ABSTRACT
In response to an increased need for Spanish-speaking and culturally competent nurses, a small private undergraduate-only liberal arts university implemented a semester-long study abroad program for nursing majors in Barcelona, Spain. Prior to the creation of this program, study abroad for nursing students was limited because of prelicensure requirements and limitations of a traditional nursing curriculum. Students studying in Spain enroll in four courses--including two core nursing courses delivered using Polycom hardware and telepresence software by nursing faculty who remain in the United States, a Spanish language course, and one general education course taught either by the University's Spain Director or by an experienced Spanish professor. Participants live with host families and participate in clinical and community observational experiences in Spanish health care agencies. Students then complete direct patient care requirements upon return to the United States. To our knowledge, no other undergraduate-only institution offers a semester-long study abroad experience for nursing majors embedded within the curriculum using synchronous learning; we believe our Spain program, which is in its fourth year being open to nursing majors, is truly an innovative approach to establish cultural competence for undergraduate nursing majors that could serve as a model for other schools of nursing and health disciplines.
Subject(s)
Education, Nursing/organization & administration , Learning , Universities/organization & administration , Humans , Organizational InnovationABSTRACT
Older adults continue to experience problems with their medications, such as adverse drug events, incorrect use of prescription medications, and nonadherence to drug therapy. Using the qualitative approach of naturalistic inquiry, 27 community-dwelling adults over age 74 were interviewed and encouraged to describe situations or variables that help or hinder in their cardiovascular medication management processes. Helpful strategies included simplification, use of visual and tactile cues, and development of a medication routine. Hindering situations included decreased mental or sensory alertness, getting out of the routine, and not feeling well. Nurses can devise assessment and interventional methodologies from the themes described.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Aged/psychology , Cardiovascular Diseases , Medication Adherence/psychology , Self Administration , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/psychology , Cues , Documentation , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Habits , Housing for the Elderly , Humans , Male , Midwestern United States , Nursing Methodology Research , Patient Education as Topic , Qualitative Research , Reminder Systems , Self Administration/methods , Self Administration/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The benefits of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass surgery (OPCAB) are well documented, but little information is available that explores the patient's perception of the experience. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in perceptions and experiences in patients who have undergone both OPCAB and on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting procedures. Guided by naturalistic inquiry, semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted and audio taped with 4 men living independently. Inductive analysis of the transcripts revealed 7 themes: general comparisons, health care seeking symptoms, loss of control, faith and trust, postoperative depression, interactions with health care professionals, and sharing the life-time experience. The findings from this study will help to guide future research in the area of cardiovascular surgery.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/psychology , Coronary Artery Bypass/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Aged , Coronary Artery Bypass/adverse effects , Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump/adverse effects , Depression/etiology , Depression/psychology , Fear , Humans , Internal-External Control , Life Change Events , Male , Middle Aged , Midwestern United States , Nursing Methodology Research , Patient Education as Topic , Perioperative Care/psychology , Preoperative Care/psychology , Professional-Patient Relations , Qualitative Research , Surveys and Questionnaires , TrustABSTRACT
Medication use by community-dwelling elderly accounts for a significant portion of all U.S. drug use. Many elderly manage over three prescriptions a day. Recent evidence indicates that non-adherence to prescribed drug regimens can lead to symptoms that result in hospitalizations. The study's purpose was to explore self-management of medications as perceived by community-dwelling elderly. Guided by Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, 19 older adults were interviewed about their medication self-management practices. Inductive data analysis revealed three major themes: successful self-management of medications, living orderly, and aging well. Success in establishing individual management systems may be the result of developing and maintaining orderly lifestyles.
