This study was undertaken to explore the experience of people taking long-term antihypertensive medication. The study contributes to the understanding health professionals have of people with high blood pressure and the antihypertensive treatments they receive. Consideration was given to the full life context of people taking long-term antihypertensive medication and the health/medical culture in which people find themselves. A qualitative method of inquiry generated the descriptive data. Nineteen participants (four men and 15 women) were interviewed once, of which 16 were interviewed a second time. Data analysis involved extraction of concepts which in turn were clustered into themes. An organizing framework was constructed to integrate the six themes and 18 sub-themes. The framework represents the individual's experience as a sequence, starting broadly in the social context of her/his life, and narrowing down to the particulars of personal routine and patterns referring to living with hypertension and it's medication regimens. The final theme refers to the broader context of the health culture. A vast range of experiences were described by participants taking long-term antihypertensive medication. This accentuates the necessity for health professionals to address the uniqueness of the individual, and consider the context of a person's life when prescribing and monitoring medications for people with high blood pressure.
The general lack of support experienced by these families from health care professionals is a significant concern both for primary and tertiary health care providers. Multi-disciplinary support is required for these families, and currently there is a lack of health care professionals with the knowledge to support these families. This research highlights that there is a significant need for both workforce development and further research in the area of MDSFA in New Zealand.
An exploratory qualitative study was instigated to further identify nurses' attitudes to the care of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This follows as a sequel to a study using a questionnaire. Data were collected from nine focus groups attended by a total of 29 nurses at a hospital within a New Zealand regional health authority. The principal findings suggest that nurses' attitudes to this patient group are varied and depend on social influences, personal experiences and the extent of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Other concerns raised included nurses' rights to choose to care for HIV-positive patients and the issue of universal precautions. These findings may have implications for further educational initiatives and formation of hospital policy.
The demand for whiter teeth has been increasing, and home‐based remedies are a popular way of whitening the teeth. These products may be prescribed by the dentist or purchased over the counter and comprise different modes to whiten the teeth and are administered in a range of ways by the person. This review found that the evidence was insufficient to draw reliable conclusions about the intervention, i.e., the use of these whitening products. The results indicated that people may experience side effects that irritate the mouth and gums. Therefore, nurses should direct people who are interested in teeth whitening to their dental professional for a discussion.
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