Module 6

Like/Dislike
I liked the idea of working at my own pace. I also liked that a bunch of modules were due at different times throughout the semester. That way you could pace yourself but you could never get too far behind.
Some of the modules had a lot to do and felt overwhelming at times. Some of the quizzes were quite difficult and the answers were very obtuse.
Topic learned most about:
Information retrieval. I thought that I knew how to do this and verify my sources. But I was wrong. I learned so much more that will come in handy when I am doing research for information to give my patients.
What was favorite topic:
Teaching with technology. I loved all of the different aspects especially the podcasts and you-tube videos. I even had my kids watch the one that took place with the survey in the class room. They agreed with me 100% about being in the digital age. They also thought more teachers should take advantage of the digital information that is available to them.
Least favorite:
My least favorite module was using Endnote. I hate this program so much, but I am learning to deal with it. I want it to work the way it is supposed to but I can not seem to grasp it. I also find that endnote sometimes just tries to insert references in other word documents as you are working on them. I will have to memorize the 300 page manual to become an expert, but I am trying very hard.

No other comments;)

Module 5

Why would a patient want to create a blog?
A patient could create a blog for many reasons. The blog could be used as a way for the family to connect with his/her family members about how the patient is doing. A blog can also be created to criticize or praise the hospital and staff that are caring for the patient. “You can find out more with less effort, and spread it farther and faster than anyone ever dreamed was possible” (Curtin, 2005).
What might they gain from this?
Creating a blog might be the patient’s way of expression. The patient might not feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with the staff at the hospital. The patient might have had a bad experience at the hospital and wanted to warn others to be aware of it. In the end the patient might even gain popularity from their blog.
Why would a healthcare provider create a blog?
They would want customers to see their human sides and that their business is in the 21st century. They might post answers to commonly asked questions. They could possibly post a list of when immunizations are due, etc.
They could also do a weekly/monthly in-service through their blog about specific diseases that are affecting their population.
A blog is a good way for a provider to reach all patients at anytime.
Ethical considerations?
You must remember that this is a public site and you must post with in the boundaries of ethics. You should never post anything that everyone could not read. When you post, post as if you were talking to a group of patients, that way you will not run into ethical problems.
Also never be definitive with your answers or statements in the blog. Always state that if patients are worried or have additional questions they should come into the office.

Module 3

What sort of teaching is done in your nursing role? Is there any nursing role that does not involve teaching in some manner?

Multiple teaching opportunities exist at my job. I use videos, documents, and websites to facilitate my teaching of my parents/clients. My teaching is done face to face to acknowledge that the parent understands their problem.

There is NO nursing role that does not involve teaching!!!

Module 4-Decision support for care delivery

In the article, “Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases”, Tversky and Kahneman state that “people rely on a limited number of heuristic principles which reduce the complex tasted of accusing probabilities and predicting values to simpler judgmental operations”. I had assumed that this was not the case with me, which I would be able to use probabilities to come to a more accurate conclusion. But upon doing the examples provided in the article I came to the same conclusion, as did the greater public. I was disappointed but it made me think. I learned that instead of putting a “respiratory patient” into the usual criteria of respiratory patients I should see this patient as an individual and look for symptoms outside of the normal assessment. Employing this would lead to better assessment. Employing this would lead to better assessment skills. Also when I look at sample sizes I will ignore the smaller sample size and rely on my statistical training to help determine if an intervention is truly making a difference.

The article “Clinical Decision Support Systems in Nursing” by J.Anderson and P.Wilson brought to light the issue of CDSS (clinical decision support systems) and CPG (clinical practice guidelines) and using both to further the evidence based clinical decision-making. I have used CPG in my own work and most colleagues rely on this system when they are unsure of a correct method for a procedure. Adding CDSS’s would enhance the decision-making and practical aspects of patient care.

An overall change has occurred with my feelings towards CDSS’s. At first I wondered what the point was of another decision-making tool. The evidence was overwhelmingly in favor of the CDSS’s and adding it to the CPG processes this showed the greatest improvement of patient outcomes.

Module 2

I used PubMed,Endnote, and Google to retrieve information about my clinical problem. Of the sites above I liked the ease of use with the retrieval of information with EndNote but the all over ease of use of Google. Who does not like Google? I Google everything!!! Anything that I do not know an answer to I will first Google! Thought a draw back with Google is that you have to sift through so much information. You also have to determine if that information is from a reputable site.
For some reason EndNote had trouble connecting to PubMed which was hard because a lot of my references were found on PubMed. But where would we be if everything worked perfectly? Not screaming at my computer and turning it off and on again and downloading the program at least twice and then finding it to delete it again!! Oh how I love technology.
I really liked using NGC website. It was easy to use and very straight forward. I was able to put my syndrome in and find quite a few relevant searches within a few minutes! I have never used this searching site before and I have come to really like it and will probably use it in the future. It also allowed you to use MeSH just like PubMed, this allowed you to do a more detailed search.

Introduction-Module 1

Intro: I am truly struggling in the web based world! I can't even get to my own blog site by myself.
My life is too boring, I work full time and go to school full time and raise a family! I am very funny and like to keep things light!!!
For excursions I work, sleep, and wish for free time! I am in the Pediatric program and will graduate in 2012. I love this program!!!

WHY DO I NEED TO LEARN ABOUT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT:
I know nothing about it. Managing information sounds like a great idea! I am sure in the future it will help me in the clinic setting with my practice. My practice will improve with the extra knowledge gained from IM.

Describe what is happening related to IT in your clinical practice setting?
We have started computerized charting on our unit and medication management through the computer program. The use of doctor notes on the computer. X-rays on the computer and their analysis, which improves the patients comfort levels. LAB results via computer helps with the timeliness of the results.