The purpose of this narrative review is to locate, evaluate and synthesise the evidence presented... more The purpose of this narrative review is to locate, evaluate and synthesise the evidence presented in contemporary literature, related to the experiences of older lesbian women. Lesbian women have been identified as having unique health needs. In conjunction with the usual challenges associated with ageing, lesbian women are burdened with additional complications because of their lesbian orientation. To promote optimal health, the distinct needs of older lesbian women need to be identified and considered by those responsible for planning and delivering culturally competent services/care and allocating resources to support healthy ageing. Narrative review is typically used to evaluate and synthesise health-related literature and involves the critical evaluation of included, empirical studies to form innovative conclusions and perspectives. Database searches using relevant keywords and applying specific limits yielded 55 articles for initial review. Eventually, 45 articles were excluded and 10 qualitative, empirical articles were then appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Subsequently, seven articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of this narrative review. Data were extrapolated from the included articles and three themes emerged: support, resilience and disclosure. These themes formulate the findings of this article. Remarkably, very little contemporary literature exists that addresses the health and well-being of older lesbian women, and this cohort remain positioned on the peripheries of research and society. Older lesbian women continue to be marginalised because of their lesbian identity and actively cultivate support systems, negotiate disclosure and develop resilience to minimise the effects of their marginal position. Recognition that older lesbian women often create, and draw on, a family of choice for support is imperative. In addition, the clinical environment should be safe for older lesbian women to disclose their sexual orientation and other sensitive information.
To explore how reciprocity is achieved through a method of self-disclosure, namely story sharing.... more To explore how reciprocity is achieved through a method of self-disclosure, namely story sharing. Self-disclosure through story sharing promotes trusting relationships between researchers and participants that support the collection of high quality data, particularly when participants are members of a marginalised group and may feel especially vulnerable when sharing sensitive information. A qualitative study that examined the experiences of lesbian mothers. Strategies were carefully and deliberately implemented to engage in story sharing with the participants. Participants said that it made a positive difference to how safe and comfortable they felt once they knew at least some of the researcher's story. The collection of rich data is improved by using story sharing as a means of establishing reciprocity in qualitative research. Story sharing has the potential to improve the quality of the data collected in qualitative studies. However, strategies that promote the emotional safety of the researcher in this context will need further exploration.
To identify the challenges associated with using journaling as a method of data collection and to... more To identify the challenges associated with using journaling as a method of data collection and to offer strategies for effectively managing those challenges. While journaling can be used for a variety of reasons, in the context of this paper, journaling refers to the process of participants sharing thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences through writing and/or other media. Journaling is used in phenomenological research studies to record participant experiences in their natural contexts. The findings are based on the experiences of the researchers during a qualitative study that explored the experiences of lesbian mothers and used journaling as one method of data collection. This is a methodological paper. Three main challenges affect journaling as a method of data collection: poor participation, feeling exposed and staying on track. Six strategies to promote participation in journaling are: coaching participants, limiting the journaling period, providing follow-up contact, promoting comfort, ensuring safety and providing clear content expectations. Each strategy is discussed and methods of implementing the strategies are offered. Journaling as a method of data collection has long been accepted as a valid method of accessing rich qualitative data. By acknowledging the common challenges associated with the process of journaling that are experienced by the participants, researchers employing this data collection method can promote constructive and valuable participation. Further research examining participants' experiences of journaling as a method of qualitative data collection would be useful in determining challenges, barriers and benefits of the method.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 5172 Conu 2010 36 1 2 096, Dec 17, 2014
Heavy, pressured workloads are a feature of health workplaces internationally, presenting challen... more Heavy, pressured workloads are a feature of health workplaces internationally, presenting challenges to communication and contributing to tension and negative emotions. This paper explores supportive and unsupportive workplace conversations between nurses and midwives and their colleagues. The findings focus on qualitative interviews of ten nurses and midwives that were audio-taped and analysed for perceptions about the role of workplace conversations. Conversations between colleagues were significant for building and maintaining collaborative capital, but unsupportive conversations also threatened it. Findings suggest the need for considering the impact of co-worker conversations on workplace culture. Nurse managers and management may play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining supportive conversations. Recognising the role and potential of workplace conversations for building capacities for support, conflict resolution, job satisfaction and the personal resilience of nurses and midwives can raise the collaborative capital of the workplace.
Contemporary Nurse a Journal For the Australian Nursing Profession, Nov 1, 2003
A literature review utilising literary databases, World Wide Web and hand checking of written art... more A literature review utilising literary databases, World Wide Web and hand checking of written articles was conducted to determine the magnitude of the problem of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians with a particular emphasis on those in Australia. Health care professionals need to be aware that Indians have a higher than average risk of CHD at an earlier age and poorer survival and this is impacted on by genetic, social and cultural factors. The experiences of Indians with CHD needs to be researched so that prevention and rehabilitation programs can be individualised for this well developed community group in Australia.
to describe the impact of unrelieved patient suffering on nurses working with palliative care pat... more to describe the impact of unrelieved patient suffering on nurses working with palliative care patients. This was a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews. nine experienced palliative care nurses were interviewed. nurses acknowledged that the term 'suffering' generally was not used in the workplace. The nurses identified that only a small group of patients died with suffering that could be classified as 'unrelieved' but that the impact of these patients' suffering on themselves was enormous. Nurses describe the impact in terms of perceptions of suffering (difficult situation), feelings (helplessness, distress, feelings of failure), bearing the burden (alcohol consumption, headaches) and effects on their relationship with family. The nurses identified several factors that increased the personal impact of unrelieved patient suffering. The most important strategy for ameliorating the impact of unrelieved patient suffering was informal support from work colleagues. the nurses' stories indicate that the personal impact of unrelieved patient suffering could be reduced through acknowledgement of this suffering and better formal and informal support mechanisms.
The purpose of this narrative review is to locate, evaluate and synthesise the evidence presented... more The purpose of this narrative review is to locate, evaluate and synthesise the evidence presented in contemporary literature, related to the experiences of older lesbian women. Lesbian women have been identified as having unique health needs. In conjunction with the usual challenges associated with ageing, lesbian women are burdened with additional complications because of their lesbian orientation. To promote optimal health, the distinct needs of older lesbian women need to be identified and considered by those responsible for planning and delivering culturally competent services/care and allocating resources to support healthy ageing. Narrative review is typically used to evaluate and synthesise health-related literature and involves the critical evaluation of included, empirical studies to form innovative conclusions and perspectives. Database searches using relevant keywords and applying specific limits yielded 55 articles for initial review. Eventually, 45 articles were excluded and 10 qualitative, empirical articles were then appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. Subsequently, seven articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of this narrative review. Data were extrapolated from the included articles and three themes emerged: support, resilience and disclosure. These themes formulate the findings of this article. Remarkably, very little contemporary literature exists that addresses the health and well-being of older lesbian women, and this cohort remain positioned on the peripheries of research and society. Older lesbian women continue to be marginalised because of their lesbian identity and actively cultivate support systems, negotiate disclosure and develop resilience to minimise the effects of their marginal position. Recognition that older lesbian women often create, and draw on, a family of choice for support is imperative. In addition, the clinical environment should be safe for older lesbian women to disclose their sexual orientation and other sensitive information.
To explore how reciprocity is achieved through a method of self-disclosure, namely story sharing.... more To explore how reciprocity is achieved through a method of self-disclosure, namely story sharing. Self-disclosure through story sharing promotes trusting relationships between researchers and participants that support the collection of high quality data, particularly when participants are members of a marginalised group and may feel especially vulnerable when sharing sensitive information. A qualitative study that examined the experiences of lesbian mothers. Strategies were carefully and deliberately implemented to engage in story sharing with the participants. Participants said that it made a positive difference to how safe and comfortable they felt once they knew at least some of the researcher's story. The collection of rich data is improved by using story sharing as a means of establishing reciprocity in qualitative research. Story sharing has the potential to improve the quality of the data collected in qualitative studies. However, strategies that promote the emotional safety of the researcher in this context will need further exploration.
To identify the challenges associated with using journaling as a method of data collection and to... more To identify the challenges associated with using journaling as a method of data collection and to offer strategies for effectively managing those challenges. While journaling can be used for a variety of reasons, in the context of this paper, journaling refers to the process of participants sharing thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences through writing and/or other media. Journaling is used in phenomenological research studies to record participant experiences in their natural contexts. The findings are based on the experiences of the researchers during a qualitative study that explored the experiences of lesbian mothers and used journaling as one method of data collection. This is a methodological paper. Three main challenges affect journaling as a method of data collection: poor participation, feeling exposed and staying on track. Six strategies to promote participation in journaling are: coaching participants, limiting the journaling period, providing follow-up contact, promoting comfort, ensuring safety and providing clear content expectations. Each strategy is discussed and methods of implementing the strategies are offered. Journaling as a method of data collection has long been accepted as a valid method of accessing rich qualitative data. By acknowledging the common challenges associated with the process of journaling that are experienced by the participants, researchers employing this data collection method can promote constructive and valuable participation. Further research examining participants' experiences of journaling as a method of qualitative data collection would be useful in determining challenges, barriers and benefits of the method.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 5172 Conu 2010 36 1 2 096, Dec 17, 2014
Heavy, pressured workloads are a feature of health workplaces internationally, presenting challen... more Heavy, pressured workloads are a feature of health workplaces internationally, presenting challenges to communication and contributing to tension and negative emotions. This paper explores supportive and unsupportive workplace conversations between nurses and midwives and their colleagues. The findings focus on qualitative interviews of ten nurses and midwives that were audio-taped and analysed for perceptions about the role of workplace conversations. Conversations between colleagues were significant for building and maintaining collaborative capital, but unsupportive conversations also threatened it. Findings suggest the need for considering the impact of co-worker conversations on workplace culture. Nurse managers and management may play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining supportive conversations. Recognising the role and potential of workplace conversations for building capacities for support, conflict resolution, job satisfaction and the personal resilience of nurses and midwives can raise the collaborative capital of the workplace.
Contemporary Nurse a Journal For the Australian Nursing Profession, Nov 1, 2003
A literature review utilising literary databases, World Wide Web and hand checking of written art... more A literature review utilising literary databases, World Wide Web and hand checking of written articles was conducted to determine the magnitude of the problem of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians with a particular emphasis on those in Australia. Health care professionals need to be aware that Indians have a higher than average risk of CHD at an earlier age and poorer survival and this is impacted on by genetic, social and cultural factors. The experiences of Indians with CHD needs to be researched so that prevention and rehabilitation programs can be individualised for this well developed community group in Australia.
to describe the impact of unrelieved patient suffering on nurses working with palliative care pat... more to describe the impact of unrelieved patient suffering on nurses working with palliative care patients. This was a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews. nine experienced palliative care nurses were interviewed. nurses acknowledged that the term 'suffering' generally was not used in the workplace. The nurses identified that only a small group of patients died with suffering that could be classified as 'unrelieved' but that the impact of these patients' suffering on themselves was enormous. Nurses describe the impact in terms of perceptions of suffering (difficult situation), feelings (helplessness, distress, feelings of failure), bearing the burden (alcohol consumption, headaches) and effects on their relationship with family. The nurses identified several factors that increased the personal impact of unrelieved patient suffering. The most important strategy for ameliorating the impact of unrelieved patient suffering was informal support from work colleagues. the nurses' stories indicate that the personal impact of unrelieved patient suffering could be reduced through acknowledgement of this suffering and better formal and informal support mechanisms.
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Papers by Lesley Wilkes