Reports 1998

Recommendations are made about the development of NP courses in Britain.

This report describes and discusses the author's observations of some interesting Polish initiatives in the provision of continued support and opportunities for social reintegration for people experiencing enduring and serious mental health problems, the Polish approach to the provision of rehabilitation services, and the educational preparation of Polish nurses for work in the mental health arena. It critically evaluates the possible lessons to be learned from such initiatives for mental health practitioners working in Britain.

The duration of the study was one month, at two centres. Time was spent in the clinical areas observing the utilisation of care pathways, principally in a renal and urology care setting but also within other specialties. Information was obtained from clinicians regarding the development and implementation of pathways and the effect on patient care and resources. The audit process and audit tools were also examined. Many working examples of pathways in various stages of development were obtained and reviewed.

It highlights the need for nurse education to embrace a multifaceted approach to human sexuality and makes recommendations for change.

The aim of this project was to visit the USA to examine how cancer clinical trials are managed there with particular reference to how patients are recruited into cancer trials and how they are given information and support throughout trial involvement. By establishing links with academics and clinicians, it was possible to identify examples of innovative practice and research in these areas which can be incorporated into practice in the UK.

The report describes the outcome of participation in an Objective Standardised Clinical Examination for nurses carried out in Dublin. The studies in Canada concluded that the current state of technology could provide a telematics based means to assist with the creation and maintenance of standards.

The resources required in order to implement a nurse-led intravenous therapy service are enormous and - certainly within the current financial climate of the NHS - unrealistic. Nevertheless, a number of strategies which could improve care and maximise the skills of generalist nurses have been identified and are discussed.

	to look at the different services offered to adolescents with cancer
	to gain a general overview of how children with cancer are nursed
	to find out about paediatric oncology home care services and
	to look at the written information given out to families

The report addresses the outcomes of these objectives.

The Scholar undertook a three-week trip to Boston Children's Hospital in the USA to study how the Urology Department there managed these children, both through investigation and treatment within the hospital and in co-operation with local services in the community. She was particularly interested in exploring the nursing support available to these children and the services available to them outside the hospital. This report examines the objectives for the trip and the services available in Boston, and compares treatment and support available to the children in Boston and those attending Guy's Hospital.

Implications for the care of children and families undergoing such an experience are discussed, with recommendations for practice and for further research.

The aims were to gain an insight into the work of the ANP by "shadowing" practitioners and meeting with clinicians with whom the ANP would interact in the course of their work, and to explore the educational preparation of the practitioners.

The study's findings conclude that pathways can be a useful tool for assisting clinicians in putting evidence into practice. It is also recognised that there is further scope to expand the pathways across traditional hospital/community boundaries.

In spite of a generic job description, anecdotal evidence suggested variations in the way the role of co-ordinator is practised. This study evaluates the co-ordinators' own perceptions of their role, identifies where differences in team structure and perception of role lead to differences in practice and assesses where this is a problem. This will inform and enable community nurses and managers to evaluate the role of co-ordinator and act upon recommendations for change in their current practice.

The Scholar draws conclusions from the experience and makes recommendations.

	membership of a small refugee community
	fear of rejection and isolation if HIV antibody status became known
	the use of denial as a coping mechanism
	tribal enmities transferred to a small (mainly political) refugee community
	cultural pressure to produce children

The study compares the attitude and beliefs of people infected with HIV in Uganda with those of the Ugandan community in the UK. If they are different, the reasons for the differences are outlined.

The Scholar recommends that in the UK families should be routinely included by nurses and other staff in discussions about psychiatric care and that this is particularly beneficial at moments of transition or crisis, such as when a person enters hospital.

The author was able to meet with graduates of Masters programmes, functioning in advanced practice roles such as clinical nurse specialist, critical care and trauma case managers, gerentological nurse practitioners in trauma care, trauma co-ordinators and nurse educator.

The relationship between the shifting nature of service provision and a range of relevant educational preparations for the nursing workforce, has continued to challenge curriculum planners. The challenge has been taken up by several Australian centres and the purpose of the travel scholarship was to draw on their experience.