Feminist empiricism as a method for inquiry in nursing

Reexploring the subconcepts of the Wittmann-Price Theory Of Emancipated Decision Making in women's healthcare

This study explored the 5 subconcepts (empowerment, flexible environment, personal knowledge, reflection, and social norms) of the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision Making (EDM) in women's healthcare, a theoretical model. Pain management for labor was the clinical exemplar. The correlation of EDM and satisfaction with the decision (SWD) was measured, and flexible environment was the subscale with the highest mean score. There was a significant relationship between EDM and SWD (r = 0.70, P < .001). Personal knowledge and flexible environment were the best predictors of satisfaction. This study advances the theory of EDM for the nursing care of women.

Exploring the use of feminist philosophy within nursing research to enhance post-positivist methodologies in the study of cardiovascular health

Nursing has historically relied heavily on scientific knowledge. It is not surprising that the cardiovascular health literature has been highly influenced by the post-positivist philosophy. The nursing discipline, as well as the cardiovascular nursing specialty, continues to benefit from research grounded within this philosophical tradition. At the same time, there are limitations associated with post-positivism. Therefore, it is beneficial for researchers and clinicians to examine the potential contributions various philosophical traditions can have for their research and practice. This paper is an exploration of the compatibilities of feminist and post-positivist philosophies in the study of cardiovascular nursing research. The ensuing discussion entails an examination of my clinical and research interests, the grounding of my research within the post-positivist perspective and the significant contribution feminist philosophy can make to my research.

Application of feminist theory in nursing research: the case of women and cardiovascular disease

Researchers have provided evidence that women recover from and live with heart disease in very distinct ways from men. The challenge for researchers has been to discuss women in a manner that allows their differences to emerge but does not depict them as inferior to men. Our goal is to review current cardiovascular research on women from a feminist theoretical perspective. We believe that a feminist perspective in cardiovascular research will advance the knowledge and recognition of women's health. We examined nine qualitative research articles in depth and applied a model of feminist research critique to them (Bunting, 1997). Historical androcentric notions in women's health and cardiovascular research are discussed. Also included are recommendations for future research to influence social change in women's cardiac health.

Warrantable evidence in nursing science

Consensus among nurse scholars has not been reached regarding suitable qualities for accepting or rejecting the evidence arising from various world views. The authors' purpose in writing the paper is to describe the qualities or warrants for evaluating scientific findings (the 'evidence') of different research perspectives. The warrantable evidence pertinent to post-positivist, interpretivist, critical social theorist, and feminist perspectives are described and common warrants are suggested. Three warrants common to these scientific perspectives are proposed: (a) scrutiny and critique of methodological rigor and findings by the scientific community; (b) corroboration and intersubjectivity; and (c) scope of the evidence. The identification of common warrantable evidence will assist nurses in developing some core values regarding the constituents of good science or good scholarship even in the face of pluralism in nursing science approaches.

A feminist model for women's health care

A feminist model of practice is grounded in feminist theories that are applicable to the health and health care of women. The goal of this model is to change how health care is delivered to individual women, but also to seek social transformation. Four major themes recur in this model: symmetry in provider-patient relationships, access to information, shared decision-making, and social change. This article describes ways in which clinicians can integrate these themes into practice. Suggestions for maintaining symmetry in the traditional power relationship include decreasing physical, social and personal barriers and attentive listening to patients' stories. Access to information involves creating an atmosphere that is conducive to teaching and learning, but also helping patients access other sources of information. Shared decision-making is central to feminist practice and is attainable when patients have been empowered and are knowledgeable about their healthcare needs. Social change entails the ever vigilant clinician who is familiar with the latest literature, both professional and lay, in order to critically analyse research studies, our colleagues' interpretations of those studies and how recommendations for practice are reached. Collectively, clinicians work with the public to strive for change within the healthcare system and society as a whole.

Estrogen replacement therapy and coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women

My purpose in writing this paper is to explicate the current state of knowledge regarding estrogen replacement therapy when prescribed for prophylaxis of coronary heart disease in women. There is controversy in the literature surrounding the nature of estrogen replacement research, its findings, and the advisability of practitioners using these findings for practice. In this article this controversy is explored and recommendations for practice are made.