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Biomedical subjects

L R Uys

Publications and source records attributed to L R Uys.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

An analysis of support groups for the mentally ill as a psychiatric intervention strategy in South Africa.

Support groups for the mentally ill in South Africa have functioned for more than ten years, and new ones are emerging, which shows that there is need for support groups in the community. Little is known about their structure, function and distribution. This study was an exploratory study which attempted to determine whether such groups could function as one of the intervention strategies in the community. The study investigated history, characteristics and activities of the existing support groups, and also examined failed support groups and areas where no support groups have been formed. A register of available support groups was compiled in the process. The sample consisted of fourteen functioning support groups, three unsuccessful support groups, one support group that had been recently initiated, and ten areas which had no support groups. Data collection was carried out by mailed questionnaires and telephonic questionnaires. The study shows that support groups have been in existence for a period ranging from four months to twenty years. The rendered assistance in advocacy and basic needs of their members, and also therapeutic intervention such as life skills teaching, crisis intervention, and counselling.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1996

An evaluation of the problem-solving ability of diplomates from a comprehensive nursing programme.

The aim of this South African study was to obtain a measurement of the problem-solving ability of diplomates from a basic nursing programme with this skill included in its programme objectives. The problem-solving skills of diplomates from this programme were compared with those of first years to determine if there is an improvement in the problem-solving skills. A comparison was also made with a different basic programmes not claiming to teach problem-solving. The research design selected for this study was the ex post facto design. Data were collected using the Triple Jump Method which is an interview technique. The findings suggested that the level of the problem-solving skills of the comprehensive nursing programme diplomate is not satisfactory. There was, however, some improvement in the problem-solving ability from the first to the fourth year. The level of performance of the fourth years was slightly higher than that of the third years of the three-year nursing programme, who were used as the control group. Recommendations on selection teaching and evaluation of students, as well as further research, were made.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The social support system of unmarried pregnant adolescents in the Transkei with particular reference to parents.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether parental or other support systems supported the unmarried pregnant adolescent with regard to psychological and socio-economic parameters while they were pregnant, to determine the factors influencing support and to analyze the outcome of their pregnancy. Thirty rural and ten urban unmarried pregnant adolescents of 14-17 years of age were selected through quota sampling, therefore, 40 adolescents participated. Social support from significant others, as reported by adolescents, was measured through the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviour and Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule. The findings revealed that adolescents were given the support they needed, particularly by their mothers. Other family members, girlfriends and boyfriends also played a prominent role while support from professional support systems was minimal. Adolescent birth records indicate that most girls received prenatal care regularly. Most of their neonates were satisfactory at birth and were average for gestational age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

An evaluation of the effect of programme changes in an acute psychiatric unit.

This article describes a research project in which nurses evaluated the effect of changes in a unit programme in a situation where staffing and other resources are severely limited. A quasi-experimental design was used in which the situation before the change was compared with the situation after implementation of the new programme. The dependent variables were patient symptoms and interaction patterns in the unit. The study was done in an acute female psychiatric inpatient unit in a large state psychiatric hospital in South Africa with predominantly black Zulu speaking patients. It was found that the changed programme did not increase the total interactions in the unit significantly, but that it did increase neutral interactions and decreased negative interactions. It also kept the rate of interaction steady over time between patients and staff and steadily increased interaction between patients themselves. In the control group all interactions decreased over time. No significant difference was found in symptoms between the two groups. It is concluded that the structured programme in a unit may change interaction patterns positively, even when poor staffing makes it possible only to plan nursing care for groups of patients rather than individuals. Whether these changes in interaction will be transferred to family and friends in the longer term, still has to be explored.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Educating nurses for primary psychiatric care: a South African perspective.

This article examines the meaning of Primary Health Care, and the implications for the provision of psychiatric care at this level. The authors describe how one nursing school in a developing country, South Africa, prepares nurses to function in a primary health care system, which fully includes psychiatric care. The results for the service, the community and the students are described.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1995

Views of leading nurse educators regarding the comprehensive basic nursing programme.

This article describes a Delphi survey amongst nurse educators in South Africa. The aim was to describe their perceptions regarding the reasons for the comprehensive basic nursing programme (CBNP), its aims and expected outcomes. There was general agreement that the programme was necessary, and that it was designed mainly to produce a nurse who could function in a comprehensive health service. Integration of information and economic arguments were also mentioned. Making available a nurse who can deliver a comprehensive service to all people, was also seen as the main aim of the programme. Independent learning, competency in a whole range of skills, the ability to function in a multidisciplinary team and high level cognitive skills were mentioned as additional aims.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

A profile of selected psychiatric out-patients in South Africa.

This article reflects the results of three studies done between 1988 and 1991 describing psychiatric outpatients in different towns and cities of South Africa. Two of the samples consist of Black patients and one of Asian patients. In all three studies demographic, socio-economic and illness data were gathered and analysed. A total of 230 patients were surveyed. The typical psychiatric outpatient seems to be in productive period of his life, single, but living with family. He is poorly educated, may never have been employed and is probably now unemployed. The income of this person and the household is very limited, with many people dependent on the few economically active members of the household. The person probably has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression or substance abuse. If Black, he has been certified and hospitalized at least once for a period of twelve weeks. The person is now attending the outpatient clinic regularly once a month. The socio-economic handicap of these patients is highlighted in the article, as are the implications for families having to care for them. The organization of psychiatric services is addressed in terms of differences in hospitalization rates between different samples and short-comings in the follow-up system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Amputation history and rehabilitation of black men living in the greater Durban area who have had traumatic amputations of the lower limb.

A survey was undertaken amongst twenty five black men living in the greater Durban area who had had amputations of the lower limbs. The type of amputation care the rehabilitation programme they underwent post-operatively is described. The sample included men from 24 to 50 years of age, of whom the majority were from rural areas. The amputation care intra and post-operatively was marked by the lack of emotional preparation pre-operatively, and lack of rehabilitation information and teaching afterwards. Most respondents had to find information for themselves. This lack of information and teaching seemed to impede physical rehabilitation, with stump sores and limited use of prostheses being the main problems. Vocational rehabilitation was almost totally absent. In contrast to the twenty two respondents who worked before their amputations, only four worked afterwards. The majority had to support their families alone; sixteen of them were totally reliant on a Disability Grant. These problems lead to social isolation, depression, loneliness and other psycho-social problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Writing a philosophy of nursing?

Nurses in education and management settings are often required to write a philosophy for the facility. In this paper, the use of the concept of 'philosophy' in nursing education and nursing management is explored. The nature of philosophy is then outlined, with specific reference to its relationship with a special science such as nursing. In the light of this discussion, the real nature of the document that nursing authors call a 'philosophy' is discussed. The concepts of a life and world view and a mission statement are discussed in this regard. Specific proposals are then made for nurses in approaching the task of producing this planning document.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1994

The social support network for black psychiatric inpatients.

A survey was carried out of almost 50% of Black inpatients in a state psychiatric hospital to evaluate the level of accessibility of the family network of the patients. Staff were interviewed on the problems they have with contacting families. The survey shows the extent of inadequate access and identifies reasons for the problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

An evaluation of the implementation and the effectiveness of two treatment and organizational strategies in the rehabilitation of long-term psychiatric outpatients.

Mental illness usually needs long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Since de-institutionalisation of psychiatric patients in the 1970s, most of this treatment and rehabilitation has needed to be done in the community through psychiatric clinics. It therefore is important to establish which rehabilitation strategies can be implemented in the South African services, and how effective they are. This study reports on two strategies which were implemented in the service to Black patients in psycho-education groups, and skills teaching. The implementation of the strategies was evaluated by looking at feasibility and effort, and their effectiveness was assessed by measuring functional status, symptom improvement and duration and frequency of hospitalisation. It was found that both strategies could be implemented although there were specific problems. These related to the physical facilities in the clinics, the lack of adequate training of nurses in these techniques, and the inadequacy of community resources. The psycho-educational groups were found to have no influence on either functional status or symptoms, but this might be related to difficulties in the research design. None of the patients were hospitalised from the time the study started so hospitalisation could not be used as a pre-and-post-test. Skills teaching was found to influence functional status positively. Although a positive influence on symptoms was also shown, this may have been due to rater un-reliability. The results of this study show that psychiatric community clinics should be reorganised to include psycho-social rehabilitation strategies. These strategies generally are effective and can be implemented if there is a rehabilitation philosophy in the service.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Factors influencing the relapse of outpatients with schizophrenia in the Kentani area of Transkei.

A survey was carried out to establish the rate of relapse of patients with schizophrenia in one area of the Transkei. Case studies were completed on relapsed and non-relapsed patients to identify factors which play a role in relapse. Twenty percent of patients referred to this area for aftercare never appeared at clinics. Twenty-three percent of the patients were readmitted within one year. The study identified factors in the patient, the family and the community which relate to relapse.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

An investigation into the structure and functioning of nursing councils in South Africa.

This postal survey was done to investigate the opinions of nurses in South Africa about the four regulating bodies for nurses in this country. All categories were included in a sample consisting of a random and a purposive section. The results showed a generally neutral attitude towards the councils, and a more positive attitude towards the disciplinary process. However, there are significant objections against the way in which the councils are constituted, how members are elected, the way regulations are made and the people involved in disciplinary hearing. Nurses also feel that the relationships of the councils are not satisfactory and communication is poor.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1992

A concept analysis of nurses' commitment to patient care.

Commitment to the service of mankind has always been a key concept of professional nursing. However, very little effort seems to have been made to analyse the nature of commitment as a factor in nursing. This article explores the meaning of the concept 'commitment' as revealed by a review of the literature and the responses of a group of registered nurses in unstructured interviews. It goes on to analyse the concept by means of a number of techniques such as an analysis of critical attributes, the construction of model cases and related cases, the identification of antecedents and consequences and of empirical referents. The information gleaned was used to structure a study of the commitment to patient care of a group of professional nurses which will be published in a subsequent article.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1992

Commitment to patient care: an exploratory study among registered nurses in Bophutatswana.

In this second article on the commitment to patient care the methodology and results of the study are briefly described and discussed. The research method was a non-experimental qualitative survey, using several data-gathering methods such as semi-structured interviews with registered nurses and patients, the examination of nurses' and patients' records and non-participant observations. Although the responses of nurses and patients indicated that both groups considered commitment to be essential to patient care, the examination of patient records, nurses' evaluation reports and observations showed lack of commitment in practice. Various reasons for this are explored and recommendations made.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗