Biomedical subjects

Hannu Isoaho

Publications and source records attributed to Hannu Isoaho.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Physical functioning, health and survival: a ten-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cutbacks in human resources are putting home care personnel under increasing pressure in their work. Home health care personnel need to know how they can prevent undesirable conditions and support older people towards successful aging. The aim of this ten-year follow-up study was to identify factors associated with increased mortality among 70-year-old subjects living in the community. METHODS: Data were collected in 1991 by a postal questionnaire sent to all residents of Turku, Finland, born in 1920. A physical examination was also conducted. Ten years later, in 2001, the mortality rate of this population was determined. The data were examined statistically. RESULTS: Many health-related factors, such as smoking, poor subjective health, and mobility, were related to an increased level of mortality. In addition, several diseases (e.g., diabetes, angina pectoris, cancer) at age 70 were associated with increased mortality over ten years. Difficulties in daily activities at age 70 also increased the risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer useful clues for planning health care services and preventive interventions provided by home health care personnel. Home health care personnel should give special attention to older people who feel ill or very ill.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Validation of the clinical learning environment and supervision scale.

The aim of the study was to validate a new research instrument to evaluate the quality of the clinical learning environment and the supervision given to nursing students by qualified staff nurses. This paper describes the validation process of the research instrument. Dunn's and Burnett's (1995) CLE scale was chosen for the concurrent research instrument to test validity. The theoretical framework of this study draws on empirical research into clinical learning environments and supervision undertaken during the 1980's and 1990's. The sample consisted of nursing students who had undertaken a clinical placement in a hospital setting. The data (n=416) were collected from four Nursing Colleges in Finland. Students evaluated their clinical placements as being 'good' in both instruments. The supervisory relationship was the most important factor in students' supervisory system but this requires a positive atmosphere and a 'good' leadership in order to be effective. The congruence between the instruments in use was high so that it is impossible to note the possible impact of cultural differences in this instrument validation process.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2004

Nurse competence scale: development and psychometric testing.

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment assists nurses to maintain and improve their practice by identifying their strengths and areas that may need to be further developed. Professional competence profiles encourage them to take an active part in the learning process of continuing education. Although competence recognition offers a way to motivate practising nurses to produce quality care, few measuring tools are available for this purpose. AIM: This paper describes the development and testing of the Nurse Competence Scale, an instrument with which the level of nurse competence can be assessed in different hospital work environments. METHODS: The categories of the Nurse Competence Scale were derived from Benner's From Novice to Expert competency framework. A seven-step approach, including literature review and six expert groups, was used to identify and validate the indicators of nurse competence. After a pilot test, psychometric testing of the Nurse Competence Scale (content, construct and concurrent validity, and internal consistency) was undertaken with 498 nurses. The 73-item scale consists of seven categories, with responses on a visual analogy scale format. The frequency of using competencies was additionally tested with a four-point scale. RESULTS: Self-assessed overall scores indicated a high level of competence across categories. The Nurse Competence Scale data were normally distributed. The higher the frequency of using competencies, the higher was the self-assessed level of competence. Age and length of work experience had a positive but not very strong correlation with level of competence. According to the item analysis, the categories of the Nurse Competence Scale showed good internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The results provide strong evidence of the reliability and validity of the Nurse Competence Scale.

Adult↗