Rosemary Saunders

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Verified

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• RN, BaAppSc, MPH, PhD
• Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University

This study explored the support networks and care needs of older Vietnam‐born adults living in Australia, using focused ethnography, and guided by Leininger's Culture Care theory. Data were collected through participant observation and in‐depth interviews over 7 months in Perth, Western Australia, and analyzed thematically. Twelve participants were...

Introduction Frailty‐focused care in hospitals is hindered by systemic barriers, ageism and stereotypes about older adults and frailty. There is a need for frailty education to increase healthcare professionals' and students' understanding of frailty. Objective As part of a larger study to co‐design a new digital frailty education course, ‘Focus o...

Introduction Frailty is prevalent in hospitals and is associated with adverse events and poor health outcomes. In Australia, there is a need for co-designed, multidisciplinary, and contextually relevant frailty education to improve healthcare students’ understanding and knowledge of frailty within the hospital setting. Objective This study aimed t...

Objectives This study explored bereaved relatives’ experiences of end-of-life care (EoL care) in the last 3 days in an acute private hospital in Australia. Methods An interpretative qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with 8 bereaved relatives whose family member had died at an acute private hospital shared their experience...

Background In Australia, aligned to safety and quality standards, the health system implements standardised practices that include patient involvement in nursing bedside handover. Despite this mandate, it remains unclear whether patients are genuinely participating in nursing bedside handovers and whether their perspectives are being considered. A...

Background/Objectives: Patient and family involvement in bedside handover is a requirement of the national standards on patient safety and quality in Australia. To ensure patient-and-family-centred care, it is essential to understand how patients and families perceive their involvement in nursing bedside handover and what difficulties they face whe...

Frailty is an important concept in the care of older adults. Over the past two decades, significant advances have been made in measuring frailty. While it is now well‐recognised that frailty status is an important determinant of outcomes from medical illnesses or surgical interventions, frailty measurement is not currently routinely integrated into...

BACKGROUND Heart failure is a prevalent and debilitating condition, affecting millions globally and imposing significant burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. Despite advancements in medical treatments, the gap in effective, continuous, and personalized supportive care remains glaringly evident. To address this pressing issue, virtu...

Aim To explore the health beliefs and health behaviours of older Vietnam‐born people living with chronic disease in Western Australia. Design This study was designed as a focused ethnography guided by the interpretative research paradigm and Leininger's Theory of Culture Care. Methods Data were collected through participant observation and interv...

Purpose To provide a preliminary descriptive analysis of the change in fall concern among family caregiver–care recipient dyads during hospitalization and after discharge as part of a prospective study exploring the psychometric properties of the Carers' Fall Concern Instrument. Method Using a prospective cohort design, an interviewer-administered...

A hospital‐wide point prevalence study investigated frailty and pain in patients with a cancer‐related admission. Modifiable factors associated with frailty in people with cancer were determined through logistic regression. Forty‐eight patients (19%) with cancer‐related admissions were 2.65 times more likely to be frail and 2.12 more likely to have...

Aims To explore and summarise the literature on the concept of ‘clinical deterioration’ as a nurse‐sensitive indicator of quality of care in the out‐of‐hospital context. Design The scoping review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses Extension for Scoping Review and the JBI best practice guidelines for s...

Aim To synthesise evidence related to risk factors of falls among younger mental health inpatients age ≤65 years old. Background Hospitalised patients with mental illness are at increased risk of falling. Specific risk factors for falls for younger inpatients are poorly understood. Design Systematic review. Methods Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO,...

Objective(s): To understand Australian health professionals' perceptions of their knowledge and previous training about frailty, as well as barriers to frailty assessment and management in their practice. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was developed and distributed to health professionals (medical, nursing and allied health) engaged in...

Aims: This work aims to explore staff perceptions of (1) the effectiveness of organizational communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) the impact of organizational communication on staff well-being and ability to progress their work and patient care. Background: Effective coordination and communication are essential in a pandemic manage...

Frailty and pain in hospitalised patients are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, there is limited data on the associations between frailty and pain in this group of patients. Understanding the prevalence, distribution and interaction of frailty and pain in hospitals will help to determine the magnitude of this association and assis...

Aims To understand nurses’ perceptions of volunteer support in health care settings. Background Increasingly, volunteers provide specialised support to health care service users, requiring volunteers and nurses to work closely together. However, little is known about nurses’ perceptions of volunteer support. Methods A scoping review was conducted...

Background The ageing population has led to growing numbers of older adults in hospital. Given the increased care needs of older adult patients, hospitals are facing resource challenges to ensure patient safety and quality of care. Support from trained volunteers focussed on older adults needs, such as eating, drinking, ambulation and cognitive sti...

Introduction Hospitalised older adults are prone to functional deterioration, which is more evident in frail older patients and can be further exacerbated by pain. Two interventions that have the potential to prevent progression of frailty and improve patient outcomes in hospitalised older adults but have yet to be subject to clinical trials are nu...

Introduction Australian nurses have experienced higher levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic. This may have affected their long-term mental health and intention to stay in the profession resulting in a workforce shortage, which further impacts the health of the public. Management is urgently required to improv...

Background: An aging population has contributed to an increased prevalence in chronic disease. To empower patients, healthcare systems are shifting toward chronic disease self-management. However, no review on how older adults self-manage chronic disease and the barriers and facilitators they experience has been published. Aims: To explore barri...

Purpose Stroke brings about physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes and, consequently, many stroke survivors feel underprepared for the transition from hospital to home. Nursing and allied health staff have a key role in stroke rehabilitation. Peer support programs have been found effective in supporting stroke survivors, alongside hospital s...

Objective The aim of this study was to identify barriers and enablers from the perspectives of stroke survivors, carers and staff to understand the experiences of care. Design The study used a qualitative descriptive methodology and employed semistructured interview technique. Setting A metropolitan stroke rehabilitation unit in Western Australia...

Objective To explore residential aged care staff perceptions of an online training program on the management of antipsychotic medications for responsive behaviour in residential aged care. Methods A qualitative process evaluation was undertaken in four residential aged care facilities of one organisation in Australia. Five focus group interviews w...

Background Whilst theoretical grounding is considered important for sound research methodology, consensus on the application of theory in qualitative research remains elusive. Novice researchers may experience challenges in applying theory in qualitative research and these may contribute to the under‐use, over‐reliance or inappropriate application...

Aim and objective To explore patient experiences, perceived benefits and suggestions of an eHealth program for pre‐ and post‐operative education for total hip arthroplasty. Background eHealth programs for surgical patients can facilitate the delivery of information, provide individualised rehabilitation plans and enable communication with health p...

Objective To explore the perceptions of clinical staff on the quality of end-of-life care in an acute private hospital.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of clinical staff in an acute private hospital were surveyed using a validated end-of-life survey. Data from the surveys were analysed using descriptive statistic...

Objective: This study reviewed the audit outcomes of the documented end-of-life care in a private hospital against the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's five recommended processes of care (Essential Elements (EE) 1-5). Methods: A retrospective database review of deaths over a three-year period was undertaken. This was...

An exploration of discharge planning processes within an orthopaedic ward at a private hospital in Western Australia.

Background Nurses play a key role in providing discharge education. With the increased demand for orthopaedic surgery and subsequent fast‐track surgical programmes resulting in reduction in hospital length of stay, obtaining patient feedback about discharge is important to inform nursing practice of discharge. Aim To explore patients’ experiences...

Poster presented during National Volunteer Week at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital detailing an evaluation of a stroke peer support programme at a public hospital in Western Australia.

Background The role of eHealth programs to support patients through surgical pathways, including total hip arthroplasty (THA), is rapidly growing and offers the potential to improve patient engagement, self-care, and outcomes. Objective The aim of this study is to compare the effects of an eHealth program (intervention) versus standard care for pr...

Introduction Frailty and pain are associated with adverse patient clinical outcomes and healthcare system costs. Frailty and pain can interact, such that symptoms of frailty can make pain assessment difficult and pain can exacerbate the progression of frailty. The prevalence of frailty and pain and their concurrence in hospital settings are not wel...

Objective This study aimed to develop and evaluate a Toolkit to support implementation of the Towards Organisational Culture Change (TOrCCh) intervention, with minimal external facilitation, in aged care facilities, to implement long‐lasting organisational change. Methods Eight residential aged care facilities across two Australian states particip...

An exploration of stroke patients', volunteer peers' and staff perspectives of an in-hospital stroke peer support program.

BACKGROUND Patients undergoing surgery require pre- and post-operative education. eHealth programs can facilitate the delivery of information, individualised rehabilitation plans and communication with health professionals for surgical patients to promote overall patient recovery. My Hip Journey was an eHealth program designed to provide pre- and p...

BACKGROUND The role of eHealth programs to support patients through surgical pathways, including total hip arthroplasty (THA), is rapidly growing and offers the potential to improve patient engagement, self-care, and outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to compare the effects of an eHealth program (intervention) versus standard care for pr...

As patients, older adults are often involved informally with the teaching of nursing students in clinical environments. This involvement is recognised as valuable; however, the role of the patient is often passive. In recent years there has been recognition of the value that real people's lives, and health experiences can bring to student education...

Background Medical emergency teams are essential in responding to acute deterioration of patients in hospitals, requiring both clinical and non-technical skills. This study aims to assess the non-technical skills of medical emergency teams during hospital ward emergencies and explore team members perceptions and experiences of the use non-technical...

Aim To examine the available evidence on the effects of care and support provided by volunteers on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care services. Background Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, and this presents the potential for poorer health outcomes. Factors such as chronic health conditions, polypharmacy and co...

Interprofessional education (IPE) programs in residential aged care facilities (RACF) contributes to the care of older adults whilst providing an environment for students to learn and practise in an interprofessional manner. Clinical placements are provided by RACF through funding and support from universities in collaboration with the RACF. Conduc...

Registered nurses are required to be involved in quality improvement activities as part of delivering safe, high-quality care for patients. Graduate registered nurses often have limited knowledge and practical application of quality improvement processes and their link to clinical care. Graduate nurse programs provide ideal opportunities to embed k...

Background: Total hip arthroplasty is an effective surgical procedure commonly used worldwide for patients suffering the disabling effects of osteoarthritis when medical therapy is unsuccessful. Traditionally pre- and postoperative information for patients undergoing a hip arthroplasty has been provided by paper-based methods. Electronic health (e...

Aim and Objectives To examine students’ beliefs, behaviours and attitudes in relation to interprofessional socialisation, and their expectations and experience, before and after a two‐week clinical placement in ambulatory care. Background Interprofessional clinical placements for students are important for developing an understanding of interprofe...

Background: Interprofessional practice amongst health care professionals can facilitate effective collaboration and can improve health outcomes for patients. Interprofessional clinical placements have mainly been established within inpatient settings; however, ambulatory care settings can also provide interprofessional education. This study evalua...

It is essential that health professionals are trained to provide optimal care for our ageing population. Key to this is a positive attitude to older adults along with the ability to work in teams and provide interprofessional care. There is limited evidence on the impact an interprofessional education (IPE) placement in a residential aged care faci...

Objectives: Older Australians are choosing to live within the community and there are a number of initiatives to enable this sector of the population to do so for longer. In an effort to ensure that they remain both physically and psychologically engaged, one initiative has been to provide community based day care (CBDC). Method: A narrative review...

The learning landscape of the higher education environment is changing, with an increased focus over the past decade on how educators might begin to cultivate reflective skills in health professions students. In addition, changing professional requirements demand that health professionals are adequately prepared to practise in today’s complex healt...

Aims and objectivesTo explore patient experiences of type 2 diabetes mellitus care delivered by general practice nurses in collaboration with the general practitioner. Background Australian general practice nurses are expanding their role in multidisciplinary type 2 diabetes care with limited research on patient perceptions of care provision within...

This paper explores the impact of a student learning activity involving service learning. As part of a vocational course in the Academy of Health Sciences at a Western Australian TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institute, Allied Health Assistant (AHA) students participated in a service learning program focused on work-based learning in resid...

Reflection has been identified as key to interprofessional education as it facilitates a focus on interprofessional communication, collaborative practice and professional roles, while contributing to debunking ingrained understandings of roles and behaviours. The aim of this study is to explore the written reflections of nursing students following...

Aim: To establish a profile of men in nursing in Western Australia and explore the perception of men in nursing from the perspective of male and female nurses. Background: A project team, including some of the current authors, produced a YouTube video and DVD about men in nursing which led to further enquiry on this topic. Design: The study em...

Background: Residential aged care environments can provide valuable learning opportunities for health professional education. An aged care community-university partnership developed the Beyond the Teaching Nursing Home: Community Partnership of Learning and Care (BTTNH: CPLC) programme, where older adults volunteer in learning activities with heal...

The introduction of learning technologies into educational settings continues to grow alongside the emergence of innovative technologies into the healthcare arena. The challenge for health professionals such as medical, nursing, and allied health practitioners is to develop an improved understanding of these technologies and how they may influence...

In changing higher education environments, health profession's educators have been increasingly challenged to prepare future health professionals to care for ageing populations. This paper will report on an exploratory, mixed method research study that used an innovative photo-elicitation technique and interprofessional small group work in the clas...

Abstract There are diverse perceptions about the primary purpose of evaluation. In interprofessional education (IPE), there has been a perceived focus on evaluating against the outcome of improved collaborative practice and quality of care. This paper presents an exploration of the nature and purpose of evaluation methods commonly utilized in the I...

Since 2010, a residential aged care provider has been in collaboration with universities in Western Australia to deliver an interprofessional education (IPE) program in residential aged care facilities. The program takes place within a residential aged care setting where university student placements from seven disciplines are integrated into a dyn...

This paper reports on three interrelated Australian studies that provide a nationally coherent and evidence-informed approach to interprofessional education (IPE). Based on findings from previous studies that IPE tends to be marginalized in mainstream health curriculum, the three studies aspired to produce a range of resources that would guide the...