Caregiving: A Qualitative Concept Analysis

A common definition of caregiving does not exist. In an attempt to define the concept of caregiving, the authors used a hybrid qualitative model of concept development to analyze caregiving. The model consists of three phases: (a) theoretical, (b) fieldwork, and (c) analytical. The theoretical phase involves conducting an interdisciplinary literature search, examining existing definitions, and developing a working definition of caregiving. In the fieldwork phase, six participants were interviewed using a structured interview guide. Qualitative data analysis led to the development of two overarching themes: Holistic Care and Someone in Need of Help. Responses from participants were compared to the extant literature and a new definition of caregiving was thus formulated

Cultural Competence of Pre-Licensure Nursing Faculty

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of cultural competence (CC) in Texas pre-licensure nursing faculty and examine the relationships between demographics and CC scores. The researchers conducted a study to determine if demographics predicted the level of CC and explored the perceptions of CC. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design used data from a 2014 online survey with a qualitative interview component. Demographics were evaluated with descriptive statistics and CC was measured with The Nurses’ Cultural Competence Scale (NCCS). Qualitative data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. The level of CC was low to moderate. Three themes emerged from the interviews: knowledge is experiential, skills require emotional intelligence, and desire requires a catalyst. Nursing faculty could benefit from experiences with culturally diverse patients and students. Continuing education offerings and courses should follow best practices models of CC education and focus on providing meaningful experiences may also increase the knowledge and skills to help faculty members

It\u27s like we\u27re grasping at anything!

This poster was presented at the National Gerontological Association Annual Conference, in Louisville, Kentucky.https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/fac_posters/1005/thumbnail.jp

Military nurses caring for the enemy

Purpose: This phenomenological study described the lived experience and aftermath of U.S. military nurses assigned enemy detainees during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Two themes emerged: Insurgent Assignments (subthemes included identification of and interactions with insurgents; training, precautions, and ethical issues, thoughts and feelings, coping, and meanings of insurgent care) and The Aftermath (subthemes were mental, emotional, personal, professional, and positive). Conclusions: Insurgent assignments caused ethical dilemmas and challenged theoretical constructs related to caring. Formal training is needed to prepare nurses for the practicalities of and responses to insurgent assignments. This work is the dissertation manuscript of Sharon Thompson, completed by faculty members in the School of Nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler. A final, published version of this article can be viewed at: https://doi.org/10.20467/1091-5710-18.2.6

Shining the Light to Terahertz Spectroscopy of nL-Volume Biological Samples

International audienceWe present a technique allowing the confinement of a broadband terahertz pulse to a few-nL volume. The method is approved in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy study of biological samples and further perspectives are discussed

Exploring the evidence base for how people with dementia and their informal carers manage their medication in the community:a mixed studies review

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the general medicines management issues for people with dementia living in the community. This review has three aims: firstly to explore and evaluate the international literature on how people with dementia manage medication; assess understanding of medicines management from an informal carers perspective; and lastly to understand the role that healthcare professionals play in assisting this population with medicines management. METHODS: A mixed studies review was conducted. Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched post-1999 for studies that explored medicines management in people with dementia dwelling in the community, and the role healthcare professionals play in supporting medicines management in people with dementia. Following screening, nine articles were included. Data from included studies were synthesised using a convergent synthesis approach and analysed thematically to combine findings from studies using a range of methods (qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods). RESULTS: Four themes were generated from the synthesis: The nature of the disease and the effects this had on medicines management; the additional responsibilities informal carers have; informal caregivers' knowledge of the importance of managing medication and healthcare professionals' understanding of medicines management in people with dementia. Consequently, these were found to affect management of medication, in particular adherence to medication. CONCLUSIONS: This review has identified that managing medication for people with dementia dwelling in the community is a complex task with a frequently associated burden on their informal caregivers. Healthcare professionals can be unaware of this burden. The findings warrant the need for healthcare professionals to undergo further training in supporting medicines management for people with dementia in their own homes