Morgan, F. A. (2006). Primary health care nurses supporting families parenting pre-term infants. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This thesis reviews the role of primary health care nurses, who have an opportunity to play a unique role in teaching, touching and empowering families with newly discharged pre-term babies. Birth of a baby earlier than 37 weeks gestation ushers in a period of uncertainty and stress for parents. Uncertainties may centre on whether their infant will survive and what ongoing growth and developmental issues their infant will face.
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Spence, D., & Anderson, M. (2006). Implementing a prescribing practicum within a Masters programme in advanced nursing practice. A pilot study. [Auckland; Hawkes Bay]: [The authors].
Abstract: This report presents the findings and recommendations derived from a collaborative action research pilot project undertaken alongside the implementation of two nurse prescribing practicum courses. The students, teachers and supervisors participating in year long Masters' level prescribing practica at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) were interviewed about their perceptions, concerns and actions relating the first time implementation of their respective practicum papers. Research findings suggest that the practicum implementation has been successful overall, however there is a need to refine delivery, and to review current funding arrangements.
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Williams, H. (2006). One for the boys: An evaluative study of primary health care access by men in Tairawhiti. Ph.D. thesis, , .
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Woodgyer, A. R. (2006). Living without the song of the tui: A nursing lecturer's experience in India facilitating a New Zealand degree programme for registered nurses. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This research considers the issues raised by the transfer from New Zealand to India of a degree for registered nurses. In the context of globalisation and the continuing migration of nurses, many countries are actively facilitating the transfer of educational programmes from other countries into their own. This transfer brings with it particular challenges for educators establishing and implementing programmes in a new environment and culture. Based on the experience and reflections of one educator involved in such a transfer, this research considers pedagogical issues such as addressing cultural safety in course content and delivery, expectations of teaching and learning styles, as well as the ethical issues raised by transferring a programme to another country in order to facilitate nurses' migration from it.
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Trimmer, W. C. (2006). The way things are done around here: Perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This research project explored nurses' perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. Within New Zealand no research exists that evaluates the role and impact the clinical leadership has in mental health nursing practice. From personal experience and discussion with colleagues the author argues that clinical leadership in terms of support and guidance for nurses is often minimal and that there is a relationship between qualities of clinical leadership and poor retention rates of mental health nurses. The prime objective of this study was to increase knowledge about clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. This research used a quantitative descriptive methodology, utilising survey design. A questionnaire was used to rank the attributes of the person the respondents identified as a clinical leader. The data was collected from 30 registered nurses working in mental health settings within the central region of New Zealand. Findings indicate that there is room for improvement with regard to clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. Clinical leadership is perceived to be more effective by nurses in their second year of practice and in community settings. A statistically significant difference was indicated between nurses in their second year of practice and nurses in their third year of practice in terms of their ranking of clinical leadership abilities. Overall the respondents perceived poor communication and poor attitude as the biggest barriers to effective leadership. Support and good role models were said to influence nursing practice positively and the skills that were identified as being helpful in assisting and retaining nurses were mentorship and good communication. The results of the study are discussed in relation to the literature on transformational leadership skills. Finally, the general limitations of the study are outlined and implications for future research are discussed.
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Litchfield, M. (2006). Towards a people-pivotal paradigm for healthcare: Report of the Turangi primary health care nursing innovation 2003-2006.
Abstract: This report presents the findings of the developmental evaluation programme for the three-year innovation project. It includes the model of the integrative nursing service scheme with mobile whanau/family nurses as the hub of healthcare provision for a new paradigm of service design and delivery spanning primary-secondary-tertiary sectors. The form of healthcare the local people received, the nature of the nursing practice and role, service delivery and employment parameters required to support the nurses in practice are presented. The service configuration model subsequently gave the structure to Lake Taupo Primary Health Organisation with the hub of family nurses with a mobile comprehensive practice.
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McLauchlan, M. F. (2006). Mobile computing in a New Zealand Bachelor of nursing programme. In Consumer-Centered Computer-Supported Care for Healthy People. Studies in health technology and informatics, 122 (pp. 605-608). IOS Press.
Abstract: Mobile computing is rapidly becoming a reality in New Zealand health care settings. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are the most frequently used of these mobile technologies, giving nurses access to clinical learning resources, including drug references, medical encyclopaedias and diagnostic information. The implementation of mobile computing at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) will ensure graduates of our Bachelor of Nursing Programme are able to meet health care service demands for knowledge in contemporary information technologies as well as the information technology requirements defined by the Nursing Council of New Zealand and the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003 for registration as a nurse in New Zealand. This paper presents strategies for the implementation of mobile computing as a core element of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Nursing Programme at Wintec in Hamilton.
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Clissold, C. (2006). How discourses stifle the Primary Health Care Strategy's intent to reduce health inequalities. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: The Primary Health Care Strategy (PHCS) has a stated commitment to defined populations who suffer disproportionately from ill health. This thesis examines whether some prevailing discourses actually decrease the focus on health inequalities. A study of the nursing and medical media found that it focused predominantly on professional and industrial issues, leaving health workers focused mainly on their own professional interests, rather than considering the effects on health inequalities. She goes on to suggest that current Ministry of Health discourse values decentralised community health decision making. This may gloss over factors in community health which are affected by Government policy such as employment policy, and thus should be dealt with centrally by legislation. These factors have been found to be the most pertinent in health inequalities. So while models of community partnerships may seem to place communities as agents in their own health, this downplays the determinants of health which are beyond their control. Having shown that discourse can decrease the focus on health inequalities due to other professional and political drivers, the author then looked at health initiative concepts which are effective, efficient and equitable given the current set up of PHOs and nursing innovations.
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Clunie, S. (2006). The current trend and importance of postgraduate education for nurses. coda, An Institutional Repository for the New Zealand ITP Sector, 10, 18–23.
Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to examine why postgraduate education has become so important, to examine some of the issues around mandatory continuing education and the practical effect of this on a nursing career. Four strategies from the Ministry of Health, designed to facilitate changing nurse education, are discussed. The importance of Professional Development Recognition programmes is discussed along with the need for strong nursing leadership.
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Turnwald, A. B. (2006). Acute Hypercarbia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Presentations to a New Zealand emergency department. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: A retrospective descriptive design was used to examine the records of all presentations to the emergency department of patients with COPD over a 3-month period to determine whether there is a subset group of people who present with hypercarbia. There were 114 presentations, amongst those there were 71 individuals, a number presenting more than once within the three months. 80% of the 71 individuals had a smoking history of which 53% were female. Of the 114 presentations, 76 had arterial blood gases taken during their emergency department presentation. Of these 76 presentations 30 had hypercarbia and 46 were non-hypercarbia. These 76 presentations involved 58 individuals, with some individuals presenting five times over the three-month period. Three groups emerged, some who were only hypercarbia (n= 18), some in the non-hypercarbia group (n=35) and 5 individuals who had presentations in both the hypercarbia and non-hypercarbia groups. Data showed that there was no definable subset group of hypercarbia patients within acute exacerbations of COPD presenting to the emergency department according to the variables. However the sample of presentations (with a blood gas) found within the study suffering hypercarbia was much higher (31.1%) than anticipated. Further analysis showed that the hypercarbia group had a significant lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and a combination diagnosis of emphysema or asthma and congestive heart failure. An implication to the clinician is that identification of hypercarbia within COPD exacerbation is problematically difficult until the late signs are shown with the individual. By that time effective treatment patterns may have changed from the initial presenting problem. The author concludes that future areas of research within this field needs to lie within the community, and look at when these people start the exacerbation, what leads them to progression presentation to the emergency department, and whether these people are chronic sufferers of hypercarbia or presenting after a period of days exacerbation within their own home.
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Wiffin, L. (2006). Treating depression during pregnancy: Cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment option. Available online from Eastern Institute of Technology, 14(1), 8–12.
Abstract: This article reviews the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for pregnant women suffering from depressive symptoms. CBT provides a structured, short-term, collaborative process between clinician and client, using strategies and techniques to identify dysfunctional thinking and beliefs, challenge and change these beliefs, then implement new rational beliefs and behaviours. A process of engagement, assessment and conceptualisation is followed by treatment planning and implementation, and modification of dysfunctional thinking and behaviours. Use of CBT to treat depression in women during pregnancy is supported by the literature, especially where pharmacological intervention is declined or contraindicated. Pregnancy can bring stressors that combine with biological factors and core beliefs to contribute to depressive symptoms.
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Hunt, M. (2006). Nurses can enhance the pre-operative assessment process. Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand, 12(10), 20–22.
Abstract: This reports on an initiative at Whakatane Hospital, where a Nurse-Led pre-assessment (NLPA) was delivered at an outpatients clinic. NLPA involves taking a comprehensive medical history, a nursing assessment, physical examination, airway assessment, ordering appropriate investigations and carefully documenting the process and results. More valuably, it provides an opportunity for the patient to participate in planning their care. The aim of this initative was to short circuit delays and congestion in existing pre-assessment clinics, streamline the pre-assessment process and reduce the number of patient visits to hospital. Reducing cancellations of surgery (often on the day of surgery) and “did not appear” (DNA) numbers were also objectives. After a small pilot, a six-month trial was funded by the Ministry of Health. Over the six-month trial, 373 patients attended NLPA; 178 patients required anaesthetist review before surgery, and 198 could proceed directly to surgery following NLPA. An anonymous postal survey was made of patients, who indicated satisfaction with the service. Other outcomes are discussed, and the trial was deemed successful. Follow up plans have been disrupted by restructuring at the hospital and the clinic has yet to be implemented.
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Polley, H. (2006). Treating wounds with oxygen. Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand, 12(2), 16–17.
Abstract: This article overviews the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in New Zealand primarily for chronic wounds, those who have had radiation therapy and those who are having or who have had head and neck surgery. In New Zealand there are just three hyperbaric oxygen treatment units: The Devonport Naval Base and The Oxygen Therapy Clinic, both in Auckland; and the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit in Christchurch; thus access to this treatment is limited.
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Trimmer, W. C. (2006). The way things are done around here: Perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing. Whitireia Nursing Journal, 13, 68–69.
Abstract: Based on the author's thesis, this research project explored nurses' perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. From personal experience and discussion with colleagues the author argues that clinical leadership in terms of support and guidance for nurses is often minimal and that there is a relationship between qualities of clinical leadership and poor retention rates of mental health nurses.
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Neville, S. J., & Henderson, H. M. (2006). Perceptions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people of primary healthcare services. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55(4), 407–415.
Abstract: This paper reports a study exploring people's perceptions of disclosure about lesbian, gay and bisexual identity to their primary healthcare providers. Disclosure of sexual identity to healthcare professionals is integral to attending to the health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual populations, as non-disclosure has been shown to have a negative impact on the health of these people. From April to July 2004, a national survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons was carried out in New Zealand. Participants were recruited through mainstream and lesbian, gay and bisexual media and venues, and 2269 people completed the questionnaire, either electronically or via hard copy. The 133-item instrument included a range of closed-response questions in a variety of domains of interest. In this paper, we report results from the health and well-being domain. More women than men identified that the practitioner's attitude toward their non-heterosexual identity was important when choosing a primary healthcare provider. Statistically significantly more women than men reported that their healthcare provider usually or always presumed that they were heterosexual and in addition more women had disclosed their sexual identity to their healthcare provider. The authors advise that nurses reconsider their approach to all users of healthcare services by not assuming everyone is heterosexual, integrating questions about sexual identity into health interviews and ensuring that all other aspects of the assessment process are appropriate and safe for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
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