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Kent, B. (2008). Surgeon assistant's role within the New Zealand health care setting. Dissector, 36(1), 20–27.
Abstract: This article examines the role of the surgeon assistant, identifying and discussing the factors that have stimulated the development globally and the present situation within the New Zealand health care setting. This article offers thought-provoking material that aims to provide the perioperative nurse with a clearer direction and purpose to practice, and to what the future may hold.
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McKenna, B., Thom, K., & O'Brien, A. J. (2008). Return to nursing programmes: Justifications for a mental health specific course. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 5(1), 1–16.
Abstract: This paper presents the findings from research that investigated the feasibility of developing a specialty return to mental health nursing programme in New Zealand. This was achieved through a scoping of existing return to nursing programmes; a survey of non-active nurses; and stakeholder consultation via interviews or focus groups. Existing generic programmes fail to attract non-active nurses wishing to focus on mental health nursing. The non-active nurses survey found 142 nurses who presently would or might possibly return to mental health nursing and participate in a programme. Most stakeholders supported the idea of implementing such a programme. The findings from this research indicate both feasibility and enthusiasm for the introduction of return to mental health nursing programmes. It is recommended that all aspects of this course mirror the service user focused 'recovery paradigm' that is a central tenet in contemporary mental health service delivery.
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Chang, E. M., Bidewell, J. W., Huntington, A. D., Daly, J., Johnson, A., Wilson, H., et al. (2008). A survey of role stress, coping and health in Australian and New Zealand hospital nurses. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 44(8), 1354–1362.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine and compare Australian and New Zealand nurses' experience of workplace stress, coping strategies and health status. A postal survey was administered to 328 New South Wales (Australia) and 190 New Zealand volunteer acute care hospital nurses (response rate 41%) from randomly sampled nurses. The survey consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Nursing Stress Scale, the WAYS of Coping Questionnaire and the SF-36 Health Survey Version 2. More frequent workplace stress predicted lower physical and mental health. Problem-focused coping was associated with better mental health. Emotion-focused coping was associated with reduced mental health. Coping styles did not predict physical health. New South Wales and New Zealand scored effectively the same on sources of workplace stress, stress coping methods, and physical and mental health when controlling for relevant variables. Results suggest mental health benefits for nurses who use problem-solving to cope with stress by addressing the external source of the stress, rather than emotion-focused coping in which nurses try to control or manage their internal response to stress. Cultural similarities and similar hospital environments could account for equivalent findings for New South Wales and New Zealand.
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Walsh, K., Moss, C., Lawless, J., McKelvie, R., & Duncan, L. (2008). Puzzling practice: A strategy for working with clinical practice issues. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 14(2), 94–100.
Abstract: The authors share the evolution of innovative ways to explore, 'unpack' and re-frame clinical issues that exist in everyday practice. The elements of these processes, which they call 'puzzling practice', and the techniques associated with them, were delineated over a two year period by the authors using action theory based processes. The authors have evolved several different frameworks for 'puzzling practice' which they draw on and use in their practice development work and in research practice. This paper pays attention to a particular form of puzzling practice that they found to be useful in assisting individual clinicians and teams to explore and find workable solutions to practice issues. In this example 'puzzling practice' uses seven different elements; naming the issue; puzzling the issue; testing the puzzle; exploring the heart of out practice; formulating the puzzle question; visualising the future; and generating new strategies for action. Each of the elements is illustrated by the story and the key foundations and ideas behind each element is explored.
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Challis-Morrison, S. (2008). Management and guidance of patient resuscitations within secondary rural hospitals. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 111-122). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter firstly offers background information relating to the management and guidance of resuscitation within secondary rural hospitals. Secondly, it discusses the evidence related to issues concerning resuscitation and not-for-resuscitation, including issues involving medical and nursing staff, the patient experience, appropriate documentation, and cultural factors. Thirdly, it presents the findings through an implementation and evaluation plan.
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Horner, C. (2008). Emergency health provision and maintaining competency. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 125-136). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter focuses on issues associated with rural nursing and the provision of emergency care for patient(s) located remotely from secondary hospital services. All emergencies have diverse characteristics, but the rural practitioner also contends with having sole practice, professional and geographical isolation, and the lack of regular experience. The chapter reviews the PRIME (Primary Response in Medical Emergency) recommendations and training, and looks in particular at the issues around the maintenance of competency for the rural nurse providing emergency on call health care that includes managing medical and accident emergencies in the absence of a medical practitioner.
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Fitzwater, A. (2008). The impact of tourism on rural nursing practice. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 137-43). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter reviews some effects of the growth of tourism, including adventure tourism and the numbers of tourists over 50, on rural nursing practice. Tourism contributes to socio-cultural change within a community, and health resources that previously met the needs of the local community may not meet the expectations of growing numbers of tourists. The transient visitor includes both the tourist and the seasonal worker, and has become a feature of rural nursing. Major effects on rural nurses include the increased volume of work, the advanced scope of practice required to meet more complex needs of visitors, and challenges to personal and professional safety.
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Hale, R. (2008). Older patient perceptions of transitional care. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 147-152). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: The author describes transitional care as undertaken within the Waikato District Health Board health care environment. Transitional care supports people moving between acute health care (inpatient) and primary health care (home). It is a rehabilitative model based in smaller, predominantly rural communities to enable the older person to actively work towards recovery of functional ability within their own environment. Research indicates this rehabilitation model is applicable to the rural situation and satisfaction levels of the patients and caregivers tends to be positive.
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Ferguson, A. (2008). Diabetes prevention: What is the nutritional environment for Maori in the Southern Lakes District (North Island)? In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 153-164). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter focuses type 2 diabetes as it relates to one rural Maori community within New Zealand. It provides an in-depth discussion relating to diabetes including the burden of diabetes in New Zealand and evidence for prevention which is played out in an increasing obesogenic environment. The process and findings of a research project to 'map out' the food environment within the Southern Lakes District are reported. Purposive sampling was used to survey 124 food outlets in the area, and findings confirmed the existence of an obesogenic environment for Maori. Such an environment is characterised by an abundance of cheap, energy dense foods, and pricing gradients that favour consumption of such foods.
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Campbell, K. (2008). Experiences of rural women who have cared for their terminally ill partners. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 166-178). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter firstly offers background information in relation to palliative care and the role of women as providers of care in the home setting. Secondly, it discusses a study that evolved from a trend the author observed as a district nurse providing community palliative care in rural New Zealand and from New Zealand literature; that the majority of carers of the terminally ill in home-settings are women. The aim of this research study was to offer insights into the requirements of caring for a dying person at home and provide information to assist nurses working in the community and other women who take on the caregiver's role.
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Robertson, A. M. (2008). Rural women and maternity services. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 179-97). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: The author discusses the roles that nurses undertake in response to rural communities' health needs, focusing on the provision of maternity service. The author reviews structural changes such as the 1990 Amendment to the Nurses Act 1977 which, the author suggests, introduced a climate of professional rivalry, changes in funding that cut back general practitioners in the field, and the development of Lead Maternity Carers. Despite controversial developments, New Zealand maternity services have evolved to include a unique and internationally respected model of midwifery care. However, the author highlights several areas that limit the positive contribution of rural nurses and midwives. These include workforce recruitment and retention, equity of access, and issues around maintaining competency and education.
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Dillon, D. R. (2008). Rural contexts: Islands. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 19-30). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter explores the concept of islands particularly in relation to rurality, individual and community identities, and nursing. The author argues that all New Zealanders are islanders, and considers the implications of this on personal and community values, when they are shaped by geographic isolation and structural separateness. She explores commonalities between islanders and rural peoples in areas such as identity, isolation, and health, and outlines the impacts this has on rural nursing practice and competencies. A case study of a nurse on Stewart Island is briefly discussed.
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Maw, H. (2008). The challenge of developing primary health care nurse practitioner roles in rural New Zealand. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 201-214). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: The author traces the development of the nurse practitioner role in New Zealand, which was finally introduced in 2001. It traces the key events, from early debates on the issue, the influence of the Centre for Rural Health, and a series of government investigations into nursing which noted the untapped potential of the nursing workforce and the lack of ongoing clinical career pathways. Barriers to rural nurses becoming endorsed as primary health care nurse practitioners are examined, and some of the solutions to this issue are explored. Relationships between nurse practitioners and the local general practitioners, and community resistance are areas that need management. Education is seen as a key response to many of these issues.
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Higgins, A. (2008). Collaboration to improve health provision: Advancing nursing practice and interdisciplinary relationships. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 215-223). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: This chapter introduces national policies and strategies that promote interdisciplinary collaboration as a means of providing better access to health care for all communities. It identifies a role for advancing nursing practice as part of a collaborative approach to healthcare in rural areas. An increasing focus on collaboration as a concept within health practice during the last 10 years has become evident in policy documents from the Report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Nursing (Ministry of Health, 1998) to the Working Party for After Hours Primary Health Care (Ministry of Health, 2005). The emphasis would seem to be in response to political pressure to address health inequalities and an apparent assumption that interprofessional collaboration results in improved communication, fewer gaps in provision of care and more effective use of the limited health funds.
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Armstrong, S. E. (2008). Exploring the nursing reality of the sole on-call primary health care rural nurse interface with secondary care doctors. In Jean Ross (Ed.), Rural nursing: Aspects of practice (pp. 225-46). [Dunedin]: Rural Health Opportunities.
Abstract: A qualitative framework was used to explore the nature and the quality of interactions between sole on-call primary health care rural nurses and secondary care doctors. This study is framed as investigating a specific component of rural nursing practice and as being representative of the primary-secondary care interface. The primary-secondary care interface is crucial for the delivery of patient-centered care, and there is an increased focus on preventive primary health care. The New Zealand government sees the repositioning of professional roles and increasing emphasis on collaboration as an opportunity to re-define and address the current constraints to nursing practice. This has resulted in tensions between the medical and nursing professions. These tensions are not new, with the relationship sometimes marred by conflict which has been attributed to historical medical dominance and nursing deference. This study explores some specific areas which affect collaboration and makes recommendations at the national, regional and individual level to address them.
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