Internet Users Becoming Immersed in the Virtual World

Internet delivered question and answer column for patients with schizophrenia

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of an Internet delivered question and answer column among patients with schizophrenia. The column was developed for research purposes. The study sample consisted of patients (N = 100) admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric care in two hospital districts. Descriptive data were collected from the column to which a nurse replied within 3 days and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The column had four to five questions weekly. The most common age of users was 18-24 years, and the gender distribution was almost equal. Column use was heaviest among students (44%) and least among unemployed people (19%). Out of 85 questions or comments sent to the column, 25 (29%) were related to program training and the remaining 60 (71%) were related to medication (31%), illness and tests (25%), other questions or comments (9%), daily life and coping with it (4%), and places to receive treatment (2%). An Internet delivered question and answer column can be included in the care of patients with schizophrenia. However, it requires a new type of basic and additional education in the field of mental health care in order for nurses to be able to provide nursing via the Internet forum.

Do I want to be a nurse? What influences students to undertake a BSc in nursing programme: a preliminary study

This preliminary study aimed to examine key aspects of the factors influencing students to undertake a career in nursing and to also examine attitudes that affected their decision to apply to study for a degree in nursing. The sample in this study comprised the total population (n = 78) of all students who had registered to commence a Degree in Nursing at one third-level college in the Republic of Ireland. The method adopted was a survey approach which employed the use of standardised questionnaires comprising both open and closed questioning styles. Raw statistical data were analysed using SPSS for Windows while the qualitative data arising from the open-ended questions were manually analysed for themes. The data obtained identified that the processes used in recruitment campaigns examined in this study were well utilised and valued by respondents. The main reasons cited for applying for a career in nursing included wanting to help and care for people. The findings of this study identified that there is a need for management to exploit incentives such as financial and job security, the opportunity to help others and travel opportunities in any future recruitment processes.

Women's Use of the Internet: What Nurses Need to Know

Women increasingly access the Internet for health information and social support in managing health-related changes. Some women's use of the Internet has empowered them and created changes in nurse-patient relationships. Nurses and patients must have a mutually respectful open dialogue to develop individualized appropriate plans of care, and nurses should recognize that women who do not have Internet access may have different learning needs.

Technology-patient interactions: Internet use for gaining a healthy context for living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to understand the practical knowledge gained from Internet use by implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients through hermeneutic interpretation of narrative stories.

METHODS

The study took place through an online virtual focus group and e-mail interviews. Thirteen participants attended the ongoing 4-week virtual focus group, and 8 followed up with individual interviews.

RESULTS

Five related themes and 1 constitutive pattern emerged. Themes included getting past fear with knowledge and support; gaining context through a window to the future; Internet as mountain of information; and Internet as social interaction and becoming informed consumers. The constitutive pattern was gaining a context for living a healthy life with an ICD.

IMPLICATIONS

Providers must be aware of the value added when patients use the Internet for self-care management of their chronic illness. Through information searches and sharing stories, patients gain insight into possibilities and potential outcomes of living with an ICD.