Browsing by Author "Robertson, Heather Ruth"

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    An impact evaluation : Healthy Messages Calendar = Te Maramataka Korero Hauora : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Robertson, Heather Ruth
    A health promotion intervention the 'Healthy Messages Calendar (Te Maramataka Korero Hauora)' was produced by a collection of community groups and provided free to every household in Tairawhiti. The purpose of this study was to conduct impact evaluation to determine if this calendar was an effective health promotion tool for the dissemination of health information and promotion. The researcher was interested in discovering what selected people in the community thought of the calendar, what improvements could be made and how the calendar was of benefit to them. Consistent with impact evaluation, a documentation review was carried out on the Maramataka calendar file held at the Public Health Unit in Gisborne. As well, qualitative data were obtained from five focus groups: four focus groups from selected cohorts in the community and one of stakeholders or key players in the development of the calendar. The data were analysed using a general inductive approach. From this information, an assessment was undertaken to determine if the project objectives were met. In addition, all data collected were used to assess if Maori health needs were met using the whare tapa wha model of Maori health as the assessment tool. The results highlighted the positive link between health promotion practice and meeting the health promotion needs of a local community. From this study it was determined that the 'Healthy Messages Calendar (Te Maramataka Korero Hauora)' project was a valuable social marketing tool that fitted into the context of New Zealand society. The focus groups feedback indicated an overwhelming positive community response for the calendar. The local production of the calendar and the use of the children's artwork to promote the messages were identified as being important to the acceptability of the calendar. However, there were areas of improvement identified mostly around the calendar design and funding for the calendar. Greater involvement of Maori at all levels was also identified as a need. Therefore, the information gained from this study provides useful information that not only improves the 'Healthy Messages Calendar (Te Maramataka Korero Hauora)' project but can also be utilised to plan future health promotion programmes.
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    A single case study : an evaluation of the impact of the implementation of the primary health Care strategy on the primary health care nursing workforce in Tairawhiti : a thesis presented in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Robertson, Heather Ruth
    In December 2000 the New Zealand Health Strategy was released closely followed by the Primary Health Care Strategy in February 2001. The Primary Health Care Strategy pledged a significant paradigm shift in health service funding and delivery and primary health care nurses were considered crucial to implementation. The intent of this study is to investigate the impact of implementation of the Strategy on primary health care nursing in Tairawhiti. Tairawhiti District Health Board (TDH) and the two Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) were central to the analysis. For my overarching research framework I employed a qualitative interpretive design informed by constructionism. The diffusion of innovation theory seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas are spread through cultures and provided the theoretical lens to collect the data and analyse the findings. Using a single instrumental case study design, data were collected from multiple sources including relevant policy documents and strategic plans as available on the TDH, Ngati Porou Hauora and Turanganui PHO websites. Qualitative data were obtained using in-depth individual interviews with managers at middle and senior levels at TDH and the two PHOs. Focus groups were held with primary health care nurses. The study concludes that investment in and the effective deployment of primary health care nurses in Tairawhiti did not occur as anticipated. A key finding was the lack of a whole of system strategic approach and poor diffusion processes meant widespread service change was undermined. The study also found that the Strategy met with multiple sources of resistance across the health sector, further exacerbated by existing structural barriers in the health system. This study brings together an increased understanding of the complexities that continue to disable a true primary health care approach and consequently restrict the potential gain the nursing workforce offers.