Barbara K Haas

A multidisciplinary concept analysis of quality of life.

The purpose of this article is to analyze how the concept of quality of life (QOL) is currently being defined and used within health care. An on-line search of the phrase QOL in Medline, Cinahl, Psyc-Info, Eric, and Social Science Abstract provided a list of 16,021 articles published between 1993 and 1998. A convenience sample of 65 research and theoretical articles from the 1990s was examined to determine current usage and definitions of the concept of QOL across disciplines. Analysis was conducted, and a definition of the concept QOL, based on the analysis, is offered.

Pain Management Knowledge and Attitudes of Baccalaureate Nursing Students and Faculty

Pain affects approximately 76 million adults in the US. Though pain management has been targeted as a top priority, it continues to be inadequately addressed. Nursing faculty are in a unique position to significantly address the problem through facilitating the acquisition and utilization of knowledge by student nurses. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of and attitudes toward pain in baccalaureate nursing students and faculty to establish a foundation for a systematic and comprehensive integration of pain content in the curricula. The descriptive design included a sample of 162 junior and senior students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program in Texas and 16 nursing faculty. The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) was used to measure knowledge and attitudes toward pain. A direct correlation was found between the level of education and the percentage correct score. Differences found in knowledge and attitudes among the three levels of students and faculty were significant (df = 3.173; F = 14.07, p < .001). Senior students nearing graduation scored only 68% (SD = 6.8) with faculty scoring only slightly better with a mean of 71% (SD = 13). Significant differences also were found in assessment of pain through case scenarios of a patient who was smiling and talking as compared to a patient who was lying quietly and grimacing (X2 = 37.13, p < .05 (df = 24). Reevaluation of the way pain assessment and treatment are taught is indicated. Further studies are needed to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes toward pain as curricular revisions are made.

Creating a collaborative partnership between academia and service.

This article discusses how the experience of instituting preceptored clinical experiences throughout an undergraduate baccalaureate nursing curriculum resulted in a partnership between academia and service. The collaboration between academia and service built on the strengths of each institution to reach a common goal. Integration of the preceptor clinical model is unique in that implementation occurs in the second semester of a four-semester curriculum. Advantages and disadvantages to the model for students, preceptors, and faculty are presented. Unanticipated benefits to both institutions and ideas to help other programs and facilities develop a collaborative partnership for the education of baccalaureate nursing students are provided.

Community-Based FitSTEPS for Life Exercise Program for Persons With Cancer: 5-Year Evaluation

PURPOSE To determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time. METHODS Participants were referred by their physician to participate in an individualized program of exercise at one of 14 community centers. The Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form, version 2.0 (SF-36) was used to assess QOL. Individual participants were monitored for 2 years. Data collection took place at baseline, every 3 months months during year 1, and every 6 months during year 2. RESULTS Enrolled participants (n = 701) had been diagnosed with different cancers and were at all stages; 177 completed data collection for 2 years. One-way analysis of variance (n = 177) supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL over time. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36, including Physical Function (F = 2.13, P ≤ .047), Role Physical (F = 3.78, P ≤ .001), Vitality (F = 5.97, P ≤ .001), Social Function (F = 4.46, P ≤ .001), Role Emotional (F = 2.56, P ≤ .01), Mental Health (F = 2.16, P ≤ .05), and General Health (F = 3.42, P ≤ .01), were sustainable over time. CONCLUSION This research introduces the concept of a long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve QOL for persons with all stages of cancer. Improvements, noted at the 3-month time point, appear to be sustainable for extended time (24 months). Attrition is problematic and needs to be addressed. Results from this study have significance for practice recommendations and health policy reimbursement issues.

Model for a Community-Based Exercise Program for Cancer Survivors: Taking Patient Care to the Next Level

This article describes the development and refinement of a not-for-profit, community-based exercise program, the Cancer Foundation For Life (CFFL), designed to improve quality of life (QOL) for persons with cancer, regardless of type or stage of disease. Beginning in 2001, policies and procedures were developed, and personnel were hired and trained. Program evaluation measured safety, exercise adherence, demographic variables, and QOL. CFFL had nearly 3,000 referrals and handled more than 66,000 patient encounters in 2010. Financial and social resources for the program have been established through collaboration with existing institutions (churches, cancer centers, hospitals, and community centers), in conjunction with community support. American College of Sports Medicine guidelines presented at the ASCO 2010 meeting recommend exercise for persons with cancer. The CFFL program provides a cost-effective and safe exercise program for persons with all types and stages of cancer that meets these recommended guidelines.

Journal Editor Survey: Information to Help Authors Publish

Faculty are expected to publish but often do not know how to write a manuscript that avoids major reasons for subsequent rejection. The authors share the results of a survey of 63 journal editors who reported journal characteristics and reasons for rejection of manuscripts. Suggestions to improve the acceptance rate of faculty publications are offered.

The Role of Exercise in Cancer Treatment: Bridging the Gap

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning amount of evidence-based scientific data demonstrating the benefit of exercise during and following cancer treatment. This compelling evidence has resulted in major stakeholders in cancer management, including the American College of Sports Medicine, American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society, and the Commission on Cancer, advocating exercise as an integral component of cancer care. Despite the acknowledgment of exercise as an essential component, it remains virtually absent in routine cancer treatment. This article discusses the role of exercise in cancer treatment utilizing a community-based program. The rationale presented is that a scalable and replicable standard of care model is a plausible avenue to assimilate exercise into routine oncology practice.

Hospital nurses' perceptions of human factors contributing to nursing errors

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to understand the human factors associated with hospital errors to provide a framework to discuss why errors occur. BACKGROUND: Patient safety in hospitals has been a major focus in healthcare for the past 15 years. Errors still occur at an alarming rate. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 393 hospital-based registered nurses provided perceptions of 24 items relating to human errors in hospitals. Errors were assessed for likelihood, intervenability, importance, and common occurrence. RESULTS: Data revealed 4 themes that explained 55% of the variance in likelihood to cause an error: loss of focus, unhealthy environment, interpersonal deficits, and overwhelmed. Feeling swamped was most important but was not seen as intervenable. CONCLUSION: Managers must provide a way for nurses to feel empowered to intervene on error situations they believe are most likely, common, and important.

The Effect of a Wellness Program on Adolescent Females

Guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a comprehensive wellness intervention on total wellness, physical fitness, and self-efficacy for health promoting behaviors in adolescent females, ages 14 to 19, enrolled in physical education (PE) classes in Grades 9 to 12. The intervention was administered in an experimental pre-test, post-test, two group design in rural east Texas. Participants (n = 153) were randomly assigned to a 12-week intervention or control group. Independent t-tests to determine differences between the intervention and control groups were nonsignificant for overall wellness and physical fitness. The Wellness Essential-Self subscale score was significantly higher in the intervention group, t(64, 36) = 2.67, p = .005, d = .84. Self-Efficacy Health Promotion subscale scores for the intervention group were also significantly higher, t(20,28) = 2.60, p = .006, d = .74. The intervention has potential to improve overall wellness in adolescent females.

Results of an Oncology Clinical Trial Nurse Role Delineation Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relevance of a five-dimensional model of clinical trial nursing practice in an oncology clinical trial nurse population. 
. DESIGN Web-based cross-sectional survey.
. SETTING Online via Qualtrics.
. SAMPLE 167 oncology nurses throughout the United States, including 41 study coordinators, 35 direct care providers, and 91 dual-role nurses who provide direct patient care and trial coordination.
. METHODS Principal components analysis was used to determine the dimensions of oncology clinical trial nursing practice.
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Self-reported frequency of 59 activities.
. FINDINGS The results did not support the original five-dimensional model of nursing care but revealed a more multidimensional model.
. CONCLUSIONS An analysis of frequency data revealed an eight-dimensional model of oncology research nursing, including care, manage study, expert, lead, prepare, data, advance science, and ethics.
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING This evidence-based model expands understanding of the multidimensional roles of oncology nurses caring for patients with cancer enrolled in clinical trials.