Maximizing learning outcomes by videotaping nursing students' interactions with a standardized patient

1. Videotaping is a beneficial instructional methodology to help undergraduate students develop awareness of their strengths and opportunities for growth in therapeutic interactional skills. 2. Educational interventions with undergraduate students provide an opportunity to involve doctoral students in vital instruction, research, and knowledge dissemination through publication and presentation. 3. Allowing novice nurses to view their interactional skills with a simulated patient can reduce the anxiety they experience in first therapeutic encounters with assigned patients. 4. Continuous quality improvement in educational methodology is dependent on listening carefully to students who have invaluable feedback to offer and making appropriate correction as indicated.     

Technology and managing people:

conclusion The Information Age has revolutionized the workplace. While it is possible to purchase or copy machines and technology, their very interchangeability means they fail to cre-ate a sustained competitive advantage for an organization (Barney, 1991). The research directions this paper offers are intended to develop firm knowledge that allows creation of inimitable human resources. Importantly, in the rush to embrace new information technologies, organizations must remember the fundamental principle that workers will invest in firm goals in the presence of shared values and a commitment by the firm to make their well-being a priority. We urge continued attention to fulfillment of the psy-chological contract, and to the "people issues" that frequently seem less critical than issues of hardware or technology.     

Data-based organizational change: the use of administrative data to improve child welfare programs and policy

Administrative databases hold the potential to have a significant impact on the development of effective child welfare programs and policies. This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of administrative databases, issues with their implementation and data analysis, and effective presentation of their data at different levels in child welfare organizations.     

Abuse, support, and depression among homeless and runaway adolescents

This study examines the effectiveness of social support networks on psychological well-being among 602 homeless and runaway adolescents. The respondents were interviewed in shelters, drop-in centers, and on the streets in cities of four Midwestern states (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas). The path model was used to test the direct effect of family abuse and precocious independence on adolescent depressive symptoms and indirect effects through social support networks. Results indicate that although abusive family origins contribute directly to depressive symptoms there are indirect effects of family abuse and early independence through social support networks. Family abuse and early independence drive homeless adolescents to rely on peers for social support. While support from friends on the street reduces depression, association with deviant peers increases depression.     

The value of information concept applied to data systems

Cost-benefit analysis has a considerable literature in which information systems have been patently ignored. This reflects the considerable difficulties of applying the theory to information systems, and the state-of-the art remains relatively as Koopmans described it some 19 years ago (1957). A bar to further development would appear to be the lack of an applicable value-of-information concept. This paper seeks to clarify the issues and provide a robust theoretical and data analysis framework that will cover most situations. The approach here is to separate explicitly the dimensions of cost from those of information benefit, and examine the implications. The Null Information Benefit condition emerges as a special theoretical case, but potentially a most important one in applications. This case together with the Pareto optimum defines a large class of such problems that can be handled by the decision criteria and data analysis techniques tabulated and discussed here. The selection of input data techniques defines the limits of later project justification and may be crucial to the political viability of the projects throughout its life. Finally, the general management vs information systems management relationships are discussed in terms of this situation.     

An application of multiple objective linear programming to media selection

A multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) method utilizing interval criterion weights is applied to the problem of media selection. Using this technique, it is possible to analyze a problem more explicitly in terms of the several objectives inherent in many media selection situations. In order to illustrate the interval criterion weights approach, a multiple objective hierarchical media selection model is presented and its computer results discussed. In addition to being able to deal more directly with different decision criteria, a distinguishing feature of the mathematical analysis applied here is that its output enables the media-planner to be presented with a small cluster of candidate media schedules (rather than just one). Then, from this list, the media-planner should be in a position to qualitatively make a final choice as a close approximation to his optimal solution.     

Beyond expectancy theory: an integrative motivational model from health care

Expectancy theory has been criticized for its omission of normative, habitual, and other motivational elements. This paper describes the sources and features of an integrative motivational model from the field of preventive health care that combines expectancy/valence factors with habitual, normative, and conative motivational elements. The model is viewed as having implications for work motivation as well.     

Behavioural Social Work with Schizophrenic Patients in the Community

Summary A preliminary project on the application of behaviour modificationprocedures in the home setting is reported together with commentson the social needs of schizophrenic patients and their families.The article includes suggestions about social work with thisclient group based on the project experience.