Biomedical subjects

Judith A DePalma

Publications and source records attributed to Judith A DePalma.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

A process model for evidence-based literature syntheses.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and implementation of the Triad Model of Research Synthesis, developed as a mechanism to produce systematic literature reviews that can serve as sources of evidence for decision making in health care. DATA SOURCES: Authors' recollections of the development and implementation process over a one-year period during 2002. Tracking forms were completed by members of three triad teams as they compiled research syntheses on clinical topics: pharmacologic treatment of dyspnea, assessment of sleep disturbances in patients with cancer, and exercise as an intervention for cancer-related fatigue. DATA SYNTHESIS: The systematic literature review process includes the following steps: (a) organize, search the literature, and focus the research synthesis question; (b) critique the selected literature; (c) synthesize the evidence; and (d) write. On average, triad members spent hours that were equivalent to full-time work during the year (excluding completion of manuscripts) on the synthesis projects. Hours spent varied by member role and with each phase of the process. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a research synthesis using the triad model was a productive and resource-intensive experience that points to the need for negotiating resources prior to embarking on such an exercise. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Given a group of highly motivated nurses and others with adequate time and resources, this model can be effective when developing systematic reviews about a variety of topics. Literature syntheses developed can be used as evidence for clinicians and others to develop practice protocols and other evidence-based care guidelines.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

PubMed2003

Quality of life experienced by severely injured trauma survivors.

Advances in technology and the expansion of the emergency medical system have made emergency care available to large numbers of people experiencing trauma. Assessing the quality of life experienced by trauma survivors may assist in the development of interventions to optimize the outcomes in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life experienced by severely injured trauma survivors, and to determine if a relation exists between the severity of the injury and the quality of life, the impact on the family of survivors, and the community resources needed by the survivors. Severely injured survivors of trauma in this study were defined as patients with a severity of injury severity score (ISS) of 25 or more and a trauma injury score (TRISS) of 0.90 or less. In this descriptive study, telephone interviews were conducted to administer the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), an analog scale, and a demographic data form. All the survivors were interviewed at least 6 months after discharge from the hospital. The data collected on 64 survivors showed that they experienced a significantly poorer quality of life after the trauma incidents, as indicated by both the SIP scores and the analog scores. Although most of the SIP's 12 behavior categories indicated severe disruption, the behavior categories of work, recreation and pastimes, home management, and sleep and rest were the most negatively affected. Patients and families should be prepared for the physical, emotional, and financial disruptions that occur after severe traumatic injury. Support services, including community resources, are needed to optimize outcomes after discharge.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Proposing an evidence-based policy process.

Nurses' involvement with policy development may appear more feasible if the policy process is viewed as another example of an evidence-based decision-making process. Evidence-based practice is widely accepted in medicine and across health care as a sound principle or approach when attempting to establish "best" practice. The process of searching for and synthesizing the evidence is applied to the policy design process with the use of policy examples that are relevant to nurse administrators.

Benchmarking↗