Debra J. Ford

Comparison of face-to-face versus interactive video continuing medical education delivery modalities

&NA; The challenge to provide accessible continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians and other health care providers in rural communities is ongoing. One possible solution to facilitate physician access to CME is through distance instructional media such as interactive video (ITV). A review of the literature revealed that there is a dearth of research investigating the differences in effectiveness between CME programs delivered through ITV and CME delivered in the traditional classroom setting. The purpose of this study was to compare physician perceptions of the effectiveness of CME programs delivered by ITV and CME programs delivered in the traditional classroom setting. Results from the survey indicate that ITV and traditional face‐to‐face CME participants did not feel that the majority of attributes related to the content, speaker, and program were significantly different between the two delivery modalities. The implications from these findings are also discussed.

Exploring leadership roles, goals, and barriers among Kansas registered nurses: A descriptive cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES The Institute of Medicines Future of Nursing report advocates for full nurse leader representation across multiple settings to address current challenges in our health care system. The purpose of this study was to examine nursing leadership development needs among Kansas registered nurses (RNs). METHODS Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS Nearly 1,000 Kansas RNs participated. Most reported holding one or more leadership positions. Prevalent leadership goals were health care organization volunteer administrative roles. The most frequently identified barrier to developing leadership roles was time constraints. Many wanted to develop skills to serve on a board, 20% were interested in personal leadership development, and 19% in policy development. CONCLUSIONS Based on the findings, the Kansas Action Coalition leadership team is developing programs to address the leadership needs of Kansas RNs. By building capacity in advanced leadership roles, RNs will be better prepared serve as full partners and lead efforts to promote the health of Kansans.

Leading change: a concept analysis

AIM To report an analysis of the concept of leading change. BACKGROUND Nurses have been called to lead change to advance the health of individuals, populations, and systems. Conceptual clarity about leading change in the context of nursing and healthcare systems provides an empirical direction for future research and theory development that can advance the science of leadership studies in nursing. DESIGN Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Health Business Elite and Business Source Premier databases were searched using the terms: leading change, transformation, reform, leadership and change. Literature published in English from 2001 - 2015 in the fields of nursing, medicine, organizational studies, business, education, psychology or sociology were included. METHODS Walker and Avants method was used to identify descriptions, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents of the concept. Model, related and contrary cases were developed. RESULTS Five defining attributes of leading change were identified: (a) individual and collective leadership; (b) operational support; (c) fostering relationships; (d) organizational learning; and (e) balance. Antecedents were external or internal driving forces and organizational readiness. The consequences of leading change included improved organizational performance and outcomes and new organizational culture and values. CONCLUSION A theoretical definition and conceptual model of leading change were developed. Future studies that use and test the model may contribute to the refinement of a middle-range theory to advance nursing leadership research and education. From this, empirically derived interventions that prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health may be realized.

Diagnosing Pathogenic Eschatology

In this essay, we explain the function and forms of prophetic Western end-time narratives that take a violent turn. We begin by describing how relatively benign end-time stories function for their adherents by analyzing the book of Daniel. Then, we analyze the end-time prophecy of David Koresh at the height of federal law enforcement pressure on his disciples in order to explain how relatively benign eschatology can take a pathogenic turn. In this pathogenic turn, the false prophet redirects the agency of teleological fulfillment away from God to himself and adherents. Implications for dealing with groups motivated by pathogenic Western end-time narratives are discussed in light of these arguments.