Computer training in nurse education: a bird''s eye view across the UK

This paper is borne of the increasing interest and relevance of computers in nursing. It describes the method, and results obtained from a postal questionnaire survey distributed across the United Kingdom to gain information about the developments in computing in nursing education. The results indicate that considerable developments have been made, but that they are more piecemeal than co-ordinated. A selection of the results are presented and discussed, and one or two points concerning future proceedings are raised.     

Student nurse attitudes to teaching/learning methods

This article outlines the findings of a study which investigated the attitudes of 203 general and psychiatric student nurses from nine schools of nursing towards a defined number of teaching/learning methodologies. All students were at the end of their first year or the beginning of their second year of a 3-year first-level training. Data were collected using an instrument based on a semantic differential scale. The findings, when compared against certain variables, for example, gender, showed that there were very few significant differences in relation to the defined and tested methodologies. Students generally showed themselves to be a homogeneous group and the findings indicate that students were more positively predisposed towards student-centred teaching/learning methodologies.     

Nurses'' opinions of the introduction of computer-assisted learning for use in patient education

Computers have only recently begun to find a place in the everyday work of health care staff. The use of computer-assisted learning (CAL) in patient education is in its infancy. However, the medium appears to offer several advantages to patients. The successful integration of the medium into clinical practice requires the acceptance and support of staff members. Little research exists to date which examines staff responses to the introduction of CAL into their workplace. This small study (n = 14) aims to explore the reactions of staff to the introduction of an experimental CAL package for use in the education of renal patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The opinions of staff members to CAL are probed and their views ascertained regarding the usefulness of CAL to both staff and patients. Results suggest that, despite their initial reservations about CAL, staff were generally positive about the medium.     

The size of the pressure-sore problem in a teaching hospital

A series of three prevalence surveys were undertaken in a teaching hospital (where medical students are taught) in the West Midlands of England to identify the numbers of patients at risk of developing pressure sores and the actual number of patients with pressure sores, prior to the purchase of pressure-relieving equipment. All in-patients were assessed using the Waterlow score. Full details of all pressure sores and any pressure-relieving equipment in use was recorded. There was a mean pressure sore prevalence of 7.32%, the prevalence for each survey being 8.77%, 5.1% and 8.1% respectively. Grades 2 and 3 were the most commonly reported grades and the sacrum was the most frequent position. It was anticipated that there would be a difference in dependency between the patient populations in each of the three surveys. This was not so and, when using the Waterlow score, the numbers of patients found to be at no risk, at risk and at high risk remained remarkably stable. Only those in the very high risk category fluctuated. It is postulated that the difference between the prevalence in the three surveys is related to the difference in the numbers of patients seen to be at very high risk. These surveys have provided a basis for selecting pressure-relieving equipment and baseline information for monitoring the efficacy of the prevention programme.     

Nurses' attitudes towards aggressive behaviour, following attendance at 'The Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour Programme'

The issue of aggression and violence is current in society Recent reports indicate that this is not just an issue for society at large, but also for its organizations and institutions The health care industry is no exception in this regard Nursing, among other disciplines, has focused an increasing amount of attention on this problem for its members This is evidenced by the increasing amount of literature on the topic One feature of this writing is the study of programmes designed to train professionals in techniques to prevent and manage aggression and violence To date, little attention has been paid to the evaluation of such programmes In these times of economic difficulty, this position cannot be supported This paper describes the study of one such educational programme In this case the evaluation focused on the study of attitude change in participants following attendance at'The Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour Programme'Although the indications are that the programme had a positive effect on attitudes, the author concludes that further study is required to illuminate the statistical significance of this positivity     

An inquiry into the attitudes of qualified nursing staff towards the use of individualized nursing care plans as a teaching tool

This paper summarizes a research study inquiring into the attitudes of qualified nursing staff towards the use of individualized nursing care plans as a teaching tool. The survey was conducted in medical and surgical wards used for nurse training, in two hospitals. In common with many hospitals, the introduction ofthe nursing process into the surgical wards is of more recent origin than the medical areas, so would this be reflected in the attitudes of staff? Results indicated an overall positive attitude of all staff, although significant differences were identified between the grades of staff participating in the study and between the two hospitals. There was no significant difference shown in the comparison of all surgical staff with all medical staff, but the ward sister demonstrated a more positive attitude than staff nurses or enrolled nurses. The length of time care plans had been in use and whether the Open University Programme P553 had been completed, were taken into consideration. Analysis ofthe individual statements which clustered around the same theme is discussed. Possible factors affecting the attitudes identified are suggested and recommendations which include ongoing educational support, in particular for the enrolled nurse, and exploration ofthe ‘role model’ function ofthe ward sister made. Finally, the method of study is critically examined.     

A concept analysis of empathy

The concept of empathy lies amid much confusion This analysis addresses that confusion using Walker and Avant's model of concept analysis, and looks at what empathy is is it trait or state, is it dynamic or static, and how is it recognized and measured' Implications of these findings are discussed, limitations of the study are acknowledged and areas for further work suggested     

Role of the clinical facilitator

This article looks at and considers, in the light of current developments within nurse education, the role of the clinical facilitator, emphasising that within a changing educational environment such a role is both essential and feasible.The authors conclude that all trained staff within the clinical area (especially where learners are employed) should accept their individual roles as facilitators, and in this context recognise their own and the students' self-worth.     

Measuring care: the case of district nursing

This paper describes a district nursing study that considered the experiences and responses of primary health care professionals and their patients to changes taking place within the community. As a qualitative study it employed interviews as the main method of data collection and was informed by both ethnography and interpretative phenomenology. Forty-three study participants were interviewed, eliciting opinion on whether care is more than just a hands-on activity, whether patient need is being met and to what extent service policy is in tune with care delivery. Describing the views of primary health care professionals and patients in order to illustrate the complexity of the district nursing service and professional roles, the paper finds little shared vision between staff and managers of each other's responsibilities. It concludes that a more holistic approach to understanding professional roles is needed in order to satisfy the differing agendas of managers, staff and patients. It propounds the need for closer collaborative practice between health care professionals, for it finds that they value the ability to communicate as an essential element of their jobs. It reflects that, without such collaboration, it will be difficult for nurses to take a lead position on changes shaping community care.