Biomedical subjects

Peter French

Publications and source records attributed to Peter French.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

A droplet digital PCR assay targeting 16 human papillomavirus genotypes.

Background. Cervical screening with high-precision assays such as human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is essential for the detection and treatment of precancerous lesions. HPV genotypes have different oncogenic potential and require different clinical management, illustrating the importance of extended genotyping. HPV quantification has demonstrated clinical relevance in both diagnosis and treatment. Objective. To develop a droplet digital PCR assay for the detection and quantification of 16 HPV genotypes, with comparison to a commercial test and validation on clinical samples. Methods. Primers and probes were designed to target the E6 region of 16 HPV genotypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 and 82. Each target was evaluated to assess performance and reliability using synthetic DNA constructs, quantified international reference standards and clinical screening samples (n=303) genotyped using the Seegene Anyplex II HR HPV Detection assay. Results. Each assay demonstrated high target specificity, without cross-reactivity observed among the HPV genotypes selected. Using international molecular standards, the assay reliably detected high-risk genotypes across serial dilutions, with detection down to the level of one international unit or genome equivalent per microlitre. When applied to clinical samples with and without a histological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse (CIN2+), the assay reliably detected key HPV genotypes, with the exception of 7 of 234 (3%) of HPV-positive samples, all of which exhibited very low viral load. Conclusion. Although previous studies have described digital PCR methods targeting HPV E6, they have typically focused on a limited number of genotypes. This study expands upon existing methodology by introducing a sensitive and specific method for detection and quantification of 16 high-risk and potentially high-risk HPV genotypes.

PCR↗

PubMed2005

The validity and reliability of the World Health Organization Mental Disorders Checklist for use in a telehealth clinic in Hong Kong.

This research aimed to test the validity and reliability of the 'World Health Organization Mental Disorders Checklist' for use in a telehealth clinic in Hong Kong. The Checklist adopted four subscales: (i) depression; (ii) anxiety; (iii) alcohol use disorders; and (vi) functioning and disablement, and was translated from English into Chinese. It was validated by a panel of five experts to confirm its content validity (content validity index = 0.98) and cultural appropriateness in Hong Kong. The reliability of the checklist was supported by the findings of a test-retest procedure (Pearson correlation = 0.66-0.88, P < 0.01), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.54-0.83), and interrater reliability (Kendall's coefficient of concordance = 0.58-1.00, P < 0.01) involving a sample of 197 subjects from one telehealth clinic in Hong Kong.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

The efficiency of fluid balance charting: an evidence-based management project.

This study began following an observation that fluid balance (FB) charts seemed to be overloading medical records in Hong Kong hospitals. The major issues for this study were the efficiency and appropriateness of FB charting. The study design included an analysis of 250 medical records and an opinion survey. Seventy-five doctors and 98 nurses participated in the survey. The results indicated that 50% of all medical records had FB charts and in these cases they made up between 12 and 16% of the whole medical record. Intravenous infusion and urinary catheterization accounted for almost 70% of the recorded reasons for using them. Thirty-two per cent of FB charts were found to be incomplete or inaccurate. Forty-six per cent of doctors and nurses reported that they believed that charts were not always terminated when they were not required. The most common belief among doctors was that only doctors should discontinue the FB charts. Nurses were almost unanimous in believing that they should not do this without the agreement of the doctors! It was concluded that nurses in the context under study should be empowered to terminate charts when they become unnecessary. In addition, the design of charts should be modified to accommodate different purposes.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2002

What is the evidence on evidence-based nursing? An epistemological concern.

AIM: This paper adopts an epistemological perspective in order to support the assertion that there is very little evidence to support the existence of evidence-based nursing as a distinct construct or process. RATIONALE: This analysis of concept meaning is based on the theory of symbolic interactionism. By adopting this theory the commonalities and inconsistencies in the use of evidence-based symbolism by nurses and other health care professionals can be used to evaluate the perceived meaning of the term. METHODS: A frequency analysis of relevant key words in one publications data-base demonstrates the increasing use of evidence-based terminology and its euphemistic status visa vi research. An epistemological analysis is conducted on a sample of concept clarification statements taken from the popular literature, defining the nature of 'evidence' and 'evidence-based practice'. FINDINGS: The results of the frequency analysis show that the keywords 'evidence-based medicine' revealed 5612 papers, evidence-based practice (EBP) 432 papers, evidence-based nursing 47 papers, evidence-based health care 60 papers, and evidence-based decision making 43. Almost all of these papers have been published since 1995 and the earliest use of the symbol 'evidence-based' is 1992. There is also an increase in papers adopting 'evidence-based' symbolism along with a commensurate decrease in the use of the term 'research' in the nursing context. CONCLUSION: 'Evidence-based practice' is commonly a euphemism for information management, clinical judgement, professional practice development or managed care. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that evidence-based nursing is a single construct or process that can be distinguished from its concomitants. The term adds little more to the existing long standing traditions of quality assurance and research-based practice. Nurses must avoid the inefficiency brought about by the 'intense enthusiasm followed by sad disenchantment' that has been associated with other attempts to introduce innovation in health care delivery (Fienstein & Horowitz 1997).

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

PubMed2002

A controlled trial of music and pre-operative anxiety in Chinese men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To test the effects of music intervention on pre-operative anxiety in Chinese males undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. RATIONALE: No studies have measured the effects of music intervention in reducing pre-operative anxiety for patients with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Previous studies have examined the effects of music on pre-operative anxiety but have not examined the possible effects of the presence of a carer as an independent variable in pre-operative anxiety levels of patients in addition to the music intervention. The cultural validity of applying a music intervention to the reduction of pre-operative anxiety was also investigated. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design with three groups: music intervention, nurse presence and control group. METHOD: Thirty patients having TURP were randomly assigned (n = 10 each group) to one of the three groups. Pre- and post-test measures of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and state anxiety using the Chinese State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C-STAI) were obtained for the three groups. RESULTS: The findings showed that the music intervention significantly reduced all blood pressure levels for the patients. A reduction in state anxiety level was also found for the music intervention group. No significant reductions in blood pressure, heart rate and state anxiety level were found in the nurse presence and control groups. CONCLUSION: The results support the cross-cultural validity of using a music intervention in pre-operative anxiety reduction, in this case for TURP patients waiting in the theatre holding area.

Anxiety↗

PubMed2002

A Delphi survey of evidence-based nursing priorities in Hong Kong.

The purpose of this study was to inform an evidence-based nursing development project within the Hospital Authority, Hong Kong. It considered the specific question of: what are the nursing practice issues which need to be addressed as a matter of priority in order to improve nursing practice, the quality of care or develop some aspect of nursing practice. A three round Delphi survey was adopted. The methodological problems associated with the use of the Delphi method are addressed. An expert panel consisting of 190 Department Operations Managers (nurses) was identified. The data collection focused on issues related to nursing skills and client care and excluded management or educational issues. Agreed categories were prioritized in the final round by utilizing a 11-point rating scale. The group mean score for each category was calculated and rank ordered. The results provided 45 categories that reflected the nursing practice priorities that required more research evidence to guide practice. The top five ranked items were: nurse patient communication, resuscitation, administration of medicines, counselling and nursing documentation. The top 10 items were used to inform the advisory and selection processes for the evidence-based practice development project.

Clinical Nursing Research↗

PubMed2002

Minimizing fire risk during eye surgery.

Supplemental oxygen under the drapes in high concentrations can lead to fires in ophthalmic theaters. This study attempted to eliminate the fire risk while maintaining the required therapeutic effect. The sample consisted of 201 patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery, with 104 subjects in the control group and 97 in the experimental group. A quasi-experimental design compared the existing method of oxygen administration (100% supply) with a new method (experimental) providing 24% oxygen supply. Measurements of the oxygen concentration were taken along with the fractional inspiratory carbon dioxide (FiCO2), the peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), the end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), and the respiratory rate (RR). There was a significant difference in oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations under the drapes (p <.05). The fractional inspiratory carbon dioxide was reduced in the experimental group. The new method was adopted to reduce the risk of fire in ophthalmic operating theaters.

Adolescent↗