S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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nurses delivering mental healthcare. Combining the results from the thematic analysis, situational analysis and actor-network analysis, the three key findings of the study emerged. 1.8 Rationale The researcher was unable to identify any published study that had specifically explored, examined or reported how Australian remote nurses deliver mental healthcare within a social worlds framework utilising situational analysis (Clarke, 2005). Further, no study had employed actor-network theory to identify and explore the relationships among the actors and groups in the social world of Australian remote nurses in the delivery of remote mental healthcare. 1.9 Significance of the Study for the Nursing Profession Of Australia’s population of 23 million, one in five will suffer from a mental illness during their lifetime. People who live in remote Australia are 1.1 times more likely than those living in urban areas to suffer a mental illness. They also have significantly higher rates of substance use disorders and are 1.3 times more likely to commit suicide (AIHW, 2010). Morrissey and Reser (2007) suggested that the higher prevalence of mental health problems in remote and rural communities is a reflection of socioeconomic disadvantage, a harsher natural and social environment, loneliness and isolation, and fewer available health services. It is clear that the demand for mental healthcare from generalist remote nurses is significant. Remote nurses are the largest and most prevalent group of care providers, and are frequently the first to be contacted by patients in crisis (Burley & Greene, 2007). Nursing in remote areas has been described as one of the most complex areas of nursing practice.