Biomedical subjects

Merja Nikkonen

Publications and source records attributed to Merja Nikkonen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

'The most disgusting ever': children's pain descriptions and views of the purpose of pain.

This article examines an area of a larger research project, aimed at investigating hospitalized children's experiences of pain. Descriptions of pain and views regarding the purpose of four to 11-year-old children's pain were investigated. A total of 44 hospitalized children participated in the study. The data were collected by means of a qualitative interview with the children. Using qualitative content analysis, interviews were coded and categories identified. Participant descriptions aimed at generalizing the pain. The children specified the nature of the pain and used paraphrases and metaphors. The study demonstrated that most of the children were able to articulate the purpose that they ascribe to their pain. The findings challenge nursing staff to regard the suffering child as an active partner in assessing their pain. An enhanced understanding can better prepare nurses for participating in the management of hospitalized children's pain.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2004

'I had this horrible pain': the sources and causes of pain experiences in 4- to 11-year-old hospitalized children.

Researchers have relied, almost without exception, on adults for qualitative information about children's pain. However, adults may provide only a limited view of children's pain experience. The purpose of this article is to describe the events considered painful by children. Forty-four children participated in the study. They had been admitted for different reasons into different wards of a university hospital. The data consisted of qualitative child interviews and was analysed using inductive content analysis. The pain experience of children came from four main sources: 1. pain as a symptom of a diagnosed illness, 2. pain caused by medical and diagnostic procedures and basic nursing, 3. pain caused by accidents and 4. inexplicable pain not caused by a particular illness or injury. Children are able to report and describe their pain. Children should be regarded as experts on their pain in order to maximize the options for pain management.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Practical nurses in elder care and changes in Finnish society - a biographical study.

BACKGROUND: Substantial changes in the socio-economic circumstances in Finnish society over the past century have resulted in major changes in the case of older people, and in the status of nursing staff who care for them. AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe and analyse the work of practical nurses in elder care through the experiences and life cycles of two practical nurses with a long working experience. METHODS: The data consisted of oral biographical narratives produced by the two nurses in repeated interviews. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: The following chronological stages and periods of the work of the informants emerged as the core themes of elder care: (1) Collective institutionalized care in the 1950s-1970s: The lowest caste in training, obedient subordinates, undemanding service and routine work; (2) Elderly orientated institutionalized care in the 1980s and 1990s: From subordination to co-operation as an experienced nurse, recognizing the specific qualities of the elderly; (3) Prospects of elder care from the 1990s onwards: Returning to custodial care? CONCLUSIONS: The themes are related to the more general changes that have taken place in Finnish society and health care. The future prospects of practical nurses seem challenging because the principles of social work and health care in Finnish society have shifted from institutionalization towards community care. As a consequence, practical nurses are required to have higher qualifications.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Conducting a qualitative child interview: methodological considerations.

BACKGROUND: Studies of children have a long history, but the literature related to young children consists for the most part of studies on rather than with children and taking little account of what is regarded as significant and meaningful by children themselves. Researchers have relied almost exclusively on adults when collecting data about children's thoughts, feelings and experiences. Interviewing children, however, gives an opportunity to gain information about their subjective experiences. AIM: The purpose of this article is to illustrate the theoretical premises of child interviewing, as well as to describe some practical methodological solutions used during interviews. Factors that influence data gathered from children and strategies for taking these factors into consideration during the interview are also described. METHOD: This paper is based on literature and the experience of one of the authors in interviewing children aged from 4 to 11 years about their experiences of pain. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: A consideration of literature dealing with the principles of child interviewing shows that there is surprisingly little guidance available on conversational methods involving children. The empirical and conceptual foundation for child interviewing is not very clear. Novice researchers especially may need recommendations about how to conduct a qualitative child interview. The method must suit both the purpose and the context.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Health culture within the context of the northern environment.

OBJECTIVES: This article is part of an ethnographic study that aims to describe and understand health as a phenomenon of the Sami culture. STUDY DESIGN: The article is based on literature concerning the northern environment and the Sami culture, which is analysed from the point of view of health culture. RESULTS: From the point of view of health culture, life in the northern regions requires adaptation to certain special features of the climate and the natural environment. Nature is also a versatile source of health care, healing and traditions. Particularly in the late 1990's, the northern environment and the Sami lifestyle were profoundly affected by changes in the sources of income caused by modernisation and the adaptation of traditional Sami livelihoods to governmental regulations. The current Sami values and beliefs are multilayered factors affecting health culture. The social growth milieu of Sami children as a source of health culture has changed over the generations. The key elements affecting the growth milieu have changed over time, due to the attitude of the government towards the Sami culture and the consequent changes and actions of society.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2002

Respect as the main lay care activity among the Bena in Ilembula village in Tanzania.

The aim of this ethnographic study was to explore the cultural care practised among the Bena in the Ilembula villages in Tanzania. The purpose was to describe the cultural norms of the social and familiar relationship practices among the Bena for improving and maintaining health in terms of lay care. The data were collected through interviews, participant observation and personal working diaries in the Ilembula villages. Sixty-one villagers were interviewed. The findings show that respect has two main functions: it confirms unity and ensures well-being. Unity is important, and any violation against it is expected to be followed by a punishment, usually in the form of health deterioration. The main respective activities ensuring unity are observed in communication patterns, obedience, sharing the hardships of life and innocence. Rituals focus on the living-dead ancestors and serve both to confirm unity and to ensure well-being. Adult individuals guarantee their own and their descendants' well-being by taking care of their parents' basic needs and taking care of them when they are ill. The parents ensure their children's well-being by teaching them the Bena cultural beliefs and taboos. Respect is based on the world view of the Bena, which pivots on harmonious unity between individuals, supernatural forces and the kinship system.

Cultural Characteristics↗