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Biomedical subjects

A E While

Publications and source records attributed to A E While.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The measurement of nurse performance and its differentiation by course of preparation.

This paper addresses the concept of nurse performance, its measurement and its differentiation by programme of preparation. It is evident from the research conducted to date that a variety of methodologies have been used to explore and compare nurse performance. The process of direct observation, however, has been selected to a lesser degree, and it is argued that its potential has yet to be realized. Further, in recognition of the methodological challenges inherent within research of this nature it is suggested that nurse performance should be explored from a variety of perspectives, using a multi-method research design. Significantly, educational preparation as a potential discriminator of performance has been explored only to a limited extent and studies carried out in the United States predominate. In view of recent nurse education changes in the United Kingdom and the introduction of Project 2000, empirical work comparing outcomes of the different courses of pre-registration preparation is urgently required. The authors are currently engaged in a comparative study of outcomes of pre-registration nurse education programmes funded by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. This paper draws upon the literature reviewed to date.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1994

Paediatric day surgery: day-case unit admission compared with general paediatric ward admission.

A small exploratory study (n = 20) is described which compares the experience of children admitted to a day-case unit with that of children admitted to a general paediatric ward. Both samples received inadequate amounts of information, particularly prior to discharge. The care offered in the day-case unit was found to be woefully deficient in many areas and the wisdom of utilizing occasional sessions in an adult day-case unit is questioned. The crucial role of skilled nurses trained in the care of sick children is emphasized.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1994

Interviewing respondents who have English as a second language: challenges encountered and suggestions for other researchers.

The increasing proportion of culturally diverse groups within the United Kingdom has meant that the issue of language barriers in the research situation must be addressed. The recruitment of respondents with English as a second language (ESL) to research studies is essential if their potentially unique and valid perspective is to be acknowledged. This can, however, pose several difficulties for the researcher which need to be recognized and addressed if valid data are to be collected. This paper outlines some of the challenges encountered in one study and describes strategies which were employed to meet these challenges.

Communication Barriers↗
PubMed1994

Competence versus performance: which is more important?

The extensive literature in the field of competence and performance is reviewed in this paper, which argues that there is much confusion between these different constructs. It concludes that since nurse pre-registration education is concerned with producing nurses who consistently provide care of a high quality, greater emphasis should be placed upon performance in the real-life clinical setting rather than upon competence.

Achievement↗
PubMed1993

Problem solving in nursing practice: application, process, skill acquisition and measurement.

This paper analyses the role of problem solving in nursing practice including the process, acquisition and measurement of problem-solving skills. It is argued that while problem-solving ability is acknowledged as critical if today's nurse practitioner is to maintain effective clinical practice, to date it retains a marginal place in nurse education curricula. Further, it has attracted limited empirical study. Such an omission, it is argued, requires urgent redress if the nursing profession is to meet effectively the challenges of the next decade and beyond.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed1993

School nursing: history, present practice and possibilities reviewed.

A review of the literature revealed that the early school nurses were engaged in predominantly screening work and as assistants to the school medical officer. The relatively limited empirical work suggests that they have the potential to make a major contribution to the health of school children; however, their current role appears to vary enormously nationwide and the issues of competency for the role and integration into the school team need addressing. The consumer/outsider view literature indicated a mismatch between expectations and service provision.

Child↗
PubMed1993

The relationship between nursing and higher education.

The paper explores the relationship between nursing and higher education with particular reference to the development of nursing degree programmes in the United Kingdom. The literature reveals that the contribution of nurse graduates to the profession has been examined to a limited extent: however, this has predominantly taken the form of follow-up studies, the majority of which were conducted in the 1980s. No empirically based work could be found which explores graduates' practice of nursing, the absence of which is significant in view of the more recent change in the conventional training programme, Project 2000, and the introduction of a number of 3-year nursing degree courses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

The knowledge base of health visitors and district nurses regarding products in the proposed formulary for nurse prescription.

The background to the legalization of nurse prescribing is reviewed and a small questionnaire survey of health visitors and district nurses described. Significantly more district nurses than health visitors wanted to become nurse prescribers. Health visitor knowledge of some parasiticidal lotions and antifungal agents was found to be variable and the recommended dose of paracetamol for post-immunization pyrexia was recognized by less than two-thirds of the sample. District nurse knowledge of lactulose was limited in comparison to their knowledge of alginate and hydrocolloid dressings; however, their knowledge of factors other than dressing type which enhance or delay healing was variable. The mean knowledge scores of both the health visitors and district nurses were unacceptably low for prescribing purposes. The majority of the total sample stated that they would like further training, with a preference for such provision in the form of study days.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1992

Simulation: current status in nurse education.

This paper suggests that in the light of recent developments in nurse education a review of available teaching and evaluation strategies is required. It is further suggested that the use of simulation for both teaching and evaluation purposes has much potential which has as yet to be fully exploited in nurse education.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1992

Continuing professional education for qualified nurses: a review of the literature.

Reviewed literature identifies the importance of continuing professional education and professional development for nurses subsequent to initial registration (including enrolled nurses). However, there is a lack of empirically based work analysing nurses' perceptions of their continuing professional education needs and the perceived outcomes of continuing professional education in terms of changes in knowledge accretion, attitudes, skills, job satisfaction, staff retention and career development. It is suggested that this lack of empirical work needs to be addressed if the proposed plans of the United Kingdom Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) to introduce mandatory continuing professional education are to have maximum benefits for clients, nurses and the service.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

The problem of clinical evaluation--a review.

A review of the literature shows that clinical evaluation still poses problems for nurse educationalists despite its prominence in nurse education. Learning in nursing is a complex activity and clinical evaluation needs to take account of this.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1991

An evaluation of a paediatric home care scheme.

The policy background of paediatric home care schemes is reviewed and an evaluation of such a scheme is described. The home care scheme is shown to be a worthwhile service provision. However, it is suggested that this service development can only represent an improved use of resources when there is a complementary reduction in hospital provision.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1989

The needs of dying children and their families.

The evidence suggests that families experiencing a childhood death could benefit from greater professional support. This paper reviews the literature highlighting the needs of families as they cope with a life-threatening illness in their child and his/her subsequent death.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Records as a data source: the case for health visitor records.

Health records as a source of research data are examined. A case study approach is adopted to evaluate the reliability of health visitor records as a data source. It is argued that such records may be a rich source of epidemiological data although their deficiencies should be acknowledged.

Child↗
PubMed1978

The vital role of the cottage-community hospital.

The history of general-practitioner hospitals is reviewed and a case made for their retention and extension. Among the advantages they provide are: a local service for patients, less expensive hospital care than is possible in a district general hospital, less travelling expenses for patients, valuable postgraduate education for doctors, and improvement of general-practitioner morale.

Family Practice↗