Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Accuracy Of The Peak Day Of Cervical Mucus As A Biological Marker Of Fertility, Richard Fehring

Richard J Fehring

The (PD) peak day of cervical mucus is an important biologic marker for the self-determination of the optimal time of fertility in a woman’s menstrual cycle. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence (literature and empiric) for the accuracy of the PD of cervical mucus as a biologic marker of peak fertility and the estimated day of ovulation. An analysis of data from four published studies that compared the self-determination of the PD of cervical mucus with the urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge was conducted. The four studies yielded 108 menstrual cycle charts from 53 women participants. The …

An Evaluation Of College And Low Income Youth Writing Together: Self Discovery And Cultural Connection, Genevieve Chandler

Genevieve E. Chandler

Although the health and healing effects of writing have been documented in the literature, most of the studies have focused primarily on individuals writing alone. This formative evaluation is a component of an intervention reported elsewhere. The evaluation describes the experience of low-income youth and college students ( n = 7) writing in a group during a 10-week workshop. The results revealed the development of protective processes of self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping strategies, social support, and cultural connections. In the weekly 2-hr writing sessions, using the Amherst Writers and Artists method, participants were encouraged to write their stories in their own …

Walt Whitman: Poet And Nurse, William Ahrens

William D. Ahrens

Comments on the life of Walt Whitman, American poet and a nurse by profession. Composition of poems on health, fitness and exercise; Services to the wounded soldiers during the Civil War; Recognition of the disease and infection inflicted on soldiers.

Saying No: Parental Refusal Of Medical Treatment Based On Religious And Cultural Beliefs (Poster), Luanne Linnard-Palmer

Luanne Linnard-Palmer

Making Meaning: The Creative Component In Qualitative Research, A. Hunter, P. Lusardi, D. Zucker, C. Jacelon, Genevieve Chandler

Genevieve E. Chandler

Findings in qualitative research are often wondrous and exciting, expounding new knowledge and perceptions previously unknown. Qualitative research requires the researcher to ponder and reflect on the data collected so as to find the meaning within. Helping researchers learn how to perform this step is not well discussed in the qualitative literature, yet this is one of the more crucial components of this type of research. In this article, the incubation, the meaning-making phase of qualitative research, is discussed in relation to the experiences of five researchers who have used traditional processes, models, metaphors, plays, pastiche, poetry, and quilt making …

What’S Therapeutic About The Therapeutic Milieu?, Sandra Thomas, Mona Shattell, Tracey Martin

Mona Shattell

While the milieu of an inpatient facility is considered a treatment modality, extant literature focuses on the staff’s role in creating the milieu rather than the patient’s perception of it. Not since Goffman’s Asylums (1961) has there been an in-depth examination of the phenomenal world of the hospitalized psychiatric patient. In this study, eight inpatients (ages 23 to 58) on the acute psychiatric unit of a metropolitan general hospital participated in phenomenological interviews about their experience of the environment. The essential meaning of the hospital was refuge from selfdestructiveness. Prominent aspects of patients’ experience within the place of refuge were …

Differentiation And Treatment Of Anemia In Hiv Disease, Kenneth D. Phillips, M Groer

Kenneth D. Phillips

Anemia is a frequent complication of HIV disease that contributes to decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. The three major categories of anemia in HIV disease are anemia due to impaired red blood cell production, anemia due to increased red blood cell destruction, and anemia due to increased red blood cell loss. Although anemia of chronic illness is the most common type of anemia in HIV disease, other classifications of anemia may be encountered. Understanding the pathophysiology of anemia and laboratory tests that are frequently used to establish the differential diagnosis of anemia helps to ensure that …

Incidence And Correlates Of Violence Among Hiv-Infected Women At Risk For Pregnancy In The Southeastern United States, R.L. Sowell, Kenneth D. Phillips, B. Seals, C. Murdaugh, C. Rush

Kenneth D. Phillips

To identify the incidence and correlates of physical and sexual violence among HIV-infected women at risk for pregnancy, a cross-sectional examination was conducted within a longitudinal study of reproductive decision making. Participants consisted of 275 HIVinfected women 17 to 49 years of age (mean = 30.1 years).Women were predominantly African American (87%) and single (82%), with annual incomes of $10,000 or less (66%). Overall, 68% of the women reported experiencing lifetime physical and/or sexual violence. Before becoming HIV infected, 65% of the women reported having been physically or sexually abused. After HIV diagnosis, 33% of the women reported experiencing physical …

Age Differences In Anger Frequency, Intensity, And Expression, Sandra Thomas

Sandra Thomas

BACKGROUND: Although research consistently indicates harmful effects of mismanaged anger, little attention has been given to age differences in the experience and expression of this emotion. It is plausible that, with age and experience, people have less intense anger or learn to manage it more constructively.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to examine age differences in anger frequency, intensity, and expression in a nonclinical sample of students, faculty, and staff who participated in a health fair at a large southeastern university.

STUDY DESIGN: This descriptive study involved a predominantly white sample, ranging in age from 18 to 76 …

What's Therapeutic About The Therapeutic Milieu?, Sandra Thomas, M. Shattell, T. Martin

Sandra Thomas

While the milieu of an inpatient facility is considered a treatment modality, extant literature focuses on the staff's role in creating the milieu rather than the patient's perception of it. Not since Goffman's Asylums (1961) has there been an in-depth examination of the phenomenal world of the hospitalized psychiatric patient. In this study, eight inpatients (ages 23 to 58) on the acute psychiatric unit of a metropolitan general hospital participated in phenomenological interviews about their experience of the environment. The essential meaning of the hospital was refuge from self-destructiveness. Prominent aspects of patients' experience within the place of refuge were …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of The Spouse Of A Heart Transplant Recipient, A.H. Mccurry, Sandra Thomas

Sandra Thomas

In this phenomenological study, in-depth interviews were used to obtain a description of spouses’ experiences in heart transplantation. Thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed four major, interrelated themes: death-life, vigilance, change, and gift. The experience was contextualized by the existential grounds of time and other people. Findings suggested that the changes inherent in the transplant experience have not been fully described in previous studies. The theme of death-life was dominant and pervasive in all interviews. As the threat of their husbands’ deaths became less prominent, wives reported difficulty letting go of their vigilance. Although the most outstanding gift was that …

Testing A Theory Of Decision Making Derived From King's Systems Framework In Women Eligible For A Cancer Clinical Trial, H.E. Ehrenberger, M.R. Alligood, Sandra Thomas, D.C. Wallace, C.M. Licavoli

Sandra Thomas

The purpose of this study was to test an explanatory theory of decision-making in women eligible for a cancer clinical trial. The theory derived from King’s framework proposed that the concepts of uncertainty, role functioning, and social support relate to emotional health (hope and mood state), which in turn relates to the treatment decision. A correlational study design was used to test the theory in a sample of 40 women. Findings provided empirical evidence of the adequacy of King’s framework and supported, in part, theorized relationships among the critical factors. However, these factors did not illuminate the treatment decision.

The Master's Portfolio: Validating A Career In Advanced Practice Nursing, E. Hayes, Genevieve Chandler, D. Merriman

Genevieve E. Chandler

Purpose To describe the process of portfolio development and faculty review that offers graduate credit within a framework of structural empowerment and mentoring for documented educational and clinical accomplishments for family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Data Sources Selected literature and examples from one student's portfolio to illustrate the process. Conclusions The degree granting process assists certified FNPs to fulfill career aspirations through achieving graduate level education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, School of Nursing.

20 Ways To Enhance Compliance, J Blumer, J Brown, Patricia Clinton, D Folland, R Mangione-Smith

Patricia K. Clinton

No abstract provided.

The Internal Process Of Therapeutic Touch As Nursing Action, Denise Coppa

Denise Ann Coppa

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a complementary healing modality utilized by health care providers to reduce anxiety, accelerate relaxation, decrease pain, and boost the immune systems of clients. Although there is a standard in the literature as described by Krieger (1979), very little has been written about whether the core process of TT conforms to the standard and whether there are differences between the process as practiced in adults compared to children. ^ The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the core process of TT in adults and children as practiced and perceived by five professional nurses who had …

Gendered Domains: Medicine And The Nurse Practitioner Movement, 1960 To The Present, Fa37223-02, Fg, Principal Investigator, $40,000, National Endowment For The Humanities In Partnership With Ahrq, Julie Fairman

Julie A Fairman

No abstract provided.

Making Meaning: The Creative Component In Qualitative Research, Anita Hunter, Paula Lusardi, Donna Zucker, Cynthia Jacelon, Genevieve Chandler

Donna M. Zucker

Findings in qualitative research are often wondrous and exciting, expounding new knowledge and perceptions previously unknown. Qualitative research requires the researcher to ponder and reflect on the data collected so as to find the meaning within. Helping researchers learn how to perform this step is not well discussed in the qualitative literature, yet this is one of the more crucial components of this type of research. In this article, the incubation, the meaning-making phase of qualitative research, is discussed in relation to the experiences of five researchers who have used traditional processes, models, metaphors, plays, pastiche, poetry, and quilt making …

Improving Faculty Publication Output: The Role Of A Writing Coach, Genevieve Chandler, Claire Baldwin

Genevieve E. Chandler

Publishing academic papers is recognized by faculty as vital not only to their careers, but also to the standing of their school within the university and the discipline. Although writing is perceived as a critical, high-priority task, it often has low follow-through behavior. To facilitate the publication output of our faculty, a part-time writing coach was hired. Blanchard's situational leadership II® model (1985), which tailors leadership style to the needs of the group, indicated a framework of coaching and support would best meet faculty writing needs. The literature further suggested that an ongoing coaching relationship in the form of a …

Appalachian Women: Health Beliefs, Self-Care, And Basic Conditioning Factors, Ida Slusher

Ida Slusher

No abstract provided.

The Roots Of Collaborative Practice: Nurse Practioner Pioner Stories, Julie Fairman

Julie A Fairman

No abstract provided.