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Biomedical subjects

L Sinha

Publications and source records attributed to L Sinha.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Focus group discussions in medical research.

Qualitative research methods have recently started to gain popularity in social and health sciences for determining a more holistic view of peoples' perceptions about health. Focus group discussions are frequently used to obtain perspectives and attitudes of people about issues, seek explanations for behavior, triangulate data obtained through other qualitative methods and generate hypotheses. To facilitate clinicians to comprehend the use of focus group methodology in the clinical field, the meaning, purpose, advantages, limitations and quality assurance measures of focus group discussions are described. The general requirements and the method for conducting focus groups are briefly explained. In addition, key issues that could be addressed by focus group methodology have also been highlighted.

Focus Groups↗
PubMed2000

Quantitative vs qualitative research methods.

Quantitative methods have been widely used because of the fact that things that can be measured or counted gain scientific credibility over the unmeasurable. But the extent of biological abnormality, severity, consequences and the impact of illness cannot be satisfactorily captured and answered by the quantitative research alone. In such situations qualitative methods take a holistic perspective preserving the complexities of human behavior by addressing the "why" and "how" questions. In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both the methods and also that a balanced mix of both qualitative as well as quantitative methods yield the most valid and reliable results.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1998

Idiopathic bile acid malabsorption: qualitative and quantitative clinical features and response to cholestyramine.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic bile acid malabsorption is a poorly recognized cause of chronic diarrhoea. The SeHCAT (75Selenium HomotauroCholic Acid Test) can accurately diagnose this condition. AIM: To identify patients with idiopathic bile acid malabsorption, to describe their clinical features, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and to assess the response to cholestyramine. METHOD: Idiopathic bile acid malabsorption was considered in all patients complaining of chronic diarrhoea. They were included in the study if their SeHCATs were positive (< 15% retention) and secondary causes of bile acid malabsorption were excluded. The response to therapy with cholestyramine was assessed. RESULTS: Nine patients were diagnosed with idiopathic bile acid malabsorption (median SeHCAT retention 8%, range 3-12.6). Their median daily faecal weight was 285 g (range 85-676) and median faecal fat output was 17 mmol/24 h (range 8.3-38.8). Six patients had an immediate response to cholestyramine. There was a marked reduction in stool frequency (median stool frequency pre-treatment 5/day vs. 2/day post-treatment, P = 0.03). Five patients had large volume diarrhoea (faecal weight > 200 g/day) and three had steatorrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic bile acid malabsorption, once suspected, especially by documenting true 'large volume' watery diarrhoea or steatorrhoea, is easily diagnosed and response to therapy is often very good. There is often a previous history of gastrointestinal infection and this condition should be considered in patients with chronic diarrhoea of undetermined origin, especially before they are labelled as having irritable bowel syndrome.

Absorption↗
PubMed1995

Recurrent Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis.

A case of recurrent endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a rare cause of endocarditis, is reported. The first episode of infection resulted in valvular damage, necessitating replacement of the aortic and mitral valves, and the second episode was treated successfully with antibiotics alone. Recurrence occurred even though the organism was fully susceptible to the antibiotics used and the patient showed no evidence of immune deficiency.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1992

Reconstruction of the chest wall with e-PTFE following major resection.

Nine patients underwent major chest wall resection at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) over a 19-month period. Chest wall reconstruction was performed with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) soft tissue patch (Gore-Tex) and vascularized flaps in all patients. The size of the skeletal defects ranged in area from 60 to 400 cm2. The primary indications for resection included chest wall sarcoma and radiation ulcer. Aggressive chest wall resection may be a patient's only opportunity for cure and an improved quality of life. In this series, chest wall resection was able to be performed with a low morbidity and no mortality. This study also demonstrates many of the advantages of e-PTFE as a chest wall substitute compared with other previously described prosthetic materials. The use of a Gore-Tex patch along with described flaps for soft tissue coverage provides good functional and aesthetic results.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

"Patient focused charting".

A study of charting in the Nursing Division at St. Boniface General Hospital identified problems with the narrative style of charting. This project was designed to develop and evaluate a practical, easy to use documentation system, with a structure for recording care as decisions were made. Integration of the care plan and nurse's notes was achieved, making documentation individualized to the patient and reflective of nursing practice. The charting system was tested on a 30-bed surgical unit with 25 nursing staff and evaluated through a chart audit, charting opinionnaire and time survey. Four evaluations were done, one prior to change and at 3, 8 and 12 months after implementation. Chart audit scores increased significantly from a mean of 9.05 to 12.75. Mean scores on the charting opinionnaire increased significantly from 47.59 to 55.62. Mean time spent charting per patient in 24 hours decreased from 22.73 to 18.27 minutes. These results indicate that integration of the careplan and nurse's notes is possible with improvement in charting quality.

Holistic Health↗
PubMed1980

Lysosomal acid hydrolases in developing human brain regions.

beta-D-Glucosidase, beta-D-glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, and beta-D-galactosidase were monitored in the human foetal brain at different gestational periods. Glucosidase specific activity in all brain regions exhibits two peaks, at 8 g and 32 g foetal weights. Acid phosphatase exhibits very high specific activity in all brain regions at 5 g, but the cerebellar activity forms a peak at 220 g foetal weight, the midbrain at 135 g, and the spinal activity at 760 g. beta-D-Glucosaminidase has a peak at 220 g and 660 g in the midbrain, and beta-D-galactosidase specific activity is highest in the cortex and cerebellum in late gestation (neuronal differentiation phase). The midbrain medulla and the spinal cord show peak activity at 8 g and 220 g foetal weight. The results suggest an inter- and intraregional heterogeneity of acquisition for these enzymes in human brain ontogeny.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1972

Priapism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of computerization on nursing: automated order entry, care planning, and implications for recruitment.

Very few empirical studies have been completed which verify the actual benefits of automation for nursing. This article provides an overview of the results and implications of five research studies undertaken at a Canadian Hospital to ascertain the impact of computerization on selected aspects of nursing. These studies found that nurses perceived few positive benefits for direct care givers when order entry, results reporting and care planning were automated. This article will be of particular interest to nurse administrators who are embarking on automation within their hospitals.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗