Excerpt: The recently published article entitled “Academic Safety During Nursing Simulation: Perceptions of Nursing Students and Faculty” by Barbara J. Ganley and Luanne Linnard-Palmer (2010; Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 6(5), e1-e9; doi: 10.1016/j.ecns.2010.06.004) draws conclusions that are not supported by the data and findings presented in the article. After comparing the level of agreement between students and faculty on how much anxiety is produced in different simulation performance testing situations, instead of concluding that faculty and students have a moderate degree of agreement about which testing situations provoke the most anxiety, the authors jump to a list of recommendations (in Table 5) that have no basis in the findings. The recommendations were never actually implemented or tested but were implied to be conclusions and recommendations based on the data. To illustrate this point, Table 3 only lists six findings, in contrast to the dozens of recommendations in Table 5. This disparity confirms that at least the bulk of the many recommendations are not supported by any evidence, or at minimum, no evidence that the authors presented or cited. The conclusions and recommendations should have been limited to the degree to which different situations provoke different intensities of anxiety.

Excerpt: The conclusions in the study by Sanford et al. (2011) were not supported by their findings. The main conclusion states that preparing students to be comfortable with cancer patients of all severities will provide students with the necessary skills to gain confidence in their cancer patient care. However, the above study did not test or explore this issue. That is, students were not given any particular preparation so that their level of confidence could be explored. Students were simply told to share their good and bad experiences during their routine clinical education. The above conclusion reaches beyond the study findings into an area of conjecture, but the conjecture is presented as a well-supported finding from the study.

Boundary value problems in PDEs usually require determination of the eigenvalues and Fourier coefficients for a series, the latter of which are often intractable. A method was found that simplified both analytic and numeric solutions for Fourier coefficients based on the slope of the eigenvalue function at each eigenvalue (eigenslope). Analytic solutions by the eigenslope method resulted in the same solutions, albeit in different form, as other methods. Numerical solutions obtained by calculating the slope of the eigenvalue function at each root (hand graphing, Euler's, Runge-Kutta, and others) also matched. The method applied to all classes of separable PDEs (parabolic, hyperbolic, and elliptical), orthogonal (Sturm-Liouville) or non orthogonal expansions, and to complex eigenvalues. As an example, the widespread assumption of uniform capacitance was tested. An analytic model of cylindrical brain cell structures with an exponential distribution of membrane capacitance was developed with the eigenslope method. The stimulus-response properties of the models were compared under different configurations and shown to fit to experimental data from dendritic neurons. The long-standing question was addressed of whether the amount of variation of membrane capacitance measured in experimental studies is sufficient to markedly alter the vital neuron characteristic of passive signal propagation. We concluded that the degree of membrane capacitance variation measured in cells does not alter electrical responses at levels that are physiologically significant. The widespread assumption of uniform membrane capacitance is likely to be a valid approximation.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients with common foot disorders have different medical outcomes depending on whether podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, or other physicians provided their medical care in rural or urban areas. A validated medical effectiveness score was formulated using indirect standardization of risk-adjusted morbidity, based on patient reports from a national random household interview survey of 3,270 subjects. Patients in rural and urban areas did not differ significantly in medical outcomes across provider types, but there was a trend for patients in rural areas to have poorer outcomes. The medical effectiveness score of podiatrists was 3.9 times higher (indicating more beneficial outcomes) than that of orthopedic surgeons or other physicians (p < 0.01). Patients that visited podiatrists for common foot problems reported significantly more beneficial outcomes than those who visited other types of health care providers.

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<p> This study took place at a Wake Technical Community College, a multi-campus institution in Raleigh, North Carolina. An evaluation of the return on investment in high fidelity simulation used by an associate degree of nursing program was conducted with valid and reliable instruments. The study demonstrated that comparable student outcomes are attainable when traditional clinical study is replaced with high fidelity simulation curriculum. Limited clinical practice space justifies the spread of simulation in college health science programs. North Carolina Administrative Code permits community colleges to replace 25% of traditional clinical with simulation. The lack of research on the cost effectiveness of high fidelity simulation has been cited as a barrier to its diffusion. Sound research demonstrating performance-based and patient-centric outcomes can provide governing bodies with evidence supporting the diffusion of high fidelity education.</p>

The main aim of the study was to investigate the causes of absenteeism in the public service focusing at. Mmabatho College of Nursing (MMACON) a training institution for nurses as one of the public sector institutions. According to MMACON (2002:3) statistics in 2002 almost one in five workers were absent over one week of work as a result of illness. The college statistics reveal that one third of these employees, or 6% of all workers, missed in access of two weeks away from work. In additional to the reduced quality of life experienced by these employees, ,absenteeism impacts the productivity of the college. The focus of the study is based on the following; to explore causes of absenteeism, to establish the effects of absenteeism, to identify measures to control absenteeism and to make recommendations for an efficient management of the problems. Questionnaire was designed for staff to complete. Data was then coded and computerized. Analysis of data was reported by means of frequencies and percentages Chi-square method was used. The results were processed and outlined the causes, the effects, control of absenteeism and recommendations. In general the main cause of absenteeism at MMACON is due to family problems. Days mostly affected are Fridays. The department mostly affected by high absenteeism rate is catering department. Support staff category is the one affected mostly. Employees are frustrated by the rate of absenteeism. Employees are absent for more than three days per week. Recommendations are as follows; to improve communication within the group and with supervisors, to encourage employees to participate in decision making in the area of their expertise, to encourage 'problem solving in a team environment, to provide training and development opportunities, to provide feedback about performance and to deal positively with employee concerns. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

The main aim of the study was to investigate the causes of absenteeism in the public service focusing at Mmabatho College of Nursing (MMACON) a training institution for nurses as one of the public sector institutions. According to . MMACON (2002:3) statistics in 2002 almost one in five workers were absent over one week of work as a result of illness. The college statistics reveal that one third of these employees, or 6% of all workers, missed in access of two weeks away from work. In additional to the reduced quality of life experienced by these employees, absenteeism impacts the productivity of the college. The focus of the study is based on the following; to explore causes of absenteeism, to establish the effects of absenteeism, to identify measures to control absenteeism and to make recommendations for an efficient management of the problems. Questionnaire was designed for staff to complete. Data was then coded and computerized. Analysis of data was reported by means of frequencies and percentages Chi-square method was used. The results were processed and outlined the causes, the effects, control of absenteeism and recommendations. In general the main cause of absenteeism at MMACON is due to family problems. Days mostly affected are Fridays. The department mostly affected by high absenteeism rate is catering department. Support staff category is the one affected mostly. Employees are frustrated by the rate of absenteeism. Employees are absent for more than three days per week. Recommendations are as follows; to improve communication within the group and with supervisors, to encourage employees to participate in decision making in the area of their expertise, to encourage problem solving in a team environment, to provide training and development opportunities, to provide feedback about performance and to deal positively with employee concerns. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005