No abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe how students identify and interpret multiple embedded clinical cues in a case study, and then reflect these using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation). Using Tanner's model of clinical judgment, a descriptive design was used to examine SBAR assignments completed by second-semester nursing students (n = 80). The majority of students (n = 62, 77.5%) in the study were unable to successfully follow all of the clinical judgment phases of the model: noticing, interpreting, responding, and reflecting. Although SBAR is an important tool for communicating clinical information, gaps exist between noticing and interpreting clinical cues, and forming an appropriate course of action.

Conferences and low-fidelity simulation are effective methods for improving nurses' knowledge of end-of-life care in India. Improved education surrounding end of life may positively affect attitudes.

The majority of outcome studies on case management seem to have been studied on the chronically mentally ill patients. Little is known regarding the use of a case management approach with general psychiatric populations, which include non-chronically mentally ill patients in an outpatient setting. This study examined the effect of a registered nurse case management (RNCM) model on the delivery and cost of mental health services during an 18-month period for clients in an outpatient psychiatric setting. Sixty clients met the criteria for sample selection. The data indicated that the use of the RNCM model resulted in more nursing than psychiatric care. Despite more frequent visits to the RNCM and longer RNCM visits, RNCM services appeared cost effective and were related to decreased length of hospital stay. A subgroup of high-risk clients was identified, and a significantly greater use of services by this group was substantiated.

Depression is a pervasive illness with a wide distribution and is reported to be statistically more prevalent among women. The present study was undertaken to seek an understanding of depression in a sample of Asian Indian women. The research questions were (a) What sociocultural factors do adult depressed Indian women report as influences in the depression, and (b) how do these reported factors influence their treatment-seeking behavior? The setting was Madurai, India. The purposive, convenience sample comprised 30 Tamil-speaking married or widowed Hindu women ranging in age from 26 to 65 who had been diagnosed with depression. Tape-recorded interviews were conducted. Content analysis was completed on the data. Results indicate that cultural dictation of female role and lack of continued financial and emotional support, predominantly from spouses and other family members, were influential factors in depression. These along with religion and philosophy often influenced the decision to seek health care.