May 2019
Aged Care special feature + Speech Pathology should be regularly offered in aged care facilities + Tackling loneliness in older Australians and aged care + Improving workplace culture in maternity health care + Nursing in Saudi Arabia - An Australian couple’s journey
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May 2019 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in this issue. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportuities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or would like to receive our publication, please email us at contact@healthtimes.com.au DISTRIBUTION 46,300
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HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 09
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Making a jump from Nurse to Leader
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ot all nurses and midwives begin their career with thoughts of becoming a leader. However, becoming a Unit Manager or higher, is a step on the clinical ladder that an increasing number hope to achieve. The question facing most aspiring leaders is how do they make the career jump from being a high performing health professional to leading and managing a group of nurses and ancillary staff? How do they develop the managerial traits that can help boost morale, encourage teamwork, and keep staff engaged? Being well-versed in clinical leadership requires competencies beyond those associated with excellence in clinical practice, yet few receive the training and support necessary to ensure they have the effective leadership skills expected to foster their own team and working environment based on excellence and safety. How do you make the jump? Most training to this point has been heavily focused on clinical skills not necessarily the strong leadership skills critical in leaders facing the challenges of today’s healthcare environment. Traditionally many opportunities to enhance your nursing/midwifery management experiences were gained on the job. However, with the advancement in technology there are now complimentary means of expediting your progress into those senior positions. The good news is that it has never been easier to access courses on any subject under the sun, including leadership. Many organisation’s Learning and Development Platforms already contain a few leadership topics that will give you the building blocks to help you on your journey to becoming the next Unit Manager.
If not, there are organisations and not for profits like Kineo; leaders in online clinical and leadership training, for individuals and organisations to access that training quickly and relatively inexpensively. It’s well demonstrated that those who do invest in this type of training are leading the way in developing strong and capable leaders for today and the future. Picking the right training Good online leadership training will demonstrate new ways of thinking about finding solutions and promote a lead by example mentality. It helps to reveal each nurse, midwife and allied health professional their own inherent abilities. It also follows that if you invest in your learning, particularly if you opt for online leadership development courses, you are demonstrating the right behaviours all leaders need. Independence and the capacity to rely on one’s own judgement is a crucial quality in leaders, but it’s also useful as you will feel more in control and engaged. Kineo currently supports over a million health professionals develop the clinical, leadership and compliance training required in today’s demanding and changing health care system. To continue its support of the organisations, nurses and midwives, they have put together a special introductory pack of leadership training to help make the jump from nurse to leader. Kineo is also providing opportunities for hospitals, other health services to offer their full clinical and leadership training at affordable rates. To invest in your future as a nurse leader, visit: au.kineo.com/healthtimes
HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 13
What’s on at Family Planning NSW in 2019 Professional development calendar
Family Planning NSW is a leader in providing reproductive and sexual health education to over 1200 professionals annually in health, community and education sectors across NSW. Our clinical education courses equip doctors, nurses and midwives to provide clinical advice and management of reproductive and sexual health to clients. Many of our programs comprise online learning, workshops, simulated practise and/or clinical practice components to provide hands on learning experience.
Cervical Screening Program Update Webinars 5 Jun, 7 Aug, 4 Sept, 6 Nov Evening Seminar and Case Discussion on Reproductive and Sexual Health 12 Jun (Dubbo) IUD Case Discussion Evening 8 Aug (Ashfield) Refresher Day for Doctors 31 Aug (Ashfield) FPAA National Certificate in Sexual & Reproductive Health for Doctors - Face-to-face Course includes online learning, five day workshop and clinical placement. Workshop dates for course: 9 to 13 Sept (Ashfield) FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors - Distance Mode Course includes a two day workshop, online learning, assessment and clinical placements. Workshop dates for course: 15 & 16 Nov (Ashfield) Reproductive and Sexual Health Clinical Accreditation Program for Nurses Course includes online learning, day workshop and clinical placement Workshop dates for course: 5 & 6 Sep (Newcastle) Reproductive and Sexual Health Professional Development Day for Nurses and Midwives 13 Sept (Newcastle) Doctors Short Course in Reproductive and Sexual Health Check website for course dates
Please check our website for full course details, course fees and to register your place. www.fpnsw.org.au. All dates correct at the time of printing.
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Speech Pathology should routinely be offered at aged care facilities
W
hile many consider speech pathology to be a child-centric allied health service, the elderly may also benefit greatly from the service, despite accessibility being limited, particularly those living in aged care facilities. “Speech Pathology is commonly used for the elderly as well as children, although the goals targeted in therapy may often differ somewhat,” says Certified Practising Speech Pathologist Rebecca Ivanyi. “Speech Pathologists are employed in a range of sectors, such as hospitals and community health settings, to support the elderly by promoting social participation, independence in daily tasks and overall quality of life.” Generally speaking, Speech Pathology is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication difficulties and disorders. This can include difficulties with speech sounds, language, swallowing, voice, stuttering, social skills, literacy and more. There are a range of conditions that are treated by Speech Pathologists, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, language delays, speech sound disorders, voice disorders, swallowing difficulties and more. Among the elderly, one of the most common conditions Speech Pathologists will treat in therapy is ‘dysphagia’. Dysphagia involves a disruption in the swallowing process that impacts on a person’s
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ability to safely eat and drink, often arising as a result of a stroke or other type of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). “It is the Speech Pathologist’s role to assess the nature and severity of the swallowing difficulty and make recommendations as to the type of diet on which the affected person should then be placed. “If an affected person’s diet has not been amended based on the swallowing difficulties they are experiencing, they are at risk of aspiration, which is where food or liquid enters the airway or lungs. “This can lead to further complications such as pneumonia, which poses particular risks for the elderly.” Another common disability arising as a result of a stroke is ‘aphasia’, a neurological impairment which can affect the production and comprehension of language as well as the ability to read and write. “Speech Pathologists may employ an impairment-based philosophy, the aim being to repair what is broken by completing exercises such as word-finding activities, comprehension and every day problem-solving tasks. “Additionally, communicationbased therapies may be used to enhance communication and provide strategies to caregivers in order to encourage support and participation. “An example of this is ‘supported conversation’ which aims to enhance the
communicative confidence of the relevant individual by using scaffolds, such as written keywords, hand drawings and detailed pictures. “This may be aimed towards people who tend to know more than they are able to say and are often challenged in being able to express their feelings and opinions.” Speech Pathology can also assist with conditions including language and swallowing difficulties relating to dementia, as well as voice difficulties emanating from Parkinson’s disease. “Speech Pathologists will work with patients to diagnose, treat and manage these difficulties and provide strategies to improve these conditions.” Just as is the case with children, the elderly are able to access Speech Pathology either through the private or public system, however cost is a significant barrier for many, particularly residents of aged care facilities. By contrast, public Speech Pathology services are significantly more affordable, however there may be a significant wait involved in accessing services, which may not be a viable option for the person depending on the severity and nature of their condition. “Aged care residents may be referred to Speech Pathology, however patients are typically prioritised based on potential immediate harm. “Therefore, it is more likely that an aged care resident will be seen by a Speech Pathologist for a swallowing assessment to amend their diet if they are experiencing frequent coughing/ choking episodes - particularly while eating and drinking - than it will be for a resident to receive therapy for a communication disorder such as
aphasia. “Government services are limited and therefore the access to Speech Pathology is not as easily available. Some facilities may employ private practices to employ Speech Pathologists on a referral basis.” Ms Ivanyi believes Speech Pathologists should be routinely employed at aged care facilities. “This would provide the elderly with appropriate strategies and communication modalities to adequately express themselves, and therefore reduce the risk of being mistreated, neglected or abused. “Improved access to Speech Pathology services for the elderly would allow for more treatment and management rather than just assessment and recommendations. “This would aid in setting up an effective communication system for those that require alternative modes of communication, such as low or high-tech communication devices, training of family members, caretakers and staff members as well as ongoing support as the patient’s needs change over time. “I would like to see Speech Pathologists being routinely employed by aged care facilities in order to support the elderly in the longterm, rather than only providing short-term recommendations and strategies.”
HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 19
Nursing in Saudi Arabia – An Australian couple’s journey
S
audi Arabia is not the first place nurses head to with their career, but for Bernard & Sarah Robben, it was the experience of a lifetime. After completing 4 years in Australian Emergency Departments, the couple signed a 1 year contract with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in January 2018. “There was a lot of negativity coming from people who had never been there & could only comment on what they’d heard in the media. [But], the Saudi people are very accommodating. They are helpful and kind & they love Aussies. The patients are from all walks of life & there are a wide variety of medical conditions that are not seen in Australia,” said Bernard. The biggest surprise for the couple – “Our social life and the friends we made! One of the best pieces of advice we received from our recruiter, Raquel at CCM, was to never pass up an opportunity if invited somewhere. By the first weekend we were camping out in the desert with a group of people. “There are many activities you can get involved in like kiteboarding, desert camping, hiking & bike riding. Plus, the Red Sea is one of the best spots in the world to dive. We would often go on day boat trips out to the reef or two night boat trips out to the islands.” For Sarah, “the cultural aspect took a little while to get used to. Females have to dress
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in abayas most of the time when in public. I didn’t think this was too bad. I would even go out to dinner in pyjamas because nobody could see what was under the abaya. “Through living there & talking to the locals we learnt that for some Saudi women, life can be extremely difficult. Having said that, as an expat, I never felt uncomfortable at any time. Bernard & I felt safer in Saudi walking home than we did in Australia.” Moving countries is a big transition but the couple found the hospital very helpful through airport meet & greets, free accommodation & preceptorships. The pair certainly faced challenges, and didn’t always agree with the way things were done, but “this taught us how to be patient & also how to be assertive to push things along.” “Our goals were to travel, experience a new culture, learn a new language & save some money. We met all these & more. We had the time of our lives & met friends from all over the world. The whole experience has opened our eyes.” The King Faisal Specialist Hospital will be in Australia & New Zealand 10 – 16th of June to hold information sessions & interviews. For details contact CCM Recruitment at info@ccmrecruitment.com.au or 1800 818 844.
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HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 21
Tackling loneliness in older Australians and aged care
L
oneliness is a sign that we need to form more meaningful connections with others, and as we age, it’s not uncommon for relationships to decline due to the loss of loved ones to advancing age or illness. A recent investigation into loneliness, The Australian loneliness Report, reveals that 1 in 4 Australians feel lonely three or more days a week, and nearly 55 per cent of the population feel that they lack companionship sometimes. Clinical Psychotherapist Natajsa Wagner provides counselling services to one of Queensland’s largest aged care providers and has a professional interest in loneliness and the impact it has on emotional health and physical wellbeing. “We know that the number one predictor of our human happiness is the quality of our relationships. By ‘quality’ we are looking at the feelings of connectedness, belonging, value, safety and support. “If we have limited relationships and opportunities for connection, our emotional and physical health suffers. We experience social pain as through loneliness and disconnection. “We know that social pain registers the same as physical pain in our brains. So we can’t underestimate the toll that loneliness is having on people,” said Ms Wagner.
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Loneliness results in: • Increased social isolation • Decreased happiness • Higher rates of suicide and depression • Increased anti-social behaviour • A decline in physical and psychological health Older adults who are isolated and alone have limited ability to engage in conversations and activities with others and can suffer from a lack of meaningful and supportive communication, explained Ms Wagner. “This lack of opportunity to tell their own stories means that the ability to validate their lives, recognise themselves as they currently are and make sense of their stage of life is impacted. “They can experience loneliness, loss of previous conversation partners, social groups and support systems. There is often a sense of feeling out of place and feeling confused about one’s identity.” However, elders can be supported to reconnect with themselves, others and their community in a range of ways said, Ms Wagner. “Some of the work I do with older clients includes individual counselling or group counselling which allows people to improve their emotional health and wellbeing, develop a deeper capacity for creative innovation and also deepen their meaning and connection.” Initiatives that enable older adults to engage more in their community, such as programs that seek to bring people from different age groups together, as well as social activities and group activities, are important in aged care. “These initiatives can support those in aged care to feel and develop a sense of control and autonomy as well as increasing feelings of acceptance and respect.
“Some of the benefits also include improved communication and understanding of relationships,” said Ms Wagner. Joy Fairhall, a positive psychology and wellbeing expert, supports those grieving the loss of a loved one and people diagnosed with a life-impacting chronic illness. “I have seen firsthand the impact loneliness has on, not only mental health but also the physical effects. “Those grieving the loss of a life partner can be especially lonely after the loss of a confidant. “Loneliness can also impact those diagnosed with chronic illness, as patients tend to feel isolated and lost, even when surrounded by family, friends and supporting medical teams,” said Ms Fairhall. Befriending may improve loneliness in aged care The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is conducting research into understanding the impact of befriending people living in residential care and delivering training to staff and volunteers working in aged care. Professor Colleen Doyle, who is leading the NHMRC-funded project, told The Aged Care Institute: “Befriending involves having a conversation with a person about everyday topics and events in a friendly way without discussing health problems or emotions.” According to Professor Doyle, about half of people living in residential aged care facilities may have significant symptoms of depression. “This may be because of individual physical health factors, high prevalence of grief and loss among the residents, and the social environment.
Many residents are socially isolated even though they are in communal living, and social isolation is a contributor to depression,” said Professor Doyle. NARI reports that no studies have been carried out to test the effectiveness of befriending or non-directive emotional and social support for relieving depression symptoms experienced by older adults living in residential aged care facilities despite some evidence for its efficacy in other settings. The literature provides some evidence for befriending in alleviating depression, anxiety, social isolation and loneliness as well as improving quality of life and wellbeing, but few studies have been conducted for older adults living in residential care. The befriending research will include a cluster randomised controlled trial of befriending compared with treatment as usual to improve depression, anxiety, social support and loneliness among residents. Two sizeable aged care providers with 3,620 residents will participate in the trial with volunteers trained using Beyond Blue resources and a manual for befriending developed by researchers. “We are hoping that if the program is successful, it can be translated to the wider aged care sector to enable volunteers to more effectively support residents,” said Professor Doyle.
HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 23
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HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 25
Improving workplace culture in maternity health care
A
toxic workplace negatively impacts the health and wellbeing of staff, but in a maternity health care setting, it also has the potential to impact on the experience of birthing women and babies. The move to engage a consultant at Canberra Hospital to improve workplace culture in maternity services is evidence that public health decision-makers are taking workplace culture seriously. A recent government contract revealed that the consultant would be tasked with helping to ease tensions between midwives and doctors with a focus on creating respectful and professional working relationships. A Canberra Health Services spokesperson told Canberra News: “These issues are not unique to Canberra Health Services and are experienced by other organisations, including maternity services in other hospitals. “Work undertaken as part of the plan will strengthen positive workplace behaviours with our maternity services workforce and assist staff in continuing to develop strong working relationships with each other in a supportive environment,” the spokesperson said. Further, a recent Independent Review into Workplace Culture within ACT Public Health Service revealed a need to improve workplace culture significantly. In fact, the review discovered that inappropriate behaviours, bullying and harassment are occurring in the workplace. In a survey of staff across ACT’s Public Health System, it was revealed 61 per cent of respondents had witnessed bullying over the past twelve months, 35 per cent had experienced bullying personally, and 12 per cent of staff had endured physical harm, sexual harassment or abuse at work. Of this 12 per cent, almost
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half (46 per cent) indicated it was inflicted by someone they worked with. Unfortunately, the majority (three in four) who experienced bullying or were subjected to harm did not submit a formal complaint, and only 22 per cent of staff had confidence in the way grievances were resolved once reported. Trish Everett, a workplace culture expert, said how people deal with their anger can determine how they cope with a toxic workplace or colleague. “It’s natural to feel anger, and it’s an important and powerful emotion when it comes to dealing with this type of workplace, said Ms Everett. “Anger isn’t there just to challenge our selfmastery, although when out of check it can be great for that. “What our anger is trying to tell us is usually that one of our boundaries has been crossed. And when I say boundaries, I mean, crossed a line that isn’t ok with us. When our anger alert has sounded, we have an opportunity to do two things. “The first is to question our boundary or line in the sand. So, whatever boundary has been crossed, ask: • Is this boundary reasonable? • What does this boundary protect/ support/enable? • Am I willing to compromise this boundary? “Once you are clear on that, the next step is to look at how are you going to defend that boundary. “A bit of anger can come in handy as it helps you to speak up, but it’s important to choose constructive communication over gossip. “It’s frustrating to be in a toxic environment,
but blowing off steam is like adding fuel to the fire,” said Ms Everett. Instead of discussing a litany of problems that adds to the toxicity, ask: • What can I do to make this better? • What are the positives I can see in this? • Where are they coming from? In the workplace, it’s essential to start the reconciliation process, which has three stages: 1. Understand the different viewpoints and what each group needs 2. Create a safe dialogue with a combined vision and action plan to move forward in a morally respectful way. 3. Build in processes so that all involved can heal starting with a strong circle of safety, a blame-free workplace culture and a strong support system. People and Culture Consultant Kateena Mills, a former human resource team member in cancer care, said the high-stress health care sector could sometimes get the better of people “People handle stress in different ways, and it can manifest in people’s behaviours as aggression or disinterest. “Unfortunately, you can’t control other people’s attitudes and behaviours, but you can control your own and how you respond. “It’s not a quick fix, and it takes selfawareness and self-control to step back and think before fuelling the toxicity with an immediate reaction,” said Ms Mills. A ‘reality-based leadership’ technique created by leadership researcher Cy Wakeman,
who also has management experience in hospitals, is a useful strategy to shift people’s thinking, according to Ms Mills. The technique asks people to consider what they can do to help. “If you perceive someone isn’t doing their job the way you would like them to, or they aren’t speaking to their colleagues in a way you deem appropriate, what can you do to help them? “It might be to speak with them about how their behaviour is affecting others or suggesting a more effective way of completing a task. “This is especially important when someone comes to you to complain or whine about someone else, instead of jumping in on their vent, challenge that person to think about how they, and you, could offer assistance,” said Ms Mills. Procedural avenues for escalating complaints of toxicity in the workplace are also important. “If you’re not sure, speak to human resources or a manager. Different facilities will have different processes around dealing with these kinds of issues which might range from one-onone mediation, team mediation, and informal or formal investigations into behaviour and impacts. “It can also be helpful to create a buffer between work and home. “It could mean listening to a podcast or your favourite music on your commute to work to reflect on the day ahead.
For the full article visit healthtimes.com.au
HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 27
Advance your career with a Master of Nursing | A flexible, distance education program | Lead and shape the future of health care | Specialise in Clinical Teaching, Clinical Nursing or Leadership and Management
Advance your career with a Bachelor of Nursing | A highly practical degree | Choose between full-time or part-time study to suit your needs | Study on the grounds of the Sydney Adventist Hospital | Credit of up to one year
To find out more about our courses or to apply online visit avondale.edu.au/nursing phone +61 2 4980 2377 or email study@avondale.edu.au Avondale College Ltd trading as Avondale College of Higher Education CRICOS Provider No: 02731D | TEQSA: PRV12015 | ABN: 53 108 186 401
Page 28 | HealthTimes.com.au
Time to give your career a lift? MD (Doctor of Medicine) Online and Classroom - Samoa
Immunisation for Health Practitioners Online Course
Fundamentals of Foot Ulceration Workshop Classroom - Brisbane
Master of Nursing Online with placement
Graduate Diploma of Domestic and Family Violence Practice Online Course
Introduction To Cosmetic Injectables Classroom - Melbourne
Search Postgraduate and CPD course opportunities at HealthTimes.com.au
HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 29
BE A FOSTER CARER It’s Life Changing! Could you open your home and heart to a child with complex needs? We have an ongoing need for long term and short break specialist foster carers. You can be married, de facto, single, a same-sex couple or retirees, with or without children of your own. Experience working in the disability, health or education sectors is highly desirable, but not essential. Our foster carers receive extensive training, 24/7 support and a reimbursement to cover the cost of providing care.
Contact us to find out more. P: 1300 592 227 E: carers@lwb.org.au BEAFOSTERCARER.COM.AU
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LWB13718
If you have a spare bedroom and time to give, we’d love to hear from you.
FOUNDATIONS OF WOUND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP BRISBANE - ADELAIDE For more information and to book tickets go to: BRISBANE
Designed for busy nurses, this workshop provides comprehensive, easy to understand principles and tools to support evidence-based person-centred wound management practice.
http://bit.do/woundbrisbane
ADELAIDE http://bit.do/woundadelaide
A comprehensive assessment of the person and their wound is vital to direct person-centred treatment. An understanding of common wound types and their management which are seen in everyday practice are also important. Nurses must stay abreast of the latest knowledge, tools and wound management therapies to facilitate evidence-based person-centred practice. This comprehensive study day will provide clarity and useful
information to incorporate and succeed in the person-cenEnquiries: tred wound management delivered in the busy modern Contact HealthTimes nurses’ practice. 1300 306 582 Contact@healthtimes.com.au
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HealthTimes - May 2019 | Page 31
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