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Biomedical subjects

A E While

Publications and source records attributed to A E While.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Operationalisation of an observation instrument to explore nurse performance.

This paper explores the operationalization of an observation instrument to explore actual situated behaviour in the clinical setting. Challenges encountered during this process and strategies employed to address these difficulties are discussed. This work formed part of a comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Health Visiting and Midwifery.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Key influences on the professional socialisation and practice of students undertaking different pre-registration nurse education programmes in the United Kingdom.

A principal aim of pre-registration nurse education programmes is the process of effective socialisation of students into the professional role. Key influences on the professional socialisation and practice of students undertaking such programmes were explored using a semi-structured interview approach (N = 99). This work formed part of a major comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes in the United Kingdom. Analysis revealed differences between the programmes regarding positive influences of the respective courses; therapeutic influences of the practice environment; modelling performance on exemplars of high quality practice; and the identification of teachers within the educational setting and nurses in practice as key persons. This study has confirmed that the positive influence of the education programmes and the practice environment as well as high quality role models from both education and practice establishments are critical to the professional socialisation of student nurses.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1996

Participation in continuing professional education in nursing: findings of an interview study.

The evidence suggests that enrolled nurses and those working part-time and on night duty consistently attend less continuing professional education than their more senior, full-time and day duty colleagues. This was substantiated in the findings of this study which also highlighted the paucity of opportunities for continuing education among unqualified practitioners. In the light of recent developments within the health services, this inequitable provision of continuing professional education to all nursing practitioners will need to be addressed and resolved. Continuing professional education provided on an arbitrary and random basis will not afford maximum positive outcomes for clients, the service and practitioners and has the potential to increase the levels of frustration among disadvantaged groups of nursing staff.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The telephone survey method: a discussion paper.

The telephone survey method is discussed in the light of the experiences of one research team investigating case management practices among nurses working in the community using a multiple-method design. An account is given of the strategies employed to recruit a study sample, minimize non-response and bias and ensure the use of sound practices during data collection. The findings highlight the benefits of using the telephone survey method when recruiting respondents across a wide geographical area and/or working within a continually changing environment. However, the findings also highlight the challenge of non-response caused by non-contact and the resource implications of 'doing more' to recruit key informants via the telephone.

Case Management↗
PubMed1996

Exploring the process of data acquisition: methodological challenges encountered and strategies employed.

Data acquisition marks the first phase of the problem-solving process. Little research exists, however, on data acquisition amongst nurses despite its centrality in the problem-solving process. In part, this is a reflection of the inherent challenges and difficulties posed by this area of research. This paper discusses methodological issues raised during a recent study exploring the process of data acquisition amongst student nurses. The research forms part of a larger comparative study of the outcomes of preregistration nurse education programmes, funded by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1996

Research ethics committees at work: the experience of one multi-location study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of applications to 43 research ethics committees. SETTING: Four regional health authorities in England. FINDINGS: The research ethics committees varied considerably in their practices. The time lapse until notification of the outcome of the approval ranged from just under one week to 23 weeks with a mean of 8.6 weeks. Four research ethics committees failed to notify the research team of an outcome of their request for approval. CONCLUSION: A national research ethics committee is needed to review national and multi-location research studies in the light of the fragmented and variable practice of local research ethics committees.

Behavioral Research↗
PubMed1995

Neonatal nursing staff time involved with medication-related activities.

A work sampling study involving 1920 observations derived from 48 2-hour observation periods is described. Approximately one-tenth of neonatal nurse time was spent on medication-related activities. just over one-third of this time involved medication preparation. It is suggested that the use of a pharmacy medication preparation service may be more cost-effective.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1995

The different appraisal profiles of a group of nurses and nursing aides: implications for policy initiatives.

This paper focuses upon the extent to which different groups of nurses and nursing aides are operating within appraisal systems and highlights how appraisals are largely offered on an ad hoc basis to a selected few. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of recent developments within the health service generally and the nursing profession more specifically.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical problem-solving using video simulation: an investigation.

This paper examines the use of videotape simulation as a research method for the exploration of clinical problem-solving. The challenges posed and the strategies employed to overcome the difficulties encountered are discussed. The simulation forms part of a larger comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes, commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1994

The measurement of nurse performance and its differentiation by course of preparation.

This paper addresses the concept of nurse performance, its measurement and its differentiation by programme of preparation. It is evident from the research conducted to date that a variety of methodologies have been used to explore and compare nurse performance. The process of direct observation, however, has been selected to a lesser degree, and it is argued that its potential has yet to be realized. Further, in recognition of the methodological challenges inherent within research of this nature it is suggested that nurse performance should be explored from a variety of perspectives, using a multi-method research design. Significantly, educational preparation as a potential discriminator of performance has been explored only to a limited extent and studies carried out in the United States predominate. In view of recent nurse education changes in the United Kingdom and the introduction of Project 2000, empirical work comparing outcomes of the different courses of pre-registration preparation is urgently required. The authors are currently engaged in a comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes funded by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. This paper draws upon the literature reviewed to date.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1994

Paediatric day surgery: day-case unit admission compared with general paediatric ward admission.

A small exploratory study (n = 20) is described which compares the experience of children admitted to a day-case unit with that of children admitted to a general paediatric ward. Both samples received inadequate amounts of information, particularly prior to discharge. The care offered in the day-case unit was found to be woefully deficient in many areas and the wisdom of utilizing occasional sessions in an adult day-case unit is questioned. The crucial role of skilled nurses trained in the care of sick children is emphasized.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1994

Interviewing respondents who have English as a second language: challenges encountered and suggestions for other researchers.

The increasing proportion of culturally diverse groups within the United Kingdom has meant that the issue of language barriers in the research situation must be addressed. The recruitment of respondents with English as a second language (ESL) to research studies is essential if their potentially unique and valid perspective is to be acknowledged. This can, however, pose several difficulties for the researcher which need to be recognized and addressed if valid data are to be collected. This paper outlines some of the challenges encountered in one study and describes strategies which were employed to meet these challenges.

Communication Barriers↗
PubMed1994

Competence versus performance: which is more important?

The extensive literature in the field of competence and performance is reviewed in this paper, which argues that there is much confusion between these different constructs. It concludes that since nurse pre-registration education is concerned with producing nurses who consistently provide care of a high quality, greater emphasis should be placed upon performance in the real-life clinical setting rather than upon competence.

Achievement↗
PubMed1993

Problem solving in nursing practice: application, process, skill acquisition and measurement.

This paper analyses the role of problem solving in nursing practice including the process, acquisition and measurement of problem-solving skills. It is argued that while problem-solving ability is acknowledged as critical if today's nurse practitioner is to maintain effective clinical practice, to date it retains a marginal place in nurse education curricula. Further, it has attracted limited empirical study. Such an omission, it is argued, requires urgent redress if the nursing profession is to meet effectively the challenges of the next decade and beyond.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed1993

School nursing: history, present practice and possibilities reviewed.

A review of the literature revealed that the early school nurses were engaged in predominantly screening work and as assistants to the school medical officer. The relatively limited empirical work suggests that they have the potential to make a major contribution to the health of school children; however, their current role appears to vary enormously nationwide and the issues of competency for the role and integration into the school team need addressing. The consumer/outsider view literature indicated a mismatch between expectations and service provision.

Child↗
PubMed1993

The relationship between nursing and higher education.

The paper explores the relationship between nursing and higher education with particular reference to the development of nursing degree programmes in the United Kingdom. The literature reveals that the contribution of nurse graduates to the profession has been examined to a limited extent: however, this has predominantly taken the form of follow-up studies, the majority of which were conducted in the 1980s. No empirically based work could be found which explores graduates' practice of nursing, the absence of which is significant in view of the more recent change in the conventional training programme, Project 2000, and the introduction of a number of 3-year nursing degree courses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗