This article explores the applicability of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Australian nurse practitioner (NP) perspective. NPs have been endorsed to practice in Australia for more than 13 years in many diverse roles requiring education beyond that of the current master’s level. However, there is little formal university training beyond this level. Current regulatory requirements, clinical practice settings, and the small number of NPs practicing do not provide the impetus to expand NP education requirements at this time.

In the worrisome context of increasing rates of intimate partner violence and a number of recent deaths reportedly occurring in domestic situations, the establishment and maintenance of effective intervention strategies is a critical public health concern. The present study aimed to evaluate the functioning of a regional intersectoral rapid intervention collaboration agreement (called A-GIR) initiated to respond preventatively to situations identified as high risk of domestic homicide, in Quebec, Canada. In order to better understand how such a collaboration may be successfully implemented, a qualitative analysis was conducted of the perceived functioning of A-GIR and the factors that favor its success as well as issues that should be addressed in this and other such initiatives to ensure efficient and effective practices that prevent the loss of life. Participants (N = 15) were active A-GIR members, who responded to semi-structured interviews which were thematically analyzed. Results are discussed in relation to established partnership action evaluation criteria. The study highlights the necessary conditions for the success of a collaborative agreement such as A-GIR.

A myriad of factors influence the sub-optimal breastfeeding rates in the U.S. Among these factors is maternal obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²), which has been found to negatively impact breastfeeding initiation and duration for some women. Obesity increases women’s risk for various complications throughout the perinatal period, which may impact breastfeeding and the long-term health and well-being of women and their children. However, adequate lactation support that upholds a respectful consciousness regarding the potential breastfeeding challenges of women with obesity can assist these women to successfully meet their breastfeeding goals. This review summarizes the literature on the impact of maternal BMI on breastfeeding duration, and maternal and infant risk factors that may complicate lactation for women with obesity. Recommendations for assessing and supporting the needs of mothers with obesity to best achieve their breastfeeding goals are provided.

This practice improvement project was aimed at implementing a simulation-based education program at an immediate care clinic to better prepare staff for emergency situations and to determine whether simulation-based training could positively impact the confidence of participating staff members. Six staff members participated in a 2-phase program. The first phase included an educational component with practice mock code scenarios, whereas the second phase consisted of a spontaneous mock code drill 2 weeks later. Results revealed significant differences in participants’ overall reported comfort and confidence levels (percentages) in performing during a medical emergency pre- and postprogram. In addition, when individual skills were evaluated, there was a significant increase in participants’ comfort in initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), confidence in performing bag-to-mouth ventilation, and confidence in following basic life support guidelines during emergency situations. Findings suggest that a simulation-based learning program in immediate care can enhance the confidence of staff members in responding to emergent situations.

After losing an infant, grieving mothers may still have to cope with postpartum issues, including lactation. This article reviews and addresses care options for lactation concerns after pregnancy, neonatal, or infant loss. Currently, lactation care and advice after loss varies greatly. Lactation consultants are instrumental in providing mothers with anticipatory guidance and evidence-based care. Implementing system-wide training and education regarding this topic will help families receive the information they need to deal with the physiological aftermath of infant loss.

Breastfeeding should be encouraged for every baby with few exceptions, classic galactosemia being one of them. Classic galactosemia causes death in newborns and can be identified early with newborn screening, or through the careful assessments of physicians, midwives, and lactation consultants in the first 4 days of life. All practitioners that assess newborns within the first 4 days of life should have a clear understanding of when to halt breastfeeding and when to support continuation of breastfeeding while keeping babies safe.

If a tongue-tie is to be revised, what is the best technique for accomplishing that? There is some debate in the field about whether scissors or laser is most effective. Both techniques seem efficacious. This section also addresses which professionals should be performing the revision. Our panelists represent a wide range of disciplines, so some refer, and others perform the revisions themselves.

Whereas intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated by men against women has been studied at length, relatively little attention has been given to violence perpetrated by women against their male intimate partners. This study represents one of relatively few attempts to better understand the experiences of male IPV victims. Specifically, this study explored the characteristics of men who obtain and withdraw a protection order against a female intimate partner, in comparison to those men who obtain and do not withdraw the order. We also looked at the reasons men cite for obtaining and withdrawing a protection order and the types of relief granted by the court. Findings from this study revealed that men who requested protection from abuse (PFA) against female intimate partners experienced a pattern of victimization prior to their requests for protection, including physical, psychological, or emotional abuse. Although, each of these men sought and was granted a “no abuse, stalk, or threaten” order, few of them were able to obtain temporary custody of children they had in common with the defendant, nor were they successful in getting defendants evicted from the home or getting the court to order defendants to relinquish their firearms. A comparison of men who withdrew their PFAs to those who did not withdraw them suggested that men who did not withdraw their PFAs perceived their abusive situations as being more serious. Implications for future research are discussed.

Research on partner abuse has lagged in much of the world where attention has been on other problems (such as famine and war) and other crimes against women (e.g., honor killings, genital mutilation). We conducted a sweeping review of scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed journals and by government agencies outside of the United States and English-speaking developed nations that provided quantitative data on physical, psychological, and sexual abuse of intimate partners as well as consequences, risk factors, and attitudes. One hundred sixty-two articles reporting on more than 200 studies in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe met the inclusion criteria from various types of samples. Most of the studies reported on female victimization only, but 73 reported on both male and female victimization.

We also conducted an analysis of data from our literature review, including 1 major cross-national study, to determine the relationship among prevalence of abuse, social factors, and women’s empowerment. Results indicate that partner abuse is a widespread problem around the world, with multiple causes. Overall prevalence of abuse is higher in Third World countries compared to the United States, and rates for physical and psychological abuse are comparable across gender in most countries when all types of samples are considered. No significant association was found between rates of partner violence (PV) and a nation’s level of human development. However, a significant relationship was found between a nation’s level of gender empowerment and rates of PV by both males and females but only for university dating samples from the International Dating Violence Study (IDVS). In addition, an analysis of the IDVS indicates that efforts by 1 partner to dominate the other are positively correlated with physical abuse perpetration for women, but not for men. Among the limitations of this review was the relatively few numbers of large population studies that ask about both male and female perpetration and victimization and the consequences and context of PV. Implications of the findings include the need for a broader conceptualization of PV as not merely a gender problem but also (and perhaps primarily) a human problem.