Abstract: Aim: To improve team work through joint development of clinical processes between regional, rural community mental health teams and rural hospitals using Lean philosophy. Background: There was lack of clarity of the roles and responsibilities of staff in the admission of mental health consumers in rural hospitals and in their transfer to regional acute mental health inpatient unit. This resulted in cross departmental animosity in Central Queensland health services which further led to compromised provision of consumer care. The impetus of this paper; therefore, is to present the application of Lean to the admission process in rural mental healthcare services as well as transfer to the regional acute inpatient unit in order to enhance teamwork and supportive working environment to improve consumer outcomes. Methods: The study utilized a qualitative approach where an online survey monkey was used to capture an in-depth understanding of the perceptions and experiences of the hospital and mental health staff pre- and post-implementation of the new processes. Key results: The participants reported improved collaborative working among the staff which resulted in more effective care provision for mental health consumers. Conclusion: Lean philosophy was successfully applied in creating effective administrative and clinical processes in rural and remote mental health services. Joint development of procedures and processes enhanced adherence to standards, improved teamwork and, consequently, ameliorated consumer outcomes.Abstract: Aim: To improve team work through joint development of clinical processes between regional, rural community mental health teams and rural hospitals using Lean philosophy. Background: There was lack of clarity of the roles and responsibilities of staff in the admission of mental health consumers in rural hospitals and in their transfer to regional a...Show More
Abstract: This paper investigates the reason behind rural-urban migration in developing countries of the world using Nigeria as focus of the study. The fact is that most of the countries of the developing world are just on the threshold of their industrial take-off. The unfolding of events in the western world indicates that urbanization and industrialization goes together. Thus, the simple fact that continuing rapid urbanization is inevitable in developing countries. This study examines issues of drive, implication and solution to the problem of rural-urban migration in Nigeria. In view of the emerging nature of this research work, the survey research design was used. The paper adopted urban bias theory as a model for its analytical framework. The paper observed that in Nigeria, urban centres or cities are springing up and people are migrating from the rural areas to urban areas. And they have different reasons for migrating from rural areas to urban centres; these reasons include among others lack of employment opportunities in rural areas, lack of infrastructural facilities, educational institution etc. It therefore, recommends that the government should embark on the development of agricultural sector to create employment and infrastructural development in the rural areas.Abstract: This paper investigates the reason behind rural-urban migration in developing countries of the world using Nigeria as focus of the study. The fact is that most of the countries of the developing world are just on the threshold of their industrial take-off. The unfolding of events in the western world indicates that urbanization and industrializatio...Show More