International journal of nursing studies
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The purpose of this literature review was to ascertain the evidence for the use of reflective journaling as a tool to promote the pedagogical strategy of reflection for the purpose of learning from practice for practice in undergraduate nursing education. ⋯ Nursing educators are correct in pursuing the teaching and learning of the reflective process in undergraduate nursing education. Nurse educators need to utilize various tools and strategies for facilitating the growth of undergraduate students into reflective practitioners. Indeed there was only limited evidence to support reflective journaling as an appropriate tool to promote reflection for the purpose of learning from practice for practice in undergraduate nursing education. Research that provides insight into the undergraduate student experience and perceptions of reflective journaling is needed to facilitate the structuring and use of reflective journaling as a tool in undergraduate nursing education.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine and synthesise the literature on alternating pressure air mattresses (APAMs) as a preventive measure for pressure ulcers. ⋯ Taking into account the methodological issues, we can conclude that APAMs are likely to be more effective than standard hospital mattresses. Contact interface pressure and blood perfusion give only a hypothetical conclusion about APAMs' effectiveness. Additional large, high-quality RCTs are needed. No conclusions can be drawn regarding the comfort of APAMs. A number of technical problems associated with APAMs are related to nurses' improper use of the devices.
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To review national (UK) literature in order to (i) examine service user and carer views of UK-registered mental health nurses; (ii) identify the diversity of populations from which these views have been collected; (iii) assess the methodological rigour of the current knowledge base and (iv) evaluate the extent to which service users and carers have been involved in the development and execution of this work. This paper reports only on service users' views. ⋯ UK-registered mental health nurses should be equipped with both therapeutic clinical skills and generic skills associated with relationship building, engagement and communication. Future research should be conducted in collaboration with service users and include clear and effective mechanisms for the dissemination and implementation of research findings. In particular, the views of children and adolescents, the elderly and black and minority ethnic groups, currently under-represented in research, should be examined.
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Review
Towards an alternative to Benner's theory of expert intuition in nursing: a discussion paper.
Several authors have highlighted the role of intuition in expertise. In particular, a large amount of data has been collected about intuition in expert nursing, and intuition plays an important role in the influential theory of nursing expertise developed by Benner [1984. From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. ⋯ We discuss this theory, and highlight both data that support it and data that challenge it. Based on this assessment, we propose a new theory of nursing expertise and intuition, which emphasizes how perception and conscious problem solving are intimately related. In the discussion, we propose that this theory opens new avenues of enquiry for research into nursing expertise.
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The increase in prevalence of long-term conditions in Western societies, with the subsequent need for non-acute quality patient healthcare, has brought the issue of collaboration between health professionals to the fore. Within primary care, it has been suggested that multidisciplinary teamworking is essential to develop an integrated approach to promoting and maintaining the health of the population whilst improving service effectiveness. Although it is becoming widely accepted that no single discipline can provide complete care for patients with a long-term condition, in practice, interprofessional working is not always achieved. ⋯ These findings can inform development of current best practice, although further research needs to be conducted into multidisciplinary teamworking at both the team and organisation level, to ensure that enhancement and maintenance of teamwork leads to an improved quality of healthcare provision.