Qualitative results from a phase II pilot randomised controlled trial of a lymphoma nurse-led model of survivorship care

Purpose: To explore and describe lymphoma survivors’ thoughts and perceptions of the components of a nurse led lymphoma survivorship clinic intervention. Methods: An exploratory, qualitative descriptive study using interviews from 10 participants who had transitioned post-treatment into the survivorship phase via a nurse-led lymphoma survivorship clinic intervention. Results: Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: Reassurance and individualised care; Information and support; and Empowerment. Participants described the reassurance they gained from having contact with a health professional post-treatment who individualised information and support. A survivorship care plan and treatment summary was developed for this study and was believed to be very patient-centred and helpful. This enabled participants to take back control of their health and well-being and to rebuild confidence. Conclusions: In this study, participants expressed a need for patient-centred follow-up care that addressed their concerns and supported them in the survivorship phase to get their life back on track. Nurse-led follow-up may offer a viable model of post-treatment survivorship care to lymphoma cancer survivors

The effect of nursing interventions on thermoregulation and neuromotor function in very low birthweight infants

The prone position is used routinely in neonatal intensive care units worldwide in the nursing of preterm infants because of reported beneficial psychological effects This position can, however, lead to development of flattened posture very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and contributes to both short and longer term implications for functional motor development of upper and lower extremities. To date limited research has been undertaken to investigate methods of reducing flattened posture and its related negative outcomes temperature instability is also a problem for VLBW infants and no nappy exists that meets postural size and thermoregulation requirements. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of a nursing care model designed for the primary prevention of neuromotor problems and temperature instability in VLBW infants. The theoretical framework was based on two bodies of knowledge thermoregulation and neuromotor development. A two phase study was used to test two hypotheses: (1) use of a cloth postural support nappy (N) with an inner absorbent nappy liner would improve temperature stability in VLBW infants nursed in incubators on infant servo control (ISC): and (2) use of a postural support roll (R) with or without a N would improve neuromotor development in the short and longer term. In Phase1 a sample of 23 infants \u3c 31 weeks gestation nursed in incubators on ISC was recruited over two months to a randomised, observer blind, crossover trial infants were randomised to commence wearing either a N with or without an inner absorbent liner and alternated wearing each nappy for a 24 hour period over four days. Eight hourly per axilla (PA) temperatures and hourly measurements of infant handling, skin and incubator temperatures were recorded. lnfants in both groups were well matched for birth and postnatal variables. Findings showed that nursing infants in a N with an inner absorbent liner experienced clinically and statistically significant higher skin and lower incubator temperatures. In addition, a prediction model for PA temperature was developed that showed it was possible to predict PA temperatures from skin temperatures. In Phase 2. a sample of 123 infants \u3c 31 weeks gestation was recruited to a randomised, observer blind, controlled trial. Infants were randomised to one of three treatment groups (i.e., N only, N and R, or R only). Measurements of neuromotor development were performed at three assessment periods (i.e., from birth to term conceptional age, then at four and eight months conceptional age). Randomisation was effective. Findings confirmed previous study findings that use of a N improves hip posture up to term conceptional age. The major finding was that use of a R while VLBW infants are nursed in the prone position in a NICU improved hip and shoulder posture up to eight months conceptional age. In addition, an Infant Posture Evaluation Tool (IPAT) was developed that will enhance the clinical skills of health Professionals involved in the care of these infants. The findings contribute to neonatal nursing theory development in thermoregulation and neuromotor development and function in VLBW infants. Practice implications focus on promoting temperature stability and normal neuromotor function in VLBW infants up until eight months conceptional age. Longer term research will determine the effect of postural interventions on gait and foot progression angles. Testing and validation of the IPAT will facilitate future research related to infant posture

Restorative justice: A new paradigm?

This paper examines the merits or otherwise of restorative justice within criminal justice systems. The overpopulation of prisons remains a major global issue along with increasing rates of recidivism. In stark contrast to the punitive aims of traditional retributive justice systems that enforce a regime of punishment for offenders, the restorative justice approach promotes the repair of harm caused by an offence. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of restorative justice in addition to examining potential barriers to its widespread application.**I am indebted to Michael King for his valuable suggestions in the preparation of this paper

Systematic review and meta-analysis of patient reported outcomes for nurse-led models of survivorship care for adult cancer patients

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of nurse-led cancer survivorship care, compared with existing models of care, on patient reported outcomes for cancer survivors. Methods: Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials and controlled before-after studies published in English between 1 January 2007 and 28 July 2017 were identified in bibliographic databases including Medline, Pubmed and PsychINFO. Included studies described nurse-led cancer care after treatment to adults (age ≥18 years) \u3c2 years post treatment completion. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute’s tools and meta-analysis was undertaken. Results: Twenty one publications were included describing 15 tumour-specific trials involving 3278 survivors of breast (n = 5), gynecological (n = 3), head and neck (n = 2), colorectal (n = 2), upper gastrointestinal (n = 2) and prostate (n = 1) cancers. Seven trials reported quality of life (QoL) using the EORTC QLQ-C30; participants receiving nurse-led care (4–6 months) had better cognitive (4 trials, 463 participants; mean difference [MD] = 4.04 [95% CI, 0.59–7.50]; p = 0.02) and social functioning (4 trials, 463 participants; MD = 3.06 [0.14–5.97]; p = 0.04) but worse appetite loss (3 trials, 354 participants; MD = 4.43 [0.08–8.78]; p = 0.05). After intervention completion, intervention participants had reduced fatigue (4 trials, 647 participants; MD = −4.45 [−7.93 to −0.97]; p = 0.01). Conclusion: This systematic review synthesised outcomes of models of nurse-led survivorship care and contributes a meta-analysis of patient QoL to survivorship evidence. This review was limited by the risk of bias in many included studies for blinding of treatment personnel and outcome assessors. Nurse-led care appears beneficial for cancer survivors for some QoL domains

Protecting The Children: Challenges That Result In, And Consequences Resulting From, Inconsistent Prosecution Of Child Pornography Cases In A Technical World

Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of child pornography. Heinous pictures and videos can be deposited on computers by viruses—the malicious programs better known for swiping your credit card numbers. In this twist, it’s your reputation that’s stolen. Pedophiles can exploit virus-infected PCs to remotely store and view their stash without fear they’ll get caught. Pranksters or someone trying to frame you can tap viruses to make it appear that you surf illegal Web sites. Whatever the motivation, you get child porn on your computer—and might not realize it until police knock at your door

The Relationship Between Teacher Planning Time and Eighth Grade Reading Achievement in West Virginia Schools

Widespread educational research supports the implementation of collaborative teacher planning time or Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) as a means to increase student achievement. However, corresponding gains in student achievement are not always evident in schools where PLCs are implemented. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student achievement and the amounts and types of teacher planning. The population for this study consisted of 174 West Virginia public schools housing 8th grade students. Individual and collaborative planning time were analyzed in comparison to reading achievement. Demographic information and principals’ perspectives on the effectiveness of teacher collaborative teams were also examined as part of the study. No clear relationship between teacher planning times and reading achievement was found. This study provides information to help state-, district-, and school-level administrators determine the most effective utilization of the teacher work day in order to improve student achievement

Towards a conceptual framework for preceptorship in the clinical education of undergraduate nursing students

A recent study undertaken by the authors (2007) highlighted that undergraduate nursing students were subjected to varying experiences in clinical practice, which were mediated by a number of factors. Mediating factors included continuity of preceptors, student attitudes, the clinical setting environment, student and preceptor expectations of the clinical practice experience and interactions between the student and preceptor. Of note, interactions with preceptors were seen to \u27make or break\u27 the practical experience. Therefore, the relationship that is forged between preceptor and student is vital in shaping the student\u27s experience of the clinical area and of the real world of nursing work. Early positive socialisation experiences have been shown to improve retention rates of new nurses (Greene & Puetzer 2002), which are issues of prime concern in an era of worsening nursing shortages at all levels of the profession. A conceptual framework designed to guide preceptorship may help alleviate some of the difficulties experienced by undergraduate nurses in building relationships within the complex interactions of the nursing environment. The framework proposed in this paper offers a conceptual model that links positive preceptor leadership qualities (such as compassion, care and empathy) with student characteristics. This model proposes that synergistic interactions between nursing students and preceptors results in positive implications for the nursing workforce. This framework also has the potential for further development to fill the void created by a lack of conceptual guidance for supervisory interactions within the undergraduate clinical context

Models of survivorship care provision in adult patients with haematological cancer: an integrative literature review

Purpose: Increasing numbers of haematology cancer survivors warrants identification of the most effective model of survivorship care to survivors from a diverse range of haematological cancers with aggressive treatment regimens. This review aimed to identify models of survivorship care to support the needs of haematology cancer survivors. Methods: An integrative literature review method utilised a search of electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycArticles, Cochrane Library) for eligible articles (up to July 2014). Articles were included if they proposed or reported the use of a model of care for haematology cancer survivors. Results: Fourteen articles were included in this review. Eight articles proposed and described models of care and six reported the use of a range of survivorship models of care in haematology cancer survivors. No randomised controlled trials or literature reviews were found to have been undertaken specifically with this cohort of cancer survivors. There was variation in the models described and who provided the survivorship care. Conclusion: Due to the lack of studies evaluating the effectiveness of models of care, it is difficult to determine the best model of care for haematology cancer survivors. Many different models of care are being put into practice before robust research is conducted. Therefore well-designed high quality pragmatic randomised controlled trials are required to inform clinical practice