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Biomedical subjects

Mary K Kirkpatrick

Publications and source records attributed to Mary K Kirkpatrick.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

An ovarian cancer diagnosis-seeking process: unraveling the diagnostic delay problem.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To propose a conceptualization that identifies when diagnostic delays occur and suggests a delay-reduction strategy for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. DATA SOURCES: Findings and extrapolations from published national and international research studies, research reviews, books, Internet sources, and a family-functioning research project. DATA SYNTHESIS: Three phases of diagnosis seeking were identified. Self-care was characterized by self-diagnosis, self-interpretation of symptoms, and self-management. Primary provider care was characterized by misdiagnosis and ineffective symptom management. Specialist care was characterized by specialized examinations, tests, and definitive diagnoses. Diagnostic delays were associated with extended periods of self-care and the misinterpretation of symptoms in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Periods of opportunity for early diagnosis occurred in the early symptom stages, when self- and primary care were dominant. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Women must be taught to self-monitor for early ovarian cancer symptoms. Primary care providers should be urged to attend frequent state-of-the-science updates that regard early symptoms as manifestations of ovarian cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health seeking related to ovarian cancer.

Critical review of general health-seeking models showed a need for expansion to include the early and atypical symptom period associated with ovarian cancer and the role of self and primary care in the diagnostic process. Data from family functioning research showed that in the self-care phase, the initial gastrointestinal symptoms were unrecognized as serious, given common sense labels, and self-managed. When primary care provider care was sought, misdiagnoses occurred three fourth of the time. Diagnostic delays occurred in these 2 phases of care. An expansion of a model of health seeking links personal and family risks and adds early symptom data may be obtained through monthly self-monitoring by women using a symptom checklist. Organization of risks and symptom information assists in interpretation of disparate streams of data and gives a recommended outcome: high personal risk level + high family risk level + high early and persistent symptoms presence = high need for a prompt gynecological evaluation. The restructured health-seeking process requires women be taught how to monitor their ovarian health. Nurses and primary care providers need frequent continuing education updates and the health media need current and accurate information about this malignancy.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ovarian cancer: early symptom patterns.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine early symptom and diagnostic-seeking experiences of women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Longitudinal descriptive. SETTING: Homes of families. SAMPLE: Purposive; 19 families were obtained by referrals. METHODS: Interviews and questionnaires; descriptive analysis. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Early symptoms and delays in diagnosis. FINDINGS: Families were 88% Caucasian and 12% African American. Almost two-thirds had annual incomes of 25,000 dollars or more. The ages of the patients with cancer ranged from 28-73 years (mean = 56 years). Delay between initial symptoms and diagnosis was mean = 14 weeks. Early symptoms experienced by 95% of women were abdominal bloating, vague abdominal pain and "spots," indigestion problems, fatigue, and urinary problems. CONCLUSIONS: Women usually experience a cluster of symptoms, unrecognized and discounted, which delays diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Pelvic assessments should be reformulated to conceptualize early symptoms, risk factors, and family cancer history as a dynamic, interconnected whole to guide and interpret ovarian health.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Narrative pedagogy: teaching geriatric content with stories and the "Make a Difference" project .

As the elderly population increases in number, the need to integrate innovative teaching strategies in geriatric education becomes more apparent. Teaching with stories promotes knowledge and values to students and is appealing and enjoyable. This article describes a geriatric nursing course in which stories in films and literature are used to teach content and values promoted by the Hartford Institute best practices curriculum. Stories are also used for the service-learning component of the course as students participate in a "Make a Difference" project with elderly people.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Leadership development in geriatric care through the Intergeneration Make a Difference Project.

The Intergeneration Make a Difference Project (MADP) is designed to develop leadership skills in geriatric nursing for seniors in a baccalaureate nursing program. This service-learning project with octogenarians and older individuals is based on theoretical constructs of caring. Stories and journaling are of great importance in the project. Expected outcomes are cognitive, affective, personal, and interpersonal. Students are expected to engage in critical/reflective thinking and develop leadership skills, heightened respect for the elderly, and interest in lifelong learning and a service orientation to society. Empowered to influence their clients, students receive the reciprocal benefits of an intergenerational relationship that, it is hoped, will affect how they care for the elderly in the future.

Aged↗