Nursing Faculty Research Publications

The Use of Metaphor Graphics to Depict Sleep Research Results

Judith A. Floyd — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:30:24 PST

Many nurses are not familiar with the highly technical language of research and the types of graphics that researchers use to communicate findings, creating a major barrier to research utilization in nursing. In an effort to find alternative approaches to displaying research results, W.G. Cole introduced "metaphor graphics" a decade ago as a way of graphically representing knowledge. He proposed that data be summarized using visual metaphors - i.e., abstract signs and symbols - to show patterns and convey meaning. Viewing human beings as imperfect processors of information who tend to reason using pattern recognition and mental models, Cole hypothesized that visual metaphors would improve the uptake of scientific information. The author explores an effort to incorporate and evaluate metaphor graphics in the communication of sleep-promotion research.

Knowledge Synthesis - What Is It?

Judith A. Floyd — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:30:23 PST

Environments for Enhancing Nursing Research

Elizabeth L. Kent et al. — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:30:22 PST

The following was excerpted by Dr. Floyd from a presentation made by Dr. Kent at the 1983 MNA convention. The program theme of that convention, "Setting the Scene for Nursing," focused on optimizing the environments in which nursing is practiced. Re-exposure to Dr. Kent's ideas seems timely.

Impaired Nursing Practice: Michigan's Response

Judith A. Floyd — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:30:21 PST

In recent years organized nursing has begun to address health problems that compromise the nurse's ability to function within the standards and code of conduct for professional practice. In 1982, the Michigan Nurses' Association adopted a resolution which called for action in addressing the problem of impaired nursing practice in Michigan. At the 1984 MNA Convention, the House of Delegates reaffirmed MNA's support of a comprehensive approach to the problem of impaired practice including (a) education of Michigan nurses about the problem, (b) research to establish a database on the size and nature of the problem, and (c) strategies for providing assistance and support for nurses in treatment.

When are research findings ready for use?

Judith A. Floyd — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:10:12 PST

Comparison of Medical Subject Headings and Text-Word Searches in MEDLINE to Retrieve Studies on Sleep in Healthy Individuals

Elizabeth Sergeevna Jenuwine et al. — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:00:15 PST

Objective: The objective was to investigate the performance of two search strategies in the retrieval of primary research papers containing descriptive information on the sleep of healthy people from MEDLINE.

Methodology: Two search strategies - one based on the use of only Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), the second based on text-word searching - were evaluated as to their specificity and sensitivity in retrieving a set of relevant research papers published in the journal Sleep from 1996 to 2001 that were preselected by a hand search.

Results: The subject search provided higher specificity than the text- word search (66% and 47%, respectively) but lower sensitivity (78% for the subject search versus 88% for the text-word search). Each search strategy gave some unique relevant hits.

Conclusions: The two search strategies complemented each other and should be used together for maximal retrieval. No combination of MeSH terms could provide comprehensive yet reasonably precise retrieval of relevant articles. The text-word searching had sensitivity and specificity comparable to the subject search. In addition, use of text words "normal," "healthy," and "control" in the title or abstract fields to limit the final sets provided an efficient way to increase the specificity of both search strategies.

Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Dietary Lifestyle Changes for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction in Adults: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association

Nancy Trygar Artinian et al. — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:25:11 PST

Even modest sustained lifestyle changes can substantially reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Because many of the beneficial effects of lifestyle changes accrue over time, long-term adherence maximizes individual and population benefits. Interventions targeting dietary patterns, weight reduction, and new PA habits often result in impressive rates of initial behavior changes, but frequently are not translated into long-term behavioral maintenance. Both adoption and maintenance of new cardiovascular risk-reducing behaviors pose challenges for many individuals. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, life expectancy could increase by almost 7 years if all forms of major CVD were eliminated.5 Improvements in morbidity and quality of life would also be substantial. In order to achieve these goals, healthcare providers must focus on reducing CVD risk factors such as overweight and obesity, poor dietary habits, and physical inactivity by helping individuals begin and maintain dietary and PA changes.

The purpose of this scientific statement is to provide evidence-based recommendations on implementing PA and dietary interventions among adult individuals, including adults of racial/ethnic minority and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. The most efficacious and effective strategies are summarized, and guidelines are provided to translate these strategies into practice. Individual, provider, and environmental factors that may influence the design of the interventions, as well as implications for policy and for future research, also are briefly addressed.

ACCF/AHA 2011 Expert Consensus Document on Hypertension in the Elderly: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents

Wilbert S. Aronow et al. — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:25:09 PST

This document was written with the intent to be a complete reference at the time of publication on the topic of managing hypertension in the elderly. This document has been developed as an expert consensus document by the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA), in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), the American Society of Hypertension (ASH), the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC), the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). Expert consensus documents are intended to inform practitioners, payers, and other interested parties of the opinion of ACCF and document cosponsors concerning evolving areas of clinical practice and/or technologies that are widely available or new to the practice community.

Functional Health Literacy in an Urban Primary Care Clinic

Nancy Trygar Artinian et al. — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:25:08 PST

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of functional health literacy in a sample of patients treated in 1of our 5 primary care clinics. A total of 92 randomly selected adults (mean age = 59 years) completed the TOFHLA while waiting for a scheduled appointment. Twenty eight percent of the sample had less than adequate levels of functional health literacy. Income, car ownership and education were significant and independent predictors of literacy level in this sample. Low levels of functional health literacy limit a patient's ability to read, understand and act on health information. It is essential that nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists use relevant cues to assess for illiteracy and modify their methods of providing health information when appropriate.