Journal of Pediatric Health Care

Celebrating 25 Years

Bobbie Crew Nelms, Ruth G. Mullins Berg — 2012-01-01

Editor’s Note: The Journal of Pediatric Health Care (JPHC) has just completed 25 years of publication. As we celebrate this milestone, we are honored that the founding editors of JPHC, Drs. Bobbie Crew Nelms and Ruth G. Mullins Berg, have contributed the first editorial for this year.

Looking Forward by Looking Back

Cheri Barber — 2012-01-01

As we move into a new year, we often think about New Year’s resolutions. What are New Year’s resolutions, and how did they begin? Their history dates to the time of the ancient Romans, who are responsible for the majority of the modern calendar and for the tradition of the New Year’s resolution (). We make New Year’s resolutions to set new goals for the new year. Many people will be starting the new year with a specific goal in mind.

Hepatitis B Vaccination for Preterm Infants

Jo Ann D’Agostino — 2012-01-01

In their informative article published in the January/February 2011 issue of JPHC regarding Evidence-based Care Management of the Late Preterm Infant, the authors presented the case of an 1814 g preterm infant born to a mother who was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (). It was noted that the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin should be administered within the first 12 hours after birth and that the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be administered at 1 month of age. It is important for readers to note that there is an exception to this recommendation because of the infant’s birth weight.

Letter to the Editor

Donna Hallas — 2012-01-01

Thank you for providing the most current reference for the hepatitis B immunization guidelines for preterm infants, which was published in January 2011 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This update and previous table updates were published by the CDC in 2010 (), after our article was submitted and accepted for publication.

A Survey of NAPNAP Members’ Clinical and Professional Research Priorities

2010-06-21

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this methodological article is to describe the development, implementation, and analysis of the survey used to determine NAPNAP members' ranking of research priorities, to describe the top priorities ranked by participants, and to determine if priorities differed by area of practice (primary, acute, or specialty care) or participant age.Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design with an online survey was used. Completed by 324 NAPNAP members, the survey consisted of a demographic section and 90 statements in two domains: Clinical Priorities and Professional Role Priorities.Results: Survey respondents strongly supported the top priorities with an average overall mean score of 4.0 or above on a 5-point Likert scale. Only three of the top 10 clinical and professional priorities differed by area of practice. No clinical priorities and only three professional priorities differed by age.Discussion: The survey results were used to develop the NAPNAP Research Agenda. Both the survey results and the agenda can provide guidance for the NAPNAP Board, committees and interests groups as they develop initiatives and programs.

Care Coordination in the Spina Bifida Clinic Setting: Current Practice and Future Directions

Jennifer Brustrom, Judy Thibadeau, Lisa John, Jaime Liesmann, Shyanika Rose — 2010-07-12

Abstract: Introduction: Although the potential benefits of care coordination are widely recognized, little is known about care coordination in the multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic setting. This study examined several aspects of care coordination in this environment.Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with clinic staff (N = 43) and focus groups with caregivers (N = 38) at seven spina bifida clinics in the United States.Results: Clinic staff described several primary goals of care coordination, including coordinating multiple services during one visit to ease the burden on families. Although the structure of care coordination varied across the clinics, several clinics had a dedicated care coordinator. Barriers and facilitators to care coordination included staffing issues, clinic day logistics, community resources, and family-related concerns. Despite challenges associated with care coordination processes, clinic staff and caregivers alike believed that care coordination is beneficial.Discussion: Study findings suggest ways that care might be coordinated optimally in spina bifida clinics. A synthesis of these findings for clinics interested in implementing care coordination or improving the care coordination services they currently offer is provided.

Factors That Influence the Likelihood of Hiring a Health Care Advocate for a Chronically Ill Child

Elaina A. Vasserman-Stokes, Terry A. Cronan, Melody S. Sadler — 2010-07-22

Abstract: Introduction: In response to the increasing complexity of the health care system, the field of health care advocacy has emerged. However, little is known about variables that may influence a person's likelihood of hiring a health care advocate (HCA) for their chronically ill child.Methods: Severity (high or low) and probability of mortality (high or low) of a child's chronic illness and the child's age (1, 7, or 13 years) were manipulated using vignettes. The dependent variable was a composite score of the eight items used to measure the participants' likelihood of hiring an HCA.Results: Participants (N = 1052) were more likely to hire an HCA for a child who was 1 year old than for a child who was 13 years old. Participants were more likely to hire an HCA for a child whose chronic illness was low rather than high in severity and whose chronic illness was high rather than low in probability of mortality.Discussion: Use of an HCA may increase patient satisfaction, decrease medical errors, and enhance pediatric health outcomes.

Shared Medical Appointments: Facilitating Care for Children With Asthma and Their Caregivers

Constance L. Wall-Haas, Pamela Kulbok, John Kirchgessner, Virginia Rovnyak — 2010-07-23

Abstract: As important members of the health care team, patients and caregivers must be empowered to recognize their asthma status and to act accordingly. Education about asthma, complications, and successful management of asthma provide the best way to empower children and their caregivers. A Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) is a unique health care delivery approach that integrates disease management and patient education. The SMA described here is a 90-minute group appointment for four to nine patients who share a diagnosis of asthma, bronchospasm, or wheeze and their caregivers. The appointment includes a brief individual examination, health education delivered to the group, and the opportunity for interaction between group members. Because a supporting theoretic framework is not identified in the original design proposals for the SMA model or in the literature on its use, for the purposes of this project, Social Cognitive Theory is identified as the theoretical framework that best explains and reinforces the benefits of the SMA. The theoretic framework is important to direct the development and continued success of this treatment model. This project report describes the first nurse practitioner-led SMA as a tool for improving quality of care and service for children with asthma and their caregivers.

Reducing Stress in School-age Girls Through Mindful Yoga

Laura Santangelo White — 2011-03-03

Abstract: Introduction: School-age children report much stress in their daily lives, which may lead to psychological and physical problems. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction is a program of awareness-based practices effective with adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness training through yoga with school-age girls to reduce perceived stress, enhance coping abilities, self-esteem, and self-regulation, and explore the relationship between the dose of the intervention and outcomes.Method: Fourth- and fifth-grade girls were recruited from two public schools and randomly assigned to intervention and wait-list control groups. The intervention group met 1 hour a week for 8 weeks and completed 10 minutes of daily homework.Results: Self-esteem and self-regulation increased in both groups. The intervention group was more likely to report greater appraisal of stress (p < .01) and greater frequency of coping (p < .05). Homework accounted for 7% of the variance in reported stress.Discussion: Consistent with reports of mindfulness training, greater awareness of the feelings associated with stress may enhance coping abilities. However, it is possible that the increasing awareness of stressors in itself increased stress, possibly as part of the process of developing mindfulness or related to cognitive, emotional, or social development. Mindfulness in children may differ from mindfulness in adults and warrants further investigation.

Parents’ Dilemma: Decisions Concerning End-of-Life Care for Their Child

Carol Trotzuk, Barbara Gray — 2011-09-27

Jo Ann Serota, MSN, RN, CPNP

Acute and Non-acute Lower Extremity Pain in the Pediatric Population: Part I

2012-01-01

Robert J. Yetman, MD

A Description of Nurse Practitioner Practice: Results of a NAPNAP Membership Survey

Andrea Kline Tilford, Dolores Jones, Heather Keesing, Ann Sheehan — 2011-08-24

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is a professional nursing organization for pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) and other advanced practice nurses who provide health care to children. With more than 7500 members, NAPNAP represents approximately 75% of all PNPs. As the advanced practice role of the nurse continues to evolve, NAPNAP members’ professional practice and health policy involvement evolve as well. To better understand the current level of involvement and understanding of its members, NAPNAP conducted a survey to explore professional practice issues and members’ involvement in health policy. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from Rush University Medical Center prior to initiation of the survey. Educational preparation, geographic region of practice, years of employment as an NP, type of employment setting, and full- versus part-time employment were examined.

Conducting School-based Research: Lessons Learned From an After-school Intervention Study

Laura Santangelo White — 2011-07-06

Rita H. Pickler, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, FAAN

NAPNAP Update

2012-01-01

Tresa Zielinski, MSN, CPNP

2012-01-01

Editorial Board

2012-01-01

Society

2012-01-01

Instructions for Authors

2012-01-01

Information for Readers

2012-01-01

Journal of Pediatric Health Care

Celebrating 25 Years

Looking Forward by Looking Back

Hepatitis B Vaccination for Preterm Infants

Letter to the Editor

A Survey of NAPNAP Members’ Clinical and Professional Research Priorities

Care Coordination in the Spina Bifida Clinic Setting: Current Practice and Future Directions

Factors That Influence the Likelihood of Hiring a Health Care Advocate for a Chronically Ill Child

Shared Medical Appointments: Facilitating Care for Children With Asthma and Their Caregivers

Reducing Stress in School-age Girls Through Mindful Yoga

Parents’ Dilemma: Decisions Concerning End-of-Life Care for Their Child

Acute and Non-acute Lower Extremity Pain in the Pediatric Population: Part I

A Description of Nurse Practitioner Practice: Results of a NAPNAP Membership Survey

Conducting School-based Research: Lessons Learned From an After-school Intervention Study

NAPNAP Update

Table of Contents

Editorial Board

Society

Instructions for Authors

Information for Readers