Curationis
-
This 2-part article discussed firstly in Curationis 19.3 this year, the general characteristics of action research, compares several strategies of approach and describes the author's chosen method of applying action research to particular aspects of nursing care in an Accident & Emergency Unit in a Durban hospital. This second part describes identification of problems within the unit, the implementation of change and the limitations and potential of such study to nursing practice.
-
The overall aim of this study was to investigate job satisfaction and self-esteem among South African nurses. The objectives of the study were to: (1) ascertain South African nurses' satisfaction with their work, pay, promotion, supervision and co-workers; (2) compare job satisfaction of South African nurses with that of North American nurses; (3) determine levels of self-esteem; and (4) test the direct and indirect effects of self-esteem on job satisfaction. A postal survey was conducted on a random sample of 2,000 nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council; 396 persons returned the questionnaires (Group 1). ⋯ High self-esteem nurses were more likely to attend to work-related needs in judging their job satisfaction than low self-esteem nurses. The best model for predicting job satisfaction was the linear incorporation of self-esteem and work-related needs. It was concluded that: (1) the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) was a useful measure of job satisfaction; (2) the quality of life in the South African nursing profession was lower than their American counterparts; (3) nurses had high levels of self-esteem; and (4) self-esteem directly and indirectly affected job satisfaction.
-
This 2-part article discusses firstly, the general characteristics of action research, compares several strategies of approach and describes the author's chosen method of applying action research to particular aspects of nursing care in an Accident & Emergency Unit in a Durban hospital. The second part of the article (to be published in the next issue of Curationis) describes identification of problems within the unit, the implementation of change and the limitations and potential of such study to nursing practice.
-
In this article the author analyses the doctor-patient and patient-doctor relationship seen from two ethical viewpoints, namely the question of what is the meaning of privacy in the relationship between the doctor and his patient and whether the truth should always be told. The author comes to the conclusion that privacy in the doctor-patient and patient-doctor relationship is no absolute value. ⋯ The author also emphasises that truth is not a dogma, but a Person. Once again it is stated that truth is no absolute value and in some situations it is better not to tell the truth- or what people determine the truth to be.
-
A survey was undertaken amongst twenty five black men living in the greater Durban area who had had amputations of the lower limbs. The type of amputation care the rehabilitation programme they underwent post-operatively is described. The sample included men from 24 to 50 years of age, of whom the majority were from rural areas. ⋯ In contrast to the twenty two respondents who worked before their amputations, only four worked afterwards. The majority had to support their families alone; sixteen of them were totally reliant on a Disability Grant. These problems lead to social isolation, depression, loneliness and other psycho-social problems.