Quality of life after resection of a meningioma-A cross-cultural comparison of Indian and Australian patients.

Purpose: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptom burden following meningioma resection in patients from two samples from Australia and India. This will add to the body of data on the longer-term consequences of living with a meningioma in two socio-economically and culturally different countries.

Methods: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), Brain Neoplasm Module (QLQ-BN20) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to 159 Australian and 92 Indian meningioma patients over 24 months postoperative.

Process evaluation of an implementation trial to improve the triage, treatment and transfer of stroke patients in emergency departments (T trial): a qualitative study.

Background: The implementation of evidence-based protocols for stroke management in the emergency department (ED) for the appropriate triage, administration of tissue plasminogen activator to eligible patients, management of fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing, and prompt transfer to a stroke unit were evaluated in an Australian cluster-randomised trial (T trial) conducted at 26 emergency departments. There was no reduction in 90-day death or dependency nor improved processes of ED care. We conducted an a priori planned process influential factors that impacted upon protocol uptake.

Measuring organizational context in Australian emergency departments and its impact on stroke care and patient outcomes.

Background: Emergency departments (ED) are challenging environments but critical for early management of patients with stroke.

Purpose: To identify how context affects the provision of stroke care in 26 Australian EDs.

Method: Nurses perceptions of ED context was assessed with the Alberta Context Tool.

Nurse-Initiated Acute Stroke Care in Emergency Departments: The Triage, Treatment, and Transfer Implementation Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Purpose- We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to improve triage, treatment, and transfer for patients with acute stroke admitted to the emergency department (ED). Methods- A pragmatic, blinded, multicenter, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted between July 2013 and September 2016 in 26 Australian EDs with stroke units and tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) protocols. Hospitals, stratified by state and tPA volume, were randomized 1:1 to intervention or usual care by an independent statistician.

Validating the Alberta Context Tool in a multi-site Australian Emergency Department nurse population.

The organisational context of healthcare settings has an essential role in how research evidence is used in clinical practice. The Alberta Context Tool (ACT) measures 10 concepts of organisational context with higher scores indicating a more positive work environment and potentially better use of research evidence in patient care. We assessed the psychometric properties of the ACT in Emergency Departments (EDs).

Triage, treatment and transfer of patients with stroke in emergency department trial (the T Trial): a cluster randomised trial protocol.

Background: Internationally recognised evidence-based guidelines recommend appropriate triage of patients with stroke in emergency departments (EDs), administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and proactive management of fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing before prompt transfer to a stroke unit to maximise outcomes. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness in EDs of a theory-informed, nurse-initiated, intervention to improve multidisciplinary triage, treatment and transfer (T) of patients with acute stroke to improve 90-day death and dependency. Organisational and contextual factors associated with intervention uptake also will be evaluated.

Experiences of nurse practitioners and medical practitioners working in collaborative practice models in primary healthcare in Australia - a multiple case study using mixed methods.

Background: In 2010 policy changes were introduced to the Australian healthcare system that granted nurse practitioners access to the public health insurance scheme (Medicare) subject to a collaborative arrangement with a medical practitioner. These changes facilitated nurse practitioner practice in primary healthcare settings. This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of nurse practitioners and medical practitioners who worked together under the new policies and aimed to identify enablers of collaborative practice models.

The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving psychological outcomes for heart transplant recipients: a systematic review.

Background: Post-heart transplant psychological distress may directly hinder physiological health as well as indirectly impact on clinical outcomes by increasing unhealthy behaviors, such as immunosuppression non-adherence. Reducing psychological distress for heart transplant recipients is therefore vitally important in order to improve not only patients' overall health and well-being but also clinical outcomes, such as morbidity and mortality. Evidence from other populations suggests that non-pharmacological interventions may be an effective strategy.

Investigating characteristics of collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in primary healthcare: a mixed methods multiple case study protocol.

Aim: To investigate characteristics of collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in the primary healthcare setting in Australia.

Background: Recent definitions of collaboration in the literature describe it as being based on communication, shared decision-making and the respect and equality of team members. However, research demonstrates a tension between this theoretical ideal and how collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners occurs in practice.

The psychological experiences of adult heart transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-summary of qualitative findings.

Background: Psychosocial factors and physical health are associated with increased psychological distress post-heart transplant. Integrating findings from qualitative studies could highlight mechanisms for how these factors contribute to psychological well-being, thus aiding the development of interventions.

Objective: To integrate qualitative findings regarding adult heart transplant recipients experiences, such as their emotions, perceptions and attitudes.

Views and experiences of nurse practitioners and medical practitioners with collaborative practice in primary health care - an integrative review.

Background: This integrative review synthesises research studies that have investigated the perceptions of nurse practitioners and medical practitioners working in primary health care. The aggregation of evidence on barriers and facilitators to working collaboratively and experiences about the processes of collaboration is of value to understand success factors and factors that impede collaborative working relationships.

Methods: An integrative review, which used systematic review processes, was undertaken to summarise qualitative and quantitative studies published between 1990 and 2012.

Clinical trial recruitment--a complex intervention?

Aims And Objectives: To discuss the evidence of poor recruitment rates in randomised clinical trials and relate this to existing recruitment methodology before a novel approach to recruitment is suggested.

Background: Recruitment is crucial to the success of research projects. Effective recruitment leads to effective retention, an increased pool of data and in-time completion of projects.

Nurse-led clinics as an effective service for cardiac patients: results from a systematic review.

Aim: The article summarises results of a systematic review on the effectiveness of nurse-led clinics for patients with coronary heart disease. The objective was to present the best available evidence related to effective interventions in nurse-led cardiac clinics including patient education, risk factor assessment and continuity of care.

Methods: Following the principles of the Cochrane Collaboration for systematic reviews on effectiveness, this is an update to a previously published review.

[Prediction of postoperative pain - beneficial to perioperative pain management?].

Pain treatment of surgical patients is still a deficient area, even if there are evidence-based possibilities of pain management. The aim of this study is to identify patients with a higher risk of severe postoperative pain at an early stage and improve nurses' pain management by identifying pain predictors whilst including them in analgesic treatment. In addition to the identification of predictors by a literature review, a cross-sectional study with 84 surgical patients of a convenience sample was undertaken to find possible predictors.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of nurse-led cardiac clinics for adult patients with coronary heart disease.

Aim: Nurse-led clinics offer the possibility of patient education, support and continuity of care for patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) to address and reduce risk factors. The objective of this review is to present the best available evidence related to nurse-led cardiac clinics for adults with CHD by updating an existing systematic review.

Methods: Twenty databases for published literature and 11 databases or websites for unpublished literature were searched for the period September 2002 to March 2008.