Healthy People 2000 has identified the importance of physical activity for healthy aging, but little is known about what motivates older individuals, older Latino adults, in particular, to be physically active. The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of older Latino adults toward physical fitness, physical activity, and exercise. This study used a qualitative focus group design. The sample of Latino adults age 60 and older resided in Northeast Massachusetts and was recruited from community settings which serve older Latino adults. Three focus groups, consisting of four to eight individuals in each group, were conducted and audiotaped. Data analysis used a combination of open, axial, and selective coding procedures. Focus group participants viewed physical fitness as being able to do anything; the mind and body working together; and feeling "light," being healthy. Support was viewed as a motivator of physical activity and exercise and included community resources, group support, cultural unity, and health provider assistance Barriers of fear and a feeling of inappropriateness were identified by focus group participants. Although the study was exploratory and the sample size small, it provides useful cultural knowledge and information for community health and gerontological nurses. Knowledge about older Latino adults' perceptions of motivators and barriers to physical activity and exercise is a necessary first step for nurses to prescribe activities that will help improve functional independence and quality of life. Nurses can serve as links for older Latino adults in accessing community resources. Sociocultural factors that influence Latino adult perceptions must be assessed if health promotion program planning is to be tailored to meet individual and group needs.

Due to the complexity of human health, emphasis is increasingly being placed on the need for and conduct of multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary health research. Yet many academic and research organizations--and the discipline-specific associations and journals--may not yet be prepared to adopt changes necessary to optimally support interdisciplinary work. This article presents an ongoing interdisciplinary research project's efforts to investigate mechanisms and pathways that lead to occupational health disparities among healthcare workers. It describes the promises and pitfalls encountered during the research,and outlines effective strategies that emerged as a result. Lessons learned include: conflict resolution regarding theoretical and methodological differences; establishing a sense of intellectual ownership of the research, as well as guidelines for multiple authorship; and development and utilization of protocols, communication systems, and tools. This experience suggests a need for the establishment of supportive structures and processes to promote successful interdisciplinary research.

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Purpose To investigate the impact nurse practitioners’ (NPs) documented mortality risk assessments (MRAs) and advance care planning (ACP) discussions have on clinical outcomes for newly enrolled Medicare Advantage nursing home patients. Methods Data collection in this mixed‐method study consisted of quantitative data from a convenience sample of NPs’ MRAs and medical record reviews 6 months later, and qualitative data from two NP focus groups. Quantitative analyses include descriptive statistics, bivariate ANOVA, and logistic regression. The qualitative content analysis included an iterative process of rereading transcribed notes, identifying codes, themes and significant statements. Conclusions MRAs prioritize ACP discussions with patients/families (p = .0258). Positive clinical outcomes following ACP discussions include more patients with a comfort goal of care (86% increase), fewer patients with a full‐code status (26% reduction), and a reduction in hospitalizations (p = .025). NPs agreed that ACP discussions have a positive impact on patient outcomes including a “good death.” Implications for practice MRAs and ACP discussions are beneficial to achieving better outcomes and fewer hospitalizations. Opportunity exists to further develop policy changes focused on enhancing the NPs’ role in MRAs and ACP discussions with nursing home patients and families.

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