ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9011-368X
Current Organisations
Deakin University
,
University of Wollongong
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Publisher: Authorea, Inc.
Date: 12-05-2020
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/PY17043
Abstract: Internationally, the population is ageing and people are living well, longer. In Australia, extended travelling has gained popularity among older Grey Nomads due to time and opportunity post retirement. However, there is limited research available focusing on older Australians’ health while travelling. This paper reports the qualitative phase of a larger mixed-method project that explores the experience of Australian Grey Nomads travelling with chronic conditions. Eight Grey Nomads participated in telephone interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Two themes emerged, namely: continuity of care while travelling and experts on the road. Participants described encountering a fragmented health system, with challenges regarding finding health services a lack of shared medical records and difficulties accessing regular medications. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated health preparedness, an ability to accommodate health on the road, and were all travelling for their health. This study highlights key systems issues that challenge health care while travelling, and identifies opportunities for both usual practices and rural health services to enhance the care provided to this group.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-049095
Abstract: This study sought to explore the experiences of Australian primary healthcare (PHC) nurses in the use of telehealth during COVID-19. Telehealth was defined as the use of any telecommunications mode (eg, telephone and videoconferencing) to deliver healthcare. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews undertaken in Australian PHC. Twenty-five PHC nurses who had participated in a national survey about their experiences during COVID-19 were recruited using purposive s ling. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted from June to August 2020. Interviews lasted a mean of 38.5 min. They were audio-recorded and transcribed before thematic analysis was undertaken. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research were followed. Four overarching themes were identified: preparedness, accessibility of telehealth, care experience and impacts on the PHC nurses’ role. Some nurses were experienced in the use of telehealth, while others indicated a lack of preparation and limited appropriate technology to support its use. Telehealth enabled patients to access care but did not support complex clinical assessment. Participants indicated that patient engagement in telehealth was dependent on access and confidence using technology, perceived safety when physically attending the practice and the value they placed on care via telehealth. Many participants expressed frustration about telehealth funding and its impact on facilitating nurses to practise to their full scope. Telehealth has provided a means to continue PHC service delivery during COVID-19. While there are advantages to adopting this technology, considerations of the challenges and lessons from this experience are important to inform the future implementation of telehealth initiatives.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1111/NAE2.7
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-08-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JNU.12698
Abstract: COVID‐19 has presented health care professionals with unprecedented challenges. Significant risks have emerged as nurses have continued to work in delivering frontline health care during the pandemic. Feeling “at risk” has significant deleterious effects on nurses. The study sought to explore the perceptions of risk by Australian primary health care nurses (PHC) during COVID‐19. Twenty‐five Australian PHC nurses were purposively recruited from survey respondents who indicated a willingness to be interviewed. Phone interviews were undertaken between June and August 2020. Audio‐recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Participants shared concerns about risks in the workplace that emerged during COVID‐19 and described the strategies used to mitigate these identified risks. Three themes were identified: (a) Professional concerns, (b) Personal/family concerns, and (c) Patient needs. Understanding PHC nurses’ perceptions of risk during COVID‐19 provides an important insight into how they can be better supported to manage the risks that they face and feel safer in their workplace. Ensuring that PHC nurses are well‐supported is important to optimize job satisfaction, reduce burnout and improve patient care. There is a need to ensure that nurses feel safe during crises such as pandemics to protect both in idual nurses and the broader workforce. Protecting the health workforce is essential to optimizing service delivery and promoting health outcomes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15662
Abstract: To explore final‐year nursing students’ perceptions of general practice nursing. The need for general practice nurses has increased due to growing demands for health care in the community. This demand is exacerbated by a shortage in the general practice nursing workforce. Understanding final‐year nursing students’ perceptions of general practice nursing is important as these may influence career choices. Qualitative descriptive study within a mixed methods project. Telephone interviews were conducted with sixteen final‐year nursing students. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Reporting follows the COREQ checklist. Perceptions of general practice nursing varied between participants and related to three main themes ways of working a broad role to meet erse health needs and relationships with patients. General practice nurses were seen to have stable and collaborative working relationships, with their role ranging from supporting general practitioners to being autonomous professionals. The nurse's broad role was associated with erse presentations and was considered interesting and challenging. Participants perceived that general practice nurses had more time to spend with patients, and this helped establish trust, and facilitated patient‐centred care. Participants’ perceptions of general practice nursing varied, with some students recognising the ersity of the role and others perceiving it as limited. These views were often impacted by others experiences rather than personal experience. These variations underscore the need for students to receive greater exposure to general practice nursing. Review of undergraduate curricula to increase focus on preparing nursing students to work in general practice may help shape students’ interest to seek employment in this setting. Students perceptions of a clinical setting can influence their career decisions. Understanding these perceptions can inform clinicians and managers and highlight areas that may need to be addressed to promote career opportunities.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/PHN.13095
Abstract: This study aimed to retrospectively examine the contribution of nurses to population health outcomes with reference to nurse visits and blood pressure measurement in primary health settings. A retrospective study was conducted using New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) from 2012 to 2017. Adult population who are 18 years old and over living in New Zealand. Age, gender, and ethnicity, the service utilization of primary health care nurse visit and blood pressure measurement were extracted from the NZHS (2012-2017) to compare with the service utilization of primary health care nurses by different demographic groups. Females who have treated hypertension shows higher utilization of nurse visit than males. From 2015 to 2017, the participants in this cohort have visited a primary health care nurse at least more than once within a year. With blood pressure control, the overall pooled results show the impact of visiting primary health nurses on systolic and diastolic blood pressure control. Our study at a national scale, demonstrated the impact of nurse's contribution to population health outcomes among people living with hypertension in New Zealand. Nurses are key to improving population health outcomes and to achieve universal health coverage.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-07-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JNU.12589
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 20-06-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.19.20135996
Abstract: To identify Australian primary healthcare nurses immediate support needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has had widespread implications for primary healthcare nurses. Supporting these nurses’ capacity to deliver quality care ensures that ongoing health needs can be met. Primary healthcare nurses were recruited to an online survey via social media and professional organisations in April 2020. Six-hundred and thirty-seven responses were included in analysis. Participants provided 1213 statements about perceived supports required to provide quality clinical care. From these, seven key categories emerged, namely personal protective equipment, communication, funding, industrial issues, self-care, workplace factors and valuing nurses. A number of key issues relating to personal health and safety, care quality, and job security need to be addressed to support primary healthcare nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing these support issues can assist in retaining nurses and optimising the role of primary healthcare nurses during a pandemic. Responding to the needs of primary healthcare nurses has the potential to facilitate their role in providing community based healthcare. This knowledge can guide the provision of support for primary healthcare nurses during the current pandemic, as well as informing planning for future health crises.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-09-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.15046
Abstract: To validate the ‘safe and effective staffing tool’ and explore the impact of COVID‐19 on the quality of Australian primary health care (PHC). A national survey was conducted from October to December 2020. The online survey was distributed via social media and professional organisations to PHC nurses. Three‐hundred fifty‐nine PHC nurses participated. A two‐factor solution was found with factors named ‘Perception of quality of care provided’ and ‘Personal satisfaction with care delivered’. Cronbach's alpha demonstrated good internal consistency for the total scale ( α = .915) and each subscale ( α = .879/ α = .864). Nearly three‐quarters of participants (71.3%) were satisfied with the quality of care they delivered. Participants working in general practice, and those with more nursing experience had significantly higher scores in the factor ‘perceptions of quality of care provided’ and the total ‘quality and satisfaction with care’. A lack of time, inadequate supervision and support, and performing non‐nursing duties were reported to be impacting care quality. Most participants (80.5%) reported that COVID‐19 had impacted negatively on the detection and management of non‐COVID related health conditions. The ‘safe and effective staffing tool’ is a valid and reliable measure of perceived quality of care and satisfaction with care delivered. Many PHC nurses perceive that there has been an overall reduction in the quality of care delivered due to COVID‐19 and feel that there is a lack of adequate supervision and workplace support. Given the limited baseline data, further research is required to understand the extent that COVID‐19 impacts these findings. However, this study demonstrates that strategies need to be implemented to support PHC nurses to provide high‐quality care to optimise health outcomes and maintain nurse satisfaction. This is the first attempt to evaluate care quality in Australian PHC. Policymaking requires this evidence to drive changes to better support PHC nurses.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1017/S1463423621000815
Abstract: Health systems that have strong primary health care at their core have overall better patient outcomes. Primary health care is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage and the broader health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In 2018, at the launch of the Declaration of Astana, the World Health Organization formed the inaugural Primary Health Care Young Leaders’ Network. This paper aims to demonstrate the scope for young professional-led communities of practice in fostering support systems for young leaders and strengthening the delivery of primary health care at multiple levels. A description of the Young Leaders' Network community of practice model is presented, with ex les of the work the members are doing, in idually and collectively, to advance the science and practice of primary health care. This initiative brought together 21 in iduals from across the world, working across disciplines and within an array of socioeconomic contexts to improve primary health care in their respective countries. This youth-led community of practice is able to share knowledge, evidence and resources to inform clinical and public health activities, policy initiatives, advocacy and research to improve primary health care delivery and health outcomes for communities across the globe.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JONM.13816
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JONM.13108
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 02-01-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JONM.13534
Abstract: The aim of this study is to explore primary health care nurses' mental health, concerns and perceived safety and supports during COVID-19. Respiratory pandemics have negative impacts on nurses' wellbeing. While literature is replete with hospital nurses' experiences, there is less exploration of COVID-19 impacts on primary health care nurses. Given the importance of primary health care nurses in the health system, understanding their experiences is vital. Three hundred and fifty nine primary health care nurses responded to an online cross-sectional survey. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to measure emotional state. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. DASS-21 scores indicated that 39.6% of participants were experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress. Of those, 41.8% were experiencing symptoms on one scale, 26.9% were experiencing symptoms on two scales and 31.2% were experiencing symptoms across all three scales. Most participants identified that their feelings were related to COVID-19. COVID-19 is having a significant impact on primary health care nurses' mental health. Nurse managers need to develop strategies to effectively address nurses' concerns and effectively support them to sustain the workforce during and after the pandemic. Findings from this study can inform the design of effective nurse support programmes to reduce mental health impacts and promote staff wellbeing during the pandemic.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-05-2022
DOI: 10.1002/NOP2.1242
Abstract: To explore final year nursing students' perceptions of the general practice environment and their priorities when choosing a workplace. Online survey, reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. The validated Profession Scale from the Scale on Community Care Perceptions (SCOPE) tool was used to identify characteristics within the general practice environment and the importance of these in choosing a workplace. To explore the factor structure, exploratory factor analysis was undertaken which was used to revise the survey language and flow before widespread dissemination. Three hundred and fifty‐five responses were received. Factor analysis revealed three factors: Provision of care, Employment conditions and Nature of work. Respondents exposed to general practice in the Bachelor of Nursing program or who had a general practice clinical placement had significantly different perceptions across all factors. Although wages, advancement opportunities, work pressures and the physical nature of work were perceived as important in choosing a workplace, they were seen as only moderately present in general practice.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.14937
Abstract: To explore primary healthcare nurses' psychological well‐being related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Qualitative descriptive study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants between June and August 2020 who indicated their willingness to participate in an interview following a national survey. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim by professional transcribers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The importance of professional and public support and acknowledgement of the nurses' role during the pandemic positively influenced feelings of being valued. The psychological impact of negative experiences increased anxiety and stress levels. Participants reported a range of self‐care strategies, including increased vigilance with infection control at home and work and attention to physical exercise and diet. Most participants remained positive about their roles and career decisions, although some indicated that the negative psychological impacts prompted re‐evaluation of their career. Primary healthcare nurses have been exposed to a range of personal and professional stressors during the pandemic that have impacted their psychological well‐being. Awareness of stressors and an understanding of what has helped and what has impacted well‐being are important in guiding future workplace support systems. Further work to explore the long‐term impact of these stressors and the effectiveness of coping strategies employed by primary healthcare nurses is warranted. Managers and professional organisations need to consider the personal and professional stressors that have impacted on primary healthcare nurses' psychological well‐being to promote health and well‐being among nurses following COVID‐19.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 10-01-2022
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13710
Abstract: This qualitative study describes the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of care by Australian primary health care (PHC) nurses. Participants were purposefully recruited following completion of a national survey about PHC nurses' experiences during the pandemic. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted by two experienced researchers and professionally transcribed. The mean duration of interviews was 38.5 min. Thematic analysis revealed three themes about the impact of COVID-19 on PHC nurses' provision of care. These were: workplace adjustments, changes in healthcare delivery and concerns about long-term health impacts of COVID-19. The sudden disruption and de-stabilisation of care delivery was reported as significantly impacting on initial service provision, although participants reported adapting quickly and finding new ways to deliver care. The impact of the pandemic on high risk communities and mental health support needs of clients created additional challenges, although some participants reported positive outcomes such as increased confidence of some clients to provide self-care. There were concerns about the potential long-term health impact on communities due to reduced levels of cancer screening, disrupted management of chronic conditions and reduced opportunistic health assessments. Findings from this study demonstrated how PHC nurses played an important role in the continued provision of PHC by adapting quickly to changed circumstances, adjusting and modifying clinical activities, and by monitoring for future potential negative outcomes from the pandemic. These findings are important for the future management of pandemics and inform the long-term planning of PHC services.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEPR.2019.07.006
Abstract: The ageing population and growing burden of chronic disease has increased demands for primary health care services, necessitating growth of this nursing workforce. Studies have explored strategies in retaining nurses, employment conditions in primary health care, and transitioning of acute care nurses to primary health care employment. Few studies have explored how undergraduate nursing students perceive and are prepared to work in this sector. This review synthesises evidence on the impact of undergraduate curriculum on nursing students' attitudes, perceptions and preparedness to work in primary health care. An integrative literature review guided the synthesis of evidence. Scopus, ScienceDirect, CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched for relevant studies published between 2008 and 2018. 491 studies were identified from the database searches. Following the removal of duplicates, review of abstracts and keywords against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 papers were subjected to full-text review. Twelve papers, including one thesis, met the inclusion criteria. Using an appraisal system, no paper was excluded based on methodological quality. Three themes were identified, namely: impact of curricula knowledge and attitudes to primary health care and students' intention to work in primary health care. The preparation of undergraduate nursing students to work in this area is inconsistent as curricula remain acute-care focussed. Negative perceptions about the primary health care nursing role impact intentions of nursing students to work in primary health care. This review highlights a need to implement strategies to improve the understanding of undergraduate nurses around the primary health care nursing role. In particular, providing students with skills, knowledge and an understanding of working in this area through curriculum content and structure may provide undergraduates with the desire and confidence to seek employment in primary health care following graduation.
No related grants have been discovered for Kaara Ray Calma.