Coming dissertations at MedFak
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Information prior to prenatal diagnosis : Knowledge, informational needs and decision-making
Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-521768
The overall aim of this thesis was to explore different aspects of information relevant to decision-making regarding prenatal diagnosis (PND) for chromosomal anomalies (CA).
In Papers I–II, women and partners undergoing combined ultrasound and biochemistry (CUB) tests, invasive tests or declining PND for CAs answered a questionnaire. Overall, expectant parents had varying to low levels of knowledge about Down syndrome (DS), with few differences between women and partners, or between those accepting or declining PND. Thus, knowledge at these levels does not seem to influence the decision to accept or decline PND. Some seem to regard CUB as a routine test.
Paper III explored midwives' perspectives with a questionnaire. The majority believed they had not received sufficient education about PND, and few felt knowledgeable enough to provide information about DS. Most midwives desired more education regarding tests and DS. Actual knowledge levels concerning DS varied, and in some cases, were low.
Paper IV explored the factors influencing decisions concerning PND through interviews with pregnant women. The decision-making process is affected by individual factors (i.e. attitude towards anomalies, worry and need for reassurance, and self-perceived risk) and external factors (i.e. test characteristics and influence from others). The quality of life for an affected individual and the impact on the family is important for some women when making decisions about PND. Healthcare professionals can influence women’s decisions through their attitudes, how they present the tests, and the woman’s individual probability of CAs.
Paper V used Q methodology to explore women’s views on what is important when receiving information about PND. Some women prefer receiving information gradually, while others prefer comprehensive information early in pregnancy. Some value information about the conditions tested for early in the process. The extent to which women wanted to involve their partner in the decision-making process varied. None preferred group information sessions.
In conclusion, providing information and pre-test counselling to pregnant women is a complex task. There is room for improvement in the information provided to expectant parents, and in the education provided to midwives related to PND and DS. Women’s decisions regarding PND are influenced by both individual and external factors. Information about test characteristics and conditions tested for could be helpful for pregnant women when they make decisions. Healthcare professionals’ approach can influence women’s decisions. Women have varying informational needs, making individual and non-directive pre-test counselling with a competent healthcare professional essential to facilitate informed decision-making.
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Registered nurses' work motivation and intention to stay at the workplace
Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-523652
There is currently a shortage of registered nurses (RNs) and high turnover of RNs, both nationally and internationally. Work motivation is an important part of a healthy work environment and something we need to know more about from an RN perspective.
The overarching aim of this thesis was to enhance our understanding of the organisational and social workplace factors that contribute to an attractive environment for RNs, by exploring factors associated with work motivation. Four research questions were posed. (i) What factors create the conditions for motivation in RNs’ daily work? (ii) What role does social support in the workplace play in RNs’ work motivation? (iii) What role does the opportunity to work with relevant tasks play in RNs’ work motivation? (iv) Are there differences between healthcare settings regarding RNs’ social support, illegitimate tasks, and associations with work motivation? Four empirical studies were performed to answer these questions. Two were qualitative studies based on an ethnographic approach and two were quantitative cross-sectional studies based on a stratified national sample of RNs. The results of the qualitative studies indicate that crucial factors for RNs' work motivation include a friendly and permissive atmosphere in daily work. Visible progress and receiving feedback from the work itself also positively contributed to motivation. Additionally, RNs' opportunities to learn and support each other through ongoing communication during daily work tended to have a positive impact on work motivation. Effective collaboration between physicians and RNs with mutual respect, understanding of each other's competencies, and creating an environment where RNs could seek clarification were also central to work motivation. The quantitative studies revealed that the opportunity for social support from the immediate manager or co-workers was significant for dimensions related to RNs’ work motivation and the willingness to stay in the workplace. The associations differed in strength between healthcare settings. Furthermore, the results indicated that a factor in RNs' work motivation was the ability to work with tasks perceived as relevant, not illegitimate. However, the results highlighted that a significant portion of RNs performed illegitimate tasks, and that illegitimate tasks were more prevalent for RNs in home healthcare than those in primary care and hospitals. This is something to consider as more complex care is being conducted outside of hospitals. The thesis adds new knowledge that can be useful to the development of attractive workplaces, which could contribute to more RNs choosing to remain in their position for a longer period.
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Vestibular schwannoma : Clinical, Epidemiological and Biochemical perspectives
Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-523760
Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a slow growing benign tumour originating in the Schwann cells surrounding the vestibulocochlear nerve. Over recent decades, the incidence rate for VS has steadily increased, with greater numbers of patients with smaller tumours being diagnosed. Today, it is estimated that around 1 in 500 people will suffer from VS in their lifetime. The most common symptom of VS is unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness. The growth rate of the tumour is unpredictable and not related to degree of symptoms. The overall aim of this thesis was to provide new knowledge that could be used to improve routines for treatment and clinical guidelines for future patients with sporadic VS.
A local clinical quality database was used to identify patients with VS treated at Uppsala University hospital. The information in the database of patients with VS was used to analyze postoperative complications after translabyrinthine surgery, hearing outcomes after hearing preservation middle cranial fossa surgery, both postoperative and after more than 10 years of follow up, and the risk of enduing a fall-related injury. The proteome of the human endolymphatic sac endolymph in six patients with VS was described.
13% of the translabyrinthine operated patients (93 of 700) suffered from one or more complications postoperatively. Increasing age and tumour size were both risk factors for postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. Greater tumour size increased the risk for intracranial hemorrhage. 60 out of 84 patients with VS operated on through middle fossa surgery had preserved hearing after surgery. After 10 years, the hearing had deteriorated symmetrically in the tumour ear and the contralateral ear. There was no increased risk for fall-related injuries among patient with VS compared to VS-free controls. Studying subgroups, an increased risk of fall-related injury was displayed among middle-aged patients before being diagnosed with VS and postoperatively in patients treated with middle fossa surgery. A total of 1,211 proteins were detected in the ES endolymph, of which 110 were unique for the endolymph. To further improve the knowledge regarding patients with VS, a joint national guideline program would be desirable.