Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perceptions Of Control And Satisfaction With Hospital Birth Experiences For First-Time Mothers, Clelia Tedeschi

Theses : Honours

Satisfaction with childbirth is associated with women's future emotional wellbeing. This study examined whether first- time mother's antenatal expectations, postnatal evaluations of control during labour and delivery, and the discrepancy between expectations and evaluations were significant predictors of women's satisfaction with their childbirth experiences. The effect of medical interventions (e.g., obstetrical interventions and pain relief medication) on women's perceptions of control and satisfaction was also examined. The purposive sample of eighty first-time mothers, mean age 26 years (excluding women who had caesareans) delivered at the public hospital where they attended antenatal classes. During their fourth antenatal class women completed a …

Long Term Restoration Of Peak Torque, Endurance And Muscle Activation Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Darryl Alan Turner

Theses : Honours

In recent years, Accelerated Rehabilitation (A.R.) protocols have been used following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (A.C.L.) reconstructions, the longer term effects of these programs are seldom analysed. This study examined musculoskeletal mechanisms that might affect long term functional restoration, the control subjects (n = 19) of mixed age and gender, had no previous knee deficiencies and were recreationally fit. The experimental subjects (n = 17) had undergone intra-articular A.C.L reconstruction, using bone patellar-tendon bone grafts performed by the same surgeon and had also participated in the A.R. protocol, similar to that described by Shelbourne and Nitz (1990). The experimental group attended …

Breast Self Examination: A Healthy Approach: Teaching Manual, Margaret Imeson, Molly Mccartney

Research outputs pre 2011

The theme of this health teaching package is breast care with an emphasis on step-by-step instruction f0r breast self examination. The package has been designed to guide health professionals in the facilitation of workshops and discussion groups promoting breast care for women. Materials included in the manual may be adapted to suit audience requirements...

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 …

Reasons Why Patients Attend An Emergency Department, Emily J. Carmona

Theses : Honours

The traditional role of emergency departments (ED) is to provide emergency and lifesaving treatment to accident victims (Catchlove, 1974). These departments provide a unique service to the Australian community, as medical treatment is available without medical referral or appointment. However, attendance patterns suggest that a high proportion of members of the public seek treatment for non-urgent conditions at these departments (Bain & Johnson, 1971; Starr, 1973). The purpose of this study is to update existing information about attendance patterns by describing the current use of one teaching hospital emergency department. A descriptive study design using a quantitative approach was used …

Localisation And Detection Of A Polymorphism In The Human Skeletal Beta-Tropomyosin Gene (Tpm2), Clive C.J. Hunt

Theses : Honours

Tropomyosin is one of the components of the thin filaments of muscle, binding to actin, and, together with troponin, regulating contraction in a calcium-dependent manner (Cho et al.,1990). There are at least four distinct tropomyosin genes in vertebrates and each may encode at least six different isoforms of tropomyosin by alternate splicing (Novy et al, 1993; MacLeod et al., 1988). The alpha-tropomyosin gene TPM1 has recently been localised to 15q22 (Eyre et al, 1994) and has been shown to be mutated in some cases of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Thierfelder et al., 1994). The alpha-tropomyosin gene TPM3 has been recently localised …

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Computerisation, John Crofts

Theses : Honours

Currently bedside nurses working in Perth public hospitals have little exposure to electronic information systems (EIS's). Over the next two years an EIS will be implemented into the 15 Perth public hospitals by the Health Department of W. A. Acceptance of any EIS by staff determines whether such systems will be used. Therefore in order to gain maximum benefit from an EIS, it has been strongly suggested that hospitals examine the attitudes of their nurses toward computerisation. 130 nurses at a Perth teaching hospital responded to a questionnaire, incorporating a tool designed by Strange and Brodt (1985), reported to be …

Predictors, Patterns And Levels Of Stress Amongst Group Workers In Community Support Units For Adolescents, Alan Lee

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study sets out to determine the patterns, predictors and levels of stress amongst forty two groupworkers employed as care givers in five community based support units known commonly as hostels for troubled and troublesome adolescents. To establish and fully assess work related stress amongst groupworkers, it was necessary to capture not only results from questionnaires, but also individual perceptions of stress. To accomplish this, groupworkers were invited to discuss the topic further in face to face interviews upon completion of the questionnaires. Particular themes emergert from the results that reflect some of the concerns held by the author prior …

Questioning Strategies: Their Use By Clinical Teachers, Sue Sellappah

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined clinical teachers' use of questioning and the variations in their use of questioning as a teaching strategy. By using questioning and other appropriate teaching strategies, clinical teachers can facilitate the development of critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving in students. Effective use of questioning strategies involves asking low level and high level questions to facilitate recall of classroom knowledge and promote application of the knowledge to solve patient problems in varying clinical situations. Using a comparative descriptive design, this study used a convenience sample of 26 clinical teachers from one University School of Nursing to examine …

The Effect Of Long Term Training On The Bone Mineral Density And Muscle Strength Of Perimenopausal Athletes, Jan Dook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this research was to determine if long term training (20 years+) in a high impact weight bearing sport (netball/basketball: NB/88), a low impact weight-bearing sport (running/ field hockey: GEN) and a non weight-bearing sport, swimming (SWI) produced a positive relationship with regional bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle strength. Method: Three groups of perimenopausal athletes (n=20) plus a control group (CON) (n=20) had Total Body BMD and body composition measured by DEXA (Hologic QDR 2000) and isometric strength of dominant arm flexors and leg extensors by a strain tensiometer connected to a strength chair. Differences between groups …

The Retirement Experiences Of Former Elite Female Netball Players, J. L. Redmond

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research to date on retirement from sport has been dominated by the study of United States, male, collegiate sports. Studies within Australia, which has a substantially different community based sport system, are just commencing. This study provided an insight into retirement from sport as it was experienced by former Western Australian elite female netball players. Using a qualitative interpretive approach a three stage interview process was employed to capture the individual experiences of each of the 15 participants. The interviewees were also asked to recommend interventions or strategies that netball associations could employ to assist players in their transition out …

The Self Reported Patterns Of Alcohol Consumption By Registered Nurses In Western Australia, K. Waters

Theses : Honours

The study of self reported patterns of alcohol consumption by Registered nurses in Western Australia is the first Australian study that attempts to quantify the amount of alcohol consumed by nurses. This study also examines the type of alcohol related problem that nurses most frequently experience, and investigates the relationships between problematic alcohol consumption and the demographic categories of age, gender, area of nursing practice and geographical location of residence. The conceptual framework that guides the study incorporates a model developed by Thorley, and considers factors related to the intrinsic properties of alcohol, the environment and the individual which contribute …

The Effect Of Facilitating Increased Involvement In Nursing Home Caregiving On Former Caregivers' Satisfaction With The Care Arrangement, Christine Toye

Theses : Honours

This study examined the effect of a programme that facilitated fanner caregivers' increased involvement with nursing home care giving on their satisfaction with the care provided for their relatives. It was guided by Ray's Adaptation Model of Nursing (Ray, 1984, 1989). The hypotheses stated that the programme would help former caregivers to adapt to the institutionalisation of their loved ones, as manifested by their increased satisfaction with aspects of the care arrangement (overall care, nursing care, relationships, and the environment). The convenience sample consisted of 31 former care givers of long term residents admitted to a metropolitan nursing home 1 …

Digital Morphometry : A Taxonomy Of Morphological Filters And Feature Parameters With Application To Alzheimer's Disease Research, Andrew Mehnert

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In this thesis the expression digital morphometry collectively describes all those procedures used to obtain quantitative measurements of objects within a two-dimensional digital image. Quantitative measurement is a two-step process: the application of geometrical transformations to extract the features of interest, and then the actual measurement of these features. With regard to the first step the morphological filters of mathematical morphology provide a wealth of suitable geometric transfomations. Traditional radiometric and spatial enhancement techniques provide an additional source of transformations. The second step is more classical (e.g. Underwood, 1970; Bookstein, 1978; and Weibull, 1980); yet here again mathematical morphology is …

The Experience Of Transferring To Adult Health Care For Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis, Maree T. Russell

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

As a result of improved treatment and management, adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) now have a longer life expectancy. Consequently, more adolescents will be transferred from paediatric to adult health care. Currently, transfer to adult health care takes place on an adhoc basis. Little research however, is available on adolescents with CF and the transfer process to adult health care. This transfer may be viewed as a significant life event for these adolescents and their families. A descriptive approach was used in this study to investigate the experience of transferring to adult health care for adolescents with CF. Seven adolescents …

A Comparison Of Two Bathing Methods : Effects On The Haemodynamic And Subjective Responses Of Low Risk Patients Within 48 Hours Post Myocardial Infarction, Heather M. Kidd

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this within subject experimental study was to determine what effect showering by nurses, as compared to bed bathing patients, has on the haemodynamic and subjective responses of low risk patients within 48 hours of having a myocardial infarction. The sample consisted of 50 patients, 8 female and 42 male, with a mean age of 61 years (SD = 10). Twenty-five were randomly assigned to a bed bath, then a shower over 2 consecutive days and the other 25 to the reverse order. The haemodynamic responses consisted of heart rate, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, …

The Prevalence Of Behavioural Risk Factors Associated With Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Ann M. Callaghan

Theses : Honours

Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS) is a major cause of death in the first year of life. In Western Australia (WA), two infants in every thousand live births die from SIDS each year. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence in WA of three risk factors which have been associated with SIDS, namely prone lying, maternal smoking and lack of breast feeding. In addition the study sought to determine the significant influences that encourage change in infant care practices by parents. The study obtained information from child health nurses and midwives regarding the advice they provide on …

Issues That Concern Prison Officers About Hiv Positive Prisoners In Western Australia, David Francis Cain

Theses : Honours

In 1988 the Department of Corrective Services established an AIDS Standing Committee to draw up an HIV positive/AIDS policy. The Committee consists of ten members, two of whom are union members who represent the issues that concern 1,227 prison officers statewide. The Policy which was issued in 1989 medically isolated HIV positive prisoners from the mainstream prison population. The aim of this research is to identify and quantify the issues that concern prison officers about HIV positive prisoners in Western Australia. Such information will act as a medium through which these will be communicated to the AIDS Standing Committee. Structured …

Bone Density And Muscle Development Problems In Female Lightweight Rowers Trying To Make-Weight, Carmel A. Shipway

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to determine whether high intensity exercise, combined with restriction of diet, is counter-productive to the normal health and development of the competitor. The study investigated the effects of high intensity exercise on body composition (fat, muscle and bone); bone density; and physical performance (aerobic capacity, rowing performance, quadricep strength, power and fatiguability) in twelve lightweight female rowers (age range 17- 25yrs), training for the State and National lightweight championships. Six of the rowers completed the testing, which consisted of test1 (pre-training) and test2 (post-training) after a 12 weeks training regime.

Skinfold measurements were lower …

St. Juan De Dios, 1495-1550 The Patron Saint Of Nurses, Christopher Churchouse

Theses : Honours

For any profession to develop, grow and plan for the future, it is imperative that all members know from whence they have come. Nurses', however, do not generally consider this to be an important aspect to their professional development, and hence have focused more on empirical or experimental research. Whilst much literature has been written on nursing history, it has focused primarily on its founding women and its inception from the mid nineteenth century when a more structured training evolved. This study, therefore, goes beyond this period of time and examines a man who played an equally important role in …

Effects Of A Topical Application Of Chlorhexidine 1 % Cream On Clinical Signs Of Infection In Newborn Infants, Fiona Christine Bottin

Theses : Honours

For the past 40 years midwives and neonatal nurses have been applying antistaphylococcal cream to newborns, to reduce the risk of Staphylocccus aureus (Staph. aureus) infections. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any· difference in the incidence of clinical signs of infection in newborns, untreated or treated with a topical application of the currently used antistaphylococcal cream chlorhexidine 1%. The experimental design compared two groups of randomly assigned newborns, using an observation chart based on indicators of infection. Observations were recorded twice ~ day for four days. Any specific or nonspecific signs of infection …

The Effects Of High And Low Repetition Resistance Training On The Force Profile Of The Rowing Stroke, Benjamin Tarbox

Theses : Honours

The effect of resistance training on the ability to generate force throughout the rowing stroke has to date been unreported. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine the changes that occur in the force profile of the rowing stroke, following low repetition strength (LRS) and high repetition endurance (HRE) resistance training. Eight female and 10 male sub elite heavy weight rowers matched according to gender, strength and anthropometric variables, completed 12 weeks of LRS or HRE resistance training. Pre and post testing was completed to determine changes in bench press and leg press repetition maximum (3RM) strength and …

Detection Of Point Mutations In The Dystrophin Gene, John Pedretti

Theses : Honours

The dystrophin gene has been localised to Xp 21.1. Mutations of this gene can lead to the clinical manifestations of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). In the majority of DMD and BMD patients the disease-causing mutation is a deletion detectable by southern analysis or multiplex PCR, however in 30% of patients no deletion is observed using these conventional tests. Using PCR amplification of cDNA it was possible to detect a deletion in the product of the dystrophin gene of one such individual affected with BMD. It was then necessary to characterise the mutation in order to determine whether this …

An Exploratory Study Of The Development Of Perceived Body Image In Elite Female Artistic Gymnasts In One Central Programme, Michelle A. Saliba

Theses : Honours

Women's elite gymnastics is characterised by subjective and aesthetic judgement and together with increasing technical requirements imposes strict body composition and body image requirements throughout the international gymnastic community. Limited research has been conducted on the younger, smaller, leaner and almost prepubescent gymnasts who now dominate the International arena. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the way in which current and retired elite, female artistic gymnasts perceive their own and the "ideal" gymnast's body image, and to identify factors influencing the development of these perceptions. Nineteen subjects were drawn from one Australian women's artistic gymnastics …

The Effect Of A Semester Unit Of Study On Ethical Issues In Nursing On A Group Of Practising Registered Nurses, E. C. Ambrose

Theses : Honours

This study explored the effect an educational unit on ethical issues in nursing had on the ethical reasoning of practising registered nurses. The educational unit was conducted at a university school of nursing as part of a baccalaureate degree programme for already registered and practising nurses. A quasi-experimental posttest design utilising stratified random samples compared subjects from one group who had undertaken the unit (n=53) with subjects from another group who had not (n=61). Ethical reasoning was measured using Grisham's Nursing Dilemma Test and a researcher designed demographic data sheet provided information on additional variables for analysis.The group which had …

A Comparison Of Axillary And Tympanic Temperature Measurement In The Preterm Infant, Susan Elizabeth Bearsby

Theses : Honours

The transition of the newborn to extrauterine life, especially the preterm infant, necessitates adaptation to environmental changes in temperature (Levene, Tudehope & Thearle, 1987). The need for a method of measuring an infant's temperature rapidly and with minimal disturbance is critical and accurate temperature measurement in a preterm infant is a vitally important nursing procedure. However, the literature is inconclusive regarding the optimum placement time required to achieve an accurate temperature measurement and few studies bad been conducted to ascertain the reliability and usefulness of tympanic thermometers in preterm infants. The study of 81 hospitalised preterm infants, compared axillary mercury, …

Urinary Bladder Assessment Skills Used By Hospital Nurses Before A Decision Is Made To Institute Intermittent Catheterization, Marion L. Burke

Theses : Honours

Intermittent Catheterization is an invasive technique in which a hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the bladder to drain urine at regular intervals when a patient does not void. Catheterization is a technique frequently performed by nurses. The skills of assessment by nurses of a patient's urinary bladder prior to instituting intermittent catherization (IC) have been neglected in the field of nursing research. The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study is to identify bladder assessment skills (BAS) among hospital nurses prior to instituting intermittent catheterization. The study asks the questions: To what extent do nurses utilize BAS, and what is the …

Health Care Beliefs Of Elderly Vietnamese Refugees, Gayle Watson

Theses : Honours

Since 1975, a large number of Vietnamese refugees have settled in Australia. They can be recognised as a distinct cultural group within our society. However, little research has focused upon the health practices and beliefs of these people. This is a study of elderly Vietnamese refugees who have previously been identified as maintaining a great adherence to traditional values and behaviours. The aim of the research is to describe the health practices and beliefs of elderly Vietnamese refugees. As a mini ethno-nursing study, this research sought qualitative data, guided by the Health Belief Model adapted to accommodate cultural perspectives. With …

Development Of A Questionnaire To Assess Knowledge In Women With Gestational Diabetes, Caron Mclarty

Theses : Honours

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus in later life. A lifestyle which includes healthy eating habits, weight control, regular exercise, and stress management has been associated with preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. To care for themselves women require educati9n about and knowledge of strategies that have been associated with preventing diabetes. An essential part of education is knowledge assessment Women with GDM have been largely overlooked in the development of instruments to measure knowledge of diabetes. Orem's general theory of nursing …

Place-Identity And Homelessness : The Restorative Nature Of The Home, Marie Sadkowski

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research aims to address deficiencies in the Place-Identity literature and establish whether the home is a central and mediating environment within this theory. An exploration of the association between homelessness and Place-Identity provides a vehicle for clarifying the psychological role of the home and in doing so an increased awareness of this social problem is promoted. Korpela's (1989) and Kaplan's (1983) theories on place, accentuating active self-regulatory mechanisms and restorative environments, act as a catalyst and provide a solid foundation for this current research. The extensive literature on the home highlights the different conceptions that abound and the lack …