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The purpose of this article is to describe and analyze the psychometric properties of the Learning Orientation Questionnaire (LOQ), which have not been previously published. Psychometric validation involves the accumulation of proper empirical evidence to confirm measurement of the intended construct, and to justify the intended uses of the scales. LOQ is based upon the intentional learning theory, which is a comprehensive, holistic learning theory. Through the expertise of the LOQ's developer, educational researcher, and psychometrician, this article presents evidence of LOQ's reliability and validity according to published best practices for scale development and validation. LOQ is a reliable and valid instrument determining where learners fall along the learning orientation continuum. Education researchers can use this information to support learners to move upward on the learning orientation continuum, improving their inclination to learn, high-order thinking, and life-long learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the effectiveness of education on increasing knowledge of palliative care and how to access palliative care services among community members. Design: A descriptive study using a retrospective survey was conducted after in-person educational events on palliative care. This study used the definition of rural and frontier provided by the South Dakota Department of Health which is based on the US Census Bureau population estimates (2020). Sample: Educational events occurred in 17 communities across South Dakota with 256 community members. Of which, 166 people completed the survey. Methods: Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to evaluate for change in palliative care knowledge. Fisher's Exact Test was utilized to analyze for an association between past palliative and hospice care use, palliative care knowledge, and confidence in finding palliative care services. Findings: The majority of educational events took place in rural or frontier locations with 85% of participants and 95.2% of survey respondents attending in a rural or frontier location. Most of the survey respondents (61.5%) were a caregiver of someone with a serious health condition, while 13.3% had a serious health condition and 3% were both a caregiver and had a serious health condition. After completion of the community education program, community members demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their knowledge of palliative care and their confidence in being able to locate palliative care services, p <.001. Having used palliative care services was significantly associated with palliative care knowledge and confidence in accessing these services, p < .001. Conclusion: Performing education individualized to each community increased knowledge regarding palliative care and how to access these services. Additional needs of community members were discovered which is critically important to address as the rural population ages and is more likely to be living with serious illness(es). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the needs of family caregivers (FCGs) from the perspectives of health care professionals delivering cancer care to American Indian and rural populations., Method: A descriptive content analysis of 18 interviews with multidisciplinary health care professionals delivering cancer care at a rural cancer institute in the Great Plains region was conducted., Results: We identified three themes: access, support, and awareness with six subthemes. Consideration of these core needs, coupled with the individual cultural circumstance, is critical in addressing disparities faced by American Indian/Alaska Native and rural FCGs., Conclusions: The availability of specialized health care services, like palliative care, can positively impact the experience of FCGs providing care. However, access is limited. The needs and challenges faced by American Indian/Alaska Native and rural FCGs described in this study can inform the development of a culturally responsive palliative care intervention. Nurses are well positioned to develop and lead this intervention, which will be the first of its kind. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: This descriptive qualitative study sought to understand the barriers affecting cancer care delivery from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) serving American Indian (AI), rural, and frontier populations., Methods: One-on-one, semi-structured interviews with multidisciplinary HCPs ( N  = 18) who provide cancer care to AI, rural, and frontier populations were conducted between January and April 2022. Interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed following thematic content analysis methodologies., Results: Thematic content analysis revealed three major themes: (a) Access, (b) Time, and (c) Isolation. The themes represent the HCP perspectives of the needs and barriers of persons with cancer to whom they provide cancer care. Furthermore, these themes also reflect the barriers HCPs experience while providing cancer care to AI, rural and frontier populations., Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence for the need and strong multidisciplinary support for an early palliative care intervention in rural and frontier South Dakota (SD). This intervention could support the needs of persons with advanced cancer as well as the HCPs delivering cancer care in rural settings., Innovation: This study is the initial step to develop the first culturally responsive, nurse-led, early palliative care intervention for AI, rural, and frontier persons with advanced cancer in SD., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Sarah Mollman reports financial support was provided by The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation. Sarah Mollman reports financial support was provided by Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Sarah Mollman reports financial support was provided by South Dakota State University Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Challenge Fund. Brandon Varilek reports financial support was provided by The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation. Brandon Varilek reports financial support was provided by Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Brandon Varilek reports financial support was provided by South Dakota State University Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Challenge Fund., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)