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The article comments on "Nurses as providers of support for mothers of premature infants," a paper by E. Mok and S.F. Leung which was published in the 2006 issue. The study explored the supportive behavior of nurses as experienced by mothers of premature infants in Hong Kong, China. The findings on parents' perceived and received support needs in a neonatal unit are discussed.

Aims. To investigate nursing students’ knowledge, attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns and to identify strategies to help students develop as they take up their role in sexual health-related care. Background. There is an increasing global demand for improving sexual health. A better understanding of nursing students’ attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns is the beginning of this endeavour. The need to explore strategies for developing competent health care practitioners is timely. Design. A cross-sectional survey. Methods. Nursing students ( n = 377) studying in pre- and postregistration programmes were surveyed at a university in Hong Kong using a questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions about their knowledge, attitude and self-perception on readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns. Results. Students’ knowledge of sexual health was satisfactory. They were positive in acknowledging the nursing role in sexual health care, but hesitant in taking up an active role in practice. Students’ readiness to participate in related activities was below satisfactory. Their perception of inadequate knowledge, feelings of anxiety, worries about colleagues’ and clients’ possible adverse responses and inadequate exemplars were major factors affecting their readiness. This paper also highlighted some important learning areas and strategies that could help in enhancing students’ knowledge and confidence in sexual health care practices. Conclusion. Improving the educational programme and clinical practice for nursing students is necessary but may not be adequate. Valuing the affective aspect of education, formal recognition of this extended role and advancing related education to a postexperience level would also benefit the development of sexual health care. Relevance to clinical practice. Preparing more mentors as exemplars, inviting clinicians and managers as partners in sexual health-related care would help nursing students to work efficiently for clients with sexual health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Title. Nurses’ perceptions of preoperative teaching for ambulatory surgical patients. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to examine nurses’ perceptions of the importance of providing preoperative information to ambulatory surgical patients, and factors that might influence their provision of such teaching. Background. Ambulatory surgery is now widespread and creates a challenge for nurses to provide preoperative teaching in the limited contact time they have with patients. Although nurses act as key educators in patient teaching, little is known about their perceptions of the importance of preoperative teaching, or about current practice in the provision of such teaching for ambulatory surgical patients. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire including demographics and the Preoperative Teaching Questionnaire was completed by 91 of the 169 eligible nurses (response rate 53·8%) working in day-surgery units, operating theatres or outpatient clinics providing ambulatory surgery services in two public hospitals in Hong Kong in 2005. Results. A discrepancy between nurses’ perceptions and practice in relation to the provision of preoperative information was found. Limited teaching aids, tight operation schedules and language barriers affected the delivery of preoperative information to ambulatory surgical patients. Conclusion. The results highlight the importance of reviewing current preoperative teaching methods and improving the effectiveness of such teaching to enhance the quality of care for ambulatory surgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: This paper is a report of a survey to explore Hong Kong nurses' disaster preparedness. BACKGROUND: Increasingly frequent global disasters are posing threats to human health and life. The World Health Organization has called for countries to have detailed plans at all levels in order to be prepared for disasters that may arise. METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to convenience samples of practising Registered Nurses studying in Master's degree programmes at a Hong Kong university in 2007. Results. Of a possible 174, 164 questionnaires were returned (Response rate 94%). Almost all nurses (97.6%) considered the government health department to be the organization most involved in disastrous situations. The majority (84.8%) were aware of the existence of a protocol on disaster management at their workplace. About one-third would respond in accordance with protocol (38.4%) or rely on directions from their immediate supervisors (34.8%) if a disaster occurred. Almost all the nurses (97%) considered themselves not adequately prepared for disasters. They recognized that a protocol for disaster management (85.4%) and training and drills for disasters (both 84.1%) are useful tools. CONCLUSION: Nurses in Hong Kong are not adequately prepared for disasters, but are aware of the need for such preparation. Disaster management training should be included in the basic education of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death for all ages in Hong Kong. In 2003, the Hospital Authority designated five hospitals as trauma centres. Five Trauma Nurse Coordinators (TNCs) were employed to facilitate multidisciplinary care and to coordinate all aspects of quality improvement for injured patients. The present paper investigates the characteristics and roles of TNCs in Hong Kong. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and sent to all TNCs in HK to ascertain information about demographic characteristics, education, job training, roles and the TNCs' position within the organizational structure. Results: The TNCs were 30-40 years of age (four females); are experienced registered graduate nurses; hold post-registration certificates or diplomas in emergency/critical care; and have 11-18 years nursing experience. All TNCs have pursued masters degrees, with two completed. Four of the TNCs had received formal training on computerized data management, abbreviated injury scale coding and trauma nurse coordination. TNCs averaged 2.5 years experience in their post. TNCs manage the trauma registry, are involved in clinical patient management, quality assurance activities, professional and public education and research. Conclusion: TNCs play an important role in trauma management in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer remains a cause of morbidity and mortality among women despite the efficacy of Pap smear screening. Uptake rates for Papanicolaou (Pap) smears among Hong Kong Chinese women remain low and evidence suggests that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence women's attendance for Pap smear screening, particularly the practitioner taking the smear. This study examined the experiences and perceptions of Hong Kong Chinese women of having a Pap smear taken by a female doctor or a female nurse using a case study design. A convenience sample of 50 women was selected from the two case study settings. Data collection involved a confidential structured interview, followed by focus group interviews with a sample of women participating in the structured interview. The findings relating to the technical quality and outcome of care provide the focus for this paper. Although women were highly satisfied with the care provided by both practitioners, women were more satisfied with the information given about the procedure by the nurse (P = 0.0130) and had more confidence in the nurse (P = 0.024). One of the five criteria used to assess the quality of smears demonstrated the doctor achieved a statistically significant higher number of smears containing the required percentage of endocervical cells (P = 0. 0180). Nevertheless, none of the smears taken by the nurse required repeating due to an inadequate specimen. These findings suggest, despite the need for audit of Pap smears, that appropriately qualified nurses can make an important contribution to the uptake of Pap smears among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the significance of sense of coherence (SOC) for the perceptions of task characteristics and for stress perceptions during interruptions of public health nurses (PHNs) with children in Hung Kong. The research design employed the experience sampling method. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 20 subjects. During stage one of the study a watch was worn that gave a signal at six random times each day for seven days to complete an experience sampling diary. PHNs on average responded to 34 signals (80%) to complete the diaries which collected data on work and family juggling, task characteristics, and their effects on mood states. At stage two respondents completed the SOC scale which measured confidence in life as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Two major findings provide the focus for this paper. First, results indicate that there was positive correlation between SOC and perceived task characteristics. Second, results reveal that when interruptions occurred, PHNs with high SOC had higher positive affect and lower negative affect than PHNs with low SOC. These results suggest that SOC as a salutogenic model helps PHNs to cope with the family and work juggling as well as the occupational stress. Implications for nursing management on strengthening SOC of PHNs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify issues and challenges of genomics education in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. Background: The use of genetics/genomics in health care, such as genetic testing, pharmacogenomics and tumour profiling in the context of cancer, is increasing. The rapid application of genetics/genomics in clinical practice requires healthcare providers to be competent to practise genetics‐related patient care. Sources of evidence: We reviewed current practices in genomics education in nursing in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China, including the opportunities for nurses to advance their knowledge and recommendations to incorporate genomics education in the nursing curriculum in these regions. Findings: While many citizens and health professionals recognize the importance of new and exciting research areas of genomics/genetics, there are still many gaps in the translation of genetic/genomic medicine into clinical practice. There is also a similar lack of genetics professionals in China. Conclusion: Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China face challenges in promoting genetic education in nursing. A strategic approach in a coordinated effort ineffectively translating genomic knowledge into healthcare practice should be established in these three regions. Implications for nursing and policy: Nursing educators in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China should link with the international nursing community (e.g. Global Genomics Nursing Alliance) and form closer networks to improve education in the area of genetics and genomics. From a policy level, genomics education is suggested to be incorporated in nursing curriculum to enhance nurses' competency in incorporating genetics/genomics service into patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student nurses' perception and understanding of elder abuse. International Journal of Older People Nursing , 283-289 doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2009.00196.x The aim of this study is to investigate student nurses' perception, knowledge and awareness of elder abuse. It is evidential that elder abuse tends to be unrecognized and is often hidden from public awareness. Nurses who work with older people are expected to be knowledgeable of the causes and detection of elder abuse. A quantitative approach using a questionnaire was used to collect data from 245 student nurses from year 1 and 3 of a 4-year bachelor's degree programme. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from the two cohorts of the nursing programme. A 25-item questionnaire was used to investigate participants' perception and awareness of elder abuse. Some 47.8% ( n = 86) year 1 students and 76.9% ( n = 50) year 3 students perceived that they were not well trained in identifying or handling elder abuse. Year 1 and 3 students ranked the top thre e most common abuses differently. In addition, 38% of year 3 students thought that it was largely the responsibility of social workers rather than nurses, to deal with cases of elder abuse. The study reveals that nurses-to-be, who are generally expected to be part of the joint force to protect older people against abuse, did not find themselves adequately prepared to fulfil this responsibility. The findings provide useful information from which more comprehensive content about elder abuse can be developed in the gerontological nursing curriculum, to better prepare future nurses by increasing their basic understanding of elder abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To describe and understand the experiences of Chinese family members of terminally ill patients during the end of life process in a palliative care unit. Background. Palliative care aims to provide care to dying patients and their family members. Skillful interventions are necessary to help family members cope with the impending death of the patient and maintain their emotional equilibrium. Hence, it is important to understand the experiences of family members of palliative care. Design. A phenomenological study was conducted. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. We interviewed a purposive sample of 20 family members of terminally ill patients in a palliative care unit in Hong Kong. The data were analysed following Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. Results. Family members experienced anticipatory grief, with reactions that included anger, unease, sadness and helplessness. This was particularly acute when the patient was first admitted to the palliative care unit. However, the family members quickly accepted the reality and committed themselves to the care of the patient, seeking informational and emotional support from the nurses. The families wanted to be assured that the patient had been offered good care and suffered no pain. It was considered important to be with the patient during the dying process. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that Chinese family members were committed to the care of the patients in the palliative care unit. Cultural beliefs played a part in influencing family emotions and concerns. Relevance to clinical practice. This study offers a direction for family interventions that acknowledge the reactions of family members to the admission of a patient to a palliative care unit. It highlights that families need active informational and emotional support from nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researchers observed nurse–resident interactions in learning disability units in Hong Kong and interviewed a purposeful sample of nurses who had varying levels of interaction. The median interaction rate between nurses and residents was 27.5% with most interactions relating to physical care. When not interacting with residents, nurses performed administrative tasks. Factors that influenced nurses' interactions revolve around their orientation to a new clinical setting, stresses in the care setting and nurses' coping strategies, contextual constraints, and nurses' prioritization of care. Support for Goffman's self-mortification principle, Foucault's notion of the clinical gaze and infantilism theory were evident in the practice of the nurses studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tertiary education for nurses in Hong Kong is in its early development. With many overseas universities competing to secure Asian students, the need for locally developed programmes to meet Hong Kong's needs can be overlooked. In this survey 705 nurses with degree level qualifications working for the major public and private employing agencies completed a questionnaire designed to obtain details of postgraduate study plans and preferences for the type, focus and mode of postgraduate programmes. Analysis of responses showed 50% of the graduates surveyed intended to pursue further study in the next two years with a clear preference for course work masters, degree programmes (55%), studies with a specialist (71%) rather than a generalist focus, and programmes offered locally (85%) on a part-time basis (86%). Future educational needs were also found to vary according to gender, marital status, place of employment and nursing post. The findings from this survey have considerable implications for educational and professional nursing developments and planning to meet the future health care needs of Hong Kong. In addition, the information may inform the planning of other countries newly embarked on tertiary education for nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how nurses dealt with the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong, China. Transmission of the disease; Information on the health care workers who have sacrificed their own lives in the course of having patients' lives; Implication of the crisis for Nightingale pledge to the nurses of the 21st century.