Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse Through State Policy: The Role of Nursing in Successful Implementation.

Prescription drug abuse has become a top public health concern in the United States in recent years. Changes in prescribing practices and the way in which health providers manage pain resulted from national quality improvement efforts in the 1990s. Most efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the prescription drug abuse epidemic occur through policy initiatives at the state level.

Skin cancer prevention practices among malignant melanoma survivors: a systematic review.

Purpose: This systematic review was conducted to evaluate and summarize the existing literature on prevalence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, sun protection, and screening behaviors among individuals diagnosed with malignant melanoma (MM).

Methods: The search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, and ERIC from inception of each database through July 2014. Studies were included if (1) individuals diagnosed with MM were the primary sample, (2) measured UVR exposure, primary and secondary preventive behaviors, (3) original research communication that constitutes an entire set of empirical data, (4) observational design, and (5) English peer-reviewed.

Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Institutionalized Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.

Background: Persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are exposed to several factors, which have been determined as risks for osteoporosis. Many of these individuals are non-ambulatory, resulting in lack of weight bearing activity, which is well established as a major contributor to bone loss. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in persons with IDD residing in residential facilities.

Skin cancer preventative behaviors in state park workers: a pilot study.

Objectives: Considering the potential for occupational sun exposure among state park workers, the purpose of this pilot study was to identify skin cancer knowledge, health beliefs, self-efficacy, and sun protection behaviors (SPBs) among state park employees.

Methods: The current study used a cross-sectional survey research design with state park workers in a Southern state. Of the 94 possible employees who could have participated in the study, 87 completed the survey.

Improving patient-doctor communication about risk and choice in obstetrics and gynecology through medical education: a call for action.

The authors suggest that three articles published in the Fall 2013 issue of The Journal of Clinical Ethics could be used in graduate medical education to help students be more prepared to address differences in professional opinion and improve their skills in patient-doctor communication.