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Chapter 9: Discussion

9.1 Introduction

This study investigated the question: ‘What is the social world of Australian remote generalist nurses delivering mental healthcare?’ An interpretive case study design was utilised, encompassing a single, explanatory, holistic case study methodology, combined with thematic, situational and actor-network analyses (Clarke, 2005). As a result, a social world/arenas map was developed and then analysed using actor-network theory. Actor-network theory analysis was chosen to examine and evaluate how the various groups and elements (both human and non-human) of the social world interact to assist remote nurses in the delivery of mental healthcare. In this penultimate chapter, the researcher discusses the study’s three key findings. First, remote general nurses, through necessity, become the obligatory passage points (Callon, 1986a; Law & Callon, 1994) in the delivery of remote mental healthcare. By assuming the role of the obligatory passage point, remote nurses occupy the point or intersection of interest at which actors in the remote nurses’ social world converge on a defined issue, purpose or question (i.e. mental healthcare). It is through moments of translation (Callon, 1986a) that all other actors must pass through the obligatory passage point to form a network for the delivery of mental healthcare. Communications, negotiations and resulting mental health solutions take place through the central remote nurse. The nurse is the only actor with intimate and first-hand knowledge of the mental health presentation or issue. They are the ‘eyes and ears’ for all other actors in the network and social world. Through moments of translation (problematisation, interessement,