title: Being a language learner—Is that all there is?

authors: Lee, Jinah

abstract: Asian migrants are inevitably categorised as language learners. At times, it is the migrant's own definition and can be used as a support. At others, it is an imposition in two senses: it can be imposed by others and by institutions; and also acts as a hindrance to resettlement in the new country. Language learning raises issues of a sense of belonging and a sense of self-value. 
A narrative inquiry study of six Asian migrant women follows their experience as language learners over a twelve-month period, focusing on the different concepts above, as the women negotiate their identities, to finally divesting the label language learner. The findings suggest that there is a close link between a sense of belonging and a sense of self-value which influences the participants’ identity trajectories―towards valuable members of the mainstream society. The discussion poses two questions to education providers, ESL educators and policy makers: What does the image of language learner migrant do to the perception that others have of newcomers? How long is a newcomer a migrant?

text: Being a language learner—Is that all there is? Asian migrants are inevitably categorised as language learners. At times, it is the migrant's own definition and can be used as a support. At others, it is an imposition in two senses: it can be imposed by others and by institutions; and also acts as a hindrance to resettlement in the new country. Language learning raises issues of a sense of belonging and a sense of self-value. 
A narrative inquiry study of six Asian migrant women follows their experience as language learners over a twelve-month period, focusing on the different concepts above, as the women negotiate their identities, to finally divesting the label language learner. The findings suggest that there is a close link between a sense of belonging and a sense of self-value which influences the participants’ identity trajectories―towards valuable members of the mainstream society. The discussion poses two questions to education providers, ESL educators and policy makers: What does the image of language learner migrant do to the perception that others have of newcomers? How long is a newcomer a migrant?

year: 2017

title: Mineral extraction from New Zealand's geothermal brines: Where to next?

authors: Climo, M.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: New Zealand’s geothermal brines offer potential for the extraction of various metals and minerals, given both the fluid compositions and volumes discharged. The realisation of commercial value from the extracted constituents could create new industries, support economic development, and potentially provide additional revenue streams for geothermal energy generation and related industries.
A 2013-2015 New Zealand Government-funded research programme (“From Waste to Wealth”) sought to identify potential processing technologies and, in particular, to provide a greater understanding of the barriers and success factors likely to influence the implementation of such technologies.
This paper summarises the research to date and makes recommendations for New Zealand’s future research and investment in this area.

text: Mineral extraction from New Zealand's geothermal brines: Where to next? New Zealand’s geothermal brines offer potential for the extraction of various metals and minerals, given both the fluid compositions and volumes discharged. The realisation of commercial value from the extracted constituents could create new industries, support economic development, and potentially provide additional revenue streams for geothermal energy generation and related industries.
A 2013-2015 New Zealand Government-funded research programme (“From Waste to Wealth”) sought to identify potential processing technologies and, in particular, to provide a greater understanding of the barriers and success factors likely to influence the implementation of such technologies.
This paper summarises the research to date and makes recommendations for New Zealand’s future research and investment in this area.

year: 2015

title: Exploring patient experiences and power dynamics in an acute general surgical ward: A mixed methods study exploring patient and staff
perceptions of the inpatient experience at Waikato Hospital

authors: Drake, Emma Rose

subjects: Nursing

abstract: Background: Alongside health outcomes, patient experiences are considered crucial in identifying the quality of a health care setting. General surgery comprise the largest range of pathologies and accounts for the highest number of patient discharges of any surgical specialty. As a way to address the power imbalance between healthcare staff and patients, patient-centred models of care are increasingly being adopted and implemented within hospitals including surgery. This study aims to investigate the current experiences of acutely admitted patients in a general surgical ward at Waikato Hospital, including opportunities for and challenges to improvement initiatives. Furthermore, the study examines relevant staff members perspectives of the inpatient experience and seeks to determine the efficacy of a proposed intervention focusing on empowering patients and their families.
Methods: The study was a mixed method design involving two phases. Phase I obtained qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with six patients and twelve staff members. Themes which emerged from the qualitative data in phase I were used to inform the development of phase II, as well as to inform a proposed patient self- assessment intervention. Phase II obtained quantitative data through Likert scale response surveys provided to acute patients on, or near to, their day of discharge from the surgical ward over a two month period.
Results: A total of six patients and 12 healthcare staff (senior registered nurses, n=3; surgical registered nurse managers, n=2; surgical fellows, n=2; surgical registrar, n=1; dietitian, n=1; social worker, n=1; occupational therapist, n=1; and physiotherapist n=1) were involved in phase I. A total of 53 surveys were returned from patients in Phase II (63.1% response rate). Qualitative data from phase I was analysed using a general inductive approach. This revealed three themes including power and control concerns for patients, the hierarchy of the health care team and the surrounding stressors of the organisation and environment. Analysis of the quantitative data collected descriptive statistics and calculated chi-squares. Of note were the statistically significant differences particularly between patients of Māori ethnicity comparatively to non-Māori, and according to gender and reason in hospital. There were no statistically significant differences for patients according to age group.
Conclusion: This study identified both the experiences of patients and staff in an acute general surgical context. The study found that the proposed patient self- assessment intervention was not immediately recommended. This was due to the current recommendations from patients who identified their strong preference was for face-to-face communication with staff. It was also due to staff members identification of a perceived inability to consistently provide person-centred care which corresponded with the patient self-assessment data. Acute general surgical care needs of patients were perceived by staff as taking precedent and current workplace stressors, including staffing and skill mix deficits and perceived lack of staff wellbeing supports, were strong inhibitors for staff to provide their preferred capacity of patient-centred care.

text: Exploring patient experiences and power dynamics in an acute general surgical ward: A mixed methods study exploring patient and staff
perceptions of the inpatient experience at Waikato Hospital Background: Alongside health outcomes, patient experiences are considered crucial in identifying the quality of a health care setting. General surgery comprise the largest range of pathologies and accounts for the highest number of patient discharges of any surgical specialty. As a way to address the power imbalance between healthcare staff and patients, patient-centred models of care are increasingly being adopted and implemented within hospitals including surgery. This study aims to investigate the current experiences of acutely admitted patients in a general surgical ward at Waikato Hospital, including opportunities for and challenges to improvement initiatives. Furthermore, the study examines relevant staff members perspectives of the inpatient experience and seeks to determine the efficacy of a proposed intervention focusing on empowering patients and their families.
Methods: The study was a mixed method design involving two phases. Phase I obtained qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with six patients and twelve staff members. Themes which emerged from the qualitative data in phase I were used to inform the development of phase II, as well as to inform a proposed patient self- assessment intervention. Phase II obtained quantitative data through Likert scale response surveys provided to acute patients on, or near to, their day of discharge from the surgical ward over a two month period.
Results: A total of six patients and 12 healthcare staff (senior registered nurses, n=3; surgical registered nurse managers, n=2; surgical fellows, n=2; surgical registrar, n=1; dietitian, n=1; social worker, n=1; occupational therapist, n=1; and physiotherapist n=1) were involved in phase I. A total of 53 surveys were returned from patients in Phase II (63.1% response rate). Qualitative data from phase I was analysed using a general inductive approach. This revealed three themes including power and control concerns for patients, the hierarchy of the health care team and the surrounding stressors of the organisation and environment. Analysis of the quantitative data collected descriptive statistics and calculated chi-squares. Of note were the statistically significant differences particularly between patients of Māori ethnicity comparatively to non-Māori, and according to gender and reason in hospital. There were no statistically significant differences for patients according to age group.
Conclusion: This study identified both the experiences of patients and staff in an acute general surgical context. The study found that the proposed patient self- assessment intervention was not immediately recommended. This was due to the current recommendations from patients who identified their strong preference was for face-to-face communication with staff. It was also due to staff members identification of a perceived inability to consistently provide person-centred care which corresponded with the patient self-assessment data. Acute general surgical care needs of patients were perceived by staff as taking precedent and current workplace stressors, including staffing and skill mix deficits and perceived lack of staff wellbeing supports, were strong inhibitors for staff to provide their preferred capacity of patient-centred care.

year: 2022