|
|
Honey, M. (2004). Flexible learning for postgraduate nurses: A basis for planning. Nurse Education Today, 24(4), 319–325.
Abstract: This paper describes a survey undertaken with postgraduate nursing students in a university-based school of nursing in 2002 to establish their access to and use of computers and information technology for study. Whilst there was minimal flexibility and use of technology to support student learning for postgraduate nurses in the school, the university proposed increasing flexibility across all courses. This is in part a response to the increased internationalisation of education and developments in technology affecting programme design, delivery and support that can benefit teachers and students. The author notes that the findings of this survey form a basis for planning the introduction of flexible learning. Results indicated that not all students have convenient access to technology for study purposes, nor are they at the same level in terms of using technology.
|
|
|
|
Hughes, C. (2004). Perioperative nurses in NZ & evidence-based practice. Dissector, 31(4), 8, 10–1.
Abstract: This project is a study of the barriers perceived by perioperative nurses to accessing and using research-based information. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 184 perioperative nurses working in five public and two private hospitals in the Auckland area. The number of completed questionnaires was 106 (57.6%). The results showed that the lack of time during work hours was ranked as the highest barrier. The results also showed that many nurses feel they do not have the skills to find and appraise research articles.
|
|
|
|
Minchin, I. (2004). Advanced nursing in the operating theatre: The New Zealand perspective. Dissector, 32(2), 30–35.
Abstract: This article presents a literature review of current research on perioperative nursing. Research studies are summarised. Overall findings include that there is a lack of exposure to perioperative nursing in undergraduate level, that expert nurses in the operating theatre make a positive economic and social contribution to patient outcomes, and there are barriers to registered nurses expanding their role in operating theatres.
|
|
|
|
Paton, B., Martin, S., McClunie-Trust, P., & Weir, N. (2004). Doing phenomenological research collaboratively. Wintec Research Archive, 35(4), 176–181.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is twofold. The first is to clarify some of the challenges experienced while conducting collaborative research and describe the steps taken to ensure consistency between the purpose of the research and the phenomenological research design used to explore the learning that nursing students acquire in their final clinical practicum. Second, it was thought that by illuminating this learning, registered nurses working as preceptors and those supporting new graduates could gain insight into the complexities of learning the skills of safe and competent practice from the student's perspective. This insight is essential in creating a strategy between education and practice to minimise the duplication of learning opportunities and lessen the cost of supporting newly registered nurses, which may be at the expense of investment in the professional development of experienced registered nurses.
|
|
|
|
Walthew, P. (2004). Conceptions of critical thinking held by nurse educators. Journal of Nursing Education, 43(9), 408–411.
Abstract: This study investigated nurse educators' conceptions of critical thinking used in making judgment related to nursing. Twelve nurse educators from a large nursing school in an urban environment in New Zealand participated in this qualitative study. A semistructured questionnaire was used to explore the nurse educators' conceptions of critical thinking. The study found that the participants viewed rational, logical thinking as a central focus of critical thinking. However, in addition to these traditional perspectives, the nurse educators also included in their conceptions views more commonly held by feminist writers. These aspects focused on attention to intuition, subjective knowing, attention to context, emotions, and caring.
|
|
|
|
Carter, H., MacLeod, R., Brander, P., & McPherson, K. (2004). Living with a terminal illness: Patients' priorities. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45(6), 611–620.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to report on an exploratory, qualitative study exploring what people living with terminal illness considered were the areas of priority in their lives. Ten people living with terminal cancer were interviewed. Analysis of the interviews incorporated principles of narrative analysis and grounded theory. Over 30 categories were identified and collated into five inter-related themes (personal/intrinsic factors, external/extrinsic factors, future issues, perceptions of normality and taking charge) encompassing the issues of importance to all participants. Each theme focused on 'life and living' in relation to life as it was or would be without illness. Practical issues of daily living and the opportunity to address philosophical issues around the meaning of life emerged as important areas. The central theme, 'taking charge', concerned with people's levels of life engagement, was integrally connected to all other themes. The findings suggest that the way in which health professionals manage patients' involvement in matters such as symptom relief can impact on existential areas of concern. The findings challenge some aspects of traditional 'expert-defined' outcome measures. As this was an exploratory study, further work is needed to test and develop the model presented.
|
|
|
|
Hardy, D. J., O'Brien, A. P., Gaskin, C. J., O'Brien, A. J., Morrison-Ngatai, E., Skews, G., et al. (2004). Practical application of the Delphi technique in a bicultural mental health nursing study in New Zealand. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(1), 95–109.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to detail the practical application of the Delphi technique as a culturally and clinically valid means of accessing expert opinion on the importance of clinical criteria. Reference is made to a bicultural New Zealand mental health nursing clinical indicator study that employed a three-round reactive Delphi survey. Equal proportions of Maori and non-Maori nurses (n = 20) and consumers (n = 10) rated the importance of 91 clinical indicator statements for the achievement of professional practice standards. Additional statements (n = 21) suggested by Delphi participants in round 1 were included in subsequent rounds. In round 2, participants explained the rating they applied to statements that had not reached consensus in round 1, and summarised responses were provided to participants in round 3. Consensus was considered to have been achieved if 85% of round 3 ratings lay within a 2-point bracket on the 5-point Likert-scale overall, or in one of the Maori nurse, non-Maori nurse, or consumer groups. A mean rating of 4.5 after round 3 was set as the importance threshold. Consensus occurred overall on 75 statements, and within groups on another 24. Most statements (n = 86) reached the importance benchmark. The authors conclude that when rigorous methods of participant selection, group composition, participant feedback, and determination of consensus and importance are employed, the Delphi technique is a reliable, cost-effective means of obtaining and prioritising experts' judgements.
|
|
|
|
Kinealy, T., Arroll, B., Kenealy, H., Docherty, B., Scott, D., Scragg, R., et al. (2004). Diabetes care: Practice nurse roles, attitudes and concerns. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(11), 68–75.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to report a study to compare the diabetes-related work roles, training and attitudes of practice nurses in New Zealand surveyed in 1990 and 1999, to consider whether barriers to practice nurse diabetes care changed through that decade, and whether ongoing barriers will be addressed by current changes in primary care. Questionnaires were mailed to all 146 practice nurses in South Auckland in 1990 and to all 180 in 1999, asking about personal and practice descriptions, practice organisation, time spent with patients with diabetes, screening practices, components of care undertaken by practice nurses, difficulties and barriers to good practice, training in diabetes and need for further education. The 1999 questionnaire also asked about nurse prescribing and influence on patient quality of life. More nurses surveyed in 1999 had post-registration diabetes training than those in 1990, although most of those surveyed in both years wanted further training. In 1999, nurses looked after more patients with diabetes, without spending more time on diabetes care than nurses in 1990. Nevertheless, they reported increased involvement in the more complex areas of diabetes care. Respondents in 1999 were no more likely than those in 1990 to adjust treatment, and gave a full range of opinion for and against proposals to allow nurse prescribing. The relatively low response rate to the 1990 survey may lead to an underestimate of changes between 1990 and 1999. Developments in New Zealand primary care are likely to increase the role of primary health care nurses in diabetes. Research and evaluation is required to ascertain whether this increasing role translates into improved outcomes for patients.
|
|
|
|
Barber, A., Charleston, A., Anderson, N., Spriggs, D., Bennett, D., Bennett, P., et al. (2004). Changes in stroke care at Auckland Hospital between 1996 and 2001. Access is free to articles older than 6 months, 117(1190).
Abstract: The researchers repeat the 1996 audit of stroke care in Auckland Hospital to assess changes in stroke management since the introduction of a mobile stroke team. The audit prospectively recorded information for all patients with stroke from 1 June to 30 September 2001. They describe the work of the stroke team physician and the specialist stroke nurse and allied health staff who coordinate the multidisciplinary care of patients. Variables examined include time to arrival and medical assessment, investigations, acute management, inpatient rehabilitation, and stroke outcome. The researchers then describe recent developments in stroke care and the impact of the stroke service on patient management.
|
|
