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Biomedical subjects

R E Davidhizar

Publications and source records attributed to R E Davidhizar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Black American folk medicine health care beliefs: implication for nursing plans of care.

Even in this age of information, some African Americans equate good health with luck or success. An illness or disease, viewed as undesirable, may be equated with bad luck, chance, fate, poverty, domestic turmoil, or unemployment, and in such case, Black Americans will consult a physician only after attempts with home remedies have failed. It is important for the nurse when working with Black patients, remember that when this patient enters the traditional bio-medical health care delivery system, it is best to assume that all known and available cultural home remedies have been tried. According to Bloch (1976), some Black Americans believe that the nurse should recognize cultural medical practices and the western medical remedies based on these beliefs. It is essential that the nurse determine whether these home remedies will interact or interfere with orthodox medical approaches. If home remedies are found to be efficacious or neutral. they may be kept at the patient's bedside. However, if they are found to be harmful, the nurse should assist the patient in developing an understanding about the remedies' dangers. With an emphasis on education, the patient can be navigated toward modern medical preventive techniques and cures, and the nurse may observe and judge the variety and efficacy of age-old culturally entrenched health care practices. Future studies may just substantiate the science behind the folklore.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1990

A day in the life of an inpatient: an experiential game to promote empathy for individuals in a psychiatric hospital.

The attitudes of hospital staff toward individuals with mental illness have been investigated, described in the literature, and discussed at national conferences. It has been suggested that attitudes are the precursors or determinants of behavior. Although the precise effect of staff attitude on patients is unclear, attitudes of the staff do appear to be related to their behavior and to have an impact on patients and their subsequent recovery. There are few precise answers on how to promote positive attitudes. While hospital policies and procedures can prescribe behaviors of staff, attitude cannot be dictated. Some studies have evaluated the effect of training and participation in milieu programs on the attitude of psychiatric staff. Simulation games recently have been explored as a possible way to influence the attitude of staff toward those with mental illness. This article describes an attempt at one state psychiatric hospital to influence in a positive way the attitude of the staff by using a simulation game called, A Day in the Life of an Inpatient. Adapted from Into Aging by Hoffman and Reif (1978), the game used by the authors provides a microcosmic experience for staff of a hospitalized patient's ward experience.

Empathy↗
PubMed1990

The water-intoxicated patient.

In a long-term psychiatric setting, self-induced water intoxication may be a life-threatening situation. At first glance, the symptoms or behaviors of self-induced water intoxication are similar to schizophrenia, i.e., inappropriate behavior, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, and disorientation. In some cases, the symptoms of water intoxication mimic schizophrenia and thus, are disguised as a part of the psychoses. Affected individuals develop polydipsia, which is accompanied by overhydration and dilutional hyponatremia. If untreated, the symptoms may progress from mild confusion to acute delirium, seizures, coma, or death (Ripley, Millson, & Koczapski, 1989). Under normal circumstances there is a delicate balance of water requirement and water intake. If the balance of water is altered, electrolyte imbalance can occur. The recognition of water intoxication or self-induced water intoxication and psychosis among chronic, institutionalized patients may prevent their death or the development of neurological damage (Arieff, 1985). Because self-induced water intoxication often goes unrecognized in its early stages and may have irreversible or fatal complications, early detection is crucial. This article will discuss the etiology, nursing assessment, and interventions associated with patients suffering from self-induced water intoxication.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care: associate versus baccalaureate degree prepared nurses.

The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between types of entry-level preparatory nursing programmes in which a nurse receives basic nursing education and conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between entry-level basic preparatory nursing education and nursing leadership, the ability to make nursing diagnosis, and implementation, as well as evaluation of the nursing process. Three nursing practice categories were identified and included: professional, all-nurse and technical. Useable data collected by short-essay questionnaire from 343 out of 344 sample subjects were computed to determine the relationship, if any, between basic preparatory nursing education and conceptual and theoretical approaches to patient care. Decisions about three null hypotheses were made at the 0.05 level of significance utilizing analysis of covariance and the 0.01 level of significance utilizing chi-square analysis. For Hypothesis 1, the main effect for degree work when covaried with Verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, time and age indicated a significance of 0.001 for all item associations in the professional, all-nurse and technical categories utilizing analysis of covariance, and 0.001 utilizing chi-square analysis. For Hypotheses 2 and 3, the main effect for degree work when covaried with the aforementioned variables indicated a significance of 0.001 utilizing analysis of covariance, and 0.001 utilizing chi-square analysis. In conclusion, the findings from the study suggest that graduates of baccalaureate degree programmes do vary in conceptual and theoretical approach to nursing care in specific nursing care situations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1989

Accepting criticism. A positive process.

Criticism often has negative connotations, even when it is a planned supervisory technique and is part of a comprehensive approach aimed at improving employee behavior without damaging employee morale. The nurse may be the target of criticism from a variety of other people that he or she encounters in the health care setting. The nurse's response to criticism is important to optimal conflict resolution and to maintaining relationships with integrity. The nurse's actions and attitudes in response to criticism should be planned deliberately and directed at resolving the conflict.

Anger↗
PubMed1989

Enjoying management. The positive benefits of liking the job.

Enjoying one's work is a state of mind that is integrated in the manager's personality. Although some individuals are born with an optimistic perspective on life, others have to develop it. A manager can cultivate an appreciation for the ordinary and learn to use humor as a communication tool and coping technique. Cultivating this orientation cannot be limited to the work setting but must be developed in relation to life. Health care agencies are complex and turbulent organizations. Whether the nurse manager is climbing the career ladder or just trying to be successful on the job, enjoying work can be a key ingredient to success. Nurse managers must both manage and lead. An attitude of enjoyment and pleasure at work is a trait that allows the manager to extend administration from managing to leading.

Attitude↗
PubMed1988

The immature employee. A manager's challenge.

Skill in managing immature employees is seldom learned in nursing management classes and is usually developed as a result of difficult experiences. A technique in which limits are set is most effective. As with other difficult management situations, the manager cannot expect immediate rewards. The immature employee who has trouble with authority will not readily offer appreciation to his or her manager. The manager's reward is knowing that he or she handled the situation well.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Avoiding self-defeating feelings. Tips for managers.

The feelings identified in this article are self-defeating and harmful to the OR nurse and the nursing profession. To be successful in the operating room, a nurse manager needs skill in reacting to stressful situations so that he or she can deliver quality, cost-effective care.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Confronting employees. A positive management tool.

Nurse managers who confront employees in an appropriate manner leave no doubt about their expectations. They demand excellent and consistent performance and do not settle for less. A manager who uses confrontation shows that he or she cares enough about the employee to challenge poor performance. When the manager confronts an employee about his or her performance, the manager is sending a message to all employees that mediocre work is not acceptable. The method of confrontation used by the manager ultimately determines how the criticism is received and how effective it is. The manager's attitude toward the employee and his or her ability to verbalize expected outcomes significantly influences how confrontation is accepted. Managers who are derogatory, angry, or arrogant find that confrontation is ineffective in motivating their staff to improve. Managers who show respect, empathy, and support toward their employees and establish firm expectations find confrontation to be a useful tool in staff motivation.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Mentoring in doctoral education.

Mentoring has historically been common among men. Recently, however, mentoring has emerged as a popular concept in nursing and more and more references in the nursing literature describe the importance of a mentor to the nurse. Mentoring is also an important concept in doctoral education in nursing. This paper discusses both the development of mentoring relationship which can vitally contribute to the development of the nurse leader are discussed. A mentoring relationship between a doctoral student and a more experienced professional can enable the development of leadership potential and significantly contribute to the development of competent professionals in nursing.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗
PubMed1987

Telephone 'emergencies'. How to respond appropriately and effectively.

While the appropriateness of giving medical advice on the telephone could be debated, this discussion is based on the assumption that few physicians can avoid providing this service to their patients. In fact, most physicians must respond often to telephone requests for advice. A large portion of these "emergency" calls result from the caller's psychological experience of powerlessness and helplessness in a situation that he or she perceives as health-related. An understanding of the dynamics of helplessness is essential for the physician to respond therapeutically. A five-step interviewing strategy--including listening, clarification, exploration of self-help, support, and advice--can then be followed in sequence. These steps are applicable not only to medical situations but to any telephone situation in which crisis and helplessness are major components.

Emergencies↗
PubMed1987

New managers: establishing a niche with former peers.

Being a well-prepared manager involves having managerial and interpersonal skills. Establishing a proper distance with subordinates is one of the interpersonal skills that gives a new manager the most difficulty. Following the guidelines in this article for establishing healthy interpersonal distancing can benefit all managers--experienced, new, and would-be.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Beliefs, feelings and insight of patients with schizophrenia about taking medication.

There has been little systematic study of the attitude of clients with schizophrenia toward treatment, specifically about taking medication. This study measured the attitude of 100 clients with schizophrenia toward taking their medication in the hospital. They include 47 males and 53 females ranging in age from 18 to 75 years (mean = 33). Interviews occurred on the 1st to 32nd hospital day (mean = 4). Fishbein's expectancy-value model provided the theoretical base for this study. Both open-ended and fixed-response estimates of attitude were made. Insight was measured, and the relationship between insight and attitude and between hallucinations and insight were analysed. Age and sex were evaluated in order to determine their effects, if any, on attitude. Internal consistency of both the fixed-response instruments and the insight instrument was evaluated. Clients were able to provide information about beliefs and feelings about taking medication and about insight into illness and treatment. Attitudes varied tremendously; clients frequently held both strongly positive and strongly negative beliefs at the same time. The range for the fixed-response estimate of attitude was -52 to +76; the range for the open-ended estimate was -84 to +24. However, the instruments were significantly correlated (r = 0.5640, P = less than 0.000). Clients also varied widely in their insights with some having good insight and some having poor insight. The insight instrument correlated with the fixed response instrument (r = 0.2585; P = 0.005) suggesting that insight may be related to positive attitude. Attitudes were not affected either by age or sex. Insight was negatively affected by hallucinations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Attitudes of patients with schizophrenia toward taking medication.

The attitude of 50 hospitalized persons with schizophrenia toward taking their medication was examined. Both open-ended and fixed-response estimates of attitude were made. Insight also was measured, and the relationships between insight and attitude and between hallucinations and insight were analyzed. Patients were able to provide information about beliefs and feelings about taking medication and about insight toward illness and treatment. Attitudes varied, and both strongly positive and strongly negative beliefs about taking medication were held simultaneously. Some of the implications for nursing are explained.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Can clients with schizophrenia describe feelings and beliefs about taking medication?

The medical and nursing literature suggests measurement of attitude (feelings and beliefs) of clients with schizophrenia may be possible. This paper reports a study by the author using Fishbein's expectancy-value model to measure attitude toward taking medication and reflects on significant implications of both the research reported in the literature and the author's study. How symptoms of schizophrenia affect communication, attitude toward treatment, attitude toward taking medication, and clinical implications of measuring the attitude of clients with schizophrenia toward taking medication are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1985

How nursing students explain their success and failure in clinical experiences.

Student motivation is a faculty concern at all strata of the educational process. A major issue in motivation is the student's perception of the situation and explanation of the cause of success or failure. The education literature indicates little research on how student nurses actually perceive and explain their success and failure. This paper addresses success and failure issues by reviewing attribution theory and describing a study of attribution made by student nurses following completion of clinical nursing courses in one school. Explanations were obtained for success and failure both of nursing care provided and for mastery of theory. The data obtained reveal some interesting patterns and indicate the need for further research in this area.

Achievement↗