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Theses: Doctorates and Masters

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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

A Patient Management Program: The Evaluation Of A Combined Pre-Admission And Early Discharge Program, Lorna Rogers Jan 1997

A Patient Management Program: The Evaluation Of A Combined Pre-Admission And Early Discharge Program, Lorna Rogers

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe the evaluation of a 'Patient Management Program'. This managed care type of program combined a Pre-Admission Clinic and an Early Discharge Program. It was established as a twelve month pilot program at a major Western Australian public teaching hospital in January 1995. It aimed to provide a more efficient health service by replacing part of elective surgical patients' inpatient care with outpatient services. The first component of the Program was the Pre-Admission Clinic, which allowed patients to undergo pre-operative assessment and testing prior to admission to hospital, thus facilitating same day …


Health Educational Needs Of Middle Aged Men, Beth L. Hall Jan 1997

Health Educational Needs Of Middle Aged Men, Beth L. Hall

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative descriptive study was to identify the holistic health educational needs of middle aged men and to consider nursing interventions. Between the ages of forty to sixty years, physical illness can coincide with a cluster of social changes as well as the normal developmental mid-life review. This can result in a prolonged period of physical and emotional stress (Berger, 1994). Mortality statistics demonstrate that, in comparison to women, men in the 25 to 64 age group have higher rates of suicide, motor vehicle accidents, work place injuries, ischaemic heart disease, non gender specific cancers, and …


The Mirror Within: An Art Therapy Research Project Identifying The Links Between Anorexia Nervosa, Object Relations And The Potential Role Of Art As The Transitional Object, Bronwen Gray Jan 1997

The Mirror Within: An Art Therapy Research Project Identifying The Links Between Anorexia Nervosa, Object Relations And The Potential Role Of Art As The Transitional Object, Bronwen Gray

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research focuses on the use of art therapy with female teenage clients suffering from anorexia nervosa. The aim was to undertake a pilot study that would establish whether art therapy could assist in identifying anorexic clients' ego boundary delineations using an object relations framework (That is, either enmeshed, inter related or isolated). Utilising Elkisch's picture analysis procedure, client art works were analysed by contrasting positive and negative characteristics as a way of gaining insight into the client's boundary delineation cognition. Five female subjects aged between thirteen and sixteen, who were taking part in the eating disorders program, located in …


What Is The Intimate Experience Of Couples Following The Woman's Cancer-Related Breast Surgery?, Lynne Amor Jan 1997

What Is The Intimate Experience Of Couples Following The Woman's Cancer-Related Breast Surgery?, Lynne Amor

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret the experience of couples following the woman's surgery for breast cancer, in order to gain an in depth understanding of how this mutilating surgery affects their everyday lives. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australian women, and in most industrialised nations. Women in Australia have a one in fourteen lifetime risk of developing the disease. Little is known concerning what meanings this surgery brings to the intimacy experienced between partners. It is important to seek knowledge of the phenomenon of intimacy, how the couples understand …


Fear, Frustration And The Will To Overcome: A Social History Of Poliomyelitis In Western Australia, John H. Smith Jan 1997

Fear, Frustration And The Will To Overcome: A Social History Of Poliomyelitis In Western Australia, John H. Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates community responses to Poliomyelitis, and the Impact of the disease on those who experienced It, particularly during the epidemics that occurred In Western Australia between 1938 and 1956. The research sources an.: W.A. Health Department records, held mostly at the Battye Library, records held by Australian Archives and Royal Perth Hospital, newspaper reports, comparative studies from several states in Australia and overseas, oral history interviews, biographies and personal records. The history of polio has several layers and the presence or the disease In the community evoked varied and ambiguous reactions, summarised here as fear, frustration and the …


An Investigation Of A Theoretical Model Of Willingness To Donate Blood, Douglas Adam Jan 1997

An Investigation Of A Theoretical Model Of Willingness To Donate Blood, Douglas Adam

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Australian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (ARCBTS) in Western Australian faces a major problem with periodic shortages of blood components. These shortages are expected to become more frequent and severe as demand continues to increase at a faster rate than supply. Given that only five percent of the population is registered as blood donors, clearly, the challenge for the ARCBTS is to encourage more people to become regular blood donors. The current study was undertaken to assist the ARCBTS in achieving this goal, by identifying and investigating the factors that influence people's willingness to donate blood. Based on the …


Living With Mental Illness: A Descriptive Study Of Individual Adult Experiences Of Living With Mental Illness In Zomba, Malawi, Ivy J. Lekera Jan 1997

Living With Mental Illness: A Descriptive Study Of Individual Adult Experiences Of Living With Mental Illness In Zomba, Malawi, Ivy J. Lekera

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of mental illness in the adult Malawian context. Using the interpretive paradigm, content analysis was used to uncover the lived experiences of mental illness. This study was based on the philosophy that meaning of a phenomenon is best understood if studied within its specific context and within Parse's theoretical framework. Two to four per cent of the global population share the experience of mental illness, however, little is known of individual experiences within the Malawian context. Much of the literature has focused on the physiological aspects, causes, and therapies involved …


Exploring Infertility Through Art, Olga Gibson Jan 1996

Exploring Infertility Through Art, Olga Gibson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study, entitled "Exploring infertility through art" focuses on researching the use of art to explore the psychogenic, psychological and physiological aspects of infertility and the psychosomatic avenues of expression possibly resulting in, or contributing to, infertility. The term psychogenic means "pertaining to disorders which are functional in origin" (Chaplin, 1973, p. · 391), or "term usually employed of disorders which originate in mental conditions, though they may come to involve physiological changes, as a result of these mental conditions" (Drever, 1978, p. 231). A psychogenic disorder is ''a functional disorder which has no known organic basis and is therefore …


The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv Infection, Nongluck Suwisith Jan 1996

The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv Infection, Nongluck Suwisith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This phenomenological study was undertaken to describe the meaning of living with HIV infection. Descriptive phenomenology was utilised to investigate the lived experiences of persons who had human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV/ AIDS), describe common elements, themes or patterns of lived experiences of persons with HIV / AIDS, and analyse the meaning of lived experiences of persons with HIV/ AIDS. Twelve Australians, experiencing HIV infection and participating in the community support groups in Perth, volunteered as participants. Two participated in the pilot study. The other ten participants were interviewed individually for the main study. Intensive open-end questions pertaining to the …


The Modification, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Hiv/Aids Education Programme For Students In Year 10, Paula Hahnel Jan 1996

The Modification, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Hiv/Aids Education Programme For Students In Year 10, Paula Hahnel

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research addresses the issue of HIVIAIDS education for Year 10 students. The purpose of this study was twofold: to provide baseline data on students’ knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about HIV and AIDS (Phase 1), and to evaluate the effect of an education intervention on possible determinants of behaviour (Phase 2), Previous studies have Indicated that improved knowledge may influence risk-reducing behaviour. In addition, adolescents have numerous misconceptions about the cause and transmission of HIV. However, there has been no known assessment of AIDS knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of high school students in Western Australia. The study was guided …


A Reflective Analysis Of Burn Wound Care: The Australian Burns Nurse' Perspective, Jaynie E. Sands Jan 1996

A Reflective Analysis Of Burn Wound Care: The Australian Burns Nurse' Perspective, Jaynie E. Sands

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this historiographical nursing study was to explore Australian Burn Wound Care from a nursing perspective, at two periods of time. It was the intention of the author to explore practices at the inception of specialised burns units, from the 1950's, presenting an historical perspective, and at the present time, May 1995. Eleven burns units across Australia participated in the study. There were 22 participants in the research sample. Each burns unit identified the first Charge Nurse (n =11) and the current Clinical Nurse Specialist (n =11), to be involved in the data collection process. The conceptual framework …


The Effect Of A Prenatal Teaching Intervention On Postpartum Nipple Pain And Trauma, Elizabeth P. Duffy Jan 1996

The Effect Of A Prenatal Teaching Intervention On Postpartum Nipple Pain And Trauma, Elizabeth P. Duffy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether a prenatal teaching intervention on position and attachment of the baby on the breast had any effect on postpartum nipple pain and trauma, and breastfeeding rates at six weeks. Many mothers who Initiate breastfeeding, discontinue because they experience nipple pain and trauma. Correct position and attachment of the baby on the breast for feeding Is paramount in preventing these problems. Using Orem's supportive-educative nursing system, i was hypothesised that the teaching Intervention would result in significantly less nipple pain and trauma, and would Increase breastfeeding rates at six weeks. The …


The Development Of Community Mental Health Nursing Services In Western Australia : A History (1950-1995) And Population Profile, Phillip M. Maude Jan 1996

The Development Of Community Mental Health Nursing Services In Western Australia : A History (1950-1995) And Population Profile, Phillip M. Maude

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This descriptive• study discusses the development of community mental health (CMH) in Western Australia (WA) and describes the current practising population of CMH nurses. The study explores literature pertaining to the emergence of the CMH movement and the deinstitutionalisation of the mentally ill. A conceptual framework was developed by adapting Lewin's change theory. CMH nurses practising in WA (n= 130), were invited to participate in the study and were asked to complete a survey questionnaire. This resulted in a 66% response rate (n = 86). Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Open ended …


Management Skills Of Middle-Level Nurse Managers In Malawi, Maureen L. Chirwa Jan 1996

Management Skills Of Middle-Level Nurse Managers In Malawi, Maureen L. Chirwa

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Much has been written about the problems facing nurse managers in different countries including Malawi, yet the literature is sparse in relation to information about their perception of required management skills. There is enough evidence that nurse managers face many problems. These problems stem from different sources including organizational, economic, social or political changes. All changes within and outside the health care system affect nursing and its management. Nurse managers require relevant management skills to make valuable decisions and promote quality care, and enable them to motivate staff. Further, management skills will enable nurse managers to actively participate in policy …


An Evaluation Of The Usefulness Of A Self-Appraisal & Goal Setting Instrument For Community Health Nurses, Helen K. Pannowitz Jan 1996

An Evaluation Of The Usefulness Of A Self-Appraisal & Goal Setting Instrument For Community Health Nurses, Helen K. Pannowitz

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This descriptive exploratory study evaluated the usefulness of an adapted self-appraisal and goal setting performance instrument. The instrument is developmental in its purpose and is currently used by community health nurses at the Armadale Kelmscott Health Service of the Health Department of Western Australia. The study was conducted in two parts; the first part used a questionnaire to examine the perceptions of a group of community health nurses who use the instrument. The second part of the study which used a structured survey sought to determine how well the instrument's self-appraisal behaviours approximate with the Standards of the Australian Council …


Factors That Influence Low Utilisation Of Natural Family Planning Methods Among Child Bearing Women (Aged 15-49 Years) In Mongu Urban District Zambia, Cecilia S. Lubinda Jan 1996

Factors That Influence Low Utilisation Of Natural Family Planning Methods Among Child Bearing Women (Aged 15-49 Years) In Mongu Urban District Zambia, Cecilia S. Lubinda

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to explore and analyse factors that influence the low utilisation of natural family planning methods. A theoretical framework adapted from Betty Neuman's Systems Model was used to guide the study. Using Betty Neuman's Systems Model the person or client's behaviour influenced by the continuous interaction with the environment. The factors investigated were the women's personal characteristics, age, occupation, marital status and education, cultural influences which included the relationship between the husband and wife and the religious belief of the women. The last factor investigated was the influence of the info1111ation practices and family planning …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Homebirth Experience : The Couples Perspective, Susanjane Morison Jan 1996

A Phenomenological Study Of The Homebirth Experience : The Couples Perspective, Susanjane Morison

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of parents who have had a homebirth in the past two years in Perth. Studies conducted to date have predominantly used quantitative research methods, investigating the safety of homebirth and comparing home to hospital birth without exploring a couples experiences. A phenomenological approach was used as it seeks to understand human experience in context. The research design consisted of a field study, in which ten parent couples were interviewed and three homebirth videos observed. Data analysis was conducted according to the procedure outlined by Colaizzi (cited in Knaack, 1984, …


Codependent Concerns Among Nurses, Virgina S. Besomo Jan 1996

Codependent Concerns Among Nurses, Virgina S. Besomo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Codependency is a complex dysfunctional behaviour pattern characterised by a dependence upon external reference points for ways of being. An abundance of nursing literature claims that codependency is (a) a problem among nurses, (b) related to the demands of the profession, and that (c) codependent nurses eventually suffer disillusionment and burnout. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the severity of codependent concerns among Western Australian registered nurses in order to direct a response to these claims. A random sample of 1000 West Australian registered nurses were mailed surveys with an option for them to respond anonymously by …


The Lived Experience Of The Aged Care Nurse, Christine Martin Jan 1996

The Lived Experience Of The Aged Care Nurse, Christine Martin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and interpret the common, shared meanings of the experience of aged care nursing from the perspective of the registered nurse working in a nursing home. There are insufficient registered nurses being attracted into aged care, with resulting difficulties in maintaining regular staffing levels in nursing homes. Previous studies conducted in Australia have predominantly used quantitative research methods to investigate various influences QD the recruitment and retention of aged care nurses. These studies do not take into account the practitioners' perceptions of their experience of aged care nursing. A purposive sample of …


A Competency-Based Art Therapy Approach For Improving The Self-Esteem Of A Pre-Adolescent Girl, Maria T. Papaluca Jan 1996

A Competency-Based Art Therapy Approach For Improving The Self-Esteem Of A Pre-Adolescent Girl, Maria T. Papaluca

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of the current study is to present multi-faceted instruments to measure the effectiveness of a competency-based approach to Art Therapy for improving the self-esteem of a pre-adolescent girl. The theoretical framework for this approach applies well established Art Therapy and Family Art Therapy theory and practice to contemporary clinical practices in individual Family Therapy. The Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) (Harter, 1985b), House-Tree-Person Drawing Test (H-T-P) (Buck, 1970), the subject's self-ratings, ratings of the subject's competence by her mother and her teacher, and ratings of the subject's artwork by objective judges are employed in a Pretest-Posttest research design …


Perceptions Of Discharge Planning Needs : A Study Of Discharge Planning In The Mental Health Setting, Michael P. Finn Jan 1995

Perceptions Of Discharge Planning Needs : A Study Of Discharge Planning In The Mental Health Setting, Michael P. Finn

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Major mental disorder, with prolonged periods of dysfunction that require long term care, is an issue of concern amongst mental health professionals. Although substantial effort and resources are devoted towards returning mentally ill individuals to the community, one of the most distinctive and consistent features of the persistently mentally ill (PMI) is their high rate of readmission to hospital. Existing studies into discharge planning revealed that no research had been undertaken to determine if this is the case in Western Australia. This study sought to investigate perceptions of discharge planning held by patients, carers, nurses and allied health workers involved …


Factors Influencing Western Australian Clinical Registered Nurses In Discharge Planning, S. R. Suiter Jan 1995

Factors Influencing Western Australian Clinical Registered Nurses In Discharge Planning, S. R. Suiter

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A descriptive quantitative study was conducted to determine what factors nurses considered when discharge planning, and how these factors compared with factors identified in the literature as being effective in planning for discharge. This study was undertaken because with the intended Prospective Payment System (PPS) of funding to hospitals, it is essential that Western Australian Clinical Registered Nurses are able to prepare patients for discharge effectively to prevent the financial burden of cost outliers and re-admissions. Anderson and Steinberg ( 1984) in their studies of factors that influence the cost of hospital care for the elderly, found that the results …


A Phenomenological Study Of Infertility : The Couple's Perspective, M. Imeson Jan 1995

A Phenomenological Study Of Infertility : The Couple's Perspective, M. Imeson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and interpret the experience of infertility from the perspective of infertile couples, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of how it affects their lives. Ten to twenty per cent of the global population share the experience of infertility, however, little is known of their experiences and perceptions related to infertility. Literature to date mainly focuses on the physiological effects of infertility and does not take into account the context in which the experience takes place, or the meanings that people assign to this experience. To be effective, health carers need …


Art Therapy In The Paediatric Oncology Setting: An Assessment Of The Feasibility Of Art Therapy To Address The Psychosocial Needs Of Paediatric Cancer Patients, Anthea Carboni Jan 1995

Art Therapy In The Paediatric Oncology Setting: An Assessment Of The Feasibility Of Art Therapy To Address The Psychosocial Needs Of Paediatric Cancer Patients, Anthea Carboni

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is well recognised that children with cancer have special needs. Art therapy has been shown to be effective in meeting some of these needs. An exploratory study was conducted to assess the feasibility of art therapy to address the psychosocial needs of paediatric cancer patients in a medical setting where art therapy has not been practised before. A qualitative research design was used to investigate the research questions, using interviews as the main instrument. Subjects were recruited from the oncology team of a metropolitan children's hospital. The sample of thirteen informants consisted of representatives from the medical, nursing and …


The Lived Experience Of Nurses Caring For The Dying, David M. Byrne Jan 1995

The Lived Experience Of Nurses Caring For The Dying, David M. Byrne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The study reported in this thesis describes and analyses the lived experience of caring for the dying amongst nine (9) nurses in a hospice setting. The research was established within the context of published literature on the subject of caring for the dying from nursing. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was chosen as the most appropriate for this study, in order to describe and interpret the understanding and shared meanings nurses have in the care of the dying. The major mode of data collection in this study was by in depth interview of nine (9) nurses, which was supplemented by the …


A Mathematical Model To Describe Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Within Western Australia, Kevin Dennis Jan 1995

A Mathematical Model To Describe Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Within Western Australia, Kevin Dennis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This work is primarily aimed at determining the effect that an immunisation policy Is likely to have on the incidence of Haemophllus influenzae Type B (HIB) and systematic HIB in Western Australia. There was a significant effort made to collect data pertinent to the estimation of parameter values but since HIB has only been a notifiable disease since 1992, there was a distinct lack of relevant data available. Private communication with individual’s such as Dr Jeffrey Hanna and Dr Beryl Wild resulted in practical information being obtained that was used to estimate certain parameters. The deterministic mathematical models within the …


An Examination Of Selected Factors Associated With Nurses' Behaviour And Intentions Related To Patient Teaching, Ian R. Mullins Jan 1995

An Examination Of Selected Factors Associated With Nurses' Behaviour And Intentions Related To Patient Teaching, Ian R. Mullins

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Patient teaching is integral in the provision of an effective health care service. Registered nurses in all settings, have a professional responsibility to contribute towards their clients’ health promotion and maintenance by providing those clients with the health education they require. This study investigated the patient teaching intentions and behaviours of 181 registered nurses employed in acute medical and surgical settings at three metropolitan hospitals in Perth Western Australia. Within the framework of Ajzen and Fishbein’s (1980) theory of reasoned action, the study examined the relationships between registered nurses’ intentions to teach patients, their patient teaching behaviours and selected factors …


Assessment Of Limb Perfusion By Measurement Of Toe Temperatures With A Skin Probe In Patients With Intraaortic Balloon Pumps, Jacqueline Hawkrigg Jan 1995

Assessment Of Limb Perfusion By Measurement Of Toe Temperatures With A Skin Probe In Patients With Intraaortic Balloon Pumps, Jacqueline Hawkrigg

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Assessment of peripheral perfusion is one of the most important aspects of care associated with nursing patients receiving intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy. The validity of traditional methods of assessing peripheral perfusion based on colour, warmth, circulatory return, and quality of pedal pulses has' been questioned because of their subjective nature. Consequently, there is a need to identify a reliable quantitative method of monitoring peripheral perfusion in patients with IABPs. Measurement of toe temperatures by use of a skin probe has long been established as a reliable quantitative indicator of the state of lower limb perfusion in critically ill patients …


Attitudes Of Nurses To Palliative Care In Nursing Homes In The Perth Metropolitan Region, Lynne Cohen Jan 1995

Attitudes Of Nurses To Palliative Care In Nursing Homes In The Perth Metropolitan Region, Lynne Cohen

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Zanna and Rempel (1988) have proposed that attitudes are a summary evaluation of an attitude object based on three classes of information, namely: cognitive information, affective information and behavioural information. This model has mainly been tested in the social groups and social policies area investigating two classes of information: cognitive and affective, and therefore there is a need for research to test the validity of this model in other areas. The present study applies the model to the area of palliative care in nursing homes. 76 directors of nursing, 76 clinical nurse specialists, and 76 nursing assistants working in nursing …


Triage In Health Department Of Western Australia Accident And Emergency Departments, Geraldine M. Riordan Jan 1995

Triage In Health Department Of Western Australia Accident And Emergency Departments, Geraldine M. Riordan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A survey of triage systems used in Health Department of Western Australia accident and emergency departments was undertaken to examine differences in practices between departments with and without designated triage nurses (TNs). One questionnaire surveyed 93 nurses in seven departments with TNs, a similar second questionnaire surveyed 89 nurses in 16 departments without TNs, and a third questionnaire was used in a structured telephone interview of receptionists in hospitals without TNs. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and ranges with common themes identified for open ended questions. The study was guided by Donabedian's systems evaluation model. The …