[Application of Team-Based Games in the Classroom: Teaching Medical Terminology as an Example].

Healthcare providers use distinct medical terminology to communicate in professional healthcare settings in Taiwan. Moreover, nursing students understand the importance of acquiring a good command of this medical terminology to the development of their professional careers. Thus, using proper teaching strategies to boost student participation and interest in their studies is an important responsibility and task. Social Learning Theory has been widely used in education. According to this theory, learners learn about new models of behavior and modify old models through observation and imitation. Moreover, they gain opportunities for observation and imitation through social interaction. Team-based games that are based on this theory are designed to enhance interest in study and interpersonal interaction among learners through peer observation and study and help promote active learning and group study. This article describes the use of a team-based game to teach the strategies involved in selecting medical terminologies commonly used in clinical settings. This game has earned positive responses and evaluations from students. Nursing teachers may design diversified team-based games and use this teaching strategy to teach medical terminology as well as other subjects.

Factors Influencing Postpartum Fatigue in Vaginal-Birth Women: Testing a Path Model.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum fatigue is a very common complaint among postpartum women. Although current evidence indicates that several factors (e.g., parity, epidural analgesia, perineal trauma, perineal pain, and longer second stage of labor) are associated with postpartum, not enough is known about the relationships among these physical factors simultaneously and how they contribute to the development of postpartum fatigue. Increased awareness of the complex relationships among these factors will help nurses assess, prevent, and alleviate postpartum fatigue. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to test a model of factors that influence postpartum fatigue and to estimate the direct and indirect effects of these factors on postpartum fatigue in vaginal-birth women. METHODS: The hypothesized model of the factors that influence postpartum fatigue after vaginal birth was developed based on previous studies. This study used a cross-sectional correlational design and convenience sampling. The Visual Analog Scale for Pain was used to measure postpartum perineal pain, and the Postpartum Fatigue Scale was used to assess postpartum fatigue via a structured, self-report questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and path analysis. RESULTS: This study evaluated 326 healthy postpartum women within the first day after vaginal birth. Participants ranged from 20 to 43 years old, and 50.9% were primiparous. The model of the factors influencing postpartum fatigue after vaginal birth showed a good fit with the empirical data. Parity and the use of epidural analgesia predicted the duration of the second stage of labor, and the degree of perineal trauma predicted perineal pain. Participants who had experienced longer durations of the second stage of labor and more perineal pain reported higher levels of early postpartum fatigue. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is suggested that maternal nurses should better understand postpartum fatigue, take precautions to decrease perineal pain, and pay more attention to the longer duration of the second stage of labor to minimize postpartum fatigue, increase patient comfort, and improve the quality of perinatal care.

Efficacy of Warm Showers on Postpartum Fatigue Among Vaginal-Birth Taiwanese Women: A Quasi-Experimental Design.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postpartum fatigue is one of the most common complaints among women following childbirth. As a postpartum ritual practice, Taiwanese women refrain from taking showers while "doing the month." However, warm showers are the systemic application of moist heat, and they maintain physical hygiene, stimulate blood circulation, mitigate discomfort, and provide relaxation. As Taiwanese society becomes increasingly receptive to scientific and contemporary health care practice, more and more women choose to take warm showers after childbirth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of warm showers on postpartum fatigue among vaginal-birth women in Taiwan. METHODS: This was a two-group quasi-experimental design. Women took showers in warm water with temperatures ranging between 40 °C and 43 °C for approximately 20 minutes. Postpartum women's fatigue is measured using the 10-item Postpartum Fatigue Scale (PFS). The intervention effect was analyzed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 358 vaginal-birth postpartum Taiwanese women aged 20-43 years. Postpartum women who took warm showers showed improvements from their pretest to posttest mean scores of postpartum fatigue compared to postpartum women who did not take warm showers. Warm showers helped to reduce postpartum fatigue among vaginal-birth women during the study period. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses have the unique opportunity to provide the intervention to Taiwanese women who have vaginal birth to help them relieve postpartum fatigue with warm showers while "doing the month" without the taboo of no-showering customary practices in the early postpartum period.

[To Push or Not to Push? Reflections on the Uterine Fundal Pressure Application in the Second Stage of Labor].

Women who undergo vaginal birth apply uterine fundal pressure during the second stage of labor. Uterine fundal pressure is done manually with the practitioner's forearms, elbows, or palms pressed on the uterine fundus at a 30° to 45° angle to the maternal spine in the direction of the pelvis. The pressure is applied in the longitudinal direction. Gentle, firm, and steady pressure is recommended. The various side effects of applying uterine fundal pressure include: uterine rupture, postpartum urinary retention, severe perineal trauma and pain, rib fracture, postpartum dyspareunia, and potential neonatal distress or trauma. Therefore, caution is recommended in the application of uterine fundal pressure. Thus, only well-trained and experienced medical staff or nurses should be allowed to practice this intervention.

A concept analysis of social capital within a health context.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to clarify the concept of social capital within a health context using Rodgers's (2000) Evolutionary Method. SOURCE: Published literature. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis demonstrates that social capital is the intangible assets, including trust, networks, and social norms of reciprocity, possessed by a society within a specific culture. When a unit (individual or a family) increases its sense of community or quality of community participation, this could increase its social capital. The result of this analysis provides a guide for further conceptual and empirical research and clinical practice.

[The implications and benefits of overseas nursing programs].

In the era of globalization, universities in Taiwan regard internationalization of education as an important item on their educational agenda, and expansion of students' overseas educational opportunities as a strategy by which to globalize education. Overseas nursing study programs can enhance nursing students' cultural competence, help them understand different healthcare systems within different cultures and countries, and assist their personal development (enhancing, for example, self-understanding, independence, and leadership skills). Appropriate preparation for students who are willing to participate in overseas programs includes language preparation and cultural preparation. The design and planning of "overseas nursing programs", and related discussion and research remain in a developmental stage, and might therefore serve as a focus for industrious future teaching and investigation.

Factors influencing osteoporosis preventive behaviours: testing a path model.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to test a model of certain factors influencing people engaging in osteoporosis preventive behaviours, and to estimate the direct and indirect effects of personal and social factors on whether people engage in those behaviours. BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis preventive behaviours, including exercise and calcium intake, help decreasing the risk of developing osteoporosis. Reasons for engaging in osteoporosis preventive behaviours are complex and influenced by personal and social factors. Years of education, self-efficacy, knowledge of osteoporosis, social support and social capital have been indicated to increase people engaging in osteoporosis preventive behaviours; but age has been shown to decrease those behaviours. METHODS: The proposed model was developed using Social Cognitive Theory and a conceptual framework for addressing the social context of health behaviour. A correlational cross-sectional study was carried out in 2005, using questionnaires and a convenience sample of 243 participants. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation techniques and path analysis. RESULTS: Self-efficacy was a better predictor of engaging in osteoporosis preventive behaviours than were the other variables. Social capital had a statistically significant direct and indirect effect on osteoporosis preventive behaviours. The modified path model showed good fit with the data. CONCLUSION: The associations between personal and social factors extend our knowledge from previous studies and increase our understanding of the complex relationships among the study variables. The model provides guidance for future nursing practice, research, and education programs related to osteoporosis prevention.