No abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the integration of a simulation based learning activity on nursing students' clinical crisis management performance in a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum. It was hypothesized that the clinical performance of first year nursing students who participated in a simulated learning activity during the PBL session would be superior to those who completed the conventional problem-based session. The students were allocated into either simulation with problem-based discussion (SPBD) or problem-based discussion (PBD) for scenarios on respiratory and cardiac distress. Following completion of each scenario, students from both groups were invited to sit an optional individual test involving a systematic assessment and immediate management of a simulated patient facing a crisis event. A total of thirty students participated in the first post test related to a respiratory scenario and thirty-three participated in the second post test related to a cardiac scenario. Their clinical performances were scored using a checklist. Mean test scores for students completing the SPBD were significantly higher than those who completing the PBD for both the first post test (SPBD 20.08, PBD 18.19) and second post test (SPBD 27.56, PBD 23.07). Incorporation of simulation learning activities into problem-based discussion appeared to be an effective educational strategy for teaching nursing students to assess and manage crisis events.

The current study explored the interrelationships among occupational stress, family stress, poor physical health, and psychological distress and examined the mediating role of negative affectivity (NA) in the stress and health process. A cross-sectional, nonexperimental design was used and a convenience sample of 271 female health care workers was recruited from northeastern Ohio. Data were collected with a self-reported questionnaire, scanned using Teleform Software, and electronically transferred to the SPSS format. Data analyses were performed in three separate phases: preliminary, measurement model, and structural model analyses (using structural equation modeling). Results suggested that occupational stress had a significant effect on psychological distress, and family stress had a significant impact on both poor physical health and psychological distress. NA partially mediated the effect of occupational stress on psychological distress. The effects of family stress on poor physical health and psychological distress were also partially mediated through NA. The indirect to total effect ratios were 30%, 17.15%, and 28%, respectively.

Background: The Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQLS) was developed for health-care workers in England but might be useful, if valid, in other parts of the world or for other professions. Objective: We test the construct validity and reliability of the WRQLS as applied to nurses in Singapore. Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken in 2009 on a sample of 811 nurses at the National University Hospital (NUH) of Singapore who had at least one year’s work experience. The WRQLS was used in order to test its construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to reduce the factors used to determine WRQLS variance. The Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between the WRQLS and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) in order to substantiate conclusions regarding construct validity while Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to test WRQLS reliability. Results: The median age of the respondents was 31 (IQR=12) and the majority were female (96.9%). The median duration of work experience was seven years (IQR=10). Following the exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor model with 22 items was selected, including; 1) job and career satisfaction, 2) general well-being, 3) home-work interface, 4) stress at work, and 5) working conditions. The correlation coefficient showed a moderate relationship between the WRQLS and mental component scale (MCS-12) (r=0.495); and a weak relationship between the WRQLS and physical component scale (PCS-12) (r=0.149). The Cronbach’s alpha revealed good reliability (r=0.92). Conclusion: The WRQLS test among nurses in Singapore showed good construct validity and reliability. It could be useful in a working environment in Asia but further testing might be warranted.

Self-care is essential for elderly individuals to maintain their optimal level of health. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize research findings relating to self-care among the elderly in Thailand. Twenty studies undertaken from 1990 to 2008 were used and 328 effect sizes were computed. Most studies were unpublished master's theses guided by Orem's self-care deficit theory. Data were collected in these studies by face-to-face interviews. Variables with the largest effect sizes encompassed self-concept, social support, and self-efficacy. Those with medium effect sizes entailed family relationships, overall health beliefs, internal locus of control, health status, and external locus of control. Results from this meta-analysis is useful information for nursing.