Structured COPD Discharge Education and Quality of Life: A Feasibility Evaluation

Background: Multiple internal and external factors are responsible for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Noxious stimuli such as cigarette smoking and other air borne pollutants set off the ongoing inflammatory process of COPD resulting in air flow limitation and lung tissue destruction. Objectives: Examination of inflammatory mediators of COPD and risk factors that coincide with hospital admission for AECOPD. The aim of this dissertation was to conduct a feasibility study to implement an educational intervention for hospitalized patients and evaluate their quality of life (QOL), using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate outcomes. Design: This dissertation includes three papers: a principle-based concept analysis on inflammatory mediators related to COPD, an integrative review of the psychometric instruments used to measure risk factors for hospitalization among patients with COPD, and a feasibility study using the American Lung Association’s modified COPD Action Plan to instruct patients with COPD on identifying early signs of an exacerbation and when to seek medical care. In addition, quality of life perceptions were evaluated using the World Health Organization-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) before hospital discharge and 30 days post discharge via phone call. Conclusions: COPD is a complex chronic disease with an insidious onset by inflammatory mediator(s) or genetic origin. The episodic acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are responsible for high healthcare utilization and perceptions of low quality of life. The feasibility study results suggest implementation of the American Lung Association modified COPD Action Plan can be carried out as discharge instructions and QOL evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Positive ratings and comments on the delivery and content of the COPD Action Plan were found in a small sample of participants who responded to follow up

Integrating Emerging Areas of Nursing Science into PhD Programs

The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science aims to “facilitate and recognize life-long nursing science career development” as an important part of its mission. In light of fast-paced advances in science and technology that are inspiring new questions and methods of investigation in the health sciences, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science convened the Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education and appointed the Idea Festival Advisory Committee to stimulate dialogue about linking PhD education with a renewed vision for preparation of the next generation of nursing scientists. Building on the 2010 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Position Statement “The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence,” Idea Festival Advisory Committee members focused on emerging areas of science and technology that impact the ability of research-focused doctoral programs to prepare graduates for competitive and sustained programs of nursing research using scientific advances in emerging areas of science and technology. The purpose of this article is to describe the educational and scientific contexts for the Idea Festival, which will serve as the foundation for recommendations for incorporating emerging areas of science and technology into research-focused doctoral programs in nursing

Our Unique Stories in Our Voices: International Educators Speak!

Four international educators will share stories about their individual experiences as women and professionals in international education. They will each discuss: Their personal and professional journey, challenges and barriers encountered, the process of self-awareness and growth, case studies of institutional culture and its influence on working with international students and diversity issues, support networks, etc. They will present examples of successes in diversity and international education. Presenters will engage the audience in small and large group discussions to explore their own journeys and begin the process of identifying opportunities and tools for individual and collective growth. This session is highly interactive

Emerging Areas of Science: Recommendations for Nursing Science Education from the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Idea Festival

The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science aims to “facilitate and recognize life-long nursing science career development” as an important part of its mission. In light of fast-paced advances in science and technology that are inspiring new questions and methods of investigation in the health sciences, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science convened the Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education and appointed the Idea Festival Advisory Committee (IFAC) to stimulate dialogue about linking PhD education with a renewed vision for preparation of the next generation of nursing scientists. Building on the 2005 National Research Council report Advancing The Nation\u27s Health Needs and the 2010 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Position Statement on the Research-Focused Doctorate Pathways to Excellence, the IFAC specifically addressed the capacity of PhD programs to prepare nursing scientists to conduct cutting-edge research in the following key emerging and priority areas of health sciences research: omics and the microbiome; health behavior, behavior change, and biobehavioral science; patient-reported outcomes; big data, e-science, and informatics; quantitative sciences; translation science; and health economics. The purpose of this article is to (a) describe IFAC activities, (b) summarize 2014 discussions hosted as part of the Idea Festival, and (c) present IFAC recommendations for incorporating these emerging areas of science and technology into research-focused doctoral programs committed to preparing graduates for lifelong, competitive careers in nursing science. The recommendations address clearer articulation of program focus areas; inclusion of foundational knowledge in emerging areas of science in core courses on nursing science and research methods; faculty composition; prerequisite student knowledge and skills; and in-depth, interdisciplinary training in supporting area of science content and methods

Emerging Areas of Nursing Science and PhD Education for The 21\u3csup\u3est\u3c/sup\u3e Century: Response to Commentaries

We respond to commentaries from the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the National Institute of Nursing Research on our thoughts about integrating emerging areas of science into nursing PhD programs. We identify areas of agreement and focus our response on cross-cutting issues arising from cautions about the unique focus of nursing science and how best to proceed with incorporation of emerging areas of science into nursing PhD programs

Community Co-Design: From Magic Squares to Magic Dresses

This project joined elementary, secondary, and postsecondary students with a textile museum, community cultural centre, and provincial science centre to collaborate on textile design and printing, as well as garment design, creation, and exhibition. While the design process centered on the concept of the magic square, each contribution was independent and progressive, and handed off to the next group like a baton in a relay race

Distance from Home to Study Clinic and Risk of Follow-Up Interruption in a Cohort of HIV-1-Discordant Couples in Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Longitudinal studies of HIV-1-infected individuals or those at risk of infection are subject to missed study visits that may have negative consequences on the care of participants and can jeopardize study validity due to bias and loss of statistical power. Distance between participant residence and study clinic, as well as other socioeconomic and demographic factors, may contribute to interruptions in patient follow-up. Methods: HIV-1-serodiscordant couples were enrolled between May 2007 and October 2009 and followed for two years in Nairobi, Kenya. At baseline, demographic and home location information was collected and linear distance from each participant’s home to the study clinic was determined. Participants were asked to return to the study clinic for quarterly visits, with follow-up interruptions (FUI) defined as missing two consecutive visits. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess crude and adjusted associations between FUI and home-to-clinic distance, and other baseline characteristics. Results: Of 469 enrolled couples, 64% had a female HIV-1-infected partner. Overall incidence of FUI was 13.4 per 100 person-years (PY), with lower incidence of FUI in HIV-1-infected (10.8 per 100 PY) versus -uninfected individuals (16.1 per 100 PY) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50, 0.88). Among HIV-1-infected participants, those living between 5 and 10 kilometers (km) from the study clinic had a two-fold increased rate of FUI compared to those living <5 km away (HR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.09, 4.34). Other factors associated with FUI included paying higher rent (HR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.65), having at least primary school education (HR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.70), and increased HIV-1 viral load (HR = 1.23 per log10 increase; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.51). Conclusions: Home-to-clinic distance, indicators of socioeconomic status, and markers of disease progression may affect compliance with study follow-up schedules. Retention strategies should focus on participants at greatest risk of FUI to ensure study validity

Prospectus, February 25, 1981

MARIJUANA LEGALIZED? DIFANIS SAYS YES.; PC ROTC program big success with 500% increase; \u27Woman to Woman\u27 Workshop tonight at 7 p.m.; Week in Review: World, Nation; Letters to the Editor: Student feels strongly towards draft, Ah hah! Widloski makes first mistake; 1st Ms. Parkland; EMT holds workshop on tornadoes; Student Government notes; BSA tells us of their week of events; Deering speaks at PACT.; Diane Propst and Cancer: Dying is Not Dead; Did you know that..?; Student Government Presents: Michael Spiro; Holbrook puts on a sparkling performance; Reggae music popular; The Tavern to be presented at Parkland this weekend; Child Abuse becomes more of a problem in C-U area.; Do you want a cute pup? There is a place where you can find one.; Women\u27s Forum presents Toxic Shock ; Circle K always willing to help society; Classifieds; Photo contest offers great opportunity; Cobras whup Kaskaskia; Illness hits Cobra women: lose badly to Vincennes; Bench Warmer: Cobra confidence shows!; Cobra track team finish second in state; Good teams in spotlight; Cobras trounce Kaskaskia; Dunson, Pratt spark late game rally: Cobras edge Kankakee; Fast Freddy Contest; DeYoung the master this weekhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1981/1026/thumbnail.jp

Comparing Competing Theories on the Causes of Mandate Perceptions

The discussion of presidential mandates is as certain as a presidential election itself. Journalists inevitably discuss whether the president-elect has a popular mandate. Because they see elections as too complex to allow the public to send a unitary signal, political scientists are more skeptical of mandates. Mandates, however, have received new attention by scholars asking whether perceptions of mandate arise and lead representatives to act as if voters sent a policy directive. Two explanations have emerged to account for why elected officials might react to such perceptions. One focuses on the President’s strategic decision to declare a mandate, the second on how members of Congress read signals of changing preferences in the electorate from their own election results. We test these competing views to see which more accurately explains how members of Congress act in support of a perceived mandate. The results indicate that members respond more to messages about changing preferences than to the president’s mandate declaration

Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration: Strategies for Successful Reentry Final Report for Labyrinth Outreach Services for Women

Working with a local reentry organization, Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women, the purpose of this study was to gather information about opportunities and barriers related to two aspects of their program: employment services and establishment of a microbusiness. Information was obtained through a 22-item questionnaire given to a sample of local businesses, key informant interviews, and secondary data analysis. Thirty-nine businesses in the Bloomington-Normal area responded to the questionnaire via on-line and paper survey methods, nine face-to-face interviews were conducted, along with three case studies of similar reentry microbusiness programs and a review of current literature. Stigmas of formerly incarcerated women, such as being unmotivated, irresponsible, disobedient, and violent were found to be major barriers to hiring. Significant facilitators identified for increased consideration for employment were: having support of a job coach, professionalism, expressing passion for the job, and seeking jobs with low customer contact. Successful microbusinesses within similar reentry organizations involved realistic expectations, client control over business operations, local community involvement, practice of a holistic approach, insurance of high product quality, and a focus on multiple products. Major barriers identified were obtaining start-up capital and revenue not meeting expenses. The most appropriate structure was found to be a social enterprise, which focuses more on non-monetary benefits for the employees rather than a profit focus of a traditional microbusiness. Recommendations based on the findings were made to the client