Discovering mental models and frames in learning of nursing ethics through simulations.

The acquisition of ethical competence is necessary in nursing. The aims of the study were to analyse students' perceptions of the process of learning ethics through simulations and to describe the underlying frames that inform the decision making process of nursing students. A qualitative study based on the analysis of simulated experiences and debriefings of six simulated scenarios with ethical content in three different groups of fourth-year nursing students (n = 30), was performed. The simulated situations were designed to contain ethical dilemmas. The students' perspective regarding their learning and acquisition of ethical competence through simulations was positive. A total of 15 mental models were identified that underlie the ethical decision making of the students. The student's opinions reinforce the use of simulations as a tool for learning ethics. Thus, the putting into practice the knowledge regarding the frames that guide ethical actions is a suitable pedagogical strategy.

[Influence of the socioeconomic and cultural level on the use of contraceptive methods]. / Influencia del nivel socioeconómico y cultural en el uso de métodos anticonceptivos.

OBJECTIVE: a) To study the most commonly used Contraceptive Methods (CM) among the population group under survey and b) to analyse the influence of socio-economic (SEL) and educational levels (CL) on their use. DESIGN: Descriptive study of a crossover type by means of a survey. SETTING: Six general medical consulting rooms in two urban Health Centres. PATIENTS: The study was based on a representative sample of 384 women between 15 and 45 years old (a.i.) who attended for health-care for whatever reason. Interventions. A survey carried out by the family doctors in the consulting rooms, where information was gathered on both the CM used and several socio-demographic variables. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For most couples, the most commonly used CM was the condom, whose use became greater as the SEL (p < 0.01) and EL (p < 0.0001) rose. Oral contraceptives were used more by women with a lower SEL (p = 0.01). Tubular ligature was more common among women with a lower educational level (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from our sample by our methodology support our initial hypothesis in the sense that they show the influence of EL and SEL on the use of various contraceptive methods.