Sexual perception: an overlooked psychological barrier to nursing

Patient care is one of the most important functions of nursing. Nurses are responsible legally and ethically to take care of male patient without any discrimination. Sexuality perceptions and embarrassment effect negatively on intimate care particularly between male patients and female nurses. In this study we aimed to; determine nurses' attitudes, towards male patient and evaluate some factors that can improve this situation. This cross sectional study was performed from March-June 2009, in Gulhane Military Medical Academy School of Nursing. A total of 300 female nursing students voluntarily participated out of 310 students, and responded to the questionnaires. The questionnaire comprised of 29 questions 8 questions were about socio-demographic characteristics of participants, and 21 questions were about attitude towards male patient. Results showed that [71.3%] students indicated that performing any application to a male patient was as easy as performing on a female patient 78.3% indicated that same age male patients were the most difficult age group for taking care. Calculated attitude point of Year III students about body cleaning, rectal lavage, perineal cleansing, rectal tube application, and naso-gastric tube applications are higher than other students'. Similarly; the attitude was more positive among the students that chose their school intentionally, than others as regards taking care of a male patient which was considered as easy as performing to a female patient. Many students have negative attitudes towards specific physical care needs of male patients, especially genital area related applications. Applied education methods, professionalism and providing ethical information and insight can resolve this gap

Knowledge and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine amongst Turkish nursing students

To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the Nursing School Students on Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM]. This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Gulhane Military Medical Academy Nursing School during March/April 2010. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants and their knowledge and attitudes towards CAM were collected by using a structured questionnaire developed by researchers. Out of a total of 354 students, only 91.2% of those students [n=323] participated in the study. The sources of information were stated as television and radio 80.3% [n=265], internet69.0% [n=223], newspapers and magazines 68.1% [n=220], friends 48.6% [n=157], and books 32.5% [n=105] by participants. While the mostly known first three CAM practices were hypnosis [59.4%], prayer [58.5%], and herbal therapies [52.6%], those which were stated as most effective were massage [81.4%], herbal therapies [69.3%], and prayer [56.0%]. Almost five out of six students [82.7%, n=267] stated that CAM therapies should be included into their curriculum. The distribution of the responses for the item, "Complementary therapies are a threat to public health" had statistically significant difference between the classes [p<0.001]. The first year, second year and third year class students had more positive attitude for CAM than the fourth year class students. It is suggested that the lectures on CAM practices should be included into the curriculum of the nursing students who are enthusiastic about learning them which will have a positive impact on their education and training

Analysis of patients followed-up at the emergency internal medicine outpatients department of Gulhane military hospital in 2003 for suicide attempt

To retrospectively evaluate the suicide attempt cases monitored and treated at a training hospitals emergency medicine department internal medicine clinic. A total of 151 cases were monitored and treated for a suicide attempt between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003. Cases were evaluated for sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses made, suicide method used and time of suicide attempts and for significant relations between these variables. Of the study group, 59.6% were male, 70.2% were single, 60.3% were retired or unemployed, 51.75% were privates [Non Professional Soldiers] and 36.4% were high school graduates. The mean age was 27.36 +/- 11 for the females and 22.27 +/- 4.56 for the males. No diagnosis was made in 54.3% of the cases while 25.2% had depressive disorder and 14.6% had antisocial personality disorder. Antidepressants made up 27.8% and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 21.2% of the drugs taken for suicide. Suicide is an increasing health problem in Turkey. Establishing a suicide surveillance program based on technology provides collection of detailed and standardized data. Analyzing this data will improve effective suicide prevention efforts

Determining ethical sensitivity of a group of military physicians

Military physicians must face a constant competition between their professional ethics and their organizational ethics more than their civilian counterparts. The objective of this study was to measure the sensitivity of the Military Physicians regarding the ethics-related situations which they come across during patient care and treatment. A group of physicians were selected who joined the Turkish Army for compulsory military service in December 2008. They were applied the "Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire", which was formed by Kim Lutzen. It was found that the physicians, who read the publications concerning ethics, agreed more with the "Structuring moral meaning" compared to the physicians who did not read such publications. It was also found that the physicians who came across ethical problems agreed more with following the "rules" approach. The physicians had high levels of autonomy with respect to patient care and treatment. Their aim was to provide benevolence for their patients; that they valued patient participation in patient care and treatment; and that they refrained from conflict and acted in collaboration