Measuring professional values: authors respond.
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Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Biomedical subjects
Pam Martin
Publications and source records attributed to Pam Martin.
Professional values held by baccalaureate and associate degree nursing students.
PURPOSE: To determine the congruency in value orientation of graduating students in baccalaureate and associate degree programs. DESIGN AND METHODS: A survey design with a convenience sample of 1,450 graduating nursing students from all baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs in Texas. Data were collected using the Nurses Professional Values Scale (NPVS). Descriptive and parametric statistics were used for analysis. FINDINGS: ADN and BSN students did not differ significantly on the NPVS total score, however, ADN student scored higher on 5 of the 11 subscales than did their BSN counterparts. Men from both programs scored significantly lower than did women on the total scale and all subscales. Ethnic groups differed on the responses to three of the subscales representing nurses' values: respect for human dignity, safeguarding the client and public, and collaborating to meet public health needs. CONCLUSIONS: Professional values in graduating nursing students were significantly related to sex and ethnicity, regardless of educational program. Nursing faculty members are challenged to address these differences during the educational process and mentoring of students.
Adult↗
Doctors expressions of uncertainty and patient confidence.
Although recent work has encouraged doctors to express their uncertainty to patients as a means to improve communication the potential impact of this on patients remains unclear. The present study first explored the impact of the way in which uncertainty was expressed (behaviourally versus verbally) on doctor's and patient's beliefs about patient confidence. Second the study examined the role of the patient's personal characteristics and knowledge of their doctor as a means to address the broader context. Matched questionnaires were completed by GPs (n=66, response rate=92%) and patients (n=550, response rate=88%) from practices in the south-east of England. The results showed that the majority of GPs and patients viewed verbal expressions of uncertainty such as 'Let's see what happens' as the most potentially damaging to patient confidence and both GPs and patients believed that asking a nurse for advice would have a detrimental effect. In contrast, behaviours such as using a book or computer were seen as benign or even beneficial activities. When compared directly, GPs and patients agreed about behavioural expressions of uncertainty, but the patients rated the verbal expressions as more detrimental to their confidence than anticipated by the doctors. In terms of the context, patients who indicated that both verbal and behavioural expressions of uncertainty would have the most detrimental impact upon their confidence were younger, lower class and had known their GP for less time. To conclude, patients' reactions to uncertainty occur within the context of the patient's own background and experience, however, some consistent responses can be found. In particular, whilst behavioural expressions of uncertainty may have a positive impact upon patient confidence, verbal expressions have a consistently detrimental effect which is underestimated by GPs.
Adult↗
Longitudinal evaluation of a live interactive video baccalaureate nursing program.
Beginning with a brief history of a community-inspired distance education initiative, the authors describe how one college of nursing offers an entire generic bachelor of science in nursing program over live interactive video for nursing students at 2 distance sites. The 10-year longitudinal evaluation of student and program outcomes is presented. Student and program success is evidenced by congruence of grades and National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) pass rates between sites.
Analysis of Variance↗