AANA journal
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The purpose of this column is to present the results of the 2007 Professional Practice Analysis (PPA) of the field of nurse anesthesia, conducted by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. The PPA used survey and rating scale methodologies to collect data regarding the relative emphasis of various aspects of the nurse anesthesia knowledge domain and competencies. ⋯ Summaries of respondent demographics and educational and professional background are provided, as well as descriptions of how the survey results are used to develop test specifications. The results of this analysis provide evidence for the content outline and test specifications (content percentages) and thus serve as a basis of content validation for the National Certification Examination.
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In 1978, 2 European nurse anesthetists attended the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). Their interest in international cooperation among nurse anesthetists and AANA's agreement planted the seed for what would later become the International Federal of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA). ⋯ We also address the role of a nurse anesthetist worldwide, educational and research activities, and the importance of networking with other organizations. The article concludes with steps toward globalization of the profession and the future of the IFNA.
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Michael L. Millenson's well-documented book, Demanding Medical Excellence: Doctors and Accountability in the Information Age, is a wake up call to both medicine and nursing for somewhat different reasons. Millenson decries the lack of scientific-based medical practice and medicine's failure to wake up due to its own historical studies. ⋯ Consumers of MEDLINE should be aware of this problem and be prepared to question the validity of research prior to adopting their conclusions. In the development of "best practices," flawed research may be as bad as personal biases and flawed memories. The potential adverse implications of flawed research for scientifically (evidenced) based practice and for health policy decisions by government and health payers with regard to the delivery of health services and its reimbursement requires that all involved do a better job of assuring that only valid, methodologically sound, and unbiased research is published, is included in the MEDLINE database, and is used in the care afforded to people in need.