Ethnomethodology: time for a revisit? A discussion paper

The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of ethnomethodology and explore its usefulness as a methodology for nursing. Ethnomethodology was conceived through the writings of Harold Garfinkel, an American Sociologist in 1967. The influence of phenomenology, sociology and writings of the linguistic philosopher Wittengenstein is evident in this methodology. In the 1970s, it was both heralded by some as a threat to sociology and by others as a welcome development borne out of the dissatisfaction with positivist paradigm research. It is a methodology that has been utilised not only by sociologists but also by many health care disciplines. However, its utilisation by nurse researchers has not been widespread.     

Nursing diagnosis: is it time for a new definition?

PURPOSE:The Diagnosis Development Committee (DDC) of NANDA International frequently receives proposed "physiologic" and "surveillance diagnosis" submissions that may not meet the current definition of nursing diagnosis (NANDA, 2007, p. 332). There has been a request for a vote on newly proposed definitions of nursing diagnosis, risk diagnosis, and syndromes. The purpose of this article is to provide information which enables members and interested nurses to continue the dialogue and to share their thoughts and also to consider the thoughts and information generated by the participants in the NANDA-I interest survey on the definition of nursing diagnoses. DATA SOURCES: An electronic survey of the current NANDA-I definitions, and potential changes to those definitions, was distributed via the NANDA-I Web site. This article summarizes the overall findings of that survey and provides an overview of commentary received from the 269 participants. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to continue the dialogue on this important decision and to provide a mechanism for input from members and interested nurses before reaching any conclusions on this subject. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: NANDA-I has been recognized as the leader in the development and implementation of nursing diagnoses and must act responsibly in assessing the changing and emerging trends in nursing practice and in responding to these trends.     

Is it correct to always consider weight-bearing asymmetrically distributed in individuals with hemiparesis?

Injuries may cause unilateral deterioration of brain areas related to postural control resulting in lateralized motor disability with abnormal asymmetry in weight-bearing distribution. Although overloading toward the nonaffected limb has been described as the preferred posture among individuals with hemiparesis, characterization of the weight-bearing asymmetry is poorly and indirectly described. Therefore, this study aimed to describe weight-bearing distribution during upright stance, establishing criteria to consider asymmetry in hemiparesis when analyzed within the limits defined by controls matched by age and gender. Forty subjects with (n?=?20) or without hemiparesis (n?=?20) were included in procedures to record weight-bearing values between hemibodies, and these values were used to calculate a symmetry ratio. Control presented 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean for symmetry ratio ranging from 0.888 to 1.072, defining limits to symmetry. Four subjects with hemiparesis (20%) had symmetry ratios inside limits defined by controls (i.e., weight-bearing symmetrically distributed), and 11 (55%) subjects without hemiparesis showed symmetry ratios outside the limits, suggesting asymmetrical weight-bearing distribution. It was concluded that asymmetry, when present in a control group, was more frequently overloading nonpredominantly used hemibody (nondominant side), differing from a hemiparesis group commonly forced to assume the nonaffected side as the predominantly used hemibody and where the overload was observed.     

Associate Degree Nursing Students’ Perceived Barriers to Baccalaureate Nursing Education and Intentions to Enroll in a Baccalaureate-only Nursing Environment

Although they are known to be nontraditional, studies have not addressed Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students' choice of the ADN route to professional nursing practice. A survey of ADN students revealed perceived barriers to baccalaureate nursing education and that up to 37% would not have enrolled if the baccalaureate had been the minimum requirement to become registered nurses. The findings could provide information for more reasoned solutions toward the goal of advancing nurses' education.