T . ( 2 0 0 1 ) ( 2 0 0 1 ) Journal of Advanced Nursing 33 (5), 594±602 Women's experiences of`being diagnosed' with a long-term illness Aims. In this paper we share women's storied accounts of`being diagnosed' with a long-term illness. The purpose of the paper is to raise awareness of health professionals that receiving a medical diagnosis is a potentially calamitous event, challenging self-identity. Background. The three authors were involved in three separate inquiries which explored women's experiences of living with illness. The authors realized that`being diagnosed' was a common memorable event for the women across the inquiries. The literature around receiving a diagnosis was scarce.Design. This paper is the result of secondary analysis of data from three different projects where we researched women living with long-term illness. In this paper, we focus on the experience of`being diagnosed' as we share and show women's perceptions of receiving a medical diagnosis. Findings. Receiving a medical diagnosis of a long-term illness was a memorable event in the women's lives. Many women felt alone with their illness, often without adequate information to ®nd meaning in the relationship between their familiar self and their new identity as a woman living with illness. They felt vulnerable and lost as they tried to understand the meanings and consequences that the diagnosis held for their present and their future. Informational needs may be speci®c and individual. For many, receipt of a diagnostic label was momentous and should not be underestimated, despite the initial feeling of chaos, many women felt validated. Conclusion. Receiving a medical diagnosis is one event where health care professionals could be on standby. It is important to take the woman's articulation of the event seriously. Open, genuine communication, with willingness on behalf of the health professional to listen would be af®rming for women who are coming to terms with the diagnosis of a chronic illness.

• The purpose of this inquiry was to gain a better understanding of the experience of women who have had surgery for non‐invasive breast cancer. In particular, issues surrounding information were explored. • Six women who had undergone surgery for a non‐invasive breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS) participated in the research and an interpretive approach was used to guide the research process. • In‐depth interviews took place in the women’s homes and the interviews were transcribed verbatim. • Through a process of familiarization with the tapes and transcripts, clusters of significant statements were assembled into individual stories of each woman’s experience. • The findings highlight the individual nature of the experience of information, with the women wanting information that is tailored to their personal needs. • Nurses can provide care that is more responsive to the information needs of each woman by being aware of the diverse ways in which women experience information. • This small study contributes to the limited understanding of the experience of having surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ and the information needs of these women.

Head lice infestation is a public health issue. In the effort to compile an evidence-base about the physiology, detection, treatment, effects and management strategies of head lice infestations we reviewed current literature. This literature signalled significant evidence gaps and these gaps provide incentives for further research. Our conclusions from the literature are that parents of children are responsible for head lice detection and treatment but have varying access to advice about how best to treat this condition. Concern is exacerbated by misconceptions surrounding the circumstances of infestation. Head lice are a low priority for health professionals in Australia, whereas parents and teachers believe the problem necessitates greater attention. It is important to provide a unified evidence-based approach to good information. It is timely for health care professionals to re-examine and prioritize this public health issue. They should research and work collaboratively towards the eradication of head lice.

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