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Karen Francis

Bio: Karen Francis is an academic researcher from University of Tasmania. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & Grounded theory. The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 212 publications receiving 7482 citations. Previous affiliations of Karen Francis include University of Adelaide & Australian Catholic University.


Papers
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Journal Article
TL;DR: This paper will examine the variance of funding relationships associated with the provision of palliative care, between RACFs and MPSs to ascertain whether the funding variation has implications for the delivery of palledative care to residents and offers some options for addressing these perceived problems.
Abstract: The changing demographics of rural communities in Australia had rendered some health services inappropriate for small acute hospitals to deliver. Many of these small rural acute hospitals, which the government believed were not sustainable, accepted a new concept in healthcare servicing in the mid 1990s; the Multipurpose Service (MPS). MPS combined and consolidated allocated funding from both the state and Australian governments to service the identified needs of the local community and outlying areas through a service plan. Residential aged care is an integral part of an MPS service plan. The provision of funding for residential aged care in MPS is in contrast to the funding of specific purpose Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF), (Aged Care Act, 1997). The Aged Care Act 1997 being synonymous with the funding of RACF reformed and revolutionised institutional residential aged care. The Aged Care Act 1997 provided a funding system which increased payment for a resident's increasing frailty through the Resident Classification Scale, in order to provide extended nursing care to the ill/dying. Caring for the ill/dying has always been a part of institutionalised aged care nursing, though deemed by government to be fragmented in the context of the Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care. There is an expectation that residents who are ill/dying who reside in MPS receive nursing care in accordance with the Guidelines for a Palliative Approach, despite the difference in the funding arrangements. This paper will examine the variance of funding relationships associated with the provision of palliative care, between RACFs and MPSs to ascertain whether the funding variation has implications for the delivery of palliative care to residents and offers some options for addressing these perceived problems.

1 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest that the preparation of nurses prior to their appointment to EDs is variable with some nurses having ED qualifications and past work experience, and others with no relevant qualifications and/or experience.

1 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that developing a human ethics application is an effective method for refining the intent and design of research studies, and provides researchers with an opportunity to reflect upon and refine their studies, thus ensuring the ultimate success and timely completion of research investigations.
Abstract: We argue that developing a human ethics application is an effective method for refining the intent and design of research studies. Our study aimed to investigate the delivery of end-of-life and palliative care nursing to residents of an aged care unit in a Multi-purpose Service/Centre in rural Victoria. We used the ethics application process as a strategy to focus the study, and to refine the data collection and analysis techniques. It is our contention that the process of completing the application and gaining ethics approval is laborious; however, the intellectualising that occurs provides researchers with an opportunity to reflect upon and refine their studies, thus ensuring the ultimate success and timely completion of research investigations.

1 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The development of a survey instrument that can be used to explore the characteristics of Australian private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions is described and may guide the development of effective interventions aimed at enhancing the nature and quality of clinical interactions between private physi therapy practitioners and other health practitioners working in Australia.
Abstract: Background: Interprofessional collaboration is a complex process defined by the relationships and interactions between health practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds. Although the benefits of a collaborative health workforce are widely acknowledged, it is currently poorly understood to what extent private physiotherapy practitioners engage in interprofessional collaboration as a part of their clinical practice, and whether they consider to be adequately trained in this area. Information regarding the frequency, modes of communication, and perceived level of satisfaction associated with private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions is also limited. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to describe the development of a survey instrument that can be used to explore the characteristics of Australian private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions. Methods: A multiphase process was used to develop the survey instrument. The research team conducted a literature search which resulted in the generation of 34 individual survey items. After the initial pool of survey items was developed, three experienced physiotherapists were invited to review the items. The draft survey instrument was then subject to online testing with private physiotherapy practitioners to evaluate the utility of the instrument. Results: All three physiotherapists invited to review the initial pool of survey items provided written feedback to the research team. Following revision, five private physiotherapy practitioners participated in pilot testing the survey instrument. Pilot testing revealed that approximately 10 minutes was required to complete the online survey. Conclusions: The final survey instrument has 29 questions in six sections with categorical, Likert and free text response options and can be used to explore the characteristics of Australian private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions. Information obtained from future research projects utilising this survey may guide the development of effective interventions aimed at enhancing the nature and quality of clinical interactions between private physiotherapy practitioners and other health practitioners working in Australia.

1 citations

Book Chapter
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The role of nurses working in remote and isolated practice settings in Queensland is complex and a refocussing of the role of these nurses with an emphasis on primary health care is recommended.
Abstract: Introduction: Examining the role of the nurses working in remote and isolated areas of Queensland and identifying the necessary competencies, training and resources required by registered nurses to work in these practice contexts was the aim of this commissioned research study. Methods: A multiple case study research design was utilised to investigate nursing in remote and isolated areas of Queensland. The data generation methods included an integrative review of the published and grey literature, an analysis of workforce data, and a mini environmental scan to determine the parameters and characteristics of the three cases. These data provided background for interpreting additional data generated from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with nurses employed in each case. Results: 13.11% of the nursing workforce in Queensland work in non-metropolitan areas as classified using the ARIA classification index with 4.34% of this number employed in remote or very remote areas. For most of these nurses their role is generalist and acute care interventionist focussed, although there was an acceptance that health outcomes would improve if primary prevention activities were prioritised. Conclusion: The role of nurses working in remote and isolated practice settings in Queensland is complex. A refocussing of the role of these nurses with an emphasis on primary health care is recommended. Nurses must be adequately resourced in these positions and prepared for their unique role both clinically and culturally. Access to pre-deployment professionals to engage with communities and promote wellbeing.

1 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Reading a book as this basics of qualitative research grounded theory procedures and techniques and other references can enrich your life quality.

13,415 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The nature and forms of documents are described, the advantages and limitations of document analysis are outlined, and specific examples of the use of documents in the research process are offered.
Abstract: This article examines the function of documents as a data source in qualitative research and discusses document analysis procedure in the context of actual research experiences. Targeted to research novices, the article takes a nuts‐and‐bolts approach to document analysis. It describes the nature and forms of documents, outlines the advantages and limitations of document analysis, and offers specific examples of the use of documents in the research process. The application of document analysis to a grounded theory study is illustrated.

6,333 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Sep 1989
TL;DR: We may not be able to make you love reading, but archaeology of knowledge will lead you to love reading starting from now as mentioned in this paper, and book is the window to open the new world.
Abstract: We may not be able to make you love reading, but archaeology of knowledge will lead you to love reading starting from now. Book is the window to open the new world. The world that you want is in the better stage and level. World will always guide you to even the prestige stage of the life. You know, this is some of how reading will give you the kindness. In this case, more books you read more knowledge you know, but it can mean also the bore is full.

5,075 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

3,181 citations