Breaking a Cycle of Dependence to Improve Neurology Education: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Residents’ Perspectives

Abstract

Objective. To understand pediatric residents’ experiences and attitudes toward learning neurology; and to identify facilitators and barriers to learning neurology during residency. Study Design. Qualitative study using focus groups of pediatric residents at Stanford during November 2017. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Investigators independently coded the transcripts and reconciled codes to develop themes using constant comparison associated with grounded theory. Results. Eighteen pediatric residents participated in 3 focus groups. Four themes emerged: (1) residents feel unprepared and uncomfortable; (2) intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to residents’ dependence on neurologists; (3) residents desire more teaching; and (4) residents are motivated to overcome their dependence on neurologists and optimize their learning. Conclusion. Pediatric residents are motivated to acquire more skills to assess and manage patients with neurological conditions. They recognize key factors that contribute to a cycle of dependence that impedes their learning and offer strategies to overcome these barriers.

Effects and Satisfaction of Comfort Nursing plus Psychological Nursing in the Clinical Nursing of Neurology Patients: A Comparative Study

“…In the current study, comfort nursing plus psychological nursing alleviated the anxiety and depression of patients, indicating a promising nursing outcome of this nursing method. Furthermore, this study showed that the total nursing satisfaction of the experimental group after the intervention was significantly higher than that of the control group, which was consistent with the research results of THUY et al [ 23 , 24 ], which revealed that “the nursing satisfaction of the research group (88.24%) was significantly higher than that of 49.02% in the control group,” suggesting that comfort nursing plus psychological care could fulfill the nursing needs of patients, reduce medical disputes, and help create a harmonious nurse-patient relationship. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine care could effectively improve the efficiency of clinical care and the recovery of neurological function of patients, thereby enhancing the quality of life and clinical care of patients.…”