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Biomedical subjects

V Melby

Publications and source records attributed to V Melby.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The adrenaline rush: nursing students' experiences with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

AIM: The aim of this project was to explore nursing students' experiences whilst on placement with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. BACKGROUND: The literature suggests that experiential learning can enhance understanding, knowledge and skills and has the potential for reducing the theory-practice gap. DESIGN: A qualitative approach was utilized, employing diaries and focus group interviews to gather data. One hundred and fifty-four nursing students submitted diaries, producing a response rate of 69%, while 190 students partook in interviews (86%). FINDINGS: Content analysis indicated that the students gained a new appreciation of the concept of holistic care, and that increased interprofessional understanding provides the foundation for improved quality of patient care.

Ambulances↗
PubMed2000

Experiential learning in pre-hospital emergency care: a qualitative study.

The primary aim of this project was to explore the effects of experiential learning in pre-hospital emergency care by nursing students on placement with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The literature suggests that experiential learning has great potential for expanding understanding, knowledge and skills. The study employed a qualitative approach that was inductive, exploratory and descriptive, using diaries and focus group interviews to collect data. One hundred and forty-one nursing students participated, providing a response rate of 74%. Content analysis indicated that the concept of holistic nursing comes to the fore in students' thinking and deliberations in pre-hospital emergency care. An appreciation of the skills and abilities of paramedics has created the foundation for enhanced inter-professional collaboration in this setting. In conclusion, experiential learning stimulates the evolvement of an understanding of the complete process of care, from the receiving of the emergency call by ambulance control to the patient's discharge. The study recommends that such an experiential learning placement in pre-hospital emergency care is made a compulsory part of pre-registration education for nurses.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗
PubMed1999

Psychological needs of patients with HIV disease: reviewing the literature using Nichols' (1985) Adjustment Reaction Model as a framework.

Since the first manifestations of HIV infection presented in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of HIV infection and a proliferation of diseases associated with HIV infection. HIV infection is now associated with physical, psychological, mental and neurological conditions. Many of these conditions are serious and pose a major threat to physical and mental health, with rapid deterioration of health status necessitating multiple hospital admissions to acute hospitals. The majority of people hospitalized with HIV diseases are currently being cared for on general wards. While physical needs are often well met, psychological needs are to a certain extent neglected. The literature cites numerous cases of neglect, discrimination and threats to confidentiality by health professionals, including nurses. Such psychological needs, emanating out of hospitalization, compound existing psychological needs. Nichols' (1985) Adjustment Reaction Model describes a number of stages patients may go through during the course of their illness, and to some extent the patient's psychological needs can be traced throughout the trajectory of the disease. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and present a theoretical argument, using Nichols' model as a framework, on psychological needs of patients with HIV diseases, and attempt to outline to what extent psychological needs of patients with HIV are met in institutional care. The authors recommend further research to determine nurses' perception of the importance of meeting psychological needs of patients with HIV disease.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

An investigation into the information obtained by patients undergoing gastroscopy investigations.

The benefits of informing patients before undergoing surgery or other investigative procedures are clearly demonstrated in the literature. This study aimed to determine the amount and type of information given to patients before, during and after undergoing gastroscopy investigations. A survey approach incorporating structured interviews and structured observation was utilized. There were statistically significant differences between the information acquired by younger and older patients prior to, but not during or after, the procedure. Nurses appear to be the most important source of information for older patients while the information leaflet was perceived as the most important source of information for younger patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An investigation into the attitudes and practices of intensive care nurses towards verbal communication with unconscious patients.

This study attempted to investigate the attitudes and practices of intensive care nurses towards verbal communication with unconscious patients. A sample of five staff nurses working in an intensive care unit in Northern Ireland formed the basis for the study. The research design was non-experimental and descriptive-exploratory in nature, incorporating 4-hourly observational periods and structured interviews. Qualitative and quantitative analysis indicated that intensive care nurses spend on average 5% of their time verbally communicating with unconscious patients. Most of this communication involves informing the patient of immediate procedural matters or providing reassuring statements. Most intensive care nurses claim that verbal communication with unconscious patients is very important, and some ambiguity is apparent as to the unconscious patient's level of awareness. Major factors influencing communication are the patient's level of consciousness, the amount of physical care being given and the presence of relatives.

Coma↗
PubMed1995

Nurses' knowledge and beliefs about AIDS: comparing nurses in hospital, community and hospice settings.

The literature reports an ongoing debate amongst nurses regarding the risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through routine nursing care. An emotionally charged dilemma appears to exist for many nurses regarding what they perceive as conflict between professional obligation and personal risk. This study investigates nurses' beliefs, knowledge and perceptions of risk of contracting HIV while implementing their nursing care. The study focuses on qualified nurses in the hospice, hospital and community settings. No other similar comparative study that also focuses on hospice nurses has been identified. This quantitative study was implemented within Northern Ireland, by way of a respondent-administered questionnaire. The study's sample consisted of 45 qualified nurses and a response rate of 93% (42 respondents) was achieved. Analysis of the data involved the use of descriptive and correlational statistics. Overall findings indicated that many nurses, but particularly those who work in the hospital and community settings, hold negative and biased beliefs, and have inadequate knowledge and misguided perceptions regarding their risk of contracting HIV through the implementation of routine nursing care of clients. Many of those nurses readily admit their lack of knowledge. On the whole, hospice nurses appear more knowledgeable and exhibit a more positive approach to AIDS clients, and appear less fearful than do nurses in the other two settings. Implications for hospital management, for nurse education, for nurses themselves and for clients are discussed. This study should be seen as a springboard for future research within Northern Ireland.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: knowledge and attitudes of nurses in Northern Ireland.

The number of people suffering from conditions associated with HIV infection is growing steadily. These people require care from nurses who should be well trained to undertake all the various aspects of nursing care. Surveys have indicated that health professionals associate AIDS with minority groups such as homosexuals, drug-abusers and prostitutes. Incidents of sub-optimal nursing care of AIDS patients, or suspected AIDS patients belonging to these minority groups, have been well documented. Surveys have revealed much ignorance and confusion among the general public as well as among health professionals with regard to this controversial syndrome. This study aimed to measure nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards homosexuals, drug-abusers and prostitutes, who through their lifestyle are at increased risk for HIV infection. Questionnaires were distributed to a random sample of 800 nurses in Northern Ireland. The sample was stratified by several demographic variables. A response rate of almost 60% was achieved. Nurses appeared to have a moderate knowledge of issues related to HIV infection, but there were large gaps in their knowledge of the terminology used in HIV infection. Nurses were not extremely worried about AIDS itself. However, homosexuals, prostitutes and drug-abusers were seen to be at least partly responsible for their own illness. Implications for nursing care and for nurse education are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Emergency first-aid treatment of gunshot and stab wounds.

The number of violent crimes in Great Britain is on the increase and therefore there is a possibility that nurses will encounter a casualty with stab or gunshot wounds. On encountering a casualty with stab or gunshot wounds, the first aider must immediately assess the scene to avoid personal injury or risk to life. No matter how ugly or bad the injuries look, the basic principles of first aid still apply. Never attempt to remove any penetrating object still in situ as this may cause more serious bleeding. Any penetrating injury to the chest may result in instant respiratory distress. Make use of people present at the scene of the injury. Always ensure that the emergency services are notified immediately.

Emergencies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute MI: analysing health status and setting immediate priorities.

This article uses a case study approach to demonstrate how awareness of recent research findings and a sound understanding of pathophysiology enable the nurse to become an effective practitioner. A scenario is described in which the nurse is faced with a man admitted to the coronary care unit with a diagnosis of suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Through analysis of the patient's health status, with frequent reference to pathophysiology, the nurse can perform an accurate nursing assessment and so determine immediate priorities for nursing care. The priority objectives were identified as pain control, management of cardiogenic shock, reperfusion of the myocardium, cardiac monitoring for complications of AMI and the effects of treatment, and management of anxiety. Research-based rationales are provided for all objectives.

Adult↗