Biomedical subjects

J R Billings

Publications and source records attributed to J R Billings.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Approaches to community needs assessment: a literature review.

In the light of the growing awareness of professionals in the community of the need to undertake health needs assessments of the population, this literature review sets out to explore, delineate and critically analyse the various approaches to community needs assessment, to facilitate a greater understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. The review commences by highlighting its complex nature, and attempting to define what is meant by 'needs assessment' from the differing perspectives of three dominant approaches, namely sociology, epidemiology and health economics. It continues by putting forward an argument for the use of the community health profile, being a multi-focal approach to needs assessment, combining quantitative with qualitative data, and proceeds with a discussion of strengths and weaknesses related to its compilation, in particular factors relating to reliability and validity of data sources. The consumer perspective is also reviewed, as are issues surrounding the ethics of data collection and problems concerning aggregation of the numerous data sources into meaningful policy. Throughout the review, issues are discussed with reference to the current political context in the United Kingdom. Equally important is the community nurse perspective, which is integrated into the arguments where appropriate.

Community Health Nursing↗

PubMed1995

Bonding theory--tying mothers in knots? A critical review of the application of a theory to nursing.

In recent times, nursing has witnessed a growing support for the notion of theory as being instrumental in enhancing nursing practice and ultimately patient care (Marriner, 1986). Whether generated from nursing practice, or 'borrowed' from other fields, the use of theory is viewed by some as the key to the ultimate recognition of nursing as a scientific, professional discipline in its own right (Stevens, 1984). Parallel to this view, there is a research perspective that questions the ultimate contribution of certain theories to health-care practice, particularly those emanating from other disciplines, urging caution in their practical utility. This paper enlarges upon this theme, focusing specifically upon the psychological theory of bonding, attempting to explore critically the degree to which it can be used in nursing practice, and to which it contributes towards our understanding of the attachment behaviour between a mother and her infant. A brief outline is given of the theory and its impact on health-care practice, and possible limitations discussed with reference to the conceptual origins of bonding theory, the validity of its research methodology, and its use within the wider health-care setting. A feminist sociological perspective is used in a brief attempt to explore the wider implications of the bonding theory in relation to the position of women.

Female↗

PubMed1994

Evaluation of nursing process documentation.

Following the introduction of a nursing process and associated documentation in one hospital, an attempt was made to evaluate the effectiveness of the documentation as a record of the nursing process. Two questionnaires were developed, based on previous research in this field, one for the assessment of the documentation, and the other to assess the attitudes and practices of the ward sisters regarding its implementation. The findings indicated that, generally, the assessment phase of the process was poorly documented and that many psychological and social problems were not addressed as well as others. The interventions were relevant but contained little detail. The evaluation section was fair but updating and re-assessment where relevant were poor. Some sisters seemed to display a lack of understanding of the principles or the practice of the process, despite in-service education. Lessons to be learnt from the exercise are suggested.

Activities of Daily Living↗