A longitudinal study of feeding difficulty and nursing intervention in elderly patients with dementia

Structural equation modelling has already been used to study the relationship between feeding difficulty and nursing intervention in elderly people with dementia. Four models were tested and one provided an acceptable fit to the data. However, there were limitations in terms of sample size and the scales used to measure the variables related to feeding difficulty and nursing intervention. In the present study the sample size has been increased and the scaling of variables has been improved and an additional model has been tested. The best fitting model introduces a latent state variable to explain the relationship between feeding difficulty and nursing intervention. In order to study this relationship further several lines of investigation are suggested, including trait validation and state experimentation. These will be explained in the paper.     

Staff perceptions of e-learning for teaching delivery in healthcare

Background  Web-based e-learning methods are increasingly used in higher education to support learning in pre- and post-registration healthcare subjects. Although new technologies are central to teaching and learning strategies, e-learning is not currently accepted universally by academic staff.
Aim  The aim of the study was to determine the attitudes towards and use of e-learning among academic staff in nursing and midwifery.
Methods  A questionnaire survey was completed by 102 teaching staff to determine their opinions towards and use of e-learning in teaching.
Results  Staff opinions were divergent with most acknowledging the benefits of e-learning but many also expressing concerns over barriers such as lack of time, resources or technical support. Staff did not fully utilize the range of technologies available.
Conclusion  Most staff exhibited positive attitudes towards the pedagogical value of technology in teaching and learning, though some remained hesitant or lacking in confidence to embark on e-learning teaching developments or delivery. Barriers exist that may be partially addressed through better understanding of e-learning tools and their potential application, and additional support and resources. E-learning strategies need to focus on improving staff awareness of e-learning methods to supplement rather than replace traditional teaching methods, while providing ongoing support and mentoring for development and delivery, technological training and incentives for staff involvement.     

'Nobody ever chooses this ...': a qualitative study of service providers working in the sexual violence sector – key issues and challenges

This paper describes the findings from the first stage of a study designed to assess the impact of sexual violence (SV) on the lives of Irish women. Stakeholder interviews ( n  = 18) were undertaken to explore experiences of delivering services to people who have experienced SV, in rural and urban settings in Ireland. A range of themes and sub-themes were identified through a thematic analysis, and interrelationships between two of the main themes (barriers to services and current gaps in service provision) are discussed. Sub-themes include: survivor guilt and shame, difficulties in naming the incident as SV, problems with the Criminal Justice System and the availability of Sexual Assault Treatment Units. Participants identified an urgent need for a co-ordinated national strategy in the form of a public awareness and education campaign in order to undermine commonly held rape myths and stereotypes. The findings will be of interest to all health and social care professionals who are in contact with women who have experienced SV. They will also help to raise an awareness of the 'hidden' costs of SV, and inform appropriate policies and community-based responses to this important social problem.     

Positive Consequences of Head and Neck Cancer: Key Correlates of Finding Benefit

ABSTRACT

The identification of positive outcomes from adversity has been commonly termed “benefit finding.” This cross-sectional questionnaire study aimed to identify the extent to which benefit finding occurs among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and what factors are associated. HNC patients treated 6 months to 10 years previously (n = 76), completed the following measures: the LOT-R, HADS, the Brief COPE, and a measure of benefit finding. Moderate to high levels of benefit finding were reported. Optimism and positive reappraisal were positively associated with benefit finding, with optimism acting independently of positive reappraisal coping. These findings have implications for the development of interventions to maximize positive psychological outcomes after treatment.     

Stress-management groups for nurses: practical problems and possible solutions

Stress management training sessions involving nurses working in a psychiatric hospital were piloted. The recruitment of staff proved difficult so different methods of organizing the sessions were employed. Factors which influenced participation and which might be improved upon in the future are discussed.