Developing evidence-based practice: experiences of senior and junior clinical nurses.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to compare factors influencing the development of evidence-based practice identified by junior and senior nurses.

Background: Assessing factors influencing the achievement of evidence-based practice is complex. Consideration needs to be given to a range of factors including different types of evidence, the skills nurses require to achieve evidence-based practice together with barriers and facilitators.

Factors influencing the development of evidence-based practice: a research tool.

Aim: The paper reports a study to develop and test a tool for assessing a range of factors influencing the development of evidence-based practice among clinical nurses.

Background: Achieving evidence-based practice is a goal in nursing frequently cited by the profession and in government health policy directives. Assessing factors influencing the achievement of this goal, however, is complex.

The effect of Glc6P uptake and its subsequent oxidation within pea root plastids on nitrite reduction and glutamate synthesis.

In roots, nitrate assimilation is dependent upon a supply of reductant that is initially generated by oxidative metabolism including the pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP). The uptake of nitrite into the plastids and its subsequent reduction by nitrite reductase (NiR) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) are potentially important control points that may affect nitrate assimilation. To support the operation of the OPPP there is a need for glucose 6-phosphate (Glc6P) to be imported into the plastids by the glucose phosphate translocator (GPT).

What is protocol-based care? A concept analysis.

Aim: To define protocol-based care to make this way of delivering health care amenable to theoretical and empirical studies.

Background: Although protocol-based care is associated with the evidence-based practice and standardization movements, it is an ill-defined and understood concept.

Method: A multiphase concept analysis, inspired by an evolutionary view was used to clarify 'what is protocol-based care'.

Psychological morbidity after myocardial infarction in an area of deprivation in the UK: evaluation of a self-help package.

Background: Psychological morbidity after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is known to be common, but can be addressed by appropriate rehabilitation. The area in which this research was conducted experiences high rates of deprivation and of coronary heart disease and limited access to hospital-based rehabilitation. Responding to concern about psychological needs of AMI patients, a self-help package was introduced and evaluated alongside standard hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Overweight and obesity: helping clients to take action.

This article presents the results of a qualitative research project to explore factors that encourage or discourage overweight people from low income groups to access weight loss services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 people attending a commercial slimming organization in South Yorkshire. The study revealed weight loss decisions to be complex and fragile.

Secondary prevention for coronary heart disease: a qualitative study.

The many responsibilities of primary care, cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is a growing concern. Demanding standards have been given to primary care in the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. This article reports an evaluation of an intervention to support primary care service providers in this responsibility.

Acupuncture and other alternative therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.

Increasing use of alternative therapies is being reported in many areas of health care, particularly in those specialties in which conventional medicine can offer no complete cures. This article examines what is known about the current use of alternative therapies, and acupuncture in particular, by patients with rheumatoid arthritis.