Research

Apply Now for STTI Psi Chapter-at-Large Research Grants

Grant applications are being accepted for the 2009-2010 Psi Chapter-at-Large research grants, which are designed to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. It is anticipated that 1-2 grants of up to $1500 will be awarded and are based on the quality of the proposed research, the future promise of the applicant, and the applicant's research budget. Applications from novice researchers who have received no other national research funds are encouraged and will receive preference for funding, other aspects being equal.

Applications are due December 15, 2009. Download the eligibility criteria and grant application and instructions here. We recommend that you also review the evaluation form used by grant reviewers as you prepare your proposal.

Email completed applications to:

Mindy Schaffner
School of Nursing
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA 98447
schaffml@plu.edu

Sigma Theta Tau International – Psi Chapter Announces Recipients of Research Awards

Three nurses were recently awarded research funding from Sigma Theta Tau International – Psi Chapter. The Chapter provides funding opportunities for nurse researchers and practicing nurses who want to advance the science of nursing and evidence-based practice. Both nursing research and practice inquiry research were eligible for funding.

The three recipients of the awards and proposal titles included:

• Lauren Thorngate, PhD(c), RN CCRN for “Opioid Effect on Premature Infant Brain Function” {$1500}
• Sang-Eun Jun, PhD(c), MN, RN for “Tryptophan Hydroxylase Gene Polymorphisms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome” {$1400}
• Joan Santucci, RN, MN, OCNS-C and Shirley Taylor for “Utilizing an Electronic Digital Photography Consult Process to Improve Efficiency of Referrals to Nurse Wound Specialists and Enhance Multidisciplinary Care” {$1600}

For more information about these research projects, please read the following abstracts provided by the recipients:

Lauren Thorngate “Opioid Effect on Premature Infant Brain Function”

“Premature birth is associated with physiologic stress and pain that may be procedural, surgical, prolonged, or more likely a combination of all forms. Pharmacologic pain management in this population is largely based on adult practices without knowledge of the long-term effects of repetitive pain or treatment on the vulnerable developing brain. Detailed analysis of biologic rhythms captured by limited channel EEG is an innovative use of technologic advances to noninvasively investigate direct effects of life in the NICU on brain function. Improving care delivered to premature infants during vulnerable periods of development and understanding the effects of care delivery approaches is the ultimate goal of this exploratory, hypothesis generating research.”

Sang-Eun Jun “ Tryptophan Hydroxylase Gene Polymorphisms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome”

“This study is a secondary analysis of the "Nursing Management of IBS: Improving Outcomes" and its supplementary study. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. IBS is challenging to both patients and health care providers in that the underlying pathophysiology accounting for various symptoms is not well understood yet and treatments are not effective for all symptoms. However, there is evidence that serotonin is an important signaling molecule playing a role in the GI motility, sensation and secretion. Therefore, alterations in the components that affect 5-HT availability, such as biosynthesis or reuptake, may lead to changes in visceral sensitivity and motility.

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of 5-HT and has two isoforms, TPH-1 and TPH-2. Polymorphisms in the TPH genes have been studied intensively regarding their possible involvement in psychological or behavioral disorders whose underlying pathophysiology are related to 5-HT levels. However, at this time, there is no published study reporting the association between TPH gene polymorphisms and IBS. Therefore, we will explore a possible association of TPH genes polymorphisms and IBS and also examine whether these genetic variations can predict the outcomes of CSM intervention in IBS patients.”

Joan Santucci “Utilizing an Electronic Digital Photography Consult Process to Improve Efficiency of Referrals to Nurse Wound Specialists and Enhance Multidisciplinary Care”

“With a growing population of people living with diabetes and chronic wounds, access to timely and appropriate care poses significant challenges. At Harborview Medical Center (HMC), a referral trauma center for acutely ill and medically complicated patients, many patients are admitted with limb and life threatening tissue infections, and complex acute and chronic wounds.

Due to the specialization of practice, providers’ minimal experience with wounds, medical rotation schedules, and a lack of comprehensive wound education in medical and nursing schools, the management of wounds is further compromised.

At HMC, wound consults are initiated by nurses and physicians in various ways, and are often duplicative involving different service teams. Wound appearance, etiology, and urgency of treatment are sometimes inaccurate, and can lead to extended hospital stays and delays in treatment.

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the use of an electronic, digital wound photography consult process and determine if this facilitates interdisciplinary communication and triage decisions by wound nurse experts resulting in improvements in time to treatment for urgent wounds. Our long-term goal is to improve the quality of care and outcomes for hospitalized patients with complex wounds through more efficient communication and improved documentation across disciplines.”

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Member Research

Member Research Publications

Below are examples of our members’ scholarship activities. If you have a grant, research project, honor, or publication you would like to report, please e-mail Diana Taibi (dmtaibi@u.washington.edu).

Hertig, V. L., Cain, K. C., Jarrett, M. E., Burr, R. L., & Heitkemper, M. M. (2007). Daily stress and gastrointestinal symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Nurs Res, 56(6), 399-406.

Jarrett, M. E., Kohen, R., Cain, K. C., Burr, R. L., Poppe, A., Navaja, G. P., et al. (2007). Relationship of SERT polymorphisms to depressive and anxiety symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Biol Res Nurs, 9(2), 161-169.

Taibi, D. M., Vitiello, M. V., Barsness, S., Elmer, G. W., Anderson, G. D., & Landis, C. A. (2008). A randomized clinical trial of valerian fails to improve self-reported, polysomnographic, and actigraphic sleep in older women with insomnia. Sleep Med.

Voss, J., Portillo, C. J., Holzemer, W. L., & Dodd, M. J. (2007). Symptom cluster of fatigue and depression in HIV/AIDS. J Prev Interv Community, 33(1-2), 19-34.

Member Research Grants

Joachim Voss, Assistant Professor, UW Seattle, received an R21 grant award in 2008 from the NIH National Cancer Institute for the study, “Mitochondrial Gene Expression Changes Related to a Symptom Cluster in Prostate Cancer”

Member Honors

Elizabeth Bridges, Assistant Professor, UW Seattle, was honored at the March of Dimes Washington Nurse of the Year awards in December 2008. She received the award for Research/Advancing the Profession for helping advance research through her work in breaking down barriers that prevent nurses from engaging in research.

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Recent Award Recipients

Member Research