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Biomedical subjects

E Larson

Publications and source records attributed to E Larson.

225 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Health policy and NIH: implications for nursing research.

Since their beginnings in the 1930s, categorical institutes funded for medical research have been controversial. Some individuals in administrative positions, such as the surgeon general, director of National Institutes of Health (NIH), and members of the Department of Health and Human Services, argue that separate institutes add administrative costs and are unnecessary because research can be done better in a less fragmented fashion. Some scientists express concern about intellectual freedom when research directions are legislatively dictated. Proponents of institutes, usually lay people, legislators, or scientists with specific research interests, contend that the problem warrants a national research effort since it is not handled within current structures. Two major foci of nursing research are on disease prevention and on improvement of the quality of care for the acutely and chronically ill, whereas the traditional priorities of NIH for basic research have been disease diagnosis and cure. Therefore, NIH support for nursing research has been negligible. To bring nursing into "the mainstream of scientific investigation," as recommended by a 1983 study conducted by the Institute of Medicine, an Institute of Nursing or an acceptable alternative within NIH seems advisable.

Health Policy↗

Physician assistant training for Native Alaskan community health aides: the MEDEX Northwest experience.

BACKGROUND-From 1980 through 1990, 16 Native Alaskan Community Health Aides and 21 non-Native Alaskans began physician assistant training at MEDEX Northwest at the University of Washington. This study was done to assess the outcome of training Native Alaskan health workers as physician assistants, specifically whether Native Alaskan graduates are working in settings that serve Alaska Natives. METHODS-The backgrounds, educational experiences and deployment locations of Native and non-Native Alaskans accepted for training were compared using MEDEX Northwest student records. The 1991 graduate survey was used to compare differences in practice setting, specialty and salary between Native and non-Native graduates working in Alaska in 1991. RESULTS-All of the non-Natives and 81% of the Natives completed the program. Of those completing the program, 100% of the Natives returned to Alaska where 91% found work as primary care physician assistants in clinics serving predominantly Native communities. By comparison 78% of the non-Native graduates returned to Alaska to work as physician assistants, 60% of them in primary care and 15% of them in predominantly Native communities. There were no significant differences in salary or benefits between Native and non-Native graduates. CONCLUSIONS-Physician assistant training for entry level health workers is a viable strategy for increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the health professions. The Native graduates of MEDEX Northwest are returning to communities where they serve Native people both as health care providers and as professional role models.

Alaska↗

A national survey of infection prevention practices on bone marrow transplant units.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe bone marrow transplant (BMT)-specific infection prevention measures in the United States. DESIGN: Survey design using a mailed questionnaire. SETTING: BMT programs across the United States. SAMPLE: 91 BMT programs (80.5% response rate). METHODS: A questionnaire containing both closed- and open-ended items was mailed to identified nurse contacts following introductory phone calls. Descriptive statistics were computed on responses to closed-ended questions; content analysis was performed on responses to open-ended questions. FINDINGS: Although all programs used some type of protected environment, practices varied considerably. Wide variation existed in cover-garment and hand-washing practices, regardless of the type of protected environment in use. Other protective measures included skin decontamination (69%), gut decontamination with oral nonabsorbable antibiotics (30%), antifungal therapy (73%), acyclovir therapy (82%), immunotherapy (73%), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor therapy (58%), and modified microbial diets (66%). Numerous mouth care regimens, visitor and patient precautions, and environmental maintenance routines were described. CONCLUSION: Little standardization of infection-prevention practices exists nationwide. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Efforts should be made to test the cost effectiveness and benefits of the various measures in use prior to the development of national standards.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Learning styles and teaching/learning strategy preferences: implications for educating nurses in critical care, the operating room, and infection control.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the learning styles and educational strategy preferences among critical care nurses, operating room nurses, and infection control practitioners. DESIGN: Descriptive multicenter survey using a self-report questionnaire. SETTING: 108 hospitals from nine geographic regions of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 303 (93%) nurses in the three specialties responded to the survey questionnaires. RESULTS: The majority of participants (64%) had an abstract learning style and preferred the self-directed, discovery approach to learning. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses may be more abstract in their learning styles than previously reported. Experiential learning theory is an effective means of identifying nurses' learning styles and teaching/learning preferences, which can then be used to plan basic and continuing educational programs.

Adult↗

The impact of unlicensed assistive personnel on nursing care delivery.

Besieged with fiscal and political constraints in acute care, the addition or substitution of less expensive nursing personnel is quickly gaining popularity. The evolution of nursing care delivery systems in the acute care setting, the factors associated with the increased use of unlicensed assistive personnel, examination and evaluation of the current literature surrounding unlicensed assistive personnel, and recommendations for a future strategy are described.

Acute Disease↗