Articles – Surgical Mesh

1. Surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse in women
Intervention Review:  The Cochrane Library
By Christopher Maher, Benjamin Feiner, Kaven Baessler and Corina Schmid
Published Online : 30 APR 2013, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004014.pub5
Abstract:  Pelvic organ prolapse may occur in up to 50% of parous women. A variety of urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms may be associated with the prolapse. The objectives of this review were to determine the effects of the many different surgeries used in the management of pelvic organ prolapse.

2. Minimally invasive synthetic suburethral sling operations for stress urinary incontinence in women Intervention Review. The Cochrane Library
By Joseph Ogah, June D Cody and Lynne Rogerson
Published Online : 7 OCT 2009, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006375.pub2
Abstract:  Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition affecting up to 30% of women. Minimally invasive synthetic suburethral sling operations are among the latest forms of procedures introduced to treat SUI. Objectives: To assess the effects of minimally invasive synthetic suburethral sling operations for treatment of SUI, urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in women.

3. Guidelines for management of urinary incontinence
International Journal of Urology, Volume 15, Issue 10, October 2008, Pages: 857–874, Osamu Nishizawa, Osamu Ishizuka, Kikuo Okamura, Momokazu Gotoh, Tomonori Hasegawa and Yoshihiko Hirao
Article first published online : 15 OCT 2008, DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2008.02117.x
Abstract:  In Japan, only the following two guidelines are available: ‘Guidelines on Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly’ based on research funded by the Longevity Sciences Research Grant (chief investigator: Kikuo Okamura) and ‘Guidelines on Urinary Incontinence in Women’ based on ‘Research on Treatment Standardization in the Urological Field’ funded by the Health Sciences Research Grant (group leader: Osamu Nishizawa). This paper is an English translation of these two guidelines originally published in Japanese

4. Efficacy and safety of using mesh or grafts in surgery for anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapse: systematic review and meta-analysis.
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Volume 115, Issue 11, October 2008, Pages: 1350–1361, X Jia, C Glazener, G Mowatt, G MacLennan, C Bain, C Fraser and J Burr
Article first published online : 19 AUG 2008, DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01845.x
Abstract:  The efficacy and safety of mesh/graft in surgery for anterior or posterior pelvic organ prolapse is uncertain. Objectives: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of mesh/graft for anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapse surgery.

Articles – Fear of Needles

5.  Helping a person with autism to overcome her fear of needles.
By  Edwards, Joanne; Northway, Ruth. Primary Health Care. Dec 2011, Vol. 21 Issue 10, p26-29. 4p.
Abstract: Health care may need to be delivered differently to people with learning disabilities to ensure equitable access (Northway 2011). 'Sara' had a phobia of needles and had not attended a GP surgery for some time. A desensitisation programme was developed and this article explores how collaborative working between community learning disability teams and primary health care resulted in Sara having her bloods taken successfully

6. Physiologic strategies to prevent fainting responses during or after whole blood donation.
By  Wieling, Wouter; France, Christopher R.; van Dijk, Nynke; Kamel, Hany; Thijs, Roland D.; Tomasulo, Peter.
Transfusion. Dec 2011, Vol. 51 Issue 12, p2727-2738. 12p.
Abstract: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a consistent, but infrequent (0.1%-0.3%) complication of volunteer, whole blood donation. Recent rigorous data collection and analysis have led to the association of a small number of donor and donation factors with the risk of syncope. This review examines the physiologic mechanisms that contribute to these periods of increased risk including the direct effects of removal of approximately 500 mL of whole blood, the psychological stress of instrumentation and giving blood (i.e., fear of needles, pain, and the sight of blood), and the orthostatic effects superimposed on a hypovolemic state after the donation

7. Needle phobics: Stuck on not getting stuck
By  Lynn, Karen.
MLO: Medical Laboratory Observer. Sep 2010, Vol. 42 Issue 9, p46-48. 2p.
Abstract: The article offers information on needle phobia. It states that most of the needle-phobic individuals acquired there fear through their traumatic experiences during childhood. It adds that needle phobia is also the cause of some preventable medical disorders and even death. Meanwhile, chief-executive-officer (CEO) Amy Baxter of MMJ Labs has invented "Buzzy", a device that relieves pain during venipuncture and vaccinations to help adults and children manage their fears on needles.

8. Immunizing Children Who Fear and Resist Needles: Is It a Problem for Nurses?
By  Ives, Mary; Melrose, Sherri.
Nursing Forum. Jan-Mar 2010, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p29-39. 11p
Abstract:  Despite increasing evidence that immunization procedures can be stressful for children, little is known about what the experience of immunizing frightened and needle-resistant children can be like for nurses. METHOD. This article presents findings from a qualitative research project designed to explore public health nurses' feelings toward immunizing needle-resistant children. A constructivist theoretical perspective and an action research approach framed the study. Data sources included two survey questions and audio-recorded transcribed data from three focus groups

Articles – Learning Styles

9. Nurses as Educators:  Understanding Learning Styles
By  Blevins, Sonya.
MEDSURG Nursing. Jan/Feb2014, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p59-60. 2p.
Abstract: The article discusses how nurse educators should develop educational programs and training for learner nurses. The six assumptions on which the principles of adult learning are based are described. The different styles of learning, namely visual, auditory and kinesthetic, are explained. A conclusion is provided stating that the educators must first understand the principles of adult learning, learning styles and generational influences on learning before developing the educational programs

10. Learning styles: where's the evidence?
By  Rohrer, Doug; Pashler, Harold.
Medical Education. Jul 2012, Vol. 46 Issue 7, p634-635. 2p
Abstract: The authors discuss the learning style-based instruction for medical students. They relate their hypothetical study of the visual-verbal taxonomy as learning styles of students, in which visual learners will learn better with visual methods, and verbal learners will learn better with the methods used are verbal. They says tailored instruction among medical students will not make sense unless it has more benefits, since it is logistically demanding.

11. Vicarious learning during simulations: is it more effective than hands-on training?
By  Stegmann, Karsten; Pilz, Florian; Siebeck, Matthias; Fischer, Frank.
Medical Education. Oct 2012, Vol. 46 Issue 10, p1001-1008. 8p
Abstract: Doctor-patient communication skills are often fostered by using simulations with standardised patients (SPs). The efficiency of such experiences is greater if student observers learn at least as much from the simulation as do students who actually interact with the patient. Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether the type of simulation-based learning (learning by doing versus vicarious learning) and the order in which these activities are carried out (learning by doing ? vicarious learning versus vicarious learning ? learning by doing) have any effect on the acquisition of knowledge on effective doctor-patient communication strategies.

12. Integration of Theory and Practice: Experiential Learning Theory and Nursing Education.
By LISKO, SUSAN A.; O'DELL, VALERIE.
Nursing Education Perspectives. Mar/Apr2010, Vol. 31 Issue 2, p106-108. 3p.
Abstract: The increasingly complex role of a nurse requires a much higher level of critical thinking and clinical judgment skills than in the past. Opportunities to provide critical thinking experiences in clinical settings are challenged by various factors, including limited clinical facilities and a shortage of nurse faculty. Alternative methods to provide critical thinking experiences in undergraduate nursing education are required. Kolb's theory of experiential learning theory is discussed as the foundation for the development of an alternative strategy that uses moderate-fidelity manikins. The strategy involved scenario-based performance of selected nursing skills in order to evaluate critical thinking and theory-clinical correlation

13. Reducing Cognitive Skill Decay and Diagnostic Error: Theory-Based Practices for Continuing Education in Health Care.
By WEAVER, SALLIE J.; NEWMAN-TOKER, DAVID E.; ROSEN, MICHAEL A.
Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. Fall2012, Vol. 32 Issue 4, p269-278. 10p. 2 Charts. DOI: 10.1002/chp.21155.
Abstract: Missed, delayed, or wrong diagnoses can have a severe impact on patients, providers, and the entire health care system. One mechanism implicated in such diagnostic errors is the deterioration of cognitive diagnostic skills that are used rarely or not at all over a prolonged period of time. Existing evidence regarding maintenance of effective cognitive reasoning skills in the clinical education, organizational training, and human factors literatures suggest that continuing education plays a critical role in mitigating and managing diagnostic skill decay.

Journal – Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal

14. From Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, Vol 22, No. 1, July 2014
NEWS
14A. Nurses and midwives unite against harsh budget cuts
14B. Changing attitudes to aged care; Nursing leaders honoured – Professor Elizabeth Dabars; Dr Rosemary Bryant
14C. New online campaign fights federal budget cuts
14D. Tasmania to bring back school nurses (1/2 page)
14E. Access to healthcare researched (1/2 page)
ISSUES
14F. Educating senior nursing students to stop lateral violence in nursing
PROFESSIONAL
14G. Is it advanced or expanded practice
14H. Bedside handovers and confidentiality – can they co-exist?
14I. Social media: The pitfalls and the potential
TECH TALK
14J. Technology-centric new hospital for Adelaide
CLINICAL UPDATE
14K. Introducing insulin pen needle safety devices in Australia to protect nurses
WOMEN’S HEALTH
14L. Women with problematic drug and alcohol use have higher rates of trauma and abnormal pap smears
FOCUS
14M. The perinatal emotional health program – hope for isolated rural women
14N. Is anyone listening? [Respecting aboriginal women who have experienced domestic violence]
14O. Does mindfulness training reduce the stress of pregnancy?; Psychological issues for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus

Conferences

15. Determinants of Health and Wellbeing workshop
Date:  Thursday 14th August, 2014
Location: Whanganui
More information: http://www.hauora.co.nz/cost-registration1.html
 

16. Annual Cartwright seminar 'Out of the Shadows: Older Women and Violence'
Organised by Women's Health Action in partnership with Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, Age Concern, the Mental Health Foundation, and Te Oranga Kaum?tua Kuia Disability Support Services Trust.
Date:  Thursday 24 July 2014, 1-3pm
Location:  Fickling Centre, Hillsborough Room, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland
More information: http://www.womens-health.org.nz/

17. Inaugural Teen Parent Support Conference 2014
Date:  24-25 September, 2014
Location:  Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland
More information: http://www.thrive.org.nz/teen-parent-support-conference-2014-0

News – National

18. Computer game to beat depression
JODY O'CALLAGHAN. 08/07/2014
Canterbury has the highest number of teenagers per capita who are using a computer game to help combat depression and stress. SPARX is a world-first initiative combining computer gaming technology with therapy strategies to help teenagers learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed. Players take on avatar characters and carry out tasks to earn points for positive thinking. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10241611/Computer-game-to-beat-depression1

19. Women demand inquiry into surgical mesh
Published: 5:01PM Tuesday July 01, 2014 Source: ONE News
Two Auckland women are spearheading a campaign calling for an urgent government inquiry into the use of surgical mesh. The mesh is used routinely by doctors in the repair of hernias, gynaecological problems and incontinence.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/women-demand-inquiry-into-surgical-mesh-6016493

20. Hard time finding patients for free colonoscopies
ODT – 8 July 2014
Up to $75,000 worth of free colonoscopies will be provided to Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes patients this month in response to perceived lingering problems with accessing colonoscopy services in the region
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/308540/hard-time-finding-patients-free-colonoscopies

News – International

21. Alzheimers disease could be prevented after new blood test breakthrough
Scientists have developed a blood test which can predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease up to a year before symptoms begin to show. But how will it benefit patients
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10951689/Alzheimers-disease-could-be-prevented-after-new-blood-test-breakthrough.html

22. Convicted Dr can practise after court win
The path is clear for a Perth-based Indian doctor convicted of sexually assaulting a patient to seek a return to practising medicine. Suhail Ahmad Khan Durani has been successful in his bid to overturn a ministerial decision to deport him after he served more than 18 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman while examining her at Royal Perth Hospital in 2010
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/convicted-dr-can-practise-after-court-win-20140704-3bcsn.html

23. No queue jumping for surgery for children of affluent families: Report
Kids from less affluent families don't have to wait longer for needed surgeries than kids who are well off, a new Canadian study found
http://o.canada.com/health/family-child/no-queue-jumping-for-surgery-for-children-of-affluent-families-report