Biomedical subjects
M Futrell
Publications and source records attributed to M Futrell.
Perceptions of older Latino adults regarding physical fitness, physical activity, and exercise.
Healthy People 2000 has identified the importance of physical activity for healthy aging, but little is known about what motivates older individuals, older Latino adults, in particular, to be physically active. The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of older Latino adults toward physical fitness, physical activity, and exercise. This study used a qualitative focus group design. The sample of Latino adults age 60 and older resided in Northeast Massachusetts and was recruited from community settings which serve older Latino adults. Three focus groups, consisting of four to eight individuals in each group, were conducted and audiotaped. Data analysis used a combination of open, axial, and selective coding procedures. Focus group participants viewed physical fitness as being able to do anything; the mind and body working together; and feeling "light," being healthy. Support was viewed as a motivator of physical activity and exercise and included community resources, group support, cultural unity, and health provider assistance Barriers of fear and a feeling of inappropriateness were identified by focus group participants. Although the study was exploratory and the sample size small, it provides useful cultural knowledge and information for community health and gerontological nurses. Knowledge about older Latino adults' perceptions of motivators and barriers to physical activity and exercise is a necessary first step for nurses to prescribe activities that will help improve functional independence and quality of life. Nurses can serve as links for older Latino adults in accessing community resources. Sociocultural factors that influence Latino adult perceptions must be assessed if health promotion program planning is to be tailored to meet individual and group needs.
Perceptions of nurse practitioners regarding their role in physical activity and exercise prescription for older adults.
Health promotion related to physical activity and exercise is an integral part of the nurse practitioner (NP) role. Yet, studies suggest that only 30% of primary care clinicians provide counseling to their sedentary patients (Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services, 1994). This percentage may be even less with clients who represent the oldest old or a minority population. Information about the extent to which NPs counsel patients about physical activity and exercise prescription has not been well documented. The purpose of this research study was to identify the NPs role in providing individualized exercise prescription and to determine what strategies NPs use in assisting older adults to initiate and maintain an exercise program. The study utilized a focus group design comprising two focus groups, ranging in size from 6 to 7. Purposive sampling was used to enlist NP focus group participants. Content analysis of each transcript revealed that NP participants in these two focus groups utilize health history taking and observation skills in determining an older adult's physical fitness, physical activity, and exercise. None of the NP participants used a formalized instrument, nor did they use specific guidelines in prescribing physical activity and exercise recommendations. Frailty and socioeconomic status were variables that NPs consider in their physical activity and exercise recommendations, whereas ethnicity, age, and gender were not. Overall, NPs reported using a very small percentage of their time to physical activity and exercise counseling in primary care visits. Given the well-documented benefits of physical activity and exercise (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996; American College of Sports Medicine, 1998), it remains a matter of serious concern that more than 60% of American adults are not regularly physically active (Office of the Surgeon General, 1996). It is imperative that policymakers include physical activity and exercise counseling as a condition for reimbursement in primary care visits.
Cardiovascular screening of high school athletes.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The preparticipation physical examination history: who has the correct answers?
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether discrepancies exist between information given by parents and student athletes during the annual preparticipation physical examination (PPE) for athletics, and if present, whether the discrepancies occurred in areas of clinical significance to sports medicine and clearance for participation. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Station-based PPEs for area high school student athletes were performed using the form developed by the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Task Force (PPETF). PARTICIPANTS: High school student athletes and their parents or guardians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The discrepancy rate (and associated clinical areas of those discrepancies) for information given by parent-student pairs completing a standard historical section of a PPE. RESULTS: Of the high school student athletes who participated in the station-based PPE, 111 (34%) participated in this study. These student athletes completed the PPE form (14 sections with a total of 38 specific questions) independently during an initial session, and then were given an identical PPE form that was completed with the assistance of a parent or legal guardian. Of the 111 parent-student pairs, only 22 (19.8%) histories were in complete agreement. Several questions had very poor agreement, as indicated by a kappa value < or = 0.4. Taken together, 4 of the 14 historical information sections found on the PPE (cardiovascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and questions pertaining to weight) accounted for 59% of all discrepancies. Answers to individual questions did not differ significantly between parents and students when analyzed together and then by gender and age. Interestingly, students answered significantly more questions in an affirmative manner than did their parents. CONCLUSION: Using the form developed by the PPETF, parents and student athletes may not provide reliable historical information on which to base participation decisions. In particular, unreliable information may be obtained regarding cardiovascular and musculoskeletal issues, areas that are related to the mortality and morbidity associated with athletic activity.
Wandering and technology devices. Helping caregivers ensure the safety of confused older adults.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A self-assessment tool to measure older adults' perceptions regarding physical fitness and exercise activity.
The purpose of this research was to qualitatively generate and psychometrically assess an instrument which assesses the self-perceived physical fitness and exercise activity levels of community-dwelling older adults and examines perceived factors which enhance or impede their exercise activity level. This research was carried out in two stages: qualitative and quantitative. Items for the instrument were generated through qualitative interviews with 23 community-dwelling older adults, 9 males and 14 females, with an age range of 63 to 82 years. From this qualitative study, 50 items were generated, representing nine categories of elements which enhance or impede physical activity. The 50 items were incorporated into a 4-point, forced-choice, Likert format instrument which was pilot tested for clarity and ease of administration with a convenience sample of community-dwelling older adults. Following the pilot testing, 41 items were retained. The 41-item instrument, entitled Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale, was categorized into the following subscales: Physical Fitness, Barriers, Motivators, and Exercise Frequency. Initial testing of the Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale seems to indicate adequate validity and reliability. Correlation coefficients for the total instrument, as well as the subscales, were significantly positive for both stability and internal consistency. Results with respect to predictive validity were mixed. The Physical Fitness and Motivators subscales were significant predictors of Exercise Frequency. Although the correlation between the Barriers subscale and Exercise Frequency was negative, it was non-significant.
Perceptions of physical fitness and exercise activity among older adults.
The purpose of this research was to examine older adults' perceptions of physical fitness and exercise. This qualitative study was divided into four stages as described by Berg (1989): identification of the concept of the study; development of the interview guide; collection of data; and data analysis. Twenty-three older adults, aged 63-82 years (9 females, 14 males), participated in the interviews. Transcripts were analysed using content analysis. Three major themes emerged as the participants viewed physical fitness in terms of: functional independence ('being able to do'); holism ('mind-body works together'); and age reference (-for people my age'). Nine elements which impeded or enhanced physical activity were identified. Implications for education, research and practice are discussed.
A guide for assessing caregiver needs: determining a health history database for family caregivers.
The complex issue of combining caregiving and employment requires an awareness on the part of primary care providers of the health and social impact these responsibilities have on clients. Failure to consider the psychosocial and health-related consequences of caregiving for individuals with dual roles could result in greater health care costs, jeopardize the health of the caregiver, and place the care recipient at risk of institutionalization. The purpose of this article is to offer a guide that can be used as part of a comprehensive health history to assess the caregiving situation and provide a database on which to establish a plan of action. The caregiver assessment guide can be inserted in the client's health record and periodically reviewed during primary care visits.
Aging in the oldest old living in Scotland: a phenomenological study.
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to uncover ways in which the oldest old living in a Scottish community view the experience of aging. The research was guided by Parse's theory and followed the van Kaam method to elicit a structural definition of the meaning of aging, as described by the oldest old. Through the processes of intuiting, analyzing, and describing, it was found that the experience of aging is intensifying engagements as transfigurations signify maturity tempering the unavoidable with buoyant serenity. Findings are discussed in light of meaning specified in other explorations of the aging experience. Conceptual expansion enhances understanding for practice and further research.
Mental health care reform and gerontological nursing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Professional certification and gerontological nursing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Retirement attitudes and health status of preretired and retired men and women.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Becoming involved in health policy formulation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Helping the patient and family adjust to L.T.C. living.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Research in gerontological nursing.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Athletes' view of the preparticipation physical examination. Attitudes toward certain health screening questions.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the value student-athletes place on the preparticipation physical examination (PPE) in ensuring safe participation and to determine whether these athletes would accept a station-based PPE that emphasizes health-related issues. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Athletic departments of 2 small southeastern colleges. PARTICIPANTS: Population of student-athletes enrolled in these colleges. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Athletes' views on the necessity of the PPE to ensure safe participation in athletics, willingness to pay a fee for the currently free examination, appropriateness of the PPE as a setting for counseling by physicians regarding age-specific health screening issues, and PPE as the only routine health maintenance contact with a physician during the year. RESULTS: A majority of athletes (66%) believed they could safely participate in athletics and avoid severe injuries or death and minor injuries without undergoing a PPE. Most athletes believed the PPE prevents or helps to prevent both major (89%) and minor (76%) injuries. Male and female respondents would not be uncomfortable with a physician or other health care provider asking questions regarding health-related issues. However, many athletes (especially women) believed that the PPE is not a place for specific questions (questions related to sexual activity and health, eating disorders, smoking, and personal and family use of alcohol). CONCLUSIONS: Most student-athletes do not see a value of the PPE in regard to safe athletic participation; most athletes believe that the PPE prevents or helps to prevent injuries when there is no clear evidence to support this assumption; and athletes are receptive to most preventive health screening, but do not feel comfortable with certain issues being raised (i.e., gynecologic health, eating disorders, and alcohol and nicotine use). With specific modifications aimed toward the needs and comfort level of the student-athlete, the PPE may provide an opportunity to present health-related education and counseling by means of unique and innovative materials to a group of adolescents and young adults.