ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6321-2586
Current Organisations
Tasmania Department of Health
,
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-04-2010
Abstract: To evaluate the importance of contextual and policy factors on nurses' judgement about medication administration practice. A questionnaire survey of responses to a number of factorial vignettes in June 2004. These vignettes considered a combination of seven contextual and policy factors that were thought to influence nurses' judgements relating to medication administration. 185 (67% of eligible) clinical paediatric nursing staff returned completed questionnaires. A tertiary paediatric hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Double checking the patient, double checking the drug and checking the legality of the prescription were the three strongest predictors of nurses' actions regarding medication administration. Policy factors, and not contextual factors, drive nurses' judgement in response to hypothetical scenarios.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-09-2010
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 25-10-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2016
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-02-2012
Abstract: The aim of this systematic review was to critically examine the research that quantifies and describes the daily patterns of time use by parents of children with complex needs. Four electronic databases were searched. A total of 32 studies (30 peer-reviewed journal articles and two theses) met the inclusion criteria. Three key findings emerged from the review: (a) Parents of children with complex needs carry a significant caregiving burden that often does not reduce as the age of the child increases, (b) supervision or ‘vigilance’ is a category of childcare that carries a particular time requirement for these parents and (c) parents of children with complex needs spend (sometimes considerable) time undertaking health care–related tasks outside the ‘normal’ parenting role. The time demands placed on parents caring for a child or children with complex needs at home should be considered when health professionals are negotiating essential and/or additional therapies or treatments to be included in a child’s home care regime.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2008
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the perceptions of needs held by parents of hospitalized children with those held by the staff caring for them. Family-centred care is a central tenet of paediatrics and should encompass all aspects of the child and family's experience of hospitalization. Important to this are the needs of parents when their children are hospitalized. A widely used and validated tool was used with a convenience s le in paediatric facilities in a children's hospital in Australia. Some differences were found between parents and staff for scores for perceived importance of the 51 needs included in the questionnaire, and whether or not they were being met satisfactorily during children's hospital admission, although there were no consistent patterns. Parents declared themselves more independent than the staff perceived them to be. These findings facilitate improvements in communication between parents and staff and can be included in education programmes for both.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-04-2022
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2062464
Abstract: To determine the impact of the addition of information specific to people with atypical chest shapes and/or in a wheelchair during mandatory CPR classes on staff confidence to respond to emergency scenarios with these populations. A pre-test post-test intervention study was conducted with staff from one of the largest disability organisations in Tasmania, Australia. Supplemented CPR and BLS classes were presented to participants. A purpose-designed questionnaire was completed pre, post, and six-months post after the training. A significant rise in confidence post-training was demonstrated, and this was retained at the six-month time point. Time spent in the disability sector before the supplemented training or attendance at previous standard CPR classes did not have a significant effect on confidence levels before the supplemented training. Confidence is closely linked to willingness to act during emergency situations. Improved confidence may therefore result in improved willingness to act for people with disability, atypical chest shapes, and wheelchair users, thus improving health outcomes for these populations and providing this cohort with access to more equitable healthcare.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONGuidelines for undertaking CPR and BLS on people with atypical chest shapes and/or in a wheelchair are not currently available.Including information specific to people with atypical chest shapes and/or in a wheelchair during mandatory CPR classes increases staff confidence to respond to such situations.Supplementary disability-specific information can be successfully incorporated into existing CPR and BLS training.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-03-2008
DOI: 10.1111/J.1744-6155.2008.00142.X
Abstract: This study aims to describe the sleep experience of parents staying overnight with their children in hospital. Parents (n = 102) completed the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale following a night spent with their children in an Australian tertiary pediatric hospital. Parents experienced sleep deprivation and poor quality of sleep, reporting a mean sleep period of 4.6 hr (SD = 2.1). Having only one child in the room was the only variable that significantly influenced the quality or amount of parental sleep. Parental sleep deprivation needs to be acknowledged and accommodated when nurses and parents negotiate the care of children in hospital.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-04-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2648.2009.04990.X
Abstract: This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the impact of preidentified contextual themes (related to work environment and socialization) on nursing medication practice. Medication administration is a complex aspect of paediatric nursing and an important component of day-to-day nursing practice. Many attempts are being made to improve patient safety, but many errors remain. Identifying and understanding factors that influence medication administration errors are of utmost importance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a s le of 278 paediatric nurses from the emergency department, intensive care unit and medical and surgical wards of an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital in 2004. The response rate was 67%. Contextual influences were important in determining how closely medication policy was followed. Completed questionnaires were returned by 185 nurses (67%). Younger nurses aged <34 years thought that their medication administration practice could be influenced by the person with whom they checked the drugs (P = 0.001), and that there were daily circumstances when it was acceptable not to adhere strictly to medication policy (P < 0.001), including choosing between following policy and acting in the best interests of the child (P = 0.002). Senior nurses agreed that senior staff dictate acceptable levels of medication policy adherence through role modelling (P = 0.01). Less experienced nurses reported greater confidence with computer literacy (P < 0.001). Organizations need to employ multidisciplinary education programmes to promote universal understanding of, and adherence to, medication policies. Skill mix should be closely monitored to ensure adequate support for new and junior staff.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1016/S1322-7696(08)60504-1
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to identify nurses' attitudes toward medication policies and the perceived factors that influence nurses' adherence to the medication policy or their ability to follow policy in the clinical environment of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Using a focus group methodology, data were collated from a group of 32 nurses working in eight clinical areas of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Each discussion was transcribed and the data were subjected to a qualitatively based content analysis. Four main categories emerged from the data including accessibility of information, time constraints, practice issues and professional conflict. Medication administration is a complex area of paediatric nursing practice. In an innovative attempt to assist in understanding nursing medication practice, this research has directly obtained nurses' perceptions of the factors that may influence their adherence to medication policy in the clinical environment. These results will inform future risk management strategies related to nursing medication practice.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 13-04-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 27-02-2015
Abstract: Family caregiving for people with younger onset dementia affects everyone in the family unit. This article presents findings of a qualitative systematic review exploring the experiences of family caregivers of persons with younger onset dementia. A systematic search resulted in the inclusion of five relevant articles, and two groups within the family unit were identified—child caregivers and adult and spousal caregivers. Using the thematic synthesis approach, five themes emerged: dementia damage, grief for loss of relationship, changes in family roles, positive and negative impacts of family caregiving, and transition to formal care. The review findings support increasing evidence that despite the stress of caring for a person with dementia damage, family members have the capacity to cope, adapt, and grow through their experiences. Nurses can assist families to identify their unique strengths and enhance family resiliency so they can navigate the “lonely road” of younger onset dementia.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 19-12-2014
Abstract: A significant number of children with a range of complex conditions and health care needs are being cared for by parents in the home environment. This mixed methods systematic review aimed to determine the amount of sleep obtained by these parents and the extent to which the child-related overnight health or care needs affected parental sleep experience and daily functioning. Summary statistics were not able to be determined due to the heterogeneity of included studies, but the common themes that emerged are that parents of children with complex needs experience sleep deprivation that can be both relentless and draining and affects the parents themselves and their relationships. The degree of sleep deprivation varies by diagnosis, but a key contributing factor is the need for parents to be vigilant at night. Of particular importance to health care professionals is the inadequate overnight support provided to parents of children with complex needs, potentially placing these parents at risk of poorer health outcomes associated with sleep deprivation and disturbance. This needs to be addressed to enable parents to remain well and continue to provide the care that their child and family require.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 14-03-2011
DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X11000195
Abstract: Ageing in Place policies have transferred responsibility for many frail elderly people and those living with dementia from residential to in-home care. Despite this placing a greater obligation on families, in Australia carers continue to under-use day respite services. This qualitative design study identified issues around the use of day respite care from the perspective of the family carer, focusing on barriers to attendance and strategies to facilitate attendance. Telephone interviews were held in 2007 with Tasmanian carers whose family member refused to attend day respite care (ten carers) and those whose family member attended (17). Carers considering day respite care were often overwhelmed by the quantity of information, confused about the process, and worried about the recipient's safety in an unfamiliar environment. They felt anxious about public acknowledgement of the condition leading to fear of embarrassment. Day respite care users appreciated the break it provided them and the opportunity for their family member to socialise. To facilitate a greater uptake of day respite care, reliable information sources and strategies to help carers deal with the emotions they face on a daily basis, together with a wider social acceptance of dementia, are important. Furthermore, carers need an opportunity to talk with others, enabling them to gain support from those who have successfully introduced a family member to day respite care.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-04-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2648.2009.04990.X
Abstract: This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the impact of preidentified contextual themes (related to work environment and socialization) on nursing medication practice. Medication administration is a complex aspect of paediatric nursing and an important component of day-to-day nursing practice. Many attempts are being made to improve patient safety, but many errors remain. Identifying and understanding factors that influence medication administration errors are of utmost importance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a s le of 278 paediatric nurses from the emergency department, intensive care unit and medical and surgical wards of an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital in 2004. The response rate was 67%. Contextual influences were important in determining how closely medication policy was followed. Completed questionnaires were returned by 185 nurses (67%). Younger nurses aged <34 years thought that their medication administration practice could be influenced by the person with whom they checked the drugs (P = 0.001), and that there were daily circumstances when it was acceptable not to adhere strictly to medication policy (P < 0.001), including choosing between following policy and acting in the best interests of the child (P = 0.002). Senior nurses agreed that senior staff dictate acceptable levels of medication policy adherence through role modelling (P = 0.01). Less experienced nurses reported greater confidence with computer literacy (P < 0.001). Organizations need to employ multidisciplinary education programmes to promote universal understanding of, and adherence to, medication policies. Skill mix should be closely monitored to ensure adequate support for new and junior staff.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.PEDN.2015.10.018
Abstract: Parents combine many roles when caring for a child with complex needs, but few studies measure parental value and enjoyment of childcare related activities. This study aimed to describe parental competence, enjoyment and value of childcare related activities, particularly healthcare related activities, when parenting a child with complex needs. This was a pilot cross sectional study. Ten mothers of children with complex needs rated their competence, value and enjoyment of 156 childcare related activities using the Occupational Questionnaire (Smith, Kielhofner, & Hawkins Watts, 1986). The mothers rated childcare related activities as important and rated themselves as competent to undertake them. Mothers disliked performing healthcare related activities, but enjoyed emotional care activities. This study extends the current knowledge regarding the role tension described by parents of children with complex needs. The finding that parents dislike performing healthcare related activities despite self-reporting high levels of competence warrants further investigation. Gaining a better understanding of the role tension described by parents of children with complex needs may enable pediatric nurses to better understand the impact of home based care provision on parents and assist them to find ways to support families so this care can continue to be provided.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2007
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-08-2015
DOI: 10.1111/CCH.12275
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1016/S1322-7696(08)60504-1
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to identify nurses' attitudes toward medication policies and the perceived factors that influence nurses' adherence to the medication policy or their ability to follow policy in the clinical environment of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Using a focus group methodology, data were collated from a group of 32 nurses working in eight clinical areas of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Each discussion was transcribed and the data were subjected to a qualitatively based content analysis. Four main categories emerged from the data including accessibility of information, time constraints, practice issues and professional conflict. Medication administration is a complex area of paediatric nursing practice. In an innovative attempt to assist in understanding nursing medication practice, this research has directly obtained nurses' perceptions of the factors that may influence their adherence to medication policy in the clinical environment. These results will inform future risk management strategies related to nursing medication practice.
No related grants have been discovered for Damhnat McCann.