Browsing by Type "Article"
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    A divergent perspective analysis on the characteristics of an excellent nurse teacher using Q methodology
    (Philippine Journal of Nursing, 2009) Biag, Al
    The objective of this study was to describe the divergent perspectives on the characteristics of an excellent nurse teacher among undergraduate nursing students. Q methodology was used as a method and a tool to examine the diversity of responses regarding what constitutes excellent teaching in nursing. Thirty-five (35) undergraduate nursing students ranked each item in a set of 41 statements (Q sample) using a 9-point scale that ranges from -4 (most uncharacteristic) to +4 (most characteristic). The Q statement rankings generated by the participants were factor analyzed using the centroid method and varimax rotation. The analysis yielded five factors representing viewpoints of five clusters of undergraduate nursing students. Each of these groups identified an excellent nurse teacher as someone with professional treatment to learning and the learner, efficient organization and management of learning, high regard to growth and expansion of knowledge, reasonable evaluation practices, and encouraging demeanor towards students. The five viewpoints about an excellent nurse teacher described a nomenclature of ideas that is distinct yet related to the usual ideas about good teaching in nursing.
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    A study on health and hygiene needs, strategies, and well‐being of an Aeta indigenous community in the Philippines through photovoice methods
    (Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 2020) Eun-Mi Yang; Jwakyum Kim; Biag, Al; Mangulabnan, Jefferson; Dela Cruz, Arlan; Sarmiento, Philip Joseph
    On a global scale, poor access to health and social welfare services for indigenous populations has threatened their overall well‐being, especially those living in remote or peripheral areas. Academics from two higher education institutions in South Korea and the Philippines conducted a community‐based research in an indigenous Aeta community in the highlands of Pampanga Province in the Philippines’ Central Luzon region. Using a photovoice method and community survey, they investigated family health and hygiene as well as the current strategies this indigenous community employs to address their concerns. Results revealed that the community lacks the basic human needs and services such as water, food, shelter, education, and health service. They demonstrated, however, resilience in managing their lives by making use of the available natural resources and by drawing strength from community spirit. This study provided insights on how higher education institutions and other concerned agencies craft initiatives intended to benefit vulnerable populations and underserved communities such as the indigenous peoples.
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    Development and psychometric analysis of a strengths perspective-based instrument on clinical instruction in nursing
    (Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 2014) Biag, Al
    Strengths perspective in social work can be translated into nursing. There are, however, few references to the perspective in the nursing literature. Thus the purpose of this study was to add to the evidence of strengths perspectives as applied in nursing. Specifically, it aimed to develop and test the psychometric properties of an instrument designed to measure strengths perspective in clinical instruction. A methodological design guided the study. A purposive of 376 clinical instructors from select colleges of nursing in Central Luzon region in the Philippines accomplished the 39-item 5-level Likert scale. Construct validation revealed a three-factor (fostering reciprocity, initiating applicability, and identifying development areas) solution that accounted 39.43% of the variance. The index of internal consistency was .941. The results of factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated adequate evidence of validity and reliability. The final 34-item instrument, Clinical Instructor’s Strengths Perspective Inventory, can be used as a scale representing self-reported application of the concept in clinical instruction.
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    Development and Psychometric Testing of a Self-Rated Scale Based on National Nursing Core Competency Standards
    (Springer Publishing Company, 2022-03-01) Biag, Al; Belen, Vanessa
    Background and Purpose The objectives of this study were to develop a National Nursing Core Competency Standards (NNCCS)-based instrument and determine its construct validity and internal consistency reliability. Methods A methodologic research design was used to validate the 59-item scale based on the responses of 600 nurses. The scale items were culled from the client care, leadership and management, and research competencies identified in the NNCCS. Results The results of the analyses confirmed 53 items and gave rise to a five-factor solution. The five dimensions are leadership, management, research, ethico-legal, and strategic competencies. Conclusions The seminal psychometric testing provided an evidence of acceptable validity and reliability of the proposed instrument. Further testing was recommended to accrue the psychometric soundness of the instrument.
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    Development of Framework for Clinical Nursing Research Fellowship in the Philippines
    (Philippine Journal of Nursing, 2017) Cura, Jonathan D.
    Fellowship programs serve as alternative means to bridge the gap between undergraduate education and nursing practice. The purpose of the study was to develop a framework for a Clinical Nursing Research (CNR) Fellowship Program in the Philippines. A sequential non-dominant mixed method design was used. It comprised the following: identifying the competencies needed by clinical nurses in research and EBP; the training needs of clinical nurses in research and EBP; the core competencies, functional competencies and tasks of CNR fellows; and describing potential fellows’ reactions and preferred ways of learning. Categorical analyses were done to analyze qualitative data. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze training needs and consensus agreement of experts. There were nine core competencies and 70 tasks of a CNR fellow that were distributed to the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels. Potential fellows prefer learning that is active, reflective, sequential, cooperative, guided by experts, personalized and involves use of technology. After learning the basics, they would need to learn more intensively on competencies that would help them become more capable of contributing to clinical practice. The CNR Fellowship Program framework seemed to contain contextually-relevant core competencies in clinical nursing research that are needed to augment basic nursing research education and to benefit clinical nursing practice.
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    Differing pathways to resiliency: A grounded theory study of enactment of resilience among acute care nurses
    (Nursing and Health Science, 2018) Ang, Shin Yuh ; Uthaman, Trendral ; Ayre, Tracy Carol ; Lim, Siew Hoon ; Lopez, Violeta
    It is well-recognized that nurses are exposed to high levels of stress, thus resilience has been postulated as a key trait in enabling nurses to cope successfully and remain in the profession. In this qualitative study, we used Glaser's approach to grounded theory. Nine nurses who scored low and nine nurses who scored high on the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale were recruited for one-on-one semistructured interviews of the factors contributing to their work-related stress and how they overcome these stressors. Three categories emerged from the data: outlook on work, self-efficacy, and coping responses. These categories led to the emergence of the theory “differing pathways to resiliency”. Despite the stresses experienced at work, some nurses were highly resilient, while others were not. Highly-resilient nurses tend to adopt active coping mechanisms, whereas nurses who have low resilience tend to undertake passive measures to let nature runs its course. The emerging theory provided an understanding of the different pathways to resiliency and how nurse leaders can potentially develop and grow the level of resiliency among nurses.
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    Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Further Impact Nursing Shortages?
    (Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2022) Lopez, Violeta ; Anderson, Judith ; Anderson, Judith ; Cleary, Michelle
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    Generation Z undergraduate students’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
    (Current Psychology, 2021) Ang, Wei How Darrly ; Shorey, Shefaly ; Lopez, Violeta ; Chew, Han Shi ; Lau, Ying
    Resilience has been documented as an essential component in managing stress. However, understanding how undergraduate students with different sociodemographic characteristics perceive resilience remains understudied. This study aimed to explore how undergraduate students in one university define and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students’ perception and preferences for receiving resilience training were additionally solicited. A descriptive qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide via Skype instant messaging. The thematic analysis generated five themes: resilience as enduring and withstanding; the building blocks of resilience; resilience: learning or earning; pedagogical considerations for resilience training; and a blended platform for resilience training. Participants described resilience as an enduring and withstanding trait essential for university students. Resilience can be built from intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors that enhanced resilience included desire to succeed and motivation. Extrinsic factors were relational in nature, and friends, family, teachers, and religion were found to boost resilience. Students had several recommendations in designing resilience training, and they recommended the use of a blended platform. Further, students suggested the use of videos, narratives fromresilient individuals, and using reflective practice as a pedagogy in resilience training. Future resilience training should consist of personal and interpersonal factors and should be introduced early during the academic termof students’ university life. As the COVID-19 pandemic compounds an already challenging academic climate, this study lends it findings to expand the resilience literature and develop future resilience training.
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    Genetic testing: Do cancer nurses have a role
    (Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2018-06-04) Lopez Violeta
    Cancer care nurses are well positioned to provide specific genetic care and counseling. They are highly capable in comprehensively assessing patients and their family members for increased cancer risk, educating them about the availability of testing, making referrals for cancer genetic counseling and risk assessments, and providing follow‑up care. Knowledge in genetic testing will enable cancer nurses to integrate genomics not only into their practice and research but also into policy discussions and debates for the best interest of their patients, families, and the community.
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    Global Voices of Resilience: A Kitchen Table Conversation
    (Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 2022) Calaguas, Noriel P. ; Vance, David ; Comstock, Emily ; Uja, Uzoamaka ; Caine, Vera
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    “It was like nobody cared about what I said?” Iranian women committed self‑immolation: a qualitative study Nader Aghakhani1 , Violeta Lopez2,3 , Naser
    (BMC Women's Health, 2021) Aghakhani, Nader ; Lopez, Violeta ; Parizad, Naser ; Baghaei, Rahim
    This study aimed to explore the factors and experiences of self-immolation in Iranian married women to develop prevention strategies to prevent the personal, social, and economic impacts of suicide and suicide attempts. A qualitative descriptive approach using open-ended, in-depth, face-to-face interviews was conducted in a purposive sample of 16 married Iranian women aged 16–40 years in the burn centers in Urmia city, a place in northwest Iran. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data. Three themes emerged from the data, including (1) antecedents of self-immolation, (2) suicidal ideation method, and (3) pathway to recovery. Each of these themes is supported by sub-themes.
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    Mobile Optical Mark Recognition Application As A Non Inferior Alternative To Manual Marking For Lower And Middle Income Countries
    ( 2022-01-16) Calaguas, Noriel P. ; Consunji, Paolo Maria P.
    Marking examinations is an important but often time consuming academic support activity. This becomes even more so burdensome when educators have to mark hundreds of individual exam sheets. Over the years, mobile optical mark recognition (OMR) applicat ions have gained popularity. This study aims to analyze if there is a difference in accuracy between manual or conventional marking and a mobile OMR application. Using a quasi experimental research design, 429 exam sheets were collected and sorted into control (n=191) and exposure groups (n=238). An independent samples t test revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of conventional marking (M = 99.78%, SD = .11%) and marking using a mobile OMR application (M = 99.9 0, SD = .08); t(8) = 1.87, p = .10. The study can inform educational policy that would employ mobile OMR applications to reduce the time spent on marking exams and allow more time for professional development.
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    Perceived Social Support from Family, Friends and Spiritual Experiences as Correlates of Depression
    (Philippine Journal of Nursing, 2021) Catu, Louie Roy
    Depression is the origin of ill health problems in college students. It advances as one of the leading causes of mental health issues. During their college life, freshmen encounter many firsts. These include a new environment, friends, exposure to social norms and culture. The students may struggle and experience difficulty if they cannot deal with these challenges. They can become a vulnerable population. Therefore, the overall purpose of this study is to conduct a baseline assessment of college students' experiences in the university. More so, this study 1) describes the characteristics of a sample of freshmen allied medical sciences students, 2) describes the levels of perceived social support from family and friends, spiritual experiences, and depressive symptomatology among allied medical sciences freshmen; and 3) to assesses the possible association among described positive influences (spirituality, family support, peer support) to depressive symptomatology. The study utilized a cross-sectional analytic quantitative design. In selecting respondents, a consecutive sampling technique was utilized. Respondents eligible to participate included first-year full-time students in the university taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Medical Technologist (BSMT), and Bachelor of Science in Radiological Technologist (BSRT). A total of 110 undergraduate students participated in the study. Most of the students were females younger than 20 years old. The overall perceived social support from family and friends yielded average scores. The higher the scores, the greater the perception of social support from family and friends. For their spirituality, it showed that participants scored lower, indicating a high level of spiritual experiences. Lastly, the depression scale yielded high scores indicating that the participants had signs of severe/major depression, as based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scoring. The relationships between Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Social Support from Family (PSS-Family) and Friends (PSS-Friends), and Spirituality Experiences were also evaluated. It showed that Depression and PSS-Friends yielded a statistically significant relationship. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between Depression and PSS-Family. For the spirituality experiences, the test revealed that there is also a statistically significant relationship with depression. Overall, the study concludes that college life is a period of increased challenge for young allied medical health students. Their courses accompany complex and challenging responsibilities that increase tensions and anxiety. The results from these processes may cause or worsen stress when not given priority and could lead to depressive symptomatology. It was reflected that freshmen students' peer support and spiritual experiences appear to be closely associated with depressive symptomatology.
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    Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among Higher Education Students
    (Psychology, 2019) Harding, Thomas, ; Lopez, Violeta ; Klainin-Yobas, Piyanee
    This study aimed to examine the relationships among stress, protective factors and psychological well-being (PWB). A cross-sectional predictive research design was carried out. A convenience sample of 152 students was recruited from a higher education institution in New Zealand. Data were collected by using online self-reported questionnaires and analysed by descriptive statistics and path analyses (with IBM AMOS). Results showed that the hypothesised model fit well with the sample data. Resilience, mindfulness, support from family, and support from significant others were significant predictors of PWB. Furthermore, stress significantly predicted social support, resilience, self-efficacy, and mindfulness. There is the need to develop prevention interventions (e.g., a resilience-building and mindfulness interventions) for students to help them manage stress and achieve PWB.
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    Redefining chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuroplathy thorugh symptom cluster and patient-reported outcome over time
    (BMC Cancer, 2019) Wang Mian, Cheng Hui Lin, Lopez Violeta, Sundar Raghav, Yorke Janelle, Molasiotis Alex
    Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is common among cancer patients treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy agents. Better knowledge on symptom clusters of CIPN may help improve symptom management in clinical practice. This study aimed to identify symptom clusters of CIPN and to map their trajectories before initiation of chemotherapy to 12-month follow-up. A secondary analysis of a longitudinal dataset was conducted using principal component approach. The European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires Core 30 and CIPN 20 were used to measure symptom clusters of CIPN in patients with mixed cancer diagnosis across 10 time points over 12 months. Sample size in each assessment point ranged from 118 to 343 participants. Four CIPN symptom clusters were identified, including a clear sensory neuropathy symptom cluster, a mixed motor-sensory neuropathy symptom cluster, a mixed sensorimotor neuropathy symptom cluster, and a less clear autonomic neuropathy symptom cluster. The core symptoms in each symptom cluster were mostly stable while the secondary symptoms changed over time. The analysis suggests that CIPN is predominantly a sensory neuropathy with no evidence of a pure motor dysfunction but with mixed motor-related and autonomic changes accompanying sensory dysfunctions over time. Future symptom management strategies can be designed based on the morphology of CIPN.
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    Testing the comparability and interpretability of the Revised Professional Practice Environment scale – Filipino version
    (Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 2022) Biag, Al
    Background and aims: The Revised Professional Practice Environment (RPPE) Scale is a 39-item four Likert scale-rated questionnaire. The US-based Massachusetts General Hospital developed it as a measure of nurses’ leadership and autonomy over practice, relationship with physicians, control over practice, communication about patients, teamwork, handling of disagreement and conflict, internal work motivation, and cultural sensitivity. The RPPE Scale has been translated into several languages but Filipino. The aim of this paper was to translate the RPPE Scale to the Filipino language in order to establish initial evidence for construct equivalence between it and the original version. Methods: Methodological design was used in the study following a four-step translation process. The data collection commenced in 2020. Results: The RPPE scale was subjected to forward translation in Filipino language. It was then back-translated into English after which the conceptual equivalence was determined for similarity of translation and comparability of interpretation. The results based on weighted means were highly similar and highly comparable. Conclusions: The RPPE-Filipino version demonstrated acceptable evidence of language- and culture-specificity that is sufficiently robust for use in Philippine setting. The existence of an instrument that is comparable and similar to the original RPPE Scale paves the way for initiating nursing staff development programs that are based on the tenets of professional practice environment.
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    Testing the Structural Equation Model of the Influence of Nurses’ Spiritual Well‐being and Caring Behavior on their Provision of Spiritual Care to Patients
    (Journal of Nursing Management, 2021) Biag, Al; Angeles, Leonardo Jr. S.
    Aim: To test a proposed model that determined the effects of nurses' spiritual well-being and caring behaviour on their provision of spiritual care to patients. Background: The spiritual dimension of caring gained attention in the recent past as it is recognized to bring positive patient outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was used in the study. Data were collected from 300 registered nurses working in the hospitals in Pampanga, Philippines. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used to test the model. Results: Nurses had a high level of ideal and lived perspectives of spiritual well-being. They perceived their caring behaviour to be always manifested and occasionally engaged in spiritual activities that supported patient spirituality. Conclusions: The structural equation model provided a feasible model that was either caring behaviour-laden spiritual well-being or spiritual well-being-infused caring behaviour. Implications for nursing management: Nursing administrators may develop guidelines for practice within their institutions that are considerate of the proposed model. They may focus on caring behaviour-laden spiritual well-being model of nursing practice or spiritual well-being-infused caring behaviour model of nursing practice.
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    The effects of mindfulness and health education programs on the emotional state and cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial
    (Journal of Neuroscience, 2019) Klainin-Yobas, Piyani ; Kowitlawakul, Yanika ; Lopez, Violeta ; Tang, Chao Tian ; Hoek, Kua Ee ; Gan, Goh Lee ; Lei, Feng ; Rawthaer, Iris ; Mahendran, Rathi
    This study aimed to determine the efficacy of mindfulness practice on emotional state and cognitive function of community-living elderly with mild cognitive impairment. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with the experimental group undergoing a Mindfulness Awareness Program (MAP) and an active control group undergoing a Health Education Program (HEP) over a nine month period. Sessions were conducted weekly for the first three months and monthly for the remaining six months. Self-reported questionnaires in English and Chinese were administered through face-to-face interviews to collect data at baseline, three months and nine months. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse data. Fifty-five elderly participants aged sixty and above, were randomized to MAP (N = 28) and HEP (N = 27) programs. Participants in both intervention arms experienced decreases in depressive and anxiety symptoms over the nine -month period. A significant improvement occurred in the HEP group in depression scores at three months and anxiety scores at both three and nine months. There were no statistically significant changes on cognitive function in both groups over the nine month period. Both the MAP and HEP can benefit the emotional states of community-living elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Our study supports the usefulness of group-based HEP as a low cost intervention for promoting active aging and psychological health in a community setting.
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    Trends of perinatal mental health referrals and psychiatric admissions in Queensland
    (Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2022) San Martin Porter, Macarena ; Maravilla, Joemer ; Kisley, Steve ; Betts, Kim ; Salom, Caroline ; Alarti, Rosa
    Background: Perinatal depression is often underdiagnosed; consequently, many women suffer perinatal depression without follow-up care. Screening for depressive symptoms during the perinatal period has been recommended in Australia to increase detection and follow-up of women suffering from depressive symptoms. Screening rates have gradually increased over the last decades in Australia. Objective: To explore trends in referrals of women to community mental health services during the perinatal period, and prenatal and postnatal admissions to psychiatric units, among those who gave birth in Queensland between 2009 and 2015. Method: Retrospective analyses of data from three linked state-wide administrative data collections. Trend analyses using adjusted Poisson regression models examined 426,242 births. Outcome variables included referrals to specialised mental health services; women admitted with a mood disorder during the second half of their pregnancy and during the first 3 months of the postnatal period; and women admitted with non-affective psychosis disorders during the second half of their pregnancy and during the first 3 months of the postnatal period. Results: We found an increase in mental health referrals during the perinatal period over time (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, [1.06, 1.08]) and a decrease in admissions with mood disorders during the first 3 months of the postnatal period (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, [0.94, 0.98]). We did not find any changes in rates of admission for other outcomes. Conclusion: Since the introduction of universal screening in Queensland, referrals for mental health care during the perinatal period have increased, while admissions for mood disorders in the first 3 months after delivery decreased.
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    Using the Braden subscales to assess risk of pressure injuries in adult patients: A retrospective case-control stud
    (International Wound Journal, 2019) Lim, Ellen ; Mordiffi,Zubaidah ; Chew, Han Shi ; Lopez, Violeta
    The aim of this study was to compare the pressure injury risk predictability between the individual Braden subscales and the total Braden scale in adult inpatients in Singapore. A retrospective 1:1 case-control design was used from a sampleof 199 patient medical records. Clinical data were collected from a local university hospital's medical records database. The results showed that, among the six subscales, the activity subscale was the most sensitive and specific in predicting pressure injury (PI). However, the overall results showed that the Braden scale remained the most predictive of PI development in comparison with the individual subscales. The study also found that, among the Singaporean patients, the Braden cut-off score for PI risk was 17 compared with the current cut-off score of 18. Therefore, it may be relevant for local tertiary hospitals to review their respective Braden cut-off scores as the study results indicate an over-prediction of PI risk, which leads to unnecessary utilisation of resources. The hospital may also consider developing a PI prevention bundle comprising commonly used preventive interventions when at least one Braden subscale reflects a suboptimal score.