Best practices in scholarly publishing for promotion or tenure: Avoiding predatory journals.

BACKGROUND: Predatory publishing has adverse impacts on scientific literature including nursing literature. These publishers have been described as having questionable publication standards. Many faculty have expressed challenges associated with assessing publisher and journal quality. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of faculty retention, promotion, and tenure guidelines offering explicit instructions and guidance for faculty on assessing the quality of publishers and journals. METHOD: An appointed committee representing research, teaching, and practice scholarship performed a literature review on the topics of journal quality, scholarship for promotion and tenure, and best practices for evaluating scholarship in academic institutions. RESULTS: The committee developed additional guidance to support and assist faculty assessing journal quality. Based on these guidelines, the faculty retention, promotion, and tenure guidelines for each of the research, teaching, and practice tracks were edited to reflect these practices. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines provided clarity for our promotion and tenure review committee and faculty.

Mediating Role of Resilience on Nursing Faculty and Student QoL during COVID-19.

COVID-19 greatly impacted nursing education and required nursing faculty and students to quickly adapt to changes caused by disease mitigation. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of resilience between the influence of demographics and school-related risk factors and nursing faculty and student quality of life (QoL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling to examine the mediating role of resilience on latent variables. Resilience had a positive, direct effect on nursing faculty and student QoL. Having a designated home workspace and being well-prepared for online learning had positive, indirect effects on QoL, mediated through resilience. Assisting children with schoolwork had a negative impact on the psychological and environmental QoL domains. Remarkably, having a caregiver role positively influenced the psychological QoL domain. Supporting and promoting faculty and nursing students' health and well-being is imperative during and after the pandemic.

Quality of Life, Resilience, and Related Factors of Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 and the associated measures to mitigate the spread of the virus have significantly disrupted nursing education. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between quality of life (QoL), resilience, and associated factors among nursing students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing requirements. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey with nursing students (n = 152) was conducted at a public university in rural Appalachia in April 2020. Instruments included World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, demographics and school-related questionnaires, and an open-ended question. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Resilience, having online experience, and being well prepared for online learning were associated with each QoL domain. Remarkably, 21% to 54% of nursing student QoL scores indicated poor QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Cultivating resilience among nursing students may improve QoL, help with academic success, and prepare students to sustain the demands associated with the nursing profession.

Relationship of Quality of Life, Resilience, and Associated Factors Among Nursing Faculty During COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing guidelines greatly impacted the quality of life (QoL) of nursing faculty. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of QoL, resilience, and associated factors among nursing faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In April 2020, a cross-sectional, anonymous survey was conducted with nursing faculty in a public university in rural Appalachia (n = 52). Instruments included QoL, resilience scales, work-related, and demographic variables. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze data. A content analysis was used to analyze an open-ended question. RESULTS: Resilience was the strongest variable to predict each of the QoL domains. Nursing faculty who reported better QoL were those who were able to adapt to changes and challenges mandated during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based programs to build resilience and improve nursing faculty working conditions and their QoL are needed.

Why laparoscopic adhesiolysis should not be the victim of a single randomized clinical trial.

Randomized controlled trials may provide erroneous conclusions when the null hypothesis is not rejected because of insufficient analysis statistical power. The authors dispute the conclusion of a randomized controlled trial that compared chronic pain relief rates following laparoscopic adhesiolysis and diagnostic laparoscopy and recommended abandoning laparoscopic adhesiolysis. In the trial, the observed difference between pain rates (15%) was inferior to that expected (35%). On the basis of this result, we calculated the 90% confidence interval of the true difference, whose limits of -1% and 31% were found to fall outside the predetermined equivalency interval (-10% to 10%). The trial should therefore not have concluded that the 2 surgical procedures were equivalent. By doing so, it is likely that numerous surgeons have abandoned laparoscopic adhesiolysis on the basis of this statement. In any randomized trial, a calculation of statistical power is required each time that the null hypothesis cannot be rejected.

Effects of obesity on pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine physiologic and psychological outcomes associated with maternal obesity in pregnancy and patterns of pregnancy weight gain. To identify effective interventions for maternal obesity. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Search of obesity and pregnancy research conducted over the past 10 years using CIHAHL, Medline ERIC, and PyscInfo databases. Studies including the following keywords were included in the review: obesity, weight gain, body image, pregnancy weight gain, pregnancy obesity complications, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Articles were included based on scientific merit and research outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS: Maternal obesity is a serious condition that significantly impacts not only mothers' health but also the health and future of their children. It is paramount that all levels of health care providers be aware of consequences of obesity and be knowledgeable of effective interventions. No effective long-term interventions have been demonstrated to prevent or control obesity during pregnancy. The paucity of published results of pregnancy and postpartum interventions to address weight gain in pregnancy suggests the need for more community and individualized based intervention studies, especially focusing on long-term effects.

Maternal body mass index at delivery and risk of caesarean due to dystocia in low risk pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) at delivery and the risk of caesarean section due to dystocia during the first stage of labour in low risk pregnancies. METHODS: Historical cohort study that included 6,949 low risk women who delivered at the Medical University of South Carolina from 1994 to 2004, presenting a singleton birth at term, and a vaginal delivery attempt by spontaneous labour. Women presenting large for gestational age newborns were excluded. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for caesarean section due to dystocia and for caesarean section due to other reasons were estimated using a multinomial regression logistic model and compared using the Wald's test. RESULTS: Women with a BMI >=30 kg/m(2), of maternal age >=30 years and nulliparas had an increased rate of caesarean section delivery either due to dystocia or for other reasons. Newborn weight >=3,500 g, races other than Caucasian, age between 25 and 29 years, BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m(2), and fetal membranes rupture more than 24 h before the onset of the labour were associated with an increased rate of caesarean section due to dystocia only. On the contrary, newborn weight between 2,500 and 2,999 g was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of caesarean section due to dystocia. Newborn weight <3,000 g was associated with a risk for caesarean section due to other reasons. The population risk for caesarean section due to dystocia, attributable to BMI >=35 kg/m(2) in low risk pregnancies, was 13.3%. CONCLUSIONS: An increased maternal BMI was associated with the risk of caesarean section due to dystocia. This information should be made available to women who are overweight or obese at antenatal booking or at the first trimester visit.

Are ankle and toe brachial indices (ABI-TBI) obtained by a pocket Doppler interchangeable with those obtained by standard laboratory equipment?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if the ankle and toe brachial indices obtained by an experienced registered nurse (RN) using a pocket Doppler were within acceptable levels of agreement with those obtained by a registered vascular technologist (RVT) using standard laboratory equipment. DESIGN: A within-subjects comparative design was used. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Thirty subjects who were referred to a vascular laboratory for arterial studies were recruited. All tests were performed in the outpatient vascular laboratory of a large, urban medical center. METHODOLOGY: Ankle and toe brachial indices were measured on each subject by the RN and the RVT during each visit. Data were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method to assess the level of agreement between the RN's pocket Doppler and the RVT's standard laboratory equipment. RESULTS: Differences between each instrument's ankle brachial indices were within the a priori 15% limit of agreement. Differences between each instrument's toe brachial indices exceeded the a priori 15% limit of agreement. CONCLUSION: The ankle brachial index obtained by using a pocket Doppler by an experienced RN is interchangeable with vascular laboratory testing for detection of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). The pocket Doppler-derived toe brachial index was not interchangeable with vascular laboratory testing for detection of LEAD.

Use of a pregnancy support web site by low-income African American women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and usage pattern of a social support Web site by low-income pregnant African American women. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Homes of participants. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen pregnant African American women who were pregnant for the first time, were low risk, and attending a prenatal clinic. INTERVENTION: Culturally congruent Web site providing information on pregnancy-related health behaviors and other pregnancy issues. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of visits to Web site, most popular pages, content analysis of postings, and e-mails to a nurse. RESULTS: Participants were able to learn to use the Web site easily. They accessed the discussion board the most frequently, followed by changes during pregnancy by month, ask-a-nurse feature, ultrasound, stories about pregnant women, and spirituality. CONCLUSIONS: The discussion board is the most effective way to deliver informational social support on a comprehensive social support Web site.

The influence of race on fetal outcome.

The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in fetal death by gestational age among South Carolinians during 1999 to 2000 in an attempt to identify sociodemographic risk factors that may contribute to the refinement of care protocols. This historical cohort design appended the 1999 to 2000 South Carolina Vital Records fetal death file (N = 944) to the birth file (N = 99, 726) to perform secondary data analysis. Inclusion criteria were maternal South Carolina residency, delivery of a singleton in South Carolina, and racial identification as white or black. Independent associations between race (black or white), gestational age categories of deliveries (fetal death or live birth), and maternal sociodemographic characteristics (maternal age and prenatal care) were examined using chi2 analysis. Black and white fetal mortality rates (FMRs) were examined. Logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables. The study sample consisted of 63.4% white and 36.6% black for all deliveries; 40.89% white and 59.11% black for fetal deaths. There was a significant racial difference in gestational age categories, initiation of prenatal care, maternal age, and fetal death rates (p = 0.0001). The black FMR was nearly 2.5 times greater than the white rate (p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 2.2 to 2.9). There was an independent association between race and gestational age at fetal death (p = 0.0001) as well as race and maternal age. Results did not remain statistically significant after controlling for confounding variables. In this study, we identified several factors associated with an increased risk of fetal death. However, after controlling for gestational age, the odds of fetal death among blacks were no longer significantly elevated in comparison to those of whites. Future studies that examine racial disparities should consider gestational age in analytic models. Identifying racial demographics and behavioral risks may contribute to refinements in care protocols for high-risk mothers in an effort to reduce fetal mortality.

Maternal prepregnant body mass index and weight gain related to low birth weight in South Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this study was to describe the proportion of low birth weight that could be potentially prevented by programs focusing on maternal prepregnant body mass index (BMI) and/or weight gain during pregnancy. METHODS: In this historic cohort design, study data consisted of birth certificates linked to the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for South Carolina resident women delivering in South Carolina during 1998 and 1999. Statistical analysis was conducted with the use of chi2, population-attributable risk, and logistic regression. The analysis was performed using SUDAAN to accommodate the analysis weight and extrapolate the sample data to the South Carolina state population. RESULTS: Eight percent of the very low birth weight (VLBW) rate in South Carolina can be attributed to inadequate weight gain in pregnancy. Approximately 19% of the state's VLBW rate can be attributed to either underweight or overweight BMI at conception. Women with less than adequate weight gain were 1.4 times more likely to deliver a VLBW baby and 1.9 times more likely to deliver a moderately low birth weight baby as compared with women with adequate weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate maternal BMI at conception followed by adequate weight gain during pregnancy may have a substantial influence on reducing the number of low birth weight deliveries.