Dr Mieko Omura
Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Email:mieko.omura@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4055 3333
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Mieko Omura is a registered nurse and academic within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, holding dual registration and with clinical experience in both Australia and Japan. She was awarded her PhD (Nursing), in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle in 2018. Her thesis was to design and evaluate an assertiveness communication training program for nursing students in the form of a series of seven papers using a mixed-methods design. Starting out in the school in 2019 as a sessional Academic, Dr Omura was appointed to the position of Lecturer in January 2020 and now holds the role of Student Academic Conduct Officer.
Research
Dr Omura has 12 publications to date. Her work has been cited 198 times (Scopus), 418 times (Google Scholar), and her H‐index is 8 (Scopus), 10 (Google Scholar). Dr Omura’s research interests include assertive communication in healthcare, interprofessional education, cultural studies, health beliefs, mental health literacy among university academics, CALD people with dementia, and disaster nursing education. Dr Omura was involved in international collaborative research that examined the health beliefs and authored the health beliefs about wearing face masks in Eastern and Western countries with researchers from Australia, Japan, China and Thailand. She co-authored an editorial regarding the advice health professionals should be giving the general public about wearing face masks and revisited it in another editorial responding to the high citations. She currently co-supervises one PhD student.
Teaching
Dr Omura led the team at the University of Newcastle responsible for developing and implementing a new course: Essentials of Professional Communication, in the Bachelor of Nursing program. The course mean QLE of student evaluation surveys was 4.5 out of 5 for two consecutive years and in 2023, Dr Omura, as Course Coordinator, was recognised for her instrumental work in this as she received a teaching award from Learning and Teaching Innovation for continuous efforts to improve the quality of this LMS course site.
Leadership/ Service/ Professional Contributions
Dr Omura served in the portfolio of the Deputy Head of International in 2021 and 2022. She took a lead role in re-establishing the New Colombo Plans (NCPs) post-COVID in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and her effort was recognised by the Vice Chancellor in the annual event ‘Cerebrating Success’. Dr Omura organised and executed NCPs, starting virtually with China and then travelling to Thailand and Japan with undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in 2022. Dr Omura will be continuing this work with study tours to Japan in 2023. After being the first-year Advisor in the Bachelor of Nursing program team, Dr Omura is currently a student academic conduct officer, responsible for contributing to improving student academic integrity skills.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Nursing, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- CALD people with dementia
- assertive communication
- cross-cultural study
- disaster nursing
- health belief
- mental health literacy
- nursing
Languages
- Japanese (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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420599 | Nursing not elsewhere classified | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Nursing and Midwifery Australia |
Teaching appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
4/2/2019 - 6/12/2019 | Sessional Academic | School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Newcastle Australia |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
NURS6900 |
Introduction to Research in Health Care School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 14/1/2020 - 8/5/2020 |
JAPN1110 |
Elementary Japanese 1 School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 29/7/2019 - 25/11/2019 |
NURS1002 |
Essentials of Professional Communication School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle Effective professional communication is an essential requirement for today’s registered nurse caring for Australian population. This course provides students with the knowledge and principles of interpersonal communication, guiding them to develop verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills in various healthcare contexts. It explores therapeutic and person-centred communication including those with special needs and/or in challenging situations, promoting quality care and patient safety. This course prepares students to communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, academics and peers, providing opportunities to practice communication skills, through case studies informed by the National Health Priority Areas. By the end of the course students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills integral to effective professional communication. |
Course Coordinator | 17/1/2022 - 1/7/2022 |
NURS3103 |
Healthy Ageing Across Contexts and Communities School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 13/1/2020 - 3/7/2020 |
NURS1002 |
Essentials of Professional Communication School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle Effective professional communication is an essential requirement for today’s registered nurse caring for Australian population. This course provides students with the knowledge and principles of interpersonal communication, guiding them to develop verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills in various healthcare contexts. It explores therapeutic and person-centred communication including those with special needs and/or in challenging situations, promoting quality care and patient safety. This course prepares students to communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, academics and peers, providing opportunities to practice communication skills, through case studies informed by the National Health Priority Areas. By the end of the course students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills integral to effective professional communication. |
Course Coordinator | 16/1/2023 - 30/6/2023 |
NURS1201 |
Foundations of Professional Practice 1B NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY |
Lecturer and tutor | 3/8/2020 - 18/12/2020 |
NURS3106 |
Leading, Teaching, Mentoring and Clinical Supervision for Health Professionals NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY |
Tutor | 28/7/2020 - 18/12/2020 |
NURS6900 |
Introduction to Research in Health Care School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 4/2/2019 - 10/5/2019 |
NURS3103 |
Healthy Ageing Across Contexts and Communities School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle This course will enhance students' understanding of person-centred care, healthy ageing and the management of acute and chronic conditions experienced by older people. Factors that impact on health and the delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary health care for older people in Australia are discussed. An older person interprofessional framework, which promotes wellness across a range of contexts, will be introduced. The neuropathology of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, delirium and depression will also be addressed. Clinical scenarios will be used to explore innovative management related to nursing older people. In these scenarios relevant ethico-legal, socio-political, cultural, and spiritual issues are also covered |
Course Coordinator | 1/2/2021 - 17/12/2021 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (13 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2024 |
Gaviola MA, Omura M, Inder KJ, Johnson A, 'Caring for people with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in nursing homes: A scoping review', International Journal of Nursing Studies, 151 104674-104674 (2024) [C1]
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Nova | ||||||
2022 |
Omura M, Stone T, 'Editorial: Facemasks revisited: What should health professionals be telling the public now about the use of masks?', NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, 24 531-534 (2022)
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2021 |
McMaster R, Adachi K, Yada H, Odachi R, Omura M, Cleary M, 'Exploration of Mental Health Issues of Students among University Health Science Academics in Japan', ISSUES IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, 42 862-869 (2021) [C1]
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Nova | ||||||
2020 |
Omura M, Stone TE, Petrini MA, Cao R, 'Nurses health beliefs about paper face masks in Japan, Australia and China: a qualitative descriptive study', International Nursing Review, 67 341-351 (2020) [C1] Aim: To explore the health beliefs of clinical and academic nurses from Japan, Australia and China regarding wearing paper masks to protect themselves and others, and to identify ... [more] Aim: To explore the health beliefs of clinical and academic nurses from Japan, Australia and China regarding wearing paper masks to protect themselves and others, and to identify differences in participants' health beliefs regarding masks. Background: The correct use of face masks and consensus among health professionals across the globe is essential for containing pandemics, and nurses need to act according to policy to protect themselves, educate the public and preserve resources for frontline health workers. Paper masks are worn by health professionals and the general public to avoid the transmission of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, but there appear to be differences in health beliefs of nurses within and between countries regarding these. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used content analysis with a framework approach. Findings: There were major differences in nurse participants¿ beliefs between and within countries, including how nurses use paper masks and their understanding of their efficacy. In addition, there were cultural differences in the way that nurses use masks in their daily lives and nursing practice contexts. Conclusion: Nurses from different working environments, countries and areas of practice hold a variety of health beliefs about mask wearing at the personal and professional level. Implications for nursing policy and health policy: The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked much discussion about the critical importance of masks for the safety of health professionals, and there has been considerable discussion and disagreement about health policies regarding mask use by the general public. Improper use of masks may have a role in creating mask shortages or transmitting infections. An evidence-based global policy on mask use for respiratory illnesses for health professionals, including nurses, and the general public needs to be adopted and supported by a wide-reaching education campaign.
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Nova | ||||||
2020 |
Stone TE, Kunaviktikul W, Omura M, Petrini M, 'Facemasks and the Covid 19 pandemic: What advice should health professionals be giving the general public about the wearing of facemasks?', Nursing and Health Sciences, 22 339-342 (2020) [C1]
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Nova | ||||||
2019 |
Omura M, Levett-Jones T, Stone TE, 'Evaluating the impact of an assertiveness communication training programme for Japanese nursing students: A quasi-experimental study', NURSING OPEN, 6 463-472 (2019) [C1]
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Nova | ||||||
2019 |
Omura M, Levett-Jones T, Stone TE, 'Design and evaluation of an assertiveness communication training programme for nursing students', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28 1990-1998 (2019) [C1] Aims: The aims of this paper are to (a) outline the design and implementation of an evidence-based assertiveness communication workshop for Japanese nursing students; and (b) repo... [more] Aims: The aims of this paper are to (a) outline the design and implementation of an evidence-based assertiveness communication workshop for Japanese nursing students; and (b) report on the evaluation of nursing students¿ satisfaction with the workshop using the Satisfaction with Assertiveness Communication Training Program Survey. Background: A body of research attests to the relationship between assertive communication and patient safety. This paper reports the design and evaluation of an assertiveness communication training programme designed to enhance students¿ ability to communicate safety in clinical practice. Design: A culturally appropriate and evidence-based assertiveness communication workshop, informed by Gagne's instructional design principles, was implemented for third-year nursing students in two Japanese higher educational institutions in December 2017. A descriptive study design was used to evaluate the workshop. Methods: Students¿ perceptions of the workshop were evaluated using the Satisfaction with Assertiveness Communication Training Program Survey, which includes ten items that are rated using a 5-point Likert scale from strongly disagree [1] to strongly agree [5]. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Revised Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0) guidelines were used in the reporting of this study. Results: A total of 111 students from a population of 150 participated in the study giving a response rate of 74%. The overall mean satisfaction score was 4.12 indicating a high level of agreement with each of the survey items. With the exception of two items, the mean scores were above 4.0. ¿Confidence in using assertiveness communication skills¿ and ¿Utilising role-plays to practice learnt skills¿ received mean scores of 3.71 and 3.90, respectively. Conclusion: Given the compelling research about the importance of assertive communication in health care, the results from this study support continuing investment in assertiveness communication training programmes for nursing students. Relevance to clinical practice: Assertive communication is an essential communication skill for safe nursing practice. Culturally appropriate assertiveness communication training programmes are of particular relevance in hierarchical healthcare contexts.
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Nova | ||||||
2018 |
Omura M, Stone TE, Maguire J, Levett-Jones T, 'Exploring Japanese nurses perceptions of the relevance and use of assertive communication in healthcare: A qualitative study informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour', Nurse Education Today, 67 100-107 (2018) [C1] Background: The hierarchical nature of healthcare environments presents a key risk factor for effective interprofessional communication. Power differentials evident in traditional... [more] Background: The hierarchical nature of healthcare environments presents a key risk factor for effective interprofessional communication. Power differentials evident in traditional healthcare cultures can make it difficult for healthcare professionals to raise concerns and be assertive when they have concerns about patient safety. This issue is of particular concern in Japan where inherent cultural and social norms discourage assertive communication. Aim: The aim of this study was to (a) explore nurses¿ perceptions of the relevance and use of assertive communication in Japanese healthcare environments; and (b) identify the factors that facilitate or impede assertive communication by Japanese nurses. Design: A belief elicitation qualitative study informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour was conducted and reported according to the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research. Settings and Participants: Twenty-three practicing Japanese registered nurses were recruited by snowball sampling from October 2016 to January 2017. Methods: Individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed in Japanese and then translated into English. Two researchers independently conducted a directed content analysis informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Participants¿ responses were labelled in order of frequency for behavioural beliefs about the consequences of assertive communication, sources of social pressure, and factors that facilitate or impede assertive communication in Japanese healthcare environments. Findings: Although person-centred care and patient advocacy were core values for many of the participants, strict hierarchies, age-based seniority, and concerns about offending a colleague or causing team disharmony impeded their use of assertive communication. Novice nurses were particularly reluctant to speak up because of their perception of having limited knowledge and experience. Conclusion: This study identified Japanese nurses¿ behavioural, normative, and control beliefs in relation to assertive communication. The findings will be used to inform the development of a culturally appropriate assertiveness communication training program for Japanese nurses and nursing students.
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Nova | ||||||
2018 |
Omura M, Stone TE, Levett-Jones T, 'Cultural factors influencing Japanese nurses' assertive communication. Part 1: Collectivism.', Nursing & health sciences, 20 283-288 (2018) [C1]
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Nova | ||||||
2018 |
Omura M, Stone TE, Levett-Jones T, 'Cultural factors influencing Japanese nurses assertive communication: Part 2 hierarchy and power', Nursing and Health Sciences, 20 289-295 (2018) [C1] Hierarchy and power characterize health-care relationships around the world, constituting a barrier to assertive communication and a risk to patient safety. This issue is more pro... [more] Hierarchy and power characterize health-care relationships around the world, constituting a barrier to assertive communication and a risk to patient safety. This issue is more problematic and complex in countries such as Japan, where deep-seated cultural values related to hierarchy and power persist. The current paper is the second of two that present the findings from a study exploring Japanese nurses¿ views and experiences of how cultural values impact assertive communication for health-care professionals. We conducted semistructured interviews with 23 registered nurses, following which data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Two overarching themes emerged from the analysis: hierarchy/power and collectivism. In the present study, we focus on cultural values related to hierarchy and power, including differences in professional status, gender imbalance, seniority/generation gap, bullying, and humility/modesty. The findings from our research provide meaningful insights into how Japanese cultural values influence and constrain nurses¿ communication and speaking up behaviors, and can be used to inform educational programs designed to teach assertiveness skills.
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Nova | ||||||
2017 |
Omura M, Maguire J, Levett-Jones T, Stone TE, 'The effectiveness of assertiveness communication training programs for healthcare professionals and students: A systematic review', International Journal of Nursing Studies, 76 120-128 (2017) [C1] Background Communication errors have a negative impact on patient safety. It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals have the skills and confidence to speak up assert... [more] Background Communication errors have a negative impact on patient safety. It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals have the skills and confidence to speak up assertively when patient safety is at risk. Although the facilitators to and barriers of assertive communication have been the subject of previous reviews, evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance assertive communication is lacking. Thus, this paper reports the findings from a systematic review of the effectiveness of assertiveness communication training programs for healthcare professionals and students. Objective The objective of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesise the best available quantitative evidence in relation to the effectiveness of assertiveness communication training programs for healthcare professionals and students on levels of assertiveness, communication competence and impact on clinicians¿ behaviours and patient safety. Data sources The databases included: CINAHL, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Informit health collection, MEDLINE, ProQuest nursing and allied health, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. The search for unpublished studies included: MedNar, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. Studies published in English from 2001 until 2016 inclusive were considered. Study eligibility criteria The review included original quantitative research that evaluated (a) any type of independent assertiveness communication training program; and (b) programs with assertiveness training included as a core component of team skills or communication training for healthcare professionals and students, regardless of healthcare setting and level of qualification of participants. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Studies selected based on eligibility criteria were assessed for methodological quality and the data were extracted by two independent researchers using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal and data extraction tools. Results Eleven papers were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists. Eight papers from the USA, Australia, Ireland, and Taiwan were included in the review. Conclusions Interventions to improve assertive communication were reported to be effective to some degree with all targeted groups except experienced anaesthesiologists. Face-to-face and multimethod programs, support from leaders, teamwork skills training and communication techniques adapted from the aviation industry were identified as appropriate approaches for optimising the effectiveness of assertiveness communication training programs. Behavioural change as the result of assertiveness interventions was evaluated by observer-based rating scales during simulation, whilst self-perceived knowledge and attitudes were evaluated using validated scales. Future research should consider evaluation of sustained effect on behaviour change and patient safety.
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Nova | ||||||
2015 |
Omura M, Levett-Jones T, Stone TE, Maguire J, Lapkin S, 'Measuring the impact of an interprofessional multimedia learning resource on Japanese nurses and nursing students using the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire', Nursing and Health Sciences, 17 500-506 (2015) [C1]
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Show 10 more journal articles |
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2018 | Omura M, Design and evaluation of an assertiveness communication training program for Japanese nursing students, The University of Newcastle (2018) |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
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2022 | PhD | The Experience of Transition from Student Nurse to Registered Nurse Among Newly Graduated Saudi Nurses in the Paediatric Setting: A Qualitative Study | PhD (Nursing), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Dr Mieko Omura
Position
Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
mieko.omura@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4055 3333 |
Office
Room | RW 2-35 |
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Building | Richardson Wing |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |