Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing

JOURNAL 10.1177/1043659604265111 Andrews et OF al. /TRANSCUL ELECTRONIC TURAL SEARCHES NURSING ON/ July TRANSCUL 2004 TURAL NURSING Searching Electronically for Information on Transcultural Nursing and Health Subjects MARGARET ANDREWS, PhD, RN, CTN, FAAN University of Northern Colorado JENNIFER BURR, MLS, MA Lorette Wilmot Library, Nazareth College of Rochester DEBORAH H. JANETOS, MLS Lorette Wilmot Library, Nazareth College of Rochester With the proliferation of electronic resources available to search for subjects related to transcultural nursing and health, nurses must keep abreast of computer-based tools that enable them to quickly and efficiently obtain information on a variety of topics. This article provides suggestions for narrowing and focusing a search on transcultural nursing and related subjects using important research databases such as Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Information about additional useful databases such as Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO) is also provided. In the article, selected examples of Internet sites of interest in transcultural nursing and health are identified and described in brief annotations. Web sites for U.S. government agencies, organizations, and commercial groups that concern transcultural nursing and health care are cited. Global transcultural health and nursing Internet resources also are included. Keywords: Internet searches; library search; transcultural nursing T he Transcultural Nursing Society (TCNS) receives numerous requests for information on topics of relevance and concern in transcultural nursing. Although the TCNS is unable to conduct research for members, some information on effective ways to search electronically may save you time and enable you to locate information from credible sources. The Journal of Transcultural Nursing, Vol. 15 No. 3, July 2004 242-247 DOI: 10.1177/1043659604265111 © 2004 Sage Publications 242 following suggestions are intended to help you maximize the resources of libraries and electronic networks as you search for information on your topic. BEFORE CONDUCTING A SEARCH Before you begin the search, it is important to prepare by answering the following questions: • What kind of information do I want: Article? Book? Web site? Person to contact? Health care agency, organization, or institution? Black and white, or color? If the information is online, do I want with or without graphics, sound, and video? (Computer capabilities determine some of the options available.) • What level of complexity and detail do I want: Information for nurses and other health care professionals? Specific health-related information for patients or clients? Information aimed at members of the general public? • What do I consider a credible source of current information: Federal, state, or local government sources? Professional organizations? Individuals who declare themselves experts? • How soon do I need the information: Immediately? Within a day or two? By the end of the month? • What keywords or search vocabulary shall I use? Do not forget that a primary source of information (e.g., an interview with someone from the cultural group you are studying) is often an invaluable resource. SEARCHING FOR SUBJECTS IN TRANSCULTURAL NURSING AND HEALTH Try to make your search as focused and narrow as possible. For example, a search on health and American Indians is Andrews et al. / ELECTRONIC SEARCHES ON TRANSCULTURAL NURSING too broad and will yield hundreds of matches, or hits. To narrow the search, you might look for information on childrearing practices and Navajo Indians. Although you should use as many words as necessary to adequately describe the subject of your search, try to avoid using words such as the, a, an, or but. These words are frequently ignored by database search engines, but in some cases, using them may result in zero hits. (Such words are referred to as stop words for this very reason: They stop your search!) When you search for database information or research, you might look for references in journals such as Western Journal of Nursing Research, Nursing Research, Journal of Transcultural Nursing, and related sources. In some databases, you can take advantage of advanced-search menus or options that allow you to limit your search to, for example, research or clinical trials. ONLINE DATABASES The databases covered in this section are licensed by libraries for use by their primary clientele. Not all databases are available in all libraries. A health sciences library in a large university will have Medline; a small-town public library probably will not. Contact your local library for information about what databases they provide. Most libraries offer databases on their Web sites. Some libraries may still use CD-ROMs or print indexes. For Webbased versions of databases, access outside of the library may be available. Contact your local library for more information. Free, public versions of Medline and Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) are available on the Internet. See the descriptions below for further details. Primary Databases Medline Medline is the most comprehensive database in medicine and related fields. International and multilingual in scope, Medline indexes more than 4,600 journals. Medline originated as two print indexes that are still published today: Index Medicus and International Nursing Index.

Some libraries may still carry these indexes instead of or in addition to the online database Medline. Medline identifies topics through a formal system of subject headings called Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Keyword searching using your own terms is possible in Medline, but using MeSH headings can help make your search more precise. MeSH headings relevant to transcultural nursing are identified in Table 1. Medline is sponsored by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Free access to abstracts on Medline through PubMed is available through the NLM Web site. If you do not have ready access to a collection of medical and nursing journals, you may also wish to investigate NLM’s Loansome Doc 243 service—a way to get articles delivered to your door (or to your local library). The NLM’s Web address is http://www. nlm.nih.gov. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) provides indexing to nearly all of the Englishlanguage journals in nursing and related health fields, as well as indexing to publications of the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing. CINAHL publishes the CINAHL Subject Heading List, a guide to subject headings used to index topics in the CINAHL database. Keyword searching using your own terms is also possible, but searching by subject heading is often more precise. CINAHL subject headings relevant to transcultural nursing are identified in Table 1. Hospital libraries as well as college and university libraries that support a nursing program most likely will offer Webbased access to CINAHL.

If you do not have access to CINAHL through a local library, the database is available online to individuals by annual subscription directly from CINAHL. The Web address is http://www.cinahl.com/cdirect/cdirect.htm. Additional Health Care Databases Included in this section is a selection of databases offered by a few of the larger commercial vendors that market to libraries. The databases recommended in this section are comprehensive health care databases that offer some full text. Licensed by libraries from commercial vendors, the content of each database will vary depending on the type of library. For example, a database offered through a public library more than likely will have an emphasis on consumer health publications. Health & Medical Complete (Proquest/UMI) Health & Medical Complete is aimed at a diverse group of researchers from professionals to consumers. The database indexes more than 380 leading health journals and offers a large selection of full-text articles. Health and Wellness Information (HealthInfo; OCLC/FirstSearch) Like the other offerings in this list, this database’s intended audience is a diverse group ranging from students to professionals to consumers. Full-text documents include medical and consumer health periodicals, newsletters, reference books, pamphlets, and topical overviews. Health and Wellness Resource Center (Gale Group) This database offers full-text access to magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, health and medical dictionaries, and 244 JOURNAL OF TRANSCULTURAL NURSING / July 2004 TABLE 1 Subject Headings to Use When Conducting a Search for Topics on Transcultural Nursing Medical Subject Headings (MESH) Transcultural Nursing Medicine, African Traditional Medicine, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Oriental Traditional Cross-Cultural Comparison State Medicine a Delivery of Health Care Arabs Hispanic Americans Whites Alternative Therapies Medicine, African Traditional Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Oriental Traditional Ethnological Research World Health a Health Care Delivery Arabs Hispanics Whites Cross Cultural Treatment Ethnic Values Alternative Medicine Ethnospecific Disorders Sociocultural Factors Alaska Natives Asians Gypsies CINAHL Subject Headings a Complementary Therapies Medicine, Arabic Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Tibetan Traditional International Cooperation World Health Ethnic Groups Asian Americans Indians, North American Transcultural Nursing Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Arabic Medicine, Latin American Traditional Medicine, Tibetan Ethnonursing Research a Attitude to Health Ethnic Groups Asians Jews Cross Cultural Communication Cultural Sensitivity Ethnology Faith Healing Racial and Ethnic Attitudes Ethnic Groups American Indians Blacks Hispanics Psychological Abstracts Index Termsb a Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Kampo Medicine, Unani National Health Programs a Attitude to Health Minority Groups Blacks Jews Transcultural Nursing Society Traditional Healers Medicine, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Native American Medicine, Traditional National Health Programs a Attitude to Illness Minority Groups Blacks Native Americans Cross Cultural Differences Ethnic Identity Multiculturalism Folk Medicine Racial and Ethnic Differences Minority Groups Arabs Eskimos Jews a. Useful when subdivided or cross-referenced by country or ethnic group. b. Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing

The Internet or Web-based version of Psychological Abstracts is PsycINFO. PsycLIT is Psychological Abstracts on CD-ROM. directories. Selected journals are also included; this database is, however, licensed primarily to public libraries, so the emphasis is on information of interest to consumers. An alternative health module is an optional addition to this database and may also be available at your local library. Health Reference Center Academic (Gale Group) This is a mostly full-text database intended to meet the needs of both professionals and the average consumer. Journals, pamphlets, and selected articles from consumer health magazines and newspapers are included. Nearly 800 magazines and journals are indexed. The database also includes more than 2,500 full-text topical overviews from Clinical Reference Systems. It is licensed primarily by college and university libraries. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition (EBSCO) Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition offers full-text articles from 600 journals, including 450 peer-reviewed medical journals. As its title implies, there is a strong emphasis on nursing titles. Full-text information on prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and nutritional supplements from Clinical Pharmacology is also provided. Other Databases ERIC ERIC is a nationwide information system sponsored and financed by the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC clearinghouses based in universities across the United States collect and disseminate information on various aspects of education through the Internet and through the online database (also known as ERIC). Nursing professionals may find ERIC most useful for information involving patient education or nursing education. Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing

The ERIC database indexes and provides abstracts for journal articles and books. Publications other than journal articles are also indexed, and they are published as ERIC documents. Because the ERIC system is subsidized by the federal government, the ERIC database is available for free public searching from many ERIC clearinghouse Web sites. The main ERIC Web site, with links to the ERIC database and to ERIC clearinghouse Web sites, is http://www.eric.ed.gov. Andrews et al. / ELECTRONIC SEARCHES ON TRANSCULTURAL NURSING Nursing Discussion Forums (http://www.ualberta.ca/jrnorris/ nursinglists/) Many college and university libraries license an enhanced version of ERIC with links to full text. Inquire at your local library. Government Web sites Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO) Office of Minority Health Resource Center (http://www.omhrc.gov) The PsycINFO database, sponsored by the American Psychological Association, is the most comprehensive resource for information in psychology and related fields, such as psychiatric nursing and health care psychology. The database offers indexing and abstracts for journal articles, books, book chapters, and dissertations. Keyword searching using your own terms is possible in PsycINFO, but you may wish to refine your search using theThesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, a list of subject headings used in the database. PsycINFO subject headings relevant to transcultural nursing are identified in Table 1. PsycINFO is international and multilingual in scope. Years covered may vary according to the version licensed by your local library. Some libraries may carry PsycLIT, the CDROM version, or the paper index, Psychological Abstracts. Some libraries also license a full-text companion database called PsycArticles. Sociological Abstracts Sociological Abstracts indexes research articles, books, conference papers, and dissertations in the field of sociology as well as in  related fields such as cultural anthropology and social psychology. It is international and multilingual in scope. Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing

Transcultural nursing specialists will find the database’s coverage of sociology of medicine and health care policy of interest. Sociological Abstracts is available in libraries as a Web-based online database, as a CD-ROM, and as a paper index. Selected Internet Sites of Interest in Transcultural Nursing and Health To communicate with nurses worldwide on topics of interest, you may post or respond to items by participating in a variety of electronic forums. GLOBAL RN (http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/globalin.htm) Developed by Dr. Susan Sparks and the National Library of Medicine, this listserv is now sponsored by the School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. GLOBAL RN enables nurses from around the world to dialogue electronically about topics of interest related to culture and nursing. For instructions on how to subscribe to the list, go to the Web page address identified above. Other sources of listservs of interest to nursing professionals include the following: NURSENET (http://www.graduateresearch.com/NurseNet/) 245 Established as an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Minority Health Resource Center is the largest resource and referral service on minority health in the nation. It offers information, publications, mailing lists, database searches, funding opportunities, and referrals for or on African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander populations. It links to the monthly newsletter Closing the Gap, which provides continuing coverage of issues relevant to minority health and the President’s Initiative on Race. Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health (http://raceandhealth.hhs.gov) This Web site, which is linked to the Office of Minority Health Resource Center Web site, contains information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about the Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, which seeks to eliminate disparities in six key areas of health status by the year 2010. The Web site contains information on racial and ethnic health disparities in the United States and contains background material on the various components of the health disparities initiative. It links to numerous government agencies, including the White House, National Institutes of Health, Office for Civil Rights, Healthy People 2010, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Family and Community Violence Prevention Program, Black Health Net, and Minority Health Professions Foundation. Additional links provide statistical data and graphs on infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, and child and adult immunization for selected conditions by race and ethnicity. Office of Alternative Medicine (http://altmed.od.nih.gov) This federal office focuses on complementary and alternative medicine, which covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Many therapies are holistic, which means that the whole person, including his or her physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects, is the focus of health care. Links to databases, research, and information on conducting searches on alternative medicine subjects are available. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov) This site provides comprehensive data on disease control and prevention, including extensive statistical information on 246 JOURNAL OF TRANSCULTURAL NURSING / July 2004 health problems affecting minority groups in the United States. The link to CDC Travel Information provides a recent summary of health-related information for international travelers, including disease outbreaks around the world, recommended immunizations, and general information about communicable diseases. There are also links to Centers for Disease Control publications, software, and products. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics is a useful source of statistical data (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/Default.htm). Fastats A to Z Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/Default. htm) is a government database on Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Black, and American Indian health. Graphs with morbidity, mortality, birth, and life expectancy data are readily available. Indian Health Service (http://www.ihs.gov) This site contains information on Indian Health Service (IHS) programs and the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives receiving health care from IHS providers. It should be noted that IHS services approximately one half of American Indians and Alaska Natives, primarily those residing on reservations. Links include a directory and other Native American Web sites. Guide to Community Preventive Services (http://www.thecommunityguide.org) Under the auspices of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services has developed a guide for public health practitioners, their community partners, and policy makers that contains information needed for making cost-effective health strategies, policies, and programs. In addressing environmental and ecosystem challenges, strategies affecting the sociocultural environment are examined. Education Sites EthnoMed (http://www.ethnomed.org) This site contains information about cultural beliefs, health issues, language, and other related issues pertinent to the health care of recent immigrants, many of whom are refugees fleeing war-torn parts of the world. Links include cultural profiles, medical topics, cross-cultural topics, and patient education. It was developed and is maintained by the University of Washington … Discussion: Models of Transcultural Nursing