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Biomedical subjects

R Davidhizar

Publications and source records attributed to R Davidhizar.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Honesty: the best policy in nursing practice.

1. In the process of delivering patient care, nurses are constantly faced with choices of actions that can be either honest or dishonest. Dishonesty may be selected out of a desire to protect oneself, the patient, or even the doctor. 2. Although nurses must often choose between being honest and dishonest, being dishonest violates the trust placed in the nurse and undermines the nursing profession; dishonesty is never justified. 3. To err and to not set the record straight is dishonest and leads to lack of self-respect, lack of respect from others, lack of trust from patients and coworkers, lack of credibility, patient harm, and occasionally to lawsuits.

Codes of Ethics↗
PubMed1991

The employee who complains. Understanding and responding to staff complaints.

A manager's mood sets the tone for the work environment and should be a positive role model. When employees complain, the manager should listen and make careful note not only of the content of what is expressed but also of the feelings behind the message. In short, the manager should address the dynamics behind the complaint in order to be able to appropriately receive, investigate, and respond to complaints. It is the wise manager who accepts that complaints are an inevitable part of the managerial role and who works to develop expertise in ways of handling this human reaction.

Conflict, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

The manager's right to fail.

Positioned as they are between administration and staff, hospital middle managers are especially vulnerable to risks, failures, and the emotions and stress that accompany them. "Failure," however, is a relative term, and turning failure into success chiefly entails a change in perspective and an acceptance of the manager's right to make mistakes.

Creativity↗
PubMed1991

The nonexistent problem.

Effective assessment of problems is essential for the infection control practitioner to function optimally. Today's infection control practitioner not only learns problem solving on the job but is trained in both individual and participatory problem solving techniques. Correct response to a potential problem requires careful investigation and identification of causal relationships. Most literature, however, is directed at solving problems that exist. The phenomenon of nonexistent problems exists when the presented problem is not real but exists only in the perception of the presenter. In some cases, the nonexistent problem may partially represent a real problem, but the relationship may not be readily apparent. Time spent by infection control practitioners responding to nonexistent problems is significant. Without the ability to distinguish between nonexistent and existent problems, needless and ineffective actions may be taken. It is essential that the infection control practitioner understand both the dynamics resulting from the presentation of nonexistent problems and their characteristics.

Hospitals↗
PubMed1991

Teaching safer sex in a long-term psychiatric setting.

The trend toward normalizing life in mental health institutions poses a challenge to the facility's staff in the area of sexual relations among clients. In addition to their other duties, nurses now are being asked to discuss sexual feelings with the clients as well as teach sex education, AIDS information, and safer-sex practices. Such programs need to begin with retraining of staff and institution-wide classes to determine the clients' knowledge base. One model program experienced initial resistance among staff and patients, but worked well after an adjustment period. Different methods were used successfully on the female admission unit, the addiction unit, and the rehabilitation and release unit.

Hospitals, Psychiatric↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of three rating scales used with psychiatric patients.

Many instruments are available to augment assessment of psychiatric patients. There is little comparative information regarding reliability and validity of these tools on assessing treatment needs, in predicting future behavior, and in classifying psychiatric patients. The purpose of the descriptive study was to provide comparative information on the Nosie-30, Pardue-Dick and the Revised Allen Cognitive Level Test. A significant correlation was found between the total Nosie-30 and the Pardue-Dick and between the Revised ACL and the Nosie-30. The scores on the Pardue-Dick and the R-ACL were not related.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1991

Intuition and the nurse manager.

In spite of the present move in health care into the computer age, there is increasing awareness that intuition is an important nursing management technique and that it is linked to success as a manager. Intuition is most effectively implemented by the self-confident manager with experience and expertise as a manager. Nevertheless, a novice manager who values and seeks intuition will find it a technique that will assist in the development of excellence as a manager. Managers who perceive themselves as having limited skills in intuition and yet are sensitive to the need for intuition can compensate for this deficiency by close association with a coworker who can provide intuitive perceptions and evaluations. For example, a head nurse who is primarily analytical may discuss assignment of nurses with an assistant who is highly intuitive. Managers who are able to compensate for intuitive deficiencies by surrounding themselves with competent and trusted subordinates who have intuitive qualities may be able to effectively use both analytic and nonanalytic managerial techniques.

Creativity↗
PubMed1991

The fine art of giving encouragement.

1. Support and encouragement can significantly influence emotional well-being and profoundly affect quality of life. Encouragement is a powerful nursing strategy, increasing both nursing effectiveness and feelings of job satisfaction. 2. A variety of encouragement techniques are available, including focusing on the positive, communicating respect, showing appreciation, picking up the phone, avoiding a superior attitude, sharing personal experiences, providing motivation, and cheerleading. 3. To be most meaningful, words of encouragement should relate to a specific behavior. If encouragement is not consistent with an individual's personal wishes, goals, or feelings, encouragement may receive a negative response or be denied.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Understanding people in groups.

The leader is the key to a successful group. A leader must communicate acceptance, warmth, and concern for others, because these human qualities are also related to effective group work. In addition to positive facilitation, however, the leader must be able to handle behaviors that disrupt accomplishment of the group's goals. By controlling the group, the leader can maintain a sense of security, which contributes to positive group functioning.

Group Processes↗
PubMed1991

Being an effective speaker.

Communication in a group is an essential quality for success in nursing. Despite this, many nurses who must have communication skills to advance have little training in public speaking. Some nurses seek to correct such deficiencies in their education by taking courses in the evenings or on weekends to improve their understanding of the elements of effective speaking. Other nurses learn by self-reflection, study, and ongoing practice. This article has presented guidelines for speaking in a group that can offer assistance in mastering this important nursing skill. Elements of nonverbal communication are crucial for effective communication. However, despite the importance of non-verbal communication to the message, language is what makes communication possible. It is language that allows people to communicate new ideas and thoughts and to solve problems.

Communication↗
PubMed1991

When women lead.

In participative management, it is the leader's role to involve employees and to create situations that contribute to positive feelings among employees about work. These techniques are based on the premise that individuals perform best when they feel good about themselves and their work. Women are more likely than men to motivate employees to turn self-interest into the goals of the organization. "Feminine" management characteristics include encouraging participation, sharing power and information, promoting selfworth of others, and energizing others. The feminine leadership style is especially relevant to and useful in nursing because it is a high-stress occupation. An interactive approach provides the necessary support that employees and colleagues need to survive in high-stress environments.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Let's talk about it. Communication in the OR.

1. Clear communication in the operating room promotes efficiency, reduces the chance of patient injury, and provides the support necessary for the staff to respond to high stress levels. 2. Stress, cultural or language barriers, differing education levels, and stereotyping are barriers to effective communication. 3. Positive communication techniques that are useful in the operating room include those that build rapport, provide support, communicate information, and promote problem solving.

Communication↗
PubMed1991

Anger in the operating room.

In the microcosm of the operating room, where all actions and feelings appear intensified, anger can quickly become a significant obstacle to efficient functioning. The ability to therapeutically respond to angry feelings is an important skill for the OR manager. A manager who can respond to another's anger with a cool emotional tone, who can select when and where to express angry feelings, and who can deliberately solve a problem will be respected as a manager as well as a leader whose example should be followed.

Anger↗
PubMed1991

Helping the new nurse adjust to the OR environment.

1. The concept of culture shock can be applied to nurses who enter specialized areas of health care, where professionals with unique patterns of behavior and thinking are encountered. 2. The phenomena of communication, space, social organization, time, and environmental control can be used in assessing the OR environment and in easing the transition of new nurses. 3. Staff orientation periods need to include not only the transmission of technical information but also an understanding of the adjustments that must be made in terms of culture shock.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Nurses' new approach to helping patients.

The person who uses a supportive facilitating approach assists another to grow. Although this approach has been used historically by parents and in education, it is only recently that medical and nursing professionals have adopted it. This approach promotes mutual participation in decision making and a collaborative rather than an authoritarian approach by the helper. A facilitating approach maximizes independence and, in the end, helps others to help themselves.

Helping Behavior↗