Prechemotherapy serum CA125 level as a predictor of survival outcome in epithelial carcinoma of the ovary.

A total of 55 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were followed for a minimum period of 2 years. Of these 22 patients had a prechemotherapy serum CA125 level of less than 50 ku/l and 33 patients had a serum CA125 level of greater than or equal to 50 ku/l. The 5-year actuarial survival of the two groups were 75% and 10% respectively. Prechemotherapy CA125 level taken 4 weeks after debulking surgery may predict the eventual survival outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy treatment.

Advanced ovarian cancer: long-term results following chemotherapy and second-look laparotomy.

Thirty patients who showed a complete clinical response to cis-platinum-containing combination chemotherapy underwent second-look laparotomy. Seventeen patients (56.7%) achieved a pathologically confirmed complete remission as documented by a negative second-look laparotomy. After a minimum follow-up of 60 months, 6 of 17 patients developed recurrent disease and subsequently died. Due to the occurrence of late relapse in these negative second-look patients routine second-look laparotomy to confirm pathological response cannot be justified. Ten of thirty patients underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery at second-look operation. All ten patients had suboptimal initial debulking surgery. Five of these ten patients (50%) survived 4 years. Secondary cytoreductive surgery may improve survival in patients who undergo suboptimal initial debulking surgery.

The utilization of research findings in clinical nursing practice.

This paper considers the issue of utilizing research findings in nursing practice. It covers the justification for utilizing research in practice, and whether research is actually implemented. Previous studies focusing upon the process of utilizing research are analysed, and consideration is given to how research should be evaluated and implemented and the factors affecting this. The literature reviewed demonstrates that the implementation of research in clinical practice is a complex operation. Attempts to achieve research-based practice need to be well thought through and organized, with those involved at all levels being interested and committed to its success.

How can we compare graduate and non-graduate nurses? A review of the literature.

This paper reviews some of the literature comparing the graduates or 'end-products' of two or more nurse education programmes. The main focus of the paper is how graduate and non-graduate nurses may be compared. Since the amount of literature in this field in the United Kingdom is limited, much of that reviewed is from the USA. The paper demonstrates that there are many problems associated with evaluating the 'end-products' of nurse education programmes, particularly when quantitative approaches are taken. It appears that future work may benefit from a more qualitative approach.

A survey of the attitudes of senior nurses towards graduate nurses.

This small scale survey is one aspect of a larger study of the progress and function of graduates of a nursing degree course. There is very little current literature regarding the views of senior nurses on the role and function of graduate nurses. The aim of this study was not to survey all senior nurses, but to obtain the views of senior nurses in the areas where graduates included in the main study were working. A descriptive survey approach was taken using postal questionnaires to ascertain views on the role and function of graduate nurses. Six chief nurses and 11 directors of nursing and midwifery services returned the questionnaires. The results showed varied views on whether graduates should and do function differently to traditionally trained nurses and interesting comments were made in relation to this. The implications of the study are important, since the views of senior nurses are likely to influence the posts held by graduates and the way they function within those posts, and there is a need for a more in-depth study of this area.

A study to compare the practice style of graduate and non-graduate nurses and midwives: the pilot study.

This paper comprises essentially a discussion of the pilot of a study currently being undertaken to compare the practice styles of graduate and non-graduate nurses. The background to the main study is described and discussed, as is the methodology. The problems encountered in the planning and executing of the data collection are particularly highlighted. The paper does not present data from the pilot study, but evaluates the methodology used and considers the implications for the main study.

A follow-up of the graduates of the 3-year post-registration Bachelor of Nursing degree course in the University of Wales.

This paper considers several aspects of the graduates of the 3-year Bachelor of Nursing course at the University of Wales College of Medicine. These include career progression, perceptions of the usefulness of aspects of the course, and the reactions of others to the fact that they have a degree. Information was elicited by a postal questionnaire which is administered annually to all graduates. The findings of the study are clearly limited due to a small sample size. They do, however, indicate that the graduates of the course so far have stayed in nursing posts, largely in teaching and administration, and the loss to the profession has been extremely small. Overall, the graduates found many aspects of the course very useful to posts held, and experienced various reactions of other professionals to the fact that they had a degree. Due to the relatively short time that this course has been in existence and the fact that the first groups were very small in number, the findings of the study merely suggest trends in the career patterns and perceptions of graduates which need to be continually monitored before statements can be made with confidence. They do, however, have implications when considering the function and contribution of these nurse graduates to the nursing profession.

A follow-up of the graduates of the Cardiff Bachelor of Nursing degree course.

This paper considers the career patterns of the graduates of the University of Wales College of Medicine Bachelor of Nursing course. The 4-year course commenced in 1972 and has now seen 11 years of graduates. A longitudinal questionnaire survey has been administered annually to graduates of the course to ascertain information relating to the posts held and qualifications gained by graduates, which is the focus of this paper. The questionnaire also elicits graduates' perceptions of the value of aspects of the degree course to posts held, and the reaction of colleagues to the fact that they are nurse graduates. The results of the follow-up are presented to show the posts held by graduates at four time intervals; 6 months, 2 years and 5 years following graduation, and all graduates at the 1986 follow-up. The numbers of those who have obtained various post-registration qualifications are also presented. The findings support those of other follow-up studies of nurse graduates and diplomats. The graduates largely entered nursing or related posts, with the majority remaining in clinical-based posts as opposed to teaching and administration. The findings lead to further questions regarding the role and function of the nursing graduate. Further study is currently in progress to compare various elements of the practice style of Bachelor of Nursing graduates with non-graduate nurses.