Learning about respiratory care.

"Stimulating and enjoyable, an excellent range of speakers"--"Found the whole forum and networking beneficial and motivating"--"I took forward to another excellent programme next year".

So responded some of the 60 participants who attended the 14th South Island Respiratory Educators' Forum (SIREF), held in Christchurch over two days in late February.

The annual forum enables respiratory educators from community organisations and primary and secondary care to get together to learn about the latest in respiratory care and management. Although called "South Island", delegates came from around New Zealand, including Whangarei, Rotorua, Tauranga, Palmerston North and Wellington. This year's theme "Working with the evidence: why we do what we do" was largely research-focused. The forum was opened by University of Canterbury deputy vice-chancellor and formerly dean of the Christchurch School of Medicine lan Town. As a respiratory physician and researcher and, until recently, the medical adviser for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, he spoke about the changes over the years in asthma knowledge, treatments and management. MidCentral District Hearth Board (DHB) nurse practitioner (NP) Victoria Perry, spoke about her journey to becoming a respiratory NP, while Canterbury DHB clinical nurse educator Sue Bye presented her master's research, which looks at what it means to live with advanced cancer (or chronic disease). Another thought provoking session was on the issue of qualitative versus quantitative research, presented by lecturer in post-graduate nursing studies at the Christchurch School of Medicine Lorraine Ritchie.

Other presentations were on air pollution and respiratory health; exhaled nitric oxide as a diagnostic test; an update on the Dunedin multidisciplinary health and development study (this involves ongoing assessment of a group of babies born in Dunedin between 1972-73); new developments in treatments for nicotine addiction, current issues in bronchiectasis management; patients' beliefs and misconceptions; and an extremely enlightening and entertaining presentation by Christchurch microbiologist Ben Harris on our changing attitudes towards "bugs".

The forum was wrapped up by Christchurch School of Medicine senior lecturer in public health Cheryl Brunton, who spoke about critical appraisal, or how to make sense of the multitude of research and research evidence with which we are constantly confronted.

In common with the best conferences, the forum provides an excellent opportunity to network with other like-minded colleagues. New links with other health professionals are forged and existing contacts are maintained. For several years now, NZNO's Respiratory Nurses' Section has held its AGM following the forum and this year's was well attended.

The forum organising committee of six registered nurses representing a variety of workplaces in Christchurch and Dunedin is committed to maintaining the forum as an accessible, affordable and above all, relevant and informative annual event. All presentations are available on the NZNO website, under the Respiratory Nurses' Section (SIREF presentations).

The proposed dates for 2007 are February 22-23. For more information, contact organising committee member Elisabeth Harre on [e-mail].

Report by Asthma Canterbury respiratory educator and health promoter Elisabeth Harre