Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often question the purpose and value of their... more Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often question the purpose and value of their life. Understanding the spiritual needs of BPD patients is essential to providing more appropriate care and achieving greater care efficacy. This case report investigated a woman with BPD who had experienced spiritual distress during nursing care. Between February 24th and December 15th, 2010, the authors conducted an assessment of the four dimensions of spiritual care for the patient using observation, interviews and patient medical records. The four dimensions included the relations between the individual and herself, others, religious belief, and the natural environment. After integrating and analyzing data, the authors found the patient questioned the purpose and value of her life and contemplated self-injury / suicide due to inadequate support systems and a lack of effective stress management and coping skills caused by illness-induced depression and the lingering effects of a diff...
Most expectant parents anticipate giving birth to a healthy newborn. Admission of a neonate to a ... more Most expectant parents anticipate giving birth to a healthy newborn. Admission of a neonate to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is thus nearly always a significant and negative shock to parents and family members. We derived core concepts for this article from the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund (WHO/UNICEF)'s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Revised, updated, and expanded for integrated care (2009). This framework document advocates expanding to NICUs guidelines that were originally developed for maternity units. This paper reviews the importance of breastfeeding to the mother-baby dyad and family integration. We suggest how to build a breastfeeding-friendly environment within the NICU using 10 steps that adhere to the NEO-BFHI's three "Guiding Principles". The proposed environment gives special emphasis to providing continued and unlimited kangaroo care, creating a family-centered NICU design, implementing an effective milk exp...
The health condition of a women relates closely to the health of her child and family members. Th... more The health condition of a women relates closely to the health of her child and family members. The health of the mother is critical to her being able to conceive and give birth to healthy children and constructing a healthy lifestyle environment. Recent research has found a relationship between preconception weight and perinatal health. Abnormal weight (either overweight or underweight) was found to be the most prevalent of pre-pregnancy medical conditions studied. Therefore, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has suggested that every woman should receive a preconception health assessment. Weight gain during pregnancy should be compared against preconception weight and body mass index. Following such a regimen can help improve maternal-infant perinatal health.
To breastfeed is a right of women and infants. However, breastfeeding is viewed as a " Priva... more To breastfeed is a right of women and infants. However, breastfeeding is viewed as a " Private domain" rather than as a "public domain" issue. Many people therefore think that it is unnecessary to use public policy to solve problems associated with breastfeeding. Nurses, due to heavy work loads and responsibilities, and shift rotation, have to face many difficulties when they combine breastfeeding and work. Since the question of whether nurses may successfully breastfeed their offspring in the workplace is one of particular significance, this article considers the importance of breastfeeding in the workplace and nurses experiences thereof, and the international criteria for a friendly breastfeeding workplace for women, in order to discuss ways in which Taiwan's health care institutions should create breastfeeding-friendly environment.
The most serious effect of breast engorgement is that it prevents the baby from keeping the nippl... more The most serious effect of breast engorgement is that it prevents the baby from keeping the nipple and areola in his or her mouth, therefore preventing effective breast milk flow.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, prototypic autoimmune disease that can affect an... more Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, prototypic autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body. Women between 15 and 45 years of age are at greatest risk (
Falls by older people present serious problems in every society. The purpose of this study was to... more Falls by older people present serious problems in every society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of a checklist in estimation and reduction of the risk for falls for older adults in Taiwan. Following literature review, a purposive sample was used in a cross-sectional design to assess risk factors using a checklist. Older adults (N ¼ 103) were recruited from three sheltered housing projects (elderly apartments in Taipei County); 52 individuals had fallen within the past year. A set of significant risk factors was identified, including physiological, psychological, environmental, and social dimensions. Members of the fall group had shorter Functional Reach and took more time to complete the Get-up and Go test than the control group. Some illnesses and drugs were associated with an increased risk of fall.
Table S4. Showing predictors of womenâ s perception of support and control during childbirth. (DO... more Table S4. Showing predictors of womenâ s perception of support and control during childbirth. (DOCX 13Â kb)
Table S3. Showing the difference in demographic-obstetric characteristics and womenâ s perception... more Table S3. Showing the difference in demographic-obstetric characteristics and womenâ s perception support and control during childbirth. (DOCX 15Â kb)
Pain is a common, normal, and healthy physical phenomenon during childbirth. However, widely held... more Pain is a common, normal, and healthy physical phenomenon during childbirth. However, widely held public and clinical perspectives treat pain as a pathologic process and consider labor pain in a negative context. These perspectives ignore the positive effects of pain in the domains of protection, new life, expectation, purpose, preparation, and progression. The pain interpretation and pain experience of new mothers deeply impact their mental health, maternal-infant relationship, and transition to motherhood. This paper introduces the common myths related to labor pain, the three stages of pain transmission, and the current approaches to pain management. The authors hope childbirth caregivers may accept labor pain as a meaningful, pleasant, and positive gift, which is the first and most important step toward effective pain management.
Few studies have provided evidence to verify that bottle-feeding has negative effects on breastfe... more Few studies have provided evidence to verify that bottle-feeding has negative effects on breastfeeding. There is insufficient evidence to support the practice of cup-feeding to supplement breastfeeding. However, it has been applied as a substitute for bottle-feeding to promote breastfeeding. The aims of this study were to explore the differences in infant sucking competence, infant sucking behavior and maternal milk supply among babies who were exclusively breastfeeding (breast group), breast feeding with cup supplementation (cup group) and breast-feeding with bottle supplementation (bottle group) at different periods postpartum. A longitudinal study was carried out at a medical center located in northern Taiwan. The cup and bottle groups were recruited at two different times to avoid interaction. The breast group consisted of infants who were fully breastfed and were never exposed to a bottle or a cup during the hospital stay. Two hundred and five healthy mothers and their full-ter...
This paper is designed to describe the nursing experiences of applying a birth ball to help a par... more This paper is designed to describe the nursing experiences of applying a birth ball to help a parturient woman in labor, who had experienced labor pains and was accompanied by her husband. On the basis of family-centered nursing, on October 8, 2005, the authors taught, this couple various positions to be adopted using the birth ball to help the woman deliver her baby with minimum pain and to help the husband to accompany his mate in a strong and positive way. In this way, eventually, the woman delivered her baby, safely and smoothly, experiencing the whole process satisfactorily.
This paper was designed to describe the experience of nurses who applied Gua-Sha, a traditional A... more This paper was designed to describe the experience of nurses who applied Gua-Sha, a traditional Asian healing technique, in caring for a parturient woman suffering from breast fullness. The caring period ran from the second day postpartum through the mother's discharge from the hospital, and included telephone follow up during the first and second postpartum weeks. Main caring activities included: (1) supporting and reinforcing the mother's confidence to encourage continued breastfeeding; (2) making sure the baby suckled in a good position and that the mother mastered proper breastfeeding techniques; (3) applying Gua-Sha to help breast milk expression and reduce the breast fullness discomfort; and (4) following up regularly on breastfeeding and breast fullness conditions. As a result, the mother was able to continue breastfeeding and could eventually take care of herself, thus achieving a satisfactory breast feeding experience.
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to maternal milk supply. Methods: A ... more The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to maternal milk supply. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a medical center in northern Taiwan. A total of 205 healthy motherYinfant pairs were recruited. A tool to assess insufficient milk supply developed by P.D. Hill and S.S. Humenick (1996) was used to gather breastfeeding information during each participant's hospital stay. Results: Infant-feeding methods, planned breastfeeding duration, infant sucking behaviors, family support, and infant sucking patterns were found to explain 35.3% of variance in maternal perception of milk supply. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Mothers in Taiwan are particularly sensitive to infant crying. To prevent mothers from perceiving inadequate milk supply, nurses should encourage postpartum mothers to suckle their infant on the breast and teach mothers breastfeeding skills and how to pacify crying babies. In addition, hospital managers should make policies to minimize bottle and supplementary formula feeding.
Aim. This study explored Taiwan's nurse leaders' reflections and experiences of the difficulties ... more Aim. This study explored Taiwan's nurse leaders' reflections and experiences of the difficulties they encountered and survival strategies they employed fighting the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic and the background context framing these phenomena. Background. On several continents in 2002-2003, the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome overwhelmed health care systems and health professionals who had to provide care in situations involving high personal risk and stress, some becoming infected and dying. Nurse leaders in Taiwan had to develop new strategies and support systems for nursing care. Design. A two-step within-method qualitative triangulation research design. Methods. Focus group in-depth interviews held with 70 nurse leaders from four Northern Taiwan hospitals involved in the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic. Participants then completed an open ended questionnaire. Content analysis was undertaken with data and stages and themes generated. Data were then analysed using Hobfall's concepts of conservation of resources to further discuss participants' reactions and actions in the severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis. Results. Participants worked under incredible stress to lead the profession through a period of crisis. Five stages arose in the participants' involvement against severe acute respiratory syndrome over 12 weeks: facing shock and chaos; searching for reliable sources to clarify myths; developing and adjusting nursing care; supporting nurses and their clients; and rewarding nurses. Conclusion. Nurse leaders become important executors of intervention in this health disaster, requiring emotional intelligence to manage their internal conflicts and interpersonal relationships effectively. They developed sociopolitical and analytical abilities and crucial requirements for planning and implementing strategies in areas where none previously existed. Building support systems was an important resource for managing conflicts between familial and professional roles. Relevance to clinical practice. Findings will assist nurse leaders to prepare themselves and the profession to better deal with disaster management in similar infectious outbreaks in the future.
Midwifery is a practical facet of the health sciences that emphasizes professional competence-ori... more Midwifery is a practical facet of the health sciences that emphasizes professional competence-oriented teaching and learning. Cognitive and practical processes integrate and build midwifery student professional knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Clinical education is a teaching method and strategy used to prepare midwifery students for professional practice. Midwifery clinical teaching plans are designed using literature review, expert opinions, and student comments and determine total required hours and caseloads. Midwifery clinical teaching activities and methods promote self-reflection, childbirth education fundamentals, learning by role model observation, and learning role function through overseas observership programs. This paper discusses midwifery education dilemmas and coping methods in Taiwan.
Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often question the purpose and value of their... more Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often question the purpose and value of their life. Understanding the spiritual needs of BPD patients is essential to providing more appropriate care and achieving greater care efficacy. This case report investigated a woman with BPD who had experienced spiritual distress during nursing care. Between February 24th and December 15th, 2010, the authors conducted an assessment of the four dimensions of spiritual care for the patient using observation, interviews and patient medical records. The four dimensions included the relations between the individual and herself, others, religious belief, and the natural environment. After integrating and analyzing data, the authors found the patient questioned the purpose and value of her life and contemplated self-injury / suicide due to inadequate support systems and a lack of effective stress management and coping skills caused by illness-induced depression and the lingering effects of a diff...
Most expectant parents anticipate giving birth to a healthy newborn. Admission of a neonate to a ... more Most expectant parents anticipate giving birth to a healthy newborn. Admission of a neonate to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is thus nearly always a significant and negative shock to parents and family members. We derived core concepts for this article from the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund (WHO/UNICEF)'s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Revised, updated, and expanded for integrated care (2009). This framework document advocates expanding to NICUs guidelines that were originally developed for maternity units. This paper reviews the importance of breastfeeding to the mother-baby dyad and family integration. We suggest how to build a breastfeeding-friendly environment within the NICU using 10 steps that adhere to the NEO-BFHI's three "Guiding Principles". The proposed environment gives special emphasis to providing continued and unlimited kangaroo care, creating a family-centered NICU design, implementing an effective milk exp...
The health condition of a women relates closely to the health of her child and family members. Th... more The health condition of a women relates closely to the health of her child and family members. The health of the mother is critical to her being able to conceive and give birth to healthy children and constructing a healthy lifestyle environment. Recent research has found a relationship between preconception weight and perinatal health. Abnormal weight (either overweight or underweight) was found to be the most prevalent of pre-pregnancy medical conditions studied. Therefore, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has suggested that every woman should receive a preconception health assessment. Weight gain during pregnancy should be compared against preconception weight and body mass index. Following such a regimen can help improve maternal-infant perinatal health.
To breastfeed is a right of women and infants. However, breastfeeding is viewed as a " Priva... more To breastfeed is a right of women and infants. However, breastfeeding is viewed as a " Private domain" rather than as a "public domain" issue. Many people therefore think that it is unnecessary to use public policy to solve problems associated with breastfeeding. Nurses, due to heavy work loads and responsibilities, and shift rotation, have to face many difficulties when they combine breastfeeding and work. Since the question of whether nurses may successfully breastfeed their offspring in the workplace is one of particular significance, this article considers the importance of breastfeeding in the workplace and nurses experiences thereof, and the international criteria for a friendly breastfeeding workplace for women, in order to discuss ways in which Taiwan's health care institutions should create breastfeeding-friendly environment.
The most serious effect of breast engorgement is that it prevents the baby from keeping the nippl... more The most serious effect of breast engorgement is that it prevents the baby from keeping the nipple and areola in his or her mouth, therefore preventing effective breast milk flow.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, prototypic autoimmune disease that can affect an... more Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, prototypic autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body. Women between 15 and 45 years of age are at greatest risk (
Falls by older people present serious problems in every society. The purpose of this study was to... more Falls by older people present serious problems in every society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of a checklist in estimation and reduction of the risk for falls for older adults in Taiwan. Following literature review, a purposive sample was used in a cross-sectional design to assess risk factors using a checklist. Older adults (N ¼ 103) were recruited from three sheltered housing projects (elderly apartments in Taipei County); 52 individuals had fallen within the past year. A set of significant risk factors was identified, including physiological, psychological, environmental, and social dimensions. Members of the fall group had shorter Functional Reach and took more time to complete the Get-up and Go test than the control group. Some illnesses and drugs were associated with an increased risk of fall.
Table S4. Showing predictors of womenâ s perception of support and control during childbirth. (DO... more Table S4. Showing predictors of womenâ s perception of support and control during childbirth. (DOCX 13Â kb)
Table S3. Showing the difference in demographic-obstetric characteristics and womenâ s perception... more Table S3. Showing the difference in demographic-obstetric characteristics and womenâ s perception support and control during childbirth. (DOCX 15Â kb)
Pain is a common, normal, and healthy physical phenomenon during childbirth. However, widely held... more Pain is a common, normal, and healthy physical phenomenon during childbirth. However, widely held public and clinical perspectives treat pain as a pathologic process and consider labor pain in a negative context. These perspectives ignore the positive effects of pain in the domains of protection, new life, expectation, purpose, preparation, and progression. The pain interpretation and pain experience of new mothers deeply impact their mental health, maternal-infant relationship, and transition to motherhood. This paper introduces the common myths related to labor pain, the three stages of pain transmission, and the current approaches to pain management. The authors hope childbirth caregivers may accept labor pain as a meaningful, pleasant, and positive gift, which is the first and most important step toward effective pain management.
Few studies have provided evidence to verify that bottle-feeding has negative effects on breastfe... more Few studies have provided evidence to verify that bottle-feeding has negative effects on breastfeeding. There is insufficient evidence to support the practice of cup-feeding to supplement breastfeeding. However, it has been applied as a substitute for bottle-feeding to promote breastfeeding. The aims of this study were to explore the differences in infant sucking competence, infant sucking behavior and maternal milk supply among babies who were exclusively breastfeeding (breast group), breast feeding with cup supplementation (cup group) and breast-feeding with bottle supplementation (bottle group) at different periods postpartum. A longitudinal study was carried out at a medical center located in northern Taiwan. The cup and bottle groups were recruited at two different times to avoid interaction. The breast group consisted of infants who were fully breastfed and were never exposed to a bottle or a cup during the hospital stay. Two hundred and five healthy mothers and their full-ter...
This paper is designed to describe the nursing experiences of applying a birth ball to help a par... more This paper is designed to describe the nursing experiences of applying a birth ball to help a parturient woman in labor, who had experienced labor pains and was accompanied by her husband. On the basis of family-centered nursing, on October 8, 2005, the authors taught, this couple various positions to be adopted using the birth ball to help the woman deliver her baby with minimum pain and to help the husband to accompany his mate in a strong and positive way. In this way, eventually, the woman delivered her baby, safely and smoothly, experiencing the whole process satisfactorily.
This paper was designed to describe the experience of nurses who applied Gua-Sha, a traditional A... more This paper was designed to describe the experience of nurses who applied Gua-Sha, a traditional Asian healing technique, in caring for a parturient woman suffering from breast fullness. The caring period ran from the second day postpartum through the mother's discharge from the hospital, and included telephone follow up during the first and second postpartum weeks. Main caring activities included: (1) supporting and reinforcing the mother's confidence to encourage continued breastfeeding; (2) making sure the baby suckled in a good position and that the mother mastered proper breastfeeding techniques; (3) applying Gua-Sha to help breast milk expression and reduce the breast fullness discomfort; and (4) following up regularly on breastfeeding and breast fullness conditions. As a result, the mother was able to continue breastfeeding and could eventually take care of herself, thus achieving a satisfactory breast feeding experience.
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to maternal milk supply. Methods: A ... more The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to maternal milk supply. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a medical center in northern Taiwan. A total of 205 healthy motherYinfant pairs were recruited. A tool to assess insufficient milk supply developed by P.D. Hill and S.S. Humenick (1996) was used to gather breastfeeding information during each participant's hospital stay. Results: Infant-feeding methods, planned breastfeeding duration, infant sucking behaviors, family support, and infant sucking patterns were found to explain 35.3% of variance in maternal perception of milk supply. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Mothers in Taiwan are particularly sensitive to infant crying. To prevent mothers from perceiving inadequate milk supply, nurses should encourage postpartum mothers to suckle their infant on the breast and teach mothers breastfeeding skills and how to pacify crying babies. In addition, hospital managers should make policies to minimize bottle and supplementary formula feeding.
Aim. This study explored Taiwan's nurse leaders' reflections and experiences of the difficulties ... more Aim. This study explored Taiwan's nurse leaders' reflections and experiences of the difficulties they encountered and survival strategies they employed fighting the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic and the background context framing these phenomena. Background. On several continents in 2002-2003, the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome overwhelmed health care systems and health professionals who had to provide care in situations involving high personal risk and stress, some becoming infected and dying. Nurse leaders in Taiwan had to develop new strategies and support systems for nursing care. Design. A two-step within-method qualitative triangulation research design. Methods. Focus group in-depth interviews held with 70 nurse leaders from four Northern Taiwan hospitals involved in the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic. Participants then completed an open ended questionnaire. Content analysis was undertaken with data and stages and themes generated. Data were then analysed using Hobfall's concepts of conservation of resources to further discuss participants' reactions and actions in the severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis. Results. Participants worked under incredible stress to lead the profession through a period of crisis. Five stages arose in the participants' involvement against severe acute respiratory syndrome over 12 weeks: facing shock and chaos; searching for reliable sources to clarify myths; developing and adjusting nursing care; supporting nurses and their clients; and rewarding nurses. Conclusion. Nurse leaders become important executors of intervention in this health disaster, requiring emotional intelligence to manage their internal conflicts and interpersonal relationships effectively. They developed sociopolitical and analytical abilities and crucial requirements for planning and implementing strategies in areas where none previously existed. Building support systems was an important resource for managing conflicts between familial and professional roles. Relevance to clinical practice. Findings will assist nurse leaders to prepare themselves and the profession to better deal with disaster management in similar infectious outbreaks in the future.
Midwifery is a practical facet of the health sciences that emphasizes professional competence-ori... more Midwifery is a practical facet of the health sciences that emphasizes professional competence-oriented teaching and learning. Cognitive and practical processes integrate and build midwifery student professional knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Clinical education is a teaching method and strategy used to prepare midwifery students for professional practice. Midwifery clinical teaching plans are designed using literature review, expert opinions, and student comments and determine total required hours and caseloads. Midwifery clinical teaching activities and methods promote self-reflection, childbirth education fundamentals, learning by role model observation, and learning role function through overseas observership programs. This paper discusses midwifery education dilemmas and coping methods in Taiwan.
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