ABSTRACT
The prevalence of women experiencing the genitourinary syndrome of menopause is expected to escalate due to the rising numbers of menopausal women. In no other time in history has it been more important for nurses to possess current knowledge regarding menopause management.
Subject(s)
Estrogen Replacement Therapy , Estrogens/administration & dosage , Female Urogenital Diseases/drug therapy , Menopause , Administration, Intravaginal , Female , Female Urogenital Diseases/nursing , Humans , Quality of Life , SyndromeABSTRACT
During World War II, Army Nurses of the 156th Army Evacuation Hospital delivered care while under attack, demonstrated incredible bravery, endured extreme hardships, and unknowingly defined advanced nursing practice as we know it today. First Lieutenant Edythe (Goldstein) Pallin, BS, RN, was a 23-year old registered nurse who served in the Pacific and was stationed near the front lines on the remote island of Ie Shima in the Ryukyu Island Chain near Okinawa. This article, as told to Edythe's daughter, draws heavily on her memories and her military photo album stored in the attic of her home for over 50 years. Edythe only acknowledges her military experience by saying, "We did the best we could." Yes, these nurses not only did the best they could, they also changed nursing from a subservient position to an independent practice long before nurses even understood their professional possibilities. Edythe passed away October 26, 2012.
Subject(s)
Military Nursing/history , World War II , History, 20th Century , Humans , Japan , United StatesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We determined the incidence of genitourinary dysfunction and urinary incontinence in self-identified sexual abuse survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a preliminary study an incontinence and genitourinary symptom questionnaire was distributed to female members of sexual abuse survivor support groups and a control group of patients attending a general gynecology clinic. The 52 item questionnaire contained questions regarding general physical and psychological health, incontinence and voiding dysfunction symptoms, and sexual abuse history. Fischer's exact test was used to compare responses between groups. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 58 sexual abuse survivors and 51 controls were included in the statistical analysis. Mean age +/- SD was higher in the control than in the abuse survivor group (47.8 +/- 18.5 vs 9.1 +/- 41.5 years, p = 0.03) but there was no difference in parity between groups (1.65 +/- 1.85 vs 1.36 +/- 1.44, p = 0.37). Of abuse survivors 72% and of controls 22% reported ever experiencing urinary incontinence symptoms (p <0.001). Many symptoms of stress incontinence, urge incontinence and voiding dysfunction were also reported by a greater percent of abuse survivors than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual abuse survivors have a significantly higher incidence of genitourinary dysfunction symptoms, including stress and urge incontinence, and voluntary urinary retention. Abuse survivors should be questioned about these symptoms, and evaluation and therapy should be recommended. This preliminary study demonstrates that the impact of psychological counseling in addition to medical therapy for urinary dysfunction in this group of patients deserves further study.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse, Sexual , Urination Disorders/etiology , Adult , Child , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urination Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Urinary incontinence is considered a significant social problem affecting many individuals' quality of life. Nursing theory is a set of concepts or propositions derived from philosophical beliefs about the phenomena of interest to the discipline. The ability to use theory to guide nursing practice brings reasoning and logic to professional nursing practice. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing gets to the heart of what nursing is and how continence nursing care can be offered and delivered as a broadly inclusive professional, rather than narrowly procedural, practice offering individual care targeting the self-care agent (client) rather than the medical diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy/methods , Nursing Theory , Pelvic Floor , Self Care , Urinary Incontinence/rehabilitation , Female , Humans , Urinary Incontinence/nursingABSTRACT
Theory based nursing practice provides a framework for initiation of the research process. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing clearly relates and can be easily applied to continence care. Orem's Theory guides nursing practice with theoretical concepts and goal setting providing a foundation upon which nurses can question the practice and expand the avenue for nursing research.