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Biomedical subjects

A Shorten

Publications and source records attributed to A Shorten.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Integrating information literacies into an undergraduate nursing programme.

The development of support for a more research-based approach to care has created the imperative for nursing education to tackle the issue of information literacy. Information literacy means the ability to locate, evaluate and apply information in critical thinking and problem solving. This paper outlines and provides a rationale for a curriculum-integrated information literacy programme, implemented in the pre-registration Bachelor of Nursing course at the University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. It also describes a multidimensional evaluation process for determining nursing students' growth in cognitive and affective domains. Results of the programme evaluation will be featured in a future paper.

Computer Literacy↗
PubMed1998

Trial of labour versus elective repeat caesarean section: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

For subsequent births, women who have experienced previous caesarean section face a choice between elective caesarean section and trial of labour. The study reported in this paper utilises Australian hospital data to compare birth outcome and health system costs of these two options. Although trial of labour is more expensive if the result is an emergency caesarean section, high rates of successful vaginal delivery mean that, overall, trial of labour is found to be 30 per cent less expensive than elective caesarean section. It is estimated that trial of labour remains the most cost-effective option as long as less than 68 per cent of women require emergency caesarean section. This study highlights the potential importance of more accurate information about a broader range of costs and outcomes in order for stronger conclusions to be drawn.

Australia↗
PubMed1997

Paving the way: stepping stones to evidence-based nursing.

Evidence-based practice is an emerging paradigm in health care. This paper outlines the main features of this paradigm and its potential value to nursing. Evidence-based practice is based on a conceptual framework that examines the extent of evidence available in support of particular clinical practices. The Quality of Evidence Ratings adapted by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) from the United States Preventive Services Task Force are discussed, and the strengths and weaknesses of different categories of evidence are highlighted. Potential barriers to implementation of research into practice are identified. The authors suggest that legal, ethical, economic and humane imperatives oblige nursing to develop evidence-based practice as one of several viable contributions to nursing knowledge. Suggestions for analysing current research and for the planning of the direction of future nursing research are made.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed1995

Female circumcision: understanding special needs.

The article discusses the provision of appropriate care that is sensitive to the special physical and psychosocial needs of the circumcised client seeking midwifery services in Australia. Aspects addressed include prevalence of the practice globally; potential problems for the prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods; and implications for the midwife caring for the woman during these periods. Appropriate strategies for management include gaining an awareness of individual, cultural, and personal needs; provision of appropriate education in the prenatal and postnatal periods; establishment of positive working relationships with the family as a whole; and provision of adequate pain relief at all times. Health care policy can affect the ability of midwives and other health professionals to provide for culturally specific health needs.

Australia↗
PubMed1995

Obstetric early discharge versus traditional hospital stay.

Recent research and media reports have suggested that obstetric early discharge is not cost-effective for postnatal care in the Australian health care system, based on the work of the Centre for Health Economic Research and Evaluation. This is probably an erroneous conclusion because the centre excludes the important cost category of medical costs, and its conclusions depend on survey estimates of 'community costs' which are empirically of poor quality and theoretically of doubtful relevance to health care system decision-making. This study finds that obstetric early discharge is more cost-effective than a traditional hospital stay even when community costs are included; and highly cost-effective when considering health system costs alone. Further cost advantages are simulated by increasing obstetric early discharge program activity and reducing length of stay for both programs. Our results suggest that safe, cost-effective options for low-risk obstetric care deserve further investigation in Australia.

Adult↗