Reform of nursing education in Hong Kong : a study of nurse leadership and policy development

Nursing education in Hong Kong has undergone major reform in recent year similar to that in some Western countries, involving the introduction of degree level preparation. This reform occurred just before Hong Kong was returned to the sovereignty of China. While a combination of complex factors contributed to the reform, the role of nurse leaders was instrumental in influencing policy development. This study investigated the role of nurse leaders in this reform and the factors influencing their effectiveness. A case study approach was used with multiple data collection methods that included a documentary search of report newspapers, newsletters and journal articles; semi-structured interviews (n=26) nurse leaders and policy makers; and a questionnaire survey of nurses from fh regional hospitals in Hong Kong (n=678). The period studied extended from the first proposal for a nursing degree programme in 1985, to 1995 when 180 nursing degree places were secured. An integrated leadership model is derived from this study that contains dimensions that influence leadership effectiveness: situational variables, leader power base, leaders' attributes and style, and leaders' reciprocal relationships with followers. Data analysis indicated that nursing education reform could be conceptualised as an evolution process. Nurse leaders' roles focused on the acquisition of power which involved: establishing goals, communicating directions, increasing power through unity, increasing power through influences empowering followers and preparing self. Situational variables that impacted on leadership effectiveness were categorised as inertia and facilitation. Though the findings indicated that nurse leaders had the ability to influence nursing education reform to some extent, the questionnaire survey suggested that frontline nurse did not regard nurse leaders as having good leadership skills. Their evaluation of nurse leaders' effectiveness was generally negative. Furthermore, a lack of experience in the political arena and lack of unity within nursing further weakened nurse leaders' power. Nurse leaders' potential had not been maximised This study expands the knowledge on leadership by providing a multidimensional framework to comprehend or predict leadership behaviour. The findings also highlight the problems associated with nursing leadership development in Hong Kong and suggest the importance of education, positive socialisation professionalisation and power base in promoting nursing leadership development Further studies, using a prospective design, of nurse leadership in other areas are needed to test the generalisability of these findings

Predictors of Maternal Parental Self-Efficacy Among Primiparas in the Early Postnatal Period

10.1177/0193945914537724Western Journal of Nursing Researc

Perceptions of primiparas on a postnatal psychoeducation programme: The process evaluation

Midwifery311155-16

Comparison of virtual patient simulation with Mannequin-based simulation for improving clinical performances in assessing and managing clinical deterioration: Randomized controlled trial

10.2196/jmir.3322Journal of Medical Internet Research169e21

SELF-CARE PROGRAM FOR OLDER COMMUNITY-DWELLERS: PROTOCOL FOR A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract Aim: To report a trial protocol to determine if a self-care program enhances quality of life and sense of coherence in community-dwellers aged 65 years or over. Design: A randomized controlled trial with a two-group pretest and posttest will be conducted in a community activity center involving a sample of 64 community-dwellers who are 65 years or over. Methods: The intervention group will receive Resource Enhancement and Activation Program, a structured 12-week self-care program comprising 24 activities based on a salutogenic framework. The control group will receive the routine service. Both outcome and process evaluations will be used. Outcomes will be measured using standardized tools and these include quality of life, sense of coherence, satisfaction with life, activation measure, well-being, depression, loneliness and resilience. Focus group interviews will be conducted to explore participants' views on the program. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-care program that is based on a salutogenic framework to promote quality of life and sense of coherence among older community-dwellers

Designing and Evaluating an Interactive Multimedia Web-Based Simulation for Developing Nurses' Competencies in Acute Nursing Care: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/jmir.3853Journal of Medical Internet Research17

Structured interviews examining the burden, coping, self-efficacy, and quality of life among family caregivers of persons with dementia in Singapore

Dementia is a global health issue and the effects on caregivers are substantial. The study aimed to examine the associations of burden, coping, self-efficacy with quality of life among family caregivers of persons with dementia in Singapore. Structured interviews were conducted in a convenience sample of 84 family caregivers caring and seeking clinical care for the persons with dementia in an outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Singapore. The outcome measures included the Family Burden Interview Schedule, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale - Brief Version. In general, significant correlations were observed between the quality of life scores with coping strategy and family burden scores, but not between the coping strategy and family burden scores. Compared to demographic factors such as caregiver age and household income, psychosocial factors including family burden, coping strategies, and self-efficacy demonstrated greater association with quality of life in the participants. However, the dynamics of these associations will change with an increasing population of persons with dementia, decreasing nuclear family size, and predicted changes in family living arrangements for the persons with dementia in future. As such, it necessitates continuous study examining the needs and concerns of family caregivers and the relevance of ongoing interventions specific to caregivers of persons with dementia

Global perspective of burden of family caregivers for persons with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness that affects about 7 per 1,000 of the adult population. It is estimated that globally about 29 million people have schizophrenia. With the advent of deinstitutionalization, most persons with schizophrenia are now being cared for in the community by their families. Living with a relative with severe mental illness is stressful. Burden of care is a global issue affecting family caregivers in both developed and developing countries. This article aims to examine the burden of family caregivers for persons withschizophrenia and the socioeconomic factors that influence the caregivers' perception of burden. There is a general agreement that family interventions are beneficial to family caregivers. Therefore, this article examines two of the most commonly investigated interventions: psychoeducation and support groups, for family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia