Be kind to yourself
Having aspirations help lead a meaningful life but can cause distress when hopes are left unfulfilled, research shows. An Edith Cowan University (ECU) study found that it’s not failing to make progress toward our ‘ideal-self’, but rather the tendency to focus on lack of progress in a negative way that leads to psychological distress. It’s […]
A simple snack best on night shift
A simple snack such as a muesli bar is the best choice for maximising alertness and productivity while working a night shift, according to new research from University of South Australia. The study set out to investigate whether altering food intake during a night shift could optimise how shift workers feel during the night and […]
Study to explore nurses’ heavy drinking culture
Researchers from La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol and Policy Research (CAPR) will investigate the heavy alcohol consumption culture among nurses and lawyers in Victoria in a bid to help curb problem drinking. The project, made possible by a $237,000 Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, is hopeful of triggering new campaigns to reduce harmful drinking […]
Older nurses and midwives: perspectives on workplace roles and experiences
This study seeks to gain a greater understanding of the role and experience of being an older nurse and midwife in Australian workplaces. Australia’s older nurses and midwives are the fastest growing sector of the labour force. Anti-ageing employment legislation and changes to the aged pension qualifying age mean people are choosing or being required […]
Reducing low value and unnecessary care
A national scale-up of an initiative to reduce low value care and reduce unnecessary treatment was the focus of a nationwide meeting recently. The Choosing Wisely Australia national meeting was held in Melbourne in late May and showcased innovative projects both national and international. A nurse discontinuation protocol of telemetry implemented at Johns Hopkins Hospital, […]
Nurse-to-patient ratios have saved lives in Qld
A world-first evaluation of Queensland’s legislated nurse-to-patient ratios has confirmed they have resulted in a significant reduction in avoidable deaths, hospital re-admissions and reduced bed days. The findings were presented at the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) Annual Conference in Brisbane last Friday. The extensive international research was undertaken by Qld Health, the Queensland […]
Report: People with mental illness die up to 20 years earlier
People with mental illness experience a range of health disparities and face a gap in life expectancy of about 20 years in a plight classed as a “human rights scandal”, according to a new ground-breaking study. Led by Australian researchers, the report found a broad range of mental illnesses are connected to health problems including […]
Reducing low value and unnecessary care
A national scale-up of an initiative to reduce low value care and reduce unnecessary treatment was the focus of a nationwide meeting recently. The Choosing Wisely Australia national meeting was held in Melbourne in late May and showcased innovative projects both national and international. A nurse discontinuation protocol of telemetry implemented at Johns Hopkins Hospital, […]
Conversations on assisted dying: how involved are nurses?
A new study is being undertaken on the involvement of nurses when conversing with patients about assisted dying. The study is looking for nurse participants. If you were asked by a patient for information about voluntary assisted dying, how would you respond? Recent legislation in Victoria means that nearly 25% of Australians may have access […]
Midwife-led care could reduce C-sections
Having a midwife providing continuity of care throughout pregnancy and childbirth has the most significant effect on reducing the number of planned caesareans and overall C-section rate, a new study has revealed. The study also found following a policy of seeking second opinions on elective caesareans helped to reduce numbers and that midwifery-led care lowered […]