Abstract: Work-related back pain among nurses is a problem of significant proportion. Nurses have a high rate of back pain compared to the general population and other occupational groups. There has been little reduction in the rates of nurses back pain and solutions to this complex problem continue to be elusive. Many quantitative studies have been undertaken examining and identifying the risk factors contributing to a high risk of back pain among nurses. Few of these studies focus on the complexities and context of the nurses physical and social environment. An exploration of these factors may assist to explain why interventions have not been successful and why the risk of back pain among nurses remains high.This study, using a qualitative methodology, explores nurses views and perceptions of the factors that they believe contribute to nurses having a high risk for work-related back pain. In-depth interviews were conducted with nurses working in previously identified high risk areas asking them about their perceptions of the risk factors and the activities that lead to risk situations for back pain. The strongest theme to emerge from the participant interviews was that it is the work demands from nursing that create and expose nurses to high levels of risk. Other risk factors identified were environmental hazards, equipment management and the physical work environment. The interview responses were analysed using two theoretical models of risk. The Health Belief Model examines risk behaviour using a cognitive psychological approach and the Social Model of Risk views all behaviour as influenced by the social environment. Both models offer explanations as to why nurses take actions that place them at risk for back pain. This study highlights the main ideas and concerns raised by the participants. It makes recommendations for managing the problem of work-related back pain in the nursing profession, and suggests areas where more research is needed

Abstract: With the intention of decreasing emergency department demand, there has been a focus on determining those patients who do not require the services of the emergency department so they can be redirected away to an alternative health care provider or facility. Co-locating an after-hours primary health care facility near to the emergency department is a model under consideration in some district health boards. This model suggests that a substantial proportion of the patients currently managed in the emergency department can be assessed and managed in a general practice setting. It is envisaged that by redirecting the lower acuity patients away from the emergency department, overcrowding will be relieved. This is despite evidence demonstrating that low acuity patients are not the cause of emergency department overcrowding. Moreover, being treated at the emergency department is the only safety net for many people in the community who cannot afford alternative care. This research report discusses the literature regarding the practice of referring or redirecting patients away from the emergency department and the issues associated with this model. In doing this, it looks at the Australasian Triage Scale, the system used to ensure patients are seen in order of clinical urgency, because it has been suggested that this system could be used as a tool to refer patients away from the emergency department. The author concludes that even though some people could be seen by another health care provider, the triage system is not an appropriate tool for achieving this. While it is tempting to believe that patients in the lower triage categories are prime candidates for being referred away, there is evidence from hospital statistics that patients in these categories have a high number of hospital admissions and in-hospital death rates. Additionally, to complicate matters, there is no universal definition of what constitutes an 'appropriate' emergemcy department presentation and no consensus of opinion amongst health professionals in deciding patients' 'appropriateness'. For these reasons it is unethical to expect nurses who administer the triage system to use it for the purpose of referring people away from the emergency department.

Abstract: When the New Zealand Nursing Council introduced the nurse practitioner as a new level of nurse in 2001, the opportunity arose for the introduction of primary health care nurse practitioners into the rural practice arena in this country. This dissertation explores the influences on the development of rural nursing in the last decade in New Zealand including the role of the Centre for Rural Health in advancing rural nursing education, as well as the impact the shortage of health professionals in rural New Zealand has had on the development of the rural primary health care nurse practitioner concept. For pioneering primary health care nurse practitioner roles to be successfully implemented in rural communities in New Zealand, several challenges need to be faced; the creation of roles and employment opportunities, community acceptance of the role, medical and nursing acceptance of the role and the establishment of independent nurse prescribing within the constraints imposed by current legislation. The dissertation explores the current literature in an attempt to offer solutions to the identified challenges. With the creation of primary health care nurse practitioner roles and the establishment and acceptance of these roles in rural communities, a new mode of health service delivery in rural New Zealand will begin.

Abstract: When a child lives with a life-threatening illness there is a range of emotions that affect the child, family and people close to the child. This study utilises a narrative approach to explore what the child puts emphasis on in what is important to them as they live with serious illness. The study incorporates the nurse as narrator with the 'narratives' of the children integrated into her reflections to gain a broader understanding. The focus is on listening intently to the spoken needs of children, their story and the meaning they make of their situation when they live with their illness. 'Children' in this study are between the ages of six years to 15 years. The aim of this research is to provide a clear understanding of the lived experience, which may illuminate the needs of the child and what is required throughout the time of illness; therefore informing health professionals of a culture of care that may support these needs. A broader understanding and deeper insight into the complexity of children living with life-threatening illnesses provides a basis for the development of sensitive, humanistic quality nursing care for both the child and his/her family, this then enhances the potential for best practice for children living with a life-threatening illness.

Abstract: We are about to implement a nurse-based critical care follow-up service and used a follow-up study of tracheostomy to determine the feasibility of such a service. Nine to 27 months median 14 after intensive care admission we attempted to follow-up 116 of our most severely ill survivors. Twenty six could not be found, 11 declined follow-up. A questionnaire, interview and limited examination were used to determine health status. Ten patients unable to come to a clinic were seen at home. Interview time varied between patients but 79 patients took 100 nurse-hours. Ninety percent of patients co-operated with respiratory function testing. Pulse oximetry identified one with severe chronic respiratory failure. In this highly selected group of patients with on going problems (perceived poor health, dependency, disability, changes in appearance, deterioration in personal relationships, poor sleep, pain, altered diet, unaddressed chronic health problems, poor access to health services, and continuing prescription medication) were common, and addressed to some extent by appropriate referral. Approximately 20% of patients reported improvement in their health and personal relationships after critical illness and half of the smokers had given up. Factors contributing to follow-up difficulty included distance, delay in initial contact, change of address (255 of this group), disability and poverty. A nurse-run critical care follow-up clinic is feasible, time consuming but productive. A register of current addresses and phone numbers is recommended. The optimal time for follow-up will vary with patients conditions but early follow-up with protocol- based lines of referral is recommended to reduce persistent health problems

Abstract: Visits paediatric community nursing services in the UK and Australia to report on how specialist and children's community nurses work with parents to deliver health care to children with asthma, diabetes and other endocrine disorders, cystic fibrosis, eczema, cardiac diseases, and liver transplants. Part of the Margaret May Blackwell Scholarship Reports series.

Abstract: Utilises a critical realist case study framework to explore how rehabilitation nurses documented their contribution for clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the influences on that documentation. Administers a questionnaire, undertakes an audit and interviews the nurses about their contribution. Makes six recommendations in relation to organisational level decision-making and the practice of individual nurses.

Abstract: Using the stories of four polio survivors who have since contracted post polio syndrome (PPS), this article discusses the theories regarding the cause of PPS as well as the varying symptoms and problems for those living with the disease.