Readability of skin cancer prevention brochures targeting parents of young children

Long-term exposure to UV radiation and severe sunburns increase one’s risk of experiencing malignant melanoma later in life, so parents need to be informed about how to protect children from overexposure to the sun. We attempted to determine readability of skin cancer brochures targeted toward parents of young children. SMOG and FOG readability formulas were applied to 8 brochures published by the American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology, and the Anti-Cancer Council. Readability levels of the brochures ranged between the 8th and 12th grade levels. To reduce the incidence of skin cancer, sun-safe knowledge and behavior should start in childhood. Pediatricians need access to brochures written at readability levels for the average parent. Skin cancer brochures written at the eighth or ninth grade comprehension levels may allow pediatricians to educate more parents about the importance of skin cancer prevention in childhood. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:997-9.)     

On the phenomenology of empathy in nursing: empathy or sympathy?

In her recent phenomenological study Baillie attempted to describe the essential structure of empathy in surgical nursing. The study is important in that it utilizes a qualitative research method to investigate the phenomena of empathy, in contrast to previous quantitative studies. Although the phenomenological approach is clearly identified and ascribed to Husserl as the founder of the phenomenological movement, as well as utilizing the peculiarly Husserlian notion of bracketing, or epoché, in an attempt to describe the essence (another Husserlian objective) of the phenomenon under investigation (empathy), the research method does not reflect Husserl's philosophy. The results reflect nurses' subjective views on empathy, an exercise consistent with the nurse-phenomenologists quoted, who without exception, all believe Husserlian phenomenology concerns itself with subjective experience. However, in seeking the essence of phenomena unclouded by subjective opinion, Husserl stands in contrast to nursing interpretations of phenomenology's famous catch phrase, 'back to the things themselves' (zu den Sachen selbst). Nurse-phenomenologists have misunderstood the intention of Husserlian phenomenology, and despite their opposition to traditional scientific methods, are still mired in the Kantian notion of science as a reality independent of mind. A theme consistent with the 'things-in-themselves', not the things themselves. As such, nursing's use of the phenomenological method is questionable, and therefore the research findings on the phenomenon of empathy need to be reformulated. Interestingly, the phenomenon of empathy challenges us to question such underlying assumptions on how we view the world.     

The Mental Pain of Minorities

The discord between the subjectivity of minorities and their ecological and cultural surround often causes them chronic mental pain. The unease felt by minorities arises from their being used as dehumanized targets of the majority's projections, as well as from the figure‐ground discord in their subjectivity. Seeking to anesthetize their distress, minorities retreat from social participation, nostalgically idealize times and places where they were not the minority, dream of times or places which could accord them majority status again, exalt fundamentalism, and, at times, discharge impotent rage via acts of ‘terrorism’. Far better than such turn of events are developments that follow when minorities assert their rights and the majority realizes the benefits of collaboration. Societal measures that assure minorities' presence in textbooks of history and their representation in embodied communal narratives (e.g. statues, memorials) go a long way in diminishing their distress. Protection and/or restoration of their rights to vote, run for office, have freedom of movement and expression, and own property are also important. Finally, judicial provision of designating prejudicial acts of violence as hate crimes too increases the sense of minorities' safety. All this is not only good for them; it is beneficial for the society‐at‐large and raises all sections of society to a higher humanitarian ground.     

Relationship of three types of parent–child interaction in depressed and non-depressed mothers and their children's mental development at 13 months

The purpose of the study was to examine mother–child interactions at 1 year of life within three contexts: feeding, attachment behaviors, and maternal vocal joint attention (play), between groups of depressed or non-depressed mothers, and to examine the relationship between these three contexts and the child’s mental developmental index (MDI). Half of the 36 mother–infant dyads had depressed mothers. There were no significant differences in the feeding interactions, attachment, or joint attention found between the depressed and non-depressed groups. Securely attached children had a higher MDI score than insecurely attached children, however, the correlation between feeding interaction score and MDI was not significant. Maternal vocal joint attention was significantly correlated with the MDI for non-depressed mothers but not for depressed mothers. These results are not consistent with the prior literature, and the discussion focused on possible explanation for these findings.     

Ovarian cancer: An update for nursing practice

A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is a crisis for any woman. Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all the gynaecological cancers. In addition to the very real threat of death, such a diagnosis raises critical issues concerning femininity, motherhood and sexuality. The high mortality associated with this disease is due (in part) to problems associated with early diagnosis. Women frequently experience non-specific symptoms, which may be attributed to other, less alarming causes. The lack of specific symptoms experienced by women, as well as the lack of effective mass screening strategies, make early detection difficult. This makes it crucial that nurses involved in the care of women be alert to the insidious and non-specific onset of this serious condition.     

The effect of music on discomfort experienced by intensive care unit patients during turning: A randomized cross‐over study

Cooke M, Chaboyer W, Schluter P, Foster M, Harris D, Teakle R. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 125–131
The effect of music on discomfort experienced by intensive care unit patients during turning: A randomized cross‐over study Research consistently demonstrates that intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience pain, discomfort and anxiety despite analgesic and sedative use. The most painful procedure reported by critically ill patients is being turned. Music diminishes anxiety and discomfort in some populations; however, its effect on critically ill patients remains unknown. This research aimed to identify the effect of music on discomfort experienced by ICU patients during turning using a single blind randomized cross‐over design. Seventeen post‐operative ICU patients were recruited and treatment order randomized. Discomfort and anxiety were measured 15 min before and immediately after two turning procedures. Findings indicated that listening to music 15 min before and during turning did not significantly reduce discomfort or anxiety. Pain management might effectively be addressing discomfort and anxiety experienced during turning. Given previous studies have identified turning as painful, current results are promising and it might be useful to determine if this is widespread.