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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Under Blue Skies : The Social Construction Of Intellectual Disability In Western Australia, Errol Cocks (Ed.) Jan 1996

Under Blue Skies : The Social Construction Of Intellectual Disability In Western Australia, Errol Cocks (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

Research into the history of people with intellectual disabilities in Western Australia has been a sporadic undertaking. Scholarship to date has been mainly institutional in character and often undertaken as an adjunct to the study of mental illness. The people themselves have remained mostly invisible. In 1989, the Editors conceived of a social history research project in which, for the first time, an attempt would be made to document the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Western Australia The project would also aim to describe the institutional, social, political and professional history we identify with mainstream historical scholarship...


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 …


Needs Assessment In Mental Health Care In General Practice, Samar Aoun Jan 1996

Needs Assessment In Mental Health Care In General Practice, Samar Aoun

Research outputs pre 2011

Current practices in mental health care among general practitioners (GPs) servicing part of the rural South West region of Western Australia were ascertained in a survey on psychosocial morbidity in rural general practice (Aoun et al 1995a,b). The survey identified the patient and illness profiles and the patterns of treatment and referral to mental health services...


Nutritional Problems And Information Needs Of Patients Receiving Chemotherapy And Radiation Therapy, Margaret Joan Robinson Jan 1996

Nutritional Problems And Information Needs Of Patients Receiving Chemotherapy And Radiation Therapy, Margaret Joan Robinson

Theses : Honours

Nutritional status is a major factor in determining the successful outcome of treatment for cancer. The combined effect of cancer, and the treatment for cancer, has the potential to severely impair nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and severity of treatment-related side-effects which affect nutritional status in cancer patients and to determine the sources and helpfulness of information about nutrition which had been utilised by patients. A descriptive study was used to investigate two groups of patients, one group who was receiving chemotherapy, and the other, radiation therapy. A questionnaire developed by the researcher …


Central Fatigue In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Peter A. J. Hope Jan 1996

Central Fatigue In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Peter A. J. Hope

Theses : Honours

Fatigue associated with activity is a normal response, seeking to prevent damage or conserve energy. Some individuals show heightened fatigue responses with no distinct aetiology. In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), peripheral fatigue mechanisms display no apparent abnormalities, indicating some central mechanism. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to compare force, perceived exertion, electromyogram response, motor evoked potentials (MEP) and silent periods (SP) following stimulation in normal and chronic fatigue groups. Participants (n=l2) were physically matched and performed a sustained sub-maximal (20% of MVC) isometric contraction of the elbow flexors. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in elbow flexor strength or time to reach fatigue. CFS participants showed a significant difference in perception of effort at outset. Differences were also noted in MEP amplitude and SP duration (p


The Role Of Social Support Networks In The Independent Functioning Of Elderly Persons, Maree Gabbedy Jan 1996

The Role Of Social Support Networks In The Independent Functioning Of Elderly Persons, Maree Gabbedy

Theses : Honours

There is conclusive evidence which highlights the importance of physical and mental health in the ability of elderly persons to function within society, and elderly persons who require services to maintain their independence, are assumed to have lower levels of functioning than persons who do not apply for, or require assistance. Individuals, however, are rarely totally independent, as most people are involved in social networks, where the reciprocal exchange of money, emotional support, goods and services are exchanged with friends family and neighbours. This study, examined the role of social support networks in the independent functioning of the elderly, in …


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 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 …


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 …


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 …


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 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 …


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 …


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 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 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 …


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 …