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Biomedical subjects

C Hamill

Publications and source records attributed to C Hamill.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

The branched eating disorders test: validity in a nonclinical population.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an effective measure of the symptoms of eating disorders for use in community surveys. METHOD: A branched eating disorders instrument for administration by notebook computer was evaluated as a screen in 487 teenage schoolgirls. High scorers and a stratified sample of low scorers were evaluated in a second-stage interview with the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE). RESULTS: The Branched Eating Disorders Test (BET) proved to have exceptional validity coefficients (sensitivity 100%, specificity 99%, positive predictive value 70%). DISCUSSION: This pilot validation suggests that the BET largely overcomes the problems of earlier instruments of limited screening utility when applied to community samples.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Computer administration of a school-based adolescent health survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility of notebook computers in the collection of data in large scale surveys. METHODOLOGY: A notebook computer administered survey of health in adolescents was conducted in 1992 using a multi-instrument questionnaire. Students in school years 7, 9 and 11 in private and government schools in Melbourne and rural Victoria participated. RESULTS: Parental consent was obtained with an 83% response rate. Each student answered questions directly onto the computer taking an average of 68 min to complete the highly branched confidential but not anonymous questionnaire. Students were presented with on average 33% of the 897 possible questions. Over 90% of students reported enjoying using the computer. Those who reported answering the questions honestly all the time ranged from 68 to 85%, increasing with grade level. CONCLUSIONS: The use of computers in survey research provides many advantages in data collection including exposure only to relevant questions and the opportunity of asking sensitive questions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The phenomenon of stress as perceived by Project 2000 student nurses: a case study.

This case study was undertaken at a college of nursing in Northern Ireland with its first cohort of Project 2000 student nurses. The aim was to investigate perceived stress on the course. A qualitative approach was adopted utilizing Cox's (1991) transactional model of stress as the guiding theoretical framework. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Findings reveal that stress is perceived in relation to non-integration with tertiary education and non-integration with the ward team. This stress results from a tension between dependence and the quest for independence in the pursuit of academic freedom and clinical competence. The dependence/independence continuum has been identified as the core variable underpinning student-reported stress. Valuable insights have been gained in relation to how student nurses perceive and cope with stress associated with the introduction of the new Project 20000 curriculum, especially at this time of flux in nurse education. It is concluded that student stress could be minimized if tutors acknowledged its presence and reflected the course philosophy in their practice. Better liaison between the college and clinical areas may resolve some of the ward staff's negative attitudes and misunderstanding of the course aims. Finally, students have a need to develop clinical skills much earlier in the course than at present, in order to feel valued, to contribute to patient care and to integrate with the ward team.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Serum testosterone concentration during two hours of moderate intensity treadmill running in trained men and women.

The purpose of this study was to determine alterations in testosterone concentration in women during 2 hours of moderate intensity running, and to compare this response to that seen in men. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and anaerobic threshold (AT) were determined in 11 men and 9 women. These subjects subsequently ran for 2 hours on a motor-driven treadmill at 10% below the AT which was approximately 70% VO2 max. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes of exercise and testosterone was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Serum testosterone concentration was significantly increased (41%, P less than .01) after 30 minutes of exercise in the men. In the women, testosterone was not significantly increased from pre-exercise concentrations until 120 minutes of exercise (48%, P less than .01). At this time the testosterone concentration in the men had decreased and was no longer significantly elevated from the pre-exercise concentration. The magnitude of the increases in serum testosterone concentration can probably be accounted for by decreases in the metabolic clearance rate of sex-steroids known to occur during exercise. Differences in the testosterone response between men and women during prolonged aerobic exercise are of interest and may imply that different mechanisms of control are involved.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changing emphasis in nursing research.

There is a changing emphasis in nursing research towards qualitative studies rather than quantitative ones. Phenomenology as a research methodology has value in discovering the real needs of patients and clients which The Scope of Professional Practice (UKCC, 1992) suggests should be the aim of each registered practitioner. Phenomenology is closely linked to nursing's humanistic philosophy. Phenomenology has given nurses valuable insights into the patients' perspective on a range of health and hospitalisation issues. Nursing research should not be allowed to remain a cottage industry.

Attitude to Health↗