The experience of spouses whose partners have suffered a myocardial infarction: a phenomenological study

The current emphasis in the United Kingdom on evidence-based health care requires that medical and non-medical professionals ensure that their clinical practice is founded on scientifically derived findings rather than on intuition and ritual. To this end, many initiatives have been introduced which are intended to increase both the corpus of available research evidence and the extent to which it informs practice. To date, however, there has been a disappointing shortfall in published research in the paramedical domain, which has been largely attributed to a number of structural and organizational issues. This paper suggests that confusion about what constitutes valid and useful research may be an additional significant contributory factor in the documented research/practice hiatus. Moreover, the emphasis on experimentation and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), with the relative marginalization of alternative, more qualitative forms of research may seriously limit the nursing research data-base because of its inappropriateness for many nursing investigations. It is suggested that a more eclectic approach to evidence-based care is considered, with more attention being diverted to qualitative methodologies at the funding and dissemination stages. In this way, a comprehensive and balanced overview of relevant information can be obtained which has the potential to influence some of the less quantifiable aspects of care delivery.     

Assessing preregistration nursing students' clinical competence: A systematic review of objective measures

Nursing students are required to develop clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes for professional practice. However, objectivity and parity of students' clinical assessments has been questioned. In the last decade, more objective techniques have been developed, with increased use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations. We reviewed objective clinical assessment measures used in preregistration nursing courses to determine utilization and the validity and reliability of assessment techniques. A systematic search was made of quantitative research publications between 2000 and May 2011, identifying 16 studies that were subsequently reviewed. The validity and reliability of studies varied, with six studies judged as high quality, using various methodologies. This paper describes methods of instrument development and reports on their application in preregistration nursing programs.     

Quality of life: Perceptions of residential care

Byrne H & MacLean D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1997; 3: 21–28
Quality of life: Perceptions of residential care
Residents in selected aged care facilities in Australia ( n =185) and New Zealand ( n =44) completed a 56 item quality of life instrument derived and refined through grounded theory. Ten scales were developed from the items. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no main differences as a function of cohort (Alzheimer's or non-Alzheimer's) or country of residence (Australia or New Zealand). Significant differences emerged as a function of the source of help in completing the instrument. Where nursing staff assisted residents complete the instrument, scoring indicated that residents enjoyed a better quality of life than if the instrument was completed by the resident alone, or with assistance from non-nursing staff and others, including relatives, welfare students and diversional therapists. Nursing staff rather than non-professional nursing staff tended to work more with non-Alzheimer residents when completing the questionnaire. Significant differences were also discovered in the ranking of concerns on the basis of cohort and country of residence.