Julia Wong

A randomized controlled trial of a new approach to preoperative teaching and patient compliance

A randomized controlled experiment evaluating the effects of a new approach to preoperative teaching on patient compliance is described. In this study, compliance was measured by the accuracy, regularity and willingness that patients showed in execution of the prescribed activities after surgery. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control patients in the regularity, willingness and accuracy with which they performed the prescribed postoperative exercises. The experimental patients were significantly more satisfied with this approach to preoperative teaching than the control patients. This study is seen to have implications for both nursing education and nursing service.

Contribution of basic sciences to academic success in nursing education

The present study set out to examine the contribution of basic sciences to academic success in nursing education. A number of regression analysis models were used to analyze the relationships among predictor and criterion variables. Data analyses showed that basic sciences and grade point average of nursing courses in year 3 and 4 contributed significantly to student success in the program (p < 0.001). The cumulative grade point average was the only significant predictor of the licensure examination success. These results suggested that the content in science courses may have unique relevance to nursing and, therefore, may have a factor in their predictive value.

Effects of an experimental program on post-hospital adjustment of early discharged patients

This paper reports the results of a study evaluating the effects of an experimental program on post-hospital adjustment of early discharged patients after total hip arthroplasties. This experimental program consisted of patient teaching by means of a pamphlet and videotape, and regular home visits by a community health nurse. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control patients in perceived preparedness for discharge and post-hospital exercise compliance. The early discharged experimental patients demonstrated post-hospital objective and subjective functional capabilities equal to those of the control patients. This study is seen to have implications for nursing service and nursing education.

Trends in lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors in women: analysis from the Canadian National Population Health Survey

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability among women. The present investigation analyzed data from the National Population Health Survey to examine the prevalence trends of self-reported lifestyle CVD risk factors in adult women. Results indicated an upward prevalence trend in physical activity and high blood pressure, and significant increased prevalence rates in obesity in the lower middle and middle income groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased physical activity and advancing age were significant predictors of CVD; age confers more than a one-fold risk for developing heart disease and hypertension. Implications of the study results for nursing practice are discussed.

Hormone replacement use, arterial distensibility, cardiac structure and circadian blood pressure profile in menopausal women

Observational and interventional studies that evaluate the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cardiovascular changes have produced inconsistent and inconclusive results. The present study sought to elucidate the influence of HRT on aortic distensibility, left ventricular mass (LVM) and 24‐h blood pressure (BP) profile in 38 menopausal women who were either HRT users or non‐users. The two groups were similar for age, ambulatory BP, aortic distensibility, cardiac mass, lipid profile and body mass index but differed in clinic diastolic BP (DBP). HRT non‐dippers had significantly lower clinic and daytime DBP and a smaller nocturnal BP reduction than dippers. Daytime DBP was significantly and inversely related to duration of HRT use. The present study demonstrates that hormonal therapy after menopause lowers DBP, but shows no significant influence on aortic distensibility, cardiac mass or 24‐h BP profile. HRT users who were dippers demonstrated a significantly greater nocturnal BP reduction. Long‐term controlled trials are needed to better define the effects of estrogen and progestin on the aorta, the heart and 24‐h BP profile in normotensive and hypertensive menopausal women.

Cardiovascular health of immigrant women: implications for evidence‐based practice

There is a dearth of information on the cardiovascular health of immigrant women. The present study analyzed the dataset from the National Population Health Survey to describe the modifiable CVD risk factors of Canadian immigrant women. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in modifiable CVD risk factors with respect to the country of birth, spoken language, and the length of time in Canada. The prevalence of smoking was significantly different across all income groups, with the lowest and middle income groups having the highest prevalence rate. Compared with their non‐white counterparts, the white immigrant women had a greater prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and smoking. Irrespective of race and country of birth, immigrant women tended to have worse CVD risk factors than non‐immigrant women. Age was the most important predictor of heart disease and hypertension. Implications of the study results for evidence‐based practice are discussed.

Criteria for determining optimal time of discharge after total hip replacement

Total hip replacement is a common and expensive procedure and any attempt to shorten the length of hospital stay safely is desirable. This paper proposes a scoring system specifically designed for this patient population, to determine the optimal timing of safe discharge and post-acute care placement. The authors discuss the implications for the quality of patient care.

Building community partnerships for diabetes primary prevention: lessons learned

Purpose – To describe the process of building partnerships between a health professional group (university‐based researchers and organizations from within and outside the health sector) and the black communities, highlight the accomplishments and identify problems in the process.Design/methodology/approach – The description of the process of building partnerships with four black communities in Nova Scotia is organized in the following sections: the impetus for launching a Diabetes Primary Prevention for the Black Communities Project, its preparation, implementation, and evaluation. The accomplishments and the problems associated with the Project are analysed.Findings – Recruitment of participants for the focus groups was challenging. Response rate to survey questionnaire was moderate. Presentation of the Project results by one of the black Project assistants to the participant communities was well received. The Project was quite successful in encouraging community involvement by engaging community groups ...

Is physical activity as effective in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease as estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is known as a disease of postmenopausal women. While hormone replacement therapy is recommended increasingly to postmenopausal women for the prevention of CHD, the potential impact of non-pharmacologic interventions on cardiovascular disease reduction has been largely unexplored. The purpose of this article is to develop the understanding of the research literature on three risk factors by which estrogen and physical activity, a non-pharmacologic intervention, may confer cardiovascular protection in postmenopausal women. Three risk factors are lipoproteins, systolic pressure, and changes in the vascular endothelial functions. Effects of estrogen and physical activity on these biological factors are compared.

A conceptual model for a culturally responsive community‐based diabetes prevention programme

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major public health problem in Canada. Although the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among black people is higher than that of white people in Canada, there is no diabetes prevention programme specifically designed to address the behavioural and sociocultural influences on the development of the disease in the black communities. This paper discusses a proposed conceptual framework for the development and evaluation of a diabetes prevention programme that is culturally relevant and responsive to the black communities in Canada. The research literature and results of a recent pilot study that assessed the programming needs of four black communities provide the basis upon which the proposed framework is developed.