Researching children's mental health.I am a registered nurse working in the area of primary health care/child health. In 2002 I was fortunate to be awarded the Margaret May Margaret Ann May (born 30 June 1950), Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of McPherson, Queensland. Blackwell Black·well , Elizabeth 1821-1910. British-born American physician who was the first woman to be awarded a medical doctorate in modern times (1849). Study Fellowship fellowship Graduate education A post-residency training period of 1–2 yrs in a subspecialty–eg, hand surgery, which allows a specialized physician to develop a particular expertise that may have a related subspecialty board; fellowship time is often , which enabled me to travel to several countries to explore primary health care (PHC PHC Primary health care, see there ) nursing practice, specifically for children under five. I was fascinated by the concept of child mental health in Canada Canada (kăn`ədə), independent nation (2001 pop. 30,007,094), 3,851,787 sq mi (9,976,128 sq km), N North America. Canada occupies all of North America N of the United States (and E of Alaska) except for Greenland and the French islands of and the United Kingdom, as it focused largely on wellness and incorporated issues of attachment, social competence, social inclusion, school readiness, social and emotional development and life skills, coupled with recognition of the importance of parent-child interaction, parenting capacity and parent health. This has led me to do my current doctoral research study, which examines the questions: How do primary health care nurses understand the concept of child mental health and how is this addressed in their practice? The role of PHC nurses in recognising, assessing and addressing child mental health has never been explored in New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. . Through this research, I aim to Locate, describe and explain processes in PHC nursing practice that address child mental health and wellness issues. Illuminating il·lu·mi·nate v. il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates v.tr. 1. To provide or brighten with light. 2. To decorate or hang with lights. 3. both the value and challenges of working with children in a wellness capacity is one of the potential strengths of this research, and the role of PHC nurses in maintaining health and wellness will become more transparent. I am currently seeking nurses to participate in this research. Nurses who identify as PHC nurses, who work with preschoolers or primary school age children, and who live in the Midland region (Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti or Taranaki), are warmly invited to contact me, if they are interested in Learning more about this study. Once I receive contact details/expressions of interest I will contact potential participants to discuss the research and provide an information sheet, which fully explains this study. This research will provide a basis for examining child mental health and wellness issues within nursing practice from the perspectives of those involved in assessing and addressing these issues. It will also present an opportunity to influence the direction of child mental health and wellness in Aotearoa New Zealand and will have implications for nursing practice, health policy and education. If you are interested in being a participant or would Like more information, please contact me on email belmac@xtra.co.nz or mobile 027 5552755. Belinda Macfie, RN, MN Hamilton Hamilton, city, Bermuda Hamilton, city (1990 est. pop. 3,100), capital of Bermuda, on Bermuda Island. It is a port at the head of Great Sound, a huge lagoon and deepwater harbor protected by coral reefs. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion