Research
A PART OF ORPCS DISCOVERY NEWSLETTER
Dr. Aubrey Florom-Smith presents at the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Health Policy Conference
In October 2023, Dr. Aubrey Florom-Smith, Nurse Scientist at Stanford Health Care’s Office of Research Patient Care Services, presented her poster: “Launching a Diverse and Inclusive Space Nursing Workforce.” The presentation was co-presented with Dr. Cecelia L. Crawford and Dr. Michelle Y. Williams at the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Florom-Smith conducted historical qualitative research demonstrating the elements necessary for space nursing. In her research, she highlights that although space nursing has been documented for over 60 years, gaps continue to exist within the specialty that can be improved. Her findings demonstrate an integral need for diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) as a priority for research and policy for a space nursing workforce. While new and evolving, space nursing is and continues to be vital for space medicine teams and healthcare.
Dr. Florom-Smith highlights that as commercial space flight continues to expand, nurses must act and participate in defining space nursing in education and also develop DEI policies through research to improve and tailor the space traveler and patient experience. Diverse space nursing representation is needed to meet specific community needs for space travelers and space medicine teams. The presentation encouraged nurse educators, scientists, and policy experts in DEI to provide insight to develop further what nursing healthcare in space is and will be for future nurses. As stated by Dr. Florom-Smith, “Ad astra nurses” or “to the stars nurses!”
Written by: Cynthia Cortez, MSN, RN.
Voices of Musicians: Virtual Live Bedside Music Concerts in Inpatient Care
Dr. Aubrey Florom-Smith, Nurse Scientist from Stanford Health Care’s Office of Research Patient Care Services recently published “Voices of Musicians: Virtual Live Bedside Music Concerts in Inpatient Care” in the journal, Healthcare. Her qualitative study evaluated the impact of the Vital Sounds Initiative (VSI) Project: Music Heals Us (PMHU), a novel virtual concert program delivered between 2020 and 2022. The program consisted of musicians playing music to address patient isolation.
Key findings:
The study identified three main themes: patient experience, musician experience, and caregiver (family or staff) experience. Musicians reported positive experiences by patients, positive interactive engagement between musicians and patients, as well as loved ones, and staff appreciation for the concert.
Conclusion:
Virtual live bedside music concerts resulted in positive experiences and enthusiastic support for the VSI not only the patient, but also the musician, family members, and hospital staff.
Photo below: Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs for a patient and staff members during a VSI concert (photo reprinted from published article).
Written by: Carol Yoon, MSSW