Frances Crosby

Enhancing subject recruitment for nursing research.

NURSING RESEARCH MOST often requires human subjects. Consequently, an essential component in planning and conducting research entails recruitment of subjects who knowledgeably consent to participate. A well-established theoretical base exists regarding sampling techniques and procedures for research methods. The operationalization of the theory into practical terms may be of interest to the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who frequently assumes a leadership role to both conduct nursing research in practice settings and to advise other nurses interested in conducting research. The recruitment efforts in four different nursing studies were compared and contrasted in an effort to determine effective and efficient approaches to this issue. Sample populations included nurse practitioners, patients, nurse aides, and nurse educators. Methods of recruitment included direct contact, mail, and telephone contact. While the settings, purposes, and designs of the studies varied, some common elements regarding subject recruitment were suggested. The recruitment methods have been described, along with the implication in terms of practical application for conduct of nursing research by CNSs.

In a changing world: database to keep the pace.

A database to manage health care information can be an especially useful tool for the CNS. Systematic management of information is important in the multifaceted role characteristic of the CNSs scope of practice. The CNS not only provides theoretically sound creative care to patients and serves as a role model to nursing staff, but also monitors and substantiates the quality and effectiveness of care delivered. To do this, the CNS participates in research activities and synthesizes and uses research findings. These aspects of professional practice require collection and analysis of information that could be facilitated by the use of a database. The purposes of this article are to introduce some basic concepts of database and its relevance and contribution to the CNS, discuss issues inherent in setting up a database, and provide guidelines for CNSs who are considering using a database in their clinical practice.

Long-Term Care Nurses Identify Educational Needs Regarding Quality Assessment and Improvement

An increasing demand is being placed on nurses who are practicing in long-term care settings to conduct and/or participate in quality assessment and improvement (QAI) activities. A local survey of directors of nursing in long-term care indicated both personal interest and interest on the part of their staff nurses to attend continuing education (CE) programs regarding quality of care to increase their competencies in this area. Specific interest areas and recommendations for an educational offering regarding quality assessment and improvement for long-term care nurses are described.

Factors limiting evaluation of health care programs for the homeless

The problem of homelessness and the need for health care by homeless people does not seem to be subsiding. All indications are that current legislation to implement dramatic welfare reform will eventually increase the number of homeless persons. Evaluation to guide, monitor, and select the most effective approaches in the provision of health care will remain a key element in health care delivery. Although barriers regarding evaluation of homeless health care have been reported by previous researchers as similar, the results in this study document findings elicited from administrators in the field. The administrators have the expertise to address some of the more common barriers and reduce them. Ways to approach this endeavor and to support staff in participating in and successfully integrating evaluation activities into health care provision will require attention of funding agencies, program administrators, and inclusion of staff and clients in planning. As the era of managed care becomes the focus of how health care is delivered, evaluation of existing programs will be essential to their survival. The descriptive information obtained in this exploratory study provides useful instruction for considering issues that need to be addressed in planning and implementing evaluation of health care to homeless persons.