A dispersed refuge model for women escaping domestic violence : A regional case study
- Authors: McDonald, John , Green, Rosemary
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Primary Health Vol. 7, no. 1 (2001), p. 85-89
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Refuges for women escaping domestic violence have traditionally been communal residences located in metropolitan areas. More recently, alternative service models have been funded to provide for clients with multiple and complex needs. This paper evaluates the first year of operation of an innovative refuge model for women and their children. "Marg's Place" is a statewide, high security, dispersed accommodation support model located in a regional setting. Evaluation methods included interviews, surveys, and analysis of client databases and program documents. Thirty-five women and 42 children used the service for an average stay of 20 days during the first 12 months. The main findings were that the dispersed model can cater for a wide range of service users, including those with multiple and complex needs, who would be unlikely to be successfully accommodated in a communal refuge. There was little evidence that the dispersed model contributes to feelings of isolation or loneliness for women or children. The regional setting presented both advantages and disadvantages for women wanting to resettle in the area. Women reported significantly enhanced levels of empowerment, and the high security provisions met their needs for safety. Overall, this refuge model provides an accessible, responsive and effective service.
- Description: 2003004475
Barriers to accessing psychosocial support services among men with cancer living in rural Australia : Perceptions of men and health professionals
- Authors: Corboy, Denise , McDonald, John , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Men's Health Vol. 10, no. 2 (2011), p. 163-183
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Little research has investigated formal psychosocial support use among men with cancer living in rural areas. The current study investigated perceived barriers to support service use among such men, within the framework of the Behavioral Model of Health Service Use. In a mixed methodology study, 82 men with cancer living in rural Australia were surveyed, and nine of these men, plus three health professionals, participated in semi-structured interviews. Reasons for not participating in formal support were sufficient informal support and subjective judgements about perceived need. Service availability was rarely endorsed by the men as a reason for non-participation, but was emphasised by health professionals. Identifying factors that impede or facilitate service use might enable rural men experiencing cancer-related distress to seek the extra psychosocial support they need. © 2011 by the Men's Studies Press, LLC. All rights reserved.
Evidence-based health care and community nursing : Issues and challenges
- Authors: McDonald, John , Smith, Janine
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association Vol. 24, no. 3 (2001), p. 133-140
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper examines the implications of the movement towards evidence-based health care for community-based, primary health care nursing in Australia. While both aim to improve health status, we argue that they are antithetical in many respects. Community nurse practitioners draw upon primary health care principles and adopt a holistic, preventive, empowering approach to working with and in communities. By contrast, evidence-based approaches utilise systematic reviews of primarily quantitative research to inform decisions about health at three levels: public health, the health care system, and individual patients. In response to this challenge, community nurses must reiterate their philosophies and practice models. Moreover, it is imperative to produce verifiable evidence of the effectiveness of their approach while mounting a thorough critique of the evidence-based movement.
- Description: 2003004331