Abstract: A paper presented at the annual conference of Nursing Informatics New Zealand (subsequently incorporated into the collective organisation, Health Informatics NZ).

Abstract: Baker et al., (2008) showed diminished rates of survival in the CPR-first group. Based largely on the evidence of the two Australian RCTs, the 2010 ILCOR guidelines removed the recommendation for CPR first, stating that 'there is inconsistent evidence to support or refute a delay in defibrillation to provide a period (90 s to 3 min) of CPR for patients in VF/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) cardiac arrest' (ILCOR, 2010, p. e6).\n For this reason, and due to the increased chance of accidental defibrillation, it is the recommendation of the author that it only be used by health professionals who are able practise on a regular basis.

Abstract: In 1999 primary health care in New Zealand was in the process of change from the current personal health care model, which focuses on general practitioner based care, to a population and community based health care programme. Carryer, Dignam, Horsburgh, Hughes and Martin (1999) submitted a report to the National Health Commission entitled “Locating Nursing in Primary Health Care”. This report envisaged that nurses in primary health care would be part of interdisciplinary teams, act autonomously and undertake community consultation and education. The submission suggested that nurses, currently working in primary health care, were alraedy prepared and able to move across into the new form of primary health care, without further education or training.

Abstract: This thesis concerns an investigation of the tripartite arrangements between the government, the nursing and the medical sectors in New Zealand over the period 1984 to 2001 with a particular focus on primary health care. The start point is the commencement of the health reforms instituted by the Fourth New Zealand Labour Government of 1984. The thesis falls within a framework of critical inquiry, specifically, the methodology of depth hermeneutics (Thompson, 1990), a development of critical theory. The effects of political and economic policies and the methodologies of neo-liberal market reform are examined together with the concept of collaboration as an ideological symbolic form, typical of enterprise culture. The limitations of economic models such as public choice theory, agency theory and managerialism are examined from the point of view of government strategies and their effects on the relationships between the nursing and medical professions. The influence of American health care policies and their partial introduction into primary health care in New Zealand is traversed in some detail, together with the experiences of health reform in several other countries. Post election 1999, the thesis considers the effect of change of political direction consequent upon the election of a Labour Coalition government and concludes that the removal of the neo-liberal ethic by Labour may terminate entrepreneurial opportunities in the nursing profession. The thesis considers the effects of a change to Third Way political direction on national health care policy and on the medical and nursing professions. The data is derived from various texts and transcripts of interviews with 12 health professionals and health commentators. The histories and current relationships between the nursing and medical professions are examined in relation to their claims to be scientific discourses and it is argued that the issue of lack of recognition as a scientific discourse is at the root of nursing's perceived inferiority to medicine. This is further expanded in a discussion at the end of the thesis where the structure of the two professions is compared and critiqued. A conclusion is drawn that a potential for action exists to remedy the deficient structure of nursing. The thesis argues that this is the major issue which maintains nursing in the primary sector in a perceived position of inferiority to medicine. The thesis also concludes that the role of government in this triangular relationship is one of manipulation to bring about necessary fundamental change in the delivery of health services at the lowest possible cost without materially strengthening the autonomy of the nursing or the medical professions.

Abstract: A submitted for the degree of Master of Health Sciences(Nursing Clinical)at The University of Otago, Christchurch.
This study examined the role of an advanced nurse practitioner in the identification, diagnosis and management of patients referred to an IBS nurse led clinic with symptoms of IBS as their primary problem. Items of interest were identification of the causes of symptoms, the effects of symptoms on quality of life (QOL), coping strategies of the patient, and patient satisfaction with care. These were measured by prospective data on two questionnaires given several months apart. In addition, some basic retrospective data were collected from a database of information on prior patients, to determine that the study subjects were representative of the IBS practice.

Abstract: One of the challenges for research journals is to present material that is directly related to practice and that has the capacity to provoke reflection in practitioners that may in turn lead to change.

Abstract: This research aims to clarify the knowing and wisdom that inform clinical nurse educators' responses through unpredictable situations. The author referred to philosophical literature on the notions of tacit knowledge, practical wisdom, smooth activity and the Unready-to-Hand experience. She created an explanatory framework and utilised this in a thought experiment by reflecting on personal experiences. To add clarity to these reflections, two layers of interviewing with nurse educators teaching in practice were carried out. The first layer was an interview with eight clinical nurse educators who in their role experienced Unready-to-Hand situations. The second layer consisted of four clinical nurse educators who volunteered to be involved in more in-depth interviews. An interpretive analysis of these clinical nurse educators stories illuminated the “Unready-to Hand as Adventure”, highlighting the uncertainty and energy associated with opening in the adventure, not knowing what will unfold, yet committed to remaining engaged and doing the best they can. Through the process of attuning to difference, accessing and deciphering knowing, nurse educators create meanings of situational complexities. By preserving the ideals of good practice and engaged caring, nurse educators salvage learning by creating opportunities for learning and teaching.