Search

The announcement by AGL Energy Ltd. that it would close its aging Liddell coal-fired thermal power station outside of Muswellbrook in New South Wales, Australia, in 2022 and concentrate on energy generation from renewable sources produced the ideal opportunity to conduct a study of how accepting communities in the Upper Hunter Valley (UHV) were of the closure of the power station. A mixed-methods approach was conducted by means of focus group meetings and interviews using qualitative data, as well as surveys collecting qualitative and quantitative data. Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data showed that the communities were divided regarding issues about personal and family health. Of the respondents, 71% clearly agreed that the transition away from coal would have a significant impact on the economic and social life of UHV communities. Although there was a suggestion of an authority being established to guide the transition, a renewable energy hub would seem to be an important development opportunity. Before initiating changes that could lead to a transition, the author believes that the 'underlying culture of ignorance' should be extinguished. The lack of understanding about toxic chemicals and health, as well as the lack of knowledge about renewable energy, needs to be addressed through investment in community health education, renewable energy education, and educational support to provide new renewable training opportunities for power workers., Introduction Climate change is the biggest threat in the 21st century (Watts et al., 2019); many advocate that now is the time the world has to deal with the climate [...]

Objectives This qualitative descriptive study explored the primary health care decisions of a group of 12 Australians in Stages 3B to 5 with chronic kidney disease in the preservation of kidney health. Methods Questioning within the qualitative interviews focused on gaining an understanding of the participants’ perceptions of their kidney health and the decisions made as a consequence of their interaction within the Australian primary health care system. Results Participants were dependent on their General Practitioner to recognise their symptoms, make the correct diagnosis and authorise the correct referral for specialist nephrology care. Three pathways in this process were identified: ‘easy’; ‘difficult’ and ‘protracted’. Clinician failure to correctly attribute symptoms to chronic kidney disease influenced the ‘difficult’ pathway, while failure to adequately communicate kidney health status influenced the ‘protracted’ pathway. Use of the language of ‘recovery’, ‘stability’ and ‘protection’ held meaning to the participants in gaining an understanding of their kidney health. Discussion Identifying pathways to diagnosis and referral can raise awareness of the challenges kidney health consumers face in their participation within the primary health care arena. Using consumer meaningful language improves the capacity of these consumers to engage in their own primary health care agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This theoretical paper provides information on the strengths and weaknesses of both the qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research approaches and seeks to guide those who wish to engage in the research process.The qualitative research approach is explained and compared with the quantitative approach which allows the novice nephrology nurse researcher to determine which approach will be the most useful in exploring their research question. Three of the most common qualitative research approaches of phenomenology; ethnography and Grounded Theory and their particular features are described, explained and critiqued with examples of contemporary nephrology nursing research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Health Belief Model (HBM) was reviewed with the aim of modifying it so that it reflected a health promotion stance for young families. Since this model's inception, health professionals like nurses have been involved in using the HBM to guide their practice. It is argued that to assist families, nurses now need a model that is focused on ‘health.’ In support of this approach, reorienting the HBM and basing it on ‘positive’ health definitions associated with health promotion, by modifying it through adding the constructs ‘perceived behavioral control’ (representing health locus of control) and ‘behavioral intention’ from Ajzen will provide nurses with a more appropriate and useful model for interacting with families and their preschool children. A summary of positive and negative aspects of the modification of the HBM is presented, followed by a strategy for the process of validating the revised HBM for young families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developed countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, homeless families are amongst the fastest growing subpopulations of the homeless. This paper seeks to explore the major issues involved in the health and nursing care of such families, and proposes that the patterns of knowing in nursing offer a pertinent, guiding framework for nurses to understand the phenomenon and to optimize holistic nursing care for homeless families with children.