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Aim. The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field. Background. Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival. Design. A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods. Tape-recorded semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Results. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were ‘It absolutely encompassed me,’‘Being overwhelmed,’‘Living with fear and uncertainty’ and ‘Finding strength within.’ Conclusions. Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related surgery in women under 50. Relevance to clinical practice. This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women undergoing breast cancer-related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Australia has high breastfeeding initiation rates however, at 3 and 6 months exclusive breastfeeding rates fall below global recommendations. Research suggests significant others in a woman's life can influence infant feeding decisions and practices but how and why they do so needs investigation. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study explored grandmothers' perceptions of their role in supporting new families and examined the potential for grandmothers to influence infant feeding decisions and parenting practices of new mothers in an area of Sydney, Australia, with low breastfeeding maintenance rates. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted in South Western Sydney, Australia. Eleven grandmothers participated in one to one interviews and three of these also participated in a group discussion. RESULTS: Analysis revealed three themes: 'Presence'; 'Position'; and 'Power versus Preservation' which provide insight into the complexity of the grandmother-new mother relationship and describe the potential influence that grandmothers may have on infant feeding and parenting. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings highlight challenges and dilemmas faced by grandmothers in their supportive role for the new mother in her breastfeeding and early parenting experience and the difficulties grandmothers face in balancing potential risks and rewards in their interactions with the new family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This study aimed to build understandings of women's recovery experiences in the presence of continued pelvic problems extending beyond the puerperium to provide nurses and other health care professionals with information to enhance current practice. Background. Trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth is a relatively common occurrence and can include damage to structures and nerves. A significant number of women will experience ongoing physical pelvic problems resulting from childbirth that extend past the puerperium; however, little is known about the experiential aspects of recovery for these women. Design. A qualitative, phenomenological study. Method. Narrative data were collected during conversational interviews with 10 mothers who had sustained pelvic injury during the birth process that persisted past the puerperium. Recruitment was via media releases and brochures distributed through childcare facilities. The data was analysed using Van Manen's thematic analysis. Results. The themes that arose from the analysis were: 'fearing intimacy', 'managing an unpredictable body', 'being resigned' and 'feeling devalued and dismissed'. Conclusions. Pelvic injuries that extend beyond the postpartum period are distressing for women. They negatively affect women's views of themselves and have an impact on various aspects of life including intimate relationships and social activities. Relevance to clinical practice. Currently, postpartum care may have a focus on baby rather than mother and this focus may impede women making full disclosures of ongoing health needs arising from their delivery. Findings of this study suggest that women may have specific needs that extend beyond the puerperium, indicating a need for continued holistic assessments and extending practice to identify and support women experiencing persistent pelvic postpartum complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an evaluation of the Aunties and Uncles Co-operative Family Project Ltd, founded 30 years ago, that connects community volunteers (aunts and uncles) with disadvantaged children in the Sydney area, New South Wales, Australia. A postal survey was used which included both open and closed questions regarding the volunteer aunts, uncles, parents, coordinators, nieces and nephews' satisfaction with the project. Demographic data was also collected. Responses from the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software. Responses to the open ended questions were transcribed and coded. The findings from the study indicated that the experiences were positive for all stakeholders with volunteers and coordinators finding the project personally rewarding and parents receiving respite and support. The children enjoyed new experiences by going to different places and undertaking activities. Recommendations include increased volunteer training and guidelines for difficult situations, increased support for coordinators and more structured activities for all participants. The findings indicate the reciprocal benefits to all participants. These significant benefits reflect the philosophy of the Aunties & Uncles Co-operative Family Project Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to consider the impact that an eating disorder had on the family, particularly the parents. The objective was to give a voice to parents in order to develop new understandings of their experience leading to more appropriate clinical decision-making. Background. The impact of an eating disorder on family life has not been well-documented in the published literature. There are numerous articles from the sufferer's perspective and treatment modalities. The following paper describes a component of a larger study that explored the parent's perspective of having a child with an eating disorder. Design. Nineteen mothers and three fathers from Sydney, Australia, volunteered to be interviewed as the result of advertizements placed in parent support organization newsletters and by using the snowballing technique. Methods. A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was used to explore parents' experiences of having a child/adult child with an eating disorder. Themes were identified through in depth analysis. Results. Themes that were extrapolated from this research included, family unification or disintegration, parent's inability to cope, inconsiderate comments from significant others, social isolation and financial impacts. Conclusions. This study reports five overarching effects on family life. The authors conclude that one way in which the life of parents and families could be improved would be increased involvement and integration into the treatment process. For this to happen, health professionals would need to acknowledge the family as a resource. Relevance to clinical practice. This research documents the family struggle and highlights the current omissions concerning the family's role. The need for changes to clinical practice is substantiated. It requires health professionals to scrutinize their own clinical practice and consider modification of the treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the practical needs of patients and their families travelling from rural areas in New South Wales, Australia to cities for cancer treatment. Practical needs were information, accommodation, transport, and economic impact. A cross-sectional design was employed; data were collected by questionnaire and focus group interviews. Findings showed that practical needs impacted on the ability of the patients and families to cope with diagnosis and treatment for cancer. The greatest unmet practical need of the patients and their families was for comprehensive information that is provided before travelling and by someone, for example, nurse or social worker who can help them decipher it if required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to judge the appropriateness of a particular nurse researcher's actions in a vignette from the clinical field, and to explore frameworks used to deter-mine the appropriateness of actions. Twelve experienced nurse researchers were interviewed by telephone. They were given four vignettes of actual research situations and asked to comment and explain their judgement on the appropriateness of the nurse researcher's actions. The findings confirmed blurring of boundaries between professional and research roles for nurses. Nurses appear to use a mixture of frameworks, including scientific/rigour method, ethics, nursing competencies and their own personal-moral values. Frameworks need to be discussed and debated so that neophyte researchers are well-prepared before they enter the field to conduct research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiences of parents with a child with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa were explored and this article aims to present one component of that study: parents' interactions with health professionals. The research was initiated after anecdotal stories from parents led the authors to undertake a literature review, which revealed a paucity of published research on this topic. Twenty-two interviews were conducted with volunteer parents from New South Wales, Australia. A descriptive qualitative design was used and themes were identified through in-depth analysis. Six themes were identified: finding help, feeling shut out, engagement, images portrayed, being resourceful and parents not prepared to give up. The implications for health professionals include that they acknowledge parental involvement in recovery. We urge the nursing profession, particularly mental health nurses, to work towards establishing collaborative partnerships between families & health professionals in order to achieve a better health outcome for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]