The journal of nursing (China) 

About: The journal of nursing (China) is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Nursing care & Health care. Over the lifetime, 952 publications have been published receiving 3840 citations.

Concept analysis of empowerment

Abstract: Empowerment is a widely accepted concept in health-related disciplines. It is considered important for helping patients to gain control over their lives in order to make changes in health behaviors. The concept is frequently viewed as being too abstract and lacking a usable definition. The authors use Walker and Avane (1995) methods to review the existing literature and to analyze the empowerment concept. The models, empirical studies, and research instruments that are discussed may be helpful to nurses who want to apply the concept to their nursing practices.

A comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling

Abstract: Convenience sampling and purposive sampling are two different sampling methods. This article first explains sampling terms such as target population, accessible population, simple random sampling, intended sample, actual sample, and statistical power analysis. These terms are then used to explain the difference between "convenience sampling" and purposive sampling." Convenience sampling is a non-probabilistic sampling technique applicable to qualitative or quantitative studies, although it is most frequently used in quantitative studies. In convenience samples, subjects more readily accessible to the researcher are more likely to be included. Thus, in quantitative studies, opportunity to participate is not equal for all qualified individuals in the target population and study results are not necessarily generalizable to this population. As in all quantitative studies, increasing the sample size increases the statistical power of the convenience sample. In contrast, purposive sampling is typically used in qualitative studies. Researchers who use this technique carefully select subjects based on study purpose with the expectation that each participant will provide unique and rich information of value to the study. As a result, members of the accessible population are not interchangeable and sample size is determined by data saturation not by statistical power analysis.

A concept analysis of autonomy

Abstract: Holistic care is the primary focus of today's health care system. Nurses are encouraged to maintain good relationships with their patients and to be sensitive to patient autonomy. Furthermore, patients are increasingly demanding and enjoying the right to join in decision-making processes concerning their treatment plans. The importance of patient autonomy is emphasized in the nursing literature on ethics, but no articles focus on the specific situation in Taiwan. The authors review definitions of and concepts tied to autonomy in the literature, redefine the concept to incorporate additional attributes, and construct example cases. Finally, they list empirical references on the application of the concept and the development of appropriate measures.

Symptom clusters in cancer patients

Abstract: Cancer patients often experience multiple symptoms simultaneously. These symptoms can, either individually or jointly, exert significant impacts on patients' lives. Recently, the focus of symptom research has shifted from individual symptoms to symptom clusters. The purposes of the current paper are to review the studies on symptom clusters and to provide suggestions for clinical practice and research. The symptom cluster has been defined as two or more symptoms that are correlated. Research on symptom clusters can be classified into three types. The first type usually identifies, on the basis of researchers' experience or previous studies, a single symptom cluster containing three to four correlated symptoms. The second type focuses on using statistical methods to identify multiple symptom clusters. The third type uses statistical methods to classify patients in accordance with their symptom profiles. The sickness behaviors induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines found in animal studies have been reported to be similar to symptoms experienced by cancer patients. This finding suggests a common etiology for cancer symptom clusters. Studies have identified some patient factors that correlate with the severity of symptom clusters, and have reported that some symptom clusters may exert a negative effect on the patient. The literature suggests two approaches to managing symptom clusters: utilizing the phenomenon of symptom overlap or utilizing potentially common physiological mechanisms. This paper also discusses unresolved issues in symptom cluster research.