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Biomedical subjects

Rene A Day

Publications and source records attributed to Rene A Day.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Challenges for new nurses in evidence-based practice.

AIM: The purpose of this article was to examine issues that new nurses encounter as they enter nursing practice, particularly in an evidence-based practice environment. BACKGROUND: These issues are not new. In part, these issues arise from our failure to acknowledge the developmental issues that new nurses experience on entry to practice and the lack of role models in evidence-based practice and holistic care. EVALUATION: This article synthesizes research reported over the last decade to delineate the issues of transition to practice and strategies that have proven effective in addressing them. KEY ISSUES: The key issues relate to the need to support new nurses in evidence-based and holistic practice, the strategies needed to do so, and the nurse manager's role in this process. CONCLUSIONS: We must invest resources in assisting new nurses into practice, which may have benefits in terms of both recruitment and retention of new nurses in practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Preparing health science students to be effective health care team members: the InterProfessional Initiative at the University of Alberta.

The InterProfessional Initiative at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, provides learning strategies to be effective health care team members for over 800 undergraduate students in 14 health professions. This paper traces the evolution of the initiative over the past decade and describes future directions. Particular attention is given to the administrative and academic structures and processes required to launch, develop and sustain an initiative of this scale in a major research-intensive university. The paper concludes by reviewing the evaluative work underway and reflecting on the key success factors.

Canada↗

Evidence-based nursing education: myth or reality?

This article explores the concept of evidence-based nursing education. Because nurse educators incorporate evidence-based practice as a basic tenet of their programs, they assume nursing education itself is evidence based. Nursing education has a body of knowledge on which nurse educators base teaching, educational strategies, and curricular designs, but most of this knowledge is tacit, experiential, and based on practice. This knowledge relates to the art of teaching in nursing and can warrant the practice of nurse educators. However, research is also necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of teaching approaches and strategies. Nurse educators need to develop the science of nursing education through qualitative and quantitative research, to add to the tacit knowledge underpinning nursing education strategies. When the science of nursing education is adequately developed through rigorous research, we will truly be able to say that nursing education is evidence based. Until then, it may be only a myth.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

The questioning skills of tutors and students in a context based baccalaureate nursing program.

This paper explores, describes and compares the types and levels of questions asked by 30 randomly selected tutors (nurse educators) and their 314 students in context-based learning tutorial seminars in a Canadian baccalaureate nursing program. Thirty 90-min seminars were audio taped, transcribed and coded using a Questioning Framework designed for this study. The framework includes types and levels of questions, related wording and examples. The results of this study indicate that the majority of questions asked by tutors and students in the first three years of the program were framed at the low level (knowledge, comprehension, and application) and were aimed at seeking yes/no responses and factual information more so than probing. Although these questions are important to facilitate the teaching/learning process, educators and students need to increase the number of questions requiring analysis, synthesis, and evaluation as well as questions that involve probing, exploration, and explanation - questions believed to activate and facilitate critical thinking skills. Recommendations include the need for students and tutors to be taught how to question, the creation of a supportive environment for questioning and the use of appropriate strategies to teach the use of higher order questions. Future research using a cross sectional longitudinal design and qualitative approaches are also recommended. This study has direct implications for enhancing student learning and the development of nurse educators.

Canada↗

A pilot study comparing two methods of intermittent catheterization: limitations and challenges.

Given a complex research design, a pilot study was conducted to compare a closed catheter system for intermittent catheterization to the traditional open system. Based on 33 urine samples for 11 subjects, the closed system yielded fewer positive cultures. Efforts to obtain this preliminary data proved beneficial in identifying unanticipated design limitations that will guide modifications of the main study, which will include multiple centers.

Adult↗

Pathogenesis of urinary tract infections: a review.

Pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is not well-understood. In this paper, we review the current understanding of UTIs, particularly in relationship to individuals using intermittent catheterization. Relationships exist between the human host, infectious agent and the environment. In the human host, the urethra connects the bladder to potential infectious agents on the perineum. A high-pressure zone exists within the urethra at a point where the urethra passes through the urogenital diaphragm. This zone creates a natural barrier to ascent of organisms colonized in the distal urethra and the bladder itself has natural defences against invading organisms. The interaction of host defences with bacteria (infectious agent) determines whether or not the bacteria persist. A small number of bacteria and some types of bacteria are controlled more effectively by natural bladder defence mechanisms and frequent bladder emptying than a large number of bacteria. Escherichia coli, coliforms and enterococci are considered common bacterial causes of UTIs and are found in high numbers on the perineum. Intermittent catheterization is an effective way of bladder emptying but as an invasive procedure it remains a risk factor in the development of UTI.

Bacterial Infections↗