Sunday, May 14, 2023

NZ Nurse Anaesthetists of World War One International Nurses Day 12 May 2023

 This is a recording of the presentation I gave at the Hisotric Christchurch Nurses' memorial Chapel on International Nurses Day, 12 May 2023.




REFERENCES
Lee, E. (2003). Silencing pain amidst the gunfire World War I and the development of anesthesia. Can Anesthesiol Soc18(4).

Marr, M. C., Dupanovic, I., Sefcsik, V. Z., Mehta, N., & Chin, E. L. (2020). They Were There: American Women Physicians and the First World War. The Permanente Journal24.doi: 10.7812/TPP/20.032

Metcalfe, N. H. (2011). Sir Geoffrey Marshall (1887–1982): respiratory physician, catalyst for anaesthesia development, doctor to both Prime Minster and King, and World War I Barge Commander. Journal of Medical Biography19(1), 10-14 https://doi.org/10.1258/jmb.2010.010019.McCamish, J., & Hawker, R. (2015). The development, impact and use of anaesthesia in World War One. ACORN: The Journal of Perioperative Nursing in Australia28(2), 20-23.Nelson, L. (2018). An Unsung Hero: Anne Penland, Nurse Anesthetist. AANA Journal86(2), 64-71.Watson, J. S. (2002). Wars in the wards: The social construction of medical work in First World War Britain. Journal of British Studies41(4), 484-510.





Sunday, April 30, 2023

 It was fantastic to be part of the global aromatic community over the weekend. For those who came to my presentation thank you/ here is the references for the presentation.







Saturday, April 29, 2023

Book Review

Dr. Wendy Maddocks, RN, DHlthSci, Nurse Academic and aromatherapist

April 2023

Integrating Clinical Aromatherapy into Palliative Care by Carol Rose

Publisher: Singing Dragon

Available to pre order in Southern Hemisphere from www.woodslane.com.au RRP NZ$69.44

This much awaited book makes an extremely valuable addition to any clinician, whether aromatherapist or other health professional who is involved in palliative care.  The book easily crosses the ground between a palliative care clinician with minimal knowledge of aromatherapy and an aromatherapist with little knowledge of palliative care. Carol writes from her extensive clinical experience both as a registered nurse and aromatherapist and uses language in a considered professional way. Evident through all the text is the profound desire to make this time of someone’s life as comfortable as possible, whilst upholding principles of safety and efficacy.

The 300+ page is divided into 15 chapters, taking us on a journey from the background explanation of what palliative care is, through to evidence based practice then leading us into a detailed chapter on what exactly essential oils are associated aromatics are. The comprehensive table of key constituents, plants present tin and possible functions is an excellent resource for any aromatherapist. Again, the focus is very much on safety and quality.

Chapter three introduces us to the myriad of ways essential oils can be incorporated, again with safety at the forefront with a brief discussion of the types of medications and cautions needed (such as not using oils high in 1,8 cineole) which can increase dermal absorption of some drugs. Excellent consideration of techniques such as compresses, foot baths and the stick inhalers rather than diffusers. Chapter four talks about resilience and the information in this chapter reaches far wider than aromatherapy and palliative care- we can all learn something to apply in our own lives. A case study provides a wonderful example.

The spiritual aspects are explored in chapter five and introduces the reader to the notion of spiritual distress felt by many undergoing palliative or end of life care. I especially liked the language around spiritual assessment, which is not religion dependent. Some aromatic suggestions are provided to help ease spiritual distress. These notions are anchored with some excellent case studies.

Chapters, six, seven, eight and nine all approach the specifics of cancer. Up to this point the term palliative care has care has been an inclusive term, as not all palliative patients have cancer and not all cancer patients need palliative care. Each chapter is anchored with at least one case study. Each chapter highs cancer specific concerns such as pain relief, cancer fatigue and treatment issues and how aromatherapy can be integrated into management of these symptoms. There is a very helpful discussion in chapter 9 on the endocannabinoid system and a brief view of cannabinoid benefits for some of these symptoms.

Chapters ten, eleven, and twelve follow three key pathological sequelae of palliative and end of life care, regardless of the underlying disease. Chapter eleven explores breathlessness; chapter twelve looks at all the gastrointestinal effects (including oral care) and chapter thirteen is all related to the skin. Each chapter has a solid discussion of the underlying pathology (disease changes) and the current typical medical treatment. Then an exploration of the possible evidence-based aromatherapy benefits, again supported with a case study. Each of these chapters can be used across any number of clinical areas and while some of the language is technical, by its nature, the information contained is invaluable to ensure the best treatment is used to manage symptoms without adding any risk of harm to the patient.

Carol is careful not to exclude the burden on caregiver sand family members with a loved one undergoing palliative or end of life care. In many countries palliative care is delivered in the home supported by expert clinicians reaching out from a hospice service. However, in some cases this is not so and the burden to provide care falls heavily on family members to navigate this difficult pathways for their loved ones. Chapter thirteen  on resilience also has lessons which relate to wider life, with lots of handy strategies.

I must admit chapter fourteen had me in tears reading the case studies of the last moments of life and how aromatherapy can assist.  Some of the content on grief was valuable, and my only suggestion here is I would have liked to seen the seminal work by Dr Lois TonkIn, about growing around grief, mentioned, which grew out of the recognition that grief doesn’t go through stages as initially posited by Kubler-Ross.

The final chapter is a short chapter with good suggestions for the way to move forward through more research, better quality research and early referral to integrated palliative service.

Then follows the exceptionally strong reference list 

In conclusion

 Carol’s book makes a considered and valuable addition to aromatherapy and palliative care. It is not a book of recipes for problems, rather than approach is to provide detailed background to what the issues are, what can be done to help and comes from a position of the reader having some sort of baseline understanding of patient care and medical language. Whilst I would not consider this a book for beginning practitioners of aromatherapy, I do consider it an essential one for anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge. It should be available in every hospice as a reference book and used as  a reference in any courses about palliative care. Congratulations Carol for bring this book to life.