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PubMed2006

Exploration of the views of traditional healers regarding the termination of pregnancy (TOP) law.

The North-West Province is predominantly a rural area, and traditional healers remain the most important and influential members of the rural communities. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. In-depth, individual focused and interactive interviews were held with eight traditional healers from the rural areas of Mmabatho-Mafikeng. In addition, field notes and observations were utilised. The objective of this article is to explore the views of the traditional healers regarding termination of pregnancy (TOP) law. The results reflected the following themes: termination of pregnancy is killing; a child is a precious gift from God and the ancestors; there are alternatives to TOP; people who had any type of abortion should be cleansed with "dipitsa" or herbs; TOP may be allowed only in case of rape and incest, rape and incest offenders should be severely punished; and the traditional healers were not consulted during formulation of the TOP Law. It is therefore recommended that traditional should be involved in TOP workshops and educational programmes to enable them to provide counselling before and after abortion.

Abortion, Legal↗

PubMed1988

[Visual exploration and cognitive articulation of the compound figures in children].

Visual articulation of compound figures is more fragmentary in children whereas it is more integrated in adults. In this experiment, eye movement of children during visual exploration of test figures was recorded under the hypothesis that the fragmentary articulation should be related to the same fragmentary character of the eye movement. The subjects were 20 children of 4-, 5- and 6-years old and the eye movement was recorded by a video monitor system accompanied by an EOG. The cognitive articulation was analyzed by a picture drawing task of the same figures and compared with the patterns of the eye movement. As the results, the children of fragmentary articulation in drawing also showed more partial-successive and inefficient explorative movement than those children of integrated articulation. The hypothesis was confirmed.

Child↗

PubMed1997

Understanding the potential of occupation: a qualitative exploration of seniors' perspectives on activity.

This article presents the results of a qualitative study that explored the characteristics and potential of occupation. Semistructured interviews with 12 seniors who live in the community followed by member-checking groups were used to explore informants' perspectives on the importance and role of occupation in their lives by asking them about their activities. Themes pertinent to the characterization of activity, the contributions of activity, and a condition allowing for the potential of activity emerged from the inductive analysis. These themes provide information about how occupation naturally functions in the lives of seniors and suggest a tentative conceptualization of the characteristics and potential of occupation. The findings have implications for research regarding occupation and for clinical practice aimed at enabling occupation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exploration of the perspectives of persons with schizophrenia regarding quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study is the first phase of a two-phase study aimed at exploring the perspectives of consumers with schizophrenia regarding quality of life and developing a quality-of-life assessment that addresses factors experienced as important by consumers. METHOD: Focus groups were used to explore the perspectives of 35 persons with schizophrenia regarding the meaning of quality of life and factors important to quality of life. RESULTS: Seven major factors that had an impact on quality of life resulted from inductive analysis, including activity, social interaction, time, disclosure, "being normal," finances, and management of illness. These factors relate to three overall themes: managing time, connecting and belonging, and making choices and maintaining control. CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings confirm the importance of factors included in existing quality-of-life assessments, they also highlight the need to look at new dimensions of commonly included factors and to include other factors. The findings support beliefs regarding occupation that are central to occupational therapy and the use of occupation as means and ends of therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Using a head-mounted video camera to explore current conceptualizations of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore current conceptualizations of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy. METHOD: Using a head-mounted video camera and debriefing interviews following therapy sessions, clinical reasoning data were collected from 13 experienced occupational therapists working in physical rehabilitation. The data were collected and analyzed within a focused ethnographic framework. FINDINGS: Mattingly and Fleming's (1994) classification of clinical reasoning encompassed most of the thinking processes revealed in the therapists' debriefing interviews. Therapists also used aspects of pragmatic reasoning (Schell & Cervero, 1993). Additionally, within the forms of procedural, interactive, conditional, and pragmatic reasoning, a new form of "generalization reasoning" is proposed in which therapists draw on past experience or knowledge to assist them in making sense of a current situation or client circumstance. CONCLUSION: This research builds upon previous classification systems to support the categories of narrative, procedural, interactive, conditional, pragmatic (practice context), and generalization reasoning to explain how occupational therapists think in action. Further research is required to explore this emerging description of clinical reasoning.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A phenomenological study exploring the meaning of a seminar on spirituality for occupational therapy students.

There are many unanswered questions about the concept of spirituality and its relationship to occupational performance. The role of occupational therapists in addressing clients' spiritual needs is unclear, and the inclusion of spirituality as a topic in the educational curricula of occupational therapy students requires further attention. Focus groups and surveys were used in this phenomenological study to explore the lived experiences of 11 occupational therapy students participating in a 3-month graduate seminar entitled "Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice." The study was designed to help occupational therapy faculty better understand how students experience the relationship between occupational therapy and spirituality, and how educational programs can better prepare students to translate theoretical frameworks into practice. Findings explored the students' evolving belief systems, and began to reveal a diversity of beliefs and practices in the occupational therapy community related to spirituality. Implications for theory and practice are offered.

Occupational Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Development of a data collecting tool to explore the consuming patterns of Chinese and Western medicines in Hong Kong.

Chinese and Western medicines are both consumed by citizens in Hong Kong. Safe medication practice, however, whether or not it is conducted by Hong Kong citizens, remains unknown. A data collecting tool was developed to explore the consuming patterns of medicines adopted by Hong Kong citizens. It is hoped that by using this tool, baseline information about the ways in which Hong Kong citizens consume their medicines can be explored. It is also hoped that the information will contribute to the educational planning of community-based safe medication practice. The objectives of this paper were thus to report the development of this data collecting tool and to discuss the use of the tool for the promotion of community-based safe medication practice.

Drug Therapy↗

PubMed2006

An exploration of modifiable health associated risk factors within a cohort of undergraduate nursing students.

So-called diseases of affluence, otherwise known as 'lifestyle diseases', are attributed to modifiable risk factors that are influenced by lifestyle and personal behaviour. Leading by example is an important way for public health principles to be communicated. In the university context, students of nursing can become aware of the challenge to integrate and apply health principles in their own life so that they become responsible health leaders in the community. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence of a number of behaviour-associated health risk factors within a group of undergraduate nursing students. Ninety-four students participated in the study. Seventy-seven students (82%) reported the presence of at least one modifiable health risk factor. Forty-four percent of respondents were either overweight or obese. Further research to explore whether a health promoting curriculum encourages nursing students to internalise/apply health knowledge to their own lives is recommended. A campaign of public health might be useful within the university community to educate students about risk factors and healthy living.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lateral exploration of fistulas developing after total ear canal ablations: 10 cases (1989-1993).

A lateral approach was used successfully in seven of 10 dogs to resolve fistulas which developed after total ear canal ablations and bulla osteotomies. The approach facilitated identification and removal of horizontal ear canal remnants in four of the 10 cases. Facial nerve function was worsened temporarily by lateral exploration in two cases. Seven cases had no fistula recurrence during follow-up, which ranged from 12 to 72 months. Three cases each had fistula recurrence one-to-two months after fistula exploration.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A literature review to explore integrated care for older people.

PURPOSE: This paper reports on some of the findings of a literature review commissioned to explore integrated care for older people. METHODS: The process of revising included finding and selecting literature from multidisciplinary sources, and encompassed both published papers and 'grey' literature, i.e. material which had not been reviewed for publication. RESULTS: The study found that thinking has moved on from a focus on the problems of accessing services to exploring ways in which they may function in an integrated way. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows how thinking on integrated care for older people has developed, and knowledge of micro, mezzo and macro strategies is now more available.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Hermeneutics: an exploration.

The terms 'hermeneutics' and 'phenomenology' are often used interchangeably in the literature, which can result in confusion for the reader. In this article, Maura Dowling traces the relationship between these two philosophies and explains the various terms used when describing the different schools of phenomenology. The association between positivism and descriptive phenomenology is mapped. The origin of hermeneutics is traced, and the role of Gadamer in developing the work of Heidegger is explored. Gadamer's belief in the importance of pre-understanding or prejudice is found to be central to hermeneutics. Furthermore, the role of the researcher in the hermeneutic circle is explained. Finally, the need for nurse researchers to explore clearly the philosophical underpinnings of hermeneutics is argued.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Favourite patients: exploring labelling in inpatient culture.

In this article, the author reports on a research study into the issue of favouritism in nursing, exploring theory relevant to the topic. The study focused on the nature of favouritism in nursing. Its explorative and descriptive nature allowed interviews to be conducted with nurses. They acknowledged that attachment and boundaries seem to be the most important issues related to favouritism. However, some of the participants pondered on the notion that personal characteristics of both patients and nurses affect the nature of nurse-patient interaction and attachment. The study has enabled discussion about these various aspects of practice and provides some tentative conclusions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Exploring partner communication and patterns of sexual networking: qualitative research to improve management of sexually transmitted diseases.

This ethnographic research among rural South African men and women seeking care for STDs explores constraints to communication among partners and defines predominant patterns of sexual networking. A series of fifteen open-ended interviews explored topics related to sexual networking and partner communication. Patterns of sexual networking showed clear gender variation, with men more likely to discuss multiple partners. Both men and women believed they should tell one partner about their STD, most often a steady partner. Strong distinctions were made between regular and casual partners, with an emphasis on the role of trust in a steady relationship. Men and women expressed anxiety about telling their partners of their illness, but women more often expressed fear whereas men felt embarrassed. Multi-partnered sexuality is common and is widely accepted for men. While the importance of regular partnerships is clear for both men and women, sexual relationships appear to be highly unstable. Communication among partners could be facilitated by stronger health promotion messages, such as the importance of telling a partner about an STD. Prevailing patterns of communication and sexual networking have profound implications for the STD epidemic.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Finding a place to be: ethnic identity exploration of Asian Americans.

This paper examines the nature of ethnic identity development by analyzing published autobiographical accounts of 39 Asian Americans. Focusing on what previous research indicates is a four-stage ethnic identity formation process, this investigation of the last two stages--ethnic emergence and ethnic identity incorporation--revealed a pattern of exploration and decision-making that results in greater understanding of self-identity and greater self-acceptance as a member of an ethnic minority. The process revealed by the narrators began with a willingness to face previously unaddressed ethnic identity issues, leading to the search for membership in a new and more satisfying group. After a period of exploration, and finding that they were not fully comfortable with either the mainstream American or ethnic culture, the narrators discovered the ethnic minority American group--Asian Americans. The narrators described their movement through these stages to achieve an Asian American identity as positive and self-validating. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for education and counseling.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Behcet's disease and iatrogenic arterial complications: importance of pre-operative noninvasive explorations].

We report a case of Behçet's disease complicated with a popliteal aneurysm, which appeared 8 years after first etiologic diagnosis. The points of interest of this observation are the pre-operative explorations and particularly the Magnetic Resonance Angiography (RMA). This last seems to be particularly safe for aortic and lower limbs aneurysms explorations, and can be performed without arterial functions. In fact the risk of arteriogram is effective in Behçet's disease with secondary false aneurysms. RMA and US-Doppler scan must be first proposed in Behçet's disease in case of aortic and peripheral aneurysms.

Aneurysm↗

PubMed1998

An exploration of the empowerment of nursing students in a clinical context.

At Whitireia Community Polytechnic the curriculum philosophy for the Bachelor of Nursing Degree Programme is based on the Treaty of Waitangi which provides a framework to articulate the concepts of Partnership, Governorship, Advocacy and Empowerment. This paper will describe a research study that aimed to explore the phenomenon of empowerment from the perspective of the student nurse. Using grounded theory methodology, and emancipatory and feminist philosophies, six, Year Two nursing student participants were interviewed and asked to define the term empowerment and give exemplars of moments when they had been empowered in a teaching/learning context. Analysis of data led to the discovery of a theory and development of a theoretical model that described the conditions and consequences that led to empowerment or disempowerment for the student. The theoretical model will be presented and explained, and the conditions that enhanced empowerment will be explored. Recommendations from the research included the need for relevant preparation for students prior to clinical placement, preparation of clinicians through preceptor programmes, greater awareness by registered nurses of the communication that is effective in supporting student nurses and support for assisted reflection for students following clinical placements. It was further recommended that the theoretical model be tested in other contexts.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Consecutive re-explorations for final resection of initially unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The lack of high surgical expertise and specialization of the practicing surgeon may lead some patients with pancreatic cancer to die. This study also investigates the role of combined neo and adjuvant locoregional immunochemotherapy in patients considered initially as non-amenable to resection. METHODOLOGY: 32 patients underwent re-exploration aiming at pancreatic resection. After the initial diagnostic work-up 22 of them underwent pancreatic resection during the first re-exploration. The remaining 10 patients were judged again as unresectable. All 32 patients had 2 catheters introduced into a side arterial branch of the jejunal artery and vein for locoregional immunochemotherapy. Seven out of 10, considered as unresectable initially, had pancreatic resection after immunochemotherapy regimen. RESULTS: All patients survived surgery. Early morbidity included wound infection in 3, bleeding in 1 and leakage of gastric stump in 1 patient. Treatment related toxicity included leukopenia in 4 patients, anemia in 3 and fever and chills in 21. Mean follow-up was 62 +/- 1.2 months. One-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival was 100, 80, 70 and 48% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly support the necessity for neo and adjuvant locoregional immunochemotherapy and its contribution to prolongation of survival.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Dopamine D4 receptor-knock-out mice exhibit reduced exploration of novel stimuli.

The involvement of dopamine neurotransmission in behavioral responses to novelty is suggested by reports that reward is related to increased dopamine activity, that dopamine modulates exploratory behavior in animals, and that Parkinson's disease patients report diminished responses to novelty. Some studies have reported that polymorphisms of the human dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) gene are associated with personality inventory measures of the trait called "novelty-seeking". To explore a potential role for the D4R in behavioral responses to novelty, we evaluated D4R-knock-out (D4R-/-) and wild-type (D4R+/+) mice in three approach-avoidance paradigms: the open field, emergence, and novel object tests. These three paradigms differ in the degree to which they elicit approach, or exploratory behavior, and avoidance, or anxiety-related behavior. Thus, we used these three tests to determine whether the D4R primarily influences the exploratory or the anxious component of responses to approach-avoidance conflicts. D4R-/- mice were significantly less behaviorally responsive to novelty than D4R+/+ mice in all three tests. The largest phenotypic differences were observed in the novel object test, which maximizes approach behavior, and the smallest phenotypic differences were found in the open field test, which maximizes avoidance behavior. Hence, D4R-/- mice exhibit reductions in behavioral responses to novelty, reflecting a decrease in novelty-related exploration.

Analysis of Variance↗