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PubMed2001

Knowledge of Down syndrome in pregnant women from different ethnic groups.

The uptake of any screening test is influenced by knowledge of the condition being screened for. In the present study, the knowledge and the source of knowledge of women offered antenatal screening for Down syndrome (DS) was assessed by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 300 consecutive women booking for antenatal care, of the 245 (82%) women who completed and returned the questionnaire, 117 (48%) were Caucasian, 85 (35%) were Asian born outside the UK, 32 (13%) were Asian born in the UK and ten (4%) belonged to other categories. Only 30% of the cohort had a good understanding of the condition. Racial groups other than Caucasian had a poorer understanding of DS. The factors which affected knowledge of DS included quality of spoken English, knowing an affected child, parity and religion. The most significant factor affecting acceptance of screening was the woman's knowledge of DS. The source of information for the condition varied widely: 42% from a general practitioners (GP), 24% from the hospital and 16% from midwives. The proportion with good knowledge was similar in those women whose source of information was the GP (45%) and the midwife (41%). These proportions were, however, higher (though not significantly) when the source of information was from magazines and newspapers (67%) and from friends (53%). Uptake of the screening test was best in those with good knowledge (53%) compared to those with poor knowledge (23%) (p<0.02). Between 28% and 66% (depending on the ethnic group) of women had a screening blood test "allegedly" without knowing why it had been performed. In order to improve uptake of the screening test for DS there is need for better education and counselling of women attending for antenatal care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The diagnosis of osteoporosis: attitudes and knowledge of Israeli physicians.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Osteoporosis is the most common human bone disease. Although proper diagnosis may minimize injury and disability, this depends to a great extent on the knowledge and attitudes of physicians. The aim of the present study was to assess physicians' attitudes, knowledge and practice regarding the diagnosis of osteoporosis. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to 1900 Israeli physicians addressing their knowledge and attitudes about osteoporosis and its diagnosis, and their perceptions regarding the cost-effectiveness of different diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Answers were received from 19% of the physicians. The majority of the respondents supported screening for osteoporosis, especially in high-risk women. Overall, the participants had good knowledge about the definition of osteoporosis and its risk factors, but poor knowledge about its prevalence. Female physicians had better knowledge and stronger attitudes than male physicians. Similarly, younger and less experienced physicians showed better knowledge. The majority of the participants reported being familiar with, and using all types of clinical methods. They also perceived these methods as highly cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study stress the need to extend the knowledge of physicians regarding diagnosis of osteoporosis and the research aimed at understanding their attitudes.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Factors affecting diabetes knowledge in Type 2 diabetic veterans.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To describe the clinical, psychological and social factors affecting diabetes knowledge of veterans with established Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of 284 insulin-treated veterans with stable Type 2 diabetes. All subjects completed the University of Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre Knowledge Test, the Diabetes Care Profile, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Diabetes Family Behaviour Checklist. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to develop a model for the diabetes knowledge score based upon clinical and psychosocial variables. RESULTS: One hundred eighty subjects were evaluated in a derivation set. The mean age +/- SD was 65.4+/-9.6 years, 94% were men, and 36% were members of a minority group. Performance on the diabetes knowledge test was poor (64.9+/-15.3% correct). Self-perceived understanding of all management objectives explained only 6% of the variance in the knowledge scores. Multivariate analysis showed that age, years of schooling, duration of treatment, cognitive function, sex, and level of depression were independent determinants of the knowledge score. When the model was applied to 104 subjects in a validation set, there was a strong correlation between observed and predicted scores (r=0.537; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Stable, insulin-treated veterans have major deficiencies in diabetes knowledge that could impair their ability to provide self-care. A multivariate model comprised of demographic variables and psychosocial profiling can identify patients who have limited diabetes knowledge and be used to assess individual barriers to ongoing diabetes education.

Body Weight↗

PubMed1997

Asthma education for Swedish primary care physicians--a study on the effects of "academic detailing" on practice and patient knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an intervention on general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, including the prescribing of anti-asthmatic drugs, and asthmatic patients' knowledge about their disease. METHODS: The study took place in the south-west region of Stockholm County. In the area where the intervention took place (area 1), 44 GPs at 21 health centres were visited by a clinical pharmacologist and a pharmacist presenting oral and written information. The basic messages were: (1) the central role of inhaled glucocorticoids; (2) the use of peak expiratory flow (PEF) meters; and (3) the use of reversibility tests. In the control area (area 2), there were 19 GPs at nine health centres. The GPs knowledge about the intervention message was evaluated by a questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. The ratios of prescribed inhaled be beta-adrenoceptor agonists to inhaled glucocorticoids were determined. At the 26 local pharmacies, all asthmatic patients who presented a prescription for anti-asthmatic drugs, issued at the 30 health centres, were given a questionnaire before and after the intervention regarding their knowledge of asthma and its treatment. RESULTS: GPs in area 1 showed significantly more knowledge about item numbers 2 and 3 in the above-described intervention message than did the GPs in the control area 2. The data on prescriptions showed lower ratios of beta-adrenoceptor agonists to glucocorticoids in area 1 than in area 2. The difference, however, between area 1 and area 2 was not significant. After the GP intervention, the patients' knowledge about asthma had increased in area 1, as assessed by the questionnaire filled in by the patients. However, there was no significant difference from that in area 2. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows differences between the intervention and control areas regarding the knowledge and practice of GPs after the intervention. We found changes in knowledge, attitudes and actual practice, the latter being measured by the prescriptions.

Asthma↗

PubMed1993

Correlates of AIDS knowledge in samples of the general population.

Eighty studies presenting original research are reviewed to explore the correlates of AIDS knowledge in samples of the general population. Results from these studies indicate that being highly educated, young or white increases the chances of being knowledgeable about AIDS and that a relationship exists between strong religious beliefs or conservative political convictions and low AIDS knowledge. Other social or demographic variables appear to have little effect on AIDS knowledge. Evidence from these studies is divided between findings indicating no association and those showing some relationship between low AIDS knowledge and high level of concern. Restrictive attitudes toward persons with AIDS are associated with low level of knowledge. The literature examining the correlates of AIDS knowledge in samples of the general population is characterized by an abundance of studies with small convenience samples of adolescents or students. Larger and more representative samples of the general population tend to confirm the results of the less methodologically sound convenience samples. However, future studies should take into account potential confounders when examining the relation between knowledge and explanatory variables to assess the nature and reliability of purported associations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2003

To know that we know what we know: perceived knowledge and adolescent sexual risk behavior.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between perceived knowledge about sex and adolescent sexual behaviors. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the 2001 Minnesota Student Survey. Bivariate and multivariate relationships between perceived knowledge about sex and sexual behaviors were examined. SETTING: Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: 83,481 9(th) and 12(th) grade public school students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Students' report of sexual experience and sexual behaviors. RESULTS: Students with low perceived knowledge were less likely to be sexually experienced (OR=0.22, CI=0.17-0.29, females, OR=0.70, CI=0.59-0.82, males, P=0.00). Among sexually active students, those with low perceived knowledge also had significantly higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Sexually experienced females with low perceived knowledge were more likely to report not talking with their partners about STIs (OR=1.83, CI=1.1-3.16, P=0.02), a history of pregnancy (OR=2.87, CI=1.59-5.18, P=0.00), and had higher numbers of male (P=0.03) and female (P=0.00) sexual partners. Sexually experienced males with low perceived knowledge were more likely to report not talking with their partners about pregnancy (OR=1.43, CI=1.11-1.84, P=0.01), pregnancy involvement (OR=2.22, CI=1.65-2.95, P=0.00), inconsistent use of birth control (OR=1.30, CI= 1.01-1.68, P=0.04), inconsistent use of condoms (OR=1.79, CI=1.38-2.32, P=0.00), not using a condom at last intercourse (OR=1.58, CI=1.22-2.04, P=0.00), and had a higher numbers of male (P=0.00) and female (P=0.00) sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived knowledge may be a salient antecedent of adolescent sexual risk behavior. Health care providers and programs should incorporate the construct of perceived knowledge into their assessments of and interventions targeted at adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Knowledge and beliefs among brothers and sons of men with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To describe prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs, important predictors of screening behavior, in first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer and to compare the knowledge with beliefs about familial risk. METHODS: We sent a letter to 837 men with prostate cancer to invite their brothers and/or sons aged 40 to 70 years to participate in the study. Their first-degree relatives who responded received a survey to explore their prostate cancer family history, prostate cancer knowledge, self-efficacy, barriers to screening, perceived benefits, perceived vulnerability, social support, and sociodemographic and medical characteristics. RESULTS: Of 139 participants (age 53 +/- 9 years), 92% were white, and 27% had more than one relative with prostate cancer. Ninety-eight percent of men answered at least one half of the knowledge questions correctly. Older men responded correctly more often than did younger men. Physician recommendations did not appear to be associated with better knowledge about familial risk. Among the 105 subjects (76%) who knew about familial risk, only 65 (62%) believed they themselves were at higher risk of prostate cancer than the average American man. Most of the beliefs were favorable to screening. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer knowledge appeared high, although, surprisingly, familial risk was not the best understood domain. Physician recommendations were not associated with better knowledge about familial risk. Many men underestimated their own risk of developing prostate cancer, even among those with good knowledge about familial risk.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions in relation to the early detection of colorectal cancer in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is high. Understanding the social, psychological, and cognitive predictors of early detection practices such as screening may help improve CRC outcomes. This study examined knowledge of CRC and the relationship between knowledge, attitudes to cancer, and intentions to engage in early detection behaviors for CRC in a national representative population sample. METHOD: An interview-based survey was carried out in a British population sample of adults ages 16 to 74 years (n = 1637), assessing knowledge, attitudes, and intention with regard to colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Knowledge levels were very low; 58% (n = 995) of respondents could not list any colorectal cancer risk factors and 24% (n = 393) were unable to identify any warning signs for cancer. Knowledge was lower among men (chi(2)[2] = 52.8, P < 0.0001), younger respondents (chi(2)[10] = 79.9, P <.0001), and those with less education (chi(2)[4] = 73.9, P < 0.0001). Attitudes to cancer were more negative among women (chi(2) [2] = 7.4, P = 0.025), younger participants (chi(2)[10] = 22.4, P = 0.013), and those with less education (chi(2) [4] = 75.0, P < 0.0001). Low knowledge was associated with negative attitudes (P < 0.0001) and both factors were associated with lower intentions to participate in colorectal cancer screening (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that attitudes partially mediated the effect of knowledge on screening intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing knowledge may reduce negative public perceptions of cancer which may impact positively on intentions to participate in screening.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Parental nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake in an atherosclerosis prevention project: the impact of child-targeted nutrition counselling.

Most of the counselling in health care targeted at child nutrition is delivered via the parents, but little is known about the effects of such counselling on the nutrition knowledge and dietary habits of the parents. In the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children (STRIP), we studied how 6.5 years of child-targeted nutrition counselling affected the knowledge, attitudes and dietary habits of the parent mainly responsible for food purchase and preparation. We used a questionnaire and a 24-h recall interview in a time-restricted cohort of 98 families belonging to the intervention group and 89 families belonging to the control group in the STRIP project. After controlling for background variables, the intervention parents had better knowledge than the control parents of causal relationships between food choices and coronary heart disease and of the nutritional composition of foods. Knowledge of nutrition concepts did not differ between the two groups. The quality of fat was better in the diet of the intervention parents, they consumed less salt and they also had more knowledge concerning these subjects compared to the control parents (higher behavioural capability scores). The behavioural capability scores of the total group correlated poorly with their nutrient intakes. Thus, child-targeted nutrition intervention delivered to the parents increased parental nutrition knowledge and improved the quality of the parents' diet. However, as nutrition knowledge of the parents correlated poorly with their nutrient intakes, other factors than knowledge appear to influence parental dietary decisions.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Osteoporosis knowledge, calcium intake, and weight-bearing physical activity in three age groups of women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent and integration of osteoporosis knowledge in three age groups of women and compare knowledge to calcium intake and weight-bearing physical activity (WBPA). In this cross-sectional study, knowledge, calcium intake and WBPA were assessed using probe interviews, a food frequency and an activity questionnaire, respectively. Seventy-five white women were separated into three groups: young (25-35 years), middle aged (36-46 years) and postmenopausal (50+ years). Concept maps were used to assess knowledge (concepts, integration and misconceptions). Calcium intakes from diet, supplements and fortified orange juice were estimated as were minutes of daily WBPA. Analysis of covariance was used to compare knowledge, calcium intake and WBPA by age group. Covariates included education, family history, physical problems making exercise difficult, and lactose intolerance. Chi square analysis was used to determine differences in these covariates across age groups. Correlations and regression analysis were used to determine relationships between knowledge and behaviors. Knowledge scores averaged 32-44 points (183 possible). Average calcium intake in all groups exceeded the Dietary Reference Intake's recommended Adequate Intake but 20-24% consumed less than 60% of the AI. Housework, walking at work, and standing at home and work accounted for 90% of WBPA. Knowledge about osteoporosis was limited and not associated with age, WBPA or calcium intake. Calcium intake and WBPA were not associated with age. Practitioners need to provide explicit information on osteoporosis and risk reducing behaviors to women of all ages.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Impact of nutrition counselling on nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake of 7- to 9-y-old children in an atherosclerosis prevention project.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of nutrition counselling given to 7.5- to 9-y-old children and their parents on children's nutrition knowledge and nutrient intakes. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The study children are participants in a prospective, randomised STRIP study (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children), whose aim was to decrease the intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol while increasing the intake of unsaturated fat in the intervention children from the age of 7 months onwards. Nutrition counselling was given only to the parents until the child's age of 7 y. Nutrition knowledge and nutrient intakes (total energy, total fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat and sodium) were studied in a time-restricted cohort of 47, 7-y-old intervention and 51 control children. Thereafter, nutrition counselling was given both to the children and parents. Children's nutrition knowledge and nutrient intakes were measured again at the age of 9 y. RESULTS: Biannual nutrition counselling given to the intervention children and the parents maintained the differences in saturated fatty acid intake attained during the intervention given to the parents alone (11.5 vs 13.3 E% (percent of energy intake), at the age of 7 y, P<0.01; 11.1 vs 13.4 E% at the age of 9 y, respectively; P<0.01). The intervention children used more polyunsaturated fatty acids at the age of 9 y than the control children (5.7 vs 5.1 E%, P=0.05). At 7 y, the intervention and control children had similar nutrition knowledge scores (total knowledge score 12.9 vs 12.0, respectively, P=0.13). After 1.5 y of nutrition intervention, at 9 y, the intervention children's nutrition knowledge was higher than that of the controls (total nutrition score 16.5 vs 13.2, respectively, P<0.001) and the ability to explain the reasons for their picture choices in the nutrition knowledge test had increased. CONCLUSION: This study showed that only a relatively short period of counselling with low input is needed to increase in children's nutrition knowledge and ability to explain nutrition-related subjects if advice has first been given to the parents and if the parents have received reinforcement and concrete help with parent-child communication after their children have been involved in the counselling. The differences attained in nutrient intake could also be maintained.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed1996

Do programmes of medicine self-administration enhance patient knowledge, compliance and satisfaction?

Self-administration of medicine (SAM) programmes for hospital in-patients have become increasingly popular. Such programmes are considered to facilitate education and learning. A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was carried out to examine and compare knowledge acquisition, drug compliance, and satisfaction between patients who self-administered their medications and those who did not. Improvements in knowledge and compliance with medication regimes could not be linked directly with a SAM programme. All patients had a high level of knowledge of their medications and appeared to be compliant with prescribed drug regimes. Study findings support the hypothesis that knowledge improves with time, regardless of how medications are administered, but do not support the hypothesis that patients who self-administrate are more knowledgeable about their medications than those who do not. Therefore, SAM programmes may improve patient knowledge but opportunities to obtain knowledge may not be unique to such programmes. The ward or unit philosophy may be such that other patients, who are less willing or able to participate directly in their own care, also have the opportunity to improve their knowledge.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗

PubMed1998

The knowledge and attitudes of mental health nurses to electro-convulsive therapy.

Three hundred and forty-five questionnaires containing the knowledge and attitude scale for ECT devised by Janicak et al. (1985) were distributed to mental health nurses working in Wales, the data were collected from the 167 returned. Limitations in the reliability of the instrument with respect to the degree of internal consistency were found, this suggested that the knowledge statements used were inconsistent in providing a reliable measure of respondents knowledge of ECT. Findings suggested that a higher level of knowledge appeared to be associated with the length of experience of the nurse and their area of clinical practice. In addition, there were substantial variations in actual knowledge, particularly with regard to cognitive side-effects with ECT. Attitudes to ECT in this study were significantly related to the place in which the nurse was practising and the degree of contact the nurse had with patients receiving the treatment. Greater knowledge scores were obtained by those nurses who indicated a more positive response towards ECT. The conclusions suggest that knowledge of ECT required improvement in many cases, and this has implications for nurse education. A relationship between knowledge and attitudes appears to exist in this study, however, such a relationship would need to be tested further in future research.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

The relationship between diabetes knowledge and compliance among Chinese with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong.

This study examines the relationship between diabetes knowledge and compliance among Chinese with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data through structured self-report interviews based on validated scales assessing diabetes knowledge, compliance behaviours and demographic data. The Diabetes Knowledge Scale was used to sample knowledge in the major areas of basic physiology of diabetes and general principles of diabetes care. Compliance level was assessed by using the Compliance Behaviour Questionnaire, inspection of patients' feet and the value of HbA1c. A convenience sample of 52 Chinese with NIDDM receiving out-patient diabetes care participated in the study on a voluntary basis. Descriptive and correlational statistical analyses were used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that there was no association between diabetes knowledge and compliance. There was a gap between what the patients were taught and what they were actually doing. Most of the patients gained higher marks on factual knowledge on diabetes but lost marks on the application of knowledge to their real life situations. Strategies are suggested to close the 'knowledge-action gap' and increase patients' motivation and ability to comply with the health regimen.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Baby walkers--health visitors' current practice, attitudes and knowledge.

BACKGROUND: Baby walkers are a commonly used item of nursery equipment. Between 12% and 50% of parents whose infant uses a walker report that their child has suffered a walker-related injury. Health visitors' knowledge, attitudes and practice with regard to walkers and related health education has not been explored so far. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe health visitors' knowledge of walkers and walker-related injuries, their attitudes towards walkers and current practice with regard to walker health education, and to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes and knowledge and practice. METHOD: A survey was carried out with 64 health visitors prior to participation in a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of an educational package in reducing baby walker use. RESULTS: The response rate was 95%. Half of the health visitors always discussed walkers postnatally, most frequently at the 6-9 month check. Most did not usually discuss the frequency of walker-related injuries. Most had negative attitudes towards walkers, but believed that parents hold positive attitudes to them and that it is hard to persuade parents not to use them. Health visitors had a limited knowledge of walker use and walker-related injuries. Those giving advice on walkers most often had higher knowledge scores than those giving advice less often (P = 0.03). Those with higher knowledge scores held more negative attitudes towards walkers (rs = 0.29, P = 0.023) and believed parents to have more positive attitudes towards walkers (rs = -0.49, P < 0.001). Few health visitors had resources to discuss walkers. CONCLUSIONS: Health visitor advice regarding walkers needs to be given earlier in the postnatal period than is currently common practice, and they need more knowledge about walker use and related injuries. Education about baby walkers needs to be incorporated into undergraduate and in-service education, which may need to include the development of skills in exploring reasons why parents use walkers and in negotiating alternatives to their use. The provision of audio-visual aids for discussing walkers might also be helpful.

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed2001

Does an HIV clinical trial information booklet improve patient knowledge and understanding of HIV clinical trials?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of an information booklet on HIV clinical trials, Clinical Trials in HIV and AIDS: Information For People Who Are Thinking About Joining a Trial, in addition to the standard trial information (SI) on patients' knowledge; understanding and attitudes about clinical trials; and to investigate patients' motivations and reasons for enrolling or not enrolling in a clinical trial. METHODS: Fifty HIV-1 positive patients who attended the HIV clinic at a west London hospital were randomized to receive either SI alone (n = 27) or SI and a 16 page information booklet explaining the principles and procedures of HIV clinical trials (n = 23). A self-administered questionnaire was used at baseline to assess past experience and attitudes to clinical trials (10 questions), knowledge and understanding of HIV treatments (8 questions) and clinical trials (11 questions). At 2-6 months after randomization, a second interviewer-administered questionnaire addressed the patient's assessment of the usefulness and comprehensiveness of the information provided by the SI and information booklet, whether or not the patient had enrolled in a clinical trial and reasons for enrolling/not enrolling, knowledge of specific aspects of the trial protocol the patient was eligible to join (13 questions) and general knowledge of clinical trial procedures (repeat of 11 baseline questions). Changes in the attitudes and scores on knowledge and understanding of clinical trials were compared for the two groups. RESULTS: In both groups, patient knowledge of clinical trial procedures improved significantly over the study period. The median score increased from 30 at baseline to 35/44 at follow-up (SI only) vs. 24-31/44 (SI plus booklet), but this did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, knowledge of the specific trial protocol was poor [median score 13/25, interquartile range (IQR) 8-14], and there was no difference in the scores for the two groups. The prime motivations for joining a clinical trial were to benefit personal health and to gain access to new treatments. Potential side-effects were the main concern of prospective trial participants. CONCLUSIONS: This small trial shows that, while the patients' general knowledge and understanding of clinical trials improved over time, this was not improved by the information booklet and recollection of the details of the relevant trial protocol remained poor.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The ADKnowl: identifying knowledge deficits in diabetes care.

AIMS: To present the ADKnowl measure of diabetes-related knowledge and evaluate its use in identifying the nature and extent of patient and health professional knowledge deficits. METHOD: The ADKnowl was used in a large-scale study of 789 patients (451 treated with insulin and 338 treated with tablets and/or diet) attending for annual review at one of two hospital out-patient diabetes clinics RESULTS: Knowledge deficits were apparent in the patients. For example, 57% did not recognize the inaccuracy of the statement 'fresh fruit can be eaten freely with little effect on blood glucose levels'. Seventy-five percent of patients did not know that it is advisable to trim toenails to the shape of the toe. Knowledge deficits were identified for many other areas of diabetes management, e.g. prevention of hypoglycaemia, avoidance of ketoacidosis. Sixteen health professionals at the clinics answered the same items. Contrary to recommendations, 25% of health professionals thought that fresh fruit could be eaten freely. Seventy-five percent of health professionals did not know the current recommendations for trimming toenails. As expected, HbA1c did correlate with scores from two specific items, while HbA1c did not correlate with summed ADKnowl score. CONCLUSIONS: Patient knowledge deficits were identified. Some specific knowledge deficits among health professionals may be the cause of some patient knowledge deficits. The ADKnowl is a useful tool in assessing both patient and health professional knowledge deficits and is available for use in a context of continuing evaluation.

Body Mass Index↗

PubMed2003

Expanding the use of empiricism in nursing: can we bridge the gap between knowledge and clinical practice?

The philosophy of Aristotle and its impact on the process of empirical scientific inquiry has been substantial. The influence of the clarity and orderliness of his thinking, when applied to the acquisition of knowledge in nursing, can not be overstated. Traditional empirical approaches have and will continue to have an important influence on the development of nursing knowledge through nursing research. However, as nursing is primarily a practice discipline, the transition from empirical and syllogistic reasoning is problematic. Other types of inquiry are essential in the application of nursing knowledge obtained by empirical scientific approaches and to understand how that knowledge can best be used in the care of patients. This paper reviews the strengths and limitations of syllogistic reasoning by applying it to a recently published study on temperature measurement in nursing. It then discusses possible ways that the empirical knowledge gained from that study and confirmed in its reasoning by logical analysis could be used in the daily care of critically ill patients. It concludes by highlighting the utility of broader approaches to knowledge development, including interpretative approaches and contemporary empiricism, as a way to bridge the gap between factual empirical knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge in everyday clinical nursing practice.

Critical Care↗