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Biomedical subjects

K Blais

Publications and source records attributed to K Blais.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Driving and dementia: a review of the literature.

In North American society driving is closely linked with independence. Unfortunately, the freedom to operate a motor vehicle may be lost when an individual develops a specific medical diagnosis. The complex issue of dementia and driving safety is frequently encountered by health care professionals. Physicians are required, by law, to report any medical diagnosis such as dementia, that may affect driving safety. Physicians often refer to occupational therapists to assist them in determining if an individual's impairment significantly impacts driving safety. Unfortunately many health care professionals are not using reliable, valid and sensitive tests to determine the point at which an individual with dementia will become an unsafe driver. Through a review of the literature, the authors explore the effects of normal aging and cognitive impairment on driving safety. Specific assessment tools used to assess driving ability are examined and the role of health professionals in driver assessment is discussed. Some suggestions to improve the overall approach to evaluating driving safety are offered in the conclusion.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Nurses' perceptions: when is it a medication error?

This study investigates nurses' perceptions of medication errors and appropriate reporting. Results of the study suggest that nurses may not report because of fear of reprisal. Further, there may be a need to allow for nursing judgment in some instances; at those time, the term "medication error" may not be the most appropriate. Implications for nursing administration include further exploration of nonpunitive processes in response to adverse drug events.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cultural diversity in Florida nursing programs: a survey of deans and directors.

To determine how nursing programs in the state of Florida promote and integrate cultural diversity, a survey of deans and directors was conducted. Of 90 deans and directors surveyed, 46 (51%) responded. The ethnic composition of students and faculty in the respondents' programs was examined in comparison with that of the Florida population. Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians were found to be underrepresented in nursing faculty as compared with their proportion in the state population. The majority of deans and directors ranked the goal of promoting cultural diversity of moderate importance. The two most critical issues perceived by the respondents were the lack of cultural knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness, and the academic problems and educational deficits of minority students. In 50% of the programs surveyed, culture content was integrated throughout the curriculum. Other programs either integrated culture content in specific classes or offered a course in transcultural nursing. Although numerous approaches are currently being employed to recruit ethnically diverse faculty and students, the data suggest that more extensive and innovative efforts are needed to overcome existing barriers. As nursing faces the challenge of caring for a multicultural society in the 21st century, nursing leaders and organizations must collaborate to resolve the issues and problems revealed in this survey.

Cultural Diversity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Drug calculation errors of baccalaureate nursing students.

Most researchers who study the dosage calculation skills of nursing students have looked at the mathematical or computational ability of the students. The authors report findings from a study that analyzed the dosage calculation errors of nursing students from conceptual, mathematical, and measurement perspectives.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Learning style as a predictor of drug dosage calculation ability.

This study measured the learning style in mathematics of nursing students to determine if there was a correlation with their ability to calculate drug dosages. The results seem to indicate that instructors can improve the ability of their students to calculate drug dosages by integrating instructional methods that 1) reinforce the student's preferred learning style; and 2) require the student to use both sequential, step-by-step, paper and pencil processing and global, all-at-once mental processing.

Adult↗