Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

David R Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to David R Thompson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

A randomized controlled trial of a mutual support group for family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.

This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of a 12-session mutual support group conducted over 3-months for Chinese family caregivers of a relative with schizophrenia compared with routine family support services in Hong Kong. Forty-eight family caregivers from two psychiatric outpatient clinics were allocated randomly to an experimental (mutual support and usual outpatient care) group (n = 24) or a control (usual outpatient care only) group (n = 24). Data were collected prior to, 1 week and 3 months after the intervention. Families allocated to the mutual support group experienced decreased levels of family burden and increased family functioning and these changes were significantly greater than those of the controls at both post-intervention time points. The experimental group also showed a significant decrease in the duration of patient re-hospitalization (the total number of days of psychiatric hospitalization) at 3 months compared with the control group. This suggests that the mutual support group provided a more responsive service for patients than standard care. However, there was no significant difference in family service utilization between the two groups. The findings indicate that a mutual support group can provide benefits for family caregivers of people with schizophrenia that go beyond those provided by routine family support.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Correlates of psychological distress in elderly patients with congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: High levels of psychological distress have been reported in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Yet, little is known about its associated factors. The purpose of this study is to identify the significant demographic, clinical and psychosocial correlates of psychological distress in CHF patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of a consecutive series of hospitalized CHF patients (n = 227) with measures of psychological distress, functional status, symptom status, social support and health perception. Objective clinical variables were obtained from the hospital records. RESULTS: High levels of psychological distress, in particular, depression, were found in patients with CHF. In hierarchical regression analysis, poorer perceived emotional-informational support, higher levels of fatigue, poorer health perception and not living with family were identified as the significant correlates of psychological distress. These correlates, in total, explained 49% of the variance for the scores of psychological distress. None of the objective clinical variables demonstrated a significant contribution that accounted for psychological distress in CHF patients. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of addressing social support for CHF patients. Assisting this vulnerable patient group to cope with fatigue and to cultivate a positive health perception are also highly prioritized treatment goals.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

SARS--a perspective from a school of nursing in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality that has had a major impact on health and health care services worldwide. Hong Kong has had a significant number of cases and deaths. Nurses, at the vanguard of the clinical health care team, have been particularly affected by it. The outbreak prompted the health authorities to implement a series of public health measures and hospital policies, including a guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with SARS. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This paper aims at providing an overview of what is known about SARS and the impact it has had in Hong Kong and to highlight from the perspective of a school of nursing the major clinical, educational and public health implications. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of understanding and uncertainty about the disease led to significant variation in the provision of information, contributing to the confusion and anxiety in the community. Therefore, there is a need to revise the nursing curriculum, to provide continuing education to all health care professionals, particularly with regard to infection control measures, and to revisit the range of public health policies to ensure the health of the community is protected by these policies. There also has been a reaffirmation of the importance of health promotion that highlights the importance of the partnership between nurses, health policy makers and public health personnel. It is evident that the organization and delivery of clinical practice, teaching and health promotion have to be flexible and responsive to a changing health scenario. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses must play a crucial role in the prevention, detection and containment of SARS. They will need to implement and ensure strict adherence to infection control measures and, in some circumstances, isolation and quarantine may be warranted. Attention to the psychological state of patients and family members should not be overlooked. Paramount is education of patients, families and members of the public at large.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed2004

A validation study of the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) in a UK population.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to validate the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) in a UK cardiac population. METHOD: A battery of questionnaires (the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 [SF-36] Health Survey, the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and the Cardiac Depression Scale [CDS]) was mailed to 487 individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) recruited from cardiac support groups. The process was repeated on a subsample of 80 participants four-six weeks later for the purpose of test-retest analysis. RESULTS: The response rate from the first administration was 81% and from the test-retest subsample 54%. Factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution with a high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) and an acceptable test-retest reliability (0.79). Concurrent validation against the SF-36, BDI and HADS demonstrated strong correlations. CONCLUSIONS: The CDS is both a reliable and sensitive instrument for measuring depression in cardiac patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease-I: assessment tools.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessment is an important measure of the impact of the disease, effect of treatment and other variables affecting people's lives. The review focused on the assessment of HRQL in patient with coronary heart disease (CHD) by appropriate tools. Although no consensus exists about the precise definition of HRQL, a plethora of instruments have been developed to assess it. Two broad types - generic and disease-specific - have been developed but there is some debate about their relative merits. There is a wide selection of instruments available but choice should be based on a careful consideration of an instrument's psychometric properties, the breadth and depth with which it addresses relevant health domains and the specific clinical or research purpose for which it is intended.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed2003

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in coronary care patients following acute myocardial infarction.

The utility of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening instrument for coronary care patients following acute myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the HADS to determine its psychometric properties in 335 MI patients over three observation points (1 week, 6 weeks and 6 months). Internal and test-retest reliabilities of the HADS total and HADS sub-scale scores were generally found to be acceptable. The underlying factor structure of the HADS comprised three distinct factors. Support was found for the use of the HADS sub-scales to assess dimensions of anhedonia, psychic anxiety and psychomotor agitation. The HADS may be a useful screening instrument to assess post-MI patients for symptoms of psychological distress. Further research is required to determine the three-factor structure of the HADS in other clinical groups.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The Yorkshire BARRIERS project: diagnostic analysis of barriers to research utilisation.

The study identified barriers to research implementation experienced by nurses, midwives and health visitors in five trusts and one health authority in Yorkshire, UK. Funk et al. (Appl. Nurs. Res. 4(1) (1991a) 39, Appl. Nurs. Res. 4(2) (1999b) 90) developed the BARRIERS to research utilisation questionnaire over 10 years ago, but no replication, in size (n = 1989) and extent, of that study appeared to have occurred. The staff population (n = 4501) were sent the BARRIERS questionnaire. 44.6% (n = 2009) were returned. Findings suggested nurses need time to read and apply research; authority to change practice; critical appraisal skills, an understanding of statistics and support of managers and peers (particularly doctors) to achieve successful practice change.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Assessing the information needs of post-myocardial infarction patients: a systematic review.

We systematically reviewed studies examining information needs of post-myocardial infarction patients and their families. Electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant papers were searched and experts in the field contacted to find relevant studies. A standardised data form was used to extract data on study populations, instruments and results. Of 14 published studies, 6 used the same instrument. Information about risk factors ranked as the most important category overall, followed by information on cardiac anatomy and physiology, medications, and physical activity. Information about miscellaneous items, diet, psychological factors, and the CCU, although ranked lower, were still rated important. Some variation between settings was evident. Patients preferred physicians over nurses as information givers. Differences were found between patient and nurse ratings of information categories. Differences were found in the self-perceived information needs of patients responding to different instruments, indicating a priming effect. Changes in ranking of information categories between CCU, PCCU and PD are congruent with decreasing levels of patient dependency. The information needs of women and other post-MI subgroups, including the elderly, minority ethnic groups, patients with severe coronary disease, and deprived patients, have not been assessed. Patients have not been involved in the design of information needs assessment instruments.

Aftercare↗
PubMed2003

Traditional Chinese Medicine and heart disease: what does Western medicine and nursing science know about it?

BACKGROUND: Interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is growing rapidly beyond China. This interest is driven by a combination of factors including recognition of potential benefits of TCM; dissatisfaction with the traditional Western medical model; an increasing commitment to holistic care and increasing evidence for the interaction of psychological factors and outcomes of disease and treatment and health consumer demand. AIMS: This review article was prompted by the need to understand and interpret the increasing trend towards the use of TCM in heart disease. In particular, this article defines and describes TCM, and analyses implications and challenges for Western health care delivery models. LITERATURE SEARCH: This article provides a review of accessible evidence, to English speaking health care professionals. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, Academic ASAP and Cochrane databases were searched, identifying literature published from 1982. Search engines on the Internet were also used. Examples of keywords used were "Traditional Chinese Medicine" and "heart". CONCLUSION: Difficulties in accessing information regarding TCM have implications for health education in coronary heart disease and patient safety. The rapid uptake of TCM in both Western and Chinese societies mandates an understanding of the principles and potential interactions when TCM is complemented with Western medical treatment for heart disease. Development of this knowledge and understanding is essential in order to provide safe and effective health care to patients who use combination therapies.

Acupuncture Therapy↗