The critical thinking ability of diplomates from different types of bridging programmes.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
L R Uys
Publications and source records attributed to L R Uys.
Levels of stress and academic performance in baccalaureate nursing students.
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Adult↗
The integration of the rehabilitation of psychiatric patients into the primary health care system.
This study done in rural and semi-urban clinics examined the ability of primary health care nurses in providing rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in the Primary Health Care service. The objectives of the study were to train and evaluate registered nurses' ability to implement rehabilitation to psychiatric patients in the community. Registered nurses were trained over a period of 10 days. Each client who visited the clinic had a rehabilitation plan drawn with the client and family. Families participated in the training of clients while nurses were trained to identify target symptoms, draw a plan to be followed by the client and his family, set rehabilitation goals and the steps to achieve the goals. The project was implemented over a period of 12 months. Records were then reviewed 1 year after implementation and at 18 months to determine the performance of nurses. Evaluation was done per clinic. Each clinic was evaluated and differences were found and where performance was poor, re-education was done. Each clinic was seen as a case. A record review was done to determine the level of rehabilitation based on the following: identification of target symptoms plan for the patient plan for the family setting of rehabilitation goals steps to achieve goals level of vocational rehabilitation.
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗
The attitudes of nurses towards mentally ill people in a general hospital setting in Durban.
A quantitative survey was undertaken to determine the attitudes of nurses towards mentally ill people at King Edward VIII Hospital, large academic hospital in Durban. Data were collected by a questionnaire intended to measure attitudes according to cognitive, affective and behavioral components in a sample of 100 black nurses. The results of this study were analyzed through a statistical software package, the statgraphic version 5. The basic trend reflected in the findings found that nurses in general hospitals (90%) held negative attitudes towards mentally ill people and there were few nurses with positive attitudes. There were significant differences among the three different categories of nurses in only five of the items. Further data analysis was done by stepwise regression showing that religious affiliation and relationship to mentally ill people correlated significantly with the total attitude score.
Academic Medical Centers↗
The measurement of quality of care in public sector psychiatric services based on consumer expectations.
In this study the expectations of consumers of public sector psychiatric care in South Africa were identified, and formulated in the form of 13 standards, each with a set of criteria. During this phase input from the literature was incorporated, and expectations were validated with different groups of consumers, so that rural/urban, ethnicity and regional differences were taken into account. Based on the comprehensive set of standards and criteria, four instruments were developed to measure attainment of these standards. These included a questionnaire to consumers and one to the Director of Mental Health. It also included two schedules to be filled in by observers during site visits to hospital units and clinics. The observer teams included community members and consumers. The content validity of the instruments was established by setting out the items measuring each criterium, and validating that with a group of experts. The instruments were then tested in one province. The inter-rater reliability of the site visit schedules was calculated as 0.94, and the coding of the Director questionnaire by different coders was also tested. The average performance on all criteria was calculated, using items from all four data collection instruments. In the process items were revised, coding instructions developed, and criteria adjusted.
Data Collection↗
Culture bound syndromes in a group of Xhosa with psychiatric disorders.
The article describes the culture bound syndromes found amongst a sample of 40 psychiatric patients seen at Umzimkulu Hospital serving mainly Xhosa speaking people. A CBS could be identified in 15 of these patients. CBS similar to four of the six syndromes found in these patients were described in DSM IV, while two were not. The CBS were compared to the Axis I diagnoses, and the different syndromes described.
Adult↗
An analysis of support groups for the mentally ill as a psychiatric intervention strategy in South Africa.
Support groups for the mentally ill in South Africa have functioned for more than ten years, and new ones are emerging, which shows that there is need for support groups in the community. Little is known about their structure, function and distribution. This study was an exploratory study which attempted to determine whether such groups could function as one of the intervention strategies in the community. The study investigated history, characteristics and activities of the existing support groups, and also examined failed support groups and areas where no support groups have been formed. A register of available support groups was compiled in the process. The sample consisted of fourteen functioning support groups, three unsuccessful support groups, one support group that had been recently initiated, and ten areas which had no support groups. Data collection was carried out by mailed questionnaires and telephonic questionnaires. The study shows that support groups have been in existence for a period ranging from four months to twenty years. The rendered assistance in advocacy and basic needs of their members, and also therapeutic intervention such as life skills teaching, crisis intervention, and counselling.
Community Mental Health Services↗
An evaluation of the problem-solving ability of diplomates from a comprehensive nursing programme.
The aim of this South African study was to obtain a measurement of the problem-solving ability of diplomates from a basic nursing programme with this skill included in its programme objectives. The problem-solving skills of diplomates from this programme were compared with those of first years to determine if there is an improvement in the problem-solving skills. A comparison was also made with a different basic programmes not claiming to teach problem-solving. The research design selected for this study was the ex post facto design. Data were collected using the Triple Jump Method which is an interview technique. The findings suggested that the level of the problem-solving skills of the comprehensive nursing programme diplomate is not satisfactory. There was, however, some improvement in the problem-solving ability from the first to the fourth year. The level of performance of the fourth years was slightly higher than that of the third years of the three-year nursing programme, who were used as the control group. Recommendations on selection teaching and evaluation of students, as well as further research, were made.
Adult↗
The social support system of unmarried pregnant adolescents in the Transkei with particular reference to parents.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether parental or other support systems supported the unmarried pregnant adolescent with regard to psychological and socio-economic parameters while they were pregnant, to determine the factors influencing support and to analyze the outcome of their pregnancy. Thirty rural and ten urban unmarried pregnant adolescents of 14-17 years of age were selected through quota sampling, therefore, 40 adolescents participated. Social support from significant others, as reported by adolescents, was measured through the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviour and Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule. The findings revealed that adolescents were given the support they needed, particularly by their mothers. Other family members, girlfriends and boyfriends also played a prominent role while support from professional support systems was minimal. Adolescent birth records indicate that most girls received prenatal care regularly. Most of their neonates were satisfactory at birth and were average for gestational age.
Adolescent↗
An evaluation of the effect of programme changes in an acute psychiatric unit.
This article describes a research project in which nurses evaluated the effect of changes in a unit programme in a situation where staffing and other resources are severely limited. A quasi-experimental design was used in which the situation before the change was compared with the situation after implementation of the new programme. The dependent variables were patient symptoms and interaction patterns in the unit. The study was done in an acute female psychiatric inpatient unit in a large state psychiatric hospital in South Africa with predominantly black Zulu speaking patients. It was found that the changed programme did not increase the total interactions in the unit significantly, but that it did increase neutral interactions and decreased negative interactions. It also kept the rate of interaction steady over time between patients and staff and steadily increased interaction between patients themselves. In the control group all interactions decreased over time. No significant difference was found in symptoms between the two groups. It is concluded that the structured programme in a unit may change interaction patterns positively, even when poor staffing makes it possible only to plan nursing care for groups of patients rather than individuals. Whether these changes in interaction will be transferred to family and friends in the longer term, still has to be explored.
Acute Disease↗
Educating nurses for primary psychiatric care: a South African perspective.
This article examines the meaning of Primary Health Care, and the implications for the provision of psychiatric care at this level. The authors describe how one nursing school in a developing country, South Africa, prepares nurses to function in a primary health care system, which fully includes psychiatric care. The results for the service, the community and the students are described.
Curriculum↗
Views of leading nurse educators regarding the comprehensive basic nursing programme.
This article describes a Delphi survey amongst nurse educators in South Africa. The aim was to describe their perceptions regarding the reasons for the comprehensive basic nursing programme (CBNP), its aims and expected outcomes. There was general agreement that the programme was necessary, and that it was designed mainly to produce a nurse who could function in a comprehensive health service. Integration of information and economic arguments were also mentioned. Making available a nurse who can deliver a comprehensive service to all people, was also seen as the main aim of the programme. Independent learning, competency in a whole range of skills, the ability to function in a multidisciplinary team and high level cognitive skills were mentioned as additional aims.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
A profile of selected psychiatric out-patients in South Africa.
This article reflects the results of three studies done between 1988 and 1991 describing psychiatric outpatients in different towns and cities of South Africa. Two of the samples consist of Black patients and one of Asian patients. In all three studies demographic, socio-economic and illness data were gathered and analysed. A total of 230 patients were surveyed. The typical psychiatric outpatient seems to be in productive period of his life, single, but living with family. He is poorly educated, may never have been employed and is probably now unemployed. The income of this person and the household is very limited, with many people dependent on the few economically active members of the household. The person probably has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression or substance abuse. If Black, he has been certified and hospitalized at least once for a period of twelve weeks. The person is now attending the outpatient clinic regularly once a month. The socio-economic handicap of these patients is highlighted in the article, as are the implications for families having to care for them. The organization of psychiatric services is addressed in terms of differences in hospitalization rates between different samples and short-comings in the follow-up system.
Adolescent↗
Amputation history and rehabilitation of black men living in the greater Durban area who have had traumatic amputations of the lower limb.
A survey was undertaken amongst twenty five black men living in the greater Durban area who had had amputations of the lower limbs. The type of amputation care the rehabilitation programme they underwent post-operatively is described. The sample included men from 24 to 50 years of age, of whom the majority were from rural areas. The amputation care intra and post-operatively was marked by the lack of emotional preparation pre-operatively, and lack of rehabilitation information and teaching afterwards. Most respondents had to find information for themselves. This lack of information and teaching seemed to impede physical rehabilitation, with stump sores and limited use of prostheses being the main problems. Vocational rehabilitation was almost totally absent. In contrast to the twenty two respondents who worked before their amputations, only four worked afterwards. The majority had to support their families alone; sixteen of them were totally reliant on a Disability Grant. These problems lead to social isolation, depression, loneliness and other psycho-social problems.
Adult↗
Writing a philosophy of nursing?
Nurses in education and management settings are often required to write a philosophy for the facility. In this paper, the use of the concept of 'philosophy' in nursing education and nursing management is explored. The nature of philosophy is then outlined, with specific reference to its relationship with a special science such as nursing. In the light of this discussion, the real nature of the document that nursing authors call a 'philosophy' is discussed. The concepts of a life and world view and a mission statement are discussed in this regard. Specific proposals are then made for nurses in approaching the task of producing this planning document.
Curriculum↗
The social support network for black psychiatric inpatients.
A survey was carried out of almost 50% of Black inpatients in a state psychiatric hospital to evaluate the level of accessibility of the family network of the patients. Staff were interviewed on the problems they have with contacting families. The survey shows the extent of inadequate access and identifies reasons for the problem.
Adolescent↗
An evaluation of the implementation and the effectiveness of two treatment and organizational strategies in the rehabilitation of long-term psychiatric outpatients.
Mental illness usually needs long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Since de-institutionalisation of psychiatric patients in the 1970s, most of this treatment and rehabilitation has needed to be done in the community through psychiatric clinics. It therefore is important to establish which rehabilitation strategies can be implemented in the South African services, and how effective they are. This study reports on two strategies which were implemented in the service to Black patients in psycho-education groups, and skills teaching. The implementation of the strategies was evaluated by looking at feasibility and effort, and their effectiveness was assessed by measuring functional status, symptom improvement and duration and frequency of hospitalisation. It was found that both strategies could be implemented although there were specific problems. These related to the physical facilities in the clinics, the lack of adequate training of nurses in these techniques, and the inadequacy of community resources. The psycho-educational groups were found to have no influence on either functional status or symptoms, but this might be related to difficulties in the research design. None of the patients were hospitalised from the time the study started so hospitalisation could not be used as a pre-and-post-test. Skills teaching was found to influence functional status positively. Although a positive influence on symptoms was also shown, this may have been due to rater un-reliability. The results of this study show that psychiatric community clinics should be reorganised to include psycho-social rehabilitation strategies. These strategies generally are effective and can be implemented if there is a rehabilitation philosophy in the service.
Adolescent↗
Factors influencing the relapse of outpatients with schizophrenia in the Kentani area of Transkei.
A survey was carried out to establish the rate of relapse of patients with schizophrenia in one area of the Transkei. Case studies were completed on relapsed and non-relapsed patients to identify factors which play a role in relapse. Twenty percent of patients referred to this area for aftercare never appeared at clinics. Twenty-three percent of the patients were readmitted within one year. The study identified factors in the patient, the family and the community which relate to relapse.
Adult↗