ABUSE DURING PREGNANCY: CURRENT THEORY AND NEW CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDINGS

This study used Landenburger's theory, a process of leaving and recovering from an abusive relationship, as a framework to interview 35 pregnant women identified as being at high risk for abuse. Results are reported on 18 women who disclosed active abuse during the study. Landenburger's model was not a good fit. Our participants became trapped and endured violent relationships if they perceived this was the best situation for their unborn child. Additionally the chaos, instability, and lack of resources experienced by these women likely contributed to their inability to complete the four phases described by Landenburger's model for non-pregnant women     

Why people enter treatment for alcohol problems: Findings from UK Alcohol Treatment Trial pre‐treatment interviews

Aim: To develop a model of why people seek professional treatment for drinking problems, grounded in what clients say about the process at treatment entry.

Participants: Three sets of consecutive entrants to the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial, sets commencing at intervals during trial recruitment (total n = 98).

Location: Statutory and non‐statutory alcohol problem treatment agencies in three areas of England and Wales.

Data: Open‐ended interviews according to a brief interview guide, leading to 400–800‐word post‐interview reports used for analysis (tape recordings used for auditing the interview and analysis process).

Analysis: Reports analysed by a team according to grounded theory principles, involving an iterative process with successive refinement of interviewing and analysis with each successive set of data.

Findings: A model of professional treatment entry was developed, refined and “tested” with the last set of data. The process of seeking professional treatment was depicted in the model as involving a realization of worsening, accumulating and multiple problems related to drinking, especially in health and family domains; in conjunction with, in most cases (but not all), a trigger event and/or family or professional influence; combined with rejection of the possibility of unaided change or non‐professional help; leading to the seeking or accepting of professional help.

Conclusions: The findings support conclusions already in the literature about the process of seeking professional help for a drinking problem, but provide further refinement of existing ideas: for example regarding the accumulation of drinking‐related problems, the ways in which a realization of those problems combines with triggers or pressure, and the complex role of the family and primary care professionals in assisting motivation to seek treatment.     

Expert clinician to clinical teacher: Developing a faculty academy and mentoring initiative

The lack of sufficient numbers of qualified nursing faculty to prepare nursing students for entry into the field of nursing is of national and international concern. Recruiting expert clinicians and preparing them as clinical teachers is one approach to addressing the faculty shortage. Adequate training for the new role is paramount to promote job satisfaction and reduce attrition. Various models for orienting and preparing expert nurse clinicians as clinical educators are reported in the literature with little consensus or research to support a single approach. This paper describes a collaborative effort to prepare experienced registered nurse clinicians for new roles as part-time clinical faculty. Using a blend of learning strategies (face-to-face, online, simulation, and group mentoring sessions), this training experience was designed to cover content while promoting discussion of issues and challenges and providing much-needed mentorship. Outcomes include 12 new clinical faculty, 25% from groups underrepresented in nursing, with nine newly employed as part-time clinical teachers.