Psychometric properties of the Patient's Perception of Life on Hemodialysis Scale.

Background And Purpose: Hemodialysis (HD) is the main form of renal replacement therapy for many patients with end-stage renal disease. The purpose of this research is to assess reliability and validity of the Patient's Perception of Hemodialysis Scale.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design and a convenient sample (n = 236), psychometric properties of the PPHS were examined.

Qualitative research in clinical epidemiology.

This chapter has been written to specifically address the usefulness of qualitative research for the practice of clinical epidemiology. The methods of grounded theory to facilitate understanding of human behavior and construction of monitoring scales for use in quantitative studies are discussed. In end-stage renal disease patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, a qualitative study used grounded theory to generate a multilayered classification system, which culminated in a substantive theory on living with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis.

Responsiveness of the patient's perception of hemodialysis scale.

Objectives: To assess hemodialysis (HD) patients' physical health, social supports, psychosocial well-being and the interrelationship among patients' experiences, demographics, illness characteristics, and biochemical indicators of health. To determine responsiveness of the Patient's Perception of Hemodialysis Scale (PPHS) to change in health status and critical events.

Methods: Using a longitudinal design HD patients (n = 85) were assessed at two time periods.

Development and preliminary testing of the psychosocial adjustment to hereditary diseases scale.

Background: The presence of Lynch syndrome (LS) can bring a lifetime of uncertainty to an entire family as members adjust to living with a high lifetime cancer risk. The research base on how individuals and families adjust to genetic-linked diseases following predictive genetic testing has increased our understanding of short-term impacts but gaps continue to exist in knowledge of important factors that facilitate or impede long-term adjustment. The failure of existing scales to detect psychosocial adjustment challenges in this population has led researchers to question the adequate sensitivity of these instruments.

Lynch syndrome: barriers to and facilitators of screening and disease management.

Background: Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer with confirmed carriers at high risk for colorectal (CRC) and extracolonic cancers. The purpose of the current study was to develop a greater understanding of the factors influencing decisions about disease management post-genetic testing.

Methods: The study used a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis as part of a multiphase project examining the psychosocial and behavioral impact of predictive DNA testing for Lynch syndrome.

Predictors of perceived health care quality for registered nurses during and after health care reform.

Background: Limited research has focused on the predictive nature of organizational culture and trust on registered nurses' perceived health care quality in reformed health care systems.

Purposes: The purpose of this article was to investigate nurses' perceptions of organizational culture factors, trust in employer, and perceived health care quality during and 5 years after major organizational reform in the acute care setting and to test a model linking culture to perceived health care quality.

Methodology: Survey data collected from two samples of nurses (N = 222,343) during and 5 years after major organizational reform in the acute care setting of one Canadian province were analyzed, and an exploratory model linking aspects of culture, trust, and quality was tested.

Qualitative research in clinical epidemiology.

This chapter has been written to specifically address the usefulness of qualitative research for the practice of clinical epidemiology. The methods of grounded theory to facilitate understanding of human behavior and construction of monitoring scales for use in quantitative studies are discussed. In end-stage renal disease patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, a qualitative study used grounded theory to generate a multilayered classification system, which culminated in a substantive theory on living with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis.

Predictors of registered nurses' organizational commitment and intent to stay.

Background: Health care reform has significantly altered employment relations. Research findings suggest that the presence or absence of supportive work environments helps explain the differences observed in employee attitudes and turnover intentions.

Purposes: The purposes of this study were to examine frontline registered nurses' (RNs') perceptions of organizational culture and attitudes and behaviors and test a model linking culture to outcome (organizational commitment and intent to stay).