Application of portable ultrasound scanners in the measurement of post-void residual urine.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the impact of research subjects' characteristics on the accuracy of the BladderScan when the latter is used to measure post-void residual urine volume, and to evaluate differences between BladderScan and catheterization in terms of the expenditure of time and of human and material resources. Subjects in the present study were 71 patients undergoing inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation therapy. Post-void residual urine was measured with the BladderScan BVI 3000, followed by intermittent catheterization. Repeated- measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant difference between the post-void residual urine volume measured by the bladder ultrasound and that of catheterization, or among the factors: sex, diagnosis, body position, thickness of abdominal fat, bladder shape, urine volume, and time intervals between operations. The BladderScan averaged 45 seconds (range=17-119 seconds), while catheterization averaged 293 seconds (range=136-664 seconds); the time required for catheterization was 3 to 8 times that for the BladderScan. The BladderScan gave accurate measurements of post-void residual urine volume for all of the subjects. Using the BladderScan first to measure post-void residual urine volume can reduce the frequency of catheterization, and can save medical human resources costs as well.

Evaluations of emotional reactions and coping behaviors as well as correlated factors for infertile couples receiving assisted reproductive technologies.

The purpose of this research was to explore the following objectives for infertile couples receiving infertility treatment: Differences between wives and husbands in their emotional reactions and coping behaviors. This research, using structured questionnaires, was based on 120 infertile couples attending the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or the In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) program. The research instruments consisted of Demographic Data Form, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The research results showed that infertile wives experienced more emotional disturbance than husbands did, as shown in the four subscales of Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, and Fatigue-Inertia, as well as the total scale of POMS. It was also shown that wives adopted more coping behaviors to deal with infertility and treatment than husbands did, as revealed in the subscales of Self-Controlling, Seeking Social Support and Escape-Avoidance and the total scale of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. All of the above reached significant statistical differences. The emotional reactions of infertile couples varied with the differences in education levels, duration of treatment, number of treatments received, and numbers of existing children. The emotional reactions of infertile husbands had a significantly positive correlation with the factors Confronting, Accepting Responsibility, and Escape-Avoidance. The emotional reactions of wives had a significantly negative correlation with Positive Reappraisal. The research results can provide clinical staff with a correct understanding of the differences between husbands and wives in emotional reactions and coping behavior, as well as related factors, to help them to provide better medical treatment.

A comparative study of expectant parents ' childbirth expectations.

The purpose of this study was to understand childbirth expectations and differences in childbirth expectations among expectant parents. For convenience sampling, 200 couples willing to participate in this study were chosen from two hospitals in central Taiwan. Inclusion criteria were at least 36 weeks of gestation, aged 18 and above, no prenatal complications, and willing to consent to participate in this study. Instruments used to collect data included basic demographic data and the Childbirth Expectations Questionnaire. Findings of the study revealed that (1) five factors were identified by expectant parents regarding childbirth expectations including the caregiving environment, expectation of labor pain, spousal support, control and participation, and medical and nursing support; (2) no general differences were identified in the childbirth expectations between expectant fathers and expectant mothers; and (3) expectant fathers with a higher socioeconomic status and who had received prenatal (childbirth) education had higher childbirth expectations, whereas mothers displayed no differences in demographic characteristics. The study results may help clinical healthcare providers better understand differences in expectations during labor and birth and childbirth expectations by expectant parents in order to improve the medical and nursing system and promote positive childbirth experiences and satisfaction for expectant parents.