Mental health nurses' encounters with occupational health services

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Occupational Medicine following peer review. Under embargo until 16 June 2019. The version of recordJ. Oates, J. Jones, and N. Drey, ‘Mental health nurses’ encounters with occupational health services’, Occupational Medicine, kqy084, (2018), is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqy084.Background: Staff wellbeing is vital to the functioning of the UK National Health Service (NHS). Mental health nurses with personal experience of mental illness can offer a professionally and personally informed insight into the occupational health service offered by their employer. Aims: To investigate mental health nurses’ views of occupational health provision in the NHS, based on their personal experience. Methods: A qualitative interview study using a purposive sample of mental health nurses with personal experience of mental illness. Results: Twenty-seven mental health nurses met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified three themes: comparisons of ‘relative expertise’ between the mental health nurse and the occupational health clinician; concerns about ‘being treated’ by a service at their work; and ‘returning to work’. Conclusion: Occupational health provision in mental health settings must take account of the expertise of its staff. Further research, looking at NHS occupational health provision from the provider perspective is warranted.Peer reviewe

Supporting evidence-based adaptation decision-making in South Australia: a synthesis of climate change adaptation research

This research synthesis provides policy-makers and practitioners with an understanding of the building blocks for effective adaptation decision-making, as evidenced through the NCCARF research program. It synthesised a portfolio of adaptation research for each Australian state and territory and addressing the complex relationships between research and policy development.   Each state and territory synthesis report directs users to research relevant identified priorities

Supporting evidence-based adaptation decision-making in Victoria: a synthesis of climate change adaptation research

This research synthesis provides policy-makers and practitioners with an understanding of the building blocks for effective adaptation decision-making, as evidenced through the NCCARF research program. It synthesised a portfolio of adaptation research for each Australian state and territory and addressing the complex relationships between research and policy development. Each state and territory synthesis report directs users to research relevant identified priorities

The roles and responsibilities of WA general practice nurses in diabetes care and management

The rising incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, associated comorbidities, an ageing population and rising health expenditure are all creating a greater burden on the Australian health care system.Purpose of the Study. The role of the practice nurse (PN) working within the general practice setting is expanding in response to health care demands and government policies, yet there is a lack of Australian research into how this role may impact upon the management of diabetes. This study explores current practice of PNs, their diabetes specific education, and driving and restraining forces that influence their involvement in diabetes management.Methodology. A cross sectional design with a postal survey, whereby 758 surveys were distributed to PNs via each of the 13 Western Australian Divisions of General practice, between October 2006 and May 2007. The final response rate was 16% (n = 118) with 118 surveys completed and returned. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences 15.0 was used for data entry and analysis.General Practice Setting. In the current study 85% (n = 94) of practices had a diabetes register, with 75% (n = 83) of PNs involved in operating this system. The PN has a defined role in contributing towards the development of chronic disease care plans and annual diabetes complication screening processes, services that are reimbursed through Medicare. However, current models of primary care delivery and funding appear to support the PN in this role as an adjunct to the general practitioner (GP), which may not permit full utilisation and recognition of the PNs’ professional scope of practice.The Role of the Practice Nurse. A statistically significant association was found between those PNs having completed diabetes related continuing education and the greater likelihood of providing education in insulin initiation, blood glucose monitoring, dietary advice, exercise and sick day education (p < .05). Whilst PNs in the current study displayed a high level of involvement in various areas of diabetes care, not all will be educationally prepared, yet may be undertaking what could be considered a more advanced practice role in diabetes self management education.Diabetes Knowledge Test. There was significantly higher scoring in the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) where questions related to insulin therapy, amongst those PN’s with a role in providing education in self monitoring of diabetes (p = .036). Likewise, where the provision of dietary advice was part of the PN role, scoring was significantly higher in the DKT overall (p = .029). For those spending greater than two hours per week in diabetes related care, scores were significantly higher where questions examined principles surrounding management of blood glucose levels (p = .031). Practice nurses having undertaken a clinical audit related to diabetes care, scored significantly higher in the DKT overall (p = .037), particularly where those questions related to the complications associated with diabetes (p = .009).Barriers and Facilitators to PN Role in Diabetes Self Management Education. Practice nurses in the current study placed a significantly high level of importance on their role in patient teaching. However, time was found to be a significant barrier to this role (p < .05). The current study displays a high level of involvement by PNs in various areas of diabetes self management education and related clinical assessment, with a low level of involvement in diabetes specific continuing formal education. Whilst this facet of their role has more recently been acknowledged within general practice guidelines for diabetes management, the question remains as to the level of educational preparedness of the PN, to meet this expanding role

Piloting a Psychotherapy Group for Transgender Clients: Description and Clinical Considerations for Practitioners

The likelihood that a psychologist will work with a transgender client is greater today than ever before; however, many psychologists report being unfamiliar with the challenges faced by this population. Training programs provide minimal exposure to transgender issues by way of coursework and practicum experiences, and many barriers prevent transgender persons from accessing quality mental health care. The provision of group psychotherapy services in psychology training clinics may help reduce barriers to treatment, but there is little literature to guide professionals interested in facilitating such a group. In response, this article provides psychologists with a description of an experiential/process psychotherapy group for transgender clients that was offered at a university training clinic. Logistical aspects of forming the group are reviewed. Prominent themes that emerged over the course of three 12-session groups are discussed. Considerations for other professionals and training clinics interested in offering similar groups are also provided

A Research Agenda for Linked Closed Data

While it is preferable that Linked Data is published without access or licence restrictions, there will always remain certain datasets which, perhaps due to financial considerations, cannot be published as Linked Open Data. If these valuable datasets do join the Web of Linked Data, it will be as Linked Closed Data - Linked Data with access and license restrictions. In this paper, we outline a research agenda for Linked Closed Data that considers the effects that access and license restrictions may have on the Web of Linked Data. If implemented poorly, access restrictions have the potential to break URI resolvability, but even when implemented well, we can expect them to affect dataset selection processes and inter-dataset link creation rates. Additionally, there remains the technical challenge of developing and standardising access restriction and automated payment techniques for the Web of Linked Data