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Biomedical subjects

Aru Narayanasamy

Publications and source records attributed to Aru Narayanasamy.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The impact of empirical studies of spirituality and culture on nurse education.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to share reflectively how my empirical studies on spirituality and culture have had an impact upon nurse education. BACKGROUND: Spirituality and cultural dimensions of care are considered to be integral to holistic care. The healing potentials of spiritual and cultural care are well documented. The commitment to the research programme came due to the concern within early literature on nursing that the provision of spiritual care for patients is inadequate. METHODS: The research programme used action research comprising largely qualitative approaches. As the holistic and multiperspective nature of spirituality and culture requires a multidisciplinary approach and flexibility of methodology, various research techniques were used. RESULTS: The findings from the research programme led to the development of theories, models and conceptual literature on spiritual and cultural care. In particular, two models evolved from the studies: the ASSET for spiritual cares education and training and the ACCESS for transcultural care practice. The critical incident studies provide insights into nurses' roles in spiritual care interventions. The phenomenological study highlights that chronically ill patients use spiritual strategies in coping with their illness. CONCLUSION: Overall, the paper offers a body of evidence that has an impact upon curriculum development in nurse education and nursing practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The ASSET model offers a framework for spiritual care education. The ACCESS model offers a framework for transcultural care practice. The critical incident studies map out nurses' roles in spiritual and cultural care with scope for development of care intervention models for the future. The coping mechanisms study highlights how patients use spiritual coping strategies such as prayer and other resources to cope with their chronic illnesses.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

A review of transcultural nursing.

In this article, transcultural nursing is reviewed in the light of the literature mainly relevant to the British context. The key features of transcultural nursing are examined in the context of multicultural Britain as follows: definitions, racism, ethnocentrism, culture, diversity, transcultural health care practice and nurse education. Models of transcultural care practice and contemporary developments in cultural care are also explored. There is evidence from emerging literature that innovations are taking place in promoting transcultural care practice and education. However, the article concludes that much practice-based research is still needed to establish transcultural nursing in Britain.

Cultural Diversity↗
PubMed2004

Responses to the spiritual needs of older people.

BACKGROUND: The literature suggests that the notion of holistic health has gained popularity in the nursing of older persons. Holistic care, based on the premises that there is a balance between body, mind and spirit, is important for well-being, that each of these is interconnected, and that each affects the others. Human spirit is considered to be the essence of being and is what motivates and guides us to live a meaningful existence. However, there is little evidence in the nursing literature about how nurses caring for older people respond to their spiritual needs. AIM: The aim of this paper is to report a critical incident study to: (1) explore nurses' perceptions of their role in addressing the spiritual needs of older people; (2) describe what constitutes spiritual care of old people in the light of the findings. METHODS: Descriptions of critical incidents were obtained from a convenience sample of 52 nurses working in the East Midlands Region of the United Kingdom (UK) and subjected to content analysis and construction of a data classification system. FINDINGS: Respondents were prompted to identify patients' spiritual needs by factors such as religious beliefs and practice (prayer); absolution; seeking connectedness, comfort and reassurance, healing or searching for meaning and purpose. The interventions initiated to meet patients' spiritual needs included respect for privacy; helping patients to connect; helping patients to complete unfinished business; listening to patients' concerns; comforting and reassuring; using personal religious beliefs to assist patients and observation of religious beliefs and practices. CONCLUSION: The findings provide empirical evidence of some practices related to spiritual care of older people. Further empirical research is needed to guide practice and education with regard to conceptual clarity and the delivery of spiritual care of older people.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spirituality and learning disabilities: a qualitative study.

This article describes a unique empirical study where critical incidents were obtained from learning disability nurses to understand how they attempt to meet the spiritual needs of the people for whom they care. Following analysis, the nurses' approaches to meeting spiritual needs were categorized as 'personal' and 'procedural', and each of these is described in turn. There then follows a discussion on the effects of these nurses' interventions on both clients and their families, and nurses themselves. The findings of the study illuminate how these learning disability nurses attempted to meet the spiritual needs of people with learning disabilities in their care. The findings may help nurses ensure that spiritual needs are identified in the construction of the personal care plans of people with learning disabilities.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spiritual coping mechanisms in chronically ill patients.

Addressing spiritual needs is acknowledged as an essential component of holistic nursing care. Findings are emerging that suggest that chronic illness demands significant changes in patients' lifestyle. In such circumstances it is claimed that spiritual care can be therapeutic to patients (Cohen et al, 2000; Sherwood, 2000). This study was carried out in order to understand further the spiritual coping mechanisms of patients suffering from chronic illness. A qualitative methodology based on descriptive phenomenology was used to capture participants' lived experience. The main themes emerging from this study suggest that chronic illness led participants to use the following spiritual coping mechanisms: faith, prayer, and related sources of support. Patients coping with chronic illness were engaged in both a personal and private struggle. Patients may benefit from nursing interventions that are sensitive, supportive, and responsive to their spiritual needs.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The ACCESS model: a transcultural nursing practice framework.

As transcultural nursing is beginning to be a feature of health care in multiethnic and multicultural Britain, the need for transcultural health practice models is increasing. The focus of this article, the ACCESS model (Narayanasamy, 1999), was developed to offer nurses a framework to deliver transcultural nursing care. Since its introduction there has been increasing interest about it from practitioners, nurse educators and students of nursing. The aim of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of the ACCESS model by a questionnaire study. In the institution where this study took place, pre- and post-registration nursing students are introduced to this model along with other models of transcultural health care. Participants (n = 166) who received transcultural healthcare education completed questionnaires with statements about the usefulness of this model. A significant number of participants found the model to be very useful with respect to its various features. The conclusion of this study is that the ACCESS model offers a useful framework for nurses implementing transcultural care practice. It appears that students and practitioners are interested in this model because of its practice implications.

Clinical Nursing Research↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transcultural nursing: how do nurses respond to cultural needs?

The aim of the study was to explore how nurses responded to the cultural needs of their clients. From the transcultural point of view, healthcare providers must deliver a service that is culturally sensitive and appropriate. However, for a variety of reasons, there is growing concern that the cultural healthcare needs of minority ethnic groups are not met adequately. This study was done to outline nurses' activity in transcultural care. Empirical data were obtained from a sample of registered nurses (n = 126) who were invited to complete questionnaires pertaining to cultural care. As a result of data analysis, the quantitative findings are presented as tables and the qualitative data as categories and themes. The findings suggest that most respondents felt that patients' cultural needs should be given consideration. Cultural aspects of care seem to be a feature of the overall nursing picture within a multicultural context of health care. Many participants claimed that they responded to the cultural needs of patients. Some felt that patients' cultural needs are adequately met; such needs are perceived as religious practices, diets, communication, dying, prayer and culture. Furthermore, a significant number of respondents suggested that they would like further education in meeting the cultural needs of their patients. This study offers some insights into transcultural healthcare practice, and, in accordance with the findings, identifies strategies for improving these practices for nursing and nurse education.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The puzzle of spirituality for nursing: a guide to practical assessment.

Increasingly nurses are called upon to meet patients' spiritual needs. However, there is evidence to suggest that nurses are unable to do this adequately because of confusion about the notion of spirituality. This is compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the role of nurses in spiritual care interventions. Emerging research suggests that nurses, as primary carers, may have to initiate spiritual care interventions. This article offers practical guidance to nurses seeking to improve spiritual care for their patients. A working definition of spirituality is offered and spiritual needs are explained in the context of a case scenario. Practical guidance is given on how spiritual care can be put into action, using the Actioning Spirituality and Spiritual care in Education Training (ASSET) model as a framework for assessment of spiritual needs, planning, implementing and evaluation spiritual care, and a spiritual assessment tool for practice is outlined.

Holistic Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ayurvedic medicine: An introduction for nurses.

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian form of healing. It is gaining popularity as part of the growing interest in New Age spirituality and in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In this article the principles and practices of Ayurvedic medicine are outlined. In doing so, the safety of ayurvedic medicine is explored in the context of evidence-based practice and the implications of Ayurvedic medicine for nursing are discussed. It is concluded that an awareness of Ayurvedic medicine may help nurses to be cognisant of its benefits and potential complications if it is used with conventional medicine. Although the therapeutic value of ayurvedic treatment is yet to be fully established through randomized control trials, its potential in terms of health promotion, nutrition and spirituality are acknowledged in the emerging literature.

Education, Nursing↗