"Psychiatric services and the role of the nurse in Australia" [Special feature Part 1]

Abstract

Over recent decades Australia and Japan have enjoyed strong economic and educational links. As a result of this relationship information regarding health care practice’s including psychiatric services, in both countries has been exchanged through international visits and through formal study tours.
Psychiatric services and the role of nurses within Australia are described in this paper to enhance the relationship between Australia and Japan by providing insight for Japanese psychiatric staff across all disciplines, especially nursing. This article provides a brief description of Australia to provide readers with the context in which this article is written and the prevalence of mental health diseases in Australia. The remaining sections will examine the present state of psychiatric services in Australia, the role and functions undertaken by registered nursing staff, and the educational system and programs preparing both generalist and specialized registered nurses. Finally, educational pathways by which students from other countries, including Japan, can gain basic and or additional qualifications, especially in the area of psychiatric nursing, are presented