Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Journal - 2008; 15(2)

De�erli Okurlar�m�za

Prof.Dr. Fethiye ERD�L — 2008-03-01

Evaluation of the Effeciency of a Home Care Program Developed for Mastectomy Patients

Yrd.Do�.Dr. Ay�e AKKA� G�RSOY, Prof.Dr. Fethiye ERD�L, Prof.Dr. Nurhan BAYRAKTAR — 2008-03-01

The basic goal of nursing care in breast cancer patients who have had surgery is to return the patient to normal life in the shortest period of time with the fewest problems. For this reason, from the moment the diagnosis, patient care should be continued in the home environment with a prepared plan of care that establishes needs and cooperation of the team. The study was established experimentally, to evaluate the effect of home care program developed for mastectomy patients on the healing process. The sample of the study consisted 50 mastectomy patients in three hospitals and patients were divided into experimental (n= 25) and control (n=25) groups. Data were collected by using home care plan for the patients having mastectomy, patient information form, home visit following form, and the form for evaluation of knowledge of the patients after mastectomy. Three home visits were made up for experimental group and the patients in this group, received care according to the home care plan, and they were provided written information on self-care. Two home visits for control group were performed and these patients received just the services provided in the hospitals. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Chi square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Cochran Q and McNemar tests. The results of the analysis showed that, the patients in experimental group patients had lower rates for pain at the operation site, edema in the arm at the site of operation, problems with sexual life than the control group patients. In addition, it was determined that arm-raising level at the site of the operation of the experimental group was better than the control group patients. Furthermore, it was found that, the mean self-care knowledge score of experimental group patients was obviously higher than control group patients. Based on the results of this study, recommendations were made related to establishment of planned discharge education on self-care for the post mastectomy patients and improvement of home care services.

The Views of the Fourth Year Students and Nurses About Internship Practices

2008-03-01

Objective: This study is carried out as descriptive to identify the views of fourth year nursing students of a nursing school and nurses employed at clinics where students were enrolled for an internship practice program, which was recently incorporated into the education program of a nursing school. Material and Methods: Study sample is composed of 38 fourth year students enrolled at Gazi Un�versity School of Nursing, and 38 volunteered nurses working at Gazi University Hospital and private hospitals where the internship practice for students performed. As a data collecting tool, ‘Survey Form' including descriptive data about the students and nurses and their view on intern practices were used. Data was analyzed by using the percentages. Results: As a result of this study, viewpoint of students indicated that the manipulation skills of most students, their self confidence and commitment to profession were increased, and their knowledge and responsibility were improved. The nurses' first view was that students' knowledge and skills are increased. These viewpoints were followed by nurses' opinion that students' adoption to the profession, their self confidence, communications skills and responsibility were increased. Conclusion: It was identified that internship practice was useful in terms of professional development of students. and this programme should be continued. The progress of intern program by providing appropriate physical condition and increasing the time period has been suggested.

Students' Views on Clinical Practice of Fundamentals of Nursing Course

Seyhan DEM�R KARABULUT, Prof.Dr. M. Filiz ULUSOY — 2008-03-01

This study was conducted to investigate the views of nursing students on clinical practice of fundamentals of nursing course. The research was descriptive and cross-sectional. The population comprised the first year students during the educational-teaching year of 2003-2004 at nursing schools of state universities located in a populated city of Turkey. There were 239 students in the population and this study included the whole population. Data were collected through questionnaires. Data were analyzed by computer software after being grouped. Percentages were computed and chi-squares were applied on relevant data. Sixty percent of nursing students' views were positive. This result was similar to the relevant literature. However, their views differed significantly according to the nursing schools they were enrolled (p<0.05). The cause of this difference was identified as the numbers of academic staff employed at the schools. The recommendations are to increase the number of academic staff and to emphasize on how to implement the optimal clinical practice of this course by the academic staff.

Evaluation of Patients' Satisfaction Levels from Nursing Care at the Centre of the City Ad�yaman

Yrd.Do�.Dr. Emine GE�K�L, ��r.G�r. �zlem D�NDAR, ��r.G�r. T�rkan �AH�N — 2008-03-01

Purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate satisfaction levels of patients from nursing care. Material and Method: This study, which was a descriptive type, was conducted from 9 March to 11 May 2007. The sample was consisted of 433 patients who hospitalized for minimum two day in clinics of hospitals in Ad�yaman. The data was obtained through a questionnaire form and Newcastle Satisfaction Scale from Nursing Care. Findings and Discussion: It was identified that more than half of patients who participated to the research were female (56.8 %) and 64.2 % were graduated from primary and middle school. It was found that participants' ages varied 18 to 86 and mean of age was 36.67�15.15. It was found that the mean of total point of patients which gained from Satisfaction Scale from Nursing Care was 68.11�16.26 and their satisfaction was evaluated as moderate level. There was no statistical significant association between the levels of the patients' satisfaction from nursing care, gender and age groups. However it was found a statistically significant association between the satisfaction levels of patients and their levels of education and clinics. Finally, studies toward increase of patients' levels of satisfaction from nursing care may be suggested.

Communication Skills Training Programme to Improve Oncology Nurses' Relationships with Patients: An Observational Study

��r.G�r.Dr. Sat� �NAL, Prof.Dr. Fatma �Z — 2008-03-01

This research was carried out to determine the impact of communication skills training programme on patient-nurse interactions in oncology setting. The research consisted of a single group pre-, post-test and non-participant observation. Thirty-six nurses volunteered to participate. In the first evaluation method, the nurses were evaluated both before and after the training using “Empathic Tendency”, “Empathic Skill” and “Communication Skills Evaluation Scales”. In the second one, researcher observed nurse-patient interactions in the clinics and evaluated them using the Communication Skills Observation Form. The training improved nurses' empathic tendency (p<0.001), empathic (p<0.001) and communication skills (p<0.05). “Respect to patients, giving constructive feedback, using effective body language, using continuing and leading reactions” showed gradual improvement during observations while self-disclosure and “ineffective commnunication techniques” were lower in the last observation. Training improved nurses' communication skills to effectively interact with their patients. Therefore, communication skills training should be taught and expanded during inservice training programs.

Preoperative Preparation for Children

Dr. Naime C�HANG�R ALTAY — 2008-03-01

Preoperatif care is a process that starts with making the operation decision of a child and continues till the operation. The preoperational period is a stressful situation both for the child and the family of that child. Nursing approaches for decreasing the preoperational anxiety of the children include pharmacological and behavioral methods. Pharmacological methods include premedication. Behavioral methods are parent-present induction of anesthesia, introduction of the hospital and the operating room, therapeutic play, reading story books and children drawings. The nurse is the person who is primary in the preoperational preparation of the child and the parents. The nurse is responsible for understanding the anxiety and fear of the child and the family and planning and applying the approaches to eliminate them. The nurse plans and applies the preoperational preparation program in accordance with the personal characteristics of the parents and the child.

Responsibilities of the Nurse on Administration of Steroids

Ar�.G�r.Dr. G�ler BALCI ALPARSLAN, ��r.G�r.Dr. Sevgisun KAPUCU — 2008-03-01

Steroid hormones, which are secreted from adrenal glands, are administered exogen as drugs for the treatment of some diseases. Long term and high dose steroid use may cause side effects such edema, hypertension and hyperglisemy. Person using steroid can face difficulties in daily life activity and has to make changes in life styles because of its side effects. It is necessary that health staff, particulary nurses provide properly nursing care and information for patients with steroid use, in order to cope with the side of effects of steroids and difficulties. In this article, the effects, side effects of steroids and nurses' responsibilities for coping with the difficults that may occur due to steroid use was discussed.