|
Research Profile - Lynn Rew EdD, RN,
AHN-BC, FAAN |
True confession: Nearly 30 years ago
when I finished writing and defending my dissertation to
earn my doctorate in education, I proclaimed to the
world that I would never again do one bit of research. I
hated it, I had endured it, I didn't understand it all
that well, and now it was time to get on with my
practice of holistic nursing! Well, it didn't take long
before I realized that even with a doctorate, I had
plenty more to learn about holistic nursing and how to
provide the best services for my growing clientele.
Nursing research is now an integral
and vital part of my life and I hope I never have to
stop doing it. As a holistic nurse, I want and need
to know what is at the cutting edge of knowledge
development and the best way to know this is to
conduct the studies that build that knowledge. Even
if a nurse doesn't have the academic preparation or
desire to do research, we all need to know how to
find it, evaluate it, and incorporate it into our
practice. A good way to begin is to keep a notebook
full of burning questions-what is this? How is this
related to that? What happens if we do this? How can
we make this or that happen?
Another good way to begin is by reading a variety of
professional literature. Books generally summarize
information that is at least a year or two old, so
journals are the best way to keep up with the latest
findings. And reading broadly, across disciplines,
will ensure that you are keeping up with the many
dimensions of human behavior and health.
It has taken a long time for me to become
comfortable saying that I am a researcher, but with
several federal grants on my CV, I'm proud to say
that I'm happy with that designation. As holistic
nurses, we are familiar with imagining the best life
has to offer, and then living our dreams. My dream
now is to keep doing research until the day I die!
The picture shows me on the "drag" at
The University of Texas at Austin. In the background
is a group of homeless youth who participated in my
research.
I hold the Denton & Louise
Cooley and Family Centennial Professorship in
Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin (since
1983). My BSN was earned at the University of
Hawaii, Honolulu. My MSN and EdD were both earned at
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. My
post-doctoral fellowship in adolescent health was
completed at the University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN.
I was a founding member of AHNA
and a member of the original editorial board of JHN,
which began in March 1983. I became editor in 1997
with Volume 15 (1) and served in that capacity
through 2005, Volume 23 (4). I then served as Assoc.
Editor for Research until December, 2007.
My research has focused on intuition and health
behaviors of adolescents.
|
| |
|
Rew, L. & Barrow, E. M. (1987). Intuition: A neglected
hallmark of nursing knowledge. Advances in Nursing
Science, 10(1), 49-62.
Rew, L. (2000). Friends and pets as companions:
Strategies for coping with loneliness among homeless
adolescents. The Journal of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatric Nursing, 13, 125-132.
Rew, L., Wong, Y.J., & Sternglanz, R.W. (2004) The
relationship among prayer, health behavior and
protective resources in school-age children. Issues
in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 27, 245-255.
Rew, L., & Barrow, E.M. (2007). State of the science:
Intuition in nursing, a generation of studying the
phenomenon. Advances in Nursing Science, 30(1),
E15-E25.
Rew, L., Whittaker, T., Grady, M., & Bowman, K. (2008).
Interaction of duration of homelessness and gender on
adolescent sexual health behaviors. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 40, 109-115.
|
|
Current Research Findings in Healing
Touch |
|
by Diane Wind Wardell, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC,
AHN-BC, CHTP/I, Research Director for Healing Touch
International, Inc.
Healing Touch has been the focus of three recent
articles in professional journals. The topics are varied
and include Healing Touch's effects on health and
service outcomes, stress markers, and energy field
patterns. These articles were published in three
different journals, used different approaches, and
together reflect the growing body of knowledge that
supports the use of this energy-based therapy for health
and healing. Healing Touch is a multi-level program of
study that teaches non-invasive healing techniques.
Practitioners use their hands to facilitate the person's
self-healing in order to restore harmony and balance in
their energy system.
The articles:
MacInytre, B., Hamilton, J.,Fricke, T., Ma, W., Hehle,
S., & Michel, M. (July/August 2008). The efficacy of
Healing Touch in coronary artery bypass surgery
recovery: A randomized clinical trial.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine,
14(4):24-32.
Maville, J.A., Bowen, J.E., & Benham, G. (March/April
2008). Effect of Healing Touch on stress perception and
biological correlates.
Holistic Nursing Practice. 22(2):103-110.
Wardell, D.W., Rintala, D., & Tan, G. (May/June 2008)
Study descriptions of healing touch with veterans
experiencing chronic neuropathic pain from spinal cord
injury.
Explore, 4(3):187-95.
In order to understand the effects of complementary
therapies, it is important to include a wide range of
study designs to allow for the complex nature of the
interactions and processes that occur. Each of these
studies highlights difficulties and accomplishments in
conducting research with energy-based therapies such as
Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch and Reiki.
Even though a randomized controlled trial is considered
the benchmark, it is apparent from the article that
outcomes extend beyond our instrumentation and
measurements. The qualitative analysis of energy field
data is a new way to look at outcomes and is enhanced by
the mixed method approach. There is much to be learned
in this area of nursing care and much to be gained by
continuing to hold an open mind to the
possibilities. For further information on Healing Touch
research, visit the research section of the Healing
Touch International, Inc. Web site at
www.healingtouchinternational.org
© Healing Touch International, Inc. 2008
|
|
AHNA 2009 Conference off to Great Start! |
A huge thanks to all who sent us proposals
for our 2009 annual conference. We received over 120
workshop proposals! The committee is now working
industriously to make the selections that are just right for
this conference.This is a hard task since there are so many
great ones to choose from. Notifications will be made by
Miriam Hillson (conference@ahna.org)
by November 1, 2008.
Please think about submitting a poster of your work for the
2009 conference. Research poster proposals will be
accepted until December 1, 2008 (midnight
Pacific time). Click
here for submission forms and instructions. |
|
1 on 1 Consultations at 2009 Conference |
We will offer 1 on 1 consultations
again this years. Spots will be limited and the cost $35
for 45 minute consultations.
CEs will not be awarded. Remember to sign up for
consultations when registering for conference.
Consultations will be held during free time on
Saturday.
Needed Holistic Nurse researchers to be
consultants for 45 minute sessions at the AHNA 2009
conference. Please contact Sue Peck,
pecksd@uwec.edu, to volunteer - you will be
contributing to another nurse's development in holistic
nursing research. Please respond by December 1, 2008.
|
|
Resources for Researchers |
|
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office
on Women's Health provides access to state and county
level health status data free of charge.
The new Health Disparities Profiles examines 21 key
health indicators at the state level for different
racial and ethnic populations and the Women's Health
Chartbook is an easy-to-use collection of current data
on critical issues of relavance to women. Find these and
other tools by clicking on the title above.
While the PedCAM network brings together Canadian
pediatric CAM researchers and educators, giving them a
unified voice, all AHNA members have been invited to
participate. PedCAM is a network specializing in
pediatric complementary and alternative medicine, is an
academic, non-commercial organization and membership is
free. Member benefits include access to various
databases of member practitioners interested in
pediatric research and education, information about
grants/funding, education, publications, events, and
PubMed pediatric CAM searches. Visit the Web site at
http://www.pedcam.ca/
Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
has evidence reports based on rigorous,
comprehensive syntheses and analyses of relevant
scientific literature, emphasizing explicit and
detailed documentation of methods, rationale, and
assumptions. Click on the title above to view the
free online evidence book for meditation.
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Research Grants
Research grants from the Sigma Theta
Tau Honor Society now available! The purpose of
these grants is to To encourage nurses to contribute
to the advancement of nursing through research. The
society offers 10 to 15 small grants
($5,000 max) yearly and other grant opportunities
are also available. Click on the title for more
information.
|
|
Join the Discussion |
Do you have a question about grant writing? Are you looking
for collaborators for your research project? Would you like
to share your latest findings? Then visit the
AHNA Discussion Forum.
(Note: You will need to login with
your AHNA member account to view this page. Click "My
Login" at top left. If you haven't already created or
activated a user name and password on our new Web site,
please
Click Here for instructions).
If you are unfamiliar with discussion forums they work
something like e-mails that all AHNA members can view,
but the messages are accessed through the AHNA Web site
(vs. through your own personal e-mail). A "forum" is an
overall topic (for example: "Latest Research
Findings"). A "thread" is the beginning question or
comment within that topic (for example, WHEE). Many
people can then reply to each thread creating an ongoing
discussion. Each thread or reply is counted as a
"post." Anyone can create a new thread within a forum,
however overall forum topics must be created by AHNA. To
suggest a forum topic, please e-mail
communications@ahna.org
We encourage every AHNA member to take advantage of this
new tool and benefit of membership. Help us build our
community!
For instructions on using the discussion forum
click here.
|
|
AHNA Research Grant Recipient Completes Study |
Using Aroma Therapy to Reduce Nursing Student Stress: A
Pilot Study
Funded by
Nature's Gift through the American Holistic Nurses
Association
 This
study examined the ability of lavender and rosemary, used as
aroma therapy, to reduce test taking anxiety and stress in
graduate nursing students. Thirty-four graduate nurse
students were recruited as participants for the study. These
students were in their last clinical course of a Family
Nurse Practitioner program. From the data gathered during
this study, we can conclude that both lavender and rosemary
have some effect on test anxiety in graduate nursing
students.
Read the entire article. |
|
Research Consultations Available |
|
Ruth McCaffery is heading up a research consultation program
for members. She is available to help members develop
research questions, help with choosing methodologies, find
resources and interpret findings. She will consult herself
or find others who will be able to help. The goal is to
eventually develop a mentorship program to develop our
growing expert holistic nursing research base. |
|
Research Technique: Critical Incident
Technique |
by Leighsa Sharoff EdD, RN, NPP, AHN-BC
- The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) is a
qualitative, systematic, open-ended technique for
educing descriptive data from participants.
- It can be used as a primary source of data
collection or as an evaluation technique to supplement
the interview or questionnaire questions as well as
provide data for triangulation.
- The CIT is a powerful methodological instrument that
can foster reflection and promote personal expression.
- CITs can be used to assist nurses and healthcare
professionals to gain a deeper and more personal
understanding of clients, acquiring their perspectives
and concerns as well as a more personal awareness of
oneself.
- It can be developed to conform to any area of
nursing and provide a more comprehensive awareness of
what nurses do and the needs of our clients.
Read the entire article.
|
|
AHNA Researchers in Action |
|
Some papers recently published by AHNA
members:
Carol Baldwin et al.
(2008). Influence of intestinal stoma on spiritual quality
of life in U.S. veterans. Journal of Holistic Nursing,
26(3), 185-194.
Note: Commentary by Joan Engebretson.
View the abstract. Full text available free to AHNA
members.
Marlaine Smith & Loraine Kyle.
(2008). Holistic foundations of aromatherapy for
nursing. Holistic Nursing Practice, 22(1),
3-10.
Note: Has a continuing education test attached.
View the abstract.
Leighsa Sharoff. (2008). Exploring
nurses' perceived benefits of utilizing holistic
modalities for self and clients. Holistic Nursing
Practice, 22(1), 15-25.
View the abstract.
Glenda Christiaen, JoAnn
Abegglen, & Alanna Rowley.
(2008). Nursing students' perceptions of a holistic
nursing conference: Empowerment, self care, and
application to practice. Journal of Holistic Nursing,
26(2), 139-146.
View the abstract. Full text available free to AHNA
members.
Valerie Eschiti. (2008). Complementary
and alternative modalities used by women with female
specific cancers. Holistic Nursing Practice,
22(3), 127-139.
Note: Has a continuing education test attached.
View the abstract.
Mary Anne Hanley. (2008). Therapeutic
Touch with preterm infants: Composing a treatment.
Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 4,
249-258.
View the abstract.
Are you proud of
your research? We would love to hear about it. Send your
"Researcher in Action" to
info@ahna.org |
|
News and Notes |
AHNA members presented at the
Society of Rogerian Scholars (SRS) 20th anniversary
conference in Cleveland, Ohio October 10-12, 2008.
Marlaine Smith who is president of SRS
and an AHNA member presented. Elizabeth Barrett
discussed the evolution of her power theory and the
tools she has developed. Richard Cowling
discussed his method of Unitary Appreciative Inquiry for
research and the development of a theory for healing.
Rorry Zahourek presented a unitary
conceptual framework for healing during terminations. Violet
Malinsky who recently rejoined AHNA presented
on the evolving path of Rogerian Science.
Rorry Zahourek is currently
representing AHNA on the
Council for Healing. She is standing in for
Lucia Thornton while Lucia serves her term as
AHNA president. The group met in Salt Lake City in
August. The council is a network of individual healers
and healing organizations whose mission is to promote
understanding of healing and advance access to healing.
The council has been gathering and disseminating
information on healing research and consults on design,
methods and clinical problems identified by members. A
wonderful compendium of healing research can be found on
the web at
http://councilforhealing.org/
Have you recently presented,
started a new study, or are you looking for volunteers
or collaborators? Share your news here. Send your "News
and Notes" to
info@ahna.org
|
|
Upcoming Events |
2009 NDNQI Conference
The third annual National Database of Nursing
Quality Indicators Data Use Conference, New Frontiers in
Quality Care, is scheduled on January 22 and 23, 2009,
in Dallas, TX at Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion. The
pre-conference will be held on January 21, 2009. Click on
the title above for conference updates. |
|
AHNA 2008 Conference Summary on Medscape |
 A
summary of AHNA's 2008 Conference can be found on
Medscape. AHNA's efforts to
support and disseminate holistic nursing research continued
at the 28th Annual Conference. The article discusses Merrily
Kuhn's pre-conference session on Herbs, Drugs, Supplements
and the Body. As more and more people turn to natural
products or herbs and herb supplements, it is imperative
that healthcare professionals understand botanical products,
drug/herb interactions, and potential safety issues. Another
topic is Evidence-Based Practice and its role in the
long-term effort to close the gap between research and
practice.
Click here to read the article.
(One time, free registration is
required.) |
|
AHNA Research Survey Results 2006-2007 |
How and where do AHNA members practice
nursing? How and to what extent do they participate in
nursing research? The research committee of the AHNA
determined that these are important questions to ask, and as
a result have conducted surveys of AHNA members' research
activities at annual conferences. Of the 111 AHNA
members surveyed over two conferences, 2006 and 2007, 51%
have been directly involved in the research process.
Read the article. |
|
Name This eNewsletter |
|
While Holistic Nursing Research Connection is
descriptive, it isn't very catchy. What would you name this
eNewsletter? Send your suggestions to
info@ahna.org. |
|
