Biomedical subjects

A C Hurley

Publications and source records attributed to A C Hurley.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing research and solving problems of Alzheimer disease.

This article discusses the applied science of the nursing discipline and nursing issues related to Alzheimer disease. Three models are presented and illustrated with interdisciplinary research ideas to improve the care of persons who suffer from dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Phases of Nursing Research is a five-component model to (1) identify problems, (2) conduct the study, (3) disseminate results, (4) utilize findings that are to the central component, (5) practical knowledge. Promoting evidence-based care for making a recommendation against artificial feeding and providing the tools to promote natural feeding illustrates the Interdisciplinary Collaboration model. The Program of Research model is described by studies of late-stage DAT, intercurrent infections, and decision making. Issues framing nursing research are discussed and specific suggestions for research projects developed from recent funding priorities of the National Institutes of Health are given.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Structure and process of federal funding for AD research.

This paper outlines the structure of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) agency that funds a majority of Alzheimer disease (AD) research, and the process of submitting a federal grant application. The multiple steps of the grant application process, both for the investigator preparing the application and the review process at NIH, are described. The importance of speaking with a program officer from an institute and incorporating reviewers' comments into grant applications to strengthen the proposal is stressed.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dimensions of decreased psychological well-being in advanced dementia.

Evaluation of psychological well-being among persons with an advanced dementia is primarily dependent on verbal and non-verbal cues and behaviors that are observed and interpreted by others. The purpose of the present study was to determine how many components of psychological well-being can be measured. Fifty-seven individuals who were institutionalized for advanced dementia and exhibited agitation or withdrawal were evaluated by direct observations and by interviews with nursing home staff. Engagement was measured by the Lawton Positive Affect scale, visual analog scale, and reported degree of patient's interest in the environment. Mood was measured by a global indicator of mood interpreted from facial expression and two mood items from the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects. Agitation was measured by a visual analog scale and by the Short Form of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Correlation analyses and multidimensional scaling provided evidence for three dimensions of psychological well-being: engagement-apathy, happy sad mood, and calm-agitation. Evaluation of these three dimensions is important for measuring quality of care in long-term care settings and for determining effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Affect↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Scales for evaluation of End-of-Life Care in Dementia.

Systematic evaluation of end-of-life care in dementia has been hampered by a lack of instruments to specifically address those issues that are unique for persons who are dying with dementia. This study evaluated psychometric properties of three scales designed to measure outcomes of care of persons suffering from terminal dementia. A survey of family caregivers whose loved one died during the past year was conducted using a questionnaire that included questions regarding satisfaction with care, physical and emotional symptoms that occurred during the last 90 days of the care recipient's life, and comfort during the dying process. Three scales were developed based on responses from 156 questionnaires: Satisfaction with Care at the End-of-Life in Dementia (SWC-EOLD), Symptom Management at the End-of-Life in Dementia (SM-EOLD) with Physical and Psychological Symptoms subscales, and Comfort Assessment in Dying with Dementia (CAD-EOLD) with four subscales: Physical Distress, Dying Symptoms, Emotional Distress, and Well Being. The three scales developed and evaluated in this study can be used as outcome measures in studies investigating effectiveness of interventions aimed to improve end-of-life care for individuals with dementia.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The health belief model: evaluation of a diabetes scale.

Scales that make theoretical concepts of health beliefs operational must be shown to have acceptable levels of reliability and validity before they can be incorporated into teaching programs. This paper describes the process used to evaluate a Health Belief Model scale. A revised 11-item scale is proposed for use by diabetes educators. Content validity of the initial scale (76 items) and the shorter version was verified. Reliability estimates obtained by factor structure provided evidence of measurement accuracy for the proposed 11-item scale. Analyses of construct and criterion validity provided additional support to suggest the use of the HBM11 scale for clinical practice.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Self-efficacy: strategy for enhancing diabetes self-care.

This study found that the concept of self-efficacy was associated with diabetes self-care behaviors for individuals with complex insulin requirements. Individuals with higher levels of self-efficacy were better able to manage their diabetes self-care. Diabetes educators are encouraged to incorporate the self-efficacy concept into teaching programs to help individuals develop their own strategies for long-term management of their diabetes. The diabetes scales that made both concepts, self-efficacy and self-care, operational have content validity and measurement reliability and may be used in practice settings to obtain pretreatment information and to evaluate outcomes.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Idea to application: you are in charge.

The grant writing process can be daunting to a novice investigator. This article focuses on three inter-related activities that lead to a completed grant application. The first activity involves developing the research team. Selection of colleagues who will strengthen and support the research ideas is an early first step to developing a competitive grant application. It is important to communicate clearly the roles and responsibilities of each team member. The second activity is development of the scientific plan-the research proposal-from specific aims to plans for data analysis. Strategies used to review the literature, synthesize existing knowledge, develop the argument for the research proposal, and select the most appropriate method are discussed. The third activity involves developing a business plan-the budget-that demonstrates clearly the investigator's ability to complete the proposed research. These three activities are set within a timeline to guide investigators in successful completion of a grant application.

Job Application↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The grant application: making yours stand out across the review cycle.

This article provides an overview of the grant application during the review process. Three levels of review occur once a grant is submitted-administrative, scientific, and programmatic. The purposes of each level of review are different, but the overall goal for the funding agency is to fund grant applications that address important research topics, are scientifically meritorious, and assist the agency in meeting their goals and objectives.

Awards and Prizes↗