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Biomedical subjects

Sharon Dudley-Brown

Publications and source records attributed to Sharon Dudley-Brown.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evidence on spouse responses to illness as a guide to understanding and studying spouse responses to living organ donation.

Although living kidney donors receive praise from friends and coworkers for their selflessness, recent studies report that members of the immediate family may not be as supportive. Reports of conflict surrounding living organ donation include divorce between the donor and the donor's spouse. The purpose of this review of the literature is to (1) discuss the spousal role when confronted with a partner's illness, (2) explore the current research describing the spouses of patients with heart disease and cancer, various transplant recipients, and living organ donors, and (3) identify the need for future research to explore the experiences and needs of the spouses of living kidney donors. Because the attitudes of donor family members, especially spouses, may affect the decision to donate and the satisfaction with recovery from donation surgery, it is critical to know how the spouses of living kidney donors view kidney donation. This knowledge may be instrumental in promoting family harmony and donor recovery and wellness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Case for blending pedigrees, genograms and ecomaps: nursing's contribution to the 'big picture'.

In the 21st century, knowledge of genetics is closely linked to the ability to provide good care for all patients, not just the few with uncommon genetic diseases. The authors suggest that what is needed in nursing is a comprehensive, three generation pedigree that records a patient's medical, social and environmental history, thereby communicating a 'big picture' scenario for holistic nursing care. The case is made for blending pedigrees, genograms and ecomaps. Such a tool can guide risk factor identification and inform patient and family clinical decisions vis-a-vis care management strategies, psychosocial support and education for reproductive decisions, risk reduction, and the prevention, screening, diagnosis, referral and long-term management of disease. Pedigrees, genograms and ecomaps are defined, and their clinical application and reliability are described. A case example that blends these tools is presented. Ethical, legal, educational and research implications are discussed.

Directories as Topic↗
PubMed2002

Prevention of psychological distress in persons with inflammatory bowel disease.

This paper presents an overview of IBD with a critical analysis of the causes and effects of psychological distress in persons with this illness. Based on this literature, risk factors for the development of psychological distress are delineated. It is recognition of these risk factors for the development and the early signs of psychological distress in this population that can enable nurses to prevent this unfortunate psychosocial consequence of this disease. Preventive interventions discussed include the following: treating comorbid psychiatric illness, enhancing problem-solving coping, facilitating mourning and grieving, reducing stress, enhancing the positive appraisal of uncertainty, increasing personal control, increasing social support, and educating patients, families, and others.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The genetic family history assessment in gastroenterology nursing practice.

Genetic factors influence the risk for disease and the overall health of persons throughout their lifespan. The systematic collection of family history information in a three-generation format is the most important approach for the identification of individuals with a genetic susceptibility to most common diseases, and applying genetic concepts in healthcare. The detailed family history can play a critical role in diagnosis, lay the foundation for accurate risk assessment, and be used to develop subsequent education, individualized monitoring and management of the disease, and prevention measures. The purpose of this article is to familiarize nurses with why, what, how, when, where and for whom a genetic family history assessment should be used in gastroenterology nursing practice. Risk assessment specific to the development and prevention of colorectal cancer will be described.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A shot of good cholesterol: synthetic HDL, a new intervention for atherosclerosis.

One of the American Heart Association's Top 10 Research Advances for the Treatment of Heart Disease is the use of a synthetic form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to reduce coronary atherosclerosis (JAMA. 2003;290:2292-2300). While HDL has not been a target for therapy for dyslipidemias, new insight into the major protein component of HDL, apolipoprotein A-I, may lead to new therapies. Apolipoprotein A-I was recently found to be a better predictor of cardiovascular events than is low-density lipoprotein (Am Heart J. 2003;146:227-233; J Intern Med. 2004;255:188-205). This article reviews the recent study by Nissen and colleagues describing the finding of a genetic mutation in HDL in some persons in Italy and the subsequent development of a synthetic form of HDL to be used as an infusion to successfully target atherosclerotic lesions (JAMA. 2003;290:2292-2300). In addition, controversies related to HDL cholesterol as a target for therapy are reviewed. Implications for nursing research, education, and practice are also described.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development and testing of a caring-based intervention for older adults with heart failure.

The clinical and cost burdens of heart failure (HF) continue to rise, creating an immediate need for cost-effective interventions geared toward improving health outcomes. This article describes the development and testing of a caring-based nursing intervention for older adults with advanced HF who have been recently discharged from acute care. The developmental process and components of the intervention are presented. A methodology for testing the intervention is also introduced. Through a phased development process including research, this intervention can be refined and used to guide clinicians, administrators, and policymakers in the provision of high-quality care to older adults with HF.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Promoting active learning through on-line discussion boards.

The authors describe faculty experiences in developing and evaluating on-line discussion boards for an undergraduate nursing program. The advantages and limitations of on-line discussions as well as various applications of the methodology are presented. A variety of innovative applications for on-line discussions in undergraduate didactic and clinically based nursing courses are illustrated.

Attitude to Computers↗