Journal of clinical nursing
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Our knowledge about the content of strategies used by staff members in a surgical recovery unit for assessment of post-operative pain is fairly limited. The aim of the present study was to describe variations in the content of strategies used by nurses and physicians in practical clinical pain assessments and to evaluate the clinical accuracy of the strategies used. Critical care nurses (n = 30), physicians (n = 30) and postsurgical patients (n = 180) comprise the respondents. ⋯ The recorded interviews were analysed to describe variations in ways of assessing pain. Pain assessment strategies were established by combining categories describing the impact of experience and categories of assessment criteria. The present observations, if included in the education of clinical staff members, could increase the understanding and thereby the quality of the pain assessment process.
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The aim of this study is to explore family members' perceptions of their immediate needs following admission of a relative to a critical care unit in Hong Kong. A convenience sample of 30 family members was drawn from those available during the first 96 hours of hospitalization of their relative. ⋯ Doctors and nurses are identified as the most suitable people to meet most immediate family needs. Conclusions are drawn as to the best focus of nursing interventions in order to provide quality care to patients and families.
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The management of post-operative pain has been an area of concern for many years, with many studies focusing on the knowledge and beliefs of nurses working in this area. Following the report of the Royal College of Surgeons & College of Anaesthetists (1990) in the UK, there has been a rapid expansion in the development of Acute Pain Services (APS) in an attempt to counter these concerns. ⋯ A closed-answer questionnaire was used to replicate an earlier study (Mackintosh, 1994) which took place before the introduction of the APS. Findings demonstrate a consistent but mainly statistically non-significant trend in all areas towards an improved knowledge base and more appropriate beliefs about pain.
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A relative's right to witness resuscitation is the subject of considerable discussion and debate. This paper explores the presence of relatives in the resuscitation room from a moral and ethical perspective. The focus of discussion is essentially upon the principle of respect for autonomy vs. what appears to be the counter-argument, benevolent paternalism. It is concluded that recognition of a relative's right to witness resuscitation is dependent upon health care professionals' willingness to promote the principle of respect for autonomy.
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Caring represents an essential human need and the fundamental component of the nursing profession. A deep understanding of caring and the way it is expressed will help nurses to provide high-quality services and, more importantly, to understand nursing itself. ⋯ Caring is examined from anthropological, philosophical and psychosocial perspectives. In this paper implications for practice and research are outlined.