Abstract This paper presents an overview of Sickle Cell disease, discussing major concerns associated with the disease including that of pain management. The paper reviews a number of studies about the management of sickle cell disease pain.
From the Paper "Sickle cell disease is common in the United States among African-Americans. Pain is a problem associated with sickle cell disease which occurs when blood vessels become clogged with sickle shaped red blood cells that are hard and sticky, preventing blood from flowing through the veins. A clogged blood vessel is called an occlusion and occlusions in blood vessels can..."
Abstract This paper proposes a study to review the efficacy of a diseasemanagement program for osteoarthritis (OA) in a primary care setting, based on preservation of joint function as well as adequate pain management. For the purposes of this study, the following question is asked: "How does a primary care based medical and educational management program effect the disease progression in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis as evidenced by a reduction in pain and progression of disease?" The author hypothesizes that it is insufficient to provide self-administered education programs for OA patients and that an interactive program containing education, pain management, hands on evaluation and frequent follow up will demonstrate patient reports of reduction in daily pain as well as objective demonstration of preservation of function, as evidenced by serial physical examination.
Outline:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Literature Review
Research Design
From the Paper "Conversely, a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology reports there was no significant improvement in patient function or pain related to implementation of the Arthritis Self Management Program (ASMP). Subjects were recruited for intervention and evaluated at baseline as well as four months after completion of the course or reading of the ASMP manual (This group functioned as the control for the study). No significant clinical benefits were noted at four months in patients who had been recruited from primary care practices, although the authors were able to note an improvement in other patient groups, such as those who had been referred for specialty care. "
Abstract This paper examines the complex repercussions of venereal disease for both men and women in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. It discusses the implications of the Contagious Diseases Acts in Britain and analyzes the methods by which repealers sought to overturn the Acts and looks at the responses their actions provoked. In this way, the paper explains why venereal disease and its management was such an intensely politicized issue.
From the Paper "In attempting to repeal the acts, a whole host of feminist and social puritan organizations sprung up in opposition - not only to the acts themselves, but to the whole system of double standards, social mores and political inconsistencies that underlay them. The interactions and alliances within and between these groups were complex and at times counter-intuitive. For example, middle and upper-class women formed a partnership with working class men (who undoubtedly sought repeal of the acts for different reasons to the women), as well as prominent sexologists. But in general, the movement for repeal, at least in the eyes of women, sought common and clear aims - ones which went beyond simple repeal of the acts and asked for a great deal more. This in turn sparked much opposition from the men who were threatened by such demands, resulting in a volatile political climate."
Abstract The paper describes the Think Positive Diabetes Wireless' t+Diabetes system that is designed to assist diabetic patients with monitoring and health care management and is the first to include cell phone technology to assist the patient. The paper discusses the inclusion of medically trained diabetic councilors who can assist the client in controlling the disease. The paper considers the broader application of a mobile diseasemanagement network and relates that mobile technology for diseasemanagement is the wave of the future, not only for diabetes care but for other health related issues and needs.
From the Paper "Diabetes is, "a disease that affects nearly 21 million people--about 7 percent of the United States' population--including 1 in every 8 African-Americans. And while diabetes has no cure, new high-tech tools--as well as good, old-fashioned, hands-on education--are being used in an effort to make it easier to manage the deadly disease." (Chappell, 2006, p. 158) Diabetes management has been a monumental challenge since diabetes was first identified as a disease that could be effectively treated in the long term. (Jones, 2006, p. 132) Many individuals have problems with treatment compliance and managing diabetes from a medical standpoint can be complicated and ever shifting, depending on many external factors as well as issues involving medication dosage changes and difficulty managing blood sugar testing on a regular basis."
Abstract The essay begins with a discussion of genetic and environmental risk factors for disease, and the interaction between the two. The essay then goes on to discuss the improved management of genetic disease, thanks to progress in science and technology, dividing management into prevention and treatment. The paper explains how medical professionals are seeking to treat the root of the problem through organ transplants, somatic cell therapy, vaccines, gene therapy, dietary modifications, and more.
From the Paper "The combined effects of both multiple genetic and environmental risk factors cause some diseases. Most of the risk factors are probably of small effect individually but in combination with genetic susceptibility they may cause illnesses including; diabetes, coronary heart disease, breast cancer, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. [2] A greater knowledge of the pathophysiology of such diseases is necessary and research is discovering new facts everyday but the lack of a simple relationship between genotype and phenotype makes conclusions difficult. Not everyone with a given susceptibility gene gets the disease and not everyone with the disease has a given susceptibility gene."
This paper discusses Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder, which affects muscular movement, creates tremor, and increases posture rigidity.
Abstract This paper explains that the exact cause for the onset of Parkinson's disease has not yet been clearly established, though a combination of factors, such as accelerated aging, oxidative stress, environmental toxins and neurotoxins, and genetic predisposition, may be responsible. The author points out that the medical treatment of Parkinson's disease is broadly divided under two main categories, namely, stereotactic surgical techniques such as thalamotomy, pallidotomy, and deep brain stimulation, and pharmacological treatments using anticholinergic drugs. This paper states that skilled nursing plays an indispensable role in delivering good, symptomatic management in a long-term patient-care setting.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease Etiology
Symptoms and Complications
Medical Treatment
Patient Education and Care (Nursing Intervention)
From the Paper "The debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease, requires efficient nursing care. Nurses play an important part in educating the patient about the long-term effects of the disease, the possible complications, and side effects of the continuous use of medicines and in assisting them to successfully manage the symptoms. The positive therapeutic effects of a loving and supportive nursing care cannot be understated. Especially for very old people who require long-term care, nurses play a vital role in overseeing the nutritional interventions, studying the functional status and the daily progress and in effectively managing other complications (like Orthostatic hypotension, Dysphagia) which are common in advanced stages."
Abstract This paper is a literature review of an article on advanced practice nursing in the care and management of Alzheimer's disease. It cites statistics and focused briefly on the pathology of the disorder, diagnostics and is primarily interested in the needs based management of the patient, caregivers and family members, with the author stressing quality of daily life.
From the Paper "With the gradual lengthening of the human lifespan, geriatric medicine is faced with new problems: Alzheimer's disease, loneliness and depression, elder abuse and failing senses. For the registered nurse, the problems are compounded as the role of the nurse is to provide care and comfort. Alzheimer's disease presents a difficult set of complex issues which make it difficult for the RN in practice. Traditionally the Advanced Practice RN was there to help educate the family, and bring some comfort to the patient, comfort on an ever changing concept to the patient of what that comfort entails. This paper presents a literature review on management techniques that are patient oriented and seen from a "needs that are unmet" basis of disruption. Following the review, a patient assessment is presented."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth study of whirling disease. It describes everything from game management, to current research and the disease cycle. The paper illustrates how the disease has spread and the current fish populations affected in the U.S. and world wide. The paper examines the fish species and their treatment options. Finally, it includes the current statements from the U.S. Fish and Game officials from three different states.
From the Paper "Prior to 1990, the Madison River in southwest Montana was a prime example of a blue ribbon trout stream, famous for its wild rainbow trout. Many people considered the river to be the ?cathedral of fly-fishing,? as it summons anglers from around the world. The following years showed a dramatic decrease in the rainbow trout population when it plummeted from 3500 fish per mile to 300 per mile in 1994 (Potera, 1997). On one 55-mile stretch of the Madison, an estimated half-million fish have been killed since 1990; including 90% of the fingerling rainbows and the catch rate of adult rainbows has dropped 75% (Woodbury, 1996). Some fly-fishermen were spending the entire day on the river and reportedly getting "skunked" (not catching any fish). The residents of Montana became worried because the income generated from trout fishing brings $250 million per year into the state (Potera, 1997)."
Abstract The paper discusses the physiology, incidence, genetics, treatment, demographics and other factors affecting persons suffering with Alzheimer's. The paper highlights the manner in which the affliction affects persons with regard to behavioral problems, psychotic symptoms as well as depression. The paper then discusses the management of the problem and comments on how treatment with drugs can be effective.
From the Paper "In the medical treatment of Alzheimer's disease, two aspects are concerned. First is the delaying or improvement of the patient's cognitive abilities. The second aspect is the medical treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disturbances. In improving the patient's memory and cognitive abilities, the pathogenesis of the disease must be considered. "There is a lack of acetylcholine being secreted by the brain cells. Therefore, the volume of acetylcholine must be amplified by blocking acetyl cholinesterase action. Acetyl cholinesterase is responsible in the enzymatic breakdown of acetylcholine after a synapse has occurred. Several acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors are approved for Alzheimer's disease. "
Abstract This paper takes a look at depression in patients suffering with HIV/AIDS. According to the paper, depression is not caused by HIV directly, but it has been found that those who have HIV/AIDS often also suffer from depression. The paper goes on to say that it is important to understand how depression impacts HIV/AIDS with regard to the disease progression so that depression treatment can be effectively handled to reduce the advance of the disease in those who suffer from it.
Outline:
Background of the Problem
Conclusion
From the Paper " One of the weaknesses that this study had, was the instrument used to determine depression. While it is a marker for depressive illness it does not determine the rate or severity of the depression in the individual patient, which may have been helpful in separating the results into more definable categories(McDermott, 1999)."
"The study concluded that depression does not speed the progress of HIV but admits because of some of the inconsistent issues, such as the failure to divide the degrees of depression within the participants that the study should be repeated using different instruments to determine its validity(McDermott, 1999)."
Tags: death, mortality, rate, disease, management, antiretroviral, medication, life
Abstract This paper explains that nursing case management is a care delivery model designed especially to coordinate and manage high-quality patient service across the variety of healthcare systems. The author suggests that, with steadily rising medical costs combined with an increasing number of older patients, case management provides a means of practicing cost containment and yet providing excellent care. The paper conducts a literature review on the role of nursing case management in the areas of quality of life and re-hospitalization and concludes that the literature review was disappointing because it did not reveal any studies comparing case management versus traditional nursing care and that the articles reported generalizations lacking statistics.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Case Management and Quality Of Life
Case Management and Rehospitalization
Discussion
From the Paper "In a study specifically providing care to older women with breast cancer, Jenning-Sanders and Anderson (2003) recognized the many challenges that an older woman and her family face when diagnosed with breast cancer. They hypothesized that using nurse case managers may help older clients and their families to adapt to the many issues associated with this illness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe how older breast cancer clients perceive the care received from nursing case managers."
Tags: coordinate, chronic disease, family low-profile generalities
Abstract This paper examines the disorder of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It particularly emphasizes diseasemanagement. The paper reviews the disorder, symptoms and prognosis. It then provides a more detailed examination of the problematic aspects in managing day-to-day activities, such as work, family and social obligations, due to the illness. The paper looks at how patient lifestyle modifications and adaptive measures can influence the outcome of CFS.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Managing the Disorder
From the Paper "CFS is a complex and demanding disorder that significantly alters one's lifestyle and affects more than just the patient. Comprehensive understanding of the disorder and how each patient is affected are essential in order to help the patient manage their disorder effectively and avoid further depressive, frustration and anger based emotional complications that normally plague an individual with a chronic disorder. For the patient with CFS, such a reaction creates a negative cyclical spiral. A positive approach and helping the patient to accept their situation, focusing on what they can do rather than on their limitations will promote a sense of well-being rather than disability."
Abstract The author of the paper contends that all human beings are entitled to health care and that it is the responsibility of the state to provide that care to all. However, the author continues and states that, due to the increasingly technological nature of medicine, rising costs make it economically unfeasible for a government to provide full medical care to all of its citizens. In the paper, the writer examines and gives examples of different healthcare management processes in an attempt to show how effective management and utilization of resources can make health care more efficient and significantly reduce costs, thus making an advanced care system available to more sectors of society.
From the Paper "Being primarily focused upon human well-being, I believe that health care is primarily a social good and secondarily an economic good. The economic element of health care is undeniable, as the above-mentioned technological developments and research require significant funding. However, the focus of these remains human well-being rather than the economic and business sectors. In terms of this, I believe that the health care sector is obliged to provide a national insurance plan that guarantees access to all human beings. Certainly the opportunity to experience optimal health for a human lifetime is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed. This is as important under the constitution as the right to gainful employment and pursuing happiness. Although it might not always be realistically possible, like the other constitutional rights, the health care sector, together with the government, should at least provide all citizens with access to both affordable and high quality care."
Abstract This paper discusses strategic planning in healthcare as it relates to the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), a healthcare facility situated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The writer explains that the syntax of strategic planning generally refers to a multitude of processes and methodologies used to collect and analyze data in order to assist the management in taking the most effective decisions for the company. The writer looks at the aims of SKMC and analyzes its operation and costs. The writer notes that SKMC is the largest most modern healthcare facility in the United Arab Emirates and it has contributed significantly to improving the lifestyle and health of the citizens. However, the writer concludes that in dealing with the problems characteristic to new hospitals, mainly the lack of specialized personnel, SKMC has to overcome the shortage of nursing staff.
From the Paper "Specialized economists have developed a step-by-step scheme for strategic planning which, if correctly applied, would insure the successful outcome of the process. In this order of ideas, however the sources on the matter vary, the most agreed scheme includes the following steps: developing a situational analysis that describes the company and its current problems needing to be solved; stating the company's vision, mission and objectives to be reached; elaborating the SWOT analysis to identify internal and external factors that influence the company and finally, proposing justified solutions to the problems encountered and means of achieving the company's goals."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed overview of sickle cell disease, an inherited disease of the red blood cells, which is present from birth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the history of the disease, including its discovery. Next the paper investigates the pathophysiological aspects of the disease, presenting the information in easy-to-understand layman terms. The paper then discusses how sickle cell disease affects sufferers physically. Finally the paper presents and evaluates treatment options.
Outline:
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiological Basics of Sickle Cell Disease Physical Manifestations of Sickle Cell Disease Treatment options for Sickle Cell Disease Conclusion
From the Paper "Before one can speak in depth on sickle cell disease itself, one must understand the basic pathophysiology which surrounds the condition. Hemoglobin is a protein carried by red cells, which carries oxygen from the lungs for delivery to peripheral tissues. It is composed of two similar proteins, alpha and beta. It is the coordinated action of the alpha and beta globin chains which allow the oxygen transport to occur. These two chains combine to form hemoglobin. During life, except during the very first week of embryonic development, one of the globin chains in an alpha. A developing fetus also has another chain which is a gamma globin; sometimes called non-alpha is present in the fetal circulation. The gamma globin is replaced shortly after birth with the beta, which then chains with the alpha. When two alpha chains combine with two gamma chains, this is called Hemoglobin F, or the common hemoglobin of fetal circulation. Adult hemoglobin, formed of two alpha and beta chains is called Hemoglobin A. If one alpha and one non-alpha chain combine, then this two chain combination is called a dimer and it not functional enough to deliver oxygen to tissues."
