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Biomedical subjects

K Easton

Publications and source records attributed to K Easton.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Service users' experiences of 'as needed' psychotropic medications in acute mental healthcare settings.

AIMS: This paper reports a study which aimed to explore service users' views and experiences of the processes associated with the prescription and administration of 'as needed' (p.r.n.) psychotropic medications in acute mental health settings. BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the use of 'as needed' medication in acute mental healthcare settings. Such medication is frequently requested by service users, but the literature is unclear about the reasons for these requests or service users' experiences of this treatment. METHOD: A convenience sample of 22 inpatients participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews exploring their treatment experiences of 'as needed' psychotropic medication in acute mental health settings in a large city in the United Kingdom in 2005. Thematic content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Interviewees highlighted the value of 'as needed' medications. However, the process associated with their use was perceived as confusing and stigmatizing. Service users had limited understanding of and felt unsupported in attempts to use alternatives approaches. Additionally, the decision-making and information-giving processes were unclear to them, which raises issues of power and control in acute mental health settings. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should take account of the issues of power and control when administering 'as needed' medication. The provision of adequate treatment information should be a priority to enable informed choices to be made about this form of medication.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Can an advanced nurse practitioner take on the role of senior house officer within a specialised area of practice: an evaluation.

This study looked at the impact of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) taking on the role of senior house officer (SHO) within obstetrics and gynaecology. It was anticipated that such a change would have benefits for patients and for service delivery. The project took place in the gynaecology department of a district general hospital. All patients who would normally be under the care of the SHOs with one medical team received this care from one or other of two ANPs. Focus groups were used to look at the impact of the changes on other staff within the unit. Patient questionnaires were used to assess the opinions of patients about the care they received. Length of stay, readmissions and cancellations were used to assess the impact on patient care. The change in role of the ANPs has had lasting benefits in terms of better communication and multidisciplinary working and the development of an informal referral system that allowed patients to be seen more quickly and appropriately. There were no ill effects on patient care.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Influence of early discharge after hysterectomy on patient outcome and GP workloads.

This paper examines the impact of early discharge following hysterectomy on patient outcome and GP workload. Results are presented from a survey of patient attitudes on care and recovery, pain relief and contacts overall with their general practitioner (GP) surgery. The findings are compared with those of a previous study where a policy of early discharge had been shown to increase GP workloads. The paper discusses the importance of preparing patients adequately for their surgery and postoperative recovery, and highlights the beneficial effects on patient attitudes of the introduction of patient information leaflets, a preadmission clinic and a telephone advice service following discharge.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The factor V Leiden mutation may predispose women to severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: A recent study showed that resistance to activated protein C may underlie some cases of severe preeclampsia. A common missense mutation in the factor V gene, the Leiden mutation, is the most frequent genetic cause of resistance to activated protein C. Our objective was to determine whether this mutation is more prevalent in patients with severe preeclampsia than in normotensive controls. STUDY DESIGN: Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from whole blood of 158 gravid women meeting criteria of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for severe preeclampsia and 403 normotensive gravid women. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify exon 10 of the factor V gene, followed by allele-specific restriction with Mnl 1 for mutation detection. Results were analyzed with a chi(2) contingency table. RESULTS: No patients were homozygous for the Leiden mutation. Fourteen of 158 women with severe preeclampsia (8.9%) were heterozygous for the Leiden mutation compared with 17 of 403 normotensive gravid controls (4.2%). The difference in frequency between women with severe preeclampsia and normotensive controls was statistically significant, chi(2) 4.686, p = 0.03. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that carriers of the factor V Leiden mutation are at increased risk for severe preeclampsia. Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis for the factor V Leiden mutation could serve as one component of a genetic screening profile for preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women who carry this mutation are at increased risk for deep venous thrombosis. Carriers of this common thrombophilic mutation may be identified so that adequate counseling regarding future contraceptive usage and effective thromboembolic prophylaxis during pregnancy and surgical procedures may be offered.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Psychoanalytic principles in psychosocial rehabilitation.

Major mental symptomology in schizophrenic patients is alleviated when isolation and withdrawal are replaced by improved object relationships. This can best be accomplished through the enhancement of social, emotional, and environmental support systems. Psychosocial rehabilitation, that is, the establishment of a corrective living situation for emotionally isolated individuals, is a dynamic process. Staff in psychosocial centers are presented with unusual challenges and opportunities for helping people. Freudian psychoanalytic theory helps explain the causation of major mental symptomatology in schizophrenics as well as the mechanisms for the alleviation of those symptoms. It is postulated that the basic defect is exaggerated narcissistic libido and deficient cathexis of libido onto objects, which is accompanied by dammed-up libido. Like a festering boil, the dammed-up libido continues to exert noxious and deleterious effects, ultimately by way of chemical and neuronal pathways presently not well understood. The release of the dammed-up libido through improved object relationships is accompanied by lessening symptomatology and improved functioning. Indiscriminate and prolonged utilization of psychotropic medication is antitherapeutic in that it prevents delabeling, interferes with the resocialization process, and inhibits ego growth and development.

Freudian Theory↗