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Biomedical subjects

C Gendron

Publications and source records attributed to C Gendron.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Understanding the outcomes of a psycho-educational group intervention for caregivers of persons with dementia living at home: a process evaluation.

This qualitative process evaluation study aimed to identify the primary processes of a psycho-educational group for caregivers of persons with dementia, in order to better understand intervention outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants recruited from the experimental group of a randomised controlled trial. At pre-test, participants reported their expectations of the group. At post-test, they described their group experience, the most/least helpful aspects of the intervention, their most useful learning and their responses during a recent episode of disturbing behaviour by their relative. Results showed that the group delivered both educational and support processes. Support processes complemented educational processes. Participants learned coping strategies, with reframing playing a more important role than problem-solving or seeking social support. Daughters benefited more than spouses from educational processes. This study of group processes contributes to our understanding of the reported reduction in frequency of disturbing behaviours and of the change in caregivers' behaviours.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2002

The process of a group intervention for caregivers of demented persons living at home: conceptual framework, components, and characteristics.

Most earlier group interventions for caregivers of demented persons lacked a theoretical basis to guide the intervention process and focused on providing information and practical advice and encouraging the expression of feelings. This article presents the process of a group intervention with emphasis on its conceptual framework, components and characteristics. As caregivers are exposed to numerous daily stressful demands, the intervention's conceptual framework was derived from Lazarus and Folkman's transactional theory of stress and coping and Folkman's Coping Effectiveness Training Program. The central aim of the intervention was to improve the ability of caregivers to cope with the stressful demands at the core of caring for a demented person, rather than to focus on information and the task-oriented aspects of caring. The two components of the intervention deal with the cognitive appraisal of stressors and coping strategies, with a view to determining which strategies are most appropriate on the basis of the changeability of stressors. Three coping strategies were proposed: problem solving (problem-focused coping to deal with changeable stressors), reframing (emotion-focused coping to manage the emotional response to unchangeable stressors), and seeking social support (problem- or emotion-focused coping). The most salient characteristics of this group intervention were its intensity (15 meetings) and its focus on the caregivers' daily reality, which provided concrete reference points for the discussion of conceptual notions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Effect of added salt and increase in ionic strength on skim milk electroacidification performances.

Bipolar-memibrane electroacidification (BMEA) technology which uses the property of bipolar membranes to split water and the demineralization action of cation-exchange membranes (CEM), was tested for the production of acid casein. BMEA has numerous advantages in comparison with conventional isoelectric precipitation processes of proteins used in the dairy industry. BMEA uses electricity to generate the desired ionic species to acidify the treated solutions. The process can be precisely controlled, as electro-acidification rate is regulated by the effective current density in the cell. Water dissociation at the bipolar membrane interface is continuous and avoids local excess of acid. In-situ generation of dangerous chemicals (acids and bases) reduces the risks associated with the handling, transportation, use and elimination of these products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of BMEA in different conditions of added ionic strength (p(added) = 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M) and added salt (CaCl2, NaCl and KCl). The combination of KCl and p(added) = 0.5 M gave the best results with a 45% decrease in energy consumption. The increased energy efficiency was the result of a decrease in the anode/cathode voltage difference. This was due to an increase of conductivity, produced by addition of salt, necessary to compensate for the lack of sufficiently mobile ions in the skim milk. However, the addition of salts, irrespective of type or ionic strength, increased the required operation time. The protein profile of isolates were similar under all experimental conditions, except at 1.0 M-CaCl2.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Bipolar membrane electroacidification of demineralized skim milk.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of decreasing the mineral content of skim milk by electrodialysis (ED) prior to electroacidification with bipolar membrane (BMEA) on the performance of the process, the chemical composition, and the physicochemical and functional properties of the isolates produced. ED used to demineralize the skim milk solution was very efficient. However, the electroacidification parameters were influenced by the demineralization level of the skim milk solution: the energy efficiency was decreased with an increase in demineralization, but it was still possible to perform BMEA at a very low conductivity level. Moreover, the isolates produced by BMEA after electrodialysis demineralization at different rates showed similar chemical composition, except on potassium and lactose contents for 75% demineralized isolate. These isolates, except on protein load for 75% demineralization rate, showed similar physicochemical and functional properties, whatever the demineralization rate.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Shelf life of ground poultry meat stored under modified atmosphere.

The shelf life of ground chicken and turkey meat packaged under a modified atmosphere containing O2 and a high level of CO2 (62% CO2, 8% O2, and 30% N2; gas-1), or a gas mixture without O2 (20% CO2 and 80% N2; gas-2) was evaluated for 20 d at 1 C. Meat packaged under gas-2 maintained a higher a* value (redness) throughout the experiment and generally had a more appealing color than the meat packaged using gas-1. Microbial populations were assessed after 8, 12, and 15 d of storage. Total aerobic mesophilic counts were higher in chicken meat than in turkey throughout storage. Coliforms and Escherichia coli counts were lower in meat packaged under gas-1. After 15 d of storage at 1 C, Brochothrix thermosphacta was detected only in ground chicken meat packaged using gas-2. Meat packaged under the gas mixtures tested had similar counts for presumptive pseudomonads, Staphylococcus aureus, and lactic acid bacteria. These results indicate that an appropriate gas mixture can maintain a desirable color in ground poultry meat but offers no guarantees with respect to the microbial profile of meat.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Menopause, the down side of medicalization].

Over the past 30 years, women have been the target of intense advertising focused on hormone replacement therapy. The author takes a critical look at the distorting nature of this approach, which has succeeded in convincing many Western women that menopause is an illness, and hormone replacement therapy a panacea. Through studies she has consulted, and discussions on the economic situation associated with age and poverty among the elderly, the author underlines that menopause is a lucrative industry. She advances several relevant issues for discussion.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Transcending death:the search for eternity].

In a society characterized by the denial of old age and death, people are not satisfied with the mere promise of a hypothetical immortal life in the future. They value beauty, youth and high performance and consider aging an anomaly or random misfortune that can be avoided. To this end, people focus on making their bodies immortal here and now, and on living as if they were never going to die. The race for power and personal empowerment, compulsive consumption, and escape into the virtual world all go on as though death does not exist. Although this approach to living can sometimes give people a feeling of omnipotence, even immortality, we still cannot escape our mortality. The two extremes of existence--birth and death--are seen as medical problems that science and technology can solve.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1998

[Palliative care, a humanitarian way (Part 2)].

This portion of a study, first published last month, examines the various aspects of dying (including the dying person's needs); looks introspectively at the spiritual aspect of death; and analyzes the behavior and attitudes of care-giving staff, their values, motivations and needs. While dying people may have unpredictable attitudes and behavior, nurses need to maintain an attitude of caring and communication in their interventions. Important to consider when nursing the dying are subjects such as: establishing a helping relationship; appropriate communication; and self-knowledge and preconceived notions. Criticism most often directed at palliative care suggests that curative and palliative care should be integrated; should abandon their reserved territories (such as care units); and should develop an association that goes beyond the terminal phase.

Altruism↗
PubMed1998

[Palliative care, a humanitarian way (Part 1)].

Fully experiencing the last moments of life, in a setting of relative calm and affection, is one of the victories won by the Western movement to rediscover death, which began three decades ago. The author describes the fertile ground from which this movement emerged and makes no pretence of defending medical technology that today supports a multitude of tests in a sort of diagnostic obsessiveness before shifting to a therapeutic obsession in treating people with incurable disease. The author instead advocates the benefits of death with dignity. A well structured analysis of the palliative approach confirms the inalienable nature of human freedom and dignity.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1993

[Motherhood at any price].

What are the real benefits of in-vitro fertilization? (IVF) Does it offer a service to women and couples or does it present itself more as a type of controlled reproduction for which all the consequences are yet unknown? To uncover the answers to these questions, the authors explore the reasons that attract certain women to choose IVF. The authors question if it is appropriate in all infertility cases. They describe IVF including the various stages involved in the process. An overview of the inherent risks and problems with this type of reproductive therapy provide some food for thought. An account of a professional experience illustrates this point. Lucy's story is filled with trials and setbacks. It is the story of a woman exhausted from the IVF process, unhappy, powerless and misunderstood. The nurse is ultimately able to communicate with her. The authors suggest that a "woman's touch" is essential in helping women who are undergoing IVF treatment because of the special comfort and understanding that can be provided to the client. During the IVF process some of the nursing interventions suggested include: using a global approach; providing an empathetic attitude and a reassuring presence; being a good listener; and offering support and encouragement. The nurse must not only create an atmosphere of confidence but should also be able to differentiate between the client's true desire to have a baby and her fantasy of being pregnant. It is essential for the nurse to be able to help the "mother to be" examine and discuss her views and feelings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed1993

[Feminist strategies in nursing science].

This article is the first of a two-part series that will be completed in next month's issue. The article illustrates through examples how nursing has the potential for sexual bias. It also demonstrates how the feminist movement can contribute to improving nursing practice. This month, the views of Peggy Chinn are discussed, outlining myths that limit the development or hinder the progress of non-sexist education in nursing. Myths that have become traditional, scientific male-centred methodologies now solidly rooted in the health care community are identified. The author explains that once the myths are identified, they should be extracted and isolated from the context of nursing. This is the way feminist research can be useful. Next month the author will define the feminist approach and how it applies to specific aspects of women's health.

Female↗
PubMed1993

[Feminist strategies 2].

This article is the second in a two-part series promoting the use of feminist strategies in nursing. Part one--in last month's issue--identified some of the myths in nursing. It focused mainly on the traditional scientific research methods upon which nursing research is based. In part two, the author defines the feminist approach and attempts to demonstrate the way nurses can use this approach to focus nursing care on women's specific needs. This approach consists of recognizing the components of patriarchal ideology, its myths and the reality of women and men. Feminism has restored the credibility of intuition, good listening skills, compassion, commitment and tolerance. They were long believed to be "feminine" and passive. These qualities do not discredit the women who possess them--many of whom are nurses, rather, they add to their competence. How can feminist nursing knowledge shed light on the different factors specific to a woman's life? Menopause, nutrition and domestic violence are examples presented by the author to address this question. Once nurses increase their knowledge of these factors--that up until now were not identified as women's needs--they will be able to rely upon their own capabilities to develop new methods of data collection, communication skills and promotion of their own professionalism. Through these conclusions, the author praises the feminist movement.

Feeding and Eating Disorders↗
PubMed1991

[The development of a questionnaire for identification of women who are victims of violence in the conjugal milieu].

The purpose of this article is to present a questionnaire that permits the identification of women victims of their male partner's violence. Four indicators inspired by Orem's theory (1985) of nursing care were utilized to elaborate the different items in this research instrument: self-esteem, autonomy, social interaction and prevention of life hazards. The content validation process involved presenting 178 items for validation to 20 expert female judges. Then, the predictive value of 106 out of these items was tested with two comparable groups of women: one group of 81 women victims of family violence and another of 203 women identified as having never been victims. T-tests (p less than .05) were calculated on each of these 106 items, but finally it was the difference between the averages obtained by the t-tests that was used as the criterion of selection. Correlations item-total and correlations inter-item were run on the 49 items remaining, and this procedure brought to 30 the number of items retained for the questionnaire. Finally, factorial analysis showed that the degree of variance explained by the four indicators is about 18%, and that these indicators constituted many different facets of the same construct.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1991

[Health: this is what women have said...].

Co-authored by a number of prominent Québec women, including former federal health minister Monique Bégin, this award-winning anthology examines a number of issues from a feminist perspective. Among them: violence against women; nutrition; the reconciliation of motherhood with the world of work; infertility and new reproductive technologies; and the politics underlying the debate over midwives. The book should help women to grasp the important notion of autonomy in dealing with their state of health and at the same time touch all nurses, say the authors of the article.

Female↗
PubMed1989

[Family as care-givers : problem and impact of this policy in psychogeriatric.].

Home care by the family is considered the principal alternative to institutional placement for patients with dementia. This solution can have large repercussions on the quality of life, the health, and the emotional state of the person who is responsible for the patient.The weight of the burden is not related solely to the seriousness of the patient's symptoms, but also to personality, daily life, and the caregiver's general ability to bear stress. In this context, a clinical intervention centred on the personal needs of the caregiver, and aimed at his or her learning cognitive behavioural skills for better dealing with the stress associated with the caregiving role, can often be seen as an indispensable prerequisite or as a complement to other support services which are more concerned with practical problems.

English Abstract↗