The use of focus groups to characterize symptoms in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease with a myriad of symptoms. Because most work has been quantitative, it is important to capture symptoms as described by patients who experience them, using a qualitative approach. The purpose of our study was to describe and identify symptoms, with emphasis on co-occurrence, using focus groups. Three focus groups were conducted (N = 16) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Common symptoms, described as both singular and co-occurring, were problems with balance, cognition, vision, and heat intolerance. These findings augment past characterizations of symptoms experienced in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and provide evidence for future studies.

Symptom clusters in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to investigate the relationships among a set of symptoms (fatigue, depression, impaired cognitive function, sleep disturbance) with pain severity and demographic variables. The sample of 40 women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis completed instruments of pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, and an objective cognitive measure. Analysis identified one symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, and impaired cognitive function, whereas a relationship between that symptom cluster and employment status existed. Pain severity correlated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and impaired cognitive function. Preliminary findings support providing education on symptoms to women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to ultimately guide their care.

Mentoring as a teaching-learning strategy in nursing.

Current nursing and faculty shortages necessitate development of strategies that prepare all students to function in their roles immediately after graduation. This study used a practicum experience through which nurse educator students mentored nursing students to enhance the teaching and learning of both groups. Study methods, evaluation, and results are discussed.

Graduate students' perceptions of online teaching and relationship to preferred learning styles.

As the nursing faculty shortage continues, the online format is being used more frequently for delivery of graduate nursing courses. Its effect on students' learning and their perceptions of online teaching needs to be investigated. This descriptive study examines the students' learning styles; their perceptions of six online nurse educator courses, the faculty, and the asynchronous format; and their overall perceptions of online teaching and learning.

A comparative study of prostate screening health beliefs and practices between African American and Caucasian men.

This descriptive comparative study investigated the prostate screening health beliefs and practices of men over the age of 45. A self-administered questionnaire was used prior to an informational session, which also included a question and answer period, as needed, and handout materials donated by the American Cancer Society on risk factors, screening tests and early detection of prostate cancer. The study results showed that there were no significant differences between African American and Caucasian men on age, self-reported health status and the utilization of a private physician for their health care. Both groups had similar history of blood relatives with cancer, and concern about development of illness. More Caucasian men had the digital rectal exam (DRE) done while African American males had the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) done more often; however, 26% of the entire sample indicated they had never had the screening test done. Group comparisons revealed a significant difference between the groups on the belief that faith contributes to health which was greater for the African Americans, while the Caucasian men had a greater belief that they were likely to develop prostate cancer. Results of this study indicate that there are still a significant number of men reporting never having had a PSA test done even though 75% knew that the test is recommended for early detection of prostate cancer. Continued efforts to educate and increase screening are still needed among both African American and Caucasian men.

Concerns of hospice patient caregivers.

This descriptive study examined the needs and concerns of caregivers who provide care for patients at home, and who are also receiving hospice home care. Services that caregivers need to provide this care was also identified. The settings were two Midwestern, suburban hospices. Thirty-three caregivers participated. Nine participants were males and 24 were female. Ages ranged from 20 through 80 years. Caregivers completed a 28-item semi-structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. Demographic information and caregiver problems with symptom management, time spent giving care, hospice services utilized, other sources of support and assistance were assessed. Open-ended items asked about caregivers' stress levels and about problems that were not resolved by hospice. The study found that the distressing symptoms caregivers found most difficult to manage were constipation, confusion, and anorexia. Caregivers identified lack of mobility and loss of bladder control most frequently as unmanageable symptoms. A majority of respondents identified the hospice nurse as their main source of information regarding care and resource needs and often cited the nurse as a source of emotional support. Sixty-four percent reported that they provided care 12-24 hours per day with some respite from family members. Results of the study indicate that caregivers spend a large amount time with the hospice patients despite use of hospice services and assistance from family members. This can lead to high stress levels and exhaustion. There is a need for more respite care for caregivers. Hospice provides caregivers with needed support, both emotional and with the care itself.