PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Crouch

Publications and source records attributed to M Crouch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Frankenstein's nurse! What are schools of nursing creating?

The research presented in this paper examines the socialisation of nursing students under the current educational arrangements and the way in which it creates nurses who assign high status to technological expertise and its manipulation, while regarding many of the traditional, more 'basic', nursing skills as being of low status. Such a professional outlook has serious implications for areas of nursing practice where technology is largely inappropriate and where care of the body dominates practice (such as in aged care). In a longitudinal study which followed student nurses from neophyte to graduand status, results showed that intentions to work in aged care decrease as students progress through their pre-service programs. At the same time, however, these students come to regard areas that require a manipulation of technology, such as is perceived in surgical wards and intensive care, as the 'real' role of nursing. Structures which guide students through the socialisation process, (i.e. the curriculum and teaching staff) were examined regarding their contribution to the establishment and maintenance of this culture. The findings of this study have important implications for the future of quality nursing in areas like aged care--as well as for the future success of nursing in its quest to be regarded as a 'true', autonomous profession.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1995

Who cares about care in nursing education?

Many sources indicate that nurses have a negative view of work with ageing patients. Wide-spread stereotypes concerning old age no doubt exercise influences in the formation of nurses' attitudes. The research reported here suggests that nurses' negative attitudes towards the elderly are consolidated rather than dissolved in the course of their training. The reasons for this may not, in fact, lie in the nature of the gerontology components (small as they usually are) of the curriculum. Rather, the course (or the "professional socialisation" process) as a whole appears to carry messages that devalue personal care duties--contra the prestige of activities attached to all levels of medical technology. The ageing patient, often requiring much hands-on (the body) care is thus located well outside areas of work which are perceived by nurses to include clearly focused professional pathways.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The social life of bonding theory.

'Bonding' as a crucial factor of the early post-partum entered obstetric and paediatric practice after the publication of Maternal and Infant Bonding in 1976 by Klaus and Kennell. The concept has held its place since, as witnessed by medical textbook accounts of it, and the perception of 'instantaneous bonding' as a vital component of the ideal birth experience has dominated media representations of childbirth and, until very recently, feminist writing. Only during the last few years has this literature taken into account research findings concerning the guilt and anxiety experienced by women whose expectations regarding 'bonding' are not realised. While it is now generally acknowledged that maternal attachment develops over an extended period of time, 'bonding' as used extensively in both popular and scientific literature conflates a wide range of meanings and blurs the boundaries between process and outcome. This facilitates the entry of ideological elements into a field which is, by its very nature, deeply significant for human experience. We therefore argue for a continuing critical appraisal of the role of 'bonding' in both general and scientific research.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1994

Cancer of the esophagus in Acadiana.

Cancer of the esophagus is a frequently fatal cancer whose incidence appears to be increasing. In Acadiana, esophageal cancer occurs predominantly in males, with a higher incidence in black males. Results of surgical treatment, with or without other therapy, are dismal. Combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy improved survival when compared to surgery. Survival benefits with chemotherapy and radiotherapy are, unfortunately, modest at present.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Personal and mediated health counseling for sustained dietary reduction of hypercholesterolemia.

Methods of effective cardiovascular risk reduction that are suitable for use in clinical settings are needed. Several behavioral interventions were designed to be compatible with office-based medical practice, to be delivered by paraprofessional counselors, and to be of low intensity and low cost. Eighty-three hypercholesterolemic volunteers were assigned to one of three experimental conditions (face-to-face counseling, mail and telephone counseling, initial session only). Twenty-six nonrandomized subjects served as a no-contact group and were followed for 1 year. Participants in the first three groups received risk factor education, behavioral recommendations, and a packet of materials, while those in the face-to-face and mail/telephone counseling groups were contacted for five brief follow-up sessions over a 4-month period. At the 1-year follow-up evaluation, subjects in the face-to-face and mail/telephone counseling conditions showed decreases in plasma cholesterol of 6.2 and 4.6%, respectively (P less than 0.01), while the other two groups evidenced small increases. There were no differences by condition for plasma triglycerides, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or weight. Low-intensity, low-cost behavioral interventions delivered by paraprofessionals can produce long-term decreases in a major cardiovascular risk factor. Physicians are encouraged to incorporate similar interventions into their practices.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Deep venous thrombosis and a circulating anticoagulant in systemic lupus erythematosus.

We describe deep venous thrombosis and a circulating anticoagulant in a male adolescent with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The association of deep vein thrombosis with SLE in a pediatric patient has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. The circulating anticoagulant was characterized as a lupus-type inhibitor. This was demonstrated by an abnormal partial thromboplastin time (PTT), the failure of the PTT to correct with the addition of an equal amount of normal plasma, and a positive tissue thromboplastin inhibitor test. Physicians should be aware that a circulating anticoagulant can be associated with SLE and that there may be a paradoxically increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena in patients with this abnormality.

Adolescent↗