Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a poorly recognised skin condition
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic autoinflammatory skin condition characterised by recurrent deep and painful nodules and abscesses (Vekic et al. 2018). These lesions are predominantly located in the skin folds, such as the axillae, groin and intergluteal regions. It is also characterised by the presence of characteristic multi-headed comedomes, the development of sinus tracts […]
Mental health risk assessment: Who decides?
Mental health risk assessment practices have largely evolved in response to the perceived ‘threat’ posed to the community as a result of de-institutionalisation. The alignment of risk assessment practices to corporate clinical governance structures followed, resulting in legislated and litigated activities for those who work in mental health clinical roles. Contemporary mental health risk assessment […]
A hospital is the place to heal a ravaged body, but what about a wounded spirit?
The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. – C.C. Scott Hospitals are designed to care for the sick. Our therapies, medications and instruments are designed to treat our physical ailments. But what about the wounded spirit that often accompanies the physical ailments? That patient can no longer stand tall because […]
Nursing and midwifery research makes impact
When the opportunity arose to lead the evolution of Australia’s innovative Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre three years ago, Professor Marion Eckert grabbed it with both hands. “The most exciting part is we’re really trying to foster an enthusiasm for nurses and midwives to lead and embrace research and in particular translational research to make […]
Leaders in person-centred care through practice and research
Nurses and midwives take the spotlight with a growing acknowledgement of the importance of nurses and midwives both in Australia and globally. International Midwives’ and Nurses’ Day fall on 5 and 12 May respectively. Further, 2020 has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), as ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ coinciding with the […]
Getting Australia on the right side of history
Hope has lifted that Australia’s new government following the 18 May federal election will do the right thing and join the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons. This should of course be a paramount and unifying humanitarian issue above party politics, as Australian governments both Coalition and Labor have previously signed us up to the treaties […]
Avoiding an avoidable adverse outcome
Working with patients who have a high or imminent risk of suicide is complex and challenging clinical work even for the most experienced practitioner. Patient safety is paramount, often requiring patients to be kept under close observation. What this means varies on the circumstances, treatment orders and local policy. A failure to follow these orders […]
Mentoring matters
Mentoring in nursing and midwifery offers meaningful rewards for both parties. The collaborative confidential relationship gives mentors the opportunity to give back to the professions and support career development. On the flipside, mentees gain knowledge, become empowered to build confidence, and develop skills to set and achieve goals. When utilised in nursing and midwifery mentoring […]
How nurses and midwives can support Save the Children
Independent aid organisation Save the Children seeks to give a powerful voice to children and champion their rights. It does so in Australia and around the world, and in 2017 reached more than 56 million children in 121 countries. It aims to protect the rights of children across several key areas – health, education, child […]
The value of clinical supervision in nursing and midwifery
Clinical supervision educator, clinical supervisor and mental health nurse Julie Sharrock credits the reflective collaborative practice of clinical supervision as the reason she has been able to maintain a successful clinical career over almost four decades. “If I had no place to wash off the emotional grind, the emotional challenges and the cognitive and ethical […]