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Biomedical subjects

Elizabeth Manias

Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Manias.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

The role of the inpatient mental health nurse in facilitating patient adherence to medication regimes.

Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is associated with relapse of psychiatric symptoms and readmission to inpatient mental health services. The important role of the mental health nurse in facilitating adherence has been acknowledged, however, there has been little exploration of how nurses themselves perceive this aspect of their role. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of mental health nurses employed in inpatient settings regarding their role in facilitating medication adherence. Focus groups were conducted with 22 nurses from three inpatient settings in metropolitan Melbourne. The main themes to emerge from the data were: nurses' responsibilities in medication management; ways in which nurses are educated about antipsychotic medication; barriers to the provision of medication management, and barriers to effective patient adherence. Recommendations for more effective practice are discussed.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accurate dry weight assessment: reducing the incidence of hypertension and cardiac disease in patients on hemodialysis.

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiac disease in patients on hemodialysis (HD) and is most commonly due to hypervolemia. Removal of excess water during HD can successfully normalize blood pressure, but its success depends on an accurate assessment of dry weight. This article reviews the literature concerning hypertension in patients on HD and proposes that increased attention by dialysis staff to assessing dry weight may reduce the incidence of hypertension and cardiac disease in these patients.

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medication knowledge and self-management by people with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore medication knowledge and self-management practices of people with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: A one-shot cross sectional study using in-depth interviews and participant observation. SETTING: Diabetes outpatient education centre of a university teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: People with type 2 diabetes, n=30, 17 males and 13 females, age range 33-84, from a range of ethnic groups. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ability to state name, main actions and when to take medicines. Performance of specific medication-related tasks; opening bottles and packs, breaking tablets in half, administering insulin, and testing blood glucose. RESULTS: Average medication use > or = 10years. Respondents were taking 86 different medicines, mean 7 +/- 2.97 SD. Dose frequency included two, three and four times per day. All respondents had > or = 2 diabetic complications +/- other comorbidities. The majority (93%) were informed about how and when to take their medicines, but only 37% were given information about side effects and 17% were given all possible seven items of information. Younger respondents received more information than older respondents. Older respondents had difficulty opening bottles and breaking tablets in half. Twenty percent regularly forgot to take their medicines. Increasing medication costs was one reason for stopping medicines or reducing the dose or dose interval. The majority tested their blood glucose but did not control test their meters and 33% placed used sharps directly into the rubbish. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy was common. Medication knowledge and self-management were inadequate and could lead to adverse events.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison between nurses' professional needs and their perceptions of their job.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine how nurses' professional needs were met in nursing practice. DESIGN: A survey design was used in this study. SETTING: Data were collected from one metropolitan public hospital, one rural public hospital, and from postgraduate students in diploma/certificate course at a university in Victoria. SUBJECTS: Participants consisted of 346 registered nurses (RNs), who had completed either a three-year nursing diploma or a degree course, and were working in hospitals at the time of the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nurses' need to obtain professional rewards, challenges and support for their performance were compared with their perception of how their work environment actually reinforced those needs. In addition, desired nursing roles were compared with perceptions of actual roles carried out in practice. RESULTS: The findings suggest there is a mismatch between nurses' professional needs and the intrinsic/extrinsic rewards they receive for their performance. There is also a mismatch between their desired nursing role and actual roles in practice. These mismatches are prominent in areas such as participation in policy decision-making, professional recognition and opportunity to earn a higher income. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest there is a mismatch between nurses' professional needs and their actual nursing practice. As these mismatches may negatively impact upon nurses' work behaviour, it is important to reduce the gap between professional needs and the experience of actual nursing practice.

Adult↗