Prospective community programme versus parent-driven care to prevent respiratory morbidity in children following hospitalisation with severe bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalisation with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in early childhood is associated with ongoing respiratory symptoms and possible later development of bronchiectasis. We aimed to reduce this intermediate respiratory morbidity with a community intervention programme at time of discharge. METHODS: This randomised, controlled, single-blind trial enrolled children aged <2 years hospitalised for severe LRTI to 'intervention' or 'control'. Intervention was three monthly community clinics treating wet cough with prolonged antibiotics referring non-responders. All other health issues were addressed, and health resilience behaviours were encouraged, with referrals for housing or smoking concerns. Controls followed the usual pathway of parent-initiated healthcare access. After 24 months, all children were assessed by a paediatrician blinded to randomisation for primary outcomes of wet cough, abnormal examination (crackles or clubbing) or chest X-ray Brasfield score ≤22. FINDINGS: 400 children (203 intervention, 197 control) were enrolled in 2011-2012; mean age 6.9 months, 230 boys, 87% Maori/Pasifika ethnicity and 83% from the most deprived quintile. Final assessment of 321/400 (80.3%) showed no differences in presence of wet cough (33.9% intervention, 36.5% controls, relative risk (RR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.25), abnormal examination (21.7% intervention, 23.9% controls, RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.38) or Brasfield score ≤22 (32.4% intervention, 37.9% control, RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.17). Twelve (all intervention) were diagnosed with bronchiectasis within this timeframe. INTERPRETATION: We have identified children at high risk of ongoing respiratory disease following hospital admission with severe LRTI in whom this intervention programme did not change outcomes over 2 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12610001095055.

An evaluation of a leadership development coaching and mentoring programme.

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to determine the value and impact of the Leadership Development - Coaching and Mentoring Programme at Counties Manukau Health and understand how the skills gained are applied. Design/methodology/approach Mixed-methods approach including surveys of programme participants and senior staff and semi-structured interviews with programme participants. Findings The survey response rate was 24.4 per cent for programme participants and 30 per cent for senior staff. Eight programme participants participated in semi-structured interviews. Of the 70 programme participants, 69 utilised their learning from the programme; 45 of 70 changed their approach to managing staff; and 40 of 68 programme participants reported that meeting with peers for triad group coaching was the most challenging aspect of the programme. Key themes identified through interviews included: working with others; not owning others' problems; professional support and development; coaching and mentoring; future participants. Practical implications The majority of participants changed their leadership behaviours as a result of the programme, which has resulted in improved communication, a more supportive culture and distributed leadership. These changes contribute to better patient care. Originality value There is a paucity of evidence in the literature about the impact of coaching and mentoring programme on leadership development and how the skills gained in such programmes are applied in practice in a healthcare context. This evaluation helps to address that gap.

My Home is My Marae: Kaupapa Maori evaluation of an approach to injury prevention.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation's (ACC) 'My Home is My Marae' approach to injury prevention for whanau (families). SETTING: Over an 18 month period from November 2013 to June 2014, 14 'My Home is My Marae' trials were conducted across the South Auckland and Far North regions of New Zealand. ACC engaged with local Maori providers of healthcare, education and social services to deliver the home safety intervention. PARTICIPANTS: Participants of this evaluation were a purposive sample of 14 staff from six provider organisations in South Auckland and the Far North regions of New Zealand. METHODS: Kaupapa Maori theory-based evaluation and appreciative inquiry methodologies underpinned the evaluation. Interview participants led discussions about strengths and weaknesses of the approach, and partnerships with ACC and other organisations. The evaluation was also supported by pre-existing information available in project documentation, and quantitative data collected by Maori providers. RESULTS: Five key critical success factors of 'My Home is My Marae' were found from interviews: mana tangata (reputation, respect and credibility); manakitanga (showing care for people); kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face approach); capacity building for kaimahi, whanau and providers and 'low or no cost' solutions to hazards in the home. Data collected for the Far North area showed that 76% of the hazards identified could be resolved through 'low or no cost' solutions. Unfortunately, similar data were not available for South Auckland. CONCLUSIONS: Injury prevention or health promotion approaches that seek to engage with whanau and/or Maori communities would benefit from applying critical success factors of 'My Home is My Marae'.

Evaluation of general practice house officer attachments in Counties Manukau: insights and benefits.

BACKGROUND The Medical Council of New Zealand requires graduating doctors to have community attachments within their first two years of practice by 2020. Counties Manukau Health has developed a programme where house officers (HOs) are attached to a general practice for three months. AIM This study aimed to establish the value of four HO general practice attachments in Counties Manukau and describe how HOs are being used in these practices. METHODS A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate three attachment runs. Two practices provided the number of patients seen by HOs. Fifty-eight patients were surveyed to assess patient perceptions of the HOs. Six HOs, four supervising general practitioners, two PHO senior staff and one practice manager participated in semi-structured interviews. Focus groups were held with nurses, doctors and administrative staff at all four practices. FINDINGS HOs saw 300-600 patients in one practice and 800-1000 in the other during their attachment. Practices developed their own approach to mentoring and teaching HOs. Most patients reported positive perceptions of the HOs. Themes from interviews and focus groups were consistent among participants and included: improved HO confidence, clinical skills and understanding of general practice; extra capacity and improved quality of care and staff satisfaction among practices. CONCLUSION HOs and practices viewed HO attachments in general practice positively. HOs developed clinical skills and understanding of primary health care. Practice teams enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of the HOs, while providing clinical support to ensure quality patient care.