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The pandemic-induced suspension of international study tours in 2020 permits space within which to examine the specific role of the study tour supervisor and student learning. While there is a significant body of literature on student experiences, relatively little attention has been devoted to the supervisor's role. Drawing on a first-hand account by a nurse educator on Australia's New Colombo Plan (NCP) international study tour program, this paper reveals the role's shifting complexities and uncertainties. This discussion provides the basis from which to explore the dynamics of supervisor-student relationships within unfamiliar overseas settings. The original Grand Tour, particularly the advice provided by Sir Francis Bacon in the early 17th century, serves as a frame of reference against which to evaluate the experiences shared by supervisors and students on international study tours. The frequently hazardous situations they face together required them to assume increasing responsibilities. The paper assesses the strategic and theoretical implications arising from this exercise of responsibility, which is grounded in nursing ethics and the goals of public health.

In this paper, we discuss findings from a research project in which barriers to and facilitators for promotion with women academics were explored. Four focus groups of women academics at an Australian university were held. Data including responses to semi-structured questions were analysed and interpreted using coding and thematic analysis. We found that multiple barriers and facilitators still exist in the university sector for women applying for promotion, covering structural, organisational, and individual levels. The barriers for promotion included workloads and huge expectations, the multi-pronged promotion process, competition, not being valued, juggling family life and not wanting to risk happiness. Facilitators for promotion included mentoring and collaborative nurturing, giving back to others including the university and flexibility.

Aims and objectives To explore in detail how women perceived their experience of domestic violence and leaving or ending the abuse. This research also examined how service providers identified their professional role in assisting women to end such relationships. Background Domestic violence against women continues to occur internationally. Reliable statistics are difficult to capture because of inconsistent definitions, contradictory methods of acquiring data and unreported incidents. Design A qualitative study, undertaken in two phases, was conducted in Australia. Methods Twelve women who had experienced domestic violence and ended those relationships participated in one semistructured interview (Phase 1). Twenty-five professionals from health, social sciences and law, whose work included assisting women experiencing domestic violence, participated in three focus groups (Phase 2). Thematic analysis guided by a narrative inquiry approach forms the framework for information collection and interpretation of data in this project. Findings The barriers that impede women from disclosing abuse and taking action to end domestic violence are complex and varied between participants. Women did not always acknowledge or realise their relationship was precarious and often denied or minimised the abuse to cope with the domestic violence. Professionals identified that women did not always identify or acknowledge abuse inherent in their relationship although this delayed the provision of appropriate services. Conclusion Whether women disclose abuse or deny violence in their relationship, acceptance by service providers and the offer of support is crucial to assisting women in violent relationships. Relevance to clinical practice It is hoped that the findings may assist health practitioners, including nurses, to provide nonjudgemental support to women experiencing domestic violence whether women acknowledge the abusive relationship or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past 4 years, undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, have undertaken a two week cultural study tour in Thailand, being exposed to a broad range of cultural interactions, health settings in rural and remote areas, and health-treatment approaches, including traditional and complementary therapies. Student evaluations and reflections were collected after the 2010 and 2011 study tours. This paper reports on findings following thematic analysis of the data, which identified central themes, including connectivity to others, 'awakenings', 'embodiment', and looking to the future. Findings included a recognition by students of a growth in awareness and change in perspective, which they felt would impact on their future approach in caring for patients from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds. We conclude that the study tour provided an effective way of sensitizing students to cultural differences and promoting cross-cultural awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effect of home-based health assessments for older Australians on health-related quality of life, hospital and nursing home admissions, and death., Design: Randomised controlled trial of the effect of health assessments over 3 years., Participants and Setting: 1569 community-living veterans and war widows receiving full benefits from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and aged 70 years or over were randomly selected in 1997 from 10 regions of New South Wales and Queensland and randomly allocated to receive either usual care (n = 627) or health assessments (n = 942)., Intervention: Annual or 6-monthly home-based health assessments by health professionals, with telephone follow-up, and written report to a nominated general practitioner., Main Outcome Measures: Differences in health-related quality of life, admission to hospital and nursing home, and death over 3 years of follow-up., Results: 3-year follow-up interviews were conducted for 1031 participants. Intervention-group participants who remained in the study reported higher quality of life than control-group participants (difference in Physical Component Summary score, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.05-1.76; difference in Mental Component Summary score, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.40-2.32). There was no significant difference in the probability of hospital admission or death between intervention and control groups over the study period. Significantly more participants in the intervention group were admitted to nursing homes compared with the control group (30 v 7; P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Health assessments for older people may have small positive effects on quality of life for those who remain resident in the community, but do not prevent deaths. Assessments may increase the probability of nursing-home placement.