Volume 27 Number 2

Welcome readers to this edition of JARNA in which we showcase the scholarly work of our authors across a variety of topics. To the casual observer this might appear to be a disparate collection of articles, but in fact the concepts of enquiry and consumer engagement link them all. In these articles the authors report varied ways in which rehabilitation nurses use both concepts in professional practice.

We commence with a follow-up article from authors exploring power and power analysis methods in health research. While the authors acknowledge that many rehabilitation nurses may be unfamiliar with power analysis in formal research, they highlight that it is  important for nurses to understand research very well before applying it to practice, to best ensure safe and excellent consumer care and individual professional practice.

We next explore the topic of coaching for independence as an integral part of the specialty practice of rehabilitative care and rehabilitation nursing with several articles on this theme. Cognisant of dynamic rehabilitation environments, this integrative review presents a holistic and comprehensive view of nurse coaching with the authors highlighting the need to ensure that nurses are taught these important skills.

In an extension of this, and on the background of the significant and negative impacts of falls for consumers, we include a report of a mixed-methods study exploring nurses use of teach-back communication to decrease the risk of falls in their inpatient rehabilitation settings. This article focuses on work to assist rehabilitation nurses to use this conversational tool to help their consumers better understand important safety information to prevent falls by repeating it back to the nurse in their own words. We hope readers find this interesting and informative.

Lastly, we have included an article, as an opportunity for reflection, on the consumer dining room experience which many may consider a ‘routine part of rehabilitation’.  This report of a randomised trial exploring consumer mealtime experiences, goes beyond the idea of consumer food selection to a more social and individual experience of ‘dining with dignity’. Kudos to these authors who engaged with consumers to co-design a more person-centred approach to mealtimes, highlighting the ongoing  importance of exploring how we can all empower consumers’ individual choices and control to enhance their rehabilitation experience.

In closing, thankyou on behalf for the Editorial Board and Editorial Team to our wonderful authors for their scholarly work to share their knowledge, skills and experience and also to you our readers for your ongoing support of JARNA.

Author(s)

Alison M New RN, BHSc (Nursing), MClin Rehab, MHSc (Clinical Education)
ARNA President
Email president@arna.com.au