Contemp Nurse
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Eating disorders are a major concern in Western society. The journey that parents undertake when their child has suffered from an eating disorder has been rarely reported. The aim of this research was to explore the parents' journey using in depth interviews. ⋯ Four aspects of the journey that the parents took when their child was ill are reported in this paper. The research findings are taken directly from the accounts provided by parents. These parents' stories will be of interest to health professionals working with families in the area of eating disorders.
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Volunteers represent a growing, but often undervalued, section of service delivery in many areas in the community, particularly in health care. This paper is centred on volunteers' perceptions and experiences of home visiting gained through the implementation of the Community Mothers (CM) program in Western Australia (WA). Further, the paper aims to inform debate about the issue of professional versus non-professional home visitors and offers a perspective on the issue that may provide direction for policy makers and practitioners. ⋯ With experiences of volunteers in home visiting, four main themes reflected the participants' views: (1) Facilitating client empowerment; (2) Facilitating personal empowerment; (3) Promoting social connectedness; and (4) Enabling goal setting. Although programs such as the Community Mothers Program aim to benefit and support mothers in the parenting role it is clear that there are benefits that emerge also for the individual volunteer, such as increased self-esteem, self-efficacy and satisfaction. Hence, measuring the overall outcomes that result from such program remains a major challenge.
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An epidemiological study was carried out in the year 2000 and sought to measure the occurrences of middle ear disease and hearing loss within school aged (4 years to 12 years) Aboriginal children. A number of the local schools and preschools in Coraki and Lismore with a high percentage of Aboriginal students were selected in an effort to identify service gaps regarding essential hearing screenings and assessments. A total of 185 (370 ears) Aboriginal children aged 4 years to 12 years were examined from four schools and three preschools. ⋯ Results indicated that 61.08% of these children had middle ear problems of some type. Unilateral hearing loss of 30 dB or greater was found in 10.80% of children, bilateral hearing loss of 30 dB and greater was found in 22.16%, and perforation of tympanic membranes in 3.24%. Suggestions are made in relation to the need for ongoing training of Aboriginal Community Audiometrists to provide community, school and preschool screening programs together with health related promotional activities to minimise the occurrences of ear infections.
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Although the use of humour in health care has been well investigated, the humorous interactions between nurse and patient are not. This research project investigated the humorous interaction between patient and nurse. ⋯ The study indicated gender differences in the way humour is used by patients. For female patients, humour is often instant and situation bound and used as a reassuring discourse for others, whereas male patients' humour through stories and anecdotes is designed to establish a sense of equalising power between the patient and nurse.
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Review
'Sorry, were you sleeping? Nurses' role in the promotion of sleep for critically ill patients.
During critical illness sleep is important for immune function and restorative processes. Despite theoretical evidence and scientific understanding of the effects of sleep deprivation in the critically ill, research is yet to be entirely translated into institutional practices and department cultural norms. ⋯ A paradigm shift in nursing and institutional culture is required to implement sleep promotion research and strategies to minimise adverse outcomes for patients.