Framing personal risk in public health nursing.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to conduct a thematic analysis of unanalyzed semistructured interview segments from data that emerged during an earlier exploratory descriptive study on organizational factors and work hazards. The sample consisted of 56 transcribed interviews with staff and managerial public health nurses (PHNs) infive health units of the Province of Alberta before health care restructuring. The frame work that resulted from this secondary analysis describes the ideologies (values, beliefs, concepts, and attitudes) of female PHNs related to their workplace environmental risks. Four categories of the overarching theme, framing personal risk in work environments, emerged: becoming aware, recognizing influences, comparing with others, and knowing rights andfreedoms. Two subthemes also emerged: framing for no action and framing for action. When framing for no action, PHNs were either unconcerned or wanted to avoid trouble. When framing for action, PHNs found humor; took responsibility, used voice, collected support, and struggled for action.

The created environment for physical assessment by case managers.

Goals of gerontological nursing include maximizing health and confronting functional impairments. The health of older adults is often fragile because of age-related change, complicated by chronic illnesses. Identification of changes in health status permits responsive care and consultation but requires proficiency in physical assessment. In 1995, research was conducted in Alberta, Canada, on registered nurse case managers' reported use of assessment skills. Nineteen continuing-care facilities in 1 of 17 provincial health regions participated (N = 189). After expert review and pilot testing, questionnaires were distributed to two independent groups: nurse administrators/staff development coordinators and case managers (response rate = 73%). Qualitative data were subjected to descriptive, interpretive, and pattern coding. Reported are factors constraining or facilitating physical assessment in continuing care. Neuman's concept of the created environment provided a factor-organizing framework. A holistic view of environment and data source triangulation increased confidence in the comprehensiveness and credibility of results.

Continuing care nurses' perceptions of need for physical assessment skills.

The purpose of this descriptive research was to identify the perceived learning needs of registered nurse case managers for physical assessment skills, their facility with computers, and barriers and supports to the enhancement and application of physical assessment by these caregivers in the work-place. Nineteen continuing care facilities in one Alberta Health Region participated. Using data source triangulation, two independent groups, case managers (n = 150) and nurse administrators or staff development officers (n = 39) responded to a questionnaire developed by the researchers. The case managers reported that skill in physical assessment was very important in their work, but current skill was inadequate to meet resident care needs. Both groups ranked the thorax and lungs, cardiovascular/peripheral vascular systems, and abdomen as the top three body systems or regions in terms of the case managers' learning needs. This research identified that for these case managers, upgrading skills in physical assessment was a continuing education priority and suggested computer-assisted instruction as a potential delivery method.

Toward a social structural understanding of occupational hazards in public health.

An exploratory study was completed in 1992 in five autonomous public health unit organizations situated in urban and rural settings in northern, central, and southern regions of the Province of Alberta, Canada, with a sample of 57 staff and managerial public health nurses. Self-administered questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and moderated focus groups were used in a two-stage data collection procedure to describe subjects' perceived work hazards, conceptualize the organizational factors underlying their work hazards, and report their suggestions for change. Frequency distributions and descriptive statistics were obtained for the perceived work hazards. Results of the constant comparative method of analysis indicate that organizational factors are inseparable from the hazards perceived by subjects in both their physical and psychosocial work environments. Moreover, elements of a grounded theory of organizational hazard surveillance emerge from the data. Running throughout the elements (conceptual categories derived from interview data) is the theme of power and dependency. The social structural factors underlying occupational hazards are discussed in terms of the organizational factors associated with the safety, physical, ergonomic, and biological hazards perceived by subjects in their physical work environments.

Collaborative research by graduate students.

PURPOSE: Educators are challenged to prepare graduate students for future cooperative efforts by fostering collaboration. ORGANIZING FRAMEWORK: Assumptions and beliefs about collaborative research are examined and a definition and ethical considerations are suggested. A sample letter of agreement is also provided. CONCLUSIONS: Effective collaborative research is accomplished through planning and organization, and cannot be left to chance.