Children of the mentally ill: a qualitative focus group approach

Children of the mentally ill constitute a group neglected by mental health care providers. Increased rates of psychopathology, impaired attention processes, disturbances in interpersonal relationships, and reduced overall adaptive functioning are reported as significant outcomes for offspring of parents with a mood disorder. While epidemiological studies underscoring the risks from a hereditary standpoint are many, there are few studies examining the subjective experience of living with a depressed parent. Findings from this pilot study elucidate the subjective experience of preadolescents/adolescents living with an affectively ill parent, applying a qualitative focus group design. Videotaped sessions were analysed using methods consistent with qualitative research. 'Struggle to understand the illness', 'managing the illness', 'recognizing the signs', and 'impact of parent's hospitalization' emerged as central themes, capturing the essence of participants' experiences. The first two themes were further divided into subthemes. Findings illuminate the need to broaden nursing interventions and research, to include family perspectives, particularly when parental mental illness is a factor.     

Staff perceptions of substance use among acute psychiatry in-patients

This paper reports on a small-scale study undertaken in two inner city acute psychiatric wards to identify the proportion of patients known to use drugs or alcohol and the perceptions of staff regarding these patients. Data collection involved a retrospective audit of patient notes and the administration of a questionnaire to nursing staff. The findings were broadly consistent with other research studies. Over half of the patient sample was reported to use illicit drugs or alcohol and in one third of cases this use was thought to have contributed to their current admission. Questionnaire results indicated that staff felt ill-equipped to offer an adequate response although all respondents welcomed opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. The findings are discussed in light of the existing literature, and some tentative conclusions are drawn concerning the development and provision of effective integrated services for individuals with psychiatric and psychoactive substance use disorders.     

三维超声测定左室心肌重量的动物实验和临床应用

作者等用三维心脏超声(3DE)重建图像测定左室心肌重量(LVM)。用3DE以及核素单光子计算机断层扫描(SPECT)测定动物LVM,表明3DE法LVM(LVM_(3DE))与实际LVM(LVM_A)高度相关(r=0.907,P<0.01)。41例原发性高血压病患者,按3DE法测左室心肌重量指数(LVM I),结果LVM I与LVR I(左室等容舒张时间)正相关(r=0.45,P<0.0025),与Ei/Ai(E峰和A峰速度——时间积分比值)负相关(r=-0.33,P<0.025)提示LVH损害左室心肌弛张功能。     

The Lautenbach method for chronic osteomyelitis: nursing roles, responsibilities and challenges

Osteomyelitis is serious for both the orthopaedic surgeon and the patient. Bone infection is very difficult to treat and if not eradicated has long-term effects for the patient. The current techniques available have a low success rate and sometimes the only alternative is amputation.This article discusses:

• What is bone infection and how it effects a person's life

• Existing methods of treatment and compares them with the Lautenbach method

• Pre, peri and post-operative care of patients undergoing the Lautenbach method of treatment

• A case study to illustrate how the method was used to successfully treat a patient.

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.