Articles – Pain Management

1. Pharmacogenetics and pain management
By  Chianta, Maria; Guevara, Maria.
MLO: Medical Laboratory Observer. Feb 2014, Vol. 46 Issue 2, p9-11. 2p
Abstract: The article discusses the role of pharmacogenetics in the treatment of chronic pain. It provides information on hepatic enzyme metabolism and enumerates the four phenotypes used in categorizing patients who undergo pharmacogenetic testing, including ultra-rapid metabolizer (UM) and extensive metabolizer (EM). It reveals that pharmacogenetic testing can help prevent drug-drug interactions and medication-linked side effects, among other benefits.

2. Shoulder pain: pathogenesis, diagnosis and management.
By Walker, Jennie. N
Nursing Standard. 1/29/2014, Vol. 28 Issue 22, p51-58. 8pA
Abstract: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that can have a significant effect on people's activities of daily living and quality of life. Nurses have a central role in the assessment, management and follow up of patients undergoing conservative and surgical treatments. Understanding the often complex and chronic nature of shoulder pain will help healthcare professionals to provide holistic patient-centred care, considering the most suitable treatment options for the individual.

3. A blueprint to managing multiple chronic conditions and pain
By Saxe, JoAnne M.; Smith, Vicki; McNerney, Kellie. 
Journal of Family Practice. Dec 2013, Vol. 62 Issue 12, pS4-S11. 8p
Abstract: The article discusses aspects on how to manage multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and pain among older patients. Among the key factors discussed include an integrated care delivery approach, common complications of chronic illnesses, and several medical interventions. Moreover, several tables on the proper management of chronic illnesses are presented.

4. How best to prevent acute pain from becoming chronic?
By  Clark, Michael R. Journal of Family Practice. Sep 2013 Supplement 2, pS3-S9. 7p.
Abstract: The article offers information how to prevent the risk factors of acute pain. It discusses four perspectives which will help clinicians to group potential causes of chronic pain and separate them into classes with particular mechanisms including the disease perspective, the behavioral perspective, and the life story perspective. It mentions rational treatment for chronic pain.

5. Identifying barriers to pain management in long-term care
By Egan, Mary; Cornally, Nicola. Nursing Older People. Sep 2013, Vol. 25 Issue 7, p25-31. 7p.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify barriers to optimal pain management in long-term care (LTC) from a nursing perspective. Method A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. Results Patient-related barriers were seen as interfering more often with optimal pain management than organisational-related or caregiver-related barriers. Difficulty assessing pain due to problems with cognition, older patients' inability to complete pain scales and communication difficulties as a result of sensory impairment were common barriers. Conclusion A targeted approach to address the identified barriers would help improve pain management practices in LTC.

6. Pain experiences and self-management strategies among middle-aged and older adults with arthritis.
By Gong, Guilan; Li, Jie; Li, Xiuyun; Mao, Jing.
Journal of Clinical Nursing. Jul 2013, Vol. 22 Issue 13/14, p1857-1869. 13p
Abstract: The purposes were (1) to explore pain experiences and the use and perceived effectiveness of pain self-management methods among middle-aged and older adults with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in mainland China and (2) to compare those with diagnoses of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Background Prior research has suggested that pain is a major concern for people with arthritis. However, studies systematically investigating pain experiences and self-management status of arthritis patients are scarce in mainland China

Articles – Patient Participation/Perspectives

7. Patients’ perspectives on person-centred participation in healthcare: A framework analysis
By Thórarinsdóttir, Kristín; Kristjánsson, Kristján. Nursing Ethics. Mar 2014, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p129-147. 19p
Abstract: The aim of this article was to critically analyse the concept of person-centred participation in healthcare from patients’ perspectives through a review of qualitative research findings. In accordance with the integrative review method of Broom, data were retrieved from databases, but 60 studies were finally included in the study. The diverse attributes of person-centred participation in healthcare were identified and contrasted with participation that was not person-centred and analysed through framework analysis. Person-centred participation in healthcare was found to be based on patients’ experiences, values, preferences and needs in which respect and equality were central. It manifested itself via three intertwined phases: the human-connection phase, the phase of information processing and the action phase. The results challenge in many aspects earlier concept analyses of patient participation in addition to illuminating patient participation that is not positively valued by patients

8. Participation and social participation: are they distinct concepts?
By Piškur, Barbara; Daniëls, Ramon; Jongmans, Marian J; Ketelaar, Marjolijn; Smeets, Rob JEM; Norton, Meghan; Beurskens, Anna
JHM. Clinical Rehabilitation. Mar 2014, Vol. 28 Issue 3, p211-220. 10p
Abstract: The article discusses the concept of participation in health and social care literature from the World Health Organization (WHO) medical description in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It mentions the concept of social participation refers to social involvement of patient's and health care personnel's. It also emphasizes implications of rehabilitation in social participation.

9. Improving Family Satisfaction and Participation in Decision Making in an Intensive Care Unit
By HUFFINES, MEREDITH; JOHNSON, KAREN L.; SMITZ NARANJO, LINDA L.; LISSAUER, MATTHEW E.; ANN-MICHELLE FISHEL, MARMIE; D'ANGELO HOWES, SUSAN M.; PANNULLO, DIANE; RALLS, MINDY; SMITH, RUTH.
Critical Care Nurse. Oct 2013, Vol. 33 Issue 5, p56-69. 14p
Abstract: Survey data revealed that families of patients in a surgical intensive care unit were not satisfied with their participation in decision making or with how well the multidisciplinary team worked together. OBJECTIVES To develop and implement an evidence-based communication algorithm and evaluate its effect in improving satisfaction among patients' families

10. Stewards of our own healthcare.
By Vetter, Delia. Health Management Technology. Aug 2013, Vol. 34 Issue 8, p14-14. 1p
Abstract: The author argues that consumers should have access to their personal health information (PHI). She mentions that employees at EMC, a provider of healthcare information technology (IT) solutions, had given access to their electronic personal health records (ePHR) through the personalized health portal HealthLink. She also cites that the hypertension remote patient-monitoring program SmartBeat managed by Healthrageous allows individuals to upload their blood pressure readings into their ePHR.

Articles – Nursing Leadership

11. Transformational leadership in nursing: towards a more critical interpretation
By Hutchinson, Marie; Jackson, Debra.
Nursing Inquiry. Mar 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 1, p11-22. 12p
Abstract: Effective nurse leadership is positioned as an essential factor in achieving optimal patient outcomes and workplace enhancement. Over the last two decades, writing and research on nursing leadership has been dominated by one conceptual theory, that of transformational leadership. This theoretical framework has provided insight into various leader characteristics, with research findings presented as persuasive evidence. While elsewhere there has been robust debate on the merits of the transformational model of leadership, in the nursing literature, there has been little critical review of the model and the commonly used assessment instruments. In this article, we critically review more than a decade of nursing scholarship on the transformational model of leadership and its empirical evidence

12. How magnetic are Finnish hospitals measured by transformational leadership and empirical quality outcomes?
By  Kvist, Tarja; MÄntynen, Raija; Turunen, Hannele; Partanen, Pirjo; Miettinen, Merja; Wolf, Gail A.; VehvilÄinen-Julkunen, Katri.
Journal of Nursing Management. Jan 2013, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p152-164. 13p
Abstract: The overall aim of this study was to examine nurses' and patients' perceptions of the Magnet model components of transformational leadership and empirical quality outcomes in four Finnish hospitals and to determine if the evidence for transformational leadership and empirical quality outcomes is the same or different in the four hospitals. Background This report presents baseline measurements for a longitudinal study of the adaptation of the Magnet model in Finnish hospitals. Methods Web-based surveys and mailed questionnaires were used in 2008-2009 to collect data from patients ( n = 2566) about their satisfaction with care, and from nursing staff about transformational leadership ( n = 1151), job satisfaction ( n = 2707) and patient safety culture ( n = 925) in the selected hospitals

13. The influence of leadership practices and empowerment on Canadian nurse manager outcomes.
By Spence Laschinger, Heather K.; Wong, Carol A.; Grau, Ashley L.; Read, Emily A.; Pineau Stam, Lisa M.
Journal of Nursing Management. Oct 2012, Vol. 20 Issue 7, p877-888. 10p
Abstract: To examine the influence of senior nurse leadership practices on middle and first-line nurse managers' experiences of empowerment and organizational support and ultimately on their perceptions of patient care quality and turnover intentions. Background Empowering leadership has played an important role in staff nurse retention but there is limited research to explain the mechanisms by which leadership influences nurse managers' turnover intentions. Methods This study was a secondary analysis of data collected using non-experimental, predictive mailed survey design.

14. Exploring leadership in community nursing teams
By Cameron, Shona; Harbison, Jean; Lambert, Vicky; Dickson, Caroline.
Journal of Advanced Nursing. Jul 2012, Vol. 68 Issue 7, p1469-1481. 12p.
Abstract: This article is a report on a study investigating how leadership is perceived in community nursing teams and how these perceptions are translated into working practices of team leaders. Background. The consensus in community nursing literature is that leadership is important, and especially so in a time of change. However, little empirical evidence exists on how leadership works in practice.

Journal – New Zealand Medical Journal Digest, June 2014

15. From NZMJ DIGEST, Issue 44, June 2014
EDITORIALS
15A. Infective endocarditis: trends in the disease and how we study them
15B. The sugar debate and nutrition: obesity and ‘empty calories’
15C. Advice to reduce total and saturated fat, revisited1
15D. A Maori cultural reluctance to present for care, or a systems and quality failure? How we pose the issue, informs our solutions
ARTICLES
15E. Infective endocarditis in New Zealand: Data from the International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study
15F. When medical reports become expert medical evidence: judgments of the Court
15G. Are the amounts of vitamins in commercially available dietary supplement formulations relevant for the management of psychiatric disorders in children?
15H. Health system costs by sex, age and proximity to death, and implications for estimation of future expenditure
15I. Cultural and social factors and quality of life in Maori in advanced age: Life and living in advance age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

Conferences

16. Migrant-Cross-Cultural Encounters: A Multidisciplinary Conference
This international conference will examine historical and contemporary migrant encounters with other peoples in a diverse range of locations. Papers from various disciplinary angles are welcome from a variety of themes and from any period or region.
Date: 24th to 26th November 2014
Venue: Dunedin, New Zealand
Contact person: Professor Angela McCarthy
More information: https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/migrants/

17. Patient experience and involvement
Facilitator: Mary-Anne Boyd
Upcoming Dates
13 - 14 Oct, 2014
Wellington
3 - 4 Nov, 2014
Auckland
http://www.conferenz.co.nz/training/patient-experience-involvement

News – National

18. Back pay ordered for Pact staff
ODT 14 July 2014
Dunedin-based mental health and disability services provider PACT must pay staff more than $50,000 in backpay after acting in “serious bad faith” during pay negotiations.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/309239/pact-pay-after-acting-serious-bad-faith

19. Treating post-traumatic stress disorder: confronting the horror
By Mark CreamerN
Z Herald – Monday Jul 14, 2014
While human beings have always known about the mental health effects of trauma, it was only in 1980 that the term post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was coined. This acceptance spawned an explosion of research on the causes, vulnerabilities, and optimum treatments for PTSD.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11293123

News – International

20. Economists call to include food and health in GST
Sydney Morning Herald - July 12, 2014
Australia's tax system is in dire need of reform and a broadening of the GST should be the priority, senior economists say. A rise in the GST rate from 10 per cent to as much as 17.5 per cent should also be considered, several have argued, while emphasising the need for a broadscale inquiry into the tax system. Fairfax Media's mid-year survey of Australia's top economists has revealed support for broadening the GST base to include some food, health and education costs.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/economists-call-to-include-food-and-health-in-gst-20140711-3bshq.html

21. Shot in arm for health sector
Sydney Morning Herald - July 10, 2014
The sale of Medibank Private is being fast-tracked as offshore investors, mostly from Asia, rush the Healthscope float which opened last week. Fund managers meeting with Medibank Private executives, who are on a marketing roadshow to institutions, are being told it will be floated within months.
http://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/shot-in-arm-for-health-sector-20140710-zt2d6.html

22. Forgotten vials of smallpox virus found
CNN - July 9, 2014
You never know what you're going to find in an unused storage room. Employees at the National Institutes of Health, for example, recently discovered some old vials of variola. You may know variola by its less formal name -- smallpox. Yes, the deadly virus that was the scourge of civilization for centuries. It's been considered an eradicated disease ever since 1980, following successful worldwide vaccination programs
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/health/smallpox-virus-found/index.html?iref=allsearch