Biomedical subjects

Margaret H Crighton

Publications and source records attributed to Margaret H Crighton.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Geriatric neutrophils: implications for older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To review the intersection of immunosenescence and neutropenia, focusing on innate immunity, and implications for research and practice for neutropenic older adults with cancer. DATA SOURCES: Research studies, journal articles, and web sites. CONCLUSION: Immunosenescence, age-related changes within the immune system renders older adults more vulnerable to infection. This vulnerability is magnified by cancer and its treatment. Unfortunately, there has been little consideration of immunosenescence as it relates to supportive care for this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Studies detailing the impact of immunosenescence on neutropenia and outcomes for neutropenic older adults are necessary to advance clinical research and practice.

Age Distribution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dimensions of neutropenia in adult cancer patients: expanding conceptualizations beyond the numerical value of the absolute neutrophil count.

Neutropenia is a common and dangerous toxicity of cancer therapy that profoundly affects patients' lives. Neutropenia is typically defined by the numerical value of the absolute neutrophil count. However, considering neutropenia exclusively as the numerical value of the absolute neutrophil count limits its conceptualizations to physiologically related aspects, minimizes its complexities, and neglects dimensions of human response and the patient experience. This article offers a dimensional analysis of neutropenia derived from 42 research and clinical articles. Schatzman's dimensional analysis methods were applied to the literature to identify aspects of this phenomenon lying beyond its numerical boundaries. Dimensions of neutropenia that emerged were sorted into categories of perspective, context, conditions, processes, and consequences. The presence of the same dimension in more than 1 category and the circuitous relationships among categories begin to explicate the complexity and gravity of neutropenia. Articulation of these dimensions is necessary to assemble the beginnings of a theoretical understanding of neutropenia, which is crucial for the development and application of knowledge to research and practice. Limitations evident in the literature illuminate the urgent need for research into the psychosocial as well as physiologic dimensions of neutropenia.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Event analysis techniques.

Event analysis (EA), a qualitative research technique adapted from the fields of anthropology and sociology, can be used to describe and explain social interactions and behaviors associated with complicated clinical situations. Event analysis is useful in limiting the focus of data collection in complex settings and in obtaining and managing multiple perspectives about an event of interest while situating the event within appropriate social and environmental contexts. This article reviews contemporary uses of EA in clinical nursing research, describes the modification and application of EA techniques to common methods of data gathering (observation, interview, and document review) in clinical settings, and presents recommendations for conducting EA in clinical settings by using exemplars from a current study.

Clinical Nursing Research↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reciprocity for patients with head and neck cancer participating in an instrument development project.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine reciprocity (i.e., a mutual exchange of benefit) in study participation via a thematic analysis of field notes on study participation from a parent psychometric study. DESIGN: Qualitative. SETTING: Head and neck surgery clinic in an urban tertiary hospital. SAMPLE: Seven patients with head and neck cancer recruited to participate in an instrument development project. METHODS: Symbolic interactionism was employed to frame the examination of field notes from observations and interactions with patients, as well as participant notes accompanying returned retest questionnaires. Analysis relied on the constant comparative technique at the levels of open and axial coding. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Participation in an instrument development project. FINDINGS: Four content themes emerged in the analysis: Willingness to Help, Reassurance That the Deficits Patients Experience Are Common, Participation Provides Social Contact, and Confirmation of Clinically Significant Findings. A process theme, Unveiling the Experience, integrated the content themes in relation to participation itself. The role of the study nurse appears to be pivotal in this process. CONCLUSIONS: A notion of reciprocity in research participation is apparent. The role of the study nurse is an important element in the process of reciprocity. This role should be explored to enhance study participation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Implications, particularly for clinical trial nurses, include recasting the benefits of participating in research, better addressing preparation for patients scheduled to receive treatment for head and neck cancer, and exploring and enhancing the role of the study nurse.

Clinical Nursing Research↗