A model for facilitation in nursing education.

A key step in the development of a model for learning is to identify the needs of both the facilitators and the learners. The purpose of this study was to develop a model for facilitation in nursing education based on the identified needs of facilitators and learners and a confirmation by the literature. A qualitative research design was used and the population of the study was the facilitators and the learners of departments/schools of nursing in four universities in South Africa. Focus group interviews were conducted with facilitators and learners. The sample was purposively selected. The results underline the needs as well as the perceptions of both facilitators and learners with regard to facilitation. Concepts were identified and analyzed from the identified needs which led to the development of the model for facilitation. The complete visual model was described and presented to experts for evaluation. Feedback from the evaluators was used to adapt and finalize the model, after which the model was again presented to evaluators who approved and accepted it. The model is a unique contribution to nursing education as it sets guidelines for a new field of learning in nursing education.

The need for occupational health services in Bloemfontein.

The research was undertaken to ascertain the need for occupational health services in Bloemfontein with the possibility of planning such services in small and medium industries. As mentioned in the problem statement, small and medium industries generally do not employ an occupational health nurse. The survey method was used and the research was descriptive in nature. Questionnaires were used to collect information and the researcher evaluated the environment for safety hazards by means of a checklist. Three samples were conducted: a samples test to identify the industries and employees and goal-directed selection to identify the managers. The main findings of the research showed that managers and employees do not know about industrial health. Managers were unaware of the occupational hazards in their industries but they responded positively and expressed the need for services. The workers were aware of occupational hazards to a certain extent and also expressed the need for services. The main reason for the absence of services is their unaffordability. Some of the recommendations are that industrial health nurses have an important task in providing appropriate information to employers and employees. Occupational nurses face great challenges.

Adapting to and implementing a problem- and community-based approach to nursing education.

The process of change, implemented by the School of Nursing at the University of the Orange Free State so that a paradigm shift in approaches to nursing education at undergraduate level could be achieved, is outlined. The necessity to change, the identification of external and internal variables that impact on change, the founding of a support system, the process of overcoming resistance to change, the evaluation of the process of change and options for the future, are discussed. The rationale for the implementation of a problem-based teaching strategy and the phasing in of a community-based approach to teaching as the heart of the process of change are discussed.

Maintaining compliance at home: helping the elderly with their medications.

The elderly population consumes more drugs for their chronic conditions compared to any age group. In this study it was indicated that the average elderly takes two to four drugs per day. The high quantity and wide range of drugs used by the elderly can lead to significant risks. Adding to the risks is the problem of compliance. Areas of concern regarding safety in administering medications to the elderly are the need for increased awareness of the effects of drugs in their systems.

[Evaluation of the quality of nursing care in a number of homes for the aged in Orange Free State]. / Evaluering van die kwaliteit van verpleegsorg in enkele tehuise vir bejaardes in die Oranje-Vrystaat.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of nursing care in a number of homes for the aged in the Orange Free State. Ten homes were visited and 45 frail aged patients observed. Data was collected by means of a standardised instrument. Essential physical needs such as hygiene and nutrition were found to receive the necessary attention. However, aspects such as stimulation, socialisation, reality orientation, habit training programmes and exercise did not receive enough attention. In the light of these findings it was concluded that a custodial care approach was followed in these homes.

A development and support programme for black first year nursing students.

The changed student culture in the School of Nursing from a traditional white, Afrikaans-speaking to a multicultural student community, led to a variety of problems. Many of these were experienced by students (mainly those in their first year) from historically disadvantaged educational backgrounds. The aim of this study was to establish a developmental and support programme for black first year nursing students. An action and developmental approach was followed and the research was carried out over a period of four years. The programme was developed and evaluated by means of several actions in Phase I (1992-1995) and re-planning took place throughout. The programme was implemented in Phase II and the level of student development was determined. The students experienced a number of problems and their performance as regards development was below average in terms of cultural participation and interpersonal relationships. In spite of the fact that the majority had commenced their studies with an average E matriculation symbol, 84.8% of them passed five or more semester courses at the end of 1996.

Health needs assessment of the elderly people of Mangaung.

The health needs of the elderly people of Mangaung were assessed through a survey. Three hundred and forty respondents were interviewed. Health needs were clustered around physical, social and psychological aspects. It was found that the elderly cope well in the community and was less hospitalized. There were respondents who were medically diagnosed with physical conditions such as hypertension found in 47.9% and joint diseases in 33.4%, but managed themselves at home. More than 80% had a satisfactory hygiene status although 52.8% could not care for their toenails. Symptoms of depression were found in less than 50% of respondents. With regard to social needs 88.9% had living children who were their source of support. However, more than 40% respondents had no knowledge of community services. This study indicated that the elderly have needs to be met and the nurse can assess and plan for the elderly and refer conditions that needs multidisciplinary approach.

[A video-based teacher educational and support program for first-year nursing students]. / 'N videogebaseerde tutor onderrig-en ondersteuningsprogram vir eerstejaar verpleegkunde studente.

A video-based method of instruction was introduced to develop students academically as well as to implement parallel medium instruction. An action research approach was followed. Lectures were video-taped beforehand and worked through with the students by a tutor in scheduled Afrikaans or English periods. Simultaneously a live class situation was handled by the lecturer in the other language. Over and above these methods additional video-based support sessions were conducted by tutors for high risk students. A survey indicated that 85% of students were satisfied with this method of instruction. The perceptions of high risk students to VSI were positive and they passed the examinations. Video lectures need to be carefully planned in order to be acceptable as one of a number of possible instruction methods at a multi-cultural university.

[Evaluation of selected management skills of senior students in a four-year program]. / Die evaluering van geselekteerde bestuursvaardighede van finale jaar studente in die vier jaar program.

Due to the composition of the curriculum it is not possible to allocate final year students in the four year course to hospital wards where they can practise management tasks. In order to overcome this difficulty to a limited degree, a plan was devised to give these students the opportunity of practising selected management tasks in their free time and an instrument was developed to evaluate their knowledge of and insight into these tasks. The instrument was used to evaluate the selected management skills of 60 fourth year students. The method and results of the project are described in this article.

[Attitude, knowledge and job satisfaction of nursing personnel in homes for the active aged]. / Houding, kennis en geluk van verpleegpersoneel wat in tehuise van bejaardes werksaam is.

According to the literature, the quality of nursing care in homes for the aged is largely determined by the attitude and knowledge of the nursing staff towards and about old people. A study was conducted in ten units for the frail aged to determine these two factors, as well as the job satisfaction of the staff. Although almost 100% of the nursing staff expressed satisfaction with their jobs, many of them revealed prejudices towards and a lack of knowledge about the nursing care needs of the aged.

[Evaluation of the quality of nursing care in a number of homes for the aged in the Orange Free State]. / Evaluering van die kwaliteit van verpleegsorg in enkele tehuise vir bejaardes in die Oranje-Vrystaat.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of nursing care in a number of homes for the aged in the Orange Free State. Ten homes were visited and 45 frail aged patients observed. Data was collected by means of a standardised instrument. Essential physical needs such as hygiene and nutrition were found to receive the necessary attention. However, aspects such as stimulation, socialisation, reality orientation, habit training programmes and exercise did not receive enough attention. In the light of these findings it was concluded that a custodial care approach was followed in these homes.