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40 tutorials found
 Child Abuse and Neglect: Legal Responsibilities for Mandatory Reporters
category: • Other, Paediatric care, Primary health care, Management 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 
Overview
Some people are legally required to report child abuse and/or neglect to statutory child protection services in Australia. This is known as mandatory reporting. All states and territories have mandatory reporting requirements, but the specific groups of people mandated to report and the types of maltreatment that it is mandatory to report may vary. However, all states and territories require doctors, nurses and a range of other health care professionals to report child abuse.

This tutorial complements and expands upon a previous tutorial, Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, which set out:
1. What types of maltreatment constitute child abuse and neglect.
2. What has to be reported to the relevant authorities and who has to report it.
3. The relevant sections of individual state's and territory's legislation and regulations on child abuse and neglect.

This tutorial focuses on health care professionals' duty to protect children from physical and/or sexual abuse by reporting it to the authorities. It defines and gives examples of these two types of child abuse. It also describes how the law protects health care professionals who report child abuse, and what their responsibilities are if their employer’s policies and protocols conflict with their legal duty to report it. At the end of the tutorial participants can download a table summarising the relevant legislation for each individual state or territory.

This tutorial is recommended for health care professionals with some experience in the field of child abuse and neglect, and/or those who have already completed the HealthStaffEd tutorial Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect.

About the author

Jolan Yik-Paal: BCom, LLB (Australian National University). Jolan is a litigation solicitor with extensive experience in acting for plaintiffs in medical negligence matters, including hypoxic births and failure-to-diagnose cases.

Jolan also acts for a prominent national medical insurer and private medical practices, and for practitioners in professional disciplinary matters.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Know which health care personnel are mandatory reporters and what they are required to report;
  • Understand what constitutes physical abuse;
  • Understand what constitutes sexual abuse;
  • Be aware of changes to New South Wales legislation regarding the reporting of suspected abuse and neglect;
  • Be aware of the statutory protections available to those who report child abuse;
  • Know what to do if an employer’s policies or protocols conflict with a health care professional’s duty to report child abuse and/or neglect.
The Wheezy Child. Part 1: Respiratory Assessment
category: Paediatric care, Respiratory care 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial is the first in a three-part series that addresses the presentation, diagnosis and management of wheeze in infants and children, which is one of the most commonly reported paediatric symptoms in Australia. It explains the different causes of wheeze and how to accurately assess it in an infant or child, and highlights the signs and symptoms that signal a deteriorating condition.

About the author

Tara De Koning: RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to differentiate wheeze from other respiratory sounds in children;
  • Be able to identify the most common causes of wheeze in children;
  • Understand the components of a comprehensive respiratory assessment in children;
  • Be able to identify the signs and symptoms that signal a deterioration in condition.
The Wheezy Child. Part 2: Infants
category: Paediatric care, Respiratory care 3hr, 3RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in infants (children aged up to 12 months). It deals in detail with bronchiolitis, the most common presentation of wheeze in infants, and respiratory syncytial virus, its most common cause. Evidence-based assessment and management strategies are discussed.

About the author

Tara De Koning: RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to identify the common causes of wheeze in infants;
  • Understand the basic pathophysiology of bronchiolitis in infants;
  • Be able to differentiate between mild, moderate and severe bronchiolitis, and have an understanding of how each should be managed;
  • Be aware of infection control strategies to prevent the spread of respiratory syncytial virus;
  • Be able to incorporate environmental factors into parental education for infants with bronchiolitis.
The Wheezy Child. Part 3: Older Children
category: Paediatric care, Respiratory care 5hr, 5RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in children aged over a year. It deals in depth with asthma, which is the most common cause, and discusses two other common causes, foreign body aspiration and congenital airway abnormalities. A range of evidence-based prevention and management strategies are detailed.

About the author

Tara De Koning: RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to identify the most common causes of wheeze in older children;
  • Be able to identify the best management strategy for a child presenting with wheeze;
  • Understand the pathophysiology of asthma in older children;
  • Be familiar with a range of evidence-based asthma prevention and management strategies.
 Informed Consent
category: Medico-legal 6hr, 6RCNA-CNE
$49.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
Consent is integral to client care and having effective systems in place for obtaining consent will enhance the client-health care provider relationship by avoiding confusion and preventing breaches of privacy and confidentiality.

This tutorial considers the legal obligations of the health care professional in obtaining consent. It includes consideration of specific scenarios in which consent is required, but is not exhaustive of all such situations. It is, however, helpful to consider the general principles that should be applied to any given situation.

About the author

Jolan Yik-Paal: BCom, LLB (Australian National University). Jolan is a litigation solicitor with extensive experience in acting for plaintiffs in medical negligence matters, including hypoxic births and failure-to-diagnose cases.

Jolan also acts for a prominent national medical insurer and private medical practices, and for practitioners in professional disciplinary matters.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to demonstrate the importance of obtaining a patient’s valid consent before performing a medical procedure;
  • Have an overview of Australian law regarding consent;
  • Be able to outline who should obtain consent, the ways in which consent may be given and the criteria for valid consent;
  • Be able to outline the duty of health care professionals in obtaining consent from minors, intellectually disabled persons, persons suffering mental illness or persons in emergency situations;
  • Understand the legal position of nurses in addressing situations in which medical practitioners have not provided adequate disclosure to patients;
  • Have an understanding of the use of consent forms.
Understanding the Skin
category: Infection control, General interest, Dermatology 7hr, 7RCNA-CNE
$59.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
The skin is a complex organ system that, like most organs in the body, works in conjunction with many other body systems to fulfil a variety of important functions, including acting as a barrier against injury, infection and environmental factors; maintaining an optimum body temperature; enabling us to feel pain and other sensations; storing water and fat; and excreting waste products.

An understanding of its structure and functions is, therefore, crucial to many areas of health care, most notably dermatology, pain control, infection control and wound care. As the largest and most visible organ in the body, the skin can also provide valuable clues to a person’s health and well-being.

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the structure of the skin;
  • Be aware of the many functions of the skin;
  • Know what the extracellular matrix is and the role it plays in wound healing;
  • Be aware of the main effects of burns and ageing on the skin and its functions.
 Managing Exposure to Blood and/or Other Body Fluids/Substances
category: Infection control, Occupational health & safety 8hr, 8RCNA-CNE
$59.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial aims to enable health care workers to manage any incident in which a person is exposed to potentially infected blood and/or other body fluids/substances, which will be referred to as 'blood or body fluids'. It discusses the risk of accidental exposure to a range of pathogens through sharps injuries, splashes and bites, and describes how such incidents should be managed in accordance with the latest Australian guidelines.

This tutorial deals in particular with exposure to bloodborne pathogens through sharps injuries, including needlestick injuries, and the subsequent risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus, all of which are potentially life-threatening viral diseases.

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the main risk factors for exposure to a range of pathogens via infected blood or body fluids;
  • Be able to apply appropriate first aid in the immediate aftermath of an exposure to infected blood or body fluids;
  • Know how to manage the exposed person in the first 72 hours after exposure;
  • Know what information is required regarding the source, including appropriate medical tests if a source person has been identified;
  • Be aware of the current Australian recommendations on preventive treatment using post-exposure prophylactics.
 First Aid and Treatment for Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids – HBV, HCV and HIV
category: First aid, Infection control, Occupational health & safety 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
All health care workers, particularly nurses working in acute medical care, are at risk of infection through occupational exposure to blood and/or body fluids/substances and should, therefore, know what to do to protect themselves or their colleagues if such an incident occurs.

This tutorial describes the latest Australian guidelines on first aid and treatment for exposure to the three most common and/or life-threatening diseases that may be contracted in this way: hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to apply the principles of first aid in the immediate aftermath of exposure to potentially infected blood or body fluids;
  • Know how exposure to HBV, HCV and HIV should be managed in the crucial first 72 hours after exposure;
  • Be able to make an informed decision on initial treatment;
  • Be aware of the latest Australian guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis.
 Anxiety Disorders: Generalised Anxiety Disorder
category: Psychiatry, Mental health, Primary health care 3hr, 3RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a clinically diagnosable condition that may present in isolation but often coexists with other anxiety disorders, depression, alcohol and substance misuse, and other mental or physical conditions. Patients may also present with sub-clinical symptoms, which are not severe, consistent or chronic enough to meet the diagnostic criteria.

This tutorial aims to enable health care professionals, particularly those working in primary care, to recognise the symptoms of GAD, enabling them to offer appropriate support and advice to patients with anxiety and to know when to refer them for specialist help.

It is part of a series of five tutorials on anxiety disorders, which are categorised as such because overwhelming and irrational anxiety is common to all of them. For this reason there is a certain amount of overlap between these tutorials, for example in relation to understanding anxiety and how it is treated. However, these disorders also differ significantly so each tutorial stands alone and all or any of them may be completed in any order.

The series also includes:
Anxiety Disorders: Phobias;
Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder;
Anxiety Disorders: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder;
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder.

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to identify the symptoms of GAD;
  • Understand how GAD is diagnosed;
  • Be familiar with a range of treatment options;
  • Feel confident in advising patients who present with symptoms of GAD.
 Anxiety Disorders: Phobias
category: Mental health, Primary health care 6hr, 6RCNA-CNE
$49.95 		 
Overview
Phobias are the most common type of anxiety disorder in Australia and can be divided into three broad categories: specific phobias, agoraphobia and social phobia. All three can cause great distress and often co-exist with other phobias and anxiety disorders, and panic attacks.

This tutorial aims to enable health care professionals, particularly those working in primary care, to recognise the symptoms of phobias, enabling them to offer appropriate support and advice to patients with phobias and to know when to refer them for specialist help.

It is part of a series of five tutorials on anxiety disorders, which are categorised as such because overwhelming and irrational anxiety is common to all of them. For this reason there is a certain amount of overlap between these tutorials, for example in relation to understanding anxiety and how it is treated. However, these disorders also differ significantly so each tutorial stands alone and all or any of them may be completed in any order.

The series also includes:
Anxiety Disorders: Generalised Anxiety Disorder;
Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder;
Anxiety Disorders: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder;
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder.

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to identify the symptoms of a phobia;
  • Be aware of the differences between the three types of phobias;
  • Understand how a phobia is diagnosed;
  • Be familiar with a range of treatment options;
  • Feel confident in advising patients who present with symptoms of a phobia.
 Can I get a second job?
category: General interest 2hr, 2RCNA-CNE
$15.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
As the cost of living increases, many health care professionals look to a second job or multiple jobs, in addition to their regular, full-time employment, to supplement their income. However, questions may arise about the extent to which their primary employer may restrict their after-hours activities.

The purpose of this tutorial is to outline the rights and obligations of employees towards their employers if they take on second or multiple jobs.

About the author

Jolan Yik-Paal: BCom, LLB (Australian National University). Jolan is a litigation solicitor with extensive experience in acting for plaintiffs in medical negligence matters, including hypoxic births and failure-to-diagnose cases.

Jolan also acts for a prominent national medical insurer and private medical practices, and for practitioners in professional disciplinary matters.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the difference between the express terms and the implied terms of an employment contract;
  • Know which obligations towards employers are implied in employment contracts;
  • Understand the way in which implied duties towards employers may prevent an employee from taking on a second or multiple jobs;
  • Understand the restraint-of-trade doctrine that applies in Australia;
  • Understand how the restraint-of-trade doctrine may void an express restraint-of-trade clause in an employment contract.
 Preventative Health Care: Alcohol Misuse
category: Primary health care, General interest 7hr, 7RCNA-CNE
$59.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial aims to help health care professionals identify and assist people who misuse alcohol. It examines alcohol misuse as a public health issue, a social problem, and a risk factor for preventable disease, chronic illness, hospitalisation and death. It describes the dangers of alcohol misuse and a range of interventions aimed at preventing damaging and potentially fatal drinking behaviours.

This tutorial is particularly useful for those working in primary care, who are in an ideal position to help prevent risky drinking behaviours. The focus is on enabling health care professionals to advise people who are drinking at dangerous levels or are alcohol dependent, enabling them to reduce their intake to non-hazardous levels or to abstain from drinking altogether and achieve long-term sobriety.

About the author

Rael Martell is a Melbourne-based journalist specialising in health and social care. He has recently worked as a writer for Beyond Blue: The National Depression Initiaitve. Rael has worked for publications in Australia and the UK, including The Times, Nursing Standard, Nursing Times and the general practitioners' and health workers' magazines GP, Pulse and Community Care (all in London).

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand what is meant by preventative health care;
  • Understand what constitutes risky and dangerous levels of drinking;
  • Know how alcohol misuse can harm an individual’s health;
  • Be aware of the social and economic costs of alcohol misuse;
  • Be familiar with a range of interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, to treat alcohol misuse;
  • Feel confident in advising patients on how to drink safely or help them to stop drinking altogether.
Malignant Wounds
category: Palliative care, Wound care 6hr, 6RCNA-CNE
$49.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
The assessment and management of malignant wounds is a challenging experience that requires appropriate holistic skills to deal with the many complex issues involved.

This tutorial will discuss malignant wounds in the palliative care setting, including how they develop, wound assessment and the comprehensive management of both the physical and psychosocial aspects of care.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to identify a malignant wound;
  • Be aware of the physical aspects of malignant-wound care;
  • Understand the psychological and social aspects of malignant-wound care;
  • Be able to perform a holistic assessment of a malignant wound;
  • Be able to determine an appropriate wound-dressing regimen.
Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 1
category: Mental health 7hr, 7RCNA-CNE
$59.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial is the first in a three-part series on major depressive disorder, a complex and often underdiagnosed condition that is likely to affect one in five people at some time in their lives.

It will focus specifically on what is meant by major depressive disorder, and its prevalence, possible causes and associated risk factors. It will also highlight the social and personal costs of what can be a devastating condition.

We recommend that the tutorials in this series are completed in order. They are:
1. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 1.
2. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 2, which focuses on screening for and diagnosing major depressive disorder.
3. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 3, which focuses on pharmacological and psychological treatments.

All three tutorials emphasise that major depressive disorder is a treatable condition and that health care professionals have a crucial role to play in advising and supporting this group of patients, and helping to improve their quality of life.

About the author

Rael Martell is a Melbourne-based journalist specialising in health and social care. He has recently worked as a writer for Beyond Blue: The National Depression Initiaitve. Rael has worked for publications in Australia and the UK, including The Times, Nursing Standard, Nursing Times and the general practitioners' and health workers' magazines GP, Pulse and Community Care (all in London).

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand what is meant by the term major depressive disorder;
  • Be aware of the most widely accepted theories on the causes of and risk factors for major depressive disorder;
  • Be able to recognise the symptoms of major depressive disorder and know how patients are likely to present in health care settings;
  • Understand what distinguishes major depressive disorder from other related psychiatric conditions.
Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 2
category: Mental health 5hr, 5RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial is the second in a three-part series on major depressive disorder, a complex and often underdiagnosed condition that is likely to affect one in five Australians at some time in their lives. It will examine screening for and diagnosing major depressive disorder, and a range of medical conditions and medications that may cause, contribute to or exacerbate the condition.

We recommend that the tutorials in this series are completed in order. They are:
1. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 1, which focuses on what is meant by major depressive disorder, its prevalence, possible causes and associated risk factors, and the social and personal costs of what can be a devastating condition.
2. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 2, which focuses on screening for and diagnosing major depressive disorder.
3. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 3, which focuses on pharmacological and psychological treatments.

All three tutorials emphasise that major depressive disorder is a treatable condition and that health care professionals have a crucial role to play in advising and supporting this group of patients, and helping to improve their quality of life.

About the author

Rael Martell is a Melbourne-based journalist specialising in health and social care. He has recently worked as a writer for Beyond Blue: The National Depression Initiaitve. Rael has worked for publications in Australia and the UK, including The Times, Nursing Standard, Nursing Times and the general practitioners' and health workers' magazines GP, Pulse and Community Care (all in London).

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be aware of the most commonly used screening methods for major depressive disorder;
  • Be aware of the most widely used diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder;
  • Understand the distinction between screening for and diagnosing major depression;
  • Understand that other illnesses, conditions and medical procedures may cause or contribute to the development of major depressive disorder;
  • Be aware that some medications may contribute to the development of major depression or exacerbate the condition.
Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 3
category: Mental health 6hr, 6RCNA-CNE
$49.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial is the third in a three-part series on major depressive disorder, a complex and often underdiagnosed condition that is likely to affect one in five people at some time in their lives. It will examine the pharmacological and psychological treatments available for major depressive disorder.

We recommend that the tutorials in this series are completed in order. They are:
1. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 1, which focuses on what is meant by major depressive disorder, its prevalence, possible causes and associated risk factors, and the social and personal costs of what can be a devastating condition.
2. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 2, which focuses on screening for and diagnosing major depressive disorder.
3. Understanding Major Depressive Disorder: Part 3, which focuses on pharmacological and psychological treatments.

All three tutorials emphasise that major depressive disorder is a treatable condition and that health care professionals have a crucial role to play in advising and supporting this group of patients, and helping to improve their quality of life.

About the author

Rael Martell is a Melbourne-based journalist specialising in health and social care. He has recently worked as a writer for Beyond Blue: The National Depression Initiaitve. Rael has worked for publications in Australia and the UK, including The Times, Nursing Standard, Nursing Times and the general practitioners' and health workers' magazines GP, Pulse and Community Care (all in London).

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of accurate and adequate assessment for major depression;
  • Be familiar with a range of treatment options for major depressive disorder;
  • Be aware of the most commonly used medications and their serious adverse effects;
  • Have a basic understanding of the psychological treatments available.
Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care
category: Palliative care 2hr, 2RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial will provide you with an overview of the principles of pain management for patients with an end-stage disease.

This tutorial has been reviewed and approved by Dr Philip Lee. Dr Lee is a senior staff specialist in palliative medicine at a major tertiary hospital in Australia. In addition, he is also a clinical senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Dr Lee has over 14 years' experience in palliative care and extensive experience in family medicine and general practice.

This tutorial is one in a series of five on pain management in palliative care. The five tutorials are:

1. Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care;
2. Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care;
3. Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care;
4. Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care; and
5. Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care.

We recommend that these tutorials are completed in order, however each one stands alone and can be done as a single tutorial.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the basic principles of pain management in palliative care;
  • Understand the incidence of pain problems in a palliative care setting;
  • Understand some of the barriers to effective pain management in palliative care;
  • Be able to identify some of the factors that influence uncontrolled pain.
Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care
category: Palliative care 3hr, 3RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
There are two main components of a pain assessment in palliative care. The first is the taking of a comprehensive oral history. This forms the basis of the second component, which is a physical examination with or without clinical investigations.

This tutorial focuses on the taking of a comprehensive oral history for the purpose of assessing pain, which is essential in determining the mechanism or mechanisms producing the pain as well as other factors influencing the patient's pain experience.

This tutorial has been reviewed and approved by Dr Philip Lee. Dr Lee is a senior staff specialist in palliative medicine at a major tertiary hospital in Australia. In addition, he is also a clinical senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Dr Lee has over 14 years' experience in palliative care and extensive experience in family medicine and general practice.

This tutorial is one in a series of five on pain management in palliative care. The five tutorials are:

1. Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care;
2. Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care;
3. Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care;
4. Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care; and
5. Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care.

We recommend that these tutorials are completed in order, however each one stands alone and can be done as a single tutorial.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the various components of a comprehensive pain assessment;
  • Be able to discuss the factors that influence the pain experience;
  • Be able to assess pain in patients who are unable to provide an adequate oral history;
  • Understand the importance of accurate documentation.
Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care
category: Palliative care 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial is an introduction to the use of opioids in palliative care. The safe use of these drugs requires knowledge of their relative indications, formulations, routes of administration, and potential side-effects and their management. The focus of this tutorial is on choosing an appropriate opioid and titrating it correctly.

This tutorial has been reviewed and approved by Dr Philip Lee. Dr Lee is a senior staff specialist in palliative medicine at a major tertiary hospital in Australia. In addition, he is also a clinical senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Dr Lee has over 14 years' experience in palliative care and extensive experience in family medicine and general practice.

This tutorial is one in a series of five on pain management in palliative care. The five tutorials are:

1. Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care;
2. Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care;
3. Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care;
4. Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care; and
5. Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care.

We recommend that these tutorials are completed in order, however each one stands alone and can be done as a single tutorial.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the role of opioids in palliative care;
  • Understand the role of morphine and its use in palliative care;
  • Understand other common opioids used in palliative care;
  • Understand the dose titration of opioids in palliative care.
Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care
category: Palliative care 2hr, 2RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
Palliative care is 'an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual'. (World Health Organization. WHO definition of palliative care: http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en)

A co-analgesic drug has a primary indication for a purpose other than pain relief but has some analgesic effect. These drugs are usually, but not always, administered in combination with primary analgesics such as opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are also known as adjuvant analgesics.

By understanding the role of co-analgesics, the health care professional can help to prevent and/or relieve the suffering of patients in palliative care.

This tutorial will review co-analgesia in the palliative care setting. It will cover general considerations for use as well as specific drugs.

This tutorial has been reviewed and approved by Dr Philip Lee. Dr Lee is a senior staff specialist in palliative medicine at a major tertiary hospital in Australia. In addition, he is also a clinical senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Dr Lee has over 14 years' experience in palliative care and extensive experience in family medicine and general practice.

This tutorial is one in a series of five on pain management in palliative care. The five tutorials are:

1. Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care;
2. Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care;
3. Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care;
4. Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care; and
5. Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care.

We recommend that these tutorials are completed in order, however each one stands alone and can be done as a single tutorial.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to describe the role of co-analgesia in palliative care;
  • Be able to identify specific drugs used as co-analgesics;
  • Be able to discuss considerations for the use of co-analgesics;
  • Be able to identify common precautions and adverse effects related to the use of specific co-analgesics.
Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care
category: Palliative care 3hr, 3RCNA-CNE
$29.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial aims to provide a basic understanding of the common infusion devices used in Australia. It discusses the rationale for their use and the considerations necessary to commence and maintain a subcutaneous infusion device in palliative care.
The tutorial is written specifically for general practitioners in the community.

This tutorial has been reviewed and approved by Dr Philip Lee. Dr Lee is a senior staff specialist in palliative medicine at a major tertiary hospital in Australia. In addition, he is also a clinical senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Dr Lee has over 14 years' experience in palliative care and extensive experience in family medicine and general practice.

This tutorial is one in a series of five on pain management in palliative care. The five tutorials are:

1. Pain Management – Principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care;
2. Pain Management – Pain Assessment in Palliative Care;
3. Pain Management – Opioid Use in Palliative Care;
4. Pain Management – Co-analgesia in Palliative Care; and
5. Pain Management – Infusion Devices in Palliative Care.

We recommend that these tutorials are completed in order, however each one stands alone and can be done as a single tutorial.

About the author

Judith Jacques: RN, Grad Dip Nursing (Palliative Care), Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Judith has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years, specialising in palliative care for over 15 years. Judith has worked as a senior clinical nurse in a number of tertiary hospitals in that time. Judith is working as a nurse practitioner in New South Wales.

Judith is a member of Palliative Care Australia, the Australian Nurse Practitioners Association and the New South Wales Nurses' Association.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the role of infusion devices in palliative care;
  • Be able to identify when it may be appropriate to use an infusion device;
  • Be able to discuss the basic principles of commencing a subcutaneous infusion device;
  • Understand the considerations that are required in the use of medications administered via infusion devices.
  • Understand the basic steps involved in avoiding accidents and incidents prior to commencing an infusion device
Discharge Planning: Developing a Pathway for Acute Care
category: Management, Discharge Planning 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial highlights the importance of discharge planning as a necessary part of the patient's journey through the hospital system. It outlines the essential steps to ensure a smooth transition from the acute health care setting back into the community and explains why this process is crucial to effective patient care in all acute care hospitals.

About the author

Lorien Rooke:RN. Lorien has been a registered nurse for 27 years and worked as a senior clinical nurse in the community for 10 years. She has an extensive understanding of health and community care services and is currently working as a senior registered nurse in discharge planning for a tertiary hospital in NSW.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand what discharge planning is;
  • Understand why effective discharge planning is necessary;
  • Know the essential steps in discharge planning;
  • Understand the role of all health care professionals in discharge planning.
Preventative Health Care: Tobacco Use
category: Primary health care 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial aims to help health care professionals encourage and assist people who want to stop using tobacco. It examines smoking as a public health issue and a major risk factor for preventable disease and death, explains why it is so addictive and harmful, and looks at a range of smoking cessation interventions.

It also aims to enable health care professionals to make the most of every opportunity to prevent the uptake of smoking, especially among young people, and to reduce the harm associated with continuing nicotine dependence, in particular by helping to prevent non-smokers such as children from being exposed to tobacco smoke.

This tutorial will focus on the most common form of tobacco use, which is cigarette smoking. However, the principles outlined here apply to other forms of tobacco use, such as pipes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco, all of which are health hazards.

About the author

Louise Roberts, BA (Law). Louise is a health care writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in journalism, much of that specialising in health. She began her career on newspapers in South Africa, where she was chief sub-editor of the Daily Dispatch and City Press, worked on the Johannesburg Sunday Times and freelanced for Business Day. She moved to London in 1990 and freelanced for the London Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplements before moving into health care. She was chief sub-editor of Nursing Standard and production editor of Nursing Times before becoming a freelance health care editor and writer, including working on the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications. She emigrated to Australia in 2006 and lives in Melbourne.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand what is meant by preventative health care;
  • Be aware of the most common ways in which tobacco use causes physical harm;
  • Understand the nature of nicotine addiction and the difficulties involved in quitting;
  • Be familiar with a range of smoking cessation interventions;
  • Feel confident in advising patients on smoking cessation.
Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
category: Paediatric care, Primary health care, Medico-legal, Management 5hr, 5RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
This tutorial describes the four main types of child abuse and neglect, and the signs and symptoms that might indicate that children are being harmed in this way. It aims to give health care professionals greater confidence in identifying the warning signs of child abuse and neglect, and outlines their obligations in reporting it to the relevant authorities.

About the author

Rebecca Burns, BPsych, BSW (hons), M.A.A.S.W. Rebecca is a social worker with experience working in mental health, child protection, domestic violence and general counselling fields. Rebecca is a lecturer at Edith Cowan University and is completing her Masters by Research.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Be able to describe the four main types of child abuse and neglect;
  • Be able to identify common signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect;
  • Be aware of their moral, professional and legal obligations to report child abuse and neglect;
  • Understand the implications of mandatory reporting.
Managing Patient Feedback and Complaints
category: Primary health care, Management, Continuing quality improvement 4hr, 4RCNA-CNE
$39.95 		 

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number: 071107046 as authorised by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, according to approved criteria.
Overview
All health care services attract complaints or negative feedback from time to time, and many staff dread having to deal with such situations. If they are handled sensitively and skillfully, however, complaints can be positive experiences that play a crucial part in informing risk-management and quality-improvement processes.

This tutorial explains the benefits of implementing an effective system to manage complaints and encourage feedback, and how to achieve this. It also outlines a number of communication strategies staff can use to reassure complainants that their grievances have been taken seriously and will be dealt with efficiently, which can help to ensure a positive outcome for all involved.

About the author

Kellee Biffin RN, RM Bachelor of Nursing, Post Grad Diploma Orthopaedic / Spinal Injuries.
Kellee has been a registered nurse for 24 years. She has experience in both clinical nursing and nursing management. She currently works in a community health setting as a co-ordinator of patient care.

Learning objectives
At the end of this tutorial, participants will be able to:
  • Understand why complaints and feedback can be useful;
  • Know how to manage a complaint effectively;
  • Know how to implement an open and effective system of managing complaints and encouraging feedback;
  • Be aware of a number of communication strategies that can be used to deal with difficult situations.
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