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Biomedical subjects

Sophia Chan

Publications and source records attributed to Sophia Chan.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The effect of problem-based learning on students' approaches to learning in the context of clinical nursing education.

The effect of problem-based learning (PBL) on nursing students' approaches to learning has received scanty attention in nursing education. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of PBL on students' approaches to learning in clinical nursing education. Using a one-group before-after quasi-experimental design, the revised two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) was administered to compare students' approaches to learning before and after a period of clinical education in which PBL was implemented. Focus group interviews were used to elicit from students their PBL experience. Of the 237 students who participated in the study, 187 returned the R-SPQ-2F, representing a response rate of 78.9%. Twenty-eight of the students also participated in focus group interviews. The R-SPQ-2F scores indicated that for the deep approach to learning, the post-test mean score was noticeably higher than that at the pre-test (p=0.005). No significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test mean scores for the surface approach to learning (p>or=0.05). The four themes inductively derived from students' descriptions of their clinical education experience (motivated to learn; self-direction in learning; active, interactive and student-centred learning; and enjoyment in learning) also suggested that the students adopted a deep approach to learning during a period of clinical education in which PBL was implemented.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Protecting sick children from exposure to passive smoking through mothers' actions: a randomized controlled trial of a nursing intervention.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing educational intervention with mothers of sick children to decrease passive smoking exposure. BACKGROUND: Passive smoking represents a serious health hazard and is a substantial threat to child health causing major risk factors for acute respiratory illness in children. Nurses are in a vital position to conduct health education to improve children's health, which is a legitimate activity in a pediatric ward. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the general paediatric wards of four major hospitals in Hong Kong. The participants were non-smoking mothers of sick children admitted to the paediatric ward and with smoking husbands living in the same household. FINDINGS: A total of 1483 women were randomized into the intervention (n = 752) and control (n = 731) group. The intervention group received from the nurses (1) standardized health advice; (2) two purpose-designed booklets about preventing exposure to passive smoking and helping fathers quit; (3) a no smoking sticker; and (4) a telephone reminder 1 week later. No intervention was given to the controls. Baseline comparison showed no significant differences between the two groups in the mothers' actions to protect the children from passive smoking exposure. More mothers in the intervention group than the control group had always moved the children away when they were exposed to the fathers' smoke at home at 3-month follow up (78.4% vs. 71.1%; P = 0.01) but became non-significant at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: A simple health education intervention provided by nurses to the mothers in a busy clinical setting can be effective in the short-term to motivate the mothers to take actions to protect the children from exposure to passive smoking produced by the fathers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Preparedness for influenza pandemic in Hong Kong nursing units.

BACKGROUND: To present preparedness planning for an influenza pandemic for two nursing subunits: nursing services in hospitals and schools of nursing in universities. DISCUSSION: The preparedness plan is modeled on a modified Haddon matrix, a logical approach to identify measures appropriate for the pre-event, event, and postevent phases of an influenza pandemic. For the pre-event phase, the objective is to ensure preparedness for the potential pandemic outbreak through training, communication, surveillance, infection control, and vaccination. Once the pandemic outbreak is declared, the aim is to implement effective measures to ensure a rapid and appropriate response. For the postevent phase, the plan is focused on the restoration of core functions, vigilance for a second or possibly more waves of the pandemic, and psychosocial support to staff and students. CONCLUSION: Measures required to prepare for, respond to, and manage the consequences of influenza pandemic are identified. This planning indicates the need to balance a logical approach with contextual perspectives and the importance for nursing leaders to develop plans for subunits of larger entities.

Communication↗
PubMed2005

Student learning in clinical nursing education: perceptions of the relationship between assessment and learning.

There is a wealth of literature demonstrating that clinical nursing education is an important part of the baccalaureate programme in preparing students for entry into the nursing profession. While much attention has been given to the factors that can affect learning outcomes in the clinical environment, student and teacher perceptions of the relationship between assessment and learning has remained an under-researched area. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions about what students learned and how they learned during their clinical practicum, and to examine the role played by assessment in influencing student learning. Data were collected through a series of focus group interviews with groups of nursing students, graduates, and teachers. It was revealed that students' learning during the clinical practicum was, to a large extent, affected by their perceptions of the assessment tasks. As a result, they adopted a surface approach to learning and focused on preparing for the assessment tasks to the detriment of their learning. Assessment, in this study, exerted what has been described as a negative "backwash" effect on learning. Since assessment may also foster student learning in a positive way, suggestions are offered as to what can be done to bring about a positive "backwash" effect.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Effect of positioning on back pain after coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography is a routine cardiac diagnostic procedure in Hong Kong. Patients are restricted to bedrest after the procedure due to potential vascular complications from using a femoral approach. Many patients are required to remain on bedrest for up to 24 hours after the procedure. The effects of reducing this bedrest time is still under investigation. In the meantime, nursing interventions aimed at decreasing patient discomfort due to prolonged bedrest are feasible to implement. AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the severity of back pain related to bedrest duration after coronary angiography and to compare the effects of changing patients' position in bed on their perceptions of back pain and on vascular complications. METHODS: An experimental design was used, with patients randomly assigned either to a control or experimental group. The control group received the usual care, remaining supine and flat for 8-24 hours, with the affected leg straight. The experimental group changed their body position hourly, varying between supine, right side-lying, and left side-lying during the first 7 hours after coronary angiography. RESULTS: A total of 419 patients participated in the study (control, n = 213; experimental, n = 206). Regardless of group assignment, back pain intensity increased with longer time on bedrest. In addition, the control group reported higher levels of pain at all five assessment times. Vascular complications in terms of bleeding at the femoral site were not significantly different between the control and experimental groups. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that patients may be able safely to change their position in bed earlier in the post-coronary angiography period than currently recommended in practice protocols. Changing position in bed may also reduce back pain, promote physical comfort, and possibly reduce patients' negative feelings toward coronary angiography.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Preventing exposure to second-hand smoke.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effectiveness of a health education intervention provided by nurses to prevent second-hand smoke exposure in sick children in Hong Kong. DATA SOURCES: A clinical trial, international and national government reports, and research studies. CONCLUSION: Exposure to second-hand smoke is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Nursing interventions to reduce exposure are critical and need further study. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are in a vital position to carry out health education about the health risks associated with second-hand smoke exposure and to protect the child from such exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

International efforts in tobacco control.

OBJECTIVES: To review international nursing involvement in tobacco control and discuss opportunities and challenges to enhance nurses' participation in decreasing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. DATA SOURCES: Published literature and published and unpublished material developed by nurses in their tobacco control initiatives. CONCLUSION: Worldwide, nurses have been involved in tobacco control. However, many opportunities remain for involvement in the areas of education, research, and practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: There are numerous opportunities for nurses throughout the world to enhance their involvement in tobacco control.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong: patients' experiences.

BACKGROUND: This past year there was an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong. During that time we investigated the clinical features, treatment, and nursing care of 36 patients and reported on 12 of these patients' perceptions of their illness experience. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical features, treatment, nursing care and perceptions of the illness experience of patients with SARS in Hong Kong in order to better inform nurses caring for patients with this highly contagious and potentially lethal disease. METHOD: We abstracted data from the medical and nursing records on the clinical features, treatment and nursing care of 36 patients (21 women, 15 men) in whom SARS was diagnosed and who were admitted to the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong between March 15 and April 15, 2003. A review of the hospital's policy and procedures on infection control was also undertaken. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 of the patients to elicit their perceptions of the illness experience. FINDINGS: The most common symptoms were cough (83%), dyspnea (80.6%), malaise (69.4%) and fever (61%). Less common symptoms included headache (38.9%), diarrhea (38.9%), dizziness (30.6%), myalgia (25%), chills (19.4%), nausea and vomiting (19.4%) and rigor (the occurrence of a sensation of hot-and-cold and shivering in addition to teeth chattering and bed shaking) (8.3%). All 36 patients received a combination of corticosteroids and ribavirin. The patients were at risk of drug-related adverse reactions and deterioration of respiratory function, and nursing vigilance was required. CONCLUSION: Nursing patients with SARS was challenging as the disease was highly contagious and potentially lethal, and not much was known about this disease. In addition to the use of frontline treatment, infection control and sensitivity to individual responses to sudden and catastrophic illness were required to support these patients. From this outbreak of SARS, we have learned the importance of infection control in containing and controlling the disease. Other lessons included the need to strengthen the surge capacity in our hospitals and support health care workers during the crisis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stakeholder involvement in curriculum planning: responding to healthcare reform.

Instead of nursing faculty deciding the kind of education needed for a new curriculum, views and suggestions were solicited from nurses, doctors, and policy makers to help shape the curriculum. When stakeholders are involved in curriculum planning, there is a greater likelihood that the needed education is delivered. The authors discuss the context, process, outcome, and pros and cons of stakeholder involvement.

Curriculum↗