Preparedness of Australian and British nurses and midwives about domestic violence and abuse.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a major health problem that affects individuals across the world. Nurses, midwives and healthcare providers need to be confident and competent in identifying and responding to DVA. AIMS: To measure current levels of knowledge, opinions and preparedness towards DVA and how it is managed by registered nurses and midwives residing in Australia and the UK. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey (PREMIS) measuring the perceived preparation and knowledge, actual knowledge, opinions and practice issues. Australian data were collected in 2018 and UK data were collected in 2017-2018. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data and differences in knowledge and attitudes of British and Australian nurses. FINDINGS: Nurses and midwives (n = 368; 130 from Australia; 238 from the UK) responded to the survey. Minimal previous DVA training was reported by the participants. Participants had minimal knowledge about DVA, though had a positive attitude towards engaging with women experiencing DVA. DISCUSSION: Most participants felt unprepared to ask relevant questions about DVA and had inadequate knowledge about available resources. Australian participants scored better than British participants; however, the mean difference in all aspects remained statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Australian and British nurses and midwives have a positive attitude towards women experiencing DVA; however, the knowledge and skills to support women experiencing DVA are limited. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Nursing institutions should develop strategic policies regarding mandatory preparation and training of nurses for domestic violence assessment and management.

Nurses', midwives' and students' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to domestic violence: A cross-sectional survey.

AIMS: To measure registered nurses', registered midwives', and nursing and midwifery students' current levels of knowledge, attitude and practices related to intimate partner violence. BACKGROUND: Nurses and midwives whether registered or students need to be confident and competent in identifying and responding to intimate partner violence. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Data were collected through online surveys using the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Nursing and midwifery students were less knowledgeable and prepared than nurses and midwives. Midwives had more positive attitudes compared with nurses towards women experiencing intimate partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Heath care institutions and regulatory bodies should provide resources and support to nursing and midwifery professionals. Personal experiences of domestic abuse and professional experience of supporting victims of domestic abuse/intimate partner violence affected practitioner's abilities to identify and manage intimate partner violence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse and midwifery managers can ensure that clinical and organisational policies and protocols are revisited and updated regularly and that interdisciplinary collaboration is promoted and emphasized for prompt identification and management of intimate partner violence.

Nursing beyond the pandemic: Resilience and determination will shape our future options.

The years 2020-21 have been significant for nurses, midwives and all healthcare professionals across the world. While nurses and midwives faced immense pressure and challenges in performing their roles, the pandemic has contributed to bringing a spotlight to the work that nurses, midwives do and the significance of that work. In this article, the author introduces herself as the Editor-in-Chief of International Nursing Review and shares her vision for the journal.

Clinical trials: the challenge of recruitment and retention of participants.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This article, based on the available literature, attempts to discuss the importance of recruitment and retention of research participants, the associated barriers and challenges, and various strategies to overcome these barriers. BACKGROUND: The inability to recruit and retain the required participants in a research project poses serious threats to both the internal and the external validity of a research study. Despite serious implications, the issues of recruitment and retention do not receive due attention in research and publications. Literature suggests a lack of coordinated efforts to collect information on the outcomes of recruitment experiences in clinical trials and population studies. Studies often mention the number of participants who refuse to participate; however, the majority of the studies often fail to mention the specific reasons insufficient recruitment or retention of the participants. DESIGN: A methodological paper. METHOD: Various participant-, context-, environment- and research-related factors are examined that affect the phenomenon of recruitment and retention of the participants in a study. RESULTS: Delayed or inefficient recruitment also has financial and ethical implications. Although there are many pieces of information scattered throughout academic journals on recruitment and retention of participants in research, few authors have dealt with the issue holistically. It is imperative for researchers to understand the importance of recruitment and retention of research participants, the associated barriers and challenges, and various strategies to overcome these barriers. CONCLUSION: Appropriate recording and reporting of the problems faced while recruiting and retaining the participants in research studies can help not only in understating the challenge, but will also help in devising the strategies to overcome this problem. This article was an attempt to synthesise and review the available literature on recruitment and retention issues, which demand extensive theoretical and conceptual thinking as part of the research design. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: An understanding of the challenges and issues related to recruitment and retention can help researchers to think ahead about the strategies to overcome these issues and consequently save the time and energy of the participants, researchers and funding agencies.