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This is a descriptive study undertaken to identify competencies and supporting knowledge and skills in informatics perceived to be necessary by nurses for nurses engaged in clinical practice. This study applied a non-experimental, descriptive research design to a quantitative survey performed through web-based technology. Based upon the foundational work of Staggers, Gassert, and Curran (2001, 2002), the goal was to substantiate with clinical nurses and their direct nurse supervisors the clinical competencies that Staggers' identified for Beginning and Experienced clinical nurses through a Delphi methodology of nursing experts. All study facility Registered Nurses received an e-mail inviting their participation. Respondents logged on to a website and completed sections applicable to their situation; that is Beginning Nurse, Experienced Nurse, or Nurse Supervisor. Reminder emails were sent at two and four weeks after the initial invitation. Respondents who accessed and completed the survey received a $5.00 food coupon redeemable at the hospital facilities. All of the knowledge, attitudes and skills identified were supported as valuable, that is, a mean score greater than neutral. Value ranged from just above neutral to strongly agree. Factor analysis generally supported categorization; however, many items did not load into the anticipated categories. Categorization is one area which deserves further study.

There are about 4000 new hip fracture patients in Taiwan each year, and osteoporosis is the number one cause for these fractures. But, there has been no research article related to osteoporosis preventive behavior among Hakim living in countryside in Taiwan. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to assess osteoporosis preventive behavior; to measure the relationship among factors influencing OPB; to measure a model of factors influencing OPB; and to predict the direct and indirect effects of personal and social factors on OPB among Hakka living in Taichung County in Taiwan. The development of a theoretical model of factors influencing osteoporosis preventive behavior was based on the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986, 1997, 2004) and the conceptual framework for addressing the social context of health behavior (Sorensen et al., 2003). According to the reviewed literature, the factors influencing osteoporosis preventive behavior include personal factors (age, educational level, self­ efficacy for calcium intake, self-efficacy for exercise, and knowledge of osteoporosis); and social factors (social support and social capital). The outcome variables are calcium intake and exercise. This was a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Convenience and snowball sampling were used in this study. In all, 243 participants were recruited. Path analysis was used to assess and modify the theoretical model and to test all the paths between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. The goodness-of-fit indicators ofthe final model showed that X2 was 26.99 with 21 degrees of freedom; the P-value for this model was .17; goodness-of-fit index (GFI) was .98; adjusted goodness-of-fit index (AGFI) was .95; normed fit index (NFI) was .96; non-normed fit index (NNFI) was .98; and comparative fit index (CFI) was .99. The results suggested that the final model fit the data well. The final model demonstrated that the personal factors and environmental factors directly and indirectly influenced osteoporosis preventive behavior. It may provide guidance for the design of future nursing interventions, research and education related to osteoporosis prevention.

"Thesis--University of Southern California. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

"Thesis--University of Southern California. / Includes bibliographical references.

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is an established treatment for the management of patients with severe intestinal failure.  At the moment, it is the treatment of choice for those patients who are unable to eat or drink sufficient food or fluid to maintain nutrition or fluid status. There are no quality of life assessment tools that have been developed and validated specifically for this patient population, previous studies have used generic instruments or techniques not validated in this patient population. A method of objectively assessing the quality of life of patients treated with HPN has been developed – the HPN-QOL questionnaire.  This was designed using qualitative research methods to identify the issues particular to that patient population, thereby eliciting patients’ perspectives on their own quality of life.  The questionnaire was subjected to rigorous psychometric analysis to validate its use in the HPN population. The HPN-QOL has been translated into seven European languages.

M.Cur. / The objectives of the research were to explore and describe the healthcare needs of long-term, home-based physically disabled persons and then to develop guidelines for the training of Ancillary Health Care Workers (AHCWs) to meet these needs. The guidelines were developed specifically from the patients‟ perspective and were derived from the two research questions: “What are your healthcare needs?” and “How can these be met?”. A contextual, qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was utilised. The population consisted of physically disabled people, aged 18 years or older, living in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg who employed an AHCW to assist with the longterm, home-based care. Purposive sampling was used with subsequent snowballing to identify further participants for the study. Interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with all the participants during which they could express their views freely. Tesch‟s method of data analysis was used to identify categories, sub-categories and themes. The model of Lincoln and Guba (1985:301f) was used to ensure trustworthiness and ethical considerations were maintained throughout the process. Informed consent was given by the patients. Three categories and sub-categories of healthcare needs were identified: physical healthcare needs, interpersonal relationship needs and social needs. Twelve themes were derived from these categories, notably i. Awareness of the unique physical environment needs of the physically disabled person, including injury prevention ii. Management of hygiene and elimination iii. Assistance with nutrition and hydration iv. Assistance with mobilisation v. Administration of medication vi. Required training of the AHCW iv vii. Personality traits of the AHCW viii. Cultural tolerance ix. Maintenance of privacy and dignity x. Communication skills xi. Companionship xii. Promotion of independence of the patient . From the themes twelve guidelines were developed for the training of AHCWs in home-based care looking after physically disabled patients. The research‟s limitations were described and recommendations relating to practice, nursing education and further research were made.

Background:As the life expectancy of the population increases, more people are diagnosed with dementia. The diagnosis causes a lack of self-care for the affected person, which can result in a relative taking up the role of caregiver. Thus, the quality of life of the relatives may deteriorate when their own needs are disregarded. Relatives support is important in everyday life. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate family caregivers experiences of caring for a relative with dementia. Method:A literature review based on 13 qualitative articles, selected on the basis of inclusion criteria. Results: After compiling 13 scientific articles, four themes emerged; the life situation gets a turnaround, the disease changed everyday life, the caregiver's experience of health and the importance of knowledge and support for a good care.The caregiver experienced the changed life situation demanding. New roles as well as changing family relationships caused difficulties in life. The dementia disease caused personality changes that forced the relative to adapt the everyday life to the relative. The physical and mental health of the caregiver was adversely affected by the situation. Relatives felt that feelings of anxiety dominated over the loved one and in the thoughts of the future. Lack of information and knowledge caused difficulties in the care of the dementia patient. The importance of support in everyday life emerged. Conclusion: The life situation changes and life forces adaptation after dementia. Formal support is significant in everyday life. Relatives experience psychological and physical illness. Lack of knowledge and information can be an important cause of perceived bad health, access to support should be facilitated. / Bakgrund: I takt med att befolkningens livslängd ökar, diagnostiseras fler individer med demenssjukdom. Diagnosen medför bristande självomsorg för den drabbade vilket kan resultera i att en anhörig intar rollen som anhörigvårdare. Vardagen förändras drastiskt och tid spenderas till att hjälpa den närstående. Därmed kan anhörigas livskvalité komma att försämras när de egna behoven åsidosätts. Anhörigstöd är av stor betydelse i vardagen. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka anhörigas upplevelser av att vårda en närstående med demenssjukdom. Metod: En litteraturstudie baserad på kvalitativa vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultat: Efter sammanställning av 13 vetenskapliga artiklar framkom fyra teman; livssituationen får en vändning, sjukdomen förändrade vardagen, anhörigas upplevelse av hälsan och vikten av kunskap och stöd för en god omvårdnad. Anhöriga upplevde den förändrade livssituationen krävande. Nya roller samt förändrade familjerelationer orsakade svårigheter i livet. Demenssjukdomen orsakade personlighetsförändringar som tvingade den anhöriga att anpassa vardagen efter den närstående. Anhörigas fysiska och psykiska hälsotillstånd påverkades negativt av situationen. Anhöriga upplevde oroskänslor över den närstående samt tankar om framtiden. Brist på information och kunskap orsakade svårigheter i omvårdnaden av den närstående. Vikten av stöd i vardagen framkom. Slutsats: Livssituationen förändras och livet tvingas anpassas efter demenssjukdomen. Formellt stöd är betydande i vardagen. Anhöriga upplever psykisk såväl fysisk ohälsa. Bristande kunskap och information kan vara en betydande orsak till upplevd ohälsa, tillgången till stöd bör underlättas.

Dissertation (Ph.D.).--University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at San Antonio, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.