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Walker, J. (1996). Co-operative learning: an effective teaching method for tertiary education? Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Tertiary education aims to develop specialist knowledge and the graduates' ability toapply the knowledge and skills to function effectively in their chosen career or work.Employers have criticised tertiary education when graduates cannot workco-operatively or independently in the work setting and teachers look for alternativesto lecturing to help develop these abilities. Cooperative learning (CL) is one suchmethod and this paper reports on a literature review and pilot study which exploredthe use of CL in a tertiary setting. The study was guided by three questions: 1) Whatarea the teacher's conceptions of effective learning and teaching? 2) How are theyusing CL and what is their role? 3) How are they assessing CL classes?Data was collected through in-depth interviews, using semi-structured questions,with three female and one male teacher from different disciplines in an urbanpolytechnic. Responses to each question were analysed thematically for recurringcodes and these were grouped into categories. Effective teaching was seen aswhere teachers facilitated the learning process by selecting appropriate teachingmethods, fostering classroom climate and monitoring learning. Effective learning waswhere students were actively engaged in the learning process and demonstratedtheir understanding and application of knowledge and skills. CL was used in avariety of ways and their role was to use strategies to foster the learning processand monitor learning. Assessment involved both individual and group presentations.Issues related to cooperative learning are discussed and recommendations forteaching made
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Walker, J. (1995). Learning physical assessment skills. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Nursing students have only recently learnt in-depth physical assessment skills within degree programmes in New Zealand. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of learning physical assessment skills for the first time from the student's experience. In exploring this experience it was hoped to uncover some of the factors, beneficial or not, which influence their learning process. Data was collected by two methods. Firstly through two non-participant observations of a class of sixteen pre-registration male and female nursing students at an urban tertiary institute. Secondly through taped in-depth interviews with a female and a male student, from the group, individually and then together. The data was analysed using coding categories suggested by Bogdan and Biklen (1992) and emerging themes related to the process of learning new knowledge and skills. The four themes identified were: students working at learning, tutors facilitating learning, students facilitating learning and learning in clinical practice
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Watson, P. B. (1997). Evaluation of a self management plan for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Vol. 10). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: We hypothesized that the use of an Action Plan might assist self management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A pilot process and randomized, controlled study were undertaken to evaluate an action plan that provided advice on management of usual care and exacerbations, together with a booklet on self management. Fifty six subjects with COPD recruited through general practitioners (GPs) completed the six month study, 27 in the control group and 29 in the intervention group. The control group received usual care from their GP and the intervention group received a booklet and Action Plan from their practice nurse plus a supply of prednisone and antibiotic from their GP.The two groups were demographically similar with a mean age of 68 yrs. The resources were well received by GPs, practice nurses and the intervention group subjects. After six months there were no differences in quality of life scores or pulmonary function. There were significant changes in self management behaviour in the intervention group compared to controls. In response to seterioting symptoms, 34 versus7% (p= 0.014) initiated prednisone treatment and 44 versus 7 % (p=0.002 initiated antibiotics.Subjects in the intervention group readily adopted self management skills but did not shpw any difference in quality of life or lung function parameters. A larger prospective controlled clinical trial of this approach is warranted
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Watson, P. B. (1994). A study of cardiac inpatient participation in Canterbury Health's cardiac rehabilitation programme. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: A telephone survey was conducted with 61 randomly selected patients who had been admitted to the cardiology service with an Myocardial infarction but did not attend the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Findings show that many patients who would benefit from cardiac rehabilitation are denied access because it is only open to patients who have Myocardial Infarctions. Only a small percentage of MI admissions attend rehabilitation the main reason being patients are not informed the service is available. Women are under represented among rehabilitation participants and lack of transport is a major factor inhibiting women from attending. Improvements in referral systems and follow up are recommended
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Watson, P. B. (1990). Care or control questions and answers for psychiatric nursing practice (Vol. 6). Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: An existential phenomenological approach is used to study the experience of six adults hospitalised with acute mental illness which they considered contribute to the stress of, or coping with mental illness. The phenomenological research methods used is described. The analysis of the data reveals that consumers of acute mental health care view being controlled as contributing to the stress of mental illness, and caring as contributing to them coping with mental illness. The implications of these findings for nursing practice and further research are discussed
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White, E. L. (1980). A co-operative approach to nursing manpower planning. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The paper reviews, as a case history, the progress (to 1980) of the development of a Nursing Manpower Plan for Wellington Hospital Board.The main features of protocol are delineated.The prime requirement for the development of a manpower plan are perceived of as having available, reliable, quantifiable and comparable data.Discussion indicates the methods of collection, analysis and use (actual and potential) of quantifiable data.The use of quantifiable data indicated the potential, for the use of “nursing hours per patient per day”
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