Ye Olde paper: 1996 "Humans, information and science"

I learned this past week that the abstract of an old paper is available online. Being 1996 this was pre-website days and information in a nursing context is a subject I've often thought of returning to. ...

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Volume 24 Issue 3
1996: Pages 591 - 598.

Published Online: 28 Jun 2008
Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Humans, information and science

ABSTRACT

The use of information forms the basis of nursing policies, standards and professional codes of conduct. Although used intuitively, nurses must now also grapple empirically with information needs often defined by others, and with the technology used to capture and process it. Even the briefest contemplation of 'information' reveals a truly pervasive concept. Information is ubiquitous. In order to care effectively in the so-called 'information age' health care professionals need to understand information.

This paper is a small contribution to that effort, attempting to conjoin the disparate fields of health and the information sciences, and the basic sciences upon which they are based. This paper explores how definitions of information formulated in computing and communication theory relate to health and other aspects of human experience. The strategy adopted to achieve this is threefold. First, there is the vexed question of defining data, information and knowledge. Second, I consider how communication — that essential nursing activity — relates to information, meaning and the messages people seek to convey to each other. Thirdly, clinical situations are described in an information-oriented manner, using the concepts of 'redundancy' and 'entropy'. The conclusion provides an historical perspective.

Accepted for publication 5 October 1995.

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI) About DIO
10.1111/j.1365-2648.1996.tb00174.x

Help for NHS.jobs and job hunters with standard file names

NHS.jobs is a marvellous web resource. Once you have entered your personal and career details you can save time and focus on what matters....

One thing I've noticed is that should you download assorted 'job descriptions', 'person specifications' and other essential guidance the files become meaningless when listed.

Browsers and operating systems do behave differently, but on my PC extra characters are appended to differentiate one 'jobdescription.doc (or pdf)' file from another.

There must be a way to define a standard across the NHS (and dare we suggest the social care sector)? Then prospective job-hunters can see from the file name the organisation, the job title, closing date or other combination of details? Given the redundancy in our language(s), the need for equality (in access) it would not take much to achieve this?

There are some points of note: what's the shelf (directory!) life of these files? "If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date then please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion."... Plus, the semantic web and an intelligent file system may overtake this problem and perceived requirement, but until then...?

Even if only gifted a recommended convention, then perhaps this could quickly emerge as a standard, because it makes a difference, affords an early advantage in the 'market place' and assists everyone.


As the demographic squeeze tightens its grip this might even help HR departments, students, returnees, and the middle-aged-mid-career-crises-smitten.

Until then NHS.jobs and job hunters can only handle the files they 'receive'.

NHS.jobs does very well in helping to open doors... in the meantime I'll keep knocking ... and anyway what date did I save that person spec?

Image source: http://www.ectomo.com/index.php/2007/08/24/hand-door-handles-by-naomi-thellier/

Transcultural health & Hodges model

Text by Larson et al. (2001) is presented below with a suggested placement of
Bradshaw's (1972) typology of social need on to the four care domains of Hodges' model:

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES
SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

Felt need: The needs as perceived by members of the group.	Normative need: The group fails to meet an objective, universalistic standard. Technical definitions of need such as the Australian National Mental Health Standards are examples of normative need.
Expressed need: Through their behaviour, group members have demonstrated a need, often by lengthy queues for services or failure to attend a service.	Comparative need: The group is demonstratively worse off than another group. Comparative need is usually demonstrated through routinely collected statistics, which is problematic for small ethnic groups whose identities are rarely recorded (p.336).

Bradshaw’s framework is still widely used. The important distinction is one between the ‘top-down’, professional-derived definitions of normative and comparative needs, on the one hand, and the felt and expressed needs, interpreted as the ‘bottom-up’ expression of experiences and attitudes, on the other (p.336).

See also Larson et al. discussion of 'thin' and 'thick' needs.

(The fact that this typology can be described in terms of 'top-down' - 'bottom-up' also highlights the socio-technical potential of Hodges' model.)

References:
Bradshaw, J. (1972). The concept of social need. New Society, 19(496), 640–643.
Larson, A., Frkovic, I., van Kooten-Prasad, M., Manderson, L. (2001). Mental Health Needs Assessment in Australia’s Culturally Diverse Society, Transcultural Psychiatry, 33(3), 333-347. Abstract.

The INTRAPERSONAL links page includes Psychology I & II, Mental health, Therapies...

The SOCIOLOGICAL links page includes Patients, Carers, Sociology I & II...

Cognitive tools and fashion: no accounting for taste!

As a child of the rose tinted 60s and 70s I've seen all sorts of fashions come and go. Likewise with the tools used in nurse education. At least with cognitive tools, such as Hodges' model we don't have to wear them on our sleeve. ...

Thank goodness for that!

Image source with many thanks: John Eric Hughes

Free e-copy 1st issue - Journal of Wound Technology

This new journal (not for the squeamish) may be of interest to nurses and related physical care disciplines. There is quite a bit of advertising, but the articles are referenced and this is a very dynamic field (which the advertising probably reflects). If you register you can obtain the first three paper issues for free and there are details of a conference in January - Paris:

contact:
Les Editions MF
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 07 11 21
Fax: +33 (0)1 40 07 10 94

To subscribe or change your subscription options, please contact:
newslettercmf@fr.oleane.com

Working with the mind in dementia, not against it

The following (edited) item was posted to the NURSE PHILOSOPHY list by Phil Benjamin;
plus Sandwell Third Age Art's DVD: ‘Fountain's Jolly Inn’:

You may be interested in a novel and sophisticated model for aged care in Tasmania. This model is based on a sophisticated psychological interventions based on an understanding of the intact affective life and needs of patients, even with the most severe cognitive disabilities - useful links below:

Dementia can produce challenging and erratic behaviours. The disease itself is one cause, but so is the world outside. Which psychosocial interventions really make a difference? And, a tour through an orthodox nursing home for the most extreme cases -- there's a bus stop with no bus, a car that won't go -- and it really works.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2008/2390391.htm

http://www.adardsnursinghome.com.au/

http://www.adardsnursinghome.com.au/arnason.htm

Sandwell Third Age Arts DVD: ‘Fountain's Jolly Inn’

This film is about the making of a pub themed area inside a residential home for older people with mental health needs.

It was made by Paul Nocher.

The DVD shows how a little imagination can go a long way in creating an interesting and stimulating environment in a residential home and how the transformation of a space can enrich the lives of the people who live in it.

The Public, Patients and Carers in Hodges' model

The table below indicates some of the main concepts and concerns that
surround the PUBLIC, PATIENTS and CARERS agenda presented using the four care domains of Hodges' model:

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES
SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

Well-being, mental (subjective) health, mood, hope, human spirit. Knowledge and understanding of condition. Literacies: 3Rs, ICT, social, visual, spiritual, health.... Diagnosis - prognosis. Psychological impact. Aware of info sources tolerance, personal choices & autonomy. Response to trauma, threat, loss. Belief systems. Coping strategies. Emotional memory Perception. 'Individual pain' Motivation. Responsibility Ability to work, disability, gender Individual engagement, personhood, dignity. Self-care, Purpose Personal Health Record Attitudes, beliefs

Physical (objective) health. Chronological - Pathological Age (of care subject, carers). 'Fitness'. Activity. Systems. SAFETY PROCESSES, structural flexibility. Pain thresholds. Measures (Pain genetics, scorecards). Systems, feedback, redesign, improvement. Complexity. Change. Research: Evidence-based care. NICE. Quantitative, Quality of Life, assessment, screening. Process redundancy. Decision making PEPIN: Professional Education Public Involvement UK Network Referral, care pathways, plans, time. Self-admin drugs. Expert patient. Health, care, eng. model(s) Ill-health - Health promotion Time for data collection. Curricula design, Courses, qualification. Standards vs Innovation Computer supported engagement*

Carer - family understanding of condition, diagnosis-prognosis. Genetic implications (if any). Familial genetics pain. Sense making. Meaning. Social articulation of individual +ve & -ve experiences. Generational (role) inversion. Engagement and Social inclusion: work, social mobility, homelessness, stigma, poverty. Access to info and comms technology The Engaged E-patient Population Medical Sociology. Sick-role. PRACTICE Effects of culture 'meanings'. Dependency. Religion, fatalism. Leisure. Volunteering. Social capital / capacity. Collaborative care, concordance. Socio-cultural reach. Communications. Media. Dialogue. Qualitiative research. Social change attitudes. Shared definitions and meanings: 'engagement', 'health', 'wellness'...

POLICY, Nat. - U.N., FUNDING, GLOBAL ECONOMICS. Legislation: Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. Nat. programs: Health For All. Health & Local Social Service Auths, 3rd & Independent sectors. Choice, Equity, Equality, Access, Advocacy Services. Consultation, engagement. (PALs) LINks. Definitions: engagement continua, datasets, intelligence / reporting. Service planning and development. 'Localisation' - Center. NHS Constitution Scalability of concept: Grp - Ind. Organisational empathy ('x.org' <-> public, patient 'rapport, involvement'). Economic cost of prolonged 'patiency'. 'Patient Lead'. Compliance. Political priorities, strategy, continuity. Policy half-life. Consolidation. Governance. Expenses. Specificity of roles, social exclusion. Wellness. Disability. Human Rights. Invalidity. Re-training. Health outcomes, assessment. (Lay) Representation. Champions. Black, Minority, Ethinic groups. 'Citizen-Patient'? DoH INVOLVE1 Involve2 Retirees. NHS: 'Open All Hours' Dedicated centres: e.g., NCI3

The focus above is UK, but can be readily revised to reflect other countries.

1. INVOLVE: Promoting public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.
2. Involve: Promoting public and patient involvement in policy making and service design.
3. NHS Centre for Involvement.

Additional links:

Patients' use of the Internet for health related matters: a study of Internet usage in 2000 and 2006
Healthy Democracy: The future of involvement in health and social care, Edward Andersson, Jonathan Tritter and Richard Wilson (Editors).
Dept. of Health, Patient and Public Involvement
Engage, Northern Ireland.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
LINks: individuals and community groups who work together to improve local services.
Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services.
Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG).
National Patient Safety Agency

The SOCIOLOGICAL links page includes 'Seven Ages', 'Public, Patients, & Carers'...
The INTRAPERSONAL links page includes 'Mental Health', 'Psychology', 'Therapies'...
The POLITICAL links page includes 'Policy', 'Citizenry'...

*Several informatics schools: community, urban, social, health, nursing, gender, e-gov...