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Patient-reported outcome measures are helping clinicians to use evidence-based medicine in decision making. The use of computer-based questionnaires to gather such data may offer advantages over traditional paper-based methods. These advantages include consistent presentation, prompts for missed questions, reliable scoring, and simple and accurate transfer of information into databases without manual data entry. The authors enrolled 308 patients over a 16-month period from 3 orthopedic clinics: spine, upper extremity, and trauma. Patients were randomized to complete either electronic or paper validated outcome forms during their first visit, and they completed the opposite modality at their second visit, which was approximately 7 weeks later. For patients with upper-extremity injuries, the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) was used. For patients with lower-extremity injuries, the Foot Function Index (FFI) was used. For patients with lumbar spine symptoms, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used. All patients also were asked to complete the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Health Status Survey, version 1. The authors assessed patient satisfaction with each survey modality and determined potential advantages and disadvantages for each. No statistically significant differences were found between the paper and electronic versions for patient-reported outcome data. However, patients strongly preferred the electronic surveys. Additionally, the paper forms had significantly more missed questions for the FFI (P<.0001), ODI (P<.0001), and PSS (P=.008), and patents were significantly less likely to complete these forms (P<.0001). Future research should focus on limiting the burden on responders, individualizing forms and questions as much as possible, and offering alternative environments for completion (home or mobile platforms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The U.S. Boards of Nursing (BONs) collect annual report data from their nursing programs as part of their approval process. This paper highlights the 2020 and 2021 annual report data on the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on all nursing programs in 17 BONs in 2020 and 19 in 2021. Method: Nursing programs answered 16 questions on the effect of COVID-19 on their programs. Because BONs require annual report data, all programs in the participating states answered the questions, which included 798 programs in 2020 and 929 in 2021. Results: Major disruptions in nursing education occurred during the pandemic. Clinical experiences and didactic classes were greatly affected, though alternative strategies were used. Student and faculty attrition rates were particularly high in 2021. Conclusion: The authors call for a national forum where nurse leaders analyze what happened and make recommendations for future crisis events. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(5):312–319.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of socially assistive robots (SARs) to enable older adults (aged ≥65 years) to live independently for as long as possible has been researched for several years. Of particular interest is the way SARs can combat loneliness. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 older adults in living facilities in Berlin, Germany. Paper-based questionnaires were used to elicit experiences of loneliness and determine the level of acceptance of SARs. Mean score (39.3) of the loneliness scale was in the average range for this population. Mean score (56.1) of acceptance of SARs was on a moderate level. Regression analyses showed that loneliness did not influence the acceptance of SARs by older adults in the sample, which was contrary to findings in the literature. Further studies might generate more accurate data and accelerate the development of robots to make them more attractive for social purposes. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(4), 21–26.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile technology is a promising educational platform for chronic disease management. Patients with heart failure (HF) have high rates of hospitalization and complications. The goal of the current cross-sectional study was to determine if middle-aged and older adults were using or willing to use technology for HF education and self-management. A convenience sample of 37 patients with HF were recruited from an outpatient HF clinic. Participants were asked to complete a 23-item paper survey. Male participants comprised 59.5% of the sample and 54.1% of the sample reported being age ≥65. Most participants (60%) described using text messaging and FacebookMobile technology is a promising educational platform for chronic disease management. Patients with heart failure (HF) have high rates of hospitalization and complications. The goal of the current cross-sectional study was to determine if middle-aged and older adults were using or willing to use technology for HF education and self-management. A convenience sample of 37 patients with HF were recruited from an outpatient HF clinic. Participants were asked to complete a 23-item paper survey. Male participants comprised 59.5% of the sample and 54.1% of the sample reported being age ≥65. Most participants (60%) described using text messaging and Facebook®, 78.3% reported believing technology could help with HF management, and 70.3% of participants indicated willingness to use technology. Findings indicate that incorporating mobile technology into HF education and self-management is of interest to middle-aged and older adults. These findings have important implications for designing HF patient education programs. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(11), 30–38.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the feasibility and effects of a game-based phone application for training health care workers to use personal protective equipment. Method: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. All participants in the experimental group (n = 123) and the control group (n = 125) received 75 minutes of training and were provided with a video and a paper copy of the procedures. Participants in the experimental group used an additional game-based phone application to simulate the procedures. Results: Participants in the experimental group practiced a median of 15 times (range, 14–19 times). The learning curve indicated that they needed at least 12 repetitions to master the skill. Score improvements (Z = −2.257, p =.024) in the experimental group were significantly superior to those in the control group, as were the incidences of procedural errors of hand hygiene (χ2 = 4.085, p =.043) and protective clothing (χ2 = 5.394, p =.02). Conclusion: The game-based phone application simulation guided participants to practice enough times to master the skill, enhance their skill performance, and reduce the incidence of procedural errors. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(5):212–220.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the importance of personal goals to residents; assessed whether goal-related behavior was associated with mental health factors (i.e., depression, experiential avoidance, and quality of life); and explored residents' use of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) strategies. Interviews were conducted with eight residents at a nursing home along with paper-and-pencil measures of mental health factors. Transcripts were coded first for goal content and subsequently analyzed using an exploratory qualitative method. Most residents (five of eight) denied having goals. Experiential avoidance and depression were significantly negatively correlated with goal content; quality of life was significantly positively correlated with goal content. Eleven themes derived from exploratory analysis suggest SOC processes were important in residents' lives. The study demonstrated the relevance of SOC for residents' quality of life. The potential for developing person-centered interventions to evoke implicit goals and facilitate attainment is discussed. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(6), 277–284.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Competency in end-of-life (EOL) care is a growing expectation for health professions students. This study assessed the impact of four EOL care scenarios, using high-fidelity simulation, on the perceived learning needs and attitudes of pharmacy and nursing students. Method: On three campuses, pharmacy students (N = 158) were exposed to standard paper EOL case scenarios, while a fourth campus exposed eight graduate nursing and 37 graduate pharmacy students to simulated versions of the same cases. Results: The paper-based groups produced similar pre-post changes on the End of Life Professional Caregiver Survey. Results were pooled and compared with the simulation-only group, revealing significantly higher changes in pre-post scores for the simulation group. Conclusion: Students participating in the simulation group showed some significant differences in attitudes toward EOL care, compared with students in the classroom setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To create an instrument to assess attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) patients among random samples of athletic trainers in the United States. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews, paper-based questionnaires, and an electronic questionnaire. Development included three phases: (1) exploratory interviews and questionnaire responses, (2) construct validity and item reduction, and (3) criterion validity. Results: Six athletic trainers completed semi-structured interviews to develop themes regarding LGB patients. Additionally, 39 students in professional and post-professional athletic training programs answered questionnaires designed to elicit statements regarding LGB patients. For item reduction, 3,000 athletic trainers were emailed a questionnaire (response rate = 17%). For validation, another sample of 3,000 athletic trainers was sent the instruments (response rate = 13%). Athletic trainer emails were obtained from the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The resultant instrument was the 15-item Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Patients (ATLGBP) (α =.830). There were significant correlations between the ATLGBP and subscales of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual–Knowledge and Attitude Scale for Heterosexuals (hate: r =.464; civil rights: r = −.683; religion: r =.532; internal: r = −.612; knowledge: r = −.430; P <.001). Conclusions: The ATLGBP assesses affective, cognitive, and behavioral expressions of LGB attitudes in settings common to clinicians. The ability to assess attitudes toward LGB patients enables clinicians to identify areas on which to focus training and education. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2021;13(4):e146–e152.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare embedded audio feedback (EAF), which faculty provided using the iPad® application iAnnotate® PDF to insert audio comments and written feedback (WF), inserted electronically on student papers in a series of writing assignments. Goals included determining whether EAF provides more useful guidance to students than WF and whether EAF promotes connectedness among students and faculty. An additional goal was to ascertain the efficiency and acceptance of EAF as a grading tool by nursing faculty. The pilot study was a quasi-experimental, cross-over, posttest-only design. The project was completed in an Informatics in Health Care course. Faculty alternated the two feedback methods on four papers written by each student. Results of surveys and focus groups revealed that students and faculty had mixed feelings about this technology. Student preferences were equally divided between EAF and WF, with 35% for each, and 28% were undecided. [J Nurs Educ. 2015; 54(1):41-44.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 600 RN-to-BSN programs currently exist in the United States, and the numbers of programs and students are growing rapidly. This unprecedented growth is a result of several factors, including the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that 80% of RNs be BSN prepared by 2020. This survey was undertaken to explore key ideas and issues related to RN-to-BSN education to gather information on how RN-to-BSN programs are changing and to uncover concerns posited by program directors. The survey indicated that lack of standardization has resulted in significant variability in expectations and requirements among RN-to-BSN programs. Further, numerous questions need to be answered and concerns addressed to develop strategies to maintain growth, improve access, and remove barriers without sacrificing quality. Findings can be used to ensure that RN-to-BSN education prepares graduates for the future health care system and that the outcome is not just a piece of paper. [More than 600 RN-to-BSN programs currently exist in the United States, and the numbers of programs and students are growing rapidly. This unprecedented growth is a result of several factors, including the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that 80% of RNs be BSN prepared by 2020. This survey was undertaken to explore key ideas and issues related to RN-to-BSN education to gather information on how RN-to-BSN programs are changing and to uncover concerns posited by program directors. The survey indicated that lack of standardization has resulted in significant variability in expectations and requirements among RN-to-BSN programs. Further, numerous questions need to be answered and concerns addressed to develop strategies to maintain growth, improve access, and remove barriers without sacrificing quality. Findings can be used to ensure that RN-to-BSN education prepares graduates for the future health care system and that the outcome is not just a piece of paper. [J Nurs Educ. 2013;52(10):549--557.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The established nurse transition-to- practice program offered at one Australian health service underwent significant changes in 2017. This study aimed to gain feedback from the participants in the 2016 and 2017 programs. Method: A four-page paper survey was given to participants in the 2016 and 2017 programs. Results: Both cohorts were positive about the content, organization, and support provided to them throughout the program. Conclusion: The program will continue to undergo incremental improvements to meet the needs of the organization and the graduates. The need to tailor future programs to meet the needs of nurses working in rural and remote facilities has been identified. It has been suggested that options for more dynamic presentations of content also need to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ten years ago, nursing education in Ontario, Canada, changed when entry to practice and licensure became a bachelor's of science in nursing (BScN) for RNs. This article presents the initial results of an ongoing 5-year longitudinal study on undergraduate students' satisfaction within a collaborative BScN program and predictors of satisfaction with their nursing education. Method: BScN nursing students from one group of collaborative sites participated in a survey pertaining to satisfaction with their program. Data were collected via paper and pen or online. Results: Initial data found that students were satisfied or strongly satisfied with their collaborative nursing education (M ± SD = 183.9 ± 32.7). However, any type of conflict had a significant negative relationship with satisfaction in all domains. No other significant predictors of satisfaction were uncovered. Conclusion: Overall, students were very satisfied with a collaborative model of baccalaureate nursing education. Conflict of any type decreases satisfaction within all domains of nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a case-based computer program, using an integrative ethical decision-making model, on the ethical decision-making competency of nursing students in South Korea. Method: This study used a pre- and posttest comparison design. Students in the intervention group used a computer program for case analysis assignments, whereas students in the standard group used a traditional paper assignment for case analysis. Result: The findings showed that using the case-based computer program as a complementary tool for the ethics courses offered at the university enhanced students' ethical preparedness and satisfaction with the course. Conclusion: On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that nurse educators use a case-based computer program as a complementary self-study tool in ethics courses to supplement student learning without an increase in course hours, particularly in terms of analyzing ethics cases with dilemma scenarios and exercising ethical decision making. [On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that nurse educators use a case-based computer program as a complementary self-study tool in ethics courses to supplement student learning without an increase in course hours, particularly in terms of analyzing ethics cases with dilemma scenarios and exercising ethical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current article reports the consensus recommendations from individuals living with dementia and their care partners on priorities for public policy and research funding, which were found using a nationwide, Delphi study. A modified snowball sample was used. Listservs, personal contacts, and advocacy groups were asked to distribute the survey. Paper versions were provided upon request. In Rounds 1 and 2 of the study, 388 and 301 responses, respectively, were received. Borda counts produced a ranked order consensus of priorities. Research ranked third, after the need for caregiver support and resources for the provision of long-term care. Education and training in person-centered practices for all care partners was also a high priority. Responses indicated that research funding should be expanded beyond its current emphasis on cure. Policymakers should reconsider the current priorities of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act to better address the long-term needs of individuals living with dementia and their care partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper discusses RNs' transitions in to their first nursing home director of nursing (DON) position, including hiring practice and role development. A convenience sample of 29 current and previous DONs and nursing home administrators completed semistructured interviews for the current qualitative, descriptive study. Using thematic analysis, the finding revealed three primary themes: (a) DON hiring criteria are not necessarily matched to role demands; (b) various pathways to developing DON expertise suggest an undervaluing of the competencies needed to effectively enact this nursing leadership position; and (c) although limited formal training for the DON position was well-acknowledged, concerns or reports of the consequences varied, and there is no consensus as to the optimal route to preparation. Overall, the current study findings highlight gaps across practice, policy, and research, emphasizing the consequences of limited attention to gathering evidence of the breadth and depth of DON role demands and related role qualifications. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(6), 32-38.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of nursing programs offering online courses continues to expand. This is a relatively new method of instruction that has not been extensively evaluated. Academic integrity in the online classroom is one area of concern. This study compared academic integrity in both an online and a traditional classroom registered nurse to baccalaureate in nursing (RN-BSN) program. Methods: A comparative descriptive design was used to evaluate academic integrity in the two RN-BSN cohorts. Results: The traditional classroom RN-BSN students reported higher levels of cheating compared with the online students. Self-reported cheating behaviors were higher among younger students in the traditional classroom. Conclusion: This study did not support contemporary concerns that cheating is more prevalent in online courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outcome instrument use is becoming widespread. They must fit smoothly into the office flow and show the physician and patient value. Five practices incorporated the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) into their office. Existing staff scored the SMFA. At the conclusion of the visit, the patient and physician assessed the impact of the SMFA on their interaction. Five hundred ten patients completed the SMFA. Physicians believed the verbal interaction had some effect with their patients 44% of the time. Physicians reported the SMFA had some effect on their management decisions 36% of the time. Physicians reported that the total score was helpful 43% of the time and the category scores were helpful 65% of the time. On completing the SMFA, patients reported no effect on their physician interaction 74% of the time and 88% believed it was worthwhile to complete. This validated musculoskeletal questionnaire adds value to the physician-patient interaction in approximately 30%-40% of encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption in the United States is a way for families to grow, and pediatricians will invariably take care of infants being placed for adoption. Reasons why an infant will be adopted are highly variable, as are the types of relationships that birth parents have with their infants. Care of the infant being placed for adoption in the nursery involves close attention to detail to ensure appropriate continuity of care and information as the infant transitions into their eventual medical home. Adoptive parents often seek additional information from their child's health care providers, and pediatricians should be equipped to provide guidance both prior to and after the adoption process. Office-based pediatricians should support adoptive parents with a longitudinal approach informed by best practices and principles of well-child care. [Pediatr Ann. 2020;49(2):e61-e63.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily administration of vitamin D is important for maintaining bone homeostasis. The orthopedic community has shown increased interest in vitamin D supplementation and patient outcomes after fracture. The current study used data from a large hip fracture trial to determine the proportion of patients who consistently used vitamin D after hip fracture surgery and to determine whether supplementation was associated with improved health-related quality of life and reduced reoperation rates. The FAITH study is a multicenter trial of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation. The current study asked a subset of patients included in the FAITH study about vitamin D supplementation and categorized them as consistent users, inconsistent users, or nonusers. This study also evaluated whether supplementation was associated with improved quality of life and reduced reoperation rates. The final analysis included 573 patients (mean age, 74.1 years; female, 66.3%; nondis-placed fractures, 72.4%). A total of 18.7% of participants reported no use of vitamin D, 35.6% reported inconsistent use, and 45.7% reported consistent use. Adjusted analysis found that consistent supplementation was associated with a 2.42 increase of the Short Form-12 physical component score 12 months postoperatively (P=.033). However, supplementation was not associated with reduced reoperation rates (P=.386). Despite guidelines recommending vitamin D supplementation, a low proportion of elderly patients with hip fracture use vitamin D consistently, suggesting a need for additional strategies to promote compliance. This study found that the use of vitamin D was associated with a statistically significant but not clinically significant improvement in health-related quality of life after hip fracture. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e868-e875.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The computer-assisted navigation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) offers a radiologically demonstrated higher precision of implantation than conventional implantation in relation to the axis alignment. The impact on long-term clinical outcomes is currently unknown. In 1999, 217 consecutive TKAs were performed in a total of 213 patients (113 navigated and 104 conventional). After 10 years, it was possible to follow up on 94 patients with 96 TKAs, of which 46 were conventional and 50 were navigated. The radiographs were evaluated using the Knee Society protocol. In addition to the Hospital for Special Surgery Score and Knee Society Score, the current authors also used the patient-focused 36-item Short Form Health Survery. After 10 years, 8 TKAs were revised because of aseptic loosening, 7 in the conventional group and 1 in navigated group. This equates to an 87% survival rate for conventional and 98% for navigated implantation. This difference was statistically significant (P<.05). After conclusion of the follow-up, 17% of the conventional and 9.8% of the navigated TKAs were found to have undergone aseptic loosening. All of the TKAs subject to aseptic loosening presented a mechanical femorotibial angle outside the optimal zone of ±3° around neutral axis. The study indicates a clinically significant advantage of the navigation technique compared with the conventional procedure. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):S72-S76.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-fidelity simulation, with the potential to enhance cognitive, associative, and autonomous skills, can help students develop clinical reasoning. This study examined third-year students' (N = 300) perceptions about the implementation of high-fidelity simulation into an existing clinical course. Data were collected using an evaluation form completed by students after the simulation. Students perceived high-fidelity simulation as enjoyable, with an appropriate degree of challenge yet possessing congruency with concepts studied in the course. Students' transient feelings of confusion were interpreted as a natural component of the problem solving process as they analyzed, clustered, and interpreted cues to respond to rapid changes in the simulated patient's clinical condition. Debriefing was viewed as an important component and assisted in clarifying students' knowledge and rationale for practice. Further research is required on the relationship between the degree of confusion and its impact on learning and whether high-fidelity simulation increases the ability to reason in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical thinking has been a crucial outcome of nursing educational programs. Effective nurses should be knowledgeable about complex patient situations and confident in their skills. One teaching strategy recently adopted by some educators to develop nurses' critical thinking, learning, and confidence is simulation. Simulation incorporates scenarios and case studies developed to replicate real-life clinical situations. Learners are asked to solve clinical problems and make critical decisions based on the information provided. Little research has been done on how simulation experiences promote critical thinking, learning, and confidence, especially in new graduate nurses. This study explored the perceptions of new graduate nurses of how clinical simulation developed their critical thinking skills, learning, and confidence throughout their hospital clinical training. Ten new baccalaureate nursing graduates voluntarily participated in this study, which used an exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected by demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using content analysis. Participants reported that simulation prepared them well to care confidently for critically ill patients. Simulation also helped them learn to make sound clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes. The findings have crucial implications for nursing education, practice, and research. They provide evidence to support the use of simulation as a teaching strategy to promote critical thinking skills, learning, and confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing practice models (NPMs) provide the framework for the design and delivery of nursing care to residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities and characterize the manner in which nursing staff assemble to accomplish clinical goals. The purpose of this study was to identify and validate the distinctive components of NPMs in LTC facilities and develop an instrument to describe and evaluate NPMs in such settings. The study included validation of the NPM components through a literature review and focus groups with nursing staff from LTC facilities; development and modification of the Nursing Practice Model Questionnaire (NPMQ); and examination of the validity and reliability of the NPMQ through pilot testing in 15 LTC facilities with 508 nursing staff. Five factors--decision making, informal continuity of information, formal continuity of information, continuity of care, and accountability--comprise the five subscales of the NPMQ, a 37-item questionnaire with established respectable validity and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective clinical nursing instructors are essential for maximizing nursing students' educational experience. Due to a shortage of clinical placement sites and advancements in technology, nursing students are increasingly learning clinical judgment and decision making in the simulated clinical experience (SCE) with human patient simulators. In this environment, SCE instructors help students acquire knowledge and skills in decision making in a controlled, risk-free, hospital-like clinical environment. Using informal student interviews, this study examined nursing student perceptions of the characteristics of an effective instructor in the simulated clinical experience. To capture information about the characteristics of effective SCE instructors, interviews were conducted with students (N = 8) from two universities in Northern California. All participants had experience working with human patient simulators in the simulation laboratory. Students identified six themes for SCE instructors: Personality, Teaching Ability, Evaluation, Nursing Competence, Interpersonal Relationships, and Realism. Further research on the similarities and differences of this new educational environment is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a hand hygiene guideline for health care workers. The emergence of online learning approaches has introduced new opportunities for providing continuing education regarding hand hygiene. Methods: This study assessed the effectiveness of an online continuing education program in increasing health care workers' knowledge of hand hygiene practices and guidelines and promoting behavioral change as measured by self-assessment of adherence to guidelines. A total of 256 health care workers at two hospitals completed all three sessions of the online continuing education program. Results: Health care workers reported a significant improvement in hand hygiene knowledge and self-assessed compliance with hand hygiene behaviors. Most (97%) of the participating health care workers reported that the program was effective in improving clinical compliance behaviors. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that individual health care workers can and will use self-assessment to prompt improvement in hand hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing programs are mandated by accreditation bodies to report data significant to program quality and outcomes. The history at one school of nursing in the southern United States revealed the program evaluation committee experienced roadblocks in retrieving such information. Creative approaches were adopted to overcome some of the barriers to program evaluation, including the use of more technological-based approaches to engage alumni who embrace this technology as a way of life. Among the many advantages of these approaches were convenience, ease of administration and analysis, cost effectiveness, and more meaningful data. The advantages far outweighed the few disadvantages incurred, with the most prominent being potential sampling bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored dressing and grooming habits and preferences of older adults. Fifty-eight community-dwelling older persons (mean age = 80 years) in suburban Maryland responded to the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly (SHAPE) questionnaire. There was a large variability in preferences, and all items were very important for at least some of the participants. Women attributed higher levels of importance to dressing and grooming than did men. Importance ratings increased with level of education and were higher for unmarried persons, but were not related to age or need for assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). On an individual basis, this information can be used to suggest items for interventions or to structure a personal care environment. Alternately, it can be used in the aggregate as a guideline for designing programs of care to reflect the preferences of a majority of older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]