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Biomedical subjects

A E While

Publications and source records attributed to A E While.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Health information seeking and its effect on the doctor-patient digital divide.

A survey of 224 individuals using SureStart services (for young families) within an inner-London area was complemented by qualitative data from five focus groups of parents and general practitioners in the same area. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were used to identify and describe discrete geographical districts with differing patterns of health information seeking. A geographically defined group of 'information hungry'/'online' health seekers was identified. This group contrasted with those acquiring information through 'assimilation' ('offline' information seekers). Qualitative data revealed the processes underpinning these characteristics and professional attitudes towards the Internet as a source of health information.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Characteristics of paediatric home care provision: the two dominant models in England.

AIM: To describe characteristics of paediatric home care teams BACKGROUND: Home care provision is increasing and recent government initiatives such as support for Princess Diana Memorial Fund nursing teams will provide additional impetus to universal provision. However, little is known about the characteristics of paediatric home care teams. METHOD: A postal survey of all services in England (n = 137) listed in the 13th edition of RCN 1996 Directory of Community Children's Nursing Services was undertaken. A response rate of 85.5% was achieved. FINDINGS: More than half (54.6%) of the teams had been founded after 1990. Most (72.2%) were managed through paediatric or child health directorates and most (77.8%) were based in hospitals. The size of teams varied enormously (range 1-22; median 3). Only a small (5.6%) minority of teams provided care at night although over a third (37%) reported making special arrangements for terminally ill children. CONCLUSION: The survey revealed two dominant models of paediatric home care: the community model with strong links to primary health care and other local provisions and the hospital outreach model with strong links to the hospital service. A number of weaknesses in current provision are identified: variability in geographical coverage; undesirably low core staffing numbers; poor 24-h coverage; and potentially compromised staff skills and knowledge. The need for research to clarify the strengths of the different models and their effectiveness is highlighted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Shift work and its impact upon nurse performance: current knowledge and research issues.

Previous research investigating shift work and its impact upon the quality of registered nurse performance and outcomes (including biological, psychosocial and organizational) is reviewed. The present study, which involved non-participant observation of staff nurses (n = 34) within their first year of practice (Part 1 or Part 12 of the United Kingdom Professional Register), is described. The findings demonstrated support for earlier research which suggested that 12 1/2 hour shifts are associated with less effective performance. This study, together with previous research, highlights important indicators for the design and management of future empirical work which is required to investigate the influence of shift work upon process as well as outcomes for nurses, service users and the employing organization. This is particularly pertinent in the light of recent changes in work patterns. The well-being and effectiveness of the nursing workforce requires enhancement, and the effective management of shift-work is a key strategy in achieving this.

Employee Performance Appraisal↗
PubMed1999

Exploring variables underlying non-response in a survey of nurses and nurses' aides in practice.

This paper demonstrates that distinguishing between the different sources of unit response failure (i.e. refusals and non-contact) in survey research is methodologically important since minimizing non-contact and refusals requires different approaches. The findings of an interview survey show that unit response failure can be contained successfully through careful study design and management. The potential value of using resampling (i.e. obtaining some information from non-respondents) for identifying: (i) which direction, if any, the data from respondents are biased and; (ii) influencing variables on the incidence of non-response is also demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Non-response in survey research: a methodological discussion and development of an explanatory model.

This paper demonstrates that the different sources of non-response in survey research must be considered by researchers in order to minimize the potential for bias, and that careful planning and management during sample selection, sample recruitment and data collection can control the extent of response failure. The findings of an interview survey of nurses and nurses' aides illustrate, however, that the success of strategies designed to reduce the loss of data in survey research depends upon researchers acknowledging the complex relationships that exist between non-response phenomena throughout the research process.

Bias↗
PubMed1998

An exploratory study of similarities and differences between senior students from different pre-registration nurse education courses.

A triangulation design using two simulations, non-participant observation and a semi-structured interview to explore senior student nurse performance in South East England is described. A comparison of student nurse performance (registered general nurse [RGN] programme n = 34; registered nurse Project 2000 diploma programme n = 34; integrated degree programme n = 31) indicated many similarities but also some important differences in outcomes which included: a more systematic approach to information-seeking, better care-planning skills and higher quality nurse performance among integrated degree programme participants; use of a model and the immediate role of the nurse to guide information-seeking and better care-planning skills and weaknesses in clinical nurse performance among RGN programme participants; and weaknesses in the information-seeking, care-planning and clinical nurse performance among Project 2000 diploma participants. There were no significant differences between the clinical performance scores of the RGN and diploma programme participants. The interview data suggested that the integrated degree programme participants had a client focus in contrast to the professional focus of RGN and Project 2000 diploma participants. The findings, however, must be viewed within the context of an exploratory study of limited sample size. The research was funded by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Measuring clinical nurse performance: development of the King's Nurse Performance Scale.

The development of the King's Nurse Performance Scale to measure clinical nurse performance is described. Instrument construction was informed by the Slater Nursing Competencies Rating Scale [Wandelt, M. A. and Stewart, D. S. (1975) Slater Nursing Competencies Rating Scale. Appleton-Century Crofts, New York] together with key literature and the use of expert opinion. The instrument was utilised to observe the clinical performance of senior student nurses (n = 99) and data which were at the ordinal level were statistically analysed using a variety of non-parametric tests. Key findings of students' observed nursing practice are presented in a separate paper (While et al., unpublished document). Internal consistency testing of the King's Nurse Performance Scale using Cronbach's alpha coefficient revealed a promising alpha for the total instrument (r = 0.93). The subsection alphas indicated that further refinement may enhance the strength of the instrument as a tool for the measurement of performance in different domains of practice. The possible use of the Scale in the professional development of newly qualified nurses is suggested.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Operationalisation of an observation instrument to explore nurse performance.

This paper explores the operationalization of an observation instrument to explore actual situated behaviour in the clinical setting. Challenges encountered during this process and strategies employed to address these difficulties are discussed. This work formed part of a comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Health Visiting and Midwifery.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Key influences on the professional socialisation and practice of students undertaking different pre-registration nurse education programmes in the United Kingdom.

A principal aim of pre-registration nurse education programmes is the process of effective socialisation of students into the professional role. Key influences on the professional socialisation and practice of students undertaking such programmes were explored using a semi-structured interview approach (N = 99). This work formed part of a major comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes in the United Kingdom. Analysis revealed differences between the programmes regarding positive influences of the respective courses; therapeutic influences of the practice environment; modelling performance on exemplars of high quality practice; and the identification of teachers within the educational setting and nurses in practice as key persons. This study has confirmed that the positive influence of the education programmes and the practice environment as well as high quality role models from both education and practice establishments are critical to the professional socialisation of student nurses.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1996

Participation in continuing professional education in nursing: findings of an interview study.

The evidence suggests that enrolled nurses and those working part-time and on night duty consistently attend less continuing professional education than their more senior, full-time and day duty colleagues. This was substantiated in the findings of this study which also highlighted the paucity of opportunities for continuing education among unqualified practitioners. In the light of recent developments within the health services, this inequitable provision of continuing professional education to all nursing practitioners will need to be addressed and resolved. Continuing professional education provided on an arbitrary and random basis will not afford maximum positive outcomes for clients, the service and practitioners and has the potential to increase the levels of frustration among disadvantaged groups of nursing staff.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The telephone survey method: a discussion paper.

The telephone survey method is discussed in the light of the experiences of one research team investigating case management practices among nurses working in the community using a multiple-method design. An account is given of the strategies employed to recruit a study sample, minimize non-response and bias and ensure the use of sound practices during data collection. The findings highlight the benefits of using the telephone survey method when recruiting respondents across a wide geographical area and/or working within a continually changing environment. However, the findings also highlight the challenge of non-response caused by non-contact and the resource implications of 'doing more' to recruit key informants via the telephone.

Case Management↗
PubMed1996

Exploring the process of data acquisition: methodological challenges encountered and strategies employed.

Data acquisition marks the first phase of the problem-solving process. Little research exists, however, on data acquisition amongst nurses despite its centrality in the problem-solving process. In part, this is a reflection of the inherent challenges and difficulties posed by this area of research. This paper discusses methodological issues raised during a recent study exploring the process of data acquisition amongst student nurses. The research forms part of a larger comparative study of the outcomes of preregistration nurse education programmes, funded by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1996

Research ethics committees at work: the experience of one multi-location study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of applications to 43 research ethics committees. SETTING: Four regional health authorities in England. FINDINGS: The research ethics committees varied considerably in their practices. The time lapse until notification of the outcome of the approval ranged from just under one week to 23 weeks with a mean of 8.6 weeks. Four research ethics committees failed to notify the research team of an outcome of their request for approval. CONCLUSION: A national research ethics committee is needed to review national and multi-location research studies in the light of the fragmented and variable practice of local research ethics committees.

Behavioral Research↗
PubMed1995

Neonatal nursing staff time involved with medication-related activities.

A work sampling study involving 1920 observations derived from 48 2-hour observation periods is described. Approximately one-tenth of neonatal nurse time was spent on medication-related activities. just over one-third of this time involved medication preparation. It is suggested that the use of a pharmacy medication preparation service may be more cost-effective.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1995

The different appraisal profiles of a group of nurses and nursing aides: implications for policy initiatives.

This paper focuses upon the extent to which different groups of nurses and nursing aides are operating within appraisal systems and highlights how appraisals are largely offered on an ad hoc basis to a selected few. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of recent developments within the health service generally and the nursing profession more specifically.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical problem-solving using video simulation: an investigation.

This paper examines the use of videotape simulation as a research method for the exploration of clinical problem-solving. The challenges posed and the strategies employed to overcome the difficulties encountered are discussed. The simulation forms part of a larger comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes, commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

Clinical Competence↗