AJN’s June issue is now available on our Web site. Here’s a selection of what not to miss.
The newborn featured on our cover this month is wrapped in a blanket decorated with a string of letters—better known as genetic code. Today, all newborns in the United States are screened for various inherited and congenital conditions, but the use of genomic sequencing at birth could provide information beyond what current screening already provides—health information to go in their medical records for use in detecting and managing disease.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one disorder that has been affected by recent developments in the field of genetics. The discovery of the CF gene in 1989, along with advances in molecular genetics, made it possible to screen for CF through DNA testing. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of CF has been shown to improve patients’ overall health and survival. Genetic advances have also led to the development of promising drugs to treat CF. For more on the impact of genomic advances on diagnosis and treatment, and implications for nursing practice, read, “Genomic Breakthroughs in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis,” and earn 2.3 CE credits by taking the test that follows the article.
LGBT health care disparities. The health care disparities that affect people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are closely tied to sexual and social stigma that linger to this day. “Addressing Health Care Disparities in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Population: An Overview of Best Practices,” explores LGBT health issues and health care disparities, and offers recommendations for best practices based on current evidence and standards of care. This CE feature offers 2.6 CE credits to those who take the test that follows the article. And don’t miss a podcast interview with one of the authors (this and other podcasts are accessible via the Behind the Article page on our Web site or, if you’re in our iPad app, by tapping the icon on the first page of the article).
New installment on systematic reviews. Last month, our new series from the Joanna Briggs Institute on writing a systematic review provided details how to develop a comprehensive search strategy. Now, the fourth installment of the series, “Study Selection and Critical Appraisal” (abstract only; log-in required), focuses on these crucial steps in the process of conducting a systematic review.
Smokers Need Not Apply? Is it unfair to discriminate against employees for participating in a legal activity on their own time? Some hospitals now have a policy of denying employment to smokers. This controversial policy—currently only allowed in 21 states—is especially pertinent to nurses, who represent both the largest group of hospital employees and the type of health care workers with the highest percentage of smokers. “The Ethics of Denying Smokers Employment in Health Care,” an article in our Ethical Issues column, analyzes whether the underlying assumptions of such policies are defensible. Don’t miss the podcast interview with author Douglas P. Olsen.
Other informative reads include a Mental Health Matters article on transcranial direct current stimulation for depression (log-in or purchase required), a Nursing Resources article on multicultural Web resources (log-in or purchase required), and a new installment in our Perspectives on Leadership column. To see the full table of contents and see what else AJN has to offer this month, visit our Web site.
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