|
|
Muir-Cochrane, E., Holmes, C., & Walton, J. A. (2002). Law and policy in relation to the use of seclusion in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 13(2/3), 136–145.
Abstract: This paper discusses legal issues associated with the seclusion of acutely disturbed patients in psychiatric hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. There continues to be great variation in opinion and operational definition as to whether seclusion is a medical treatment, nursing intervention and management tool, or merely a form of situational restraint. Reflecting this lack of clarity, mental health acts and policies concerning the regulation and practice of seclusion lack consistency and focus across geographical boundaries and jurisdictions. Australian and New Zealand legislation and institutional policy is discussed in order to shed light on the contemporary issues highlighted by this controversial nursing practice. The authors note that mental health professionals must continue to review the practice of seclusion and to actively promote the use of acceptable alternatives. In addition nurses and other mental health professionals have a responsibility to understand current legislation and policy frameworks and to influence change where this is necessary to ensure the best practice possible in their clinical area.
|
|
|
|
Walton, J. A. (1995). Schizophrenia, a way of being-in-the-world. Ph.D. thesis, , .
|
|
|
|
Walton, J. A. (1995). Schizophrenia, a way of being-in-the-world.
Abstract: This phenomenological study describes what it is like to live with a schizophrenic illness and relates the understanding gained from this description to implications for nursing practice. The participants in the study were ten adults who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, who take regular medication and who are living independant lives in the community. Over a period of sixteen months they were interviewed about effects of the illness on their everyday lives. During this time they explained the challenges and difficulties which have faced them, both during and long after the resolution of acute illness. As they describe it schizophrenia is a part of who they are.The narrative contained in this thesis presents the participants' stories in aggregated form, setting their experiences alongside ideas from the early work of Martin Heidegger, whose phenomenological writing informed the analysis and interpretation of the data. As the participants explain, schizophrenia has touched every aspect of their lives. Living with schizophrenia is shown to affect their whole being-in-the-world. It incorporates Being-with-others, living carefully and taking a stand on life. While hoping for a cure, their reality is of living with a chroinic ilness which has major effects on their lives. At the same time the participants are shown to define themselves not in terms of their illness and treatment, but in respect of their hopes and dreams and the stance each is taking on his or her own life. In this way their existential predicament is highlighted in the study. Participants are on the one hand very much like all people, while on the other hand they have to contend with very different concerns than do most others.
|
|
|
|
Walton, J. A. (1989). The night-time experience of elderly hospitalized adults and the nurses who care for them. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: This is a report of a study into the night-time experience of elderly hospitilised adults and the nurses who care for them. A grounded theory approach was used for the analysis of data and subsequent generation of a theoretical description an partial explanation of patient experiences, nursing actions and nurse-patient interactions.Data were gathered through observation, interview, document audit and literature review; tow general medical wards in a large regional hospital were the focus of field methods of data collection.It is argued that the night-time experiences of elderly hospitalized adults are to a large degree dependent on the individual patterns of sleep and waking behaviour of these people in their normal environments. If individualised care is given, nurses must be aware of people's usual patterns of behaviour.Nurses working at night engage in a series of complex decision sin the course of their interaction with patients. They work under constraints not present during the daytime, and are highly dependent on co-operation from colleagues on other shifts for information which would enable them to deliver optimum care at night. At the same time, night nurses have access to information from and about patients which would be invaluable to a total assessment of any patient's health state.Considerations of sleep and sleep are relevant to nurses working all shifts. The findings of the study have implications in terms of nurses' knowledge of all aspects of sleep; assessment practices; nurse-patient and nurse-nurse communication; nurse-patient relationships at night; wars management; and the independence of nurses
|
|
|
|
Walton, J. A. (1989). Nursing practice in New Zealand hospitals: staff nurses and enrolled nurses: an investigation into the nature and organisation of nursing practice. Ph.D. thesis, , .
Abstract: Review of the preparation and initial employment of nurses
|
|
