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Biomedical subjects

K Sellick

Publications and source records attributed to K Sellick.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Specialisation in nursing. A survey of reactions of Victorian nurses to the national review of specialist nurse education.

This article reports on the opinions of specialist nurses practising in Victoria toward recommendations proposed in the National Review of Specialist Nurse Education (Specialist Review) (Russell et al 1997). Seventy-five nurses undertaking a range of specialist nursing courses offered by three educational providers (a university, major teaching hospital and professional organisation) completed a survey questionnaire to establish the extent to which they agreed with the major recommendations from the Specialist Review. Results showed strong endorsement for most recommendations but with less agreement about issues of minimum credentials and future provisions. Comparison of responses across age, experience, employment and professional education subgroups identified significant differences of opinions on some recommendations. Findings from this study are discussed in relation to the Specialist Review and to implications for the future development of specialist nursing education in Australia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The effectiveness of tutorials in behavioural sciences for nurses: an action learning project.

As the first round of an action research project, this paper describes a between-methods triangulation process which examines the effectiveness of tutorials in a post-registration nursing degree course. The major concerns of the research team were with student learning approaches and student satisfaction. The research utilized a pre-/post-test experimental design as well as descriptive designs including non-participant observation of tutorials, tutor journal keeping and student interviews, to study the effects of a change from theory-based to learning process-based tutorials. The experimental design utilized the 'study process questionnaire' and the 'approaches to study inventory'. Two experimental groups showed a significant change in pre-/post-test scores. The qualitative data indicated that there were differences in the ways in which these two groups operated. The qualitative data also indicated that students were largely subscribing to achieving approaches and that satisfaction with tutorials was mainly related to relevance to the previous lecture as well as the perceived contribution to course assessment. As a consequence of this study it was concluded that the efficiency of tutorials could be increased by reducing the number of assignments, designing a set of specific tutorial activities that integrate theory and process, and having an explicit tutorial group formation policy.

Behavioral Sciences↗
PubMed1997

An international validation of the interaction with disabled persons scale.

The Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDP) was devised to measure attitudes in terms of discomfort reported about social interaction with people with disabilities. The Scale has been used in Australia for ten years. This article reports results of an international validation project that was designed to determine whether psychometric characteristics and norms emerging for Australian groups apply elsewhere. A methodological proforma was developed to maximize uniformity of data collection across nine countries: Australia, Canada, Croatia, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Poland, Scotland and the United States. In most countries the Scale was administered in English; however it also was translated into Germany, Polish, French and Croat. Results indicate that across countries mean scores fell within ten points, similar moderate to high levels of item homogeneity occurred and level of prior contact with people with disabilities emerged as the strongest predictor of IDP scores. It was concluded that the IDP Scale is a valid measure that is able to discriminate between respondents within the countries included in the study.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Postgraduate education expectations: a survey of Hong Kong graduate nurses.

Tertiary education for nurses in Hong Kong is in its early development. With many overseas universities competing to secure Asian students, the need for locally developed programmes to meet Hong Kong's needs can be overlooked. In this survey 705 nurses with degree level qualifications working for the major public and private employing agencies completed a questionnaire designed to obtain details of postgraduate study plans and preferences for the type, focus and mode of postgraduate programmes. Analysis of responses showed 50% of the graduates surveyed intended to pursue further study in the next two years with a clear preference for course work masters, degree programmes (55%), studies with a specialist (71%) rather than a generalist focus, and programmes offered locally (85%) on a part-time basis (86%). Future educational needs were also found to vary according to gender, marital status, place of employment and nursing post. The findings from this survey have considerable implications for educational and professional nursing developments and planning to meet the future health care needs of Hong Kong. In addition, the information may inform the planning of other countries newly embarked on tertiary education for nurses.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Victorian hospital nurses' research attitudes and activity.

Four hundred and fiftyeight registered nurses from seven Victorian hospitals were surveyed to establish their attitudes to nursing research, their levels of research activity and whether working in a hospital with a nursing research policy influenced their attitudes and activities. The results showed that respondents had favourable attitudes to, and considerable interest in, nursing research. They made moderate estimates of their own research skills and had a modest level of research activity, and the data indicated there was potential for this to be increased. Tertiary graduates and Grade 4 and above nurses had more positive attitudes to research and were more likely to have been involved in research, and graduates also had more confidence in their research abilities than non-graduates. The existence of a hospital nursing research policy was not associated with differences in nurses' research attitudes or activities. Major impediments to conducting research were perceived to be workloads and lack of time. Providing time for research appears to be the greatest challenge to improving practice through clinical nursing research.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Identifying subclasses of patients with rheumatoid arthritis through cluster analysis.

Nonhierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify 92 patients with rheumatoid arthritis drawn from a community rheumatology practice into 5 groups on the basis of biochemical measures and disease indices. The major differentiating variables were the number of active joints, number of damaged joints, overall disease activity, extraarticular complications, and history of joint surgery. Although the 5 subclasses were equivalent on measures of psychological functioning, they differed systematically on such health outcome measures as mobility, physical activity, and dexterity. Relationships between the taxonomy produced through cluster analysis and conventional classifications are discussed, and directions for further investigation are noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Community attitudes toward mental illness: the influence of contact and demographic variables.

Residents of three large rural cities were surveyed to investigate the influence of 'psychiatric exposure' and demographic variables on community attitudes toward mental illness. Samples drawn from the three communities, which differed according to the availability of mental health services, were administered the Opinions About Mental Illness Scale, with questionnaire items that elicited measures of the amount of contact with mental illness and standard demographic data. Multiple regression analyses showed that demographic but not 'exposure' variables had a significant influence on community attitudes. Contrary to previous findings, the older, less-educated members of the public were more positive in their opinions on mental health issues. Other variables to have an influence on attitudes were ethnic origin and occupational status.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of faculty and student perceptions of clinical nurse teacher behaviours.

This study investigated the importance of clinical teaching behaviours from the perspective of the clinical nurse teacher and examined the influence of teacher characteristics. Forty-two clinical teachers from three Melbourne nursing programs rated the importance of 20 clinical teaching behaviours using a 7-point Likert scale. Results showed all 20 behaviours were deemed important in facilitating student learning with teacher behaviours rated most important and evaluation behaviours least important. Comparative analyses of data from this and a previous study identified significant differences between clinical teacher subgroups and close agreement by teachers and students on the importance of teacher behaviours. Findings are discussed and directions for future research identified.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical nurse teaching: an investigation of student perceptions of clinical nurse teacher behaviours.

This paper reports one of a series of studies designed to investigate the role of the clinical nurse teacher. The major questions addressed were students' perceptions of the importance of sets of clinical teacher behaviours and the extent to which perceptions were influenced by year of study, educational institution, student status and demographic characteristics. Four hundred and two student nurses selected from three Melbourne tertiary institutions were administered a standard measure of clinical teacher behaviours. Ratings of the importance of five sets of behaviours were analyzed for the total sample and for student subgroups. Results showed student nurses assigned greater importance to the role of the clinical instructor as a teacher, followed by behaviours associated with guidance, demonstrating the nursing role, applying theory to practice and evaluation. Significant differences were found for year of study, institution, student status, age and gender. Implications of the findings are discussed in regard to student learning in the clinical setting and faculty development.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How many hospitals have a nursing research policy? A Victorian survey.

Directors of nursing in 29 Victorian hospitals responded to a questionnaire which sought information on their hospitals' nursing research policies, structures and education and on the level of organisational support for nursing research. One quarter of the hospitals had nursing research policies, 45% expected nurses to be involved in research, 31% had nursing positions with primary research functions, 31% had nursing research committees and 50% provided some research education. Hospitals which had a written policy reported significantly higher levels of administrative support for nursing research and were more likely to have a designated nursing research position. It was concluded that the adoption of a policy on nursing research is associated with organisational support for nursing research in Victorian hospitals.

Data Collection↗