TIP SHEET

EDITORS: National Nurses Week is May 6-12. University of Michigan nursing professors work on research that would make for engaging stories. If you need other faculty expert assistance, contact us.

Some people need more than a good night’s sleep.

Ann Rogers, associate professor of nursing, has worked with narcoleptic and sleep disordered patients for the last 12 years, searching for the most effective way to “improve patient alertness.” In her clinical practice at the U-M Medical Center’s Sleep Disorder Center, she sees patients with more than 80 distinct sleep disorders. One particular focus for Rogers is studying narcolepsy, or excessive daytime sleeping, which occurs in approximately 250,000 people in the United States and can affect driving, working and personal relationships. “It’s a genetic disorder,” says Rogers. “It’s even been seen in dogs and horses.” Rogers was one of two nurses from five area sleep disorder centers invited to participate in a trial of a new stimulant medication aimed at treating narcolepsy. For more information on Rogers’ research, contact her at (313) 647-0188.

Crack cocaine finds its way into families, traumatizing women.

“We need to get women out the drug situations and empower them to take control of their lives…going back to their drug-filled homes after rehabilitation won’t solve anything,” said Carol Boyd, U-M associate professor of nursing. Boyd is currently performing research assisting in drug prevention and intervention for susceptible women. An interest in women drug users spawned her early research on the recreational use of crack cocaine among young women. She found that women often begin drug use within opposite-sex and/or male family relationships—often pressured by a spouse, lover or family member to use drugs. Because of these findings, she began her present research examining family drug use, and the psychological and physical traumas that women in these households face daily. “I realized how dense drug use is in the family,” said Boyd. “It’s hard to say ‘no’ to brothers and fathers, especially because so many of them are abusive.” For more information on Boyd’s research, contact her at (313) 647-0311.

Ann RogersCarol Boyd