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Biomedical subjects

F Myrick

Publications and source records attributed to F Myrick.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Dimeric inhibin A as a fourth marker for Down's syndrome maternal serum screening in native Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of dimeric inhibin A as a fourth marker for Down's syndrome screening in addition to AFP, hCG and uE3 markers for native Japanese women. METHODS: Serum specimens from 367 native Japanese women in the second trimester were assayed for dimeric inhibin A levels. Day specific dimeric inhibin A medians were established for gestational ages 15.0-21.9. Weekly median values for the native Japanese were compared with those of a U.S. population. Selected Japanese specimens from 15 diagnosed Down's syndrome and 3 trisomy 18 cases were also assayed for dimeric inhibin A. RESULTS: Dimeric inhibin A levels did not vary greatly over the gestational age range as expected. Median value comparison showed that native Japanese dimeric inhibin A medians are higher than the U.S. population medians by an average of 7.95%. Native Japanese dimeric inhibin A median values in this study are 1.77 times higher in Down's syndrome cases than in unaffected pregnancies. Trisomy 18 dimeric inhibin A levels show no significant difference from the unaffected pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: This report shows for the first time that dimeric inhibin A can be informative as a fourth marker for Down's syndrome screening in native Japanese women. We expect the addition of dimeric inhibin A to a triple marker protocol will increase the accuracy of predicted risk for all pregnancies screened and increase the detection rate of Down's syndrome affected pregnancies.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1999

Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein testing in native Japanese women.

Owing to differences in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin and oestriol levels between native Japanese and Caucasian women screened in this laboratory, a study was conducted to measure amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFAFP) levels in native Japanese pregnancies. When the native Japanese AFAFP levels were compared with a United States (non-Black) population, the Japanese medians did not decrease as rapidly over the 14 to 22 weeks of gestation period investigated. At 14 weeks, the difference was negligible, graduating to a difference of 20 per cent by 22 weeks' gestation. Native Japanese pregnancy AFAFP levels should be interpreted based upon population data from that group alone. From these findings, prenatal screening laboratories should be encouraged to collect preliminary data for comparison before screening is initiated for a defined ethnic group.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1998

Job satisfaction in preceptorship and its effect on the clinical performance of the preceptee.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between preceptor/preceptee job satisfaction and preceptee clinical performance. A correlational descriptive design using quantitative data was employed through a mailed survey. Seventy-nine questionnaires were mailed to preceptors, 100 to preceptees. The response rate for preceptors was 49.4% while the response rate for preceptees was 33%. Herzberg's theory served as the conceptual framework. Three baccalaureate schools of nursing in Atlantic Canada comprised the setting. Analysis of data included frequencies, percentages, t-tests, and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. Findings indicate that preceptors and preceptees differ significantly regarding aspects of their job, and their job in general. They also differ significantly in their rating of how often preceptees perform the planning/evaluation components of their care. A positive significant relationship exists between preceptee job satisfaction and clinical performance. No relationship was found to exist between preceptor job satisfaction and preceptee clinical performance. Additionally, in view of the limitations of the study (small sample, low response) limited conclusions can be drawn from the study.

Canada↗
PubMed1995

Joint nursing appointments: a vehicle for influencing health care change.

With the rapid pace of health care change nurses need to organize and respond quickly to the debate on future health care policy. Nurses from practice and academia working together can capitalize on their unique knowledge and expertise to influence the development of consumer- and health-oriented policies. In the past joint appointments have served to unite nurses in the education and research domains. These appointments must evolve to encompass policy-focused activities that will enable nurses to make a significant contribution to the transformation of the health care delivery system.

Canada↗
PubMed1994

Selecting clinical preceptors for basic baccalaureate nursing students: a critical issue in clinical teaching.

The concept of preceptorship in baccalaureate nursing education continues to be endorsed as a viable alternative clinical teaching strategy. However there remains a dearth of research to substantiate many of those benefits vis-à-vis preceptor, preceptee and ultimately the health care consumer. Moreover, there are minimal substantive data regarding the criteria which are required for the actual selection of the clinical preceptor. Not infrequently, preceptors are selected primarily for their availability during the clinical placement of students. As a result, baccalaureate nursing students are being preceptored by staff nurses with little or no preparation for assuming a role in which they are expected to promote the principles and ideology of baccalaureate nursing education. Is this fair to the preceptor, preceptee and the client? Can it be said that the nursing faculty, in promoting such a process, are in fact promoting the status quo?

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1988

Preceptorship: a viable alternative clinical teaching strategy?

The difficulty experienced by many baccalaureate student nurses in making the role transition from student to graduate nurse continues to pose problems for nursing education and nursing service personnel alike. A variety of instructional strategies described in the literature which claim to enhance the effectiveness of student learning in the clinical setting and promote role adjustment immediately upon graduation have been used by nursing faculty and nursing service personnel. Preceptorship is one such strategy. The author reviews the evolution of preceptorship within the nursing profession and explores factors which are provoking current interest in this concept. Available empirical data regarding the effect of preceptorship on student and graduate nurse performance in the clinical setting are presented and implications for nursing education discussed.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗