ABSTRACT
In this article is reported result of a phenomenological study whereby privileged view was gained into the lives of persons who had experienced receiving a diagnosis which named 'severe and enduring mental illness'. Thematic analysis yielded the four essential themes of diagnosis as the experience of 'a knowledge that knows', 'destructive (gift) of difference', 'making visible the invisible' and 'making knowledge knowledgeable'. Each of the themes is discussed under its own heading in this paper as a means for describing the nature of 'experiencing psychiatric diagnosis'. Effort is made to provide glimpse into the 'lifeworld' of being diagnosed mentally ill, and the reader's attention is directed to a particular kind of power that exists in the medical language of diagnoses. Discernment is highlighted as most consequential to an 'action sensitive practice' and a case is made for care-providers in psychiatric-mental health care to be sensitized to how medical terminology is experienced and the need to strive for balance within the 'economy of power' contained in these specialized words.
Subject(s)
Cognition , Mental Disorders/psychology , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Mental Disorders/nursing , PhilosophySubject(s)
Models, Nursing , Nursing Research/methods , Nursing Theory , Philosophy, Nursing , Professional Autonomy , Humans , Knowledge , ScienceSubject(s)
Diffusion of Innovation , Human Development , Models, Nursing , Periodicals as Topic , Philosophy, Nursing , Focus Groups , HumansABSTRACT
In this study, chronicity in mental illness has been investigated as it is lived rather than how it might be conceptualized. Published first-hand accounts have provided the mechanism for direct access in coming to know the life of persons, their circumstances, and the meanings they associate with a life of persistent and enduring mental illness. These are unique and particular human experiences, and there are no empirical generalizations or law-like statements that can give such an understanding. Therefore the disclosure of meaning was sought through a hermeneutic-phenomenologic process. Four lifeworld existentials provide the framework for a combined description and interpretation of what it means to "live" chronic mental illness. The article concludes with a brief discussion of some implications for nursing practice, and commentary is made on the relevance of such insights to health care providers in both acute and community care settings.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/psychology , Adult , Body Image , Child , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Personal Space , Time PerceptionABSTRACT
The nature of nursing and the need for knowledge distinct from medicine was first spoken of by Florence Nightingale in 1859. Her notions may be regarded as the earliest formations of nursing as a discipline. Since that time there has been substantial effort committed to the development of a distinct theory base for nursing. Increased interest in nursing's unique body of knowledge has been particularly evident in the last decade, as seen by the growth in research undertaken from a nursing perspective, and by the numbers of publications which focus on the nature of knowledge and theory in nursing. These efforts have served not only to advance the discipline of nursing but also to challenge all nurses to articulate for themselves the theoretical foundations of their own practice. The main thesis of this paper is that nursing is an evolving discipline. Aspects of its evolution will be discussed using the four characteristics of a discipline; domain, syntax, history, and output of knowledge.
Subject(s)
Nursing Theory , Nursing/standards , Professional Practice/standards , Forecasting , Humans , Nursing/trends , Nursing Research/standards , Nursing Research/trends , Professional Practice/trendsABSTRACT
The authors contend that the methods used to prepare current practitioners for competent and confident participation in the resolution of complex ethical dilemmas are inadequate. They identify some of the forces affecting nursing ethics, and discuss a need for renewed evaluation of how nurses can be helped to fulfill their mandate of ethical practitioner. They also suggest strategies for nurses to contribute effectively to ethical decisions that affect their patients as well as the healthcare system within society.
Subject(s)
Decision Making , Education, Nursing/standards , Ethics, Nursing , Professional Practice/standards , Empathy , Forecasting , Gender Identity , Humans , Problem Solving , Professional Practice/trends , Social Change , Social JusticeABSTRACT
This paper summarized data from a survey which was conducted to establish the status of computing in Alberta's professional nursing programs. It describes the hardware and software applications in use and identifies barriers to the growth of instructional computing. The study reveals a range of activity in Alberta's nursing programs and definite progressive trends. Future directions as perceived by program leaders are reported.
