Understanding effective management of postoperative wounds

Acute surgical wounds generally heal with no problems. However, some wounds blister around the periwound area and surgical site infection postoperatively, partly due to inappropriate choice of wound dressing. These complications can cause pain, discomfort, persistent wound leakage, and possible risk of surgical site infection (Jester et al, 2000; Bhattacharyya et al, 2005; Cosker et al, 2005). Postoperative blistering and infection have been identified as the main problems in hip and knee replacement surgery (Ravenscroft et al, 2006)

The Spoken Word and Emotion in Communication

The spoken word, and the emotional qualities of communication within this have always been paramount in my life. I put this down to two vital points: my artistic ability, and my disability. I am an artist first, a children’s book author and poet, a singer and actor, writing much of my material myself; songs, children’s rhymes for recitation and plays. This is my love and passion, and it keeps me focused and well, despite my disability. But it is my disability that enables me to express myself so well, and allows me to be so passionat

Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight

Bibliography: leaves 151-164.Insight has enjoyed the reputation of an elusive phenomenon in psychology and insight problems are very difficult to solve. Only very specific hints concerning their solution have been found to significantly increase the number of problem solvers who are able to solve insight problems. The result of this has been to suggest that insight does not exist, that it is a mysterious phenomenon, or that it is an aspect of problem solving which we have so far failed to understand. Insight in problem solving is investigated from the perspective that the phenomenon needs explanation and it is argued that, while insight has been operationally defined and a clear set of key empirical findings have been established, the conceptual explanation of insight has been largely ignored. It is suggested that a conceptual account of insight is needed so that this aspect of cognitive processing can be incorporated into the main body of cognitive research on problem solving. The current tension in cognitive science and cognitive psychology is examined and it is argued that writing a conceptual account of insight in neural network theoretical terms will not only advance our understanding of insight, but will also reflect on the debate in cognitive theory. This is a result of its status as an aspect of problem solving and as a phenomenon which symbolic theory has so far failed to offer a clear explanation for. A conceptual account of insight in neural network terms is advanced which offers a comprehensive account of the key empirical findings on insight. It is suggested that insight can be understood as the recognition of a pattern to insight problems. Predictions derived from the theory suggest that overcoming the effects of past learning, employing conceptual transfer, and fostering expertise at insight problem solving will significantly facilitate insightful problem solution

State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety: psychometric properties and experimental manipulation to evaluate sensitivity to change and predictive validity

The State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA; Ree, French, MacLeod, & Locke, 2008) is a relatively new measure of state and trait anxiety that contains somatic and cognitive anxiety subscales. The current research investigated the reliability and validity of the STICSA. In the first study, a large sample of undergraduate students completed a battery of self-report questionnaires online, including measures of anxiety, depression, personality features, and quality of life. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a four-factor model of the STICSA (i.e., state-somatic, state-cognitive, trait-somatic, and trait-cognitive factors) as well as for a hierarchical model of the STICSA including a global anxiety factor plus four specific factors corresponding to the STICSA subscales. Pearson product-moment correlations provided evidence of the convergent and divergent validity of the STICSA. Comparisons between the validity of the STICSA and the validity of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1983) revealed advantages of the STICSA over the STAI. In the second study, a sample of undergraduate students filled out the same battery of self-report measures in small groups. Participants were then randomly assigned to either prepare a speech or watch a preview of a television documentary. Subsequently, all participants completed the state versions of the STICSA and ST AI for a second time. Results from the second study indicated that the somatic subscale of the STICSA is able to detect changes in somatic anxiety over time and provided evidence that scores on the trait version of the STICSA and its subscales are predictive of scores on the state version of the STICSA and its subscales after a social challenge. Results from both studies indicated that the somatic subscale of the STICSA measures unique aspects of anxiety which enhances the clinical utility of the STICSA

Exploring Nurses and Patients Feelings of Disgust Associated with Malodorous wounds - A Rapid Review

Objective To identify primary empirical research related specifically to feelings of disgust associated with malodorous chronic cutaneous wounds. Methods A rapid review of the literature using the key words disgust; wounds; malodour and psychosocial. Results A total of 163 papers were retrieved with 7 papers being included for the final review. Themes emanating from the review were malodour, healthcare professionals coping with malodour and disgust. Malodour is a concern to patients which can sometimes go unreported by nursing staff; although the reasons for this remain unclear. The coping mechanisms developed by nurses in response to 'disgusting' wounds requires further exploration in order for a fuller understanding of these mechanisms to be achieved. This review has identified that both healthcare professionals and patients can become distressed at wound odours yet there is little evidence that is available to guide people as to how to manage these feelings. Conclusions Hard to heal or chronic cutaneous wounds such as leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers are an increasing global healthcare issue. Whilst some research has been undertaken to explore the psychological impact of living with a fungating carcinomas; much less has been written about the management and mitigation of feelings of disgust for patients and families living with a malodorous wound or how healthcare professionals can effectively provide psychosocial care

The Teaching Marsh : a tidal wetland restoration & education project

The Teaching Marsh at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is a one acre site restored to marshland for both practical and educational purposes. The marsh is designed and maintained by VIMS wetlands experts to naturally remove contaminants from Coleman Bridge storm water runoff, improving water quality in the York River. The brochure describes the development, site, and plants selected for the field project