The advent of mental health nurses in Australian primary health care: a preliminary evaluation of the mental health nurse incentive program.

Primary health care plays an important role in the health system of any nation. There has been a growing emphasis in Australia on the role of primary health care in the provision of accessible mental health care to people with mental illness in the face of dwindling health care funding. This explorative-descriptive mixed method study describes the role and scope of practice of Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) working under the Australian Government’s Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) as well as the impact of their role. The study consisted of 3 phases. Interviews were held with key stakeholders involved in the establishment of the MHNIP such as Government representatives in phase 1 of the study. Interviews were conducted with MHNs working under the MHNIP in phase 2 and in phase 3 of the study, a survey of MHNs and GPs was conducted canvassing their views on the operation and impact of the MHNIP. The study revealed that the guidelines for the role of MHNs were largely pre-determined by the Commonwealth Government, there was no evidence-based practice that informed the role of the MHNs. On their part, MHNs were quite pleased with the opportunity to work in general practice and GPs largely welcomed the presence of MHNs in their practice. The role of the MHNs is similar to that of the case management role of community psychiatric nurses; however, the nurses are able to better utilise their clinical skills. The role of MHNs in primary health care can be further expanded to improve overall health care delivery for people with a severe mental illness. The MHNIP opens the way for a more effective delivery of mental health care in Australia

Team approach concept in management of oro-facial clefts: a survey of Nigerian practitioners

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cleft palate craniofacial teams have evolved across the globe in the last 20 years in compliance with the interdisciplinary concept of management of oro-facial clefts. An interdisciplinary care allows a coordinated treatment protocol for the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate oro-facial cleft care in Nigeria with particular emphasis on the compliance of the practitioners to the team approach concept.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A snapshot survey was conducted among specialists that attended the Pan African Congress on Cleft Lip and Palate, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria in February 2007.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>Sixty three respondents successfully completed and returned the questionnaire for analysis. Mean age of respondents was 43.5 years and the range was 38–62 years.</p> <p>Male to female ratio was 2.7:1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons constituted the majority of respondents (38.1% and 22.2%) respectively. Only 47.6% (n = 30) of the specialists belonged to cleft teams. Majority of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons belonged to cleft teams (70% and 63.3% respectively) while speech pathologists and orthodontists were less represented (20% and 36.7% respectively) in teams.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings from this study suggests that interdisciplinary care for the cleft patient does not appear to have been fully embraced in Nigeria. This may be a result of several reasons ranging from non availability of the requisite specialists, the relatively young age of cleft care practice in this part of the world to the poor state of infrastructure.</p

Isolation and Characterisation of High Grade Nanosilicon from Coastal Landform in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.

The application of silicon and silicon based materials in industries and optoelectronic devices cannot be over emphasized due to their unique properties. The availability of high grade silicon has been subject of interest for manufacturers and industrialist as the material has from discovery been very much insufficient to cater for the numerous demands for different uses and utilization. Numerous efforts have been put together to adapt the properties of silicon through the manufacture and fabrication of semiconductor compounds to replace silicon in functionality. Notwithstanding, the quest for more silicon in the environment is yet unabated. This research centers on the isolation and characterisation of high grade nanosilicon from coastal landform in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria due to the attractive nature of the landforms in terms of colour and texture. Sand from the selected study area were categorised into different forms according to their colour and silicon isolated using the magnesiothermic reduction while the nanosilicon was obtained using an appropriate ball milling process. The morphology of nanosilicon from Zion, Micheal-Ugbonla, and Oluwa Glass coastal landforms shows an agglomeration of particles with irregular shapes having average particle sizes of 58.98 nm, 77.82 nm, and 37.27 nm, respectively. The XRD spectra of the nanosilicon showed sharp, distinct peaks that indicate crystallinity of the samples. The percentages of nanosilicon value obtained ranges from 65.23%-80.30% and considered high enough to find specific useful industrial applications in lithium ion batteries, biomedical devices, opto electronic device utilization and computer industries

Mandibular reconstruction: a new defect classification system

This paper presents a new mandibular segmental defect classification system (La-Co-CE) with a view to highlight the complexity and difficulty of the reconstruction with free autogenous bone grafts which the most frequently used method for surgeons practicing in developing countries. We submit that defect classification systems will continue to remain relevant if surgeons are to is pre-operatively classify the envisaged operative difficulty and objectively compare the outcome postoperatively

Human bite injuries in the oro-facial region at the Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human bites in the maxillofacial region compromise function and aesthetics, resulting in social and psychological effects. There is paucity of information regarding human bite injuries in Tanzania. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence, treatment modalities and prognosis of human bite injuries in the oro-facial region at the Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a prospective study the details of patients with human bite injuries in the oro-facial region who attended at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Muhimbili National Hospital between January 2001 and December 2005 were recorded. Data included information on age, sex, site, duration of the injury at the time of reporting to hospital, reasons, details of treatment offered and outcome after treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 33 patients, 13 males and 20 females aged between 12 and 49 years with human bite injuries in the oro-facial region were treated. Thirty patients presented with clean uninfected wounds while 3 had infected wounds. The most (45.5%) frequently affected site was the lower lip. Treatment offered included thorough surgical cleansing with adequate surgical debridement and primary suturing. Tetanus prophylaxis and a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics were given to all the patients. In 90% of the 30 patients who were treated by suturing, the healing was uneventful with only 10% experiencing wound infection or necrosis. Three patients who presented with wounds that had signs of infection were treated by surgical cleansing with debridement, antibiotics and daily dressing followed by delayed primary suturing.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Most of the human bite injuries in the oro-facial region were due to social conflicts. Although generally considered to be dirty or contaminated they could be successfully treated by surgical cleansing and primary suture with a favourable outcome. Management of such injuries often need multidisciplinary approach.</p

Multidisciplinary approach to genomics research in Africa: the AfriCRAN model

This article is an outcome of the African Craniofacial Anomalies Research Network (AfriCRAN) Human Hereditary and Health (H3A) grant planning meeting in 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria. It describes the strengths of a multidisciplinary team approach to solving complex genetic traits in the craniofacial region. It also highlights the different components and argues for the composition of similar teams to fast track the discovery of disease genes, diagnostic tools, improved clinical treatment and ultimately prevention of diseases

The advent of mental health nurses in Australian general practice

The remarkable progress that has been witnessed in the physical and material wellbeing for most Australians over the 20 th century has not been paralleled by gains in the mental and subjective wellbeing of the population. General practice plays a strategic role in Australia&#039;s primary health care, which has been recognised as an essential health system that is able to deliver health to the population in a timely and equitable manner (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2008). General Practitioners are unable to provide adequate care to people experiencing a severe mental illness without support from specialist mental health professional such as a mental health nurse in the practice. The mental health nurse incentive program (MHNIP) offers opportunity for mental health nurses to work collaboratively with GPs in primary health care in the delivery of care to people with a severe mental illness

A journey of discovery: experiences of carers of people with mental illness seeking diagnosis and treatment for their relative

This study explores the experiences of informal carers of people with mental illness in an Australian mental health service. A qualitative descriptive approach was used with data collected via focus group interviews with a purposive sample of 19 carers. Data analysis revealed two major themes: (a) &quot;Something is not right&quot; and (b) &quot;Now we have a diagnosis.&quot; The carers noticed that there was something wrong with their relative before they received a diagnosis but were often hesitant to engage Mental Health services. Carers have trouble understanding if the problems they are witnessing are part of normal development, contemporary culture, or are symptoms of mental illness. Fear of stigma remains a barrier to accessing services and early diagnosis. Findings suggest a need to target support for informal carers in the period prior to and leading to the establishment of a mental health diagnosis