Theresa A. Harvath, PhD, RN, CNS
 |
Associate
Professor Go to The John A. Hartford, Inc. Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence |
"I am interested in improving the health and health care of older adults and their family caregivers through research, education and clinical practice. I am particularly interested in how caregivers’ interpretations of dementia-related behavioral symptoms influences their stress and ability to effectively manage the symptoms. The complex relationships and interactions between older adults with dementia and their family caregivers is a place where nurses can make a real difference. I am also interested in providing nursing students with positive clinical experiences with older adults in order to foster their interest in a career in gerontological nursing. After more than 25 years as a gerontological nurse, I still find the health care needs of older adults intensely interesting, challenging, and yet very rewarding."
EDUCATION
Oregon Health and Science University, School of Nursing, Portland, OR, Doctor of Philosophy
TEACHING
Chronic Illness, Mental Health & Aging, Ethics, Advanced Practice Gerontology
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Completed Research Support
Linda Ganzini (PI)
1/1/2001 – 12/31/2001)
Greenwall Foundation Role: Co-Investigator
Oregon Hospice Care Providers’ Views and Experiences with Assisted
Suicide and Voluntary Refusal of Food and Fluids.
The purpose of this study was to explore the views and experiences of
Oregon hospice nurses and social workers with patients who hasten death
under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, or by voluntarily refusing food
and fluids.
SERVICE ACTIVITIES
- 1984 -present Gerontological Society of America
- 1986 -present Sigma Theta Tau International
- 1997 -present NW Clinical Nurse Specialist Conference Planning Committee, Co-Chair, 1997, Call-for-Abstracts Subcommittee, Chair, 1999, 2002, 2004
- 2001 - 2003 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Oregon/Greater Idaho Chapter, Founding Board of Directors, 2001 – present; Chair, Research Committee, 2001
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Harvath, T.A., Miller, L.L., Smith, K.A., Clark, L.D., Jackson, A., & Ganzini, L. (2006). Dilemmas encountered by hospice workers when patients wish to hasten death. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 8(4), 200-209.
Harvath, T.A., Beck, C., Flaherty-Robb, M., Hartz, C.H., Specht, J., Sullivan-Marx, E., Archbold, P. (2006). Best Practice Initiatives in Geriatric Nursing: Experiences from the John A. Hartford Foundation Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. Nursing Outlook, 54(4), 212-218.
Harvath, T.A. (2005). Terminal dehydration: A matter of patient choice. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 10(11), p. 552.
Harvath, T.A. (2005). Terminal dehydration: A matter of patient choice. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 11(7), p. 333-334. Invited commentary.
Harvath, T.A., Miller, L.L., Goy, El, Jackson, A., Delorit, M., and Ganzini, L. (2004). Voluntary refusal of food and fluids: Attitudes of OR hospice nurses and social workers. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 10(5), pg. 236 - 241. Commentary by Craig Gannon.
Ganzini, L. Goy, E.R., Miller, L.L., Harvath, T.A., Jackson, A., & Delorit, M.A. (2003). Nurses’ experiences with hospice patients who refuse food and fluids to hasten death. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(4), 359-365.
Ganzini, L., Harvath, T.A., Jackson, A., Goy, E.R., Miller, L.L., & Delorit, M.A. (2002). Experiences of OR nurses and social workers with hospice patients who requested assistance with suicide. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(8), 582-588.