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Biomedical subjects

A M McCarthy

Publications and source records attributed to A M McCarthy.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Children with chronic conditions: educators' views.

The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to identify the concerns and resource needs of educators for effectively teaching children with chronic health conditions, Semistructured audiotaped telephone interviews were conducted with 23 teachers and six principals from urban and rural public schools, grades K-12. The interview included questions in four areas: (a) experiences with children with chronic health conditions, (b) concerns in providing educational services to these children, (c) resources used by educators, and (d) recommendations regarding how information and services can best be provided to educators. The most common concerns were unanticipated medical emergencies and increased absence rates. The major resource for these educators was the school nurse. Educators preferred information specific to a child in their class, provided to them by the school nurse. Results suggest that interventions for teachers are more likely to be effective when they are coordinated with the school nurse and focus on the impact of the condition on a child's ability to function in the classroom. Subsequent research is necessitated to determine effective strategies for specialty nurses to aid school nurses in providing optimum care for these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Children's responses to sequential versus simultaneous immunization injections.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare distress behaviors and perceptions of distress in 4- to 6-year-old children who received two immunization injections simultaneously with those in children who received their immunizations sequentially. METHOD: This experimental study used a convenience sample of 46 children scheduled for pre-kindergarten examinations. The children were randomly assigned to either a sequential injection or a simultaneous injection group. Direct observation and videotapes were made of the children's behaviors before and after injection. Distress behaviors were analyzed with the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised, and perceptions of distress were obtained from both children (with the Wong-Baker Pain Rating Scale [FACES]) and parents (with the Visual Analog Scale). RESULTS: Results of the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised showed no significant differences in children's distress behaviors between the two groups either before or after injection. The children's self-reports of distress also showed no group differences. Parents' perceptions of the children's distress before and after injection were lower for the sequential group but were judged to be unrelated to the intervention. Given the opportunity to state a preference, however, parents preferred the simultaneous method. DISCUSSION: The simultaneous procedure was not found to be associated with reduced distress behaviors; however, parents preferred the simultaneous method.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The integrated health professions education program seminar.

Powerful dynamics of change require practitioners from all disciplines to be prepared to work in interdisciplinary teams, competently access health and information technologies, and understand the multiple functions required for adequate healthcare provision. The University of Iowa's Integrated Health Professions Program is a state-funded effort designed to provide students with a common educational experience to enable them to work collaboratively in underserved or rural settings. Students take part in a series of team-building seminars including technology-based instruction and activities in conjunction with visits to community clinical sites. The authors discuss the experiential, collaborative, and cooperative forms of learning that take place during the seminar series.

Community Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parent behavior and child distress during urethral catheterization.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: Researchers need a clear understanding of the natural behaviors parents use to help their children cope. This study describes the relationships between naturally occurring parent behaviors and child distress behaviors during urethral catheterization. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, researchers videotaped the behaviors of parent-child interactions during urethral catheterization. RESULTS: Parents used distraction to maintain calm behavior during the first part of the procedure and used more reassurance when the children started to become distressed. Seven of the nine children displayed calm behavior at least half the time following distraction. Parental reassurance did not decrease distress behavior in most children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Early implementation of developmentally appropriate nursing interventions to decrease child distress is imperative. Parents may need specific instruction and practice to continue the use of distraction throughout procedures, even when the child is upset.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infant and preschool well-child care: master's- and nonmaster's-prepared pediatric nurse practitioners.

The nursing and medical literature reveals considerable debate over whether graduate or continuing education is the appropriate level for nurse practitioner preparation. These arguments have been rhetorical since the research literature lacks data on the scope of practice of master's- and nonmaster's-prepared nurse practitioners. The purpose of this study was to examine possible differences between the two types of practitioners in one area--well-child care provided by pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs). A total of 236 master's- and nonmaster's-prepared PNPs completed a background questionnaire and checklists of nursing activities involving infant and preschool well-child care. Analysis of study results showed that master's PNPs performed more activities involving (1) assessment of physical and cognitive development of infants (p less than .003); (2) assessment of personality and socialization of preschool children (p less than .05); and (3) counseling and guidance involving the physical and cognitive development of infants (p less than .01). Master's PNPs also appeared to benefit more from their years in practice both in terms of the number of assessment activities (p less than .04) and management activities (p less than .06) they performed. Finally, master's PNPs engaged in more leadership activities than nonmaster's PNPs (p less than .005).

Adult↗