PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Sharkey

Publications and source records attributed to S Sharkey.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

An exploration of factors affecting the implementation of a randomized controlled trial of a transitional discharge model for people with a serious mental illness.

Information about the contexts in which trials are carried out helps to identify confounding influences on the application of a trial. Furthermore, the ways in which context and implementation of trials influence participation are particularly important for trials which utilize people as part of the intervention. This is particularly likely in the mental health and psychosocial fields. The researchers used mixed methods to identify quality issues encountered during the conduct of a trial, aiming to explore process and contextual factors encountered during its implementation in a mental health setting. Staff and peer volunteers who contributed to the intervention provided information on implementation via diaries and group meetings. Findings in this paper relate to staff feedback. By providing an insider view, researchers were able to highlight the importance of obtaining feedback on implementation. Findings relate to the context of the study, particularly organizational, practitioner and trial preparation issues and illustrate the importance of building quality assurance mechanisms into research plans, such as monitoring and feedback processes. The issue of 'people involvement' in trial delivery requires sensitive management and flexibility in both preparation and delivery.

Feedback↗
PubMed2004

The effects of a transitional discharge model for psychiatric patients.

This pilot randomized control trial was motivated by the discovery that many individuals with mental health problems are re-hospitalized within a year, with many being unable to fully adjust to community living. A solution was proposed in the form of an intervention called transitional discharge. The transitional discharge model included: (1) peer support, which is assistance from former patients who provide friendship, understanding and encouragement; and (2) overlap of inpatient and community staff in which the inpatient staff continue to work with the discharged patient until a working relationship is established with a community care provider. The overall aim of this study was to test the discharge model designed to assist patients discharged from acute admission wards to adjust to community living. This aim was tested through a number of related hypotheses, which suggest that, 5 months following discharge from an acute admission ward of a psychiatric hospital, individuals participating in a transitional discharge model: (1) report fewer symptoms; (2) report better levels of functioning; (3) have better quality of life; (4) are less likely to have been re-admitted to hospital. The study used a randomized experimental design with two conditions: experimental and usual treatment. In general, both the control and the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity and functional ability after 5 months. Usual treatment subjects in the control group were more than twice as likely to be re-admitted to hospital. This study needs to be replicated in Scotland with a larger sample and with a modified variation of the intervention called the Transitional Care Intervention.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of therapeutic commitment, role support, role competency and empathy in three cohorts of nursing students.

This study investigated the perceptions of students regarding their therapeutic commitment, role competency, role support and empathy towards working with people who have mental health problems. These qualities play a key part in the development of therapeutic relationships, an important goal for working with individuals in most nursing situations. The sample comprised of three cohorts of nursing students undertaking the Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing) in Scotland. There were no significant differences in perceptions of empathy and therapeutic commitment among three cohorts of students, but third year students felt they received less role support than other cohorts. The findings also revealed that preregistration nursing students have perceptions of their role competency and empathic skills which are considerably greater than has been previously reported by registered nurses. The implications of these findings for nurse education are discussed.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2001

Reproductive techniques in sheep.

This article reviews current methods of evaluating reproductive performance in the sheep industry. The reproductive technologies of breeding soundness examination, reproductive ultrasonography, estrus manipulation, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer are also extensively discussed. The veterinarian's current and future role in the application of these technologies is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Surface hardness of light-activated resin composites cured by two different visible-light sources: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: Microhardness values of upper and lower surfaces of disk specimens of 3 commercially available resin composites were compared and cured using both the traditional halogen source and a plasma arc lamp. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Twenty samples of each of the resin composites were cured in nylon washers. Ten samples of each composite were cured using the appropriate halogen lamp protocol, and 10 samples of each were cured using the plasma lamp protocol. Surface microhardness measurements were carried out using a calibrated Vickers indenter on both top and bottom surfaces after 7 days of storage in air at 20 degrees C. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using a commercial statistical package. The data for top and bottom surfaces were analyzed separately using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Lamp, composite, and the interaction between lamp and composite were significant in determining the results for both top and bottom surfaces of the disk-shaped specimens. The plasma lamp yielded lower hardness values for all surfaces compared with the halogen source, but the size of the difference depended on the composite. CONCLUSION: Caution must be exercised in the plasma irradiation of resin composites as a curing method due to the possibility of reduced surface microhardness values that may reflect a reduced percent conversion of monomer to polymer.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

A living framework: Evolving from traditional care to individual mastery.

Caught up in the drop-dead pace of change in the world around us, it often appears that everything in life is uncertain; yet perhaps, in healthcare, nothing is actually changing. Nonetheless, the potential role of home care, which offers the flexibility for us to do different things and respond more effectively to emerging needs of individuals and families, has always been exciting and offers such tremendous promise. There is something quite magical about the relationship with clients in their own homes. Healthcare is all about relationships, and with today s technologies and other enablers that offer incredible opportunity to foster deeper, more meaningful relationships, the potential for home care in this new, evolving world is particularly exhilarating.

Canada↗
PubMed1999

Supersmart homes: a new meaning for home care.

In 1908, when four nurses first began to deliver inhome nursing services in Toronto, Ontario, no one realized the organization would experience so much change and opportunity to enhance the care provided to clients and their families. Now, almost a century later, information and communications technologies are enabling an entirely different way of providing health services and supports, including information that promotes self management and more control for clients over their own health and health care.

Canada↗