Abstract: This paper is a literature review of the psychogeriatric specialty and describes the clinical role, practice and knowledge of the psychogeriatric nurse. Literature reviews provide a useful means for evaluating what is currently known and understood in a particular area of interest to help nurses' build current opinion into practice. Psychogeriatric nursing is a specialised field of practice that focuses on the mental health needs of people over the age of 65 (including younger people who have acquired needs that are similar in 'like' and age and 'interest'). The literature asserts the urgent need to develop the role and practice of the psychogeriatric nurse in order to address the complex needs of our ageing population in areas such as home care, hospitals, primary health, and long term care institutions. The findings highlight aspects of nursing care that are essential to the role and practice of the psychogeriatric nurse. Knowledge that is necessary for best practice in psychogeriatric nursing care is drawn mainly from the field of general psychiatry and gerontology but also from general medicine, psychology, neurology, and disability. Nurses' working with older adults affected by psychogeriatric conditions must possess a broad knowledge of physical and mental health issues that affect the elderly, including also knowledge and understanding of psychosocial risk factors that can also have an impact on the health and behaviour of older people and their carers. Despite these literal assertions however there appears to be a dearth of literature available to support the requirements for developing the psychogeriatric nursing specialty in clinical practice, research, and education. The author notes that authorities in this specialised field of practice generally agree that with an increasing aging population looming in the future more research in the field of “old age psychiatry” will be critical.

Abstract: This article explores some of the functions of psychiatric diagnosis and the implications this has for mental health nursing care. It critiques the psychiatric diagnosis as a categorisation process that maintains oppressive power relations within society, by establishing and enforcing normality through gender, culture and class biases. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is used to illustrate some of the inherent biases in the diagnostic process. The author argues that mental health nursing practice needs to demonstrate an awareness of the power relations inherent in any diagnostic process and make attempts to redress these at both the individual and sociopolitical levels. To create a true patient-centred partnership in mental health nursing, the nursing focus should be on the patient's experience rather than the psychiatric diagnosis with which the experience is attributed. NB this is a reprint of article first published in Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2000 Mar; 31(3), 583-9.

Abstract: Eighty alcohol and/or drug dependent women who were consecutive admissions to an outpatient alcohol and drug service were interviewed with the aim of gathering information regarding childhood adversity, psychiatric comorbidity and alcohol and drug history, including extent of treatment and alcohol and drug related criminality. A secondary aim of the study was to investigate associations between both the multiplicity of alcohol and drug dependence diagnosis and the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in relation to exposure to childhood adversity, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse.The data demonstrate that the study sample was a relatively severe group of alcohol and drug dependent women. A sizeable percentage came from backgrounds characterised by parental separation, conflict and alcohol and drug problems. Many were regularly exposed to physical abuse perpetrated by both parents or main parental figures and over two-thirds were exposed to some form of sexual abuse within their first 15 years. Sixty percent had been dependent on more than one psychoactive substance, with half having undergone previous alcohol and drug treatment. The women also presented with substantial histories of criminal convictions, with a quarter having served a prison sentence. The results indicate the presence of extensive psychiatric comorbidity in the sample. Two-thirds of the women met current DSM-IV criteria forat least one of the following Axis I disorders: major depressive syndrome, social phobia or bulimia nervosa, while nearly half had antisocial personality disorder. More importantly, significant associations were found regarding the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in relation to four measures of severe childhood adversity, i.e. childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse and parental problems. Multiplicity of alcohol and drug dependence diagnosis was associated with severe emotional abuse, severe parental problems andpsychiatric comorbidity. Emotional abuse during childhood was the most pervasive indicator of comorbidity and multiplicity of alcohol and/or drug dependence. The main implication for clinical practice arising from the results of this study is the need for the development of a broader approach to alcohol and drug service provision. In order to achieve positive treatment outcomes, alcohol and drug service may need to routinely screen and plan treatment for unresolved childhood trauma, psychiatric disorder and other problems related to alcohol and drug use in all clients presenting for alcohol and drug treatment

Abstract: Reviews the international literature on paramedic preparedness to provide palliative and EOL care in in the community, and applies it to the NZ context. Finds that paramedics would like improved education and better integration with traditional care providers, encompassing patients, family, whanau and carers. and that they stress the psychological, spiritual and cultural needs of their patients.

Abstract: Reviews literature relating to the experience of international tertiary students, particularly Chinese students, undertaking nursing education. Reports that international students cite poorer mental and physical health outcomes than domestic students, and that students with English as an additional language (EAL) experience culture shock, frustration and stress. Suggests that tertiary institutions need to supply targeted interventions for international students in language and cultural adaptation to promote positive acculturation.

Abstract: Cites children's right to participation in their own healthcare under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and describes the nature of their participation. Reports a study tour of the UK, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands to learn perspectives, strategies and methods of including children in their own healthcare.

Abstract: This article describes the development, delivery and evaluation of a pilot programme designed to help nursing and midwifery students from Asian and non-English speaking backgrounds improve their conversational skills in practice settings. Many such students, although previously assessed as competent in English, find that communication with patients and their families, and other health professionals is difficult. The study was conducted in a large tertiary educational institution in a major metropolitan centre. Each week for a period of 11 weeks students participated in an interactive session. Content for these was based on areas highlighted by a needs assessment involving interviews with both students and lecturers, and was subject to ongoing modification in response to feedback from participants. Evaluation questionnaires completed at the conclusion of the series indicated that students perceived the impact as positive. Students who attended regularly and were actively involved in the practice activities described gains in communication skills. From this it was concluded that further development of the pilot scheme was warranted in order to benefit English as an additional language (EAL) students enrolled in nursing and midwifery courses