Background Immunization in Canada is recommended not mandated, granting parents discretionary decision-making power regarding their child’s immunization status. Uptake of childhood immunization at present falls below national targets. Nurses who interact with parents in the clinical setting may witness parents’ decision-making experiences, attitudes, and opinions inclusive of vaccine hesitancy. Purpose The aim of this study is to understand parents’ and nurses’ experiences of decision-making about childhood immunization, specifically measles-mumps-rubella and/or diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis. Methods Thorne’s interpretative description approach was used to understand parents’ and nurses’ experiences and perspectives about immunization. The sample was 6 nurses and 16 parents residing in northeastern Ontario. Results Common to all participants was the goal of protection. Motivated by child protection, parents carried out three broad actions, searching for information, deliberating the information and sources to determine the relative benefits and risks of immunization, and bearing responsibility for their decision to accept, delay, or decline immunization. Nurses were motivated by child protection and population health. Conclusion Implications for nursing included integration of immunization competencies in nursing curricula, ongoing professional development, validation of parental actions for child protection, nurse-led education sessions, and engaging parents through social media to support access to reputable information.

A relationship between mental health and supportive housing has been established, yet there exist enduring challenges in meeting the supportive housing needs of people with severe mental health problems. Furthermore, not all stakeholder viewpoints of supportive housing services are well documented in the research literature, and research has tended to focus on supportive housing provision in large, urban centres. Potentially, distinct challenges and opportunities associated with the provision of supportive housing services in smaller urban and rural communities that define the greater geographical terrain of Canada and other jurisdictions are less developed. This study describes community mental health service workers' priorities for supportive housing services. Using Q methodology, 39 statements about supportive housing services, developed from a mixed-methods parent study, were sorted by 58 service providers working in four communities in northern Ontario, Canada. Data used in this study were collected in 2010. Q analysis was used to identify correlations between service workers who held similar and different viewpoints concerning service priorities. The results yielded four discrete viewpoints about priorities for delivery of supportive housing services including: a functional system, service efficiency, individualised services and promotion of social inclusion. Common across these viewpoints was the need for concrete deliverables inclusive of financial supports and timely access to adequate housing. These findings have the potential to inform the development of housing policy in regions of low population density which address both system and individual variables.

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Background Accessible, appropriate, and affordable housing is recognized as essential for the well-being of all Canadians. Securing and maintaining housing tenure for individuals living with chronic health and social challenges can be compromised without appropriate services. There has been limited research into the priorities to enhance supportive housing services from the perspective of individuals living with mental illness in smaller urban and rural communities. Purpose The purpose was to describe the priorities for supportive housing from the viewpoints of tenants recovering from mental illness in northeastern Ontario. Methods This descriptive study used Q methodology to engage 52 adults regarding their impressions about enhancing supportive housing services. Participants ranked 39 housing and support priority statements on a nine-point Likert-type scale. Results Four discrete viewpoints about priorities for supportive housing were building a home, letting others in, moving outside the walls, and accessing personalized services. Common across these viewpoints was the need to increase financial assistance offered through existing programs. Conclusions Fostering individual pathways to recovery involves mitigating health and social disparities, relative to supportive housing, one size does not fit all. Service providers and decision makers are compelled to situate each individual within an evidence-informed supportive housing system for citizenship.

This article presents a discourse analysis of a woman's written account of mental illness and homelessness. In her preparation as a co-presenter at a conference for decision- and policy-makers, Anna wrote eight distinct drafts of her speaking notes; each time emphasizing different aspects of her experiences with mental illness and homelessness. By sharing her preparatory writings, Anna offers a rare insight into the 'evolution' of the thinking that went into representing her story to an audience of professionals. In addition, this analysis represents an interpretation and alternative forum to learn from Anna's story.