CQUniversity academics have been part of a Participatory Action Research (PAR) team which has achieved increased awareness of issues faced by general nurses in providing care to children and adolescents with mental health issues within a rural paediatric unit...

The efforts of PAR team members including our own Associate Professor Lorna Moxham, Professor Brenda Happell, Dr Kerry Reid-Searl and Dr Trudy Dwyer are outlined in the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses e-news publication.

PAR team members (clockwise from left) Lorna Moxham, Brenda Happell, Trudy Dwyer and Kerry Reid-Searl

According to the publication, the following major actions arose throughout the study:

• Collaborative relationships between the paediatric unit and Child and Youth Mental Health Services were strengthened;
• A review of the current procedures and policies for admission and care of children with a mental health issue in the paediatric unit was undertaken, with six revised policies being introduced;
• A management plan for paediatric patients with a mental health issue was implemented to facilitate staff in identifying risk factors and specific resource requirements;
• A series of education sessions and workshops were held on various aspects of paediatric mental disorders and mental health care;
• A series of 'In ‘Ya Face Education' posters were produced covering a range of topics concerning paediatric mental disorders and mental health care;
• A Mental Health Learning Package for general nurses in the Paediatric Unit was developed for inclusion in the existing orientation package

"The above major actions and additional strategies have led to an overall sense of improved knowledge, skills and confidence among the nursing staff in the Paediatric Unit," Associate Professor Lorna Moxham said.

"It was a delight to work with clinicians in this way and the PAR approach enabled this collaboration to occur.

"Rather than do research on, this research was with, and to be able do applied, real life research that had direct benefits for the nurses and clients was a win-win for all."