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Biomedical subjects

M Allen

Publications and source records attributed to M Allen.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Conceptual frameworks and the philosophical foundations of general living systems theory.

The continued expansion and fragmentation of biological disciplines impede education, communication, and efficient advance of biological research. Reversing these trends may require a unification of theories and concepts from all levels of biological organization. One form of this unification is the statement of generalizations that apply to all living systems. We explore the philosophical foundations of general theories of living systems by analyzing conceptual frameworks as they apply to biology. This analysis examines the relation of empirical observation, theories, and conceptual frameworks within the context of an individual scientist's conceptual continuum. Also presented are a small set of translevel generalizations that articulate our conceptual framework of living systems in terms of organismic system organization, the environmental system-organismic system dyad, system capacity, and system incorporation. A set of procedural rules are stated which suggest minimum criteria for the evaluation of the explanatory adequacy of biological theories. The relation of this work to other similar analyses and syntheses of biological knowledge is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Staff attitudes towards the care of the critically ill in the medical intensive care unit.

In an attempt to study the basis for conflict and tension surrounding decision making in ICU settings, a questionnaire was used to examine staff attitudes in a newly opened medical ICU in four major areas: (1) ethical issues; (2) decision-making process; (3) communications; and (4) emotional reactions of staff. All of the 36 house officers and 32 of 34 nurses (all RNs) completed the questionnaire. Results showed there was no monolithic nursing as opposed to physician position on any issue. Futhermore, professional role exerted a more profound influence on attitudes than gender or religious background. There was remarkable agreement between physician and nurse groups on ethical issues. However, nurses were less satisfied with the decision-making process and communication in the medical ICU and were more aware than physicians of their own and other's emotional reactions. The results suggested four ways to reduce tension in the medical ICU: (1) frankly recognize the inevitability of conflict and tension in a system where physicians have ultimate authority; (2) avoid perpetuating stereotypes; (3) maximize the continuity of physician care; and (4) maximize communication between and within professional groups.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1974

A user study of manual and MEDLINE literature searches in the hospital library.

To determine possible uses for MEDLINE in the hospital library, health practitioners requesting literature searches were provided with both a manual and a MEDLINE search. Patron receptivity to MEDLINE was good, but the manual search was more often preferred. The health practitioners responding to a questionnaire apparently had delegated literature searching and evaluation of material to the hospital librarians, especially when clinically related information was needed. In the community hospitals where both the search and the selection of material are the responsibility of the librarian, MEDLINE can be used as the primary search tool or to supplement material provided.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗