Lenny Chiang-Hanisko

International collaborations in nursing research Priorities, challenges and rewards

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for dialogue for university-based nursing programmes that are planning and developing international research programmes. Future trends will continue to drive the need for international research due to the globalisation of healthcare issues. Nursing, as one of the main providers of healthcare services, can play a larger role in improving healthcare globally, by leading the way in international collaborative research. A definition of international nursing research is offered, as well as a framework consisting of three broad issues for discussing international work. The three foci of the framework are (a) international nursing research priorities, (b) rewards of international nursing collaborations and (c) challenges of these collaborations. Examples of international collaborative nursing research experiences with nurses in Haiti, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom are examined, along with lessons learned

Guidance for using mixed methods design in nursing practice research

The mixed methods approach purposefully combines both quantitative and qualitative techniques, enabling a multi-faceted understanding of nursing phenomena. The purpose of this article is to introduce three mixed methods designs (parallel; sequential; conversion) and highlight interpretive processes that occur with the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings. Real world examples of research studies conducted by the authors will demonstrate the processes leading to the merger of data. The examples include: research questions; data collection procedures and analysis with a focus on synthesizing findings. Based on experience with mixed methods studied, the authors introduce two synthesis patterns (complementary; contrasting), considering application for practice and implications for research.

Medication Use Among Ethnically Diverse Older Adults in the United States

As primary consumers of health care and prescription medication, older adults are more susceptible to potential drug-related adverse effects and medication interactions. With growing diversity among the older adult population, understanding ethnic differences in medication use becomes increasingly important. The current study describes polypharmacy and the occurrence of underprescribing among community-dwelling, low-income individuals 55 and older from four ethnic groups: (a) African American, (b) Afro-Caribbean, (c) European American, and (d) Hispanic American. Results revealed that number of illnesses, income level, and age were three major predictors associated with polypharmacy. No underprescription was identified. Overall, prevalence of polypharmacy was 47.5%. European American individuals had the highest prevalence followed by Hispanic American, African American, and Afro-Caribbean individuals. When caring for older adults from various ethnic groups, nurses should focus their efforts on those who have multiple illnesses and sufficient income to purchase medications to reduce the risk of polypharmacy.

Pain Management Among Culturally Diverse Older Adults

Dear Colleagues, Springtime, for me, brings a sense of renewal and hope. It is a time when bulbs begin their journey toward daylight—as arduous as it is, the pull of the sunlight is undeniable. Similarly, our organization, even in the midst of everyday ups and downs, strives toward a future in which health care providers recognize and value cultural awareness and competence as an integral part of care. Our strategic plan for the future calls on us to provide opportunities for members to expand their sphere of knowledge and to increase their skills, to provide culturally sensitive and congruent care, and be role models to others in the health care field as cultural care affects health outcomes. Goal 2 of our strategic plan asks us to advance the scholarship of the discipline. The number one objective is to provide resources to enhance cultural knowledge and skills. Perhaps we can consider developing programs for those seeking Transcultural Nursing Society certification, writing abstracts for an oral or poster presentation, or implementing cultural assessment tools in various health care settings. There are many experts in our organization, and YES, you are one of them! Consider your journey thus far and the multicultural experiences that have influenced your caregiving decisions and actions. Are you in the clinical arena, assessing the health needs of your community? An educator at the entry into practice? Perhaps a researcher, discovering ways in which culture and care come together. Do you see where I am going here? Your unique lived experience and expertise is essential as we develop these programs. We need a mix of perspectives and opinions. Working collaboratively brings vision and energy to the process. We can broaden our spectrum of knowledge by encouraging our colleagues from other health disciplines to submit an abstract for our annual conference in San Antonio in October 2018. Hearing other voices enriches the cultural care discussion. We need everyone at the table in order to make cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence an integral part of all aspects of the health care experience. Namasté

Cultural Aspects of Polypharmacy and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, February 9). Areas with Zika. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/ index.html Johns Hopkins University. (2015). Do no harm. Retrieved from http://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=202502&p=1335752 Transcultural Nursing Society. (2010). Transcultural nursing standards of practice. Retrieved from http://tcns.org/ TCNStandardsofPractice.html World Health Organization. (2016). Zika virus. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/