A comparative study of antipsychotic medication taking in people with schizophrenia
- Authors: McCann, Terence , Deans, Cecil , Clark, Eileen , Lu, Sai
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 17, no. 6 (2008), p. 428-438
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Medication adherence is problematic in all chronic illnesses, none more so than in individuals with schizophrenia. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the factors that impacted upon antipsychotic medication taking in people with schizophrenia living in regional-rural and metropolitan Victoria, Australia, and to assess if differences existed between these two groups of participants in the factors that affected medication taking. The Factors Influencing Neuroleptic Medication Taking Scale was used with a non-probability survey sample of 81 people with schizophrenia. Ethics approval was given by university and hospital ethics committees. The results showed, overall, that there were no significant differences between the sets of participants in several demographic characteristics, insight, stigma, substance abuse, types of antipsychotic medications, significant others' support, and access to case managers and general practitioners. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups concerning living circumstances, involvement in religious/spiritual activities, perceived impact of medication side-effects, and access to psychiatrists. However, there were no statistically significant relationships between these factors and medication omission. The implications of the findings for consumers, mental health nurse case managers, families, mental health service provision, and further research, are considered. © 2008 The Authors.
Nursing education in Iran : Past, present, and future
- Authors: Tabari Khomeiran, Rasoul , Deans, Cecil
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 27, no. 7 (2007), p. 708-714
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Nursing education in Iran has undergone significant change since its genesis with foreign missionaries over one hundred years ago. More recently, following the 1979 Islamic revolution, nurse education has followed the direction taken by most other countries in moving from an apprenticeship model of training to an academic model. A series of transformative changes to nursing education specifically-and across the higher education system generally-has resulted in nurses now being able to undertake study across all university-based programs up to and including doctoral level. Contemporary nursing students have access to full-text professional journals through the internet, and they may pursue their doctoral studies in other countries. Although these improvements in nursing education in Iran are to be applauded, much more needs to be accomplished to ensure that highly competent nurse practitioners continue to be produced in this country. This article presents an historical overview of the development of nursing education in Iran, within its economic and sociopolitical contexts. Recommendations based upon lessons learned from historical and contemporary realities are presented in order to advance nursing education in this part of world. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005859
Caring for clients with dual diagnosis in rural communities in Australia : The experience of mental health professionals
- Authors: Deans, Cecil , Soar, Rod
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Vol. 12, no. 3 (2005), p. 268-274
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper identifies and describes the experiences of 13 rural mental health professionals who care for clients diagnosed with a mental illness and a coexisting alcohol and other drug disorder (dual diagnosis). Dual diagnosis is a common problem which is often poorly understood and managed by mental health professionals. The effect of excessive substance use on a person's mental well-being can present as a diagnostic challenge as each condition may mask symptoms of the other. The authors utilized a phenomenological approach to discover the experiences of a group of mental health professionals working in rural communities in Victoria, Australia. Caring for clients diagnosed with dual diagnosis was found to be a complex and stressful role that involved high levels of skill and knowledge. Despite the fact that health professionals in rural areas are expected to deliver the most appropriate care to individuals with a dual diagnosis, a number of these rural health professionals have limited preparation and experience in dealing with arising clinical diagnosis issues. Clinicians experience frustration, resentment and powerlessness in their attempt to understand their clients' drug misuse whilst simultaneously endeavouring to provide a quality mental health service. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001191
Nurses and occupational violence : The role of organisational support in moderating professional competence
- Authors: Deans, Cecil
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 22, no. 2 (2004), p. 14-18
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000843
Raising awareness of fall risk among Chinese older adults : Use of the home fall hazards assessment tool
- Authors: You, Liming , Deans, Cecil , Liu, Ke , Zhang, Meifen , Zhang, Jun
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Gerontological Nursing Vol. 30, no. 6 (2004), p. 35-42
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Home Fall Hazards Assessment (HFHA) tool adjusted for Chinese homes to raise awareness of the dangers of falling among Chinese older adults. This descriptive study of 415 Chinese adults age 60 and older was completed in the older adults’ homes in the community. The study was an assessment by nurses of hazards in the home setting using the HFHA. The hazards identified by nurses were compared with those reported by the elderly individuals. The study identified the most frequently found hazards in the homes and showed that a large discrepancy existed between the actual hazards assessed by trained nurses using the HFHA and the perceived hazards reported by the participants (p < .001). The study suggests that the HFHA can be an effective health education method and that the involvement of older adults in the assessment process will effectively raise their awareness of existing risk factors for falls in their everyday life.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000856
The effectiveness of a training program for emergency department nurses in managing violent situations
- Authors: Deans, Cecil
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 21, no. 4 (2004), p. 17-22
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: An Australian Institute of Criminology report (1999) highlighted the health industry as the most violent industry in Australia with registered nurses recording the second highest number of violence. related workers compensation claims, ranking higher than prison and police officers. Workplace violence has become such a common phenomenon that many nurses accept it as a part of nursing. Nurses employed in emergency departments (EDs) are considered to be especially vulnerable to workplace violence. Although there have been a number of studies reporting on the incidence of workplace violence and its consequences upon nurses, to date there have been no empirical studies that have evaluated interventions which are thought to reduce its occurrence and impact. This study investigated the effectiveness of a oneday training program in which ED nurses participated. In particular, their knowledge, skiUs and attitudes relating to management of workplace violence were examined. Results show that a training program has many positive outcomes which enhance nurses' ability to manage aggressive behaviours. With some basic training, ED nurses can be more prepared to manage violent and potentially violent situations, and by doing so may in fact reduce the incidence of aggression in their workplace by 50%. This has largely been achieved by raising the awareness of ED nurses to the nature of the problem, developing their knowledge and skills in managing aggressive behaviour, and improving their attitudes toward potentially violent patients.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000862
University and service sector collaboration for undergraduate psychiatric nursing education
- Authors: Deans, Cecil , Arnold, Sue-Anne , Munday, Jo
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 13, no. 1 (2004), p. 61-66
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Collaboration between the education and service providers assists with the development of enhanced clinical and educational experiences for students. This paper describes an innovative collaborative program developed by the School of Nursing, University of Ballarat and Grampians Psychiatric Services, Ballarat Health Services. Mental health clinical nursing staff are the student off-campus clinical supervisors and on-campus lecturers, supported by two jointly appointed co-ordinators. Program evaluation reveals that this collaborative approach assists in the provision of a supportive learning environment, increases enthusiasm about psychiatric nursing and draws on relevant mental health nursing skills in the university and service sectors.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000853
Who cares for nurses? : The lived experience of workplace aggression
- Authors: Deans, Cecil
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Collegian Vol. 11, no. 2 (2004), p. 32-36
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aggression within the health industry has been wideiy reported as a serious problem with registered nurses frequently being on the receiving end of physical, verbal and sexual abuse. Some authors have reported aggression is so prevalent nurses accept it as part of their job. What has not been recorded is the impact of workplace aggression on the professional and emotional status of nurses as reported by nurses themselves. This study utilized a phenomenological approach involving in-depth interviews and thematic analysis to gain insights into how 33 nurses responded to workplace aggression. Three shared themes, professional incompetency, expectation to cope and emotional confusion, which encapsulate the meanings conveyed by nurses to being victims of aggression were identified. The themes serve to remind both individual nurses and the nursing profession as awhole to become more aware of the impact of workplace aggression and its relevance for themselves, their colleagues and the profession. Thus, nurses should be educated through in-service or continuing education programs that admission to negative emotions is acceptable and to develop coping strategies that deal effectively with their feelings of anger or frustration. Perhaps the most important implication emanating from this investigation is that the profession as awhole should become aware of the extent of the problem and the role nurse colleagues, nurse managers and medical staff play in its genesis.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000861
Nurse education in English universities in a period of change : Expectations of nurse academics for the year 2008
- Authors: Deans, Cecil , Congdon, Graham , Sellers, Eileen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 23, no. 2 (2003), p. 146-154
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: In England, the education of nurses in the academic arena has a relatively short history arguably representing recent advancement of the nursing discipline. Until we undertook this study, however, expectations for the next decade were unknown. The current investigation replicates a similar study of Australian nurse academics (Sellers & Deans 1996) which found discrepancies between how nurse academics perceived the future development of the profession, compared to how they actually expected it to develop. In order to provide information concerning the future of nursing education in England and related professional and social factors, a random sample of nurse academics was surveyed. Findings indicate that although advances have been made, there are a number of concerns regarding the development of nursing as a discipline. These include parity of status with other academic areas, resource issues, the workload of nurse academics and the perception that there is lack of cohesiveness amongst nurses as a professional group. Findings in this study closely mirror results in the Australian study indicating similarities in how the nursing profession copes with the transition from a predominantly hospital based education program to a program grounded in academic institutions. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000385