Learning Outcomes and Teaching Methods in Fundamentals of Nursing / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a basis for improvement and enhancement of nursing education by investigating learning outcomes that apply to fundamentals of nursing and teaching methods used in classes. METHODS: Data were collected from 111 professors of fundamentals of nursing who responded to the self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square test. RESULTS: For learning outcomes in fundamentals of nursing the most frequent number of outcomes was two (35.2%), or three (32.4%). For learning outcomes in fundamentals of nursing practicum, the most frequent number of outcomes was two (32.4%), or three (31.6%). In fundamental nursing classes, teaching methods used most frequently were lectures (98.2%) and videos (60.4%), and in practice classes, demonstration (98.2) and open laboratory (90.9%). Constructivist teaching methods that were utilized in fundamental nursing were team-based learning (19.8%) and case-based learning (19.8%), and for practice classes, objective structured clinical examination (29.7%). In the cross analysis, 28.8% of the nursing professor used the constructivist teaching methods in fundamental nursing and in practice classes. CONCLUSION: There is a need to continue to improve teaching methods for new nurse-educators and professors and to discuss learning outcomes of fundamental nursing.

A Preliminary Study on the Standardization of Fundamental Nursing Practice Education / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to develop directions for research on nursing practice education and also for standardization of contents of Fundamental Nursing Practice (FNP) by identifying and analyzing the present content and inconsistency in FNP textbooks. METHOD: Eleven FNP textbooks published between 2007 and 2013 were selected and itemized nursing contents were compared and analyzed. Nursing professors and practicingnurses prioritized contents identified from an actual condition survey based on theoretical reason and clinical guides for each item. RESULTS: Inconsistencies were found for 34 domains with 219 sub items and of them, 21 domains and 84 items needed to be standardized. Number of items that showed consistency between professors and nurses (ICC > or = .800) was 29 (34.5%) and for complete consistency (ICC=1), 4 (4.8%). Number of items that showed inconsistency between the groups (ICC< .600) was 30 (35.7%) and very low consistency (ICC=0), 10 (11.9%). CONCLUSION: The results indicate a difference between understood validity of content by professors and by nurses and technical differences among FNP textbooks. Therefore confirmation of the items needing to be standardized and differences in understanding content by professors and by nurses shows a need for standardization of practice education between course and clinical practice. These results provide basic data for developing standardized form of FNP education.

Quality Assessment of Non-Randomized Studies in the Journal of Korean Fundamentals of Nursing / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to assess the methodological quality of non-randomized studies published in the Journal of Korean Fundamentals of Nursing. METHODS: A search of non-randomized studies assessing intervention effects was conducted among all articles published in the Journal of Korean Fundamentals of Nursing between 2011 and 2013. Articles were assessed for quality using the Methodological Index for Non Randomized Studies (MINORS). For each index item, the frequency and percentage of articles meeting the criteria were calculated, along with mean scores by research method, publication year, and research topic. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were included. The mean score for studies without control groups was 11.75 (range 0-16), and for those with control groups, 19.27 (range 0-24). Results show that improvement is needed on several items: "endpoints appropriate to the aim of the study," "unbiased assessment of the study endpoint," "follow-up period appropriate to the aim of the study," "loss to follow up less than 5%," and "contemporary groups." CONCLUSION: Although the quality of articles published in the Journal of Korean Fundamentals of Nursing has consistently increased, more emphasis should be placed on using rigorous research methods.

Development of a Decision Support Computer Program for Pain Management in Institutionalized Patients with Dementia / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a computer decision making support system that enables nurses to utilize the computer in selecting the best decision for pain management for patients with dementia institutionalized in nursing homes. METHODS: To formulate the protocol for the management of patients' pain, the researcher analyzed content of interviews with 30 nurses in three nursing homes and an expert group. A decision support computer program was formalized based on existing protocols. To evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the system, analysis of data on patient pain management and nurse satisfaction with the system were done after the formalized decision support computer program was complete. RESULTS: The decision support computer program for pain management for institutionalized patients with dementia was finalized after adjustments following the evaluation. Nurse satisfaction with the program was moderate. It also provided opportunity to reassess thinking about pain and pain management. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this program provides nurses with useful knowledge for pain management in institutionalized patients with dementia and aids in decision making in nursing practice in nursing home.

Nurses' Perceptions Regarding Sign & Symptom Management in End of Life Care in Nursing Homes / 기본간호학회지

INTRODUCTION: The phenomenon related to sign & symptom management for end of life of the patients is of interest to researchers in nursing society today. This study was conducted to clarify and to conceptualize the factors of sign & symptom management in end of life care though nurses' perceptions on this phenomena. METHODS: The qualitative study method was used to explore the experienced nurses' perceptions related to sign & symptom management in end of life care. It included a field study carried out in South Korea using in-depth interviews with 30 experienced nurses from three nursing home facilities. RESULTS: This study identified the following categories related to end of life care with sub-categories for each category: (1) nurses' modes in identifying the signs related to patients' end of life, (2) nurses' perceived directions on patients' end of life care, (3) nurses' perceived strategies in end of life care and (4) nurses' perceived barriers in end of life care. CONCLUSION: Through this study, characteristics of the way nurses' provide for patients' end of life care are identified, along with how nursing decisions are made to manage the sign & symptom indicating patients' end of life.