Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Feb 2005
Review Comparative StudyDocumenting end of life decisions in residential aged care facilities in South Australia.
This research examined the provision of palliative care for residents with a non-cancer diagnosis including the use of advance directives and advance care planning as part of palliative care policies in residential aged care facilities in South Australia. There are no guidelines for recording residents' wishes if they are no longer competent. ⋯ Residential aged care facilities should be required to develop and implement a palliative care policy acknowledging the Accreditation Standards and State legislation and including a simple tool for advance care planning. Case conferencing could assist in discussing and documenting the resident's wishes. Public education is essential to increase community and professional awareness in order to promote empowerment for the increasing number of older people who will die in residential aged care facilities.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2004
Comparative StudyThe health of children in immigration detention: how does Australia compare?
We live in an age when the number of refugees worldwide is increasing. All of them have suffered physically or emotionally to a varying degree in their country of origin. The transit to a country of resettlement is fraught with further difficulties or the risk of death. ⋯ In particular, the different approaches to health care for children and their families are identified. The management of these issues by Denmark and Iceland would appear to be a model to follow. Outcomes of the different managements have not been assessed.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2004
Comparative StudyCharacteristics of non-fatal opioid overdoses attended by ambulance services in Australia.
To examine the feasibility of establishing a database on non-fatal opioid overdose in order to examine patterns and characteristics of these overdoses across Australia. ⋯ It is feasible to establish a database of comparable data on non-fatal opioid overdoses attended by ambulances in Australia. This compilation represents a useful adjunct to existing surveillance systems on heroin (and other opioid) use and related harms.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Dec 2004
Psychiatric status of asylum seeker families held for a protracted period in a remote detention centre in Australia.
To document the psychiatric status of a near complete sample of children and their families from one ethnic group held for an extended period of time in a remote immigration detention facility in Australia. ⋯ The level of exposure to violence and the high level of mental illness identified among detained families provides a warning to policy makers about the potentially damaging effects of prolonged detention on asylum seekers. In their attempt to manage the international asylum crisis, it is important that Western countries do not inadvertently implement policies that cause further harm.