The journal of nursing research : JNR
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The aim of this study was to design, implement and evaluate disease outcomes at a regional hospital- based case management program of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. A medical team and practice guidelines were established in line with the health insurance strategy of Taiwan's Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care for Diabetes (2003 edition). Also, a set of self-care booklets was designed suitable for use by the subject group. ⋯ Significantly improved ADA diabetes care standard items included HbA1C (p< .0001), fasting glucose (p< .01) and triglycerides (p< .05). The study incorporated evidence-based guidelines, public health insurance strategies and self-care booklets into a protocol to provide comprehensive care. The implemented diabetes program achieved diabetes care goals and improved patient self-care.
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The objective of this study was to assess the stress of parents and its influencing factors in caring for children with Tourette syndrome. A total of 150 subjects, either fathers or mothers of children diagnosed with Tourette syndrome between the ages of 6 and 12, were recruited by purposive sampling from the membership roster of the Taiwan Tourette Family Association. Study tools included a Parenting Stress Index Form and Social Support Index Form. ⋯ Multiple linear regression analysis found disease severity and family income to be the variables with the greatest predictive power for parenting stress, explaining 42% of total variance. Results showed that factors affecting parenting stress included family income and disease severity. These findings should help clinical professionals develop more effective health care strategies to address the needs of children with Tourette syndrome and their parents.
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The objective of this study was to understand the following: (1) the specific care needs of geriatric hip fracture patients; (2) the level of care difficulty during the transition period following discharge; and (3) the correlation amongst demographics, the physical function status of the elderly, and care needs. Purposive sampling was used, and a total of 71 hip fracture cases and their caregivers were selected. A survey was carried out to collect data just before discharge and one week following discharge. ⋯ Caring tasks that were identified as more difficult for the primary caregivers includes providing stair climbing assistance, emotional problems management assistance, walking training assistance, rehabilitation assistance, and emergency disease management assistance. The care needs of the elderly in this study and level of execution difficulty for caregivers was found to be negatively related to the physical function status of the elderly. The study results suggest that providing patient-related home care knowledge to primary caregivers prior to discharge from the hospital and enhancement of the social support system are both needed.
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The aim of this study was to determine predictive variables of terminal restlessness that were selected from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) among nursing home residents. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to retrospectively review decedents' Minimum Data Set records. Four independent variables from the MDS (distressed mood, problem conditions, pain, and medications) were examined as to whether they were predictive variables of terminal restlessness by utilizing path analysis statistical method. ⋯ These findings provide important and valuable clinical implications. A careful evaluation of pain is necessary, especially as many elders are not able to communicate well during the terminal phase of their lives. How to access residents' moods and provide appropriate and immediate interventions, comfort, and even just being there for them are imperative for nursing home care providers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of massage effects on labor pain using the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of pain during labor with and without massage. Sixty primiparas in labor were randomly assigned to either a massage or control group and tested using the self-reported Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) at 3 phases of cervical dilation: phase 1 dilation (3-4 cm), phase 2 dilation (5-7 cm), and phase 3 dilation (8-10 cm). ⋯ The results of this study indicate that, although massage cannot change the characteristics of pain experienced by women in labor, it can effectively decrease labor pain intensity at phase 1 and phase 2 of cervical dilation during labor. Nurses and caregivers could consider using massage to help laboring women through the labor pain.