A Scoping Review of Retrieval Practice (Test-Enhanced Learning) in Nursing Education.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the status of retrieval practice in original research of nursing education. BACKGROUND: The science of learning is an emerging interdisciplinary field that offers evidence-based strategies to improve learning. One of the most highly effective strategies is retrieval practice, which involves recalling previously learned information from long-term memory prior to additional study. METHOD: Searching PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Psych INFO, and ERIC, an interprofessional team followed a formal scoping review framework and utilized the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews to report the findings. RESULTS: The review included 25 research studies, with all but one at the prelicensure level. Quantitative designs were most common, and outcomes reflected objective and subjective measures. If present, terms were varied and inconsistent with supporting research. Documentation of many characteristics was lacking. CONCLUSION: Retrieval practice is an increasingly common strategy being studied at the prelicensure level. Opportunities for improvement include consistent use of standard terminology, documentation of important characteristics, and more attention to subjective outcomes and to graduate and continuing education levels.

Scoping Review of Distributed Practice in Nursing Education.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the status of distributed practice in research of nursing education. BACKGROUND: The science of learning has compiled evidence-based strategies that should be integral to nursing education. One long-standing strategy, distributed practice, involves spacing, placing cognitive breaks between study or practice sessions with priority information. METHOD: Reviewing literature published over 20 years at every level of nursing education, the authors conducted a scoping review to determine the extent to which research of nursing education includes attention to distributed practice. RESULTS: In the 13 articles meeting criteria, distributed practice was most common in continuing professional development, with an emphasis in learning psychomotor skills. Study authors used a variety of terms and descriptions in referring to the strategy. CONCLUSION: By way of research, distributed practice appears underutilized in nursing education, especially at prelicensure and graduate levels, and could benefit from clear and consistent use of terminology.

Hypertension in Puerto Ricans in the Continental United States.

INTRODUCTION: Puerto Ricans comprise one of the largest growing minority groups in the United States, yet data about hypertension in this population is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To review published literature concerning the epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, patient awareness, and treatment of hypertension in Puerto Ricans in the United States. LITERATURE REVIEW: The MEDLINE database was queried for English citations, dealing specifically with hypertension in Puerto Ricans. Most of the eligible studies were observational and qualitative in design and objectives. RESULTS: Data about the prevalence of hypertension, attributable morbidity and mortality, and treatment of hypertension in Puerto Ricans in the United States were limited or not available. CONCLUSIONS: Studies about hypertension in Puerto Ricans are few. Most studies are observational and the rare clinical trials have major design flaws. Puerto Ricans with hypertension appear to have some common characteristics with other racial groups in the United States, but also have unique considerations in the epidemiology, perception and awareness of hypertension and the management and control of hypertension.