RESEARCH:
My research is presently focused in two areas: 1) the long-term
psychosocial impact of living with predictive genetic test results
in individuals at risk for Huntington disease and hereditary breast
and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and 2) decision making in young women ages
18-35 years old who have received BRCA mutation test results and
face many complex health care decisions as a result of their genetic
test. The method I am using in both studies is grounded theory with
the study designs including Internet recruitment and email interviewing
as well as clinical site recruitment and phone interviews. My long
term research goals are to 1) increase our understanding of the psychosocial
impact of genetic testing on individuals and their families, 2) develop
a mid-range theory explaining the complex personal and familial processes
experienced during genetic testing, 3) explore the ethical and legal
issues raised by genetic testing, 4) methodologically explore and
compare Internet recruitment and email interviewing with more traditional
recruitment and interviewing techniques and 5) develop an intervention
specifically focused at young women who find they are at increased
risk for HBOC.
TEACHING:
I am presently teaching NUR1680, Introduction to Genetics and
Molecular Therapeutics, a required class for BSN students. I will
also offer an elective, NUR2681, Advanced Topics in Human Genetics,
which emphasizes the clinical aspects of genetic disorders
SERVICE:
I am a member of the EBP-Preferences and Values committee in
the SON. I am also an Affiliate with the Center for Bioethics and
Health Law at the University level.
BACKGROUND:
| Education |
|
| BS |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Biology |
| ADN |
Parkland Community College, Champaign, IL
Nursing |
| BSN |
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Nursing |
| MSN |
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Nursing |
| PhD |
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Nursing |
| |
|
| Professional Experience |
|
| 2002 – 03 |
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, T32, NINR Faculty Grant for Patient-Centered
Informational Interventions |
| 2003 – 2005 |
Post-Doctoral fellowship, T32, NINR Clinical Genetics, University
of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa |
| 2005 – Present |
Assistant Professor, Health Promotion and Development, School
of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA |
Current Research Funded:
“Living with predictive
genetic test results”-Sigma
Theta Tau International, Small Grants Award
“Decision making in young women at risk for hereditary
breast and ovarian cancer”- NIH Research Grant R03 NR009483-01
funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National
Human Genome Research Institute."
Five Selected Publications:
Hamilton,
R. J. (1997). The case of Baby M:
Nursing care in an ethical wilderness. Journal of Holistic Nursing,
15(4), 425-535.
Hamilton, R. J. (1998). Reflections from a neonatal
nurse: A philosophical dialogue. The American Journal of Maternal/Child
Nursing, 23(3), 151-154.
Hamilton, R. J., & Bowers, B. J. (2003).
Autonomy, informed consent and genetic testing: An uneasy tension.
Journal of Nursing Law, 9(1), 7-17.
Hamilton, R. J., Bowers, B. J., & Willliams,
J. K. ( 2005). Disclosing genetic test results to family members.
Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 37(1), 18-24.
Hamilton , R.J., Bowers, B.
J. (2006. Internet recruitment and email interviewing for qualitative
studies. Qualitative Health Research. 16(6), pending.
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