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Biomedical subjects

I M Martinson

Publications and source records attributed to I M Martinson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Risk factors for citation errors in peer-reviewed nursing journals.

BACKGROUND: Citation errors are common among nursing journals. But, there are no data regarding the factors that predispose to these errors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors that predispose to citation error in peer-reviewed nursing journals. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty references were selected randomly from articles published in eleven nursing journals for the year 1998. The incidences of major and minor citation errors were determined by comparing with the original articles. The relative odds of citation errors for the number of authors, collaborating institutions and the length of the reference list were calculated. The correlation between the scientific quality of the journal (by means of journal impact factor and immediacy index) and the incidence of citation error were also determined. RESULTS: The incidence of citation errors is comparable to those reported previously. Long reference lists in articles written by a single author predicted strongly the occurrence of minor citation errors. Journals with a high impact factor and immediacy index tend to contain fewer minor mistakes. None of these factors affect the incidence of major errors. CONCLUSION: Contributors to journals should be aware of the various risk factors for citation errors. Citation accuracy may be improved by modifying these factors.

Authorship↗
PubMed2001

Caring for dying children: a comparative study of nurses' experiences in Greece and Hong Kong.

The purpose of this transcultural descriptive study was to explore the subjective experiences of 63 oncology and critical care nurses who provide care to dying children in Greece and Hong Kong. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 39 Greek and 24 Chinese nurses who described their experiences and responses to the dying process and death of children. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and nurses' responses were compared for their work setting (oncology versus critical care) and their ethnic background (Greek versus Chinese). Findings revealed that most nurses experience a sense of helplessness when caring for a dying patient and difficulties in their communication with the child and parents during the terminal phase of the disease. The large majority acknowledge that the impending or actual death of a patient elicits a grieving process, which is characterized by a fluctuation between experiencing and avoiding loss and grief. Greek and Chinese nurses differ in their expression of their grief and how they attribute meaning to childhood death. Despite the suffering caused by multiple deaths, nurses report significant rewards from caring for chronically and acutely ill children, and the majority are satisfied with their job, despite the difficulties they encounter, in both countries, mostly as a result of shortage in personnel and cooperation problems with physicians.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of Chinese and Caucasian families caregiving to children with cancer at home: Part I.

This 1-year, longitudinal comparative study of Chinese and Caucasian family caregiving for a child with cancer is reported in two parts. Part I describes data obtained from the initial interviews at diagnosis with Chinese and Caucasian families. Interviews revealed that Chinese families use supplemental care methods, Chinese families have fewer resources and are more isolated; Caucasian families emphasize emotional care; and family emotional coping patterns differed between the two groups. Measures of functional status of the child, the impact of the child's illness on the family, the symptomatic responses of the parents to the child's illness, and patterns of caregiving were also analyzed over the first year after diagnosis. There were no statistical differences between ethnic groups. General health was lower for the children with cancer than for chronically ill children. Part II reports on the results from the two following interviews during the first year after diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Common themes and ethnic differences in family caregiving the first year after diagnosis of childhood cancer: Part II.

Chinese immigrant and North American white family caregiving for a child with cancer was compared in a 1-year study. This second of a two-part report describes interview results after first remission and at 1-year postdiagnosis. (The first part reported results of the initial interview and family function, symptom and caregiving inventories administered at diagnosis and at first remission). In follow-up interviews, the ill child remained the family priority in both groups, with sequelae for siblings and parents. All children were physically well cared for, with strict adherence to Western medical protocols. Cultural differences and immigrant status contributed to lower verbal expression of distress, more isolation, and lower attention to emotional distress for the Chinese. Caregiving emphases were dietary for the Chinese; emotional for the Caucasians. Differences over time in family caregiving and coping were determined by demands of care and evolving expertise. Care inclusive routines were established by most families by the second interview, in spite of extent of continued difficulties. Emotional care demands, concern for needs of siblings, and marital conflict increased over time. At 1 year, all families complained of emotional and physical fatigue and the need to adapt to a tentative future with their child.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Development of the South-East Forum on Nursing Science (SEAFONS).

The development of regional cooperation in doctoral programs in Asia is described along with the names of the program in each of the following countries: South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Taiwan. The need for doctoral education in nursing is also described.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed1997

Distress symptoms and support systems of Chinese parents of children with cancer.

This study focused on the physiopsychological reactions to the stress of parents of children with cancer in China. Eighty-nine families who had a child with cancer were recruited into four groups: group A, the child was newly diagnosed with cancer; group B, the child was under treatment for cancer; group C, the child had relapsed and was not expected to live; and group D, the child with cancer had already died. Interviews were conducted in Cantonese. The semistructured interviews were conducted in the hospital or in the home. Specific questions were asked regarding colds, headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The Parent Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) and the Parent's Support Scale (PSS) were administered. Results indicated that parents most often reported symptoms of loss of appetite, weight loss, and sleeping difficulty, followed by headache, dizziness, and, least of all, colds. Mothers experience more symptoms than fathers. Only in the newly diagnosed group and the under treatment group did the fathers report having had more colds than the mothers. Parents rated the child's death as having caused the highest stress, followed by the terminal stage and the diagnosis. Spouses received the highest rating for being supportive, across all groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Behavioral responses of healthy Chinese siblings to the stress of childhood cancer in the family: a longitudinal study.

Advances in the treatment of childhood malignancies have dramatically altered survival rates of children with cancer, changing the nature and scope of stressors that their families encounter. Very little is known about how childhood cancer affects healthy Chinese siblings and what can be done to help children adjust to this stressful life event. The cognitive theory of psychological stress was the framework for this study. The purpose of this research was to explore behavioral responses of healthy Chinese siblings in Taiwan to childhood cancer in the family and to examine the factors that may contribute to the presence or absence of behavioral problems in these siblings, using a 12-month longitudinal data set. Forty-five Chinese families were selected through referrals and a cancer foundation name roster. Content analysis of qualitative and quantitative sibling data revealed major stressor themes of inadequate knowledge, reduced family communication, and insufficient support. Healthy Chinese siblings showed significantly more behavior problems and fewer social competence behaviors than a standardized normal western population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Impact of childhood cancer on religious life of Korean families.

This paper reports on the social and personal relevance of religious faith entering into the situation of family stress due to the illness of a child with cancer. The expectations of religious faith may include, objectively, the actual physical healing of the child or the determination of the child's fate; it may include, subjectively, the hope for emotional support, the provision of moral guidance in time of difficulty, or an overarching life-view. There were major religious changes in 20% of the families. While all the major religious faiths in South Korea were represented in the study, 61% of the sample identified Christianity as their primary religious response.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Funeral rituals following the death of a child in Taiwan.

This study explores the practices of 25 Taiwanese families following the death of a child from cancer. Detailed description of the families' post-death practices was obtained through semi-structured interviews with at least one family member. Through content analysis of the data, 10 categories were identified. These were: caring for the body, funeral arrangements, mourning clothes, ashes, spirit tablets, child's belongings, child's room, visits to the grave or the temple, dreams, and talking about the dead child. The findings show that although the rituals performed following the death of a child are simpler than those traditionally performed for an adult, they are still an important part of the families' lives during the post-death period.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Impact of childhood cancer on Korean families.

A health care system that includes institutions such as the home, clinic, or hospital as well as interpersonal relationships between providers and receivers of health care is a part of any culture. Clinical issues are a part of all cultures, and cross-cultural comparisons are useful in understanding health care. With immigration and travel, a better understanding of the situation of families who have a child with cancer in various countries, different health care systems, and different cultures is needed. Understanding the situation for families with a child who has cancer in South Korea will lead one to a better understanding of a Korean family who has immigrated to the west and has a child develop cancer or is in need of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The frequency and troublesomeness of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.

An increased understanding of the frequency and troublesomeness of symptoms for family members who are caring for a victim of Alzheimer's disease (AD) would be helpful for nurses in working with these families. This article reports on the changes of these symptoms over time as well as the troublesomeness of these symptoms for 30 families over an 18-month period. A symptom checklist based on George's Patient Illness Symptoms Checklist (George, 1983) was used. Over time the reported symptoms reflected increased mental impairment, which is associated with AD. For some of the symptoms, there was an increase in the symptoms' frequency, but their troublesomeness did not increase. Family caregivers who reported more symptoms for each time period also reported an increase in institutionalization of the AD member.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Improving care of dying children.

Every year about 5,000 children aged 0 to 14 years need hospice care in the United States. Children seem to know that they are dying, although this is difficult for parents to accept. Clear, empathic understanding is needed. Communication with clarity and understanding is imperative with the changes in goals from cure to palliation to comfort. The ideal place for most dying children is at home, where symptoms can be managed as effectively as in a hospital.

Advance Care Planning↗
PubMed1994

Japanese families who have lost children to cancer: a primary study.

By interviewing 13 Japanese families who have lost children to cancer within the past 3 years, the main caregiver for the sick child was found to always be the mother, and the mother was the leader whereas the father was a cooperator. These mothers tried to resolve their problems within the context of the relationship between the parents. This tendency relates to the structure of Japanese human relationships. The relationships between the mothers and fathers changed and became stronger or weaker. How fathers shared the mothers' burdens strongly influenced their relationships. To provide comprehensive care, health professionals must recognize the cultural influence on the family dynamics and the family's perceptions toward the illness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Changes over time: a study of family bereavement following childhood cancer.

A longitudinal follow-up study which examined changes in 48 families over time (7-9 years) following a death of a child with cancer was conducted. The loss of a child required individual reorganization and adjustments within the family system. Changes in marital status and/or the addition of other children required adjustment in the relationships of family members. Some of the changes were developmental in nature while others, according to the informants, were directly related to the death of the child.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

The reaction of Chinese parents to a terminally ill child with cancer.

Twenty-two families who had a child dying from cancer in hospitals in China were interviewed regarding their situation. The interviews were all conducted in Chinese, and the results were analyzed descriptively. Cancer was identified by all families as the most frightening aspect of their situations. Not having enough money for medicines and hospitalization were identified as being the most difficult problem. Sixteen of 22 families paid for the total cost of medical treatment and hospitalization by themselves. The families gave suggestions for other families who may have a child with cancer.

Adolescent↗