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Aims: This study aims to report on the everyday concern of the 'potential for misinterpretation', which was the basic social problem revealed in a grounded theory study exploring male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation in Australia. Background: Male nurses account for approximately 10% of nursing workforce across western countries and they practice in a range of clinical areas; however, how they practice in inpatient rehabilitation remains unexplored. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory was used in this study and was conducted in two phases: (i) involved semi‐structured interviews with 11 male nurses from October 2013 to June 2014 and (ii) observation of practice of 12 male nurses and semi‐structured interviews with male nurses and 15 patients from February to April 2015. Results: Nurse participants encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies about male nurses. Patients perceived nursing to be women's work and that male nurses are sexual threats. These two intersecting ideologies created a concern for male nurses working in inpatient rehabilitation and that concern was labelled 'potential for misinterpretation'. Conclusion: Gender stereotypes impacted on the ability of male nurses to practise nursing in inpatient rehabilitation. Male nurses were mindful on a daily basis that misinterpretation could, and did, happen in inpatient rehabilitation. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Male nurses work in a range of specialties.Male nurses across many specialties commonly find the provision of nursing care requiring touch to be problematic.Nursing practice in inpatient rehabilitation is reported from a gender neutral or female perspective. What this paper adds? Male nurses encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies 'nursing is perceived as women's work' and that 'male nurses are perceived as sexual threats'.These two intersecting ideologies lead to the 'potential for misinterpretation' for male nurses.Men were mindful that misinterpretation could happen at any time which influenced their ability to practise nursing. The implications of this paper: The 'potential for misinterpretation' is useful for nurses and others to understand a main concern male nurses encounter in inpatient rehabilitation.Research can inform nurse education providers about gaps in nursing curricula with regards to male nurse practice.Rehabilitation service providers can use this research to support and inform male nurse workforce development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Health literacy is an important predictor of health outcomes. The Health Literacy Questionnaire has been widely adopted to measure health literacy and has been translated into multiple languages including Chinese. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese Health Literacy Questionnaire. Methods: Data were obtained from a sample of 362 Chinese immigrants from Chinese community organizations in New South Wales, Australia. Statistical analyses include descriptive and exploratory factor analyses. Results: A seven‐factor solution was derived from 39 of the original 44 items, all with acceptable to excellent internal consistency but differing from the original construction. The health literacy subscale scores were negatively associated with age and with age at immigration, but positively associated with duration of stay (years) in Australia, better English proficiency and current employment. Differing interpretations of the questions based on Chinese culture could possibly explain the variations between the two versions. Conclusion: The simplified Chinese Health Literacy Questionnaire measures some central concepts of health literacy well. However, the questionnaire may require further development, especially in linguistic and cultural aspects. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The Health Literacy Questionnaire has been translated and validated in multiple languages with good reliability and validity. What this paper adds? The study addresses issues that may be related to cultural adaptation and language interpretation of the simplified Chinese version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. The implications of this paper: It is important for researchers and clinicians to evaluate the cultural sensitivity of translated questionnaires within the specific context before application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the modified Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Management instrument in an English‐speaking population. Background: There is growing evidence that self‐management behaviours can improve outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease. However, there are few suitable instruments available. Design The study was cross sectional, with a test–retest protocol. Method: Adults with chronic kidney disease attending a primary health care between June and December 2015 completed the Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Management instrument. Construct validity was determined using exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency and test–retest reliability using Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation. For convergent validity, the relationships between knowledge, self‐efficacy and self‐management were investigated. Results: The Australian version of the Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Management instrument has 17 items grouped into four factors: self‐integration, seeking social support, adherence to lifestyle modification and problem solving. The instrument demonstrated good reliability. Self‐efficacy was positively correlated with self‐management scores, although there was no correlation between chronic kidney disease knowledge and self‐management. Conclusions: The Australian version of the Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Management instrument was found to be a valid and reliable patient‐reported outcome measure. It can be used in clinical practice to support self‐management, as well as future research. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? The burden of chronic kidney disease is rising mostly due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension.Chronic kidney disease progression can be slowed with effective self‐management behaviours.Patient‐reported outcome measures need testing in target populations prior to implementation in clinical settings and research. What this paper adds? The Australian version of the Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Management instrument demonstrated good validity and reliability in the target population.The instrument is suitable to use in research testing interventions to improve self‐management of chronic kidney disease. The implications of this paper: Clinicians can use this patient‐reported outcome measure to assess for changes in CKD self‐management behaviours following patient education.The instrument can be used to identify individuals in need of support for self‐management skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term Non-Medical Surgical Assistant (NMSA) encompasses all roles where healthcare clinicians without a medical degree provide clinical services during the perioperative cycle. The role of NMSA is gaining momentum within Australia. It is timely to ascertain who is preforming the role and quantify the practice setting and scope of practice to enable a nationally recognised platform for role evolution. For two months in 2015 a NMSA Practice Audit was available online. Sampling was initially of a convenience modality. A total of 83 clinicians responded. The majority of NMSAs were experienced RNs [>11yrs]; held post-graduate qualifications [80%], practiced predominantly in metropolitan areas [65%] and had been performing the role for 8 years or less. The specialty with the highest uptake of the NMSAs is orthopaedic surgery. This paper provides an overview of NMSAs practicing in Australia and provides cost effective evidence of the need for this service in Australian healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kay K, Glass N. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; : 231-237 Nursing care involves complex patient handling tasks. Strategies to address associated manual handling issues commonly include training programmes, despite conflicting evidence regarding training efficacy for manual handling injury reduction. Resultant knowledge acquisition and skills transfer from training programmes are prerequisites for subsequent practice changes in the clinical setting. This paper draws upon the findings from a questionnaire completed by 100 nurses in an Australian private hospital in 2008. A substantial knowledge deficit was identified, despite previous training undertaken by participants. A striking finding was that although 82% ( n = 82) of nurses surveyed believed they used safe manual handling practices, only 18% ( n = 15) of these nurses correctly answered items assessing manual handling knowledge. The study suggests prudence in the assumption of skills and knowledge acquisition during manual handling training. It informs the development of future implementation strategies, and provides a contributory explanation for the limited application of recommended practices after training completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middleton S, Gardner G, Gardner A, Della P, Gibb M, Millar L. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 517-524 The first Australian nurse practitioner census: A protocol to guide standardized collection of information about an emergent professional group Internationally, collection of reliable data on new and evolving health-care roles is crucial. We describe a protocol for design and administration of a national census of an emergent health-care role, namely nurse practitioners in Australia using databases held by regulatory authorities. A questionnaire was developed to obtain data on the role and scope of practice of Australian nurse practitioners. Our tool comprised five sections and included a total of 56 questions, using 28existing items from the National Nursing and Midwifery Labour Force Census and nine items recommended in the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Planning Minimum Data Set. Australian Nurse Registering Authorities ( n = 6) distributed the survey on our behalf. This paper outlines our instrument and methods. The survey was administered to 238 authorized Australian nurse practitioners (85% response rate). Rigorous collection of standardized items will ensure health policy is informed by reliable and valid data. We will re-administer the survey 2 years following the first survey to measure change over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop and psychometrically test the Australian Midwifery Workplace Culture instrument. Background: Workplace culture is critical within midwifery settings. Culture determines not only the well‐being and continued retention of maternity staff and managers but it also affects the quality and ultimate safety of the care they provide to women, infants and families. Several studies have identified cultural problems within maternity services. Relatively few instruments take account of the unique aspects of these workplaces and the relationship between midwives and women. Design Three‐stage instrument development involved item generation (based on the Culture of Care Barometer), expert content validation and a pilot test. Methods: During 2016, 38 midwifery experts reviewed the initial items, and 322 midwives then pilot‐tested the draft instrument. We used exploratory factor analysis to identify key domains and to refine the instrument. Results: The refined instrument contained 22 items in three distinct domains: relationship with managers, empowerment and collegiality. Conclusion: The instrument can contribute to understanding important dimensions of the culture in maternity workplaces and thus to examining problematic attitudes and practices. The instrument requires further development and testing with larger and more diverse samples of midwives and validation in specific midwifery settings and models of care. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Previous research reports problems in the organizational culture in maternity services, increasing the stress on midwives and potentially affecting the care they provide to women and infants.Negative workplace culture may contribute to attrition in maternity workforce.There are few measures that specifically address midwifery workplace culture. What this paper adds? This paper presents a new instrument designed to measure dimensions of midwifery workplace culture, detailing item generation and pilot testing.Analysis identified three domains that demonstrated good psychometric properties: relationship with management; empowerment and autonomy; collegiality and relationship with peers. Implications of this paper: The exploratory factor analysis suggests the utility of this instrument for assessing workplace culture in midwifery settings.The study recommends further testing of this instrument and validation in diverse midwifery workplaces, including large and small hospitals, community services and rural and remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eley DS, Eley RM. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 380-387 Personality traits of Australian nurses and doctors: Challenging stereotypes? This study compared temperament and character traits of Australian registered nurses and general practitioners. A cross-sectional quantitative design used the Temperament and Character Inventory. Total sample size was 426. Only main effects were detected. Nurses were higher in the temperament traits of Novelty Seeking and Reward Dependence, lower in the character traits of Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness but higher in Self-Transcendence compared with the sample of doctors. Differences in personality profiles between registered nurses and general practitioners might challenge existing stereotypes between these professions. Further exploration of traits exclusive to and shared among health professions would supplement a broad conceptualization of specialities and support the enhancement of appropriate training and career counselling. Awareness of one's temperament and character can lead to a clearer understanding of how they function in the workplace and might encourage reflection on and insight into the implications of their personality and career plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Johnson M, George A, Tran DT. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; : 60-66 Nurses play an important role in preventing and managing falls in acute hospitals. We analysed 577 hospital falls incidents and found 77% unwitnessed and most resulted in no patient harm (85%). Further qualitative analysis of 40 incidents highlighted a high proportion of falls being related to transferring near the bed unit. Simple messages for nurses working in acute care settings are recommended including 'high risk activity (transferring, mobilizing) and high risk area (bed unit, toilet/bathroom) is a high risk situation'. A balanced approach emphasizing patient and family education and the use of alarm devices where supervision is not available are suggested. Postfall management by nurses might be contributing to the low occurrence of injury reported in these findings and requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to describe the experiences of Australian and New Zealand nursing and midwifery students looking for employment after graduation. This qualitative study draws from 2008, 2009 and 2010 responses provided by 197 recently graduated Australian and New Zealand nurses and midwives to, Describe your experiences gaining employment as a nurse or midwife after graduation. Two themes were inductively derived, Taking what you can get and I had a job lined up. Within the taking what you can get theme, respondents efforts to gain employment as a nurse or midwife after graduation were challenged by limited choices round the type of clinical practice available and/or job insecurity. In contrast, for respondents in the I had a job lined up theme, employment after graduation was linked to job offers during student's clinical placements and/or hospitals where they completed their final practicum. Understanding and better facilitating the transition of new nurse/midwife graduates to healthcare institutions are vitally important to sustaining the nursing workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from the Patients and Families Psychological Response to the Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial were used to examine the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and patients' coping strategies postmyocardial infarction. This study is the secondary data analysis of longitudinal observational study. A total of 460 patient-spouse pairs were recruited in January 2003 to October 2005. Hierarchical linear regression analysis examined biological/demographic, psychological and social variables regarding patients' coping scores using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale. Lower social support and social support satisfaction predicted lower total coping scores. Being younger, male gender and time since the myocardial infarction predicted lower positive coping strategy use. Higher anxiety and lower social support were related to fewer positive coping methods. Lower educational levels were related to increased use of negative coping strategies. Reduced social support predicted lower total coping scores and positive coping strategy use and greater passive coping style use. Social support from a broad network assisted with better coping; those living alone may need additional support. Social support and coping strategies should be taken into consideration for patients who have experienced a cardiac event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media use is expanding rapidly, so too is its use within hospitals and amongst healthcare professionals. This study describes the use of social media by Australian and New Zealand nursing and midwifery graduates of the Graduate e-Cohort study; there were 112 (93%) respondents from a 2014 sample of 121 nurses and midwives. Findings suggest that the professional peak body goal of using social media as a vehicle for professional education requires consideration of the social media platforms that are actually being used by new graduates. We recommend that work by the respective professions at both an undergraduate and graduate level needs to focus on the implications of social media use or policy and practice to ensure that everyone is aware of when and how to engage in social media platforms and what to do and how to behave when using social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key finding of this qualitative exploratory descriptive study into advanced nursing for general practice nurses ( Australian setting) revealed that participants viewed leadership and management as best learnt 'apprenticeship' style on the job by years of experience. Participants (48) comprised of general practice nurses, practice managers and general practitioners from metropolitan Melbourne were interviewed. Other findings demonstrated that the participants generally had limited awareness that postgraduate education can assist in the development of leadership and management in advanced nursing practice. The participants lacked clarity about professional competencies and generally did not connect these to leadership and management. Professional bodies need to take the opportunity to promote awareness of the national competency standards. All three groups of participants expressed hopes about the future provision of professional development opportunities and support by the Medicare Local for leadership and management aspirations within advanced practice nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was the first Australian study investigating the acceptability, feasibility and sustainability of a nurse-led model of chronic disease management in general practice. A concurrent mixed-methods design was used within a 12-month intervention of nurse-led care in three general practices. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and/or stable ischaemic heart disease were randomized into nurse-led or standard care. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of key stakeholders towards this model including patients in the nurse-led arm, and all practice staff pre- and posttrial. The data were thematically analysed and the emergent themes were: importance of time; collaborative relationships; nurse job satisfaction, confidence and competence; patient self-management and choice. Our findings showed that nurses provided chronic disease management that was acceptable, feasible and sustainable. The collaborative involvement of doctors was intrinsic to patient acceptability of nurse-led care that facilitated job satisfaction, and therefore retention and growth within this nursing speciality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]