The educational needs of triage nurses

The role of triage nurses is critical to ensuring patient safety and timely access to emergency care. Continuing professional development and ongoing support is required to effectively support the competence of triage staff. To date, very few studies have sought to describe the educational needs of triage nurses.This study aimed to identify which type of educational support nurses feel they need to manage the triage process.A validated questionnaire was used to explore triage nurses’ perceived educational support needs in relation to managing the triage process.On average, participants had 11.33 years of experience in their current role (SD = 7.27), 15.43 in emergency (SD = 9.80) and 13.44 in triage (SD = 9.16). Triage nurses (n = 27) identified the introduction of new ideas at triage to increase efficiency as the area in which they were in greatest need of training. Priority education needs that focused on clinical tasks, such as physical assessment skills, particularly in relation to observations and vital signs, to inform triage decision making were also identified. These priority education needs will inform the design of education programs and the development of the capabilities of the nursing workforce.Future research should seek to explore the traditional responsibilities of triage nurses, particularly to address queuing and delays at triage

Acceptance and Continuance Usage Intention of Mixed Reality for Australian Healthcare Interprofessional Education

Virtual-Reality and augmented-reality are becoming innovative teaching and learning approaches across many industries, including healthcare, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the adoption rate of this technology is very low, especially in Australian healthcare Interprofessional Education. This study investigates factors influencing adoption and use of mixed-reality technology for Australian healthcare IPE. In this study, a theoretical model based on the Expectation and Confirmation Model and Task Technology Fit is developed and will be tested to determine Australian healthcare professionals’ intentions to continue using mixed-reality for Interprofessional Education through three validated surveys using a voluntary non-probability sampling strategy, over a 10-week period, targeting 124 healthcare professionals at the Tweed hospital, NSW Australia. The research outcome will assist in determining the validity of the proposed hybrid model in the context of MR healthcare training. It may assist in developing a more suitable theoretical framework and future characteristics of MR for healthcare training

An Interprofessional Clinical Placement in a Primary Healthcare Setting: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Internationally, and in Australia, interprofessional education (IPE) is becoming typical in primary healthcare delivery and is core to delivering patient-centred care. It is essential that primary healthcare education develop interprofessional capacity in order to produce a skilled workforce. An IPE clinical placement for undergraduate health students was developed and piloted in primary healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the IPE clinical placement in a primary healthcare setting on students’ perceptions of interprofessional education. Method: A pre-post placement validated questionnaire (n=19) indicated overall perceptions of IPE significantly increased over the course of the IPE clinical placement. Results: There was a significant increase in competency and autonomy and understanding of roles over time. There was no significant increase in the reported perception of need for interprofessional cooperation, however there was a significant increase in actual interprofessional cooperation. Conclusion: This was a successful pilot program that warrants further development and research to include longer-term follow up of students’ perceptions towards IPE and analyze whether collaboration and teamwork skills obtained during the IPE primary healthcare experience are transferrable to future professional practice

Treating frailty-a practical guide

Frailty is a common syndrome that is associated with vulnerability to poor health outcomes. Frail older people have increased risk of morbidity, institutionalization and death, resulting in burden to individuals, their families, health care services and society. Assessment and treatment of the frail individual provide many challenges to clinicians working with older people. Despite frailty being increasingly recognized in the literature, there is a paucity of direct evidence to guide interventions to reduce frailty. In this paper we review methods for identification of frailty in the clinical setting, propose a model for assessment of the frail older person and summarize the current best evidence for treating the frail older person. We provide an evidence-based framework that can be used to guide the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of frail older people

Frailty Intervention Trial (FIT)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Frailty is a term commonly used to describe the condition of an older person who has chronic health problems, has lost functional abilities and is likely to deteriorate further. However, despite its common use, only a small number of studies have attempted to define the syndrome of frailty and measure its prevalence. The criteria Fried and colleagues used to define the frailty syndrome will be used in this study (i.e. weight loss, fatigue, decreased grip strength, slow gait speed, and low physical activity). Previous studies have shown that clinical outcomes for frail older people can be improved using multi-factorial interventions such as comprehensive geriatric assessment, and single interventions such as exercise programs or nutritional supplementation, but no interventions have been developed to specifically reverse the syndrome of frailty.</p> <p>We have developed a multidisciplinary intervention that specifically targets frailty as defined by Fried et al. We aim to establish the effects of this intervention on frailty, mobility, hospitalisation and institutionalisation in frail older people.</p> <p>Methods and Design</p> <p>A single centre randomised controlled trial comparing a multidisciplinary intervention with usual care. The intervention will target identified characteristics of frailty, functional limitations, nutritional status, falls risk, psychological issues and management of chronic health conditions. Two hundred and thirty people aged 70 and over who meet the Fried definition of frailty will be recruited from clients of the aged care service of a metropolitan hospital. Participants will be followed for a 12-month period.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This research is an important step in the examination of specifically targeted frailty interventions. This project will assess whether an intervention specifically targeting frailty can be implemented, and whether it is effective when compared to usual care. If successful, the study will establish a new approach to the treatment of older people at risk of further functional decline and institutionalisation. The strategies to be examined are readily transferable to routine clinical practice and are applicable broadly in the setting of aged care health services.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trails Registry: ACTRN12608000250336.</p

Determinants of the caregiving experience

The traditional discourse of caregiving focuses on burden, depression and anxiety. However, there is an emerging understanding of the complexities of the caregiving experience. This review paper highlights the complexity and often ambiguous reporting of variables associated with the caregiving experience and raises a number of research questions. The paper concludes that the identification of determinants that affect aspects of the caregiving experience, including anxiety and depression symptoms, is required to inform health care professionals of carer support needs

The woman\u27s experience of bereavement: death of a dependent palliated spouse: the older woman\u27s experience of bereavement

As community palliative care services for the elderly increase so too will the demand for appropriate bereavement support. The literature reveals older spousal caregivers are susceptible to bereavement problems, older women are at further risk and that bereavement is affected by the caregiving situation. However, older women carers\u27\u27 experience of bereavement appears to have been neglected. Therefore, the purpose of this book is to provide a deeper understanding of the meaning of bereavement as it is experienced by three older women who have cared for their palliated spouse. The essence of their bereavement experience highlights the complexities of caring for a palliated spouse and its effect on the bereavement experience

Evaluation of Student Nurses\u27 Perception of Preparedness for Oral Medication Administration in Clinical Practice: A Collaborative Study

Background Attainment of oral medication administration skills and competency for student nurses is challenging and medication errors are common. The ability of nurses to master a clinical skill is dependent upon educational instruction and practice. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing students\u27 perception of preparedness for oral medication administration in two practice environments and determine possible relationship between student demographics and their perceived preparedness for oral medication administration. Design This was a cross sectional, exploratory study. Participants Eighty-eight second year students from a baccalaureate nursing course from two metropolitan Australian tertiary institutions participated. Methods Student nurses\u27 perception of preparedness for oral medication administration was measured via a self-administered, adapted, and validated questionnaire. Results The overall mean Total Preparedness Score was 86.2 (range 71–102). There was no significant difference for perceived total preparedness to administer oral medications between the two facilities. Whilst there was no significant relationship established between student demographics and their perceived preparedness to administer oral medications, four single questions related to clinical practice were shown to be significant. Conclusion Low fidelity simulated teaching environments that incorporate time management and post medication situations, may improve student nurses\u27 perceived preparedness for oral medication administration