Ruth McCaffrey

A Program to Improve Communication and Collaboration Between Nurses and Medical Residents

A program was implemented for nurses and medical residents to improve communication and collaboration. It has been noted that communication and collaboration between members of the health care team improve patient outcomes and job satisfaction among nurses. Nurses on the unit where medical residents trained attended a 2-hour educational program that reviewed effective communication styles and positive aspects of collaboration, including role-playing examples. Medical residents received a self-learning packet with a posttest that was returned to researchers when completed. Focus groups, including both nurses and medical residents, were held twice a month for 6 months after the educational program. Overall improvements in communication, collaboration, patient outcomes, and job satisfaction were noted from the focus group data. The educational program proved to be successful in improving collaboration and communication between nurses and medical residents, which in turn improved patient care.

Chair yoga: benefits for community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether chair yoga was effective in reducing pain level and improving physical function and emotional well-being in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the effectiveness of chair yoga at baseline, midpoint (4 weeks), and end of the intervention (8 weeks). Although chair yoga was effective in improving physical function and reducing stiffness in older adults with osteoarthritis, it was not effective in reducing pain level or improving depressive symptoms. Future research planned by this team will use rigorous study methods, including larger samples, randomized controlled trials, and follow up for monitoring home practice after the interventions.

An Educational Program to Promote Positive Communication and Collaboration Between Nurses and Medical Staff

An educational program was implemented for nurses and medical residents to improve communication and collaboration. It has been noted that communication and collaboration between members of the healthcare team improve patient outcomes and job satisfaction among nurses. In this article, the program is outlined and outcomes are presented.

Garden walking and art therapy for depression in older adults: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare garden walking (either alone or guided) with art therapy in older adults with depression. Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and stories of sadness/joy. Prior to the intervention, 47% of participants had depression scores in the severe range and 53% in the mild range. At the end of the intervention, none of the participants had scores in the severe range, 89% had scores in the mild range, and 11% had scores in the normal range. Results of the GDS data using repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant decreases in depression for all three groups from pretest to posttest. All participants, regardless of group assignment, had a lower percentage of negative-emotion word use and a higher percentage of positive-emotion word use over time. This study provides evidence for nurses wishing to guide older adults in safe, easy, and inexpensive ways to reduce depression.

The Effect of Reflective Garden Walking on Adults With Increased Levels of Psychological Stress

Purpose: The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the benefits of a reflective garden walking program on adults with increased levels of psychological stress. Outcomes measured included levels of hopefulness, personal growth, and quality of life. Design: The evaluation used a one-group, pretest–posttest to determine the success of the Stroll for Well-Being to assist participants to overcome psychological stressors. Participants were recruited through local support groups. All participants signed informed consent to participate in the study program. A total of 195 participants completed the 6-week program, attended all meetings, and completed all measurement tools. Findings: All of the outcome measures statistically improved on the posttest compared to the pretest scores. The outcome measure that had the largest change in mean score was the Personal Growth Scale. Discussion: Holistic nursing as a specialty should continue to explore the use of green spaces and nature on patients. More research is needed to increase the amount of evidence regarding spending time in nature and using reflection and journaling as a tool to reconnect with the natural environment.

Educating nurses about veno-thrombolytic events (VTE).

This study determined the effect of a computer-based educational program in preparing nurses to complete an assessment for venothrombotic risk on all patients admitted to a community hospital. The educational program included information on appropriate prophylaxis for patients at risk for venothrombolytic events (VTEs). Nurses were encouraged to work with physicians and pharmacists to obtain the appropriate VTE prophylaxis for all patients based on risk. Findings showed that one class may not be sufficient for long-term understanding of VTE risk and prophylaxis.

Trends in Contemporary Holistic Nursing Research: 2010-2015:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and summarize the characteristics of contemporary holistic nursing research (HNR) published nationally. Design: A descriptive research design was used for this study. Method: Data for this study came from a consecutive sample of 579 studies published in six journals determined as most consistent with the scope of holistic nursing from 2010 to 2015. The Johns Hopkins level of evidence was used to identify evidence generated, and two criteria—power analysis for quantitative research and trustworthiness for qualitative research—were used to describe overall quality of HNR. Findings: Of the studies, 275 were considered HNR and included in the analysis. Caring, energy therapies, knowledge and attitudes, and spirituality were the most common foci, and caring/healing, symptom management, quality of life, and depression were the outcomes most often examined. Of the studies, 56% were quantitative, 39% qualitative, and 5% mixed-methods designs. Only 32% of studies were funded. Level III evidence (nonexperimental, qualitative) was the most common level of evidence generated. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest ways in which holistic nurse researchers can strengthen study designs and thus improve the quality of scientific evidence available for application into practice and improve health outcomes.

An interprofessional education approach to fall prevention: preparing members of the interprofessional healthcare team to implement STEADI into practice

ABSTRACT An aging population benefits from healthcare providers trained in the care of older adults. Interprofessional education (IPE) and service-learning activities focused on geriatric conditions like falls may address this need. A fall prevention IPE activity using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) initiative was implemented to prepare health sciences students to manage older adult falls. Students (N = 31) and faculty (N = 10) from five health sciences programs and local older adults (N = 27) participated. Students were trained in STEADI and conducted a fall risk screening, assessment, and intervention activity with older adults using STEADI tools. We observed a statistically significant improvement in student knowledge of fall prevention and STEADI as assessed by pre and postactivity measures. Student surveys indicated improved understanding of the roles and responsibilities of participating disciplines, related to management of falls in older adults. The CDC’s STEADI initiative may provide an effective framework and resources for fall prevention IPE activities and geriatric health sciences education.

Transformational Leadership: A Model for Advanced Practice Holistic Nurses:

Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse (APHN) leaders could provide a model of leadership to advance value based health care systems in the United States. The American Nurses Association has recognized Holistic Nursing as a specialty because of the emphasis placed on patient-centered care, the development of therapeutic relationships, interconnection, and holism. Transformational leadership is a framework that uses vision, inspiration and intellectual stimulation to motivate people toward needed change. The APHN is well positioned to use transformational leadership methods to lead teams placing the patient at the center of health care decision making and bring the essence of holism to the forefront of health care. Highlighted are methods for positive communication, inspiration, negotiation, and conflict resolution as tools the APHN could use to become a transformational leader. The purpose of this article is to discuss a framework for transformational leadership development and implementation to establish the holistic ideals of APHNs in the health care system.

Chair Yoga: Feasibility and Sustainability Study With Older Community-Dwelling Adults With Osteoarthritis

This study measured the feasibility of completing a randomized control trial on an 8-week seated yoga program for older adults with osteoarthritis. Part of the feasibility of this program was to determine whether participants would continue the yoga practice at home using a guide book after the 8-week program. Findings demonstrated that once participants were not in a group setting for the yoga, they did not continue with yoga practice. This outcome demonstrates the need for group programs for older adults to promote adherence to movement-based programs. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02113410).