ABSTRACT Background: To serve the patients information and to relieve pain post-operatively is largely the nurse's responsibility. Studies suggest a correlation between the preoperative information and the pain and anxiety. Previous studies suggest that the preoperative information affect the postoperative pain in a positive direction. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between preoperative paininformation, anxiety and pain in patients who have undergone elective and acute orthopedic surgery. A further aim was to see if there was a difference between elective and acute orthopedic surgical wards and also investigate if there were something the patients were missing in the preoperative pain-information. Method: A quantitative survey was conducted with a descriptive correlative design. The study was carried out in two different orthopedic wards in a hospital in Sweden. The study included a total of 27 participants, 12 elective and 15 acute patients. Reslut: The result showed that there is a significant correlation between the patients preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain (r=0,398, N=27, p=0, 04). The result also showed a significant correlation between patient’s postoperative anxiety and postoperative pain (r=0,601, N=27, p=0,001). Patients with high anxiety also had high levels of pain. No significant difference was seen between the elective and acute group, but the elective group estimated the preoperative information higher (M=6, 17) than the acute group (M=4, 53). The study did not show evidence that preoperative information about the pain leads to lower postoperative painscores, however the preoperative information is important so the patient feel well prepared for the operation. A total of 6 (22%) patients did not obtain preoperative pain-information. Conclusion: Anxiety and pain are two factors that affect each other. To be responsive as a nurse and capture anxious patients, as well as alleviate this concern , the postoperative pain would be alleviated . Patients undergoing acute surgery do not receive preoperative information to the same extent as those undergoing elective surgery. To develop a quality document about how and when preoperative information about pain should be given , could ensure that patients are well informed before surgery. To share this information is largely the nurse's role, and it is important as it would lead to increased well-being and less suffering for the patients.

Background: Antibiotic treatment of humans was introduced in 1930. The drug improved the living conditions globally due to the fact that bacterial diseases now could be treated. The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is undeniable and globalization increases the spread of the resistant bacteria. The main reason for the emergence of resistant bacteria are incorrect and excessive use of antibiotics. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate registered nurses’ experiences when caring for patients that have been subscribed antibiotic treatment. Method: A qualitative study with a semi-structured interview design based on interviews with eight nurses from one private hospital in The Philippines. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. Result: Three themes were identified in the study, “To increase compliance”, “Nurses’ knowledge of antibiotic treatment” and “The nurses’ reflections on antibiotic treatment”. The first theme describes how the nurses provide a safe and open-minded environment for the patients, how to support and encourage the patient during treatment and how to give comprehensible information to the patient. The second theme describes the nurses’ knowledge of the emergence of antibiotic resistance, reasons for antibiotic treatment, the manifestation of antibiotic resistance and also the effects of antibiotic resistance. The third theme describes the nurses’ reflections and thoughts concerning antibiotics as well as how they perceive the population’s knowledge of antibiotics. Discussion: All of the nurses highlighted the poverty in The Philippines as the main reason for poor compliance. A large part of the population cannot afford to consult a doctor which results in people treating themselves without the proper knowledge. A majority of the nurses therefore request health education provided from the government.  A private hospital also strives to please the patient which can result in doctors prescribing a lot of antibiotics to please their patients.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

No description available.

A quasi-experimental design was used in this study to determine if guided practice would result in higher breast cancer knowledge scores, higher breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge scores and higher intent to practice scores then modeling alone or teaching without modeling or guided practice. Fifty-eight women participated in the study. There were 19 women in the guided practice group, 22 in the modeling group and 17 in the control group. A pre-test, post-test format was used. ANCOVA was used to statistically control for the variance in pre-test scores. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data. The results showed that all methods of teaching resulted in higher breast cancer and BSE knowledge scores and in higher intent to practice scores. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Nursing research need to continue in this area to find the most effective method of teaching women breast self-examination.

An experimental design was employed to determine the knowledge gained through use of written Wound Healing Fact Sheets. The study sample consisted of 30 postoperative patients recruited from the accessible population of abdominal and chest surgery patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental subjects were interviewed, received the Fact Sheets and underwent knowledge testing prior to discharge and by telephone approximately one week after discharge. Control subjects did not receive the Fact Sheets but were interviewed and tested identically to the experimental group. Low equivalent reliabilities were demonstrated through use of the KR-20 for the knowledge test. Content validity was established by a panel of three experts. A t-test computed between pre and post test mean scores identified a significant difference in knowledge gained by experimental versus control subjects. Low reliability weakens the significance of this result.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a written patient education booklet would produce an increase in knowledge of adult participants. Thirty subjects were admitted to this quasi-experimental, post-test only study. Subjects in the experimental group (n = 16) were given a patient education booklet, "PTCA--A Patients' Guide," before angioplasty and an Evaluation Questionnaire after angioplasty. Both groups were given a Knowledge Questionnaire after angioplasty. The Student's t-test of independent group means resulted in a non-significant t-value. No difference in knowledge test scores was found between patients who received the booklet and patients who did not receive the booklet. Results from the evaluation questionnaire suggest that subjects perceived the booklet and pictures to be helpful as preparation for angioplasty. Therefore, revision of the PTCA Knowledge Questionnaire and refinement of the study design is suggested.

MRI scan-related emotional distress leads to motion artefact and scan incompletion. A number of intervention studies therefore targeted to reduce anxiety. However, there is little research specifically on the development and evaluation of theory- and evidence-based psychological preparation for MRI. This research was aimed at developing and evaluating a theory- and evidence-based psychological preparation for patients undergoing MRI scanning through three empirical studies which involved 193 outpatients. Study 1: a predictive study investigated the effects of illness perceptions, MRI self-efficacy and emotional distress on scan behavioural and emotional outcomes, Study 2: a randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a psychological preparation integrating self-efficacy enhancement and information provision techniques on scan behaviour, MRI self-efficacy and scan emotional outcomes. Study 3 aimed to: generate the items of MRI-SEQ, pre-test the measure, investigate the reliability and validity and reassess them in a replication study. Participants completed prescan and post-scan questionnaires. Scan behaviour was recorded by the radiographer. Analyses were conducted using correlation, multiple regression, logistic regression and Guttman Scaling. MRI self-efficacy significantly predicted scan behaviour and contributed to scan emotional outcomes. The developed psychological preparation had a significant effect increasing the likelihood of successful scan completion. It also significantly predicted MRI self-efficacy, and scan emotional outcomes. The intervention was also found to be acceptable and feasible for delivery to MRI outpatients. MRI-SEQ was found to have excellent internal consistency, good content validity, good predictive and criterion validity and was strongly associated with conceptually related measures. Self-efficacy is a major predictor for MRI scan outcomes. The psychological preparation intervention integrating self-efficacy enhancement and information provision was successful in improving MRI scan completion and may have potential for implementation in routine services. The MRI-SEQ possesses good psychometric quality is predictive of MRI outcomes and has potential as a screening tool in the MRI centre.

Class of 2010 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The purpose of Project SHAPE was to provide an interdisciplinary workshop for future practitioners from the Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine and Public Health on health literacy to improve the communication between the patients and their providers. METHODS: Study participants were recruited via email from the Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine, and Public Health at The University of Arizona. Participants attended a workshop that included a one-hour presentation by Dr. Barry Weiss followed by the development of educational materials on various health topics. A retrospective analysis of the health professional students’ knowledge of health literacy was performed. Materials were provided to El Rio Community Health Center, Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine and Public Health to distribute to their patients in the Tucson community. RESULTS: Students’ overall knowledge on health literacy and communication with patients improved by 88% after the presentation. A total of nine different low literacy educational materials were developed by the students who attended the workshop. Copies of the educational materials were given to participating students from the other colleges to use in their patient outreach programs. The materials were also distributed to patients at a variety of brown bags, community health fairs, screenings, and El Rio Community Health Center. CONCLUSIONS: Project SHAPE has already affected many future healthcare practitioners through the interdisciplinary workshop. The educational materials will continue to be provided to patients in the Tucson community.