Abstract
This paper is an analysis of a recent study conducted in a health care setting to assess the attitudes and beliefs of health care providers (including physicians and nurses), patients and family members about family presence during intensive care treatment. This paper includes a summary of the purpose of the study, the procedures, results and implications of results to health care practise.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to summarize and discuss the purpose, results and implications of a recent study that examined the attitudes towards family presence in a health care setting. Description of study: Duran and colleagues (2007) recently conducted a survey study with the purpose of determining the attitudes and beliefs of health care providers, patients and families towards having family members present during a resuscitation or invasive hospital procedure. The issue of the attitudes and beliefs towards family presence is..."

Tags:attitudes, health care, family

Abstract
In this article, the writer presents personal views and attitudes related to death. The writer looks at the cultural norms regarding death and grief in Africa. The writer notes that Africa has a particularly high death rate in comparison to other countries and discusses the connection between death and global inequality.

From the Paper
"Africa is comprised of many regions with different racial and religious groups as well as various issues related to death and grief. In general, however, the cultural norms and socialization agents tend to be the same. Death, especially as it affects children, is denied, and before adolescence children are not allowed to have any association with funerals or other rituals. Meanwhile, Africa has one of the highest death rates in the world. Certain people on that continent see the reality of death for what it is, where death is linked to global inequality. For the most part, death is perceived in terms of superstition. My own childhood was impacted ..."

Tags:death, attitudes

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between optimism and resiliency and quality of life reported by patients with chronic or debilitating illnesses. The paper engages in a qualitative examination of the literature currently available with respect to optimism and patient outcomes. The paper also examines whether patients can learn to adopt optimistic mindsets that may contribute to an improved quality of life. Much of the literature reviewed supports the hypothesis that optimism results in greater resilience and quality of life but the paper concludes that, at this time, there is little evidence supporting the notion that optimism itself may result in improved disease outcomes.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose
Search and Focus Strategies
Literature Review
Optimism and Patient Outlook
Can Optimism/Resiliency be Taught?
Summary of Research Findings
Practice Implications
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Support for optimism as a mode for improving quality of life is abundant. Lyons, et. al (2004) confirms that optimism may influence the quality of life for patients with Parkinson's. Further the researcher concludes that optimism and pessimism may reflect the attitudes of clinicians dealing with patients. Clinicians that are more optimistic about a patient's outcome and quality of life typically work with patients that are more optimistic (Lyons, et. al, 2004). Interestingly enough, clinicians that have negative perceptions of a patients' outcome are more likely to work with patients that realize a poor quality of life. Studies like this definitely support the idea that optimism and pessimism both are traits that can not only be learned, but shared from one person to the next."

Tags:related, dispositional, attribute, inherent, learned, healthcare, professionals, attitudes

Abstract
The paper looks at the factors that lead to stress and how individuals can manage stress within their daily lives. The paper asserts that the first key step within job stress management is to know when one is suffering from chronic stress. Then, the paper discusses the benefits of talking to a friendly listener who remains calm and listens in a way that makes one feel understood, and also highlights the role of one's atittude in handling unexpected situations. Ultimately, the paper shows how job stress management is about organization and simplifying one's life down to the most basic elements.

From the Paper
"Stress is something that normally occurs very often when you perceive a situation as threatening or when you are dealing with an unusually large number of everyday responsibilities. With the intense demands of home and work life, many people are experiencing more and more daily amounts of stress. Since stress itself can be effected by a myriad of factors and oftentimes is amplified from the stress level experienced in another situation the overall effect is that one can never know the exact nature of one's stress level. The aim of stress management is to help balance the various aspects of one's life so that they are not completely overwhelmed by stress, that your work, your relationships and your leisure are all balanced with the physical, intellectual and emotional aspects of your life. People who effectively manage stress consider life a challenge rather than a series of irritations, and they feel that they have control over their lives, even in the face of certain setbacks."

Tags:friends, listener, attitude, balance, support, lifestyle

Abstract
The paper addresses the prevalent myth in North American society that sexuality and the aging patient do not have any association. The paper explains that the main contributing factors to this notion are age and ageism, illness and especially certain chronic illnesses in later life, the effects of medications, sociocultural attitudes toward sex generally, and the availability of a partner. The paper also notes that social attitudes toward sexuality extend to the health care system and research since research studies have virtually ignored sexuality in the elderly patient (DeLamater & Sill, 2005). The paper goes on to reveal that sexuality in the elderly reflects the truth that the need for intimacy and affection is a lifelong process (Aziz & Baladerian, 2002). This paper examines how a client living with dementia experiences and manages sexuality.

From the Paper
"It is a prevalent myth in North American society that sexuality and the aging patient do not have any association. The main contributing factors to this notion are age and ageism, illness and especially certain chronic illnesses in later life, the effects of medications, sociocultural attitudes toward sex generally, and the availability of a partner. In addition, social attitudes toward sexuality extend to the health care system and research since research studies have virtually ignored sexuality in the elderly patient (DeLamater & Sill, 2005). Sexuality in..."

Tags:sexuality, client, interventions

Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between optimism and resiliency and quality of life as reported by patients with chronic or debilitating illnesses. The researcher engages in a qualitative examination of the literature currently available with respect to optimism and patient outcomes. An analysis of the current literature available shows that optimism and resilience are related to each other in several ways. Much of the literature reviewed supports the hypothesis that optimism results in greater resilience and quality of life. It concludes that at this time, however, there is little evidence supporting the notion that optimism itself may result in improved disease outcomes. It also suggests that optimism is a dispositional attribute that may be inherent in a patient and how there is adequate evidence supporting training for healthcare professionals to encourage optimistic attitudes in patients. These ideas and more are explored in greater detail in the paper.

Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose
Search and Focus Strategies
Literature Review
Optimism and Patient Outlook
Can Optimism/Resiliency Be Taught?
Summary of Research Findings
Practice Implications
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Many researchers confirm that patient attitudes including pessimism and optimism influence health related outcomes (Lyons, et. al, 354). Lyons et. al, (2004) conducted a study examining the long term effects of patient attitude on health in a group of Parkinson's patients. The study showed that optimism and pessimism by the caregiver of a patient can negatively or positive affect their outcome. The study participants concluded that optimism played a role in predicting the magnitude of patient problems after treatment. The authors suggest that nurses and clinicians play an important role in patient outcome. They can intervene and affect quality of life positively by displaying an optimistic attitude early in patient care treatment (Lyons, et. al, 354). From this research study one may also conclude that optimism is a learned or behavioral trait, as it may be influenced not only by patient beliefs but by the attitudes of caregivers."

Tags:cancer, disease, healthcare

Abstract
This paper uses the Roper-Logan-Tierney nursing model to discuss the care planning requirements of a patient admitted for respite care with chronic bilateral leg ulcers. It looks at how the assessment of a patient using the Roper, Logan and Tierney nursing model allows us to identify problems, which are not purely medical in nature and shows how in this particular case, care issues include pain, nausea, SOB, hygiene and UTI. It also discusses staff attitudes to pain and wellness.

From the Paper
"The next listed problem for the patient was nausea. This was a fairly constant sensation that had not led to vomiting. The patient seemed to think that it was not as acute at the time of admission as prior. However, it had led to a loss of appetite. It had been decided, with patient consultation, not to prescribe any antiemetic, unless the symptoms became more severe or recurrent. This made it important to monitor the situation in addition to the fact of loss of appetite can lead to a depressed state and further nausea. It has been shown that there has been a lack of attention to the nutritional status of older patients in NHS hospitals in England and Wales over recent years (Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, 1997)."

Tags:logan, model, pain, roper, tierney, ulcers

Abstract
The paper discusses how contemporary theorists are increasingly concerned with the potential health benefits of optimism and the potential consequences pessimistic behavior may have on an individual's long-term health and well-being. The paper examines a study by M. Kivimaki that shows how an optimistic attitude may help individuals cope with dramatic life events, including chronic illness or death among close family. The study proves that disposition may play a key role in one's health and recovery after a major and even minor illness. Further, the paper points out that the results of this study imply that attitude adjustments may significantly impact one's health and well-being in the long term.

Outline:
Overview
Summarize Features of Article
Hypothesis and Research Questions
Study Participants and Methods
Strengths, Weaknesses and Implications
Conclusions

From the Paper
"In the article "Optimism and Pessimism as Predictors of Change in Health After Death or Onset of Severe Illness in Family" the authors examine changes occurring in health after a major life event including onset of a severe illness in the family or the death of a loved one or family member. The primary objective of the study is to predict whether optimistic attitudes will result in better coping ability and a more positive health outcome among study participants. The authors assume that this will occur, hypothesizing that optimism contributes to better outcomes among patients dealing with major life events or coping with the illness or death of a loved one."

Tags:positive, power, negative, coping, stress

Abstract
The paper is written by an author who describes the loss of her religious beliefs. The author explains that she was once a Jehovah's Witness but now struggles with her belief in God and with religion all together. The author also details periods in her life in which she went door to door and was homeschooled specifically so that she could "dedicate much of my time to my "ministry." I hated it from day one." The author continues on to chronical other personal events that caused her shift in faith; such as, when she left home on her 18th birthday to marry "a lapsed Catholic Taoist." And, how she left her religion not because she doubted that it was the truth, but because she hated it. She writes, "I hated the cliques, the self-righteousness, the hypocrisy, the gossipy backstabbing, the holier-than-thou attitudes I saw all around me, but I still felt that it was the truth. I knew nothing else." The author concludes by saying, "Me, I'm on the fence. If I believe completely in the God described in the Bible, none of us will ever be able to please Him and we're all screwed. I have to believe in a loving, just God who lets the world suffer to prove a point to a disobedient angel."

From the Paper
"The fact of the matter is that I become exhausted dusting away the misconceptions people have about a religion and way of life that does not interest me and that I do not wish to be connected with. I'm not sure why this is; if someone came up to me and attempted to bait me by saying, "I've heard that Stalin was a really nice guy once you got to know him," I would bite that hook so quickly it would make your head spin! I would wax on for hours about collectivization and unacknowledged genocides, and how Communism is a great idea that doesn't work on people. But I have no interest in either defending or defaming the religion that I was brought up in."

Tags:ministry, truth, misconceptions, Jahova's, Witness

Abstract
This paper explains that over the decades the homeless problem in the U.S. has decreased; however, due to the recent increase in home foreclosures and the floundering economy, the numbers may be once again increasing. The author proposes a way to renew interest in the homeless, especially about those individuals who are not purposely on the streets. The paper reports literature and describes a day-long seminar on this topic.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Stated Problem
Research
Literature

From the Paper
"Marcus also relates the history of homelessness in the United States, contextualizing the growth of poverty and homelessness in the 1980s with similar growth during the Great Depression and the post WWII era. He may acknowledge economic factors, such as high inflation, declining wages, and job loss in deepening poverty in the 1980s, Marcus stresses the continuity of the homeless phenomenon of the Reagan era with the skid rows, vagabonds, and hobos dating back to the 1930s. He is interested in why the 1980s are conceived of as a "homeless crisis," when poverty and lack of affordable housing were not defined as such in other historical periods."

Tags:chronic attitudes, domestic violence, seminar profiles