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Caring for Individuals Who Have used Methamphetamine: A Study Exploring the Experiences of West Australian Nurses Working in An Authorised Mental Health Institute
Get PDFBackground: Methamphetamine (MA) use in Australia has stabilized over the last 22 years, however changing routes of administration and increased purity of the drug has led to greater rates of physical dependency and higher rates of cardiovascular, neurological, and mental health complications. Challenges managing MA related presentations have been reported in Australian Emergency Departments (ED’s), with limited research considering nurses’ experience treating individual(s) who use MA (IWUM) and require prolonged mental health care. Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand nurses’ experiences who care for IWUM in a West Australian hospital’s inpatient mental health service. Methods: Interpretive phenomenological analysis was the chosen methodology for this study. Purposive sampling and one-on-one interviews were conducted with 10 nurses to explore their experiences providing mental health care for IWUM. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged to describe the nurses’ experiences of caring for IWUM across different inpatient mental health services. These included; “Hit by the Storm” [presentations in Mental Health Observation Area (MHOA/ED)] “Working in the Rain” [Authorized Mental Health Unit (AMHU)], and “After the Storm” (discharge and community support services). The nurses highlighted the most acute phase of care was the initial presentation to ED, as IWUM often arrived intoxicated by the drug. The risk management strategies used by the nurses interviewed to manage aggressive behaviour in ED were notably Intravenous (IV) sedation, restraint, and security. Most IWUM who recovered quickly and showed signs of compliance were either discharged directly from ED or monitored in MHOA then discharged within 72 hours. A small proportion of IWUM who experienced drug induced psychotic symptoms were admitted to AMHU, where many nurses felt they had less access to medical resources, relied on their colleagues, security, and the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) community liaison team for support to safely manage these patients. Training to provide specialized care for IWUM, discharge planning and community follow up were areas viewed as inadequate or needing improvement. The high rate of continued MA use and representations also raised stigma among nurses caring for IWUM. Conclusion: Nurses associated the highest levels of acuity with their experiences caring for patients intoxicated by MA in ED/MHOA and reporting a perceived reduction of acuity when working with the small cohort of IWUM who were admitted to the AMHU. Nurses acknowledged overcoming stigmatising behaviours, required specialised MA training and education, and valued the support received from AOD nurses when caring for IWUM
Rural workforce challenges: Why not rural psychiatry?
No full textObjective: The Australian psychiatry workforce is under-subscribed and highly urbanised. Currently, 90% of psychiatrists work in the cities, and there are significant projected workforce shortages of psychiatrists throughout Australia, particularly in rural and remote locations. This qualitative study explores factors influencing medical students and junior doctors\u27 decisions to pursue a career in rural psychiatry.
Method: Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups and subjected to thematic analysis.
Results: Sixteen participants were interviewed, 11 interviewees and five participants from two focus groups. This study identified enablers and challenges in pursuing rural psychiatry training in Australia. Clinical exposure to rural psychiatry, personal factors, rural lifestyle and workforce shortage awareness were identified as enablers. The lack of rural infrastructure, the attractiveness of urban psychiatry and the stigma toward rural psychiatry were identified as barriers.
Conclusions: Australian rural psychiatry workforce remains a complex issue. Reinforcing enablers and addressing barriers identified in this study would benefit future rural workforce initiatives
Shinju Matsuri Festival 2023
No full textThe annual Shinju Matsuri (Japanese for “Festival of the Pearl”) originated from three cultural festivals – Japanese Obon Matsuri, Malaysian Hari Merdeka, Independence Day from British rule in 1957, and the Chinese Hang Seng. Shinju Matsuri rekindles the excitement and romance of Broome’s early days of being a world-renowned producer of South Sea Pearls when the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers, Filipino and Europeans flocked to Broome from the late 1800’s to be a part of this prosperity. This unique multicultural population of pearl industry workers joined with the local Aboriginal people and Europeans to work on up to 400 Pearling Luggers that sailed out of Broome.
Broome’s people and businesses have given generously to show their love of Broome over the 50 year life of the Festival and is a testament to the character and culture of this special place. The volunteer Board of Shinju Matsuri is driven by the community and sees the festival as an opportunity to re-educate and inform the community of the cultural heritage of Broome. Ensuring that education and information is passed on to young people and new arrivals will assure that Broome’s unique and diverse identity is acknowledged and remembered through the generations.
Shinju Matsuri will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell as the community shares this beautiful locale with the world and the people who call it home.
2023 Shinju Matsuri Festival dates: Saturday 26th August 2023 - Sunday 10th September 2023
Shinju Matsuri, Broome\u27s Festival of the Pearl has been an iconic part of the regional WA events program since 1970. A celebration of Broome\u27s unique & diverse culture & history, via a huge program of events that tantalise all senses sight, sound & most of all taste
Novel Investigations for Reflux Disease and their Complications in the Oesophagus
No full textGastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a disease process in which gastric acid from the stomach refluxes upwards into the lower oesophagus and causes typical symptoms such as heartburn. In contrast, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) is a reflux disease where stomach contents reflux upward to the upper oesophagus, pharynx, larynx, and lungs. LPR instead causes more nebulous and atypical symptoms such as voice change, chronic cough, and laryngitis. Furthermore, prolonged acid contact can cause cellular changes that increase risk of oesophageal malignancy.
GORD is a prevalent disease, and there are various investigative modalities to assess, diagnose, and quantify its impacts. On the other hand, LPR is poorly investigated. There is currently no gold standard test that definitively diagnoses and assesses LPR. This thesis explores novel investigative tests that assess LPR such as reflux scintigraphy and pH-impedance monitoring. In addition, results in LPR patients are compared to those obtained in patients with known GORD. Finally, oesophageal malignancy and the search for the optimal multimodal treatment is explored
\u27Supporting and promoting Kimberley educator wellbeing.\u27
Get PDFSupporting and promoting Educator wellbeing is particularly important within the Australian rural and remote school context due to multiple challenges and potential stressors faced by Educators, such as professional and personal isolation, culture shock, and exposure to vicarious trauma. These challenges and stressors can compromise the wellbeing and mental health of Educators, which over time can lead to burnout and attrition and impact teaching quality, Educator-student relationships, as well as student learning and wellbeing.
A phenomenological methodological framework was used to understand Educators experiences as well as school psychologists’ perspectives of how to support and promote the wellbeing of Educators from the Kimberley region, in the north of Western Australia. Focus groups and semi structured interviews with Educators from five schools and school psychologists throughout the Kimberley region focused on the individual, group and whole of school setting factors which impact Kimberley Educator wellbeing. A First Nations cultural advisory group guided the direction of the study to promote cultural responsiveness as a proportion of Kimberley Educators are of First Nations background.
Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, highlighting a range of factors influencing Kimberley Educator wellbeing, including: cultural components of wellbeing; Educator emotional intelligence; and consideration of a mutli tiered continuum of support to promote Kimberley Educator wellbeing. Barriers to Educator wellbeing specific to the rural and remote school context were also explored. The findings from the Kimberley Educator Wellbeing project outline a practical framework, including a continuum of supports to prevent harm and promote thriving for Kimberley Educators
