Understanding the Beliefs, Perceptions, and Experiences of Disaster Preparedness in Nurses: A Mini-Focused Ethnography

Title: Understanding the Beliefs, Perceptions, and Experiences of Disaster Preparedness in Nurses: A Mini-Focused Ethnography Purpose: To explore the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of disaster preparedness of nurses Research Questions: What are the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of disaster preparedness for nurses? Background: Nurses fulfil important roles in disasters. Previous studies found many nurses considered themselves unprepared for their roles in disasters. To identify potential learning gaps, a clearer understanding of what nurses believe is necessary for disaster preparation. Methods: A mini-focused ethnography was used to conduct this study. Registered nurses from the greater New York City area were recruited to complete a demographic survey and participate in interviews. Analysis of interview data was conducted utilizing Leininger’s Four Phases of Qualitative Data Analysis. Results: Of the participants (n=3; male = 2, female = 1), two had \u3e 20 years of experience working in emergency departments, while one participant had \u3c 2 years in a telemetry unit. Two participants had previous disaster experience and training from their workplaces. In the initial phase of analysis, 9 categories were identified. Further analysis resulted in two patterns: (1) Pattern of feeling competent as sign of successful preparedness (2) Pattern of knowledge of nurse role expectations as important to disaster preparedness. Conclusions and Implications: Nurses’ perceptions of being prepared for disasters emanate from knowing what their role expectations are during disasters and feeling competent in their roles. Disaster preparedness training/education curriculum should consider these factors in their design to facilitate better future nursing disaster preparedness. Keywords: Disaster nursing, disaster preparedness, nurse preparedness, emergency preparedness, disaster managemen

The Development of a Comprehensive ADHD Program for Elementary School Educators

On average, teachers will teach at least one student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in any given school year without receiving any instructions at all on ADHD. ADHD affects 3% to 7% of school-age students and one in every twenty children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2010). It is classified as one of the most common mental health disorders affecting school-age students. The American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2013) defines ADHD as a hereditary, non-curable, common childhood disorder. A triad of symptoms is associated with this disorder: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which all have a major impact on the child’s behavior in the classroom setting. Appropriate ADHD interventions can promote healthy development and success in the classroom for students diagnosed with ADHD. Research shows that school personnel do not effectively understand ADHD and the behaviors associated with this disorder resulting in multiple school suspensions, expulsion, office referrals, and excessive hospital readmissions. The purpose of this project was to work with principals and provide consultation on development and implementation an elementary school wide ADHD program. This project had two components. The first component was a consultant component, and the second component was a program development component. The first component was delivered through the utilization of a consultant process geared toward school principals. The second component provided school principals guidance on the development of a school wide ADHD program. The program was evaluated utilizing a survey of satisfaction. All participants unanimously agreed that ADHD programs are needed and that the training was beneficial

The Ever-Shifting Internet Population

Presents findings from surveys conducted between March and May 2002. Takes a new look at Internet access and the digital divide. Explores factors of cost, lack of technology skills, and physical access (particularly for persons with disabilities)

Effect Of Leaching Agents On Polyurethane Composite Scaffolds Containing Bioactive Glass

Eight samples of porous polyurethane composite scaffolds containing 45S5 bioactive glass were fabricated by salt-particle leaching method. Each sample contains 80% polyurethane and 20% 45S5 bioactive glass. Two different leaching agents, namely NaCl and NaHCO3 were used to create the porous structure of scaffolds. The ratio between NaCl and NaHCO3 were varied, with NaCl:NaHCO3 percentage being 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 0:100. The porous scaffolds were characterized based on its pore morphology as well as its thermal and mechanical properties. Bonding properties of scaffold samples were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas its pore morphology were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Porous scaffolds fabricated exhibits pores of which their sizes range from tens of microns to hundreds, which are suitable for bone tissue engineering. Thermal behaviour of samples were investigated using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Result shows that the percentage of residues remained in the scaffold (at 700°C) increases with increasing amount of NaHCO3. Mechanical properties of the produced scaffolds were studied by though compression test. Compressive modulus of the fabricated scaffolds ranges from 0.11 to 2.15 MPa. Besides that, the total porosity existing in the scaffold was studied as well. A minimum porosity of 70% porosity is usually required for biomedical applications, whereby in this study, majority of the samples fabricated has sufficient porosity to be used for bone tissue engineering

Australian dental school academics' perceptions of gerodontology education in the undergraduate curriculum

Introduction: Australia's rapidly growing population of dentate, frail, care-dependent older people require graduates skilled in managing the health needs of this patient group. The perceptions of academics teaching gerodontology may inform future dental curricula recommendations. This study explored the perceptions of gerodontology education amongst Australian dental school academics. Materials and Methods: All nine Australian dental schools providing entry-to-practice dentistry programs were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Academics from six dentistry programs took part, and the data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results: The three main themes identified from interviews included ‘clinical exposure’, ‘organisational levers’, and ‘sociological barriers’. The attitudes of students, as well as society and health professionals, were seen as strongly influential in preparing the workforce for managing the oral health of older people. The themes inter-linked with a knock-on effect where societal attitudes and organisational levers impact on the ability to successfully support students' preparation for gerodontology practice. Limited resources were barriers to achieving ideal learning and teaching and continued upon graduation as oral health care for older people was perceived as undervalued and under-resourced. Conclusion: There has been a continued cycle of failure in healthcare schemes and advocacy for the improvement of oral health for older people which has contributed to the inadequate preparation of dental graduates for managing frail and care-dependent older people. Organisational, societal, and political change is needed to support the education of dental students in this area to ensure graduate dentists are competent to manage the oral care needs of this growing population

Design And Simulation Of High Linearity And Stability Operational Amplifier Circuitry For Amperometric Sensor

Redox sensor is widely used to detect certain analytes of a chemical solution especially concentration of a chemical solution. Redox sensor has advantages of detection of multiple ions inside a sensing areas by measurement and represent it in electrical current or voltage. However, sensitivity and output signal of sensor decreases due to miniaturization of sensing area. This thesis presents a design of a potentiostat that is able to process the redox sensor small output signal in the range of 0 A to 10 μA and has a linear and amplified voltage signal for integration with analogue digital conversion (ADC) circuit. It provides a stable output when the voltage supply

Understanding Effects of Algorithmic vs. Community Label on Perceived Accuracy of Hyper-partisan Misinformation

Hyper-partisan misinformation has become a major public concern. In order to examine what type of misinformation label can mitigate hyper-partisan misinformation sharing on social media, we conducted a 4 (label type: algorithm, community, third-party fact-checker, and no label) X 2 (post ideology: liberal vs. conservative) between-subjects online experiment (N = 1,677) in the context of COVID-19 health information. The results suggest that for liberal users, all labels reduced the perceived accuracy and believability of fake posts regardless of the posts' ideology. In contrast, for conservative users, the efficacy of the labels depended on whether the posts were ideologically consistent: algorithmic labels were more effective in reducing the perceived accuracy and believability of fake conservative posts compared to community labels, whereas all labels were effective in reducing their belief in liberal posts. Our results shed light on the differing effects of various misinformation labels dependent on people's political ideology

Assessing water quality of Murum Reservoir halfway through impoundment

This paper reports the water quality of Murum Hydroelectric Reservoir, eight months after impoundment of the dam. A total of nine stations were selected in the reservoir. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chlorophyll-a and total suspended solids (TSS) were studied. The results showed that the water was warmer at 0.5 m depth. As the depth increased, temperature in the reservoir decreased in the range of 4.40°C to 7.35°C from 0.5 to 20 m depth. The concentration of DO dropped to zero at 4 - 6 m depth leading to anoxic level. pH at 0.5 m depth ranged from 6.40 to 7.20 and they were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those at 10 and 20 m. Chlorophyll-a at 0.5 m were in the range of 4.61 to 20.50 mg/L, relatively higher compared to 10 m and 20 m depths. The results obtained indicates that impoundment of Murum River generally caused water quality deterioration. In addition, this could be due to anthropogenic activities such as plantation and logging activities that are still going on within the catchment during the impoundment. Therefore, further continuous monitoring and investigation is required to determine the long-term water quality condition and identify factors that influence water quality in Murum Reservoir