depth interviews with 33 women
from the countries of Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Malta, Italy, Greece
and Lebanon.
Issues explored and contained in the data included the women's difficulties with
their own health at the time of menopause, the significant beliefs and practices
about menopause in their countries of origin, availability of culturally relevant
information and treatment in the health care system. Findings included
negative attitudes to menopause and usage of hormone replacement therapy,
cultural overtones in the women's beliefs about menopause, religion being a
determinant in acceptance and coping with menopause and the climacteric,
inadequate information provided by health-care professionals, and the
unavailibility of printed information in the appropriate language. The provision
of Medicare was an important factor in the women's ability to access health
care. As Australia is a multicultural country, it would appear from this study
that the health-care system needs to address the issue of culturally congruent
care.
27
Georgiou, Helen. "Reasons for use and disclosure of complementary medicine by people with haemoglobinopathy." Thesis, 2006. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/1479/.
Full textAbstract:
An increasing number of people with chronic illness use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) (Metz, 2000) and rarely disclose such use to treating biomedical physicians [B/M] (Adler & Fosket, 1999). Although the incidence of CAM use amongst people with chronic illness has been investigated (Nader et al., 2000; Sharon & Mark, 2006; Yang et al., 2002) research specifically examining that section of people who require ongoing biomedical treatment from a very early age until death has never before been conducted. This thesis examined the patterns of self-prescribed and CAM practitioner prescribed CAM use, reasons for CAM use and disclosure of CAM use to treating physicians, among people with a lifelong medical condition, thalassaemia major (TM). To examine the reasons for use and disclosure of CAM in this population, 21 people (eight males, 13 females) aged between 24 and 43 years volunteered for the three-phase study, which forms the thesis. The participants were English speakers whose physical and cognitive capacities did not prevent participation in the study. Interviews were conducted in the participants’ homes and followed standard consent procedures. All phases were conducted face-to-face. In Phase 1, using an in-depth unstructured questionnaire and two structured questions, participants were asked about their medical history, CAM use and whether they disclosed such use to their biomedical physician/s. In addition, the participants were asked to nominate any CAM practices they had heard of, that people might use. A written list was devised as the participants mentioned CAM therapies/treatments. The participants were then asked which of these CAM therapies/treatments they had used. In Phase 1, all of the participants reported having multiple co-morbidities and at least one major surgical procedure. Twelve of the participants reported using CAM when asked a dichotomous choice question. All participants were found to be CAM users when CAM was estimated according to the substances and therapies that participants reported using. Phase 1 showed that CAM estimates varied according to which CAM definition was applied to analyse the data. In Phase 1 there was only one participant out of 21 (4.76%) who reported CAM disclosure and disclosure was ongoing in that case. The reasons for CAM use and disclosure were elicited using in-depth conversational interviews, which constituted Phases 2 and 3 respectively. The operational definition of CAM devised for this thesis was based on the intent of CAM use and not prescribed by a biomedical physician. Based on the operational definition of CAM proposed for thesis there were 21 CAM users. Examination of the reasons the participants gave for CAM use confirmed there were 21 CAM users. Phase 2 showed the participants wanted safe and effective treatment to manage and cure the primary illness and co-morbidities. Phase 2 also indicated that CAM was used, at times in lieu of biomedicine, to prevent illnesses and to enhance quality of life (QoL) and to increase life expectancy. Phase 2 showed biomedical failure and adverse outcomes from biomedicine motivated CAM use. These reasons shaped perceptions of dissatisfaction with biomedical treatment and the prescribers of such treatment. Phase 3, addressed CAM disclosure, showed most of the participants considered they had disclosed their CAM use when they asked their treating biomedical physician about CAM. Phase 3 demonstrated most participants attempted to disclose CAM use and whilst they felt it was important for the treating physician to know about such use, they abandoned disclosure because of dissatisfaction with biomedical practitioners’ responses to their attempts to disclose. Other reasons for non-disclosure or aborted disclosure included a desire to maintain privacy and a belief that CAM was harmless. Phases 2 and 3 showed core reasons for CAM use and CAM non-disclosure were dissatisfaction and a loss of confidence in biomedicine. The one person who did disclose CAM use stated disclosure symbolised their dissatisfaction with biomedicine. This thesis showed people with a serious life-long illness used CAM because biomedicine was often ineffective, frequently palliative and sometimes considered deleterious to health. These aspects of biomedical care instigated dissatisfaction and a loss of confidence in biomedicine treatment and practitioners. The negative perceptions held by the participants of biomedical treatment and biomedical physicians were the primary motivators for CAM use and disclosure. All participants were found to be CAM users and this might have serious implications for their on-going biomedical treatment because some CAM products have a pharmacological effect that might interact with prescribed biomedicine medication. The findings suggest CAM was beneficial in an environment in which biomedicine could only offer palliative care, but this finding requires further research. This thesis showed that CAM use and disclosure are complex issues, deserving indepth examination in people with a range of medical conditions, as well as in the general population.
28
Crozier, Rosemarie. "The 48 hour patient - who reaps the rewards?" Thesis, 2008. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/1577/.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this evaluative case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 48 hour Medical Unit in relation to Patient Satisfaction, Patient Care, Nursing Staff Job satisfaction and the Average Length of Stay for patients' Pre and Post a Rapid Assessment Medical Unit's (RAMU) inception. The study used a combination of Patient Satisfaction Survey's, Interviews, and data of the average length of stay of patients pre and post RAMU. This report aims to provide a comprehensive description of the research process and the results obtained from the collection of data throughout this research project. An evaluative case study using Yin (2003), as a framework of this study was deemed appropriate, as no research to date had been conducted on 48 hours Medical Wards, because of their uniqueness. A case study allowed for "multiple sources of evidence gathering", thus ensuring that the findings to this study are more likely to be accurate if based on several different sources of information. Despite the study's limitations, the results to this study were surprisingly supportive and positive of those patients who had participated in this research project. Nursing Staff on both wards that participate in the interviews had a positive attitude in relation to how well RAMU is functioning. The findings indicate there are a few minor changes that are required and further research is recommended, however the hospital and staff have managed to find a formula that works extremely well in providing patient satisfaction, patient care and job satisfaction in a short period of time.
29
Boardman, Gayelene. "A problem-solving based peer support program for enhancing adherence to oral antipsychotic medication in consumers with schizophrenia." Thesis, 2012. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/22356/.
Full textAbstract:
Many people with schizophrenia are reluctant to take their antipsychotic medications, and this might have adverse implications for their recovery. Numerous approaches have been implemented to enhance medication taking for this population, but results have varied. The overall aim of the study was to assess if consumers with schizophrenia had improved adherence to their oral antipsychotic medication after participation in a problem-solving based peer support program.