J. Fitzpatrick

An evaluative case study of the dilemmas experienced in designing a self‐assessment strategy for Community Nursing students

The Dearing Report’s (1997) radical proposals challenged lecturers in higher education to develop innovative assessment strategies. This paper explores the dilemmas experienced by one teaching team in designing and implementing a student self‐assessment strategy within a community nursing degree programme. The paper reviews the impact on students’ sense of autonomy and critical thinking skills. In addition, it considers, in depth, the risks associated with developing and implementing a strategy involving self‐assessment. Drawing on a range of sources it examines the drivers for the initiative, the response from the range of stakeholders involved and the impact on the student experience. The academic team found that developing such a creative initiative is time consuming, provokes anxiety and requires extensive negotiation and collaboration between academic and practice colleagues. However, the adoption of a self‐assessment initiative has a significant effect on students’ critical thinking skills and warrants the effort.

Survey of the capacity for essential surgery and anaesthesia services in Papua New Guinea.

Objective To assess capacity to provide essential surgical services including emergency, obstetric and anaesthesia care in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in order to support planning for relevant post-2015 sustainable development goals for PNG. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Hospitals and health facilities in PNG. Participants 21 facilities including 3 national/provincial hospitals, 11 district/rural hospitals, and 7 health centres. Outcome measures The WHO Situational Analysis Tool to Assess Emergency and Essential Surgical Care (WHO-SAT) was used to measure each participating facilitys capacity to deliver essential surgery and anaesthesia services, including 108 items related to relevant infrastructure, human resources, interventions and equipment. Results While major surgical procedures were provided at each hospital, fewer than 30% had uninterrupted access to oxygen, and 57% had uninterrupted access to resuscitation bag and mask. Most hospitals reported capacity to provide general anaesthesia, though few hospitals reported having at least one certified surgeon, obstetrician and anaesthesiologist. Access to anaesthetic machines, pulse oximetry and blood bank was severely limited. Many non-hospital health centres providing basic surgical procedures, but almost none had uninterrupted access to electricity, running water, oxygen and basic supplies for resuscitation, airway management and obstetric services. Conclusions Capacity for essential surgery and anaesthesia services is severely limited in PNG due to shortfalls in physical infrastructure, human resources, and basic equipment and supplies. Achieving post-2015 sustainable development goals, including universal healthcare, will require significant investment in surgery and anaesthesia capacity in PNG.

Risky trade: infectious disease in the era of global trade, by Ann M. Kimball

This book is presented as a pacey narrative which examines cutting-edge issues affecting the identification, management and control of emerging infectious diseases. It begins by vividly describing the attempt by the Chinese delegate to the World Trade Organisation auditorium in Geneva, to prevent the backlash of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 further affecting trade restrictions on Chinese agricultural products. This example brings into stark focus the complex relationships between the development and spread of emerging infections, globalisation and international political and trade agendas. Kimball describes the current levels of international movement and economic globalisation, and challenges the reader to appreciate the impact of global trade on the spread of pathogens which do not respect national boundaries or preferred trading agreements. She confronts the lack of a coherent strategy to address these issues in a global context and questions the piecemeal approaches to preventing and containing them.

Malaria promoting awareness and prevention of a critical crisis in a remote area of Papua New Guinea through community involvement

• This paper describes a community project to promote awareness and prevent malaria in remote Papua New Guinea. • Malaria is a significant public health issue world wide. Up to 2.7 million people per year die from malaria. • It is the second most prevalent cause of death in Papua New Guinea however, critical care facilities essential for treatment of severe malaria are not available to people living in remote communities. • Critical care nurses can use their knowledge of the disease process and preventive measures to influence the development of initiatives to help people in remote communities. • Members of remote communities can and will engage in developing and implementing preventive strategies if they are included in the development of the project.