IN NEW ZEALAND Journal of Professional Nursing
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Nurses and heart failure education in medical wards Nurse perceptions of the Diabetes Get Checked programme Barriers in education of Indigenous nursing students: A literature review
Volume 29. No. 3
NOVEMBER 2013
Praxis: “The action and reflection of people upon their world in order to transform it.” (FREIRE, 1972)
E D IT O RIAL BO ARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Denise Wilson RN, PhD, FCNA (NZ) Norma Chick Willem Fourie Thomas Harding Dean Whitehead Stephen Neville Michelle Honey Jean Gilmour
RN, RN, RN, RN, RN, RN, RN,
RM, PhD PhD, FCNA PhD PhD, FCNA PhD, FCNA PhD, FCNA PhD
(NZ) (NZ) (NZ) (NZ)
COVER: Crimson was deliberately chosen by the Editorial Group as the colour for this journal as it represents, for us, imagination, intuition, potentiality, struggle and transformation.
KORU: Designed for this journal by artist, Sam Rolleston: The central Koru indicates growth, activity and action. The mirrored lateral Koru branches indicate reflection.
PO Box 1984, Palmerston North 4440, New Zealand P/Fx (06) 358 6000 E admin@nursingpraxis.org W www.nursingpraxis.org ISSN 0112-7438 HANNAH & YOUNG PRINTERS
CO NTE NTS EDITORIAL .......................................................................................................................................... 2
ARTICLES: Nurses and heart failure education in medical wards. Jean Gilmour, Alison Strong, Mona Hawkins, Rachel Broadbent, Annette Huntington ................... 5 Nurse perceptions of the Diabetes Get Checked programme. Jill Clendon, Jenny Carryer, Leonie Walker, Vicky Noble, Rosemary Minto, Rachael Calverley, Deborah Davies, Hilary Graham-Smith ..................................................................................... 18 Barriers in education of Indigenous nursing students: A literature review. Donna Foxall .............................................................................................................................. 31
NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS............................................................................................................. 38
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Vol. 29 No. 2 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
.
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand EDITORIAL Avoidance of Inappropriate Authorship and Self-Plagiarism
Transgressions relating to authorship can stem simply from a lack of awareness, and possibly confusion, about what constitutes authorship and the associated criteria
Publication ethics are the foundation for the quality
that need to be met. The International Committee of
of published peer-reviewed articles, and are essential
Medical Journal Editors (2013) outline four criteria that
for maintaining the trust of a journal’s readership.
specify conditions that each author must meet in order
Publication ethics were a central focus of the 2013
to be considered a legitimate author of a manuscript:
International Nurse Academy of Editors’ (INANE)
1. Substantial contributions to the conception or
Conference held in Cork, Ireland at the end of July. It
design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or
was during the sessions about authorship that I reflected
interpretation of data for the work; AND
on the occasional conversations we have as an Editorial
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; AND
Board about the quality of a manuscript and the degree of involvement some named authors actually had in its
3. Final approval of the version to be published; AND
preparation. It semms not all authors are aware of their
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects
ethical obligations when considering the publication of
of the work in ensuring that questions related
research or discursive works? In this editorial, I have
to the accuracy or integrity of any part of
focused on two areas in which authors need to be
the work are appropriately investigated and
vigilant - areas that can be easily overlooked. These are
resolved (http://www.icmje.org/roles_a.html).
inappropriate authorship and self-plagiarism. A study that examined authorship using the ICMJE and Plagerism is the area most commonly in question with
the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines
respect to publication ethics. Yet concerns extend to
for authorship in the articles in 10 peer-reviewed nursing
authorship, and include a range of areas such as self-
journals with impact factors, Honorary and Ghost
plagiarism, fabrication and fraudulent presentation of
Authors in Selected Nursing Journals, was presented
data. Without doubt attention to publication ethics, such
at the INANE Conference by Maureen Kennedy, Jane
as ensuring manuscripts are free from error, plagiarism,
Barnsteiner and John Daly. They found:
and fabrication, is crucial so that those accessing
•
42% honorary authors, 27.6% ghost authors, 30.2%
published literature can have trust in the authorship and
corresponding authors did not meet all three
veracity of the articles. Ethical transgressions range in
authorship criteria (see criteria 1 to 3 above);
severity from those constituting unintentional author-
•
26% did not approve the final version; and
error up to more serious forms of misconduct that
•
Of those who used ghost or paid authors
include intentional wrongdoings such as fraud. Whether
(that is, co-authors that were not listed),
the errors are intentional or non-intentional it is the
41.5% did not acknowledge this in any way.
responsibility of the authors to verify that a manuscript accurately portrays the research it is reporting, and that
Each author must actively contribute to the writing
it has not been published elsewhere. With the aid of the
of the manuscript. Inappropriate authorship falls into
internet, transgressions are now much easier to detect.
two main categories: (a) Honorary or Guest authors, such as, academics, supervisors, department heads, or
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand someone who is known in the publication’s area but
and plagiarism detection tools like iThenticate are
has had little involvement in the actual production and
being increasingly used by journal editors to minimise
submission of a manuscript; and (b) Ghost authors, such
incidences of text recycling and plagiarism.
as paid writers or sponsors, who are unnamed authors. Inappropriate authorship is an increasing phenomenon.
Authors also need to realise that there are implications
The current academic environments where there is
associated with recycling text. Most journals, including
increasing pressure to submit manuscripts and publish
Nursing Praxis, get authors to sign over copyright
is a contributing factor leading some academics to
to the journal that is going to publish their work. In
engage in practices considered as misconduct. In
doing so, authors verify that the work has not been
addition, there is an increase in number of submissions
previously published or submitted elsewhere. From
from developing and non-English speaking countries,
an editor’s perspective, publishing work that has
where pressure on academics to publish can lead to
been published elsewhere has copyright implications:
transgressions in order to satisfy this demand. These
first, the authors no longer hold the copyright to sign
are not necessarily related to knowingly tolerating, or
over to the journal considering their manuscript; and
sometimes deliberately promoting transgressions. But
second, by publishing the manuscript, the journal itself
they may involve unequal power relationships among
has unknowingly breached copyright. At the INANE
authors with the expectation that authorship occurs
conference, over half the editors present were using
without undertaking any of the associated research
iThenticate to detect plagiarism in articles they were
and/or writing of the publication. Those considered
intending to publish. In incidences where an ethical
inappropriate authors may mistakenly believe they
transgression has occurred, editors are also taking the
avoid scrutiny because authorship decisions belong
step of informing the author’s employer of the situation.
solely with the writer. Authors need to be attentive to authorship and selfThe other area of concern is that of self-plagiarism or
plagiarism. In addition to being ethical issues, these
‘text recycling’, for publications later than 2004. I hear
transgressions reflect adversely on the author’s
authors saying, “But if I wrote it, I can use it anywhere
credibility, the quality of the work, and importantly
I want!” Yes, an author may have written something,
have legal consequences. These consequences may be
but once published you give up your right to publish it
either the rejection of a manuscript pre-publication,
elsewhere. COPE considers self-plagiarism constitutes
or if already published, the publication of a correction
the recycling of text, and occurs “. . . when sections of
notice, or the retraction of a published article. Authors
the same text appear in more than one of an author’s
and co-authors need to be mindful that:
own publications” (http://publicationethics.org/text-
1. Each author must meet all of the above criteria
recycling-guidelines). COPE indicate that the recycling
outlined for authorship. Otherwise, authorship is
of text in the methods section of manuscripts or minor
considered undeserved, and in some instances,
overlap may be considered for publication, but this
constitutes ethical misconduct. All authors need to
decision is at the discretion of individual journal editors.
have an active role in the writing and review of the
It is unacceptable to duplicate or replicate similar text
manuscript, as well as those who have had a role
from an author’s prior publication, not referencing
in the preparation, but are not named and should
the original publication, and provide insufficient new
have been named.
information in a manuscript under consideration, or one
2. If you have published work elsewhere, think very
that is already published. Search engines like Google
carefully about recycling the text. If you do need
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand to do this, for example in a methods section, then
Preventive action can avoid the distress likely to be
reference the previous publication and make it
experienced when the credibility and ethical integrity
clear that the work has been published elsewhere
of authorship or content of a manuscript or published
- just like you would do for any other authors’
work is questioned.
works. If in doubt, discuss the issue with the journal editor. In the covering letter to the editor
Associate Professor Denise Wilson
accompanying the manuscript, ensure you outline
Editor-in-Chief
any text recycling and the rationale for doing so.
Reviewers - We need you! Nursing Praxis is calling for new reviewers in 2014 to join our existing panel. If you have experience reviewing manuscripts or expertise in any areas of nursing and research, please apply now. Nursing Praxis needs an extensive database of reviewers from many different expertise areas for manuscripts that are submitted across a wide range of subjects related to nursing. Nursing Praxis manuscripts all go through a blind peer review process before the reviews are considered by the Editorial Board for final recommendations, the authors and Editorial Board do not know who is reviewing the manuscripts. As a reviewer you may be sent a few requests each year to review papers. You have aprox 3 weeks to complete the review questionaire. If you are requested to complete a review and you are not able to complete the review in the time frame available, just let us know and we will send it to another reviewer. If you have experience or a specific area of expertise and could spare the time to review one or two papers a year we would appreciate you registering your interest to join the reviewers database. We have an online link for Reviewers to register for our reviewers database go to the Reviewers page under ‘About us’ on our website Page 6
www.nursingpraxis.org
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand NURSES AND HEART FAILURE EDUCATION IN MEDICAL WARDS Jean Gilmour, RN, PhD, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, Massey University. Wellington, NZ. Alison Strong, RN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Heart Failure. Hawkes Bay DHB. Hastings, NZ. Mona Hawkins, RN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Cardiology. Hutt Valley DHB. Lower Hutt, NZ. Rachel Broadbent, RN, MN, Registered Nurse, Capital and Coast DHB. Wellington, NZ. Annette Huntington, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Massey University. Wellington, NZ.
Abstract Heart failure is a chronic debilitating disease with significant hospitalisation rates. Information and education are foundational elements in making the lifestyle changes required for effective self-management of the symptoms of heart failure. This paper reports a study of medical nurses’ education activities with heart failure patients in terms of the topics they addressed and the educational resources they found most useful. A random sample of 540 medical ward nurses were surveyed in 2009 using a postal questionnaire. The response rate was 47% (234 medical ward nurses who cared for patients with heart failure). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative data through a content analysis approach. The majority of respondents (66.7%) cared for patients with heart failure several times each week. The total time spent on educational activities by most respondents (70.6%) was estimated as 20 minutes or less over the hospitalisation. Printed material was the most commonly used education resource although 35 respondents also referred to online information and 84 nurses did not use educational material at all. The most frequent education topics discussed were medication, signs and symptoms and general information about heart failure. Psychological factors and prognosis information were the topics least discussed with patients. Respondent suggestions to improve patient access to heart failure information included more printed information in wards such as pamphlets in various languages, information about useful websites and having key resources available in te reo Māori. The heart failure educator was identified as an important resource for both nurses and patients. The study highlighted the limited time many respondents spent on educational activities and the need for readily available educational resources to optimise patient heart failure education opportunities.
Keywords: Nurses, medical wards, heart failure education, survey Introduction
failure present with wide ranging symptoms and signs including fluid retention, fatigue, shortness of breath
Heart failure is a common chronic and debilitating
and the inability to tolerate exercise (Arroll, Doughty,
disease with significant hospitalisation rates. Heart
& Anderson, 2010). In New Zealand the median length
failure is defined as a “syndrome of symptoms and
of hospital admission for heart failure patients in 2008
signs that suggest impairment of the heart as a pump
was 5 days (Wasywich, Gamble, Whalley, & Doughty,
supporting physiological circulation. It is caused by
2010); 6% of acute medical admissions in 2007 were
structural or functional abnormalities of the heart” (National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2010, p.19). Hospitalised patients with acute symptoms of heart
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Gilmour, J., Strong, A., Hawkins, M., Broadbent, R. & Huntington, A. (2013). Nurses and heart failure education in medical wards. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 29(3), 5-17. Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand for heart failure (Tester et al., 2009). Heart failure
Background
has a high mortality rate, in an English study of 6162 heart failure patients the mortality rate was 9% per
Heart failure is a complex disease with multiple
year (Hobbs et al., 2010). There are also significant
symptoms which can impact on quality of life. A study
heart failure ethnic disparities. Māori male and female
of the last 6 months of life identified 21 symptoms
heart failure mortality rates for those 65 years old
from 80 medical records, the most common being
and over are significantly higher as compared to non-
breathlessness, pain and fatigue (Nordgren & Sörensen,
Māori (males RR 2.80, females RR 1.70) along with
2003). Anxiety, physical activity limitations, nausea,
Māori hospitalisation rates (males RR 4.73, females
ankle swelling, constipation and loss of appetite also
RR 4.85) (Ministry of Health, 2011). Pacific people also
featured strongly. Similarly, another study of heart
have higher rates of morbidity being twice as likely to
failure patients (n = 66) found dyspnoea, angina and
have a hospital discharge diagnosis of heart failure
tiredness were the most troublesome symptoms
as compared to the total New Zealand population
reported (Anderson et al., 2001). Sleep disorders are
(Sopoaga, Buckingham, & Paul 2010).
also prevalent with sleep difficulty being ranked as the most burdensome symptom in a study by Zambroski,
The symptoms of heart failure can be managed with
Moser, Bhat and Ziegler (2005). Managing these
interventions that improve function and reduce
symptoms on an every-day basis requires considerable
hospitalisations and mortality. The American Heart
expertise to maximise quality of life. Education about
Failure Practice Guideline recommends that during
heart failure management includes weight monitoring
an acute hospital stay essential education is provided
and action in response to changing signs and
with respect to understanding heart failure and
symptoms, medication knowledge, dietary and fluid
treatment goals, along with medication and follow
precautions and an appropriate exercise programme
up arrangements (Heart Failure Society of America,
(National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, 2010a).
2010). The New Zealand guidelines (National Heart
The development of a plan of action to ensure a
Foundation of New Zealand, 2010a) suggest that
timely response to deterioration in condition is also
education should be delivered in a structured manner
important (Arroll, Doughty & Anderson, 2010). As
and ideally by heart failure trained professionals.
Grange (2005) suggests, “patients with heart failure
Nurses working in medical wards also contribute
need to understand their condition, how to manage it,
to heart failure education, particularly as specialist
and above all when to ask for assistance” (p.ii41).
heart failure nurses are not available across all District Health Boards (Tester et al., 2009). Nurses have the
However, local and international evidence suggests
opportunity to rectify patient knowledge gaps during
that some patients with heart failure have knowledge
hospitalisations for symptom management. The study
gaps and that there are significant issues with health
reported in this paper aimed to describe medical
literacy levels. Successful health self-management
ward nurses’ educational activities with heart failure
requires an adequate degree of health literacy
patients, thus providing baseline data about topic
incorporating the ability to access and understand
areas addressed by medical nurses, along with their
health information. In addition that knowledge
use of heart failure information in patient education.
needs to be applied to personal health circumstances through informed decision making (Keleher & Hagger 2007; Peerson & Saunders, 2009). In an English qualitative study participants were able to provide
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand descriptions of what happened in acute heart failure
The literature highlights the complexity of heart
but “most lacked a clear understanding of why they
failure symptom management, the need for ongoing
had developed heart failure, what it was, and what
education throughout the disease trajectory and the
this implied for them.” (Rogers et al., 2000, p. 606).
evidence of patient knowledge gaps. Nurses have a
Another New Zealand study found that 40% (n = 62)
professional responsibility to promote health, providing
of the people interviewed with diagnosed heart failure
information about the condition and self-management
were not aware of having heart failure or were unable
strategies are all part of providing health education.
to describe it, some saying they had little information
As nurses convey this information to patients and
from health care providers (Buetow & Coster, 2001).
families, they can clarify any misunderstandings about
Clarke and Lan (2004) also found when recruiting for
the condition or other preconceived ideas and alleviate
a study, that 13 out of 54 heart failure patients were
any concerns (Jaarsma, Abu-Saad, Halfens, & Dracup,
unaware of their diagnosis.
1997). The rationale for the present research study was to identify the contribution of medical nurses to heart
Lack of knowledge about heart failure can effect
failure education during hospitalisation in order to
active engagement with treatment. A Hawaiian
ascertain any education barriers and gaps, and identify
study found that Pacific Island participants believed
resources and activities that could be highlighted.
that along with fear, knowledge gaps and lack of understanding about the diagnosis led to avoidance
The study
and illness denial (Kaholokula, Saito, Mau, Latimer, & Seto, 2008). Similarly, a Dutch survey of 954 heart
Aim
failure patients (van der Wal, Jaarsma, Moser, van
The study aim was to describe medical nurses’
Gilst, & van Veldhuisen, 2007) found a lower level of
education activities with heart failure patients in terms
knowledge was associated with a perception of greater
of the time nurses spent with heart failure patients, the
medication and diet barriers as well as greater issues
topics they addressed and the educational resources
with symptom recognition. An English qualitative
they found most useful.
study with 27 patients noted that participants talked about being unable to discriminate between heart
Design
failure symptoms and the side effects of medications
A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used.
and feeling confused about what action they should
The heart failure education questions were included
take (Rogers et al., 2002).
in a postal questionnaire that also covered nurses use of Internet health information (Gilmour, Huntington,
The reasons for patient lack of education and
Broadbent, Strong, & Hawkins, 2012).
understanding about heart failure include problems with retaining information such as a poor memory, not
Ethical considerations
wishing to know the full ramifications of the disease and
Ethics approval was gained from the University Human
health professionals who are unwilling to communicate
Ethics Committee (Application 09/06). Information
the seriousness of the condition (Barnes et al. 2006;
explaining the survey background and purpose and a
Buetow & Coster, 2001). Patients have also commented
statement that respondents were anonymous to the
on helpful educative strategies such as clear simple
researchers was included with the questionnaire. The
descriptions of physiological changes and using visual
administrator managing the mail out and follow up
resources such as diagrams (Barnes et al. 2006).
processes signed a confidentiality agreement.
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Sample
Respondents were asked open ended questions about
Five hundred and forty questionnaires were mailed
specific interventions that could improve access and
out to a random sample of medical ward nurses
use of heart failure information along with a question
selected from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
on Māori access and use of heart failure information
database (N = 3682 eligible medical ward nurses at
given the high rates of Māori hospitalisation with heart
the time of questionnaire posting) in 2009. The aim
failure (Curtis, Harwood, & Riddell, 2007).
was to get 200 responses (to detect a correlation at .2 there was an 83% probability of getting a statistically
Data analysis
significant result based on an alpha level of 0.05 with
Sample characteristics such as the demographic
200 responses). Reminders were sent out at 2 and 4
data, the frequency of use of educational resources
weeks after the initial mail out. Forty-one nurses in
and educational topics taught have been presented
the sample proved to be ineligible due to no longer
using descriptive summary statistics. Spearman’s
working in medical wards. Overall there were 293
rank correlation co-efficient (rs) was used to
responses and of these 234 worked with heart failure
measure nonparametric data correlations testing
patients (47% of total sample).
associations between nursing education and time spent on educational activities. The statistical software
Data collection
programme SPSS 19.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA)
The questions were primarily quantitative with some
for Windows was used for the quantitative analysis.
open ended qualitative questions developed from
The sample size varies by question as respondents did
literature sources and the clinical expertise of team
not have to answer all questions. A content analysis
members including heart failure specialist nurses.
was conducted on the qualitative data generated
The questionnaire was piloted for face validity and
from the open-ended items. The texts were coded
questionnaire clarity with 20 nurses working in
and categorised to enable a numerical analysis of
hospital settings. The initial questions focused on the
the comments along with an identification of key
total time respondents estimated they spent with
categories (Bryman, 2012). One researcher generated
patients on heart failure education. The two questions
the categories which were then reviewed and critiqued
on time spent were phased as (i) the time spent with
by a second researcher. Illustrative quotes from the
last patient and (ii) the usual time spent with each
responses are included in Tables 2 and 3 in order to
patient with heart failure and or their family /whānau
validate the categories.
members during the hospital stay providing education to improve their knowledge of, and/or management of
Results
heart failure (see Table 1). Respondents’ recollection
Nearly all of the respondents were female (97.4%), the
of the time spent on education for the last patient they
mean age was 43.47 years and ages ranged from 21
had cared for was strongly correlated with the usual
to 70 years of age. Nearly half the group (48.7%) had
time spent on education (rs = .746, n = 228, P < 0.001).
worked as a nurse for over 15 years, 19% for 1 to 5 years
Other questions explored the use of the key heart
and 5.8% for less than 1 year. A small group (13.8%)
failure resources available at the time of the survey
had a hospital certificate as the highest qualification,
and a range of possible education topics derived from
63.8 % were tertiary educated with a diploma or
previous research identifying areas patients ranked as
bachelor degree and 22.2% had a postgraduate
the most important to know (Hagenhoff, Feutz, Conn,
qualification. The majority were on the Professional
Sagehorn, & Moranville-Hunziker, 1994; Paul, 2008).
Development and Recognition Programme (83.6%)
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand and 47.5% of the sample were at proficient or expert
spent providing education during the hospital stay
level. By comparison in the overall medical registered
was generally short with 70.6% estimating 20 minutes
nurse workforce 93.4% are female, 39% have a post
or less (Table 1). There was a significant but small
graduate qualification and the mean age of the overall
positive correlation between length of usual time
New Zealand workforce is 45.6 years (Nursing Council
spent on educational activities and level on the nursing
of New Zealand, 2011).
competency based Professional Development and Recognition Programme (rs = .219, n = 220, P = 0.001)
The majority of respondents (66.7%, n = 156) cared for
but no correlation with level of nursing qualification
people with heart failure several times a week. From
(rs = -.039, n = 219, P = 0.565).
the respondentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recollection, the usual total time Table 1 Time Spent on Heart Failure Education During Each Patients Hospital Stay Question
Time spent with last patient
Usual time spent with patient
Categories
%
n
5 = Over 1 hour
7%
16
4 = 31-60 minutes
5.7%
13
3 = 21-30 minutes
17%
39
2 = 11-20 minutes
32.6%
75
1 = 0-10 minutes
37.8%
87
5 = Over 1 hour
5.7%
13
4 = 31-60 minutes
5.3%
12
3 = 21-30 minutes
18.4%
42
2 = 11-20 minutes
32.9%
75
1 = 0-10 minutes
37.7%
86
Median
2.00
2.00
The heart failure education resources used by nurses
heart failure (n = 11) developed for MÄ ori patients.
for patient education were mainly printed versions.
Reasons for using the National Heart Foundation of
The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand booklet
New Zealand resources included readability, clarity,
available at the time of the survey, Living with Heart
conciseness, layout and ready availability. Online
Failure (n = 96), and pamphlet What is Heart Failure
heart failure information was used by a minority of
(n = 95), were the major resources used. The online
respondents (n = 35), 17 of this group had referred
version of the booklet was used by 33 respondents
patients to online information in the last month or
(the question on the use of educational resources
more frequently. General sites found by a search
could have more than 1 response). A small group used
engine were the most frequently cited online sources
a video resource Kei te mate to manawa-Living with
along with National Heart Foundation of New Zealand
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand site. The main heart failure education topics provided
the respondents (n = 84) did not use any educational
by respondents were medication and signs and
material, five of that group did not teach any of the
symptoms (see Figure 1) with psychological factors and
listed topics.
prognosis the least addressed topics. Over one third of
250
Count
200 Count
150 100 50 0
Figure 1. Heart failure education topics
Respondents were asked for comments about
time for educational activities was constrained.
improving access and use of heart failure information
Respondents were also asked about interventions
(Table 2). This question provided some insight into
and educational resources to support Māori patients’
the practical issues, barriers and supports for nurse
access and use of heart failure information. Many of
education in the medical ward. The need for ready
the suggestions such as outreach services, referral to
access to resources such as pamphlets in various
specialist services and increasing the Māori health
languages was the most frequently commented on
workforce (Table 3) were outside of nurses’ practice
category along with the need for information on
in medical wards. There was comment about the need
useful websites for referral purposes. The heart failure
for te reo Māori educational resources and ensuring
educator was an important resource for nurses. The
the information was accessible with easily readable
point was made that patients were “often receptive
language.
to education during admission” but for some nurses
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Table 2 Improving Patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Access and Use of Heart Failure Information
Category
Access to hard copy information
Number of
Comments
comments
More pamphlets Pamphlets in different languages and easily accessible/visible in ward
28
A leaflet covering aspects of web information such as reputable sites, Websites
quality of information, not believing all you read
21
Provide recommended website list
Heart failure educators
Heart failure nurse educator is a good resource for nurses and patients
18
Encourage self-care, empowerment and responsibility Encourage self-care
Patients often receptive to education during admission
14
Encourage them to question any time
Alternative media
More video/DVD resources as pamphlets often end up in bin Posters in ward
11
Due to the nature of acute work and priorities donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to access information Time and resources
Time for patients to mull over questions, not always the time to talk
11
properly Time constraints mean referral is better use of time Not all patients have home internet - if not, then print websites Internet access
information and give to patients
10
More access to computers in hospital for patients
Would like to study more about this Up-skill staff
Develop online training module for staff to ensure staff are giving
7
consistent information
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Table 3 Improving Māori Patient’s Access and Use of Heart Failure Information
Category
Comments
Number of comments
Cardio-respiratory outreach service providing education on marae Community initiatives/education
Māori health support groups
44
Use Māori community educators Māori centred education
Increase Māori health input-Te Reo (Māori language) pamphlets
resources
Would like the Living with Heart Failure in Māori
34
Referral to cardiac nurse educator Access to specialist support
A resource centre where can access the internet
services
Dietician referral
28
Seminars by community nurses Māori health educators Increase Māori health workforce
Māori support person while in hospital
28
More Māori nurses Whānau examples and word of mouth Whānau /family involvement
Speak with/educate younger family members re medicines,
22
healthy living and warning signs Advertising information-large posters around marae, hospital, including humour Advertising/health promotion
Increase awareness of what’s available
17
More publicity about risks on TV, medical centres, shopping centres Some patients don’t go to GP due to cost Barriers
Compliance is often the failing point not the education Education is not always effective, sometimes need the reality of
16
an admission to help the patient understand
Use simple and direct language Accessibility of information
Good discussions through therapeutic relationships followed up
6
with simple pamphlets
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Discussion
block, together with teaching the ward staff to educate patients in a more effective manner utilising a ‘teach
Evidence suggests that heart failure patients have
back method’ which encourage patients to explain
significant educational needs throughout the illness
what they understand so ensuring comprehension.
trajectory (Barnes et al. 2006; Buetow & Coster, 2001;
Patient education material was also updated and
Rogers et al., 2002). Research findings also indicate
translated into other languages.
education contributes to reduced hospitalisations for symptom control. A United States randomised
An important research finding that could be addressed
controlled trial (n = 223) of a 1 hour nursing education
by medical nurses in a systematic manner within short
session as part of the hospital discharge preparation
timeframes is to ensure all patients have access to
found a reduction in days hospitalised during the 180
understandable information. Driscoll, Davidson, Clark,
days of the trial (Koelling, Johnson, Cody, & Aaronson,
Huang and Aho (2009, p. 136) point out that hospital
2005). Other studies have also demonstrated that
stay is “an ideal opportunity to provide patients and
education interventions reduced hospitalisations in NZ
carers with a consumer resource”. These authors
(Doughty et al., 2002) and internationally (Anderson,
note that there is time during hospitalisation to draw
Deepak, Amoateng-Adjepong, & Zarich, 2005; Jovicic,
attention to important aspects of the information.
Holroyd-Leduc, & Straus, 2006).
Penney, McCreanor and Moewaka Barnes (2006) also found in a study of Māori and health practitioners
Most of the nurses in this study who cared for patients
perspectives on heart disease management in Te Tai
with heart failure estimated they spent less than 20
Tokerau that Māori with heart disease value written
minutes on educational activities during each patient’s
information to complement face to face discussions.
hospital stay. However, patients have multiple
However, over a third of the nurses in the study
encounters with numerous health professionals
reported in this paper did not use any educational
during hospitalisation, a New Zealand study finding
material to support their educational activities and
that medical ward patients saw on average 10.7
there was comment about the lack of readily available
nurses during their stay (Whitt, Harvey, McLeod, &
educational materials in some wards.
Child, 2007). When the collective nature of care is taken into account there is a considerable amount
There are freely available publications such as Staying
of nursing time that is or could be used to enhance
Well with Heart Failure (National Heart Foundation of
patient understanding of heart failure. Chan, Reid,
New Zealand, 2010) which covers a comprehensive
Farvolden, Deanne and Bisaillon (2003) suggest that
range of topics and also includes symptom recording
best practice is providing educational programmes
sheets and the basis of an action plan. This publication
during hospitalisation for heart failure; but with less
could be the foundation of a patient education plan
time available as a result of shortened stays more
that is revisited during hospitalisation for acute
effective education means matching patients learning
symptoms of heart failure. Health Navigator NZ also
needs with the education provided. Chur (2012)
has a consumer focused website that provides a
described a heart failure programme which reduced
gateway to reviewed national and international health
30 day readmissions by nearly 50%. The 90 day
information and other resources aimed at enabling the
readmission rate also reduced from 45% to 27%. One
effective management of chronic health conditions
element of the programme was improved education
(www.healthnavigator.org.nz). While useful resources
over the course of the admission rather than in one
are available but not used fully, it is also noteworthy
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand that a barrier to information accessibility noted by the
should be provided during an acute hospital stay such
respondents was a lack of health failure resources in te
as understanding the condition, medication and follow
reo Māori and other languages.
up arrangements. Research evidence from the patient’s perspective also indicates that a substantial group of
Respondents’ suggestions to improve access and
patients want more information about their prognosis.
use of heart failure educational resources included
In an American study of 47 heart failure patients aimed
better access and use of online sites. The provision
at identifying the need for prognosis discussion, almost
of patient computer terminals in wards was also
half the group who were interviewed near the end of
mentioned suggesting that there is the opportunity
their hospital stay on the fifth day wanted a discussion
during hospitalisation to support patient skills with
on their prognosis (Howie-Esquivel & Dracup, 2012).
accessing and using online information. A Canadian
This aspect of care and education requires an in-
survey exploring the feasibility of using Internet
depth knowledge of the condition, how heart failure is
cardiac education resources found over 80% of
impacting on health at an individual level and the likely
respondents would find specific Internet education
trajectory of the disease. Medical ward nurses may
support moderately or very useful (Thomson &
well feel ill equipped to engage in conversations about
Micevski, 2005). Online information is an important
likely prognosis given the complexity involved. But
health information source, in an American survey
nurses do have a responsibility to ensure patients can
75% of respondents with a chronic illness (n=268)
discuss their prognosis through referral to appropriate
were influenced by online information in treatment
specialists such as medical clinicians. Specialist heart
decision making, 69% questioned medical advice or
failure nurses were also suggested as a key source for
sought another opinion and just over 50% altered
patient education and support by some respondents in
coping strategies and reviewed lifestyle changes (Fox
this study. Grange (2005) supports this role suggesting
2007). Some caution is also suggested by a study of the
that these nurses make multiple contributions to in-
discursive representations of heart failure available
depth patient and family education.
through online sites (Strong & Gilmour, 2009). Most sites at the time of the research privileged biomedical
As stated earlier in the discussion there were comments
representations and there were notable absences
from respondents in this study about developing more
with little attention to the emotional and spiritual
Māori centred educational health resources. Given
dimensions of heart failure. The point is made in this
significant heart failure disparities (Curtis, Harwood,
study that “nurses should be critical in their reading of
& Riddell, 2007; Ministry of Health, 2011) attention
health information, so that they are able to analyse the
to Māori specific educational and other resources is
quality of websites before making recommendations
a priority. Additionally Māori centred services were
to patients” (Strong & Gilmour, p. 603).
also suggested, that being an approach supported in the literature promoting culturally competent heart
The most common education topics covered during
failure services (Riddell, 2005). At the time of a 2006
hospital admissions were medication, signs and
stock take of the heart failure services offered in DHBs,
symptoms, general education and diet. This education
12 out of the 14 DHBs that responded did not offer
focus is congruent with the American Heart Failure
culturally specific programmes for people with heart
Practice Guideline (Heart Failure Society of America,
failure (Connolly et al., 2009) although the majority
2010) which recommends that essential education
had cultural support staff.
Page 16
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Limitations of this study include the response rate
health professional that has the most interaction with
of 47%. The heart failure questions were included as
patients with heart failure.
part of a larger study of online health information use. Nurses engaged with online resources may well have
There is a range of nursing implications deserving
been more interested in completing the questionnaire
consideration that have been generated from the
so resulting in the possibility of respondent bias.
findings of this study. A key finding is the time limited
Another limitation is that the amount of time spent on
nature of education activities undertaken by nurses.
educational activities is self-reported and estimated.
However, in medical wards if the actual frequency
We did not distinguish between those who spend no
of nursing encounters is considered in a collective
time educating their patients and those who spend at
sense there is a considerable amount of time during a
least a minimal amount of time. The time education
patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospital stay that could be used for targeted
was delivered in the wards and the stage of heart
education. It is important that nurses are encouraged
failure were not part of the data collection. It would be
and supported to view the interactions they have
useful to do a comparative study of nurses who work in
with patients as a time when brief, focused education
a coronary care unit or cardiology ward to explore the
information can be provided alongside interventions
impact of confidence and preparation on education
such as specific care-related tasks. Developing a
activities. It would also be useful to identify whether
systematic approach to education with the use of
nurses make a choice about not using educational
existing hard copy and online patient publications
resources or if availability of resources is the major
in conjunction with nursing and other heart failure
determinant.
specialist support is foundational to addressing patient knowledge gaps. Nurses also have a role in advocating
Conclusion
for resources that will enhance the health literacy of groups that have disproportionate rates of heart failure
Heart failure is a medical condition that permeates
mortality and morbidity. Resources required include
everyday life necessitating ongoing decision making
publications in a range of languages and culturally
about lifestyle choices and medication adherence.
specific support staff and programmes. Increasing the
People with heart failure need information so they
education provided to patients with heart failure has
can understand their condition, symptoms, impact of
the potential to not only improve quality of life for
their lifestyle choices and ongoing treatment. While
people, but also to result in fewer hospitalisations if
access to a dedicated heart failure nurse specialist
lifestyle choices and adherence to treatment regimens
is desirable and this level of expertise is available in
are improved.
larger institutions, medical ward nurses may be the
References Anderson, C., Deepak, B., Amoateng-Adjepong, Y., & Zarich, S. (2005). Benefits of comprehensive inpatient education and discharge planning combined with outpatient support in elderly patients with congestive heart failure. Congestive Heart Failure, 11, 315321. doi:10.1111/j.1527-5299.2005.04458.x Anderson, H., Ward, C., Eardley, A., Gomm, S., Connolly, M., Coppinger, T., ... Makin, W. (2001). The concerns of patients under palliative care and a heart failure clinic are not being met. Palliative Medicine, 15, 279-286. doi:10.1191/026921601678320269
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Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Arroll. B., Doughty, R., & Andersen, V. (2010). Investigation and management of congestive heart failure. British Medical Journal, 341, 190-195. doi:10.1136/bmj.c3657 Barnes, S., Gott, M., Payne, S., Seamark, D., Parker, C., Gariballa, S., & Small, N. (2006). Communication in heart failure: Perspectives from older people and primary care professionals. Health Social Care in the Community, 14(6), 482-90. doi:10.1111/j.13652524.2006.00636.x Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Buetow, S., & Coster, G. (2001). Do general practice patients with heart failure understand its nature and seriousness, and want improved information? Patient Education and Counseling, 45, 181-185. doi:10.1016/S0738-3991(01)00118-5 Chan, A., Reid, G., Farvolden, P., Deanne, M., & Bisaillon, S. (2003). Learning needs of patients with congestive heart failure. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 19, 413-417. Chur, E. (2012). UCSF Heart failure program: Improving outcomes. UCSF Department of Medicine: Frontiers of Medicine, 14(1), 3-4. Retrieved from http://medicine.ucsf.edu/ news/fom/frontiers.html?key=45 Clarke, J., & Lan, V. (2004). Heart failure patient learning needs after hospital discharge. Applied Nursing Research, 17, 150-157. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2004.06.009 Connolly, M., Fung, M., Jordan, D., Kolbe, J., Doughty, R., Devlin, G., … Mahony, F. (2009). Alleviating the burden of chronic conditions in New Zealand (The ABCC NZ Study). Report: Disease specific analysis. Auckland: Uniservices, University of Auckland. Retrieved from http://dhbrf.hrc.govt.nz/media/documents_abcc/Final_ Draft_ABCc_ Disease_Specific_report_15.10.09.pdf Curtis, E., Harwood M., & Riddell T. (2007). Cardiovascular disease. In B. Robson & R. Harris (Eds.), Hauora Māori standards of health IV. A study of the years 2000-2005 (pp.141-158). Wellington, New Zealand: Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. Doughty, R., Wright, S., Pearl, A., Walsh, H., Muncaster, S., Whalley, G., …Sharpe, N. (2002). Randomized, controlled trial of integrated heart failure management. European Heart Journal, 23, 139-146. doi:10.1053/euhj.2712 Driscoll, A., Davidson, P., Clark, R., Huang, N., & Aho, Z. (2009). Tailoring consumer resources to enhance self-care in chronic heart failure. Australian Critical Care, 22, 133-140. doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2009.05.003 Fox, S. (2007). E-patients with a disability or chronic illness. Washington: The Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/ Epatients-With-a-Disability-or-Chronic-Disease.aspx Gilmour. J,. Huntington, A., Broadbent. R., Strong, A., & Hawkins. M. (2012). Nurses’ use of online health information in medical wards. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68,1349-1358. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05845.x Grange, J. (2005). The role of nurses in the management of heart failure. Heart, 91, ii39-ii42. doi:10.1136/hrt.2005.062117 Hagenhoff, B., Feutz, C., Conn, V., Sagehorn, K., & Moranville-Hunziker. M. (1994). Patient learning needs as reported by congestive heart failure patients and their nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19(4), 685-690. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01139.x Heart Failure Society of America. (2010). Executive summary: HFSA 2010 Comprehensive heart failure practice guideline. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 16, 475-539. doi:10.1016/ j.cardfail.2010.04.005 Hobbs, F.D.R., Roalfe, A.K., Davis, A., Davies, M.K., Hare1 R., & the Midlands Research Practices Consortium (MidReC). (2007). Prognosis of all-cause heart failure and borderline left ventricular systolic dysfunction: 5 year mortality follow-up of the echocardiographic heart of England screening study (ECHOES). European Heart Journal, 28, 1128-1134. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm102 Howie-Esquivel. J., & Dracup, K. (2012). Communication with hospitalized heart failure patients. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 11(2),216-22. doi:10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2011.03.006. Jaarsma, T., Abu-Saad, H. H., Halfens, R., & Dracup, K. (1997). Maintaining the balance: Nursing care of patients with chronic heart failure. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 34 (3), 213 – 221. doi:10.1016/S0020-7489(97)00008-4 Jovicic, A., Holroyd-Leduc, J., & Straus, S. (2006). Effects of self-management intervention on health outcomes of patients with heart failure: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BioMed Central Cardiovascular Disorders, 6 (43). doi:10.1186/14712261-6-43 Kaholokula, J., Saito, E., Mau, M., Latimer, R., & Seto, T. (2008). Pacific Islanders’ perspectives on heart failure management. Patient Education and Counseling, 70, 281-291. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2007.10.015 Keleher H. & Hagger V. (2007). Health literacy in primary health care. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 13(2), 24-30. doi:10.1071/ PY07020 Koelling, T., Johnson, M., Cody, R., & Aaronson, K. (2005). Discharge education improves clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure. Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 111, 179-185. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000151811.53450.B8
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Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Ministry of Health. (2011). Tatau kura tangata: Health of older Māori chart book 2011. Wellington, New Zealand: Author National Clinical Guideline Centre. (2010) Chronic heart failure: The management of chronic heart failure in adults in primary and secondary care. London: National Clinical Guideline Centre. Retrieved from http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG108/Guidance/pdf/ English National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. (2010a). New Zealand guideline for the management of chronic health failure (2009 update). Auckland, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.Heartfoundation.org.nz/uploads/Guideline-ManagementChronic-Heart-Failure-5%2820%29.pdf National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. (2010b) Staying well with heart failure. Auckland, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/uploads/HF1060_Staying_Well_with_Heart_Failure_WEB.pdf Nordgren, L., & Sörensen, S. (2003). Symptoms experienced in the last six months of life in patients with end-stage heart failure. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2, 213-217. doi:10.1016/S1474-5151(03)00059-8 Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2011). The New Zealand nursing workforce: A profile of nurse practitioners, registered nurses , nurse assistants and enrolled nurses 2011. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcouncil. org.nz/index. cfm/1,144,html/Workforce-Statistics Paul, S. (2008). Hospital discharge education for patients with heart failure: What really works and what is the evidence? Critical Care Nurse, 28(2), 66-82. Peerson, A., & Saunders. M. (2009). Health literacy revisited: What do we mean and why does it matter? Health Promotion International, 24(3):285-296. doi:10. 093/heapro/dap 014 Penney, L., McCreanor, T., & Moewaka Barnes, H. (2006). New perspectives on heart disease management in Te Tai Tokerau: Māori and health practitioners talk. Auckland, New Zealand: Te Rōpu Whariki, Massey University. Retrieved from http://www.shore. ac.nz/projects/FINAL%20REPORT%20ALL%20PHASES.pdf Riddell, T. (2005). Heart failure hospitalisations and deaths in New Zealand: patterns by deprivation and ethnicity. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1208), U1254. Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1208/1254/ Rogers, A., Addington-Hall, J., Abery, A., McCoy, A., Bulpitt, C., Coats, A., & Gibbs, J. (2000). Knowledge and communication difficulties for patients with chronic heart failure: Qualitative study. British Medical Journal, 321, 605-607. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7261.605 Rogers, A., Addington-Hall, J.M., McCoy, A.S., Edmonds, P.M., Abery, A.J., Coats, A.J., & Gibbs, J.S. (2002). A qualitative study of chronic heart failure patients’ understanding of their symptoms and drug therapy. European Journal of Heart Failure, 4(3),2837. doi:10.1016/S1388-9842(01)00213-6 Sopoaga, F., Buckingham., K., & Paul, C. (2010). Causes of excess hospitalizations among Pacific peoples in New Zealand: Implications for primary care. Journal of Primary Health Care, 2(2), 105-110. Strong, A., & Gilmour. J. (2009). Representations of heart failure in Internet patient information. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(3), 596-605. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04921.x Tester, B., Dewar, J., McDonald, R., O’Sullivan, C., Bent, M., McLeod, J., ... Baker, K. (2009). Heart failure – model of integrated care. Wellington, New Zealand: Central Region’s Technical Advisory Services Limited. Thomsom, N., & Micevski, V. (2005). A descriptive project evaluation to determine Internet access and the feasibility of using the Internet for cardiac education. Heart and Lung, 34(3), 194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.hrting.2004.12.001 Wasywich, C.A., Gamble, G.D., Whalley, G.A., & Doughty, R.N. (2010). Understanding changing patterns of survival and hospitalization for heart failure over two decades in New Zealand: Utility of ‘days alive and out of hospital’ from epidemiological data. European Journal of Heart Failure, 12, 462-8. doi:10.1093/eurjhf/hfq027. Whitt N., Harvey R., McLeod,G., & Child S. (2007). How many health professionals does a patient see during an average hospital stay. Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 120 (1253), U2517. Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/ journal/120-1253/2517/ van der Wal, M., Jaarsma, T., Moser, D., van Gilst, W., & van Veldhuisen, D. (2007). Unraveling the mechanisms for heart failure patients’ beliefs about compliance. Heart & Lung, 36(4), 253-261. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2006.10.007 Zambroski, C.H., Moser, D.K, Bhat, G., & Ziegler. C. (2005). Impact of symptom prevalence and symptom burden on quality of life in patients with heart failure. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 4(3),198-206.
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Nursing Praxis in New Zealand NURSE PERCEPTIONS OF THE DIABETES GET CHECKED PROGRAMME The content of this article is reproduced with the permission of NZNO. Jill Clendon, RN, PhD, Nursing Policy Adviser/Researcher, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Nelson, NZ. Jenny Carryer, RN, PhD, Professor of Nursing, Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ. Leonie Walker, PhD, Researcher, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Wellington, NZ. Vicky Noble, RN, BA(Hons), MA(Appl), Director of Nursing, Capital and Coast DHB, Wellington, NZ. Rosemary Minto,RN,NP,MHPrac (Hons), Adult Family Nurse, Katikati Medical Centre, KatiKati, NZ. Rachael Calverley, RN, BSc(Hons), MN, Director of Nursing, Waitemata PHO, Albany, NZ. Deborah Davies, RN, MPhil, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Primary Health Care, Mid Central DHB, Palmerston North, NZ. Hilary Graham-Smith, RN, BN, BSoc Sc (Hons)., PGDipPH, Associate Professional Services Manager, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Wellington, NZ.
Abstract Aim: The Diabetes Get Checked programme provided a free annual diabetes check to people diagnosed with diabetes. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the impact this programme had on the practice of nurses; identify factors that nurses consider contributed to the success or failure of the programme in their work setting; and to elicit nurses’ suggestions for future improved management and outcomes for people with diabetes. Method: An observational study utilising an online survey was undertaken. A total of 748 people completed the survey – the majority being nurses. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: The Diabetes Get Checked programme was shown to have had a substantial impact on the practice of nurses, enabling the development of new models of nursing care, improved educational levels among nurses (and doctors), improved confidence in the management of diabetes, and increased satisfaction in their work. Nurses in the study suggested future interventions and programmes designed to support people with diabetes. These include implementation of a multi-disciplinary wrap-around approach, enhanced case management and self-management, implementing direct funding for nurse-led services, and improving population-based approaches such as policy changes and social marketing. Discussion: The study sought nurse’s perspectives with regard to a recently terminated programme designed to provide care to people with diabetes. It identified areas that worked well in programme implementation and those that could be improved. These findings provide useful information for funders and planners developing new programmes designed to support people with diabetes.
Key words: Diabetes, nurses, New Zealand, primary health care
Clendon, J., Carryer, J., Walker, L., Noble, V., Minto, R., Calverley, R., ... Graham-Smith, H., (2013). Nurse perceptions of the Diabetes Get Checked programme. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 29(3), 18-30. Page 20
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Introduction
other than clinical indicators. These included allowing time for the health provider to focus on management
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterised by
of a single complex condition, more consistent care
high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in
for people with diabetes, and enhanced educational
the production and/or action of insulin (Centre for
opportunities for health practitioners (McClenaghan,
Disease Control, 2012). Diabetes can lead to a range of
Dovey, Tilyard & Tomlin, 2007). The Office of the
complications including increased risk of cardiovascular
Auditor General (2007) noted the programme improved
disease, nerve and blood vessel damage, kidney
monitoring of people with diabetes, offered better
damage, and premature death (Ministry of Health,
guidance to general practitioners on diabetes treatment
2011). The prevalence of diabetes in New Zealand
and referral, and removed barriers for some people
is 7%, with a further 25.5% of people demonstrating
accessing diabetes care. Further anecdotal reports
signs of pre-diabetes (Coppell et al., 2013). Incidence
suggest the programme gave nurses significant
is greatest amongst Pacific peoples and those who are
opportunities to build effective relationships with people
obese (Coppell et al., 2013). Globally, the number of
experiencing diabetes, and improved relationships
people with diabetes is predicted to increase by 50.7%
between primary and secondary providers (Diabetes
between 2011 and 2030 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an annual increase of 2.7%
Nurse Specialist Section NZNO, 2011).
(Whiting, Guariguata, Weil & Shaw, 2011). With such large numbers of people experiencing this chronic
These diverse outcomes suggest that while the Diabetes
disease and many more likely to do so, special efforts
Get Checked programme may not have improved clinical
are being made to detect, treat, and support people to
outcomes, it may have had an impact on other areas
manage their diabetes.
of importance in the provision of health services. It is important that a full range of outcomes from such
The Ministry of Health invests significant funding into
programmes is identified, and to this end the aim of
the prevention and management of diabetes and
the present study was to determine what impact the
associated complications. One of the larger Ministry
Diabetes Get Checked programme had on nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
of Health programmes established to address the
practice, to acertain those factors nurses consider
prevalence of diabetes was the Diabetes Get Checked
contributed to the success or failure of the programme
programme. Over the course of 11 years, at a cost
in their work setting, and to elicit nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; suggestions
of approximately $8,000,000 annually, the Diabetes
for improved future management and outcomes for
Get Checked programme provided people diagnosed
people with diabetes.
with diabetes a free annual health check. Programme evaluation suggested that this arrangement did not
The Minister of Health remains committed to continuing
systematically result in improved management or
investment into diabetes primary care in New Zealand
outcomes for people with diabetes (Kenealy, Orr-Walker,
(Ryall, 2011) and it is important that nurses are involved
Cutfield, Robinson & Simmons, 2011; Office of the
in developing appropriate, evidence-based policy to
Auditor General, 2007), and as a result the Minister of
support this investment. The findings from this study
Health ended the programme in 2011.
provide useful data to support the Ministry of Health as it develops future interventions for diabetes prevention
However, other research into the Diabetes Get Checked
and care.
programme, reported a number of successful outcomes
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Method
As a result, it is not possible to calculate a response rate. However, despite this uncertainty, the findings provide a
An observational study utilising an online survey was
useful overview of nurses’ perspectives on the Diabetes
undertaken. In order to ensure reliability, the survey
Get Checked programme. A number of managers also
was iteratively designed and piloted following a review
completed the survey and their perspectives have been
of the literature, consultation with New Zealand Nurses’
included in the overall results as all, with one exception,
Organisation (NZNO) and the College of Nurses Aotearoa
were registered nurses.
(NZ) members. Pretesting was undertaken with a small number of primary health care nurses, and some
Data were collected during November and December
minor amendments were subsequently made before
2011. The quantitative data were analysed using
implementation of the full survey. The questionnaire
descriptive statistics. The free text responses were
covered a range of aspects pertinent to the Diabetes Get
grouped thematically using NVivo 9 software to support
Checked programme and the provision of nursing care to
analysis. An expedited ethical approval to undertake the
people with diabetes in general, including information
study was obtained from the Chairperson of the Mutli-
about workplace, respondent demographics, how the
region Ethics Committee (MEC/11/EXP/120).
Diabetes Get Checked appointment is undertaken, what type of preparation the respondent had for
Respondents
undertaking the checks, and what if any changes had
The majority of respondents identified themselves as
occurred in their practice as a result of being involved
registered nurses (n=669), followed by managers (n=55),
in the programme. Regulated nurse members of the
and nurse practitioners (n=20). Nine enrolled nurses
New Zealand Nurses Organisation (registered nurses
completed the survey and one general practitioner.
(RNs), enrolled nurses, and nurse practitioners, (NPs))
The majority of respondents were female (97.7%) and
identified as working in primary health care settings, and
aged between 30 and 55 years of age (62%). Seventeen
all members of the College of Nurses Aotearoa (RNs,
men completed the survey, the majority of these (n=12)
NPs) were sent an email inviting them to complete the
being registered nurses. With regard to ethnicity,
online survey.
respondents were NZ European (78.4%), Māori (11.5%), other European (6.6%) or of Pacific descent (3.7%). Over
The approximate sample was around 4000 (a specific
44% of respondents held a postgraduate qualification
sample could not be determined as participants were
of some type (postgraduate certificate, postgraduate
also invited to forward the email invitation on to others
diploma, Master’s or PhD degree).
who might be interested in the study, resulting in a number of non-nurse practitioners completing the
Findings
survey). In total there were 748 respondents. Email recipients were asked to complete the survey only if
The diabetes check
they, or their organisation, specifically provided care
Both registered nurses and general practitioners
to people with diabetes on the Diabetes Get Checked
undertook the diabetes checks as part of the Diabetes
programme. As it was not possible prior to the mail out
Get Checked programme. This study identified
to determine which nurses worked in a Diabetes Get
registered nurses (94.3%) as the most likely to conduct
Checked programme and which did not, the decision
the check, followed by general practitioners (47.9%),
was made to send the survey out as widely as possible.
suggesting that in up to 50% of practices nurses were
Page 22
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand the only practitioners to undertake the checks. Aside
and interventions specific to the spiritual needs of the
from the standard interventions included as part
individual, family and/or whト]au.
of a diabetes check such as retinopathy screening, foot checks, dietary advice, green prescriptions, and
Preparation for implementation of the Get Checked
other diabetes specific interventions, a range of other
programme
concurrent interventions were undertaken by health
Most nurses (88.5%) had received some additional
practitioners in the context of a diabetes check. These
education on diabetes management before
are outlined in Figure 1. The most common included
implementing the Diabetes Get Checked programme.
quit smoking advice, cardiovascular risk assessment,
The most usual was a short course of between 2 and 5
arrangements for follow-up care, and a full health
days duration and/or on the job training.
13-01 Original Manuscript - March 2013
assessment. Free text comments also reflected a range of other opportunistic interventions undertaken by
Awareness of Diabetes Knowledge and Skills Framework
FIGURES AND TABLES practitioners. These included family violence screening,
Less than half the respondents (42.8%) were aware of the
alcohol use screening, assessment of social situation,
National Diabetes Knowledge and Skills Framework (Mid
Concurrent intervention
Quit smoking implemented CVRA undertaken referral to a social service provider made
Never Sometimes
referral to other health professional made
Mostly Always
arrangements for follow up care made agreed plan of care made Full health assessment undertaken 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Time concurrent intervention was undertaken (%) Figure 1. Concurrent interventions with the diabetes check
Figure 1. Concurrent interventions with the diabetes check Page 23
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Central Health Board, 2009) for nurses, and only 27.6%
diabetes with predictable health care needs). Eleven
used the framework in their workplace to validate the
point six percent (n=66) considered themselves specialty
knowledge and skills of nurses working with people with
diabetes nurses (require specialist diabetes knowledge
diabetes. Although the majority of nurses were either
and care for people with diabetes who are at high
not aware of the Framework or were uncertain about it,
risk for disease progression and complications). Three
most nurses (n=571) were able to self-categorise their
percent (n=17) were specialist diabetes nurses (require
practice at some point on the Framework based on the
advanced knowledge and skills in diabetes care and is
descriptions given in the survey. Forty one percent of
typically a clinical nurse specialist), and 13.8% (n=79)
nurses (n=234) categorised themselves as able to apply
were unsure of their position on the framework (see
generic diabetes nursing knowledge and skills to meet
Figure 2).
the health needs of individuals (described as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;all nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the Diabetes Knowledge and Skills Framework).
Diabetes Get Checked and nursing practice
Thirty point six percent (n=175) categorised themselves
Respondents were asked to consider the impact that
as aOriginal generalist diabetes nurse (may2013 care frequently 13-01 Manuscript - March
implementing the Diabetes Get Checked programme had
or for short intensive periods of time for people with
on their nursing practice. Most respondents indicated
45 40
Percentage
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 All nurses
Generalist diabetes nurse
Specialty diabetes Specialist diabetes nurse nurse
Not sure
Category Figure 2. Self-categorisation on the Diabetes Knowledge and Skills Framework
Figure 2. Self-categorisation on the Diabetes Knowledge and Skills Framework that the programme enabled them to spend more
Diabetes Get Checked programme had increased their
time with people with diabetes, build a professional
confidence with diabetes management.
relationship with them, and enabled them to target their work to high needs or at risk patients. Figure 3 outlines
Respondents also offered a wide range of free text
the results from this set of questions. In addition,
comments regarding the impact that offering the
78.1% of respondents indicated that implementing the
Diabetes Get Checked programme had on their
Page 24
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
13-01 Original Manuscript - March 2013
It made no difference It improved relationships with the wider primary health care team It improved relationships with social services
Nursing practice
It improved relationships with the PHO It improved relationships with DHB/secondary services It improved relationships with GPs
Never Sometimes
It enabled me to target my work to high needs/at risk patients
Mostly
It enabled me to build a professional relationship with people with diabetes that I was unable to previously It added to my working day with no additional time allocation It took me away from other more important nursing work It enabled me to spend more time with people with diabetes
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Respondents (%) Figure 3. Differences the Diabetes Get Checked programme made to nursing practice
Figure 3. Differences the Diabetes Get Checked programme made to nursing practice practice as a nurse. Many of these comments revolved
the nurses with virtual access to secondary care,
around the impact on the patient as well as on their
our service has been endorsed by secondary care
own practice. Of note was the wide range of differing
and they are very happy with what we are doing
practices reported across the sector. Some areas took full
to help the load of secondary services. It has
advantage of the scope of nursing practice, while others
also shown our GPs that nurses are competent
offered checks solely by the general practitioner with
to manage these areas and we now have great
no nurse involvement at all, with a range of examples
relationships, which include respect and trust
in between. Where nurses were able to practice to the
from the GPs. It has led the way to us starting
full extent of their scope, satisfaction with practice
asthma/CVD clinics where the nurses are entirely
appeared to be higher, although we would be cautious
responsible for these patients. It has motivated
about making that interpretation on these data alone.
our nurses into postgraduate study and two have chosen to start the NP [Nurse Practitioner] route.
It was the Get checked programme which led
It is empowering for both staff and patients,
to our clinic [setting up] autonomous...nurse
who get more time, more education and more
led clinics. Currently we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t refer patients to
empowerment to take responsibility for their
secondary care, they are managed entirely by
conditions.
Page 25
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Diabetes Get Checked and the nurses perspective on
the results from this question. Nurses also commented
the impact on the patient
further on their perspectives in the free text comments.
With respect to a range of self-management tasks, we
For example:
were interested in ascertaining how often, if ever, the nurses noticed improvements in how people who took
Clients were happier and they had an improved
part in the Diabetes Get Checked programme managed
confidence and appreciation of their General
these tasks. Fifty seven percent of nurses indicated the
Practice. They were pleased to know that the
programme mostly improved peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge of
Ministry of Health cared and thought it important
diabetes and 41.6% indicated it sometimes did. Fifty
enough to put money into looking after their health.
percent of nurses noted that the programme mostly improved peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence in self-management, and
With intensive input people are able to develop
50% indicated it sometimes did. Actual implementation
skills to self-manage, but frequency needs to be
of self-management was less frequently noted with
more than annually for some people and less for
40.2% indicating the programme mostly resulted in 13-01 Original Manuscript March 2013 improved implementation of -self-management, and
others. Group sessions are effective for some. At
58.6% suggesting it sometimes resulted in improved
diabetics are.
least we have a register and know who the practice
implementation of self-management. Figure 4 shows
Aspect of diabetes management
Uptake of lifestyle programmes
Adherence to medication
Implementation of self-management of diabetes
Never Sometimes Mostly
Confidence in self-management of diabetes
Knowledge of self-management of diabetes 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Percentage
Figure 4. How often (if ever) did the nurse notice improvements made by people with diabetes in certain aspects of diabetes management
Figure 4. How often (if ever) did the nurse notice improvements made by people with diabetes in certain aspects of diabetes management Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Page 26
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Table 1 Barriers and Enablers to Establishing a Diabetes Get Checked Programme Barriers in Order of Importance 1.
Lack of time allocated to implementation
2.
Lack of knowledge and understanding of diabetes
3.
Lack of support from doctors
4.
Lack of space
5.
People not turning up for appointments
Enablers in Order of Importance 1.
Good support from nurse colleagues
2.
Time allocated to undertake checks
3.
Good support from doctors
Implementing a Diabetes Get Checked Programme in
positive and negative aspects of providing the Diabetes
the workplace
Get Checked programme in their workplace. While a
Respondents were questioned about factors enabling,
substantial number of respondents were not aware
and what barriers existed, in the implementation of
of negative aspects to the Diabetes Get Checked
Diabetes Get Checked in their workplaces. Table 1
programme, others had a range of comments that
outlines the barriers and enablers to implementation
provide useful information on things to avoid in future
of the Diabetes Get Checked programme.
programme implementation. Table 2 outlines the positive and negative aspects of providing the Diabetes Get Checked programme.
Respondents were also asked to comment on the
Table 2 Positive and Negative Aspects of Providing the Diabetes Get Checked Programme in the Workplace Positive aspects •
Enabling regular contact with people who have
Negative aspects •
diabetes •
Providing an opportunity to build a relationship with the person with diabetes
•
programme. •
who did, the lack of observable behavioural change.
people with diabetes Enabling focused time to discuss diabetes with people
•
Increased knowledge of staff
•
Development of a multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes care
•
•
Professional reward from seeing improvements in people with diabetes
•
Reduction in barriers to access
•
Financial benefits to the practice.
Page 27
Annual check offers insufficient time to make progress with people.
•
The development of systems and models of care to manage diabetes
•
Significant frustration around both the difficulty of getting people to attend appointments and for those
Building understanding and improving outcomes for
•
Insufficient time to effectively implement the
The lack of access to appropriate and affordable follow up resources.
•
Diabetes Get Checked programme a ‘tick box exercise’ for many.
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Suggestions for improved management and outcomes
Discussion
for people with diabetes Respondents were asked for suggestions on how
Our study demonstrates that the Diabetes Get Checked
they saw management and outcomes for people
programme had a substantial impact on the practice
with diabetes could be improved. Many respondents
of nurses. The programme enabled the development
supported continuation of the Diabetes Get Checked
of new models of nursing care, stimulated improved
programme and were critical of the Kenealy et al.
educational levels among nurses (and doctors), led to
(2011) evaluation report. Many made potentially
improved confidence in the management of diabetes,
useful comments regarding improving the programme,
and increased nurses’ satisfaction in their work. These
particularly addressing the need for more time and
findings support those of McClenaghan et al. (2007)
more money in order to undertake the programme
who found similar outcomes in their study into the
effectively. Others had more explicit examples of
sustainability of the programme for general practices,
how diabetes management and outcomes could be
suggesting the findings of both studies are reliable.
improved and these are found in Table 3.
Respondents in the study reported here also believed the programme led to improved levels of understanding of diabetes among people with the condition.
Table 3 Suggestions for Improved Management and Outcomes for People with Diabetes
• •
Ensure nurses and doctors have access to appropriate and consistent education as a base level and that continuous upskilling of both practitioners occurs. Extend nurse prescribing
•
Improve training for health practitioners in self-management strategies e.g. Flinders, chronic care model.
•
Provide support for initiating insulin in general practice.
•
Develop and implement a multi-disciplinary wrap-around approach to diabetes care including easy (funded) access to podiatry, dieticians, social workers, retinopathy screening, and pharmacy services.
•
Address continuity of care and ensure links between primary, secondary and tertiary care are seamless and integrated.
•
Extend diabetes services further into the community including home visits, utilising community support workers and providing marae and church based services.
•
Improve individually focussed interventions such as more regular monitoring and visits, increased education, case management and follow up telephone support.
•
Increase the funding and time to undertake the checks and provide the follow-up care required.
•
Implement effective public health initiatives including policy change, early intervention, targeted resourcing, advertising/ population education and addressing the social determinants of health.
•
Implement nurse-specific strategies: targeted funding for nurses to provide more care to people with diabetes and establish nurse-led clinics.
•
Ensure any new programme enables the establishment and maintenance of an effective therapeutic relationship with the person diagnosed with diabetes.
•
Improve IT systems including shared clinical records, development of a national database, improvements to the Get Checked template, patient held records, a universal, evidence based website suitable for patient access, and improved ICD codes.
Page 28
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand The findings from this study suggest that nurses were
evaluation is designed to identify where implementation
the primary providers of the diabetes check offered
is successful, where modification may be required,
as part of the Diabetes Get Checked programme; yet
and discern whether impact results are true or simply
despite this, the impact of the programme on nursing
the result of poor implementation (Wolber & Ward,
practice was never evaluated on a national basis. It
2010). Due in part to apparently poor improvements
is essential that the specific perspectives of those
in HBA1c results for clients attending Diabetes Get
providing direct patient care in programmes such as
Checked appointments, the Kenealy et al. (2011) report
the Diabetes Get Checked programme are sought and
suggested that investment in Diabetes Get Checked
considered when evaluating outcomes. While nurses
would be better redirected to other programmes.
did contribute to the evaluation work on the Diabetes
However, lack of evaluation of the programme from the
Get Checked programme done by McClenaghan et al.
perspective of the main providers (that is, nurses) and
(2007), the small sample size in the McClenaghan et
from consumers, suggests that a decision to cancel the
al. study limits the generalisability of their findings to
programme may have been premature. Findings from
nurses, although as noted above, the overall findings
this present study suggest there are many more nuanced
were similar to the present study.
benefits of such programmes that are worthy of closer exploration and are potentially useful for integration
Difficulties with the programme identified by participants
into future programmes. Of further importance is the
in this study included inconsistency in the way it was
need to study the patient’s perspective with respect to
implemented in differing workplaces, inconsistent levels
receiving increased direct contact with nurses as a result
of education of providers and therefore inconsistent
of the Diabetes Get Checked programme.
information passed onto people with diabetes, and a lack of time to effectively implement the programme. In
Snell (2011) noted that getting to know each other was
the clinical judgement of nurse respondents, there was a
described by participants with diabetes as an important
belief that an annual appointment did not appear on its
element in forming the therapeutic relationship. Health
own to have a significant impact on outcomes. However,
practitioners taking a personal interest in the individual
where nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team
and their life, knowing their medical and social history,
worked collaboratively outcomes did appear to improve.
and the interventions that had been tried before, and what was or was not effective for them, were aspects
The Diabetes Get Checked programme can be seen
described by many patients in Snell’s study as critical to
as an attempt to introduce a population health
developing faith in the recommendations of clinicians.
strategy very much in line with the primary health
In her research, Snell drew attention to differences in
strategy (Ministry of Health, 2001). Of note is that
styles associated with different disciplinary approaches,
the programme was introduced into an environment
for instance, how nurses and medical practitioners
generally more familiar with, or used to responding to,
provide explanations and invite different types of
acute presenting problems. As such its methods and the
contributions from patients. Patients in Snell’s study
success of implementation have clearly been variable
commented during nurse consultations that they felt
across practice settings. Variable outcomes have also
more acknowledged as a person with a particular life
been identified in other research where traditional
context. This is of direct relevance to nurses’ reports
patterns of care, such as providing diabetes care in
in this study that related to the value of the focused
acute care settings, have been shifted to primary health
time provided by Diabetes Get Checked funding for
care settings (Wolber & Ward, 2010). Effective process
more considered and less rushed nurse consultations
Page 29
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand with patients. Juul, Maindal, Frydenberg, Kristensen
disciplinary wrap-around approach, enhanced case
and Sandbaek (2012) reported that well-implemented
management and self-management, implementing
nurse-led diabetes clinics improved clinically relevant
direct funding for nurse-led services, and improving
patient outcomes (including HBA1c) when compared
population-based approaches such as policy changes
with traditionally delivered primary care. Rather than
and social marketing. Figure 5 outlines a model
annual diabetes checks, as provided by the Diabetes
addressed to future participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with respect to
Get Checked programme, nurses should advocate for
diabetes care in New Zealand. The individual and their
properly funded diabetes specialist nurse-led clinics
family are shown at the centre of care, with a range
that would enable patients to better manage their
of wrap-around services that extend from individually
diabetes, along with greater funding for education in
focussed care out to the preventative measures that
self-management strategies for patients.
government must implement to address diabetes in New Zealand. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (World Health Organisation, 1986) provides a useful
Positive aspects of the programme included the ability
framework for implementing a multi-pronged approach
to build a therapeutic relationship with a person
to diabetes care and the key tenets of the charter can
with diabetes, the focused time that was offered, the
be seen in the diagram. Such multi-pronged, health
development of a multi-disciplinary approach to care,
promotion approaches have shown some success in
and the development of systems and models of care
addressing issues such as smoking (Wilson, 2007), and
that would not have otherwise occurred. Suggestions
may be equally successful in improving diabetes care
for future programmes designed to support individuals
in New Zealand.
with diabetes included the implementation of a multi-
Figure 5. Nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perceptions of future diabetes care in New Zealand Page 30
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Recommendations
Limitations
The findings from this study resulted in a range of
Due to an inability to determine a specific sample size,
recommendations related to the role of nurses in the
it is difficult to cite an exact response rate. However,
care of people with diabetes. These, as listed below,
despite this limitation, as the views and perspectives
may be useful for policy makers, funders and planners
of nurses on the implementation of broad policy
as they seek to provide the best possible care for people
imperatives are not frequently sought, this study has the
with diabetes.
potential to contribute to future policy development.
1. Comprehensive process evaluation must be built into future programme implementation.
Conclusion
2. Evaluation must take into account provider and user perspectives.
Although according to Kenealy et al. (2011), the Diabetes
3. Future programmes should ensure sufficient
Get Checked programme has had little clinical impact
funding is included to ensure initial, ongoing and
on people with diabetes, this study suggests that
consistent education of practitioners.
the programme actually directed focus towards, and
4. Future programmes should encompass culturally
resulted in, improved systems and models of care for
appropriate wrap-around services that enable
managing people with diabetes. As well, there has been
home visits, marae and church-based programme
significant development of health workforce capacity
implementation, and more effective use of
across the sector. Future programmes must take into
community health workers.
account the impact of funding on outcomes for people
5. Nurses should be enabled (through the provision of appropriate education and funding) to practice
with diabetes as well as the outcomes associated with systems and workforce development.
to the full extent of their scope of practice and take a lead role in the provision of care to people with diabetes across the sector.
References Centre for Disease Control. (2011). CDC provides national estimates, general information on diabetes. Chart, 110(4), 5-8. Editorial (2011) CDC Provides National Estimates, General Information on Diabetes, CHART, Journal of Illinois Nursing Volume 11, Number 4 CDC (2011) http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/prev/national/figpersons.htm is the statistical source reported. Coppell, K. J., Mann, J. I., Williams, S. M., Jo, E., Drury, P. L., Miller, J. C., & Parnell, W. R. (2013). Prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in New Zealand: Findings from the 2008/09 Adult Nutrition Survey. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1370), 23-42. Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/126-1370/5555/ Juul, L., Maindal, T., Frydenberg, M., Kristensen, J., & Sandbaek, A. (2012). Quality of type 2 diabetes management in general practice is associated with involvement of general practice nurses. Primary Care Diabetes, 6(3), 221-228. doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2012.04.001 Kenealy, T., Orr-Walker, R., Cutfield, R., Robinson, E., & Simmons, D. (2012). Does a diabetes annual review make a difference? Diabetic Medicine, 29, e217-e222. doi:10.1111/j.1454-5491.2011.03533.x McClenaghan, T., Dovey, S., Tilyard, M., & Tomlin, A. (2007). Checking â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Get Checkedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. New Zealand Family Practitioner, 34, 177-182. Mid Central Health Board. (2009). National diabetes knowledge and skills framework 2009. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Mid Central Health Board. Retrieved from http://www.nzssd.org.nz/documents/dnss/National%20Diabetes%20Nursing%20Knowledge%20 and%20Skills%20Framework%202009.pdf Page 31
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Ministry of Health. (2001). The primary health care strategy. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.health. govt.nz/publication/primary-health-care-strategy Ministry of Health. (2011). Targeting diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http:// www.health.govt.nz/publication/targeting-diabetes-and-cardiovascular-disease New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes. (2012). Virtual diabetes register as at 31 Dec 2012. Dunedin, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.nzssd.org.nz/news/Virtual%20Diabetes%20Register%20release%2031%20Dec%202012.pdf Office of the Auditor General. (2007). Ministry of Health and District Health Boards: Effectiveness of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Get Checkedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diabetes programme. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Retrieved from http://www.oag.govt.nz/2007/diabetes/docs/oag-diabetes.pdf Ryall, T. (2011). Ministry of Health position statement on Get Checked programme. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health. http:// www.hiirc.org.nz/page/28594/ministry-of-health-position-statement-on/?tab=2613&section=10535 Snell, H. (2011). Igniting the diabetes self-care pilot light: Understanding influences on health activation (Doctoral thesis, Massey University). Retrieved from http://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/2672. Whiting, D., Guariguata, L., Weil, C., & Shaw, J. (2011). IDF diabetes atlas: Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2011 and 2030. Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice, 94, 311-321. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2011.10.029 Wilson, N. (2007). Review of the evidence for major population-level tobacco control intervention. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health. Wolber, T., & Ward, D. (2010). Implementation of a diabetes nurse case management program in a primary care clinic: A process evaluation. Journal of Nursing & Healthcare of Chronic Illnesses, 2, 122-134. doi:10.1111/j.1752-9824.2010.01051.x World Health Organisation. (1986). Ottawa charter for health promotion. Geneva, Switzerland: Author. Retrieved from http://www. who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/previous/ottawa/en/
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand BARRIERS IN EDUCATION OF INDIGENOUS NURSING STUDENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW Donna Foxall, RN, PGDip HSc, BN, Nursing Lecturer, Eastern Institute of Technology, NZ.
Abstract The poor health status of indigenous people has been identified internationally as a critical issue. It is now commonly accepted that the ability to address this concern is hindered, in part, by the disproportionately low number of indigenous health professionals, including nurses. This paper reports the findings of a review of literature that aimed to identify key barriers in the education of the indigenous undergraduate nursing students in the tertiary sector, to identify strategies to overcome these, and discuss these elements within the New Zealand context. A number of health-related databases were searched and a total of 16 peer-reviewed articles from Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand were reviewed. Key barriers to recruitment and retention and strategies to overcome these are presented. Barriers to recruitment included: academic unpreparedness; poor understanding of cultural needs; and conflicting obligations, and financial constraints. Barriers to retention included lack of cultural and academic support, family obligations and financial hardship. Strategies to address recruitment barriers included: addressing pre-entry education requirements; targeted promotion of nursing programmes; indigenous role models in the recruitment process; and streamlining enrolment processes to make programmes attractive and attainable for indigenous students. Strategies to address retention barriers included: cultural relevance within the curriculum; identifying and supporting cultural needs of indigenous students with active participation of indigenous staff; engaging communities and funding support. The crucial development of partnerships between academic institutes and indigenous communities to ensure the provision of a culturally safe, supportive environment for the students was stressed. In New Zealand, while government-level policy exists to promote the success of Māori nursing students, the translation of what is known about the recruitment and retention of indigenous students is an area for development. Keywords: recruitment, retention, indigenous, nurse education, Māori, cultural safety
Introduction
the inequalities in health outcomes experienced by New Zealand Māori, while Curran et al. (2008) and Adams et
Indigenous peoples’ poor health has been identified as
al. (2005) comment on the poor health outcomes of the
an issue of international concern (Adams et al., 2005;
indigenous peoples of Canada and Australia respectively.
Anonson, Desjarlais, Nixon, Whiteman, & Bird, 2008; Curran, Solberg, LeFort, Fleet, & Hollett, 2008; Curtis,
It is now commonly accepted that the ability to address
Wikaire, Stokes, & Reid, 2012; DeLapp, Hautman, &
this concern is hindered, in part, by the disproportionately
Anderson, 2008; Martin & Kipling, 2006; Meiklejohn,
low number of indigenous health professionals, including
Wollin, & Cadet-James, 2003; Smith, McAlister, Gold,
nurses. According to Goold (as cited in Meiklejohn et al.,
& Sullivan-Bentz, 2011; Usher, Lindsay, & Mackay,
2003), in Australia “indigenous registered nurses make
2005; Wilson, McKinney, & Rapata-Hanning, 2011). In
up to 0.05% of the registered nurse population, which
particular, international researchers including nurse
is well below the 2.6% total Australian population” (p.
educators highlight the disparity between the health status of indigenous versus non-indigenous people as an area of significant concern. Wilson et al. (2011) noted
Page 33
Foxall, D. (2013). Barriers in education of Indigenous nursing students: A literature review. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 29(3), 31-36. Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand 1). A similar situation exists in Aotearoa New Zealand
retention of indigenous nursing students, and to discuss
where Māori (the indigenous peoples of New Zealand)
the findings within the context of Māori nursing students.
comprise 15% of the total population. In New Zealand there are 48,563 Nursing Council New Zealand practising
Research method
registered nurses, but less than 7% are Māori and 4% Pacific ethnicities (Nursing Council New Zealand, 2011).
To identify relevant articles the following keywords were
Developing and building the Māori health workforce is
used when searching the literature: indigenous, aboriginal,
considered crucial to improving Māori health outcomes
native, nursing, student, support. These were entered
and health status, yet according to Wilson et al. (2011)
into the following databases: CINAHL (Cumulative Index
the recruitment and retention of Māori into nursing is
to Nursing & Allied Health Literature); Pro-Quest Central;
a persistent challenge. Curtis et al. (2012) argue that
Scopus (SciVerse Scopus); and Google Scholar. All articles
there are “multiple explanations for the shortage of
accessed were from peer-reviewed journals, and in total
indigenous health professionals reflecting a mixture of
16 articles were selected for this review. The aim was
supply and demand issues associated with historical,
to understand the connection between tertiary health
political, demographic, cultural, academic and financial
studies and the dearth of indigenous health professionals,
factors” (p. 4). In 2002, Ngā Manukura o Āpōpō designed
particularly nurses. Thirteen articles were sourced from
a programme to “provide emerging and advanced Māori
international authors (seven from Australia and six from
leaders in nursing and midwifery with theory, practical
Canada) and three were from New Zealand authors. The
tools and opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge
articles were thoroughly reviewed and the information was
to take on and excel in clinical leadership roles” (2012, p.
recorded into a matrix format to categorise article details
1). Digital Indigenous delivers this programme, along with
and findings, providing a very useful method of synthesising
other leadership programmes for Māori in public health,
the information. The dataset was then further categorised
disability and nursing. Together, they share the goal to
into barriers to recruitment and retention, and strategies
build and increase Māori health workforce through clinical
to overcome these barriers.
leadership, professional development, and recruitment and profile raising (Ngā Maukura o Āpōpō, 2012).
Findings
Central to the imbalance is the inability of academic
This section details the key findings from the reviewed
institutes to recruit and retain undergraduate indigenous
literature in each of the following general themes: overall
students within their nursing programmes (Anonson et
strategies for success; barriers to recruitment; overcoming
al., 2008; Hinton & Chirgwin, 2010; Martin & Kipling,
recruitment barriers; barriers to retention; and overcoming
2006; Meiklejohn et al., 2003; Nakata, Nakata, & Chin,
retention barriers.
2008; Usher et al., 2005; Wilson et al., 2011). In recent years nurse student retention and completion in tertiary
Overall strategies for success
education has been the focus of researchers in the United States of America (USA), Canada, United Kingdom (UK),
The literature showed a number of strategies that
Australia, and more recently in New Zealand (Adams et al.,
aim to redress the imbalance of indigenous peoples’
2005; Anonson et al., 2008; Curran et al., 2008; DeLapp et
health through addressing the shortage of indigenous
al., 2008; Martin & Kipling, 2006; Meiklejohn et al., 2003;
health workers. These strategies are not unique to the
Smith et al., 2011; Usher et al., 2005; Wilson et al., 2011;
programmes discussed in this literature (De Lapp et al.,
Zepke et al., 2005). The purpose of this article is to report
2008; Meiklejohn et al., 2003), but highlight some common
the findings of a literature review on the recruitment and
themes that may ultimately lead to improved outcomes.
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand An ultimate goal is the empowerment of indigenous health
et al., 2008., Curtis et al., 2012). Cheh et al.’s (2011) study
professionals to help their people to achieve an improved
found that financial constraints and a lack of information on
state of health.
accessing supportive funding also existed, although this was not such a prominent feature as the researchers predicted.
Curtis et al. (2012) identified six broad principles that
Finally, many indigenous students described experiencing
they considered significant for Māori or indigenous health
separation anxiety when they were required to move away
workforce development success. These were: Framing
from their families and known communities to continue their
initiatives within indigenous worldviews; Demonstrating
studies (Cech et al., 2011; Metz et al., 2011; West et al., 2011).
a tangible institutional commitment to equity; Framing interventions to address barriers to indigenous health
Strategies to overcome recruitment barriers
workforce development; Incorporating a comprehensive
Curtis et al. (2011) advocated better support for indigenous
pipeline model; Increasing family and community
secondary school students to achieve success in subjects that
engagement; and Incorporating quality data tracking and
will facilitate their acceptance into nursing and other health
evaluation.
professional studies. They argued that such support is “a key mechanism to attract more indigenous students into what
They go on to state that “achieving equity in health
are often rigorous and demanding academic pathways” (p.
workforce representation should remain both a political
4). A partnership between Ngā Maukura o Āpōpō (http://
and ethical priority” (p. 3). Ngā Maukura o Āpōpō (2012)
www.ngamanukura.co.nz/) and Kia Ora Hauora (http://www.
concur and identified the following three key work streams
kiaorahauora.co.nz/) focused on health careers for rangatahi
to address current and future workforce needs for Māori
Māori at secondary levels, an approach used successfully
nurses and Māori midwives: Clinical leadership, professional
in Canada and Australia with their indigenous populations
development in the current health sector, and recruitment
(Anonson et al., 2008; De Lapp et al., 2008; Meiklejohn et
profile-raising within the secondary school sector.
al. 2003). Ngā Maukura o Āpōpō (2011) promote a three phase approach to increasing the profile of health career
Barriers to Recruitment
pathways to secondary students and mature adults. A Māori
Before nursing schools can begin the process of educating
equity advisor at one of the largest New Zealand universities
indigenous nursing students they must first overcome the
ensures Māori students are supported through the enrolment
challenges of recruitment. The literature reviewed identified
phase (Ngā Maukura o Āpōpō, 2011), an approach endorsed
a number of barriers that hindered or prevented indigenous
by Meiklejohn et al. (2003), Anonson et al. (2008) and De
students from enrolling in nursing courses. These barriers
Lapp et al. (2008).
included a lack of understanding about a career in health (De Lapp et al., 2008; Meiklejohn et al., 2003), a lack of
A number of researchers (Adams et al., 2005; Smith et
confidence in their ability to study at tertiary level, and a fear
al., 2011; Usher et al., 2005; West, West, West & Usher,
of failure and being unprepared academically (Anonson et
2011) profiled specifically designed indigenous community-
al., 2008; Smith et al., 2011; West et al., 2010., Curtis et al.,
based transition education programmes. In Australia, the
2012). A number of researchers found that once indigenous
government funds a Health Services Assistance programme,
students chose to enrol in a nursing course the complexity
named ‘Tjiratamai’. This programme is organised by local
of the enrolment process, poor cultural understanding by
Aboriginal people and was considered a means to deal with
the institution, and limited awareness of their specific needs
“the challenges faced by Aboriginal people when they enter
and cultural obligations often resulted in them not following
nursing education courses and as a way to increase the local
through with their enrolments (Cech, Metz, Babcock & Smith,
number of Aboriginal nurses” (West et al., 2011, p. 39).
2011; Curran et al., 2008; Meiklejohn et al., 2003; Nakata
Indigenous Australian nursing students identified common
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand themes of separation from families and community, and
academically not prepared (Cech et al., 2011; Meiklejohn
feelings of isolation (Adams et al., 2005; Usher et al.,
et al., 2003; Smith et al., 2011; Usher et al., 2005; Wilson
2005), similar to those identified by Wilson et al. (2011).
et al., 2011). One Australian study by Nakata et al. (2008)
To overcome these disincentives, government support
found that many students had not completed primary and
through stipends and community funding was utilised in
secondary schooling. Wilson et al. (2011) found a failure
the more remote areas where students indicated their
to complete high school education was widespread; this
preference to remain in the area as nurses (West et al.,
contributed to students’ families not fully understanding
2011). Hinton et al. (2010) found that accommodation,
the demands of tertiary study and often resulted in
meals, transportation and childcare provision were utilised
students being unsupported. Their study found that many
as effective retention strategies. In addition, academic
families did not have role models or family members who
preparedness for those enrolling in nursing programmes
had completed or attended tertiary studies.
was addressed by locally integrating and locating academic centres within the indigenous people’s communities
The Australian studies by Smith et al. (2011), Hinton et al. (2010) and Usher et al. (2005) all identified financial
Barriers to Student Retention
hardship as a significant barrier for indigenous nursing
The literature highlights a range of barriers identified by
students, and further identified the effects of financial
the students that impeded their ability to complete their
hardship experienced by students were not only course-
nursing studies. Canadian authors identified subtle overt
related but also impacted on meeting family and cultural
prejudice, including insensitivity to non-European students,
obligations. This has also been a finding in New Zealand.
and found curricula to be Eurocentric (Cech et al., 2011).
Wilson et al. (2011) described how indigenous students
Martin and Kipling (2006) and Turale and Miller (2006)
often have backgrounds of financial hardship, and
described how students were exposed to, and experienced,
education costs become an additional burden for these
racial and discriminatory practices by faculty staff and
students who juggle family, cultural and community
their peers. Martin and Kipling reported that “students
commitments.
observed and detected racism from individuals, groups, and processes within schools, hospitals and community
Both Australian and New Zealand studies (Hinton et al.,
placements” (p. 4). Such practices included allowing
2010; Wilson et al., 2011 respectively) indicated that a high
racist discussions about indigenous and minority people
proportion of indigenous students were mature students,
during classes, without considering the presence of
often with children and other family commitments, and
students belonging to these groups in the classroom. In
discuss the impact that these commitments had on their
addition, in Australia Adams et al. (2005) and Meiklejohn
study. Usher et al. (2005) found university staff were
et al. (2003) showed cultural dispossession and alienation
unsympathetic to Torres Strait Island students’ family
were significant issues for Aboriginal students. Cultural
obligations, and reported this negatively impacted on
safety, as a concept developed in New Zealand by Irihapeti
the students’ ability to focus on study. In addition, the
Ramsden, has been instrumental in New Zealand nursing
impact of students having to move away from family and
school education to develop self-awareness, culturally
communities to complete their studies often led to feelings
sensitive and safe practice for Māori, including Māori
of isolation (Smith et al. 2011; Wilson et al. 2011). In
nursing students (Nursing Council of New Zealand, 1992).
Anonson et al.’s (2008) Canadian study and Wilson et al.’s
Yet, reports of cultural insensitivity and the presentation of
New Zealand study, students described how adjusting to
curricula devoid of Māori content exist (Wilson et al., 2011).
an urban way of life was challenging. They also reported a lack of indigenous knowledge and experience on the part
Nearly all the authors noted that indigenous students were
Page 36
of teaching staff was evident.
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Overcoming Retention Barriers
in operation. This document identified the lack of a co-
Once nursing schools had overcome the initial barriers to
ordinated approach for mentoring (Ako Aotearoa, 2010).
recruitment, schools were then faced with the challenges
Adams et al. (2005) noted how the utilisation of indigenous
of retaining students in training programmes. Curtis
staff members and partnerships with elder members of
et al. (2012) recognised the importance of the tertiary
the communities provided students with positive role
sector providing a foundation course as a bridge for
models and mentors, and also allowed the integration of
students entering into the Bachelor of Nursing degree.
traditional knowledge into the programmes. Anonson et al.
They also highlighted the importance of commitment to
(2008) acknowledged indigenous elders were the bearers
achieving equity with the use of institutional admission
of traditional knowledge, and described how their liaison
policies, quotas and mission statements. A number of
and counselling was beneficial for indigenous students.
New Zealand institutions have implemented Komiti
Furthermore, their presence enhanced retention in, and
Kawa Whakaruruhau (Cultural Safety Committees) within
completion of, nursing programmes by bridging the cultural
schools, which can provide guidance and advice about
gap that generally occurs for indigenous students. De Lapp
retention, completion and recruitment strategies. Other
et al. (2008) also described how Alaskan student nurse
studies also found that indigenous students’ financial
success is supported by the relationships and connections
hardship was addressed by stipends and assistance with
made in the local community. “Connection is an essentail
course and living allowances including childcare, and
component of caring as a relational process and is central
travel (Curran et al., 2008; Hinton et al., 2010). In New
to Alaska Native/American Indian worldview” (p. 294).
Zealand iwi or tribal scholarships can be sought with the assistance of Te Pou Whirinaki or Māori student support
Discussion
liaison officers, although securing a scholarship has become increasingly competitive.
Government-level policy exists with regard to improving Māori access to tertiary education and the achievement
Commitment to retaining indigenous students includes
of qualifications, and recognises the vital part the
academic and pastoral support as well as the provision of
government and the tertiary sector has in promoting
safe learning environments. West et al. (2011) and Smith
Māori success and improving outcomes. The Tertiary
et al. (2011) identified how community-based delivery
Education Commission’s (TEC’s) Statement of Intent has
of nursing programmes, such as via satellite campuses,
“doing better for Māori and Pacific” as its first outcome
provided a more supportive environment. Usher et
(TEC, 2012). The TEC promotes best practice within the
al. (2005) and West et al. (2010) used the success of
tertiary institutions, and also has available equity funding
the Torres Straits Islanders as an example of how well
to improve Māori access and achievement. This year the
a satellite campus can be made to work by allowing
TEC established the Tū Māia: Working Group, and one of
indigenous students to study and remain within their
its roles is to dialogue with tertiary providers, particularly
communities. They also highlighted the positive impact of
with regard to best practice (see http://www.tec.govt.nz/
utilising indigenous staff to bridge the language barriers,
Tertiary-Sector/Reviews-and-consultation/T-Mia-Working-
and to provide the cultural support sought by students.
Group/). In addition, Health Workforce New Zealand recognises the under-representation of Māori within the
The benefits of mentoring are clearly identified in the
health workforce, and its annual plan highlights the need
literature. Nonetheless, in a recent document, Kaiako
to develop and grow the capability of the workforce that is
Pono – Mentoring Māori Student Learners in the
“sustainable, fit for purpose”. In addition, Health Workforce
Tertiary Sector, reporting the mentoring activities in
New Zealand notes the need to support the development
21 institutions, 13 had informal models of mentoring,
of Māori to work in the area of whānau ora (family health
eight had formal models although only six of these were
and wellbeing) (HWNZ, 2012, p. 6). Furthermore, the
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Ministry of Health has invested in strengthening and
qualifications. At a national level, groups like the Nursing
developing the Māori nursing and midwifery workforce,
Council of New Zealand, and the Nurse Educators in
establishing Ngā Manukura ō Āpōpō in 2008 to undertake
the Tertiary Sector (NETS) could adopt a more strategic
this. On its agenda is the recruitment and retention
approach to address and monitor the inequities that exist
of Māori within nursing schools, and in 2011 they
for Māori nursing students. The future identification of
produced the first national benchmark that reported the
other supportive strategies and best practice for nurse
responsiveness of nursing schools to Māori students (see
educators is important, and requires further research.
www.ngamanukura.co.nz/Professional_Development/
In addition to this, the development of key performance
Scorecard).
indicators is essential to monitor the performance of nursing schools with regard to indigenous nursing student
High-level policy exists with regard to improving the
recruitment and retention.
recruitment and retention of Māori into nursing, and as such there should be an appreciable growth in Māori
Conclusion
registering as nurses. However, this is not the case with the proportion of Māori nurses registering remaining
One of the common recommendations for indigenous
relatively static between 6% and 7%. Having a nursing
nursing students’ academic achievement is a collaborative
workforce that is representative of the Māori population
approach between academics, training schools and the
in New Zealand is crucial for addressing the quality of
community. The literature reviewed here has suggested a
health service delivery by nurses. Yet the recruitment
number of strategies to overcome barriers to recruitment
and retention issues for indigenous nursing students,
into nursing programmes for indigenous peoples. These
like Māori, persist despite the barriers and strategies
include efforts to improve the academic preparedness
to overcome these being well documented in the New
of potential students prior to admission, and flexibility
Zealand and international literature. Despite endeavours
around the enrolment process with the inclusion of
by individual nursing schools to address recruitment and
culturally appropriate people and processes. Several
retention barriers, this is insufficient to make a difference
approaches were also identified in the literature to
nationally as the proportion of Māori within the nursing
increase the likelihood of indigenous student nurse
workforce (which includes both registered and enrolled
course completion. Structured academic support, access
nurses) remains constant between 6 % and 7% (Wilson
to indigenous role models and mentors, opportunity
et al., 2011).
to maintain their cultural and community obligations, relevant clinical experiences, and having supportive
Nonetheless, the literature is clear on the issues
teaching and learning environments that include
surrounding indigenous and Māori experiences within
indigenous content incorporated in curricula were
nursing schools. The barriers are well documented,
identified as strategies that promote indigenous student
and strategies to promote Māori success are evident.
retention, and ultimately lead to success and programme
It is possible that the translation of what is known
completion. Mentoring and academic support, in
about recruitment and retention of indigenous nursing
particular, have also been highlighted throughout the
students into the practice of nursing schools is an area
literature as significant for academic success. Improving
that needs further work and time. Tertiary institutes and
recruitment and retention rates of indigenous nursing
nursing schools can contribute to indigenous success by
students, like Māori, are critical to the development of a
ensuring the implementation of Kawa Whakaruruhau
robust indigenous nurse workforce that can contribute
Komiti (Cultural Safety Committees) to advise and
to addressing the inequalities in health outcomes that
support nursing schools to address local issues for Māori
indigenous people experience.
nursing student retention and completion of nursing Page 38
Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand References Adams, M., Aylward, P., Heyne, N., Hull, C., Misan, G., Taylor, J., & Walker-Jeffreys, M. (2005). Integrated support for Aboriginal tertiary students in health-related courses: The Pika Wiya Learning Centre. Australian Health Review 29(4), 482-488. doi:10.1071/AH050482. Ako Aotearoa. (2010). Kaiako pono: Mentoring for Māori learners in the tertiary sector. Wellington, New Zealand: Ako Aotearoa. Anonson, J. M., Desjarlais, J., Nixon, J., Whiteman, L., & Bird, A. (2008). Strategies to support recruitment and retention of First Nations youth in baccalaureate nursing programs in Saskatchewan, Canada. Transcultural Nursing, 19(3), 274-283. doi:10.1177/1043659608317095 Broodkoorn, M., (2010, April 1). Where are all the Māori nurses and midwives. Nursing Review. Retrieved from www.nursingreview.co.nz Cech, E. A., Metz, A. M., Babcock, T., & Smith, J. (2011). Caring for our own: The role of institutionalized support structures in Native American nursing student success. Journal of Nursing Education 50(9), 524-531. Curran, V., Solberg, S., LeFort, S., Fleet, L., & Hollett, A. (2008). A responsive evaluation of an Aboriginal nursing education access program. Nurse Educator, 33(1), 13-17. doi:10.1097/1001.NNE.0000299496.0000223119.0000299468. Curtis, E., Wikaire, E., Stokes, K., Reid, P. (2012) Addressing indigenous health workforce inequities: A literature review exploring ‘best’ practice for recruitment into tertiary health programmes. International Journal for Equity in Health, 11, Article 13. doi:10.1186/14759276-11-13 DeLapp, T., Hautman, M. A., & Anderson, M. S. (2008). Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN). Journal of Nursing Education, 47(7), 293-297. doi:10.3928/01484834-20080701-06 Hinton, A., & Chirgwin, S. (2010). Nursing education: Reducing reality shock for graduate indigenous nurses: It’s all about time. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(1), 60-66. Martin, D. E., & Kipling, A. (2006). Factors shaping Aboriginal nursing students’ experiences. Nurse Education in Practice, 6(6), 380-388. doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2006.07.009 Meiklejohn, B., Wollin, J. A., & Cadet-James, Y. l. (2003). Successful completion of the Bachelor of Nursing by indigenous people. Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin, 3(2), Brief report 1. Retrieved from http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/ Metz, A. M., Cech, E. A., Babcock, T., & Smith, J. L. (2011). Effects of formal and informal support structures on the motivation of Native American students in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 50(7), 388-394. doi:10.3928/01484834-20110415-01 Nakata, M., Nakata, V., & Chin, M. (2008). Approaches to the academic preparation and support of Australian indigenous students for tertiary studies. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37(Supplement), 137-145. Ngā Manukura o Apōpō. (2012). The performance of New Zealand schools of nursing: Responsivesness to Māori nursing students – Scorecard 2010. Auckland, New Zealand: Author. Nursing Council of New Zealand. (1992). Guidelines for the cultural safety component in nursing and midwifery educatuon. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2011). The New Zealand nursing workforce: A profile of nurse practitioners, registered nurses and enrolled nurses 2011. Wellington, New Zealand: Author. Smith, D., McAlister, S., Gold, S. T., & Sullivan-Bentz, M. (2011). Aboriginal recruitment and retention in nursing education: A review of the literature. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 8(1), 1-22. doi:10.2202/1548-923x.2085 Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Matāuranga Matua, (2012). Statement of Intent 2012/13-2014/15. Retrieved from : http:// www.tec.govt.nz/Documents/Publications/Statement-of-Intent-2012.pdf Turale, S., & Miller, M. (2006). Improving the health of Indigenous Australians: Reforms in nursing education. An opinion piece of international interest. International Nursing Review, 53(1), 171-177. doi:10.1111/j.1466-7657.2006.00476.x Usher, K., Lindsay, D., & Mackay, W. (2005). An innovative nurse education program in the Torres Strait Islands. Nurse Education Today, 25(6), 437-441. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2005.04.003 West, R., West, L., West, K., & Usher, K. (2010). Tjirtamai -- ‘To care for’: A nursing education model designed to increase the number of Aboriginal nurses in a rural and remote Queensland community. Contemporary Nurse, 37(1), 39-48. doi:10.5172/conu.2011.37.1.039 Wilson, D., McKinney, C., & Rapata-Hanning, M. (2011). Retention of indigenous nursing students in New Zealand: A cross-sectional survey. Contemporary Nurse, 38(1/2), 59-75. doi:10.5172/conu.2011.38.1-2.59 Zepke, N., Leach, L., Prebble, T., Campbell, A., Coltman, D., Dewart, B., . . .Wilson, S. (2005.) Improving tertiary student outcomes in the first year of study. Retrieved from http://www.tlri.org.nz/sites/default/files/projects/9209_finalreport.pdf
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Nursing Praxis in New Zealand NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS The initial and continuing vision for Nursing Praxis in New Zealand is that, within the overall aim of fostering publication as a medium for the development of research and scholarship, the Journal should: • Inform and stimulate New Zealand nurses. • Encourage them to reflect critically upon their practice, and engage in debate and dialogue on issues important to their profession. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand publishes material that is relevant to all aspects of nursing practice in New Zealand and internationally. The Journal has a particular interest in research-based practice oriented articles. Articles are usually required to have a nurse or midwife as the sole or principal author. There is no monetary payment to contributors, but the author will receive a complimentary copy of the Journal on publication. The ideas and opinions expressed in the Journal do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand original research, discursive (including conceptual, position papers and critical reviews that do not contain empirical data), methodological manuscripts, commentaries, research briefs, book reviews, and practice issues and innovations. Contributions are also accepted for Our Stories, which are short pieces profiling historical and contemporary stories, which reveal the contributions of individual nurses to our profession
Guidelines for Manuscripts While we encourage authors to be creative in the way they present their information, the following requirements must be met: •
Manuscripts should be word processed, formatted for A4 size paper, with double line spacing, page numbers on the bottom right side of the page and the manuscript title in the header of each page.
•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Manuscript Submissions •
Please supply manuscripts as a Word Document by e-mail to admin@nursingpraxisnz.org
•
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•
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In the case of historical research, referencing compliant with the New Zealand Journal of History is acceptable.
Review Process All manuscripts will be blind critiqued by at least two reviewers prior to a decision being made by the Editorial Board. Subsequently the author will be notified of acceptance (along with any recommended changes) or rejection of the manuscript. Regular features are not peer reviewed. The review process takes, on average, three months.
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
Nursing Praxis in New Zealand Research Briefs Generally should not exceed 1500 words. Content must include a statement of the topic and purpose of the research; participants and the mode of recruitment; what was done (method and procedure for data collection and analysis); and a brief indication of the findings and their implications for nursing. As the material will be read by a broad cross-section of nurses, abstracts from theses are often not suitable in their original form and so require reworking.
Our Stories Nursing Praxis in New Zealand welcomes submissions to ‘Our Stories’. We are interested in publishing short articles that focus on nursing experiences over time. Our Stories will profile historical and contemporary stories, which reveal the contributions of individual nurses to our profession. Short articles, not exceeding 1500 words, are welcomed which provide insight to the contribution that a New Zealand nurse has made to the profession either locally, nationally, internationally. Such articles could include the stories behind the research, interviews with key nurses or the stories of those who have inspired and influenced their colleagues through their passion and commitment to the profession.
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Practice Issues and Innovations Articles are welcomed which highlight practice issues and innovations. Such articles might constructively discuss current nursing policy, practice or describe new approaches to nursing practice. This should be prepared as outlined for manuscripts above.
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Vol. 29 No. 3 2013 - Nursing Praxis in New Zealand
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