949 results
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2. Perinatal depression screening in Australia: A position paper.
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Hazell Raine, Karen, Thorpe, Karen, and Boyce, Philip
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DIAGNOSIS of mental depression , *MATERNAL health services , *MEDICAL screening , *COST control , *MOTHER-child relationship , *PREGNANCY - Abstract
Perinatal depression can have enduring adverse effects on women and their children and families, incurring substantial ongoing economic and personal costs. A significant proportion of the cost of perinatal depression relates to adverse impacts on the child, most likely mediated through impairment to the mother‐infant relationship. In recognition of this problem, Australia has invested in routine perinatal depression screening. Our previous research produced convergent findings suggesting that expected benefits for children have not yet been realised through perinatal depression screening. We question the potential of including a measure of personality in current perinatal depression screening for identifying maternal mental health problems and suboptimal mother‐infant relationships. This paper reviews our previous research findings within the broader context of perinatal depression screening. We propose a position, that perinatal depression screening in Australia should be redesigned to more precisely detect vulnerable mother‐infant relationships, parenting, maternal mental health, and infant psychosocial and psychological development. Practice change to appropriately target antenatal interventions may more efficiently improve both maternal and child outcomes, thereby contributing to greater efficiency and cost savings for the health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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3. Nurses' health beliefs about paper face masks in Japan, Australia and China: a qualitative descriptive study.
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Omura, M., Stone, T.E., Petrini, M.A., and Cao, R.
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PREVENTION of infectious disease transmission , *PREVENTION of communicable diseases , *CONTENT analysis , *CULTURE , *HEALTH attitudes , *RESEARCH methodology , *HEALTH policy , *NURSES' attitudes , *RESEARCH funding , *STATISTICAL sampling , *QUALITATIVE research , *SECONDARY analysis , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *COVID-19 - Abstract
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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4. Assessing spirometry competence through certification in community‐based healthcare settings in Australia and New Zealand: A position paper of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science.
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Schneider, Irene, Rodwell, Leanne, Baum, Sarah, Borg, Brigitte M., Del Colle, Eleonora A., Ingram, Emily R., Swanney, Maureen, and Taylor, Deborah
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SPIROMETRY , *INDUSTRIAL hygiene , *PERFORMANCE , *VENTILATION monitoring , *CERTIFICATION - Abstract
Spirometry has been established as an essential test for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory disease, particularly asthma and COPD, as well as in occupational health surveillance. In Australia and New Zealand, there is currently no pathway for spirometry operators in community‐based healthcare settings to demonstrate spirometry competence. The Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) has identified a need for developing a pathway for operators working in community‐based practices in Australia and New Zealand to demonstrate spirometry competence and certification. Spirometry certification provides evidence to patients, clients, employers and organizations that an individual has participated in an assessment process that qualifies them to perform spirometry to current international spirometry standards set out by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). This document describes a competence assessment pathway that incorporates a portfolio and practical assessment. The completion of this pathway and the award of certification confer an individual is competent to perform spirometry for 3 years, after which re‐certification is required. The adoption of this competency assessment and certification process by specialist organizations, and the commitment of operators performing spirometry to undergo this process, will enhance spirometry quality and practice in community‐based healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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5. ADIPS position paper on pre‐existing diabetes and pregnancy.
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Rudland, Victoria L., Price, Sarah A. L., and Callaway, Leonie
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BLOOD sugar monitoring , *DIABETES , *GESTATIONAL diabetes , *HIGH-risk pregnancy , *TYPE 1 diabetes , *MEDICAL protocols , *TYPE 2 diabetes , *POSTNATAL care , *PRECONCEPTION care , *WOMEN'S health , *DISEASE management - Abstract
This is an executive summary of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) 2020 guideline for pre‐existing diabetes and pregnancy. The summary focuses on the main clinical practice points for the management of women with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in relation to pregnancy, including preconception, antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care. The full guideline is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13265. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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6. Work‐related asthma: A position paper from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the National Asthma Council Australia.
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Hoy, Ryan, Burdon, Jonathan, Chen, Ling, Miles, Susan, Perret, Jennifer L, Prasad, Shivonne, Radhakrishna, Naghmeh, Rimmer, Janet, Sim, Malcolm R, Yates, Deborah, and Zosky, Graeme
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ASTHMA , *OCCUPATIONAL hazards , *INTERNAL auditing , *SYMPTOMS , *VOCAL cord dysfunction - Abstract
Work‐related asthma (WRA) is one of the most common occupational respiratory conditions, and includes asthma specifically caused by occupational exposures (OA) and asthma that is worsened by conditions at work (WEA). WRA should be considered in all adults with asthma, but especially those with new‐onset or difficult to control asthma. Improvement in asthma symptoms when away from work is suggestive of WRA. Clinical history alone is insufficient to diagnose WRA; therefore, objective investigations are required to confirm the presence of asthma and the association of asthma with work activities. Management of WRA requires pharmacotherapy similar to that of non‐WRA, however, also needs to take into account control of the causative workplace exposure. Ongoing exposure will likely lead to decline in lung function and worsening asthma control. WRA is a preventable condition but this does rely on increased awareness of WRA and thorough identification and control of all potential occupational respiratory hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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7. SOMANZ position paper on the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum.
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Lowe, Sandra A., Armstrong, Georgina, Beech, Amanda, Bowyer, Lucy, Grzeskowiak, Luke, Marnoch, Catherine A., and Robinson, Helen
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EVALUATION of medical care , *MEDICAL protocols , *MORNING sickness , *PREGNANCY , *PREGNANCY complications , *PRENATAL care , *SOCIAL support - Abstract
This is a brief summary of the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) evidence‐based guideline for the management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The full guideline and executive summary including auditable outcomes are freely available on the SOMANZ website [https://www.somanz.org/guidelines.asp]. The guideline includes a proposed SOMANZ definition of NVP and HG and evidence‐based practical advice regarding the investigation and management of NVP, HG and associated conditions including thyroid dysfunction. A practical algorithm for assessment and management as well as an individual patient management plan and self‐assessment tools are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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8. Reform and reverberation: Australian aged care policy changes and the unintended consequences for allied health.
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Gibson, Diane and Isbel, Stephen
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ELDER care , *MEDICAL quality control , *PATIENT safety , *ENDOWMENTS , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *HEALTH care reform , *ALLIED health personnel , *OCCUPATIONAL therapy , *NURSING care facilities , *MEDICAL care costs , *RESIDENTIAL care - Abstract
Introduction: Allied health has a valuable role in providing services to people living in residential aged care. The recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety included several important recommendations relating to the nursing, personal care, and allied health workforce and the care that they provide. The purpose of this paper is to review these recommendations and the Australian Government's policy responses and explore the emerging changes in allied health service provision in residential aged care. Methods: Data from the four available Quarterly Financial Reports from the 2022–2023 financial year were extracted and analysed in relation to staff costs and time per person per day across personal care, nursing, and allied health workers. Supplementary data sources including the 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census were accessed to provide contextual data relating to individual allied health professions, including occupational therapy. Results: The analysis shows a modest increase in median registered nurse minutes per person per day, and cost per person per day, from the first to second quarter, and again in the third and fourth. By contrast, median time and cost for allied health declined. From 5.6 minutes per person per day in the first quarter, reported allied health minutes fell to 4.6 minutes per person per day in the second quarter, an 18% decrease, and by the fourth quarter was 4.3 minutes per person per day. This is just over half the Australian average of 8 minutes reported to the RCACQS in 2019. Conclusion: Under recent residential aged care reforms, aged care providers have regulatory incentives to concentrate their financial resources on meeting the mandated care hours for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, personal care workers, and assistants in nursing. These same reforms do not mandate minutes of allied health services. Although providers of residential aged care in Australia continue to employ and value allied health, we argue that mandating care minutes for personal and nursing care without mandating the provision of allied health creates a perverse incentive whereby access to allied health services is unintentionally reduced. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Allied health has a valuable role in providing services to people living in residential aged care. The recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety included several important recommendations relating to the nursing, personal care, and allied health workforce and the care that they provide. In this paper, we argue that despite the positive intentions of some of the reforms following the Royal Commission, there have been unintended consequences that have reduced the spending on allied health in residential aged care and reduced the minutes residents receive of allied health. Consideration to mandating allied health care minutes in residential aged care should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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9. Increasing Trust in New Data Sources: Crowdsourcing Image Classification for Ecology.
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Santos‐Fernandez, Edgar, Vercelloni, Julie, Price, Aiden, Heron, Grace, Christensen, Bryce, Peterson, Erin E., and Mengersen, Kerrie
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IMAGE recognition (Computer vision) , *CROWDSOURCING , *TRUST , *MAJORITIES , *CITIZEN science , *CORAL bleaching - Abstract
Summary: Crowdsourcing methods facilitate the production of scientific information by non‐experts. This form of citizen science (CS) is becoming a key source of complementary data in many fields to inform data‐driven decisions and study challenging problems. However, concerns about the validity of these data often constrain their utility. In this paper, we focus on the use of citizen science data in addressing complex challenges in environmental conservation. We consider this issue from three perspectives. First, we present a literature scan of papers that have employed Bayesian models with citizen science in ecology. Second, we compare several popular majority vote algorithms and introduce a Bayesian item response model that estimates and accounts for participants' abilities after adjusting for the difficulty of the images they have classified. The model also enables participants to be clustered into groups based on ability. Third, we apply the model in a case study involving the classification of corals from underwater images from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. We show that the model achieved superior results in general and, for difficult tasks, a weighted consensus method that uses only groups of experts and experienced participants produced better performance measures. Moreover, we found that participants learn as they have more classification opportunities, which substantially increases their abilities over time. Overall, the paper demonstrates the feasibility of CS for answering complex and challenging ecological questions when these data are appropriately analysed. This serves as motivation for future work to increase the efficacy and trustworthiness of this emerging source of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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10. Peer work in Open Dialogue: A discussion paper.
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Bellingham, Brett, Buus, Niels, McCloughen, Andrea, Dawson, Lisa, Schweizer, Richard, Mikes‐Liu, Kristof, Peetz, Amy, Boydell, Katherine, and River, Jo
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HOSPITAL health promotion programs , *INTERPROFESSIONAL relations , *MENTAL health services , *PEER counseling , *SOCIAL networks , *CLIENT relations , *SOCIAL support , *PATIENT-centered care - Abstract
Abstract: Open Dialogue is a resource‐oriented approach to mental health care that originated in Finland. As Open Dialogue has been adopted across diverse international healthcare settings, it has been adapted according to contextual factors. One important development in Open Dialogue has been the incorporation of paid, formal peer work. Peer work draws on the knowledge and wisdom gained through lived experience of distress and hardship to establish mutual, reciprocal, and supportive relationships with service users. As Open Dialogue is now being implemented across mental health services in Australia, stakeholders are beginning to consider the role that peer workers might have in this model of care. Open Dialogue was not, initially, conceived to include a specific role for peers, and there is little available literature, and even less empirical research, in this area. This discussion paper aims to surface some of the current debates and ideas about peer work in Open Dialogue. Examples and models of peer work in Open Dialogue are examined, and the potential benefits and challenges of adopting this approach in health services are discussed. Peer work in Open Dialogue could potentially foster democracy and disrupt clinical hierarchies, but could also move peer work from reciprocal to a less symmetrical relationship of ‘giver’ and ‘receiver’ of care. Other models of care, such as lived experience practitioners in Open Dialogue, can be conceived. However, it remains uncertain whether the hierarchical structures in healthcare and current models of funding would support any such models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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11. Digital media, ageing and faith: Older Sri Lankan migrants in Australia and their digital articulations of transnational religion.
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Gamage, Shashini, Wilding, Raelene, and Baldassar, Loretta
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DIGITAL media , *OLDER people , *DIGITAL technology , *ELECTRONIC paper , *IMMIGRANTS - Abstract
To date, older adults have received little attention in the newly emerging technological narratives of transnational religion. This is surprising, given the strong association of later life with spiritual and religious engagement, but it likely reflects the ongoing assumption that older adults are technophobic or technologically incompetent. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with older Sinhalese Buddhist migrants from Sri Lanka, living in Melbourne, this paper explores the digital articulations of transnational religion that arise from older migrants' uses of digital media. We focus on how engagements with digital media enable older Sinhalese to respond to an urgent need to accumulate merit in later life, facilitating their temporal strategies for ageing as migrants. We argue that these digital articulations transform both the religious imaginary and the religious practices that validate and legitimize a life well‐lived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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12. On stable solutions of a weighted elliptic equation involving the fractional Laplacian.
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Quynh Nguyen, Thi and Tuan Duong, Anh
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ELLIPTIC equations , *LAPLACIAN operator , *LIOUVILLE'S theorem , *MATHEMATICS - Abstract
In this paper, we study the following fractional Choquard equation with weight (−Δ)su=1|x|N−α∗h(x)|u|ph(x)|u|p−2uinℝN,$$ {\left(-\Delta \right)}^su=\left(\frac{1}{{\left|x\right|}^{N-\alpha }}\ast h(x){\left|u\right|}^p\right)h(x){\left|u\right|}^{p-2}u\kern0.5em \mathrm{in}\kern0.5em {\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^N, $$where 0
2s,p>2,α>0$$ 02s,p>2,\alpha >0 $$ and h$$ h $$ is a positive weight function satisfying h(x)≥C|x|a$$ h(x)\ge C{\left|x\right|}^a $$ at infinity, for some a≥0$$ a\ge 0 $$. We establish, in this paper, a Liouville type theorem saying that if maxN−4s−2a,0<α- Published
- 2024
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13. The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Australian visual artists and arts workers.
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Lye, Jenny, Hirschberg, Joe, McQuilten, Grace, Powell, Chloë, MacNeill, Kate, and Badham, Marnie
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WELL-being , *COVID-19 , *COVID-19 pandemic , *ART materials , *MEDIA art - Abstract
In this paper, we assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the Australian visual arts sector. We base our analysis on the responses of over 1500 visual artists and arts workers to a survey conducted by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), the national peak body for the visual and media arts, craft and design sector in September 2021. NAVA employed this online survey to study the relationship between the pandemic and both the incomes and mental health of artists and arts workers. Using regression analysis, we find that there has been a significant impact for both artists and arts workers, with the severity of the impacts varying by gender, age and the availability of state‐based and Australian Government support programmes. Reduced hours and loss of contracted work and commissions due to the pandemic were both related to declines in income and mental health outcomes for artists and for arts workers. Housing stress was associated with a higher likelihood of a significant or extreme mental health impact for artists and arts workers. In addition, artists' incomes and mental health outcomes were impacted when faced with a reduced ability to sell, although some artists were able to increase their online profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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14. A qualitative exploration of speech–language pathologists' approaches in treating spoken discourse post‐traumatic brain injury.
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Hoffman, Rhianne, Spencer, Elizabeth, and Steel, Joanne
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SPEECH therapy , *MEDICAL logic , *MEDICAL protocols , *QUALITATIVE research , *INTERVIEWING , *CONTENT analysis , *JUDGMENT sampling , *PHYSICIAN practice patterns , *RESEARCH methodology , *SOCIAL skills , *BRAIN injuries , *DISEASE complications - Abstract
Background: Spoken discourse impairments post‐traumatic brain injury (TBI) are well‐documented and heterogeneous in nature. These impairments have chronic implications for adults in terms of employment, socializing and community involvement. Intervention delivered by a speech–language pathologist (SLP) is recommended for adults with discourse impairments post‐TBI, with an emphasis on context‐sensitive treatment. The developing evidence base indicates a wide array of treatment components for SLPs to evaluate and implement within their clinical practice. However, there is limited insight into how SLPs are currently treating discourse impairments and the rationales informing clinical practice. Aims: To explore the under‐researched area of clinical practice for spoken discourse interventions with adults post‐TBI, including treatment components and clinician rationales, and to contribute towards a shared knowledge base. Methods & Procedures: Participants were recruited via purposeful sampling strategies. Six SLPs participated from Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Semi‐structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Interviews were manually transcribed, coded and analysed via a qualitative content analysis approach. Outcomes & Results: :Participants described discourse treatment practices across various settings and TBI recovery stages. Results indicated that SLPs used numerous treatment activities, resources and outcome measures. Intervention approaches primarily targeted social communication skills, strategy development/utilization and insight‐building. Clinical practice conformed to available guidelines where possible, reflected best practice and incorporated components of the research literature. Participants reported using individualized treatment activities aimed at addressing client‐specific factors and rationales prioritized tailored, context‐sensitive and goal‐directed treatment. Conclusions & Implications: This study provided insight into a previously under‐researched area. It highlighted a wide range of treatment activities and factors informing current SLPs' treatment of spoken discourse impairment post‐TBI. Overall, clinical practice and rationales discussed in this study were aligned with best practice and emphasized a contextualized, individualized approach to discourse treatment across service settings and stages of recovery. Participants identified areas requiring further support, including access to training, resources and research, and the challenge of finding suitable outcome measures. Further investigation into discourse management post‐TBI, from initial assessment to outcome measurement, may help inform clinical decision‐making and the transfer of research to practice. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Spoken discourse impairments occur in dialogic and monologic productions post‐TBI. Interventions targeting both genres are detailed within the research literature; however, studies exploring clinical practice and decision‐making for discourse interventions post‐TBI are limited. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: This study provides new insight into the current treatment targets, activities, resources and outcome measures employed by clinicians supporting adults with discourse impairment post‐TBI. It details the factors that influence clinical decision‐making for this caseload and identifies an emphasis on client priorities and the value of clinician experience. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: This study identifies the broad and complex considerations required to deliver context‐sensitive discourse intervention post‐TBI. It indicates the need for an in‐depth review from assessment to treatment outcomes to better understand and support this area of practice and to direct future research. This study also highlighted the role of clinician experience in discourse intervention and the value of sharing clinical knowledge and resources within and across the profession to support all levels of clinician experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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15. 'It gives you encouragement because you're not alone': A pilot study of a multi‐component social media skills intervention for people with acquired brain injury.
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Brunner, Melissa, Rietdijk, Rachael, Summers, Kayla, Southwell, Kylie, Avramovic, Petra, Power, Emma, Miao, Melissa, Rushworth, Nick, MacLean, Liza, Brookes, Anne‐Maree, and Togher, Leanne
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BRAIN physiology , *REHABILITATION for brain injury patients , *SOCIAL media , *HUMAN services programs , *DATA analysis , *RESEARCH funding , *MEDICAL care , *PILOT projects , *INTERVIEWING , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *CONTENT analysis , *INTERNET , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *PRE-tests & post-tests , *QUALITY of life , *RESEARCH methodology , *STATISTICS , *BRAIN injuries , *SOCIAL support , *SOCIAL skills education , *COGNITION - Abstract
Background: People with an acquired brain injury (ABI) find it challenging to use social media due to changes in their cognition and communication skills. Using social media can provide opportunities for positive connection, but there is a lack of interventions specifically designed to support safe and successful social media use after ABI. Aims: To investigate the outcomes of completing a social media skills intervention and identify barriers and facilitators for future implementation. Methods & Procedures: The study used a mixed‐methods, pre‐post‐intervention design. A total of 17 adults with an ABI were recruited. Participants completed an intervention that included a short self‐guided course about social media skills (social‐ABI‐lity course), and then participated in a private, moderated Facebook group over a 12‐week period (social‐ABI‐lity Facebook group). Data were collected over this period through observation of group activity and weekly surveys. They were also collected on social media use and quality of life at pre‐intervention, post‐intervention and after 3 months. Participants provided feedback on the experience of participating in the programme via a post‐intervention interview. Outcomes & Results: At post‐intervention, there were significant improvements in confidence in using Facebook (p = 0.002) and enjoyment of using Facebook to connect with others (p = 0.013). There was no significant change in reported quality of life, although participants described the multiple benefits of connection they perceived from involvement in the group. Observational data and feedback interviews were informative about the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Conclusions & Implications: This pilot study provided preliminary evidence that an intervention comprising a short, self‐guided training course and a private, moderated Facebook group improved outcomes for people with ABI. Key recommendations for future implementation include embedding active peer moderators within groups and taking an individualized approach to delivery of the intervention. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Research has documented the challenges that people with ABI experience in using social media, and the difficulty for rehabilitation clinicians in providing appropriate support in this field. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: This pilot study reports the outcomes of people with ABI completing a short, self‐guided social media skills course and participating in a private, moderated Facebook group. After the intervention, participants reported significantly increased confidence and enjoyment in using Facebook, described the benefits of connection found in the groups, and suggested potential improvements for future implementation. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: With the growing use of social media for connection and participation, there is a professional obligation to address social media communication skills in cognitive–communication rehabilitation for people with ABI. The findings of this study will inform interventions and future research to assist people with ABI to build their social media skills for communication, social support and a sense of connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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16. For and against climate capitalism.
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Webber, Sophie
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CLIMATE change , *CAPITALISM , *FLOOD control , *SOCIAL movements , *BUILDING repair - Abstract
This paper starts from the point that our current political‐economic‐climate conjuncture demands new engagements at the dynamic interface of climate capitalism. Using two cases of climate capitalist responses to climate challenges, I demonstrate the reparative potentials that emerge from the tensions and ambiguities that typify that conjuncture. In the first case, I examine financialised climate infrastructure in Jakarta, Indonesia, that promises to protect the city from flooding while enriching city elites, but against which diverse social movements and collectives have organised. The second case is about a cooperative energy provider in Australia, operating on the terrain of a neoliberalised electricity market and climate change, and working towards multifaceted repair by collectivising and redistributing surplus and modelling democratic engagement. Those involved in these vastly different cases both pursue repair and reparations through climate capitalist projects by reckoning with historical and present climate debts while constructing forward‐looking programs. As such, they chart the first steps towards reparative climate futures. This paper identifies the political and socioecological potentials from two key climate capitalist projects: flood protection infrastructures in Jakarta and cooperative energy in Australia. From this, it builds a framework of repair and reparations for engaging with climate capitalism and argues that the emerging tensions and ambiguities facilitate steps towards reparative climate futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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17. Assessing adequacy of citizen science datasets for biodiversity monitoring.
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Backstrom, Louis J., Callaghan, Corey T., Leseberg, Nicholas P., Sanderson, Chris, Fuller, Richard A., and Watson, James E. M.
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BIODIVERSITY monitoring , *CITIZEN science , *POPULATION density - Abstract
Tracking the state of biodiversity over time is critical to successful conservation, but conventional monitoring schemes tend to be insufficient to adequately quantify how species' abundances and distributions are changing. One solution to this issue is to leverage data generated by citizen scientists, who collect vast quantities of data at temporal and spatial scales that cannot be matched by most traditional monitoring methods. However, the quality of citizen science data can vary greatly. In this paper, we develop three metrics (inventory completeness, range completeness, spatial bias) to assess the adequacy of spatial observation data. We explore the adequacy of citizen science data at the species level for Australia's terrestrial native birds and then model these metrics against a suite of seven species traits (threat status, taxonomic uniqueness, body mass, average count, range size, species density, and human population density) to identify predictors of data adequacy. We find that citizen science data adequacy for Australian birds is increasing across two of our metrics (inventory completeness and range completeness), but not spatial bias, which has worsened over time. Relationships between the three metrics and seven traits we modelled were variable, with only two traits having consistently significant relationships across the three metrics. Our results suggest that although citizen science data adequacy has generally increased over time, there are still gaps in the spatial adequacy of citizen science for monitoring many Australian birds. Despite these gaps, citizen science can play an important role in biodiversity monitoring by providing valuable baseline data that may be supplemented by information collected through other methods. We believe the metrics presented here constitute an easily applied approach to assessing the utility of citizen science datasets for biodiversity analyses, allowing researchers to identify and prioritise regions or species with lower data adequacy that will benefit most from targeted monitoring efforts. Citizen science data are increasingly being used to monitor biodiversity, but datasets produced by citizen scientists come with a number of well‐recognised challenges. In this paper, we develop several metrics to assess the adequacy of spatial observation data from citizen science projects and explore these metrics at the species level for Australia's terrestrial birds. We find that data adequacy for most Australian birds is increasing, but several gaps still remain in the spatial coverage of citizen science data across the Australian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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18. Evidence of policy learning in emergency declarations as communication tools in Australia.
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Beccari, Ben
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CRISIS communication , *WAR & emergency legislation , *EXECUTIVE power , *FEDERAL government , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Emergency declarations are important legal tools for the state to protect itself and its citizens during times of crisis. Such declarations permit the exercise of extraordinary powers to address an emergency or disaster. They present an opportunity to explore policy learning in crises, through the ability to examine emergency declaration instruments and the detail of post‐emergency inquiries and reviews. This paper briefly assesses Australian law that provides for emergency declarations and places it in the context of theories of policy learning and change. Two case studies reveal evidence of policy learning in emergency declaration practice in Australia. There is an emerging practice of using declarations primarily or purely as tools to communicate the seriousness of an emergency. This policy learning has occurred both within and between jurisdictions, including the federal government. This paper also probes opportunities for future research on policy learning and emergency legislation, especially in relation to the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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19. 'We manage, but yeah, it's challenging': A mixed‐methods study of enablers and barriers to hearing assessments for parents of children in metropolitan and regional Australia.
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Zussino, Jenna, Zupan, Barbra, and Preston, Robyn
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HEALTH services accessibility , *RURAL conditions , *RESEARCH methodology , *INTERVIEWING , *MANN Whitney U Test , *COMPARATIVE studies , *HEALTH literacy , *LANGUAGE acquisition , *SURVEYS , *HEARING disorders , *CHI-squared test , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *METROPOLITAN areas , *THEMATIC analysis , *DATA analysis software , *PARENTS , *VIDEO recording , *CHILDREN - Abstract
Background: Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is important for supporting language development. Despite this, parents are required to overcome barriers to access hearing assessments for their children. Aims: To identify the enablers and barriers to accessing hearing assessments for Australian children identified by their parents, and to compare between metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Methods & Procedures: This sequential, explanatory mixed‐methods study was undertaken online and included participants in metropolitan, regional and rural area of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. A total of 56 participants participated in the surveys, and 10 participated in semi‐structured interviews. Outcomes & Results: Participants in metropolitan areas were more likely to have services in their area; however, access to hearing assessment was related more to individual circumstances (including health literacy skills) rather than geographical location. Many participants experienced long wait times, reduced flexibility, and a lack of audiologists experienced in working with children. Conclusions & Implications: Barriers to hearing assessments (which assist with early identification and intervention for hearing loss) should be addressed so that children have access to clear auditory information to assist with their speech and language development. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Poor audiological input can lead to poor speech, language and literacy outcomes for children. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge: Although previous research indicates that people in regional and remote locations experience difficulty accessing health services within a reasonable timeframe, in this study barriers were experienced regardless of geographical location, and were dependent on individual circumstances. Many parents are unaware of the impact of hearing on speech and language. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: Further research might examine how health literacy affects access to hearing assessment. Parents shared several potential solutions to these access barriers which should be considered by service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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20. Do parent‐reported early indicators predict later developmental language disorder? A Raine Study investigation.
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Calder, Samuel D., Boyes, Mark, Brennan‐Jones, Christopher G., Whitehouse, Andrew J. O., Robinson, Monique, and Hill, Elizabeth
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LANGUAGE disorder diagnosis , *PARENT attitudes , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *REGRESSION analysis , *RISK assessment , *COMPARATIVE studies , *LANGUAGE acquisition , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *PREDICTION models , *ODDS ratio , *EARLY diagnosis , *LONGITUDINAL method , *FAMILY history (Medicine) , *CHILDREN ,DIAGNOSIS of child development deviations - Abstract
Background: Developmental language disorder (DLD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions. Due to variable rates of language growth in children under 5 years, the early identification of children with DLD is challenging. Early indicators are often outlined by speech pathology regulatory bodies and other developmental services as evidence to empower caregivers in the early identification of DLD. Aims: To test the predictive relationship between parent‐reported early indicators and the likelihood of children meeting diagnostic criteria for DLD at 10 years of age as determined by standardized assessment measures in a population‐based sample. Methods: Data were leveraged from the prospective Raine Study (n = 1626 second‐generation children: n = 104 with DLD; n = 1522 without DLD). These data were transformed into 11 predictor variables that reflect well‐established early indicators of DLD from birth to 3 years, including if the child does not smile or interact with others, does not babble, makes only a few sounds, does not understand what others say, says only a few words, says words that are not easily understood, and does not combine words or put words together to make sentences. Family history (mother and father) of speech and language difficulties were also included as variables. Regression analyses were planned to explore the predictive relationship between this set of early indicator variables and likelihood of meeting DLD diagnostic criteria at 10 years. Results: No single parent‐reported indicator uniquely accounted for a significant proportion of children with DLD at 10 years of age. Further analyses, including bivariate analyses testing the predictive power of a cumulative risk index of combined predictors (odds ratio (OR) = 0.95, confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–1.09, p = 0.447) and the moderating effect of sex (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.59–1.32, p = 0.563) were also non‐significant. Conclusions: Parent reports of early indicators of DLD are well‐intentioned and widely used. However, data from the Raine Study cohort suggest potential retrospective reporting bias in previous studies. We note that missing data for some indicators may have influenced the results. Implications for the impact of using early indicators as evidence to inform early identification of DLD are discussed. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: DLD is a relatively common childhood condition; however, children with DLD are under‐identified and under‐served. Individual variability in early childhood makes identification of children at risk of DLD challenging. A range of 'red flags' in communication development are promoted through speech pathology regulatory bodies and developmental services to assist parents to identify if their child should access services. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge: No one parent‐reported early indicator, family history or a cumulation of indicators predicted DLD at 10 years in the Raine study. Sex (specifically, being male) did not moderate an increased risk of DLD at 10 years in the Raine study. Previous studies reporting on clinical samples may be at risk of retrospective reporting bias. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The broad dissemination and use of 'red flags' is well‐intentioned; however, demonstrating 'red flags' alone may not reliably identify those who are at later risk of DLD. Findings from the literature suggest that parent concern may be complemented with assessment of linguistic behaviours to increase the likelihood of identifying those who at risk of DLD. Approaches to identification and assessment should be considered alongside evaluation of functional impact to inform participation‐based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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21. Transforming health care delivery: The role of primary health care nurses in rural and remote Australia.
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Robinson, Tracy, Govan, Linda, Bradley, Cressida, and Rossiter, Rachel
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NURSES , *MEDICALLY underserved areas , *COMMUNITY health services , *NURSE supply & demand , *OCCUPATIONAL roles , *RURAL health , *HEALTH policy , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *GOVERNMENT agencies , *PRIMARY nursing , *NURSE practitioners , *ORGANIZATIONAL structure , *RURAL population , *NURSING practice , *ACCESS to primary care , *NEEDS assessment , *INTEGRATED health care delivery , *LABOR supply , *EDUCATIONAL attainment , *HEALTH care rationing - Abstract
Aim: This paper describes the policy context and approaches taken to improve access to primary health care in Australia by supporting nurses to deliver improved integrated care meeting community needs. Context: In Primary Health Care (PHC), the nursing workforce are predominantly employed in the general practice sector. Despite evidence that nurse‐led models of care can bridge traditional treatment silos in the provision of specialised and coordinated care, PHC nurses' scope of practice varies dramatically. Nurse‐led models of care are imperative for rural and remote populations that experience workforce shortages and barriers to accessing health care. Existing barriers include policy constraints, limited organisational structures, education and financing models. Approach: The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) received funding to implement nurse‐led clinics as demonstration projects. The clinics enable PHC nurses to work to their full scope of practice, improve continuity of care and increase access to health care in under serviced locations. We reviewed a range of peer‐reviewed literature, policy documents, grey literature and APNA provided sources, particularly those relevant to rural and remote populations. We argue more focus is needed on how to address variations in the scope of practice of the rural and remote PHC nursing workforce. Conclusion: Despite growing evidence for the effectiveness of nurse‐led models of care, significant policy and financial barriers continue to inhibit PHC nurses working to their full scope of practice. If their potential to transform health care and increase access to health services is to be realised these barriers must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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22. A systematic review of effective local, community or peer‐delivered interventions to improve well‐being and employment in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.
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Luke, Jennifer, Bartlett, Cristy, March, Sonja, and McIlveen, Peter
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COMMUNITY health services , *GREY literature , *AUTONOMY (Psychology) , *RESEARCH funding , *AFFINITY groups , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *RURAL conditions , *MEDICAL records , *ACQUISITION of data , *QUALITY assurance , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *WELL-being , *EMPLOYMENT , *INDIGENOUS Australians , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Objective: To systematically review evaluated local, community or peer‐delivered well‐being and employment interventions delivered within regional, rural and remote Australia. Design: Searches within nine databases retrieved peer‐reviewed and grey literature from an initial pool of 3186 papers published between 2012 and 2022. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the well‐being or employment (or both) articles. Findings: A total of 19 items met the inclusion criteria, which included two quantitative, 12 qualitative and five mixed‐methods evaluations. Intervention cohorts included Indigenous Australians, youth, older people, workers and the general community. The average methodological rating was 83%. The overall level of evidence for the interventions was low due to mostly descriptive studies. Discussion: Interventions that appeared effective in improving well‐being tended to focus on addressing social connectedness and self‐determination. Unexpected employment outcomes were evident across many of the studies, which highlighted the reciprocity between well‐being and employment. Conclusion: This review highlights promising interventions for improving well‐being by focusing on social connectedness and self‐determination. Further empirical evidence is encouraged to explore the reciprocal relationship between well‐being and employment, emphasising the significance of social connectedness and self‐determination in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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23. A scoping review into the service needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with disability to engage in meaningful occupations.
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Chu, Natalie, Pho, Jacqueline, Dark, Leigha, Tan, Aidan, Alford, Stewart, Tang, Clarice Y., Ellison, Caroline, and Lim, David
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CONTENT analysis , *CULTURAL competence , *LINGUISTICS , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *QUALITY of life , *PARTICIPATION , *LITERATURE reviews , *MEDICAL needs assessment , *PEOPLE with disabilities , *CULTURAL pluralism , *SOCIAL participation , *LABOR supply , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Introduction: Although there is a large proportion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds within Australia, their rate of access to disability services is disproportionately low. This review aims to understand the service needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with disability to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupations. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework was employed. Ten databases were searched for Australian studies. A deductive content analysis framework was applied in the synthesis. Results: Fourteen papers were included. Themes that emerged include language and cultural needs and considerations, which highlights the need for information sharing to take account of intergenerational, intercultural and sociolinguistic differences. It also identified the need for improved training and skills of existing interpreters. Culturally competent and responsive services was another theme identified, which emphasised the need to enhance the workforces' understanding of cultural practices. There is also a strong call for a more culturally diverse workforce to reduce the use of some interpreters and to build a more culturally competent workforce. The last theme was responsive service delivery, which requires the governance to support the development of a nurturing trusting therapeutic relationship. Conclusions: Service providers should be trained on the inequities and intersectionality of this population. Further research is required to explore current disability policy in Australia with an intersectionality lens to ensure recommendations can be made to address barriers and ensure this population receives services in a manner that enhances their ability to engage in occupations meaningfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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24. Supporting teacher judgement and decision‐making: Using focused analysis to help teachers see students, learning, and quality in assessment data.
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Wyatt‐Smith, Claire, Adie, Lenore, and Harris, Lois
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TEACHER attitudes , *PERFORMANCE evaluation , *EDUCATIONAL quality , *DATA analysis - Abstract
This paper reports results from an Australian study into how teachers see features of quality in student work and connect these to next‐step teaching. Data were drawn from a national 3 year project investigating teacher judgement using A–E standards. The project developed scaled exemplars of authentic student written performance assessments to support teacher judgement and inform next‐step teaching and learning. Fifty‐seven participants created evaluative explanations of grading decisions (i.e. cognitive commentaries), wrote reflective responses and participated in online meeting discussions of their cognitive commentaries. These data were examined using qualitative content and thematic analyses. Findings highlighted how stated standards influence teachers' judgements of student work. Variation was evident in teachers' focus on (1) content (i.e. core skills vs. extended thinking), (2) specificity of improvement points and suggested teaching strategies and (3) the connection between identified areas for improvement and teaching strategies. Most teachers were able to identify specific points for improvement. However, in the main, they selected next‐step teaching strategies that were general rather than targeted and specific. Teachers reflected that structured analysis helped direct their thinking and judgements, targeting attention on next‐step teaching. The results suggested that teacher education and professional development should focus on supporting teachers to link specific teaching strategies to identified student weaknesses. This study found that artefacts, such as cognitive commentaries that connect assessment, teaching and learning, can help build professional knowledge and expertise, which remain key components of teacher assessment literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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25. The positioning tensions between early career teachers' and mentors' perceptions of the mentor role.
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Curtis, Elizabeth, Nguyen, Hoa Thi Mai, Larsen, Ellen, and Loughland, Tony
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MENTORING , *TEACHER attitudes , *POSITIONING theory , *CAREER development - Abstract
Early career teacher (ECT) mentoring has never been so important with escalating levels of attrition reported in numerous countries, including Australia, the US and the UK. However, inconsistent understanding of what a mentor can or should do continues to compromise the ways in which early career teachers experience this support. While previous research has reported on mentors' differing perspectives on their role, we take a unique approach to this issue. In this paper, we explore the ways in which both mentors and ECTs understand the mentor role. We argue that where mentor and ECT understandings are in tension, the productive outcomes of mentoring for both the mentor and ECT are undermined. Drawing on Positioning Theory we report findings from the thematic analysis of 31 online interviews with 16 mentors and 15 ECTs in Australia. We found that while ECTs and mentors hold some common positionings, some significant differences were noted. These findings highlight the need to extend opportunities to learn about the mentoring role to include ECTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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26. Using the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2&5 education message in supermarket shopping trolleys to nudge shoppers to purchase more fruit and vegetables: A feasibility study using an intervention design.
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McGrath, Greg
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FRUIT , *FOOD consumption , *RESEARCH funding , *NATURAL foods , *CONSUMER attitudes , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *PILOT projects , *ADVERTISING , *VEGETABLES , *GROCERY industry , *HEALTH promotion , *SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *FOOD preferences , *DIET , *NUTRITION education - Abstract
Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic diseases; however, only one in 16 Australian adults consume F&Vs at the recommended two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables per day. What and how much people eat is influenced by their social and physical environments. Supermarkets are a key setting influencing food purchases, and as such, they can shape consumption patterns of F&Vs. Implementing effective strategies to increase F&V intake is crucial. The objective of this research was to test the feasibility of modifying shopper purchasing behaviour to purchase more F&Vs using the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2&5 education message covering one‐half of the base of shopping trolleys. Placards giving the message that eating 2 fruits and 5 vegetables every day for good health were placed at the base of shopping trolleys as an educational nudge. Applying an intervention research design, 30 out of ~100 trolleys were fitted with the placards and shopper purchases were measured by collecting paper sales receipts to measure the weight (kg), total spending and F&V‐specific spending (Australian dollars) for intervention versus control trolleys for one Saturday. We also conducted a short intercept survey that was administered independently from the research study day on non‐trial shoppers. Shoppers who selected trolleys with the 2&5 education nudge placards (n = 101) purchased 1.66 kg less weight of F&Vs (Intervention: mean = 3.89 kg, SD = 3.40 kg, 95% CI = 3.21 kg, 4.56 kg, vs. Control: mean 5.55 kg, SD = 4.16 kg, 95% CI = 4.73 kg, 6.37 kg, p = 0.002) and spent less on F&Vs compared to shoppers in the control group (n = 102; Intervention: mean = $26.00, SD = $21.60, 95% CI = $21.78, $30.32 vs. Control: mean $36.00, SD = $27.00, 95% CI = $30.72, $42.36, p = 0.004). Intervention group shoppers also spent less in total spending between groups (Intervention: mean = $115.40, SD = $68.30, 95% CI = $101.95, $128.95 vs. Control: mean $151.30, SD = $79.40, 95% CI = $135.73, $166.93, p = 0.001). The 2&5 education nudge placard had the opposite effect as intended on shoppers' purchases to buy more F&Vs, although there may have been other differences between the intervention and the control groups since they were not randomised. Larger studies are required to elucidate and confirm these findings over the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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27. Piloting the Mockingbird Family™ in Australia: Experiences of foster carers and agency workers.
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McLaren, Helen, Patmisari, Emi, Jones, Michelle, Skinner, Chris, and Mather, Simone
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JOB involvement , *WORK , *SOCIAL workers , *QUALITATIVE research , *SELF-efficacy , *CONCEPTUAL models , *INTERPROFESSIONAL relations , *RESEARCH funding , *PILOT projects , *INTERVIEWING , *FOSTER home care , *FOSTER parents , *SOCIAL worker attitudes , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *CONFIDENCE , *EMOTIONS , *SOCIAL change , *PSYCHOLOGY , *PHENOMENOLOGY , *COMPARATIVE studies , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *ORGANIZATIONAL goals , *SOCIAL support , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *EXPERIENTIAL learning , *CAREGIVER attitudes ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Given that the number of children and young people needing care keeps rising and fewer people are becoming foster carers, efforts to support carers and workers in foster caring are essential. This paper considers the experiences of carers and foster care agency workers involved in Australia's piloting of the Mockingbird Family. With a view understanding experience, data were collected via focus groups with carers and agency workers (n = 20) involved in piloting, implementation and evaluation. Deductive analysis applied the theory of experience to generate understanding of experience, as both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions to capture strengths in the Mockingbird Family's foster caring networks. These dimensions of experience included collective passions of carers and workers; experiential change over time; collective experiences as a moving force; and experiences as transformational. Understanding of experience associated with the perceived strengths of the Mockingbird Family, including strategies to promote strong professional relationships between carers and workers, is an important element in strengthening environments of children and young people in care. Safe and stable environments are crucial for wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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28. Food relief providers as care infrastructures: Sydney during the pandemic.
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Williams, Miriam J., Pilkington, Alinta, and Parker, Chloe
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FOOD relief , *STAY-at-home orders , *FOOD security , *FOOD supply , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Australia has a hidden but growing problem with household food insecurity, revealing the failure of conventional food infrastructures to support human flourishing. Disruptions to employment and livelihoods due to pandemic lockdowns have exacerbated household food insecurity, evincing the uneven geography of food access in countries globally, including Australia. Increasing demand for food relief had been observed prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic and has been met by food relief providers, which we consider as infrastructures of care addressing growing levels of hunger. This paper reveals COVID‐19's many impacts on the food relief sector across Metropolitan Sydney, New South Wales. It analyses both a questionnaire of food relief providers in 2022 and media articles, social media posts, reports, and websites. It provides much‐needed insights into the impacts of pandemic lockdowns on the demand for food, interruptions to food provisioning, changes to food supply, and alterations made to suppliers' ways of operating. Those insights show how infrastructures of care are place‐based, responsive, dynamic, and constrained by caring capacities. Such insights are increasingly important for understanding infrastructural failures, documenting the real extent of household food insecurity, and challenging dominant discourses of Australia as a food‐secure nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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29. Isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) in the Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) Sleep Study: protocol and baseline characteristics.
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Bramich, Samantha, Noyce, Alastair J., King, Anna E., Naismith, Sharon L., Kuruvilla, Maneesh Varghese, Lewis, Simon J. G., Roccati, Eddy, Bindoff, Aidan D., Barnham, Kevin J., Beauchamp, Leah C., Vickers, James C., Pérez‐Carbonell, Laura, and Alty, Jane
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RAPID eye movement sleep , *BEHAVIOR disorders , *NEURODEGENERATION , *LEWY body dementia , *SLEEP disorders , *AGE factors in disease - Abstract
Summary: Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is a sleep disorder that is characterised by dream enactment episodes during REM sleep. It is the strongest known predictor of α‐synuclein‐related neurodegenerative disease (αNDD), such that >80% of people with iRBD will eventually develop Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy in later life. More research is needed to understand the trajectory of phenoconversion to each αNDD. Only five 'gold standard' prevalence studies of iRBD in older adults have been undertaken previously, with estimates ranging from 0.74% to 2.01%. The diagnostic recommendations for video‐polysomnography (vPSG) to confirm iRBD makes prevalence studies challenging, as vPSG is often unavailable to large cohorts. In Australia, there have been no iRBD prevalence studies, and little is known about the cognitive and motor profiles of Australian people with iRBD. The Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease (ISLAND) Sleep Study will investigate the prevalence of iRBD in Tasmania, an island state of Australia, using validated questionnaires and home‐based vPSG. It will also explore several cognitive, motor, olfactory, autonomic, visual, tactile, and sleep profiles in people with iRBD to better understand which characteristics influence the progression of iRBD to αNDD. This paper details the ISLAND Sleep Study protocol and presents preliminary baseline results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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30. Pattern of multimorbidity in middle‐aged and older‐aged people with mild intellectual disability in Australia.
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Rutherford, Grace, Hussain, Rafat, and Tait, Kathleen
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CROSS-sectional method , *OLDER people with intellectual disabilities , *RESEARCH funding , *SEVERITY of illness index , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *NON-communicable diseases , *COMPARATIVE studies , *EARLY diagnosis , *COMORBIDITY - Abstract
Background: Non‐communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, now constitute a major proportion of ill‐health across most adult and older populations including in people with intellectual disability. The current paper is a comparative analysis of prevalence of NCDs across mid‐aged and older‐aged people with mild intellectual disability. Method: Comparative data comes from two cross‐sectional surveys using similar methodology and timeframes. The analysis sample comprises mid‐aged group (30–50 years, N = 291) and older‐aged group (≥60 years, N = 391). Results: People with mild intellectual disability start developing NCDs in early to mid‐adulthood and increases with age. The mean number of NCDs in mid‐aged group was 0.86 (SD, 0.84) compared to 3.82 in older group (SD, 2.67). Conclusion: There needs to be early identification and management of NCDs using relevant health promotion and preventative measures at optimal intervention points. The training of healthcare professionals needs improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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31. How the training pathways and capacity of rural physicians inform their scope of practice: A qualitative study examining the experiences of Australian and international medical graduates in South‐East New South Wales, Australia.
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Burgis‐Kasthala, Sarath, Bain‐Donohue, Suzanne, Tailby, Ellen, Stonestreet, Kathryn, and Moore, Malcolm
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QUALITATIVE research , *FAMILY medicine , *INTERVIEWING , *FOREIGN physicians , *THEMATIC analysis , *LONGITUDINAL method , *RURAL conditions , *RESEARCH methodology , *RESEARCH , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *PHYSICIANS , *MEDICAL practice , *LABOR supply - Abstract
Introduction: Current strategies to address shortages of rural doctors focus on developing a pipeline for rural generalist practice. Limited research has explored how doctors' professional journey engenders the skills required to practice rurally. Objective: This paper analyses how rural general practitioners' clinical pathway informs their scope of practice and future retention. Design: Qualitative thematic analysis using semi‐structured telephone interviews. Twenty‐one general practitioners appointed in their local health district of Murrumbidgee and Southern New South Wales, Australia, within the past 10 years. Participants comprised 10 Australian medical graduates (AMG) and 11 international medical graduates (IMG). Findings: AMGs and IMGs contrasted how their pathway into rural practice, and capacity to work rurally, informed their scope of practice. Australian medical graduates' familiarity with rural areas was consolidated through congruous experiences, including at rural clinical schools. Paradoxically, the fluency of their training limited the amount of unsupervised experience and confidence AMGs gained. Together with a focus on work‐life balance, this limited many to providing mainstream general practice, precluding extending their scope of practice. International medical graduates described disseminated experiences, often unsupervised in high‐volume contexts. However, a lack of professional opportunities prevented them from extending their scope of practice. Discussion: IMG and AMG motivation and pathway for working rurally differ. Respective cohorts have concerns regarding requisite skills and knowledge for rural practice, which incorporates opportunity and recognition. Entry points for training should be variable to allow consideration of life stage, prior skill development and extension of scope of practice. Conclusion: Doctors' scope of practice is informed by their pathways into rural practice. Australian medical graduates may not gain adequate competence during expedited training programs to confidently undertake extended clinical activities. International medical graduates, however lacked the opportunities and support, to utilise their expertise in rural practice. Complementarily utilising the expertise and commitment of both AMGs and IMGs may synergistically address workforce shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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32. The social determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who do not smoke in regional Australia.
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Heris, Christina, Caudell, Reuben Z., Barrett, Eden M., Brinckley, Makayla‐May, Cohen, Rubijayne, Kennedy, Michelle, Whop, Lisa J., Calma, Tom, and Maddox, Raglan
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CROSS-sectional method , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SOCIAL determinants of health , *PSYCHOLOGICAL distress , *SMOKING , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *FOOD security , *POPULATION geography , *DISEASE prevalence , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *QUANTITATIVE research , *SURVEYS , *RACISM , *NON-smokers , *RESEARCH , *METROPOLITAN areas , *EX-smokers , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *DISCRIMINATION (Sociology) , *INDIGENOUS Australians , *WELL-being - Abstract
Introduction: Commercial tobacco use was systematically embedded as a valuable commodity through colonisation that continues to be exploited for profit by the Tobacco Industry. There have been significant declines in current smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 18 years and over, from 55% in 1994 to 43% in 2018–2019. This paper seeks to better understand smoke‐free behaviours, and to systematically quantify associations between a range of SDOH and non‐smoking/never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18) living in regional Australia. Objective: To explore the social determinants of health (SDOH) related to non‐ and never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in regional Australia. Design: Cross‐sectional analysis of the NATSIHS, weighted to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population living in regional Australia, was conducted. Participants were characterised as people who were current smokers, never‐smokers and non‐smokers (ex‐ and never‐smokers). The social determinants of health exposures related to socioeconomic position, well‐being and access to healthcare. Setting: Regional Australia is distinct from urban and remote areas, based on the ASGS Remoteness Structure (ABS) 2018–2019. Participants: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18 years) who were selected, consented and asked questions about smoking in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS 2018/19). Results: High income was associated with non‐smoking (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.66–2.57) and never‐smoking (PR = 2.02; 1.46–2.79), as was completing year 10 (non‐smoking PR = 1.34; 1.12–1.61 and never‐smoking PR = 1.56; 1.20–2.03). Better food security was associated with a higher prevalence of never‐smoking (PR = 2.42; 1.48–3.98). Lower psychological distress scores were associated with non‐smoking (PR = 1.30; 1.10–1.53) and never‐smoking (PR = 1.56; 1.21–2.01). Never‐smoking was more frequent in participants reporting no experiences of unfair treatment (PR = 1.59; 1.22–2.06). Having a usual healthcare provider was associated with non‐smoking (PR = 1.38; 1.02–1.86). Positive exposure to the SDOH were associated with non‐ and never‐smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in regional Australia. Structural and systemic changes to address the SDOH, including discrimination and racism, are expected to accelerate non‐smoking behaviours and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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33. Factors relating to sustainability and scalability of the 'Food, Move, Sleep (FOMOS) for Postnatal Mental Health' program: Qualitative perspectives from key stakeholders across Australia.
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Teychenne, Megan, Apostolopoulos, Maria, France‐Ratcliffe, Madeleine, Chua, Elysha, Hall, Sanae, Opie, Rachelle S., Blunden, Sarah, Duncan, Mitch J., Olander, Ellinor K., and Koorts, Harriet
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MENTAL health , *SCALABILITY , *SLEEP , *PHYSICAL activity , *SUSTAINABILITY , *MENTAL health policy , *HEALTH policy - Abstract
Issue Addressed: Supporting healthy behaviours (quality diet, physical activity, sleep) through home‐based interventions is feasible to improve postnatal mental health. Involving stakeholders in developing interventions is essential for maximising accessibility, implementation and scale‐up. This study aimed to identify factors affecting the sustainable implementation and scalability of the Food, Move, Sleep (FOMOS) for Postnatal Mental Health program, including strategies to enhance research‐practice translation. Methods: Stakeholders (n = 13) involved in promoting physical activity, healthy eating, postnatal and mental health, public health and/or policy participated in semi‐structured interviews. Interviews, based on PRACTIS Guide recommendations for implementation and scale‐up, explored perceptions of program design, implementation and scalability. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. Identified implementation and scale‐up strategies were mapped against the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change compendium and PRACTIS Guide. Results: Individual‐level: Targeting multiple systems (primary, tertiary, community‐based care) and entry points (early, mid‐postpartum) for uptake was important. For equity, screening women in public hospitals, engaging with community agencies and targeting most at‐risk women, was suggested. Provider‐level: Stakeholders identified strategies to enhance future roll‐out (organisations assisting with recruitment). Factors impacting sustainability included high demand for the FOMOS program, and governance around screening and funding; online delivery, connecting with partners and providers and integration into existing services may enhance sustainability. Systems‐level: Political support and community champions were perceived important for program dissemination. Nine strategies addressing program uptake, reach, implementation, potential scalability and sustainability were identified. Conclusions: For sustainable implementation and potential scalability of a home‐based multi‐behaviour postnatal intervention, multi‐level implementation and scale‐up strategies, aligned with existing health systems, policies and initiatives to support postnatal mental health should be considered. So What?: This paper provides a comprehensive list of strategies that can be used to enhance sustainable implementation and scalability of healthy behaviour programs targeting postnatal mental health. Further, the interview schedule, systematically developed and aligned with the PRACTIS Guide, may serve as a useful resource for researchers conducting similar studies in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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34. Liminal (trans)formative spaces: A temporary escape from intersectionality.
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Davis, Teresa and Paramanathan, Gary
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MASCULINE identity , *RACE , *INTERSECTIONALITY , *TRANSGENDER people , *FEMININITY , *GENDER - Abstract
This paper is an examination of identity narratives of a small group of trans‐national transpeople in Australia. We reveal the complex identity journey undertaken by this group. Transpeople of Sub‐continental origin consume a temporarily transformational journey negotiating, resisting and subverting the dominant discourses that construct heterosexuality, gayness, whiteness and femininity. They carve out temporary liminal spaces of resistance within which to perform as "weekend women." We identify transforming, transitioning, transcending across gender and ethnic boundaries, and see being enabled by specific transnational consumption imaginaries in liminal spaces meshed by intersectional of race/ethnicity and gender. We follow intertwined discourses that forms a "matrix of domination" and the way liminal thirdspaces create temporarily decolonized spaces that enable them to escape this matrix and perform a (trans)formative, movement back and forth between their weekday/weekend differently gendered/cultured selves. Ultimately, these decolonized thirdspaces bring only temporary release with inevitable return to their weekday male identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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35. Review article: Pre‐hospital trauma guidelines and access to lifesaving interventions in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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Andrews, Tim, Meadley, Ben, Gabbe, Belinda, Beck, Ben, Dicker, Bridget, and Cameron, Peter
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WOUNDS & injuries , *MEDICAL protocols , *BENCHMARKING (Management) , *HOSPITALS , *EMERGENCY medical services , *EMERGENCY medicine , *EVALUATION of medical care , *PATIENT care , *TRANSPORTATION of patients - Abstract
The centralisation of trauma services in western countries has led to an improvement in patient outcomes. Effective trauma systems include a pre‐hospital trauma system. Delivery of high‐level pre‐hospital trauma care must include identification of potential major trauma patients, access and correct application of lifesaving interventions (LSIs) and timely transport to definitive care. Globally, many nations endorse nationwide pre‐hospital major trauma triage guidelines, to ensure a universal approach to patient care. This paper examined clinical guidelines from all 10 EMS in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. All relevant trauma guidelines were included, and key information was extracted. Authors compared major trauma triage criteria, all LSI included in guidelines, and guidelines for transport to definitive care. The identification of major trauma patients varied between all 10 EMS, with no universal criteria. The most common approach to trauma triage included a three‐step assessment process: physiological criteria, identified injuries and mechanism of injury. Disparity between physiological criteria, injuries and mechanism was found when comparing guidelines. All 10 EMS had fundamental LSI included in their trauma guidelines. Fundamental LSI included haemorrhage control (arterial tourniquets, pelvic binders), non‐invasive airway management (face mask ventilation, supraglottic airway devices) and pleural wall needle decompression. Variation in more advanced LSI was evident between EMS. Optimising trauma triage guidelines is an important aspect of a robust and evidence driven trauma system. The lack of consensus in trauma triage identified in the present study makes benchmarking and comparison of trauma systems difficult. Effective trauma systems include a pre‐hospital trauma system. Delivery of high‐level pre‐hospital trauma care must include identification of potential major trauma patients, access and correct application of lifesaving interventions (LSIs), and timely transport to definitive care. Authors compared major trauma triage criteria, all LSI included in guidelines, and guidelines for transport to definitive care, and identified variations between all systems included in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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36. Explaining transgender policy change: Policy momentum in Canada and Australia.
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McMahon, Nicole
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IMPULSE (Physics) , *TRANSGENDER people , *TRANSGENDER rights , *POLICY diffusion , *GOVERNMENT policy - Abstract
Western democracies are experiencing a widespread shift towards greater recognition of transgender rights in public policy, yet the timing of change differs across states. To explain this variation, I present a novel theoretical framework called "policy momentum." Unlike existing work on policy diffusion, which typically emphasizes domestic or international processes, I theorize how the combined pressure from each level creates the conditions for policy change to occur. Empirically, I contrast the creation of national human rights policies to protect transgender individuals in Canada (2017) and Australia (2013). Using process‐tracing and within‐case analyses, and drawing on elite interviews, primary documents, and Hansard records, I demonstrate the decisive interaction of subnational legislative changes with an emerging global norm to produce transgender policy change. This paper thus contributes to our understanding of LGBTQ+ public policy while also providing a framework for explaining the conditions for cross‐national policy change more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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37. School‐based multidisciplinary student‐led clinics in health and Australian accreditation standards: A scoping review.
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Maple, Myfanwy, O'Neill, Kristy, Gartshore, Scott, Clark, Jane, White, James, and Pearce, Tania
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CINAHL database , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems , *ACCREDITATION , *FOCUS groups , *VOCATIONAL guidance , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *MEDICAL students , *COMMUNITY health services , *QUANTITATIVE research , *INTERNSHIP programs , *COMPARATIVE studies , *QUALITATIVE research , *LEARNING strategies , *MEDICAL schools , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *HEALTH care teams , *INTERDISCIPLINARY education , *LITERATURE reviews , *ERIC (Information retrieval system) , *HEALTH promotion - Abstract
Introduction: Student‐led clinics can provide health services to marginalised groups where service offerings are sparse or difficult to access, such as rural areas. Offering these services to children and young people can promote health and well‐being by addressing the individual challenges and the social determinants of health. There is uncertainty, however, as to whether student‐led clinics can meet Australian accreditation standards for health professionals completing degree programs. Objective: This study aims to determine the capacity for health student placements in school‐based student‐led clinics to meet accreditation standards. Design: A systematic scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA‐ScR statement. Setting: Several databases were examined, including Ebsco (Academic Source and CINAHL), ProQuest (PsycINFO, ERIC) and grey literature sources along with a desktop review of accreditation standards across seven health disciplines. Two independent reviewers screened eligible studies. Findings: The search retrieved 1037 records with 65 full‐text papers assessed for eligibility. Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria. Based on the evidence, both nursing and exercise and sports science accreditation standards were best suited to student‐led clinics. Discussion: Although broad categories of work‐integrated learning activities were applied, it appears feasible to expect accreditation standards for health disciplines at an Australian university to be a good fit for health student‐led school‐based clinics. Conclusion: Increasing health student placement opportunities within student‐led clinics can improve the health and well‐being of children and young people in regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas of Australia who may otherwise have limited access to allied health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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38. The Melbourne Study of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy low‐cost clinic I: Implementation, mental health and life functioning gains.
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Dean, Suzanne, Tonge, Bruce, Beaufoy, Jeanette, Godfrey, Celia, Grady, Jacqueline, Pullen, Jill, Smale, Sarina, Hill, Christine, Ivey, Gavin, and Taffe, John
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- *
PSYCHOTHERAPIST-patient relations , *PSYCHOTHERAPY , *MENTAL health , *PSYCHODYNAMIC psychotherapy , *TREATMENT programs , *BRIEF psychotherapy , *CHILD psychotherapy - Abstract
The Melbourne Study of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy examined the implementation, lived experience, and perceived therapeutic gains of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in a low‐cost, private‐sector community clinic. A first in Australia, this 8‐year demonstration project allowed naturalistic study of the impact and process of intensive, long‐term, time‐limited psychoanalytic psychotherapy delivered to self‐referred adults by clinicians with a common theoretical frame of practice. Presented in three papers, the research employed the RE‐AIM planning and evaluation framework, using complementary quantitative and qualitative methods, to study the psychotherapy service in terms of Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance. This first paper reports the Reach of the program to be 67% for those presenting for assessment for psychoanalytic psychotherapy, with Adoption of the full 2‐year treatment program being 60%. Improvements in mental health and life functioning provided quantitative evidence of Effectiveness for those completing the 2‐year treatment program, with Maintenance at 8‐month follow‐up. Patient age, gender and personality characteristics did not modify these improvements. In‐depth qualitative exploration of patient and psychotherapist perspectives regarding the psychotherapy is reported in the second paper highlighting expectations, experience and benefits of the psychotherapy. The third companion paper presents the qualitative findings concerning factors experienced as facilitating or challenging therapeutic progress. Each of the three related papers amplifies understandings of how low‐cost, long‐term but time‐limited psychoanalytic psychotherapy can be implemented in the community with adults otherwise unable to afford such treatment, and discusses lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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39. Lessons learnt from a nationally funded training and mentoring programme for early‐mid career musculoskeletal researchers in Australia.
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Lawford, Belinda J., Hinman, Rana S., Bennell, Kim L., Hunter, David J., Hodges, Paul W., Setchell, Jenny, Eyles, Jillian, Allison, Kim, Campbell, Penny, Mellor, Rebecca, Vicenzino, B., Diamond, Laura, Paterson, Kade, Filbay, Stephanie, and Ross, Megan
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- *
MUSCULOSKELETAL system diseases , *COMMITTEES , *MENTORING , *LEARNING , *SURVEYS , *UNIVERSITIES & colleges , *RESEARCH funding - Abstract
Introduction: Quality training and mentoring are crucial components of successful career development for early mid career researchers (EMCRs). This paper describes the overarching framework of novel ongoing national Training and Mentoring Programme Melbourne University Sydney Queensland:Impact (MUSQ:Impact) for musculoskeletal researchers, including a description of how it was set up and established, and lessons learned from its implementation. Results: The MUSQ:Impact programme spans four multidisciplinary musculoskeletal research teams across three universities in Australia, comprising 40–60 EMCR members. It was established to provide EMCRs with a unique learning environment and opportunities to gain exposure to, and network with, other national musculoskeletal research teams. Specific goals are to focus on core research competencies (e.g. writing skills, managing grant budgets, public speaking and media engagement, research translation), provide career mentoring, fund development activities (e.g. conference attendance, laboratory visits, skill development courses), and share training resources (e.g. data dictionaries, project summaries). A Steering Committee of 10–12 EMCR members, co‐chaired by a senior researcher and one EMCR, is responsible for overseeing MUSQ:Impact and organising regular activities, including a monthly webinar series, a mentor/mentee scheme, annual group research retreats, annual infographic competition, and funding awards. An evaluation survey found that most participants perceived each activity to be beneficial and of value to their research career and development. Conclusion: This paper presents the structure of national training and mentoring programme that serves as a potential template for other research teams to adapt within their own contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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40. Establishing an esketamine clinic in Australia: Practical recommendations and clinical guidance from an expert panel.
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Thornton, Nicollette L. R., Black, Warwick, Bognar, Adrian, Dagge, Daniel, Gitau, Teresia, Hua, Bruce, Joks, Gero, King, Jarrad, Lord, Andrew, Scott, Elizabeth M., Callander, Jelena Smit, Ting, Serena, and Liu, Dennis
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MENTAL health services , *ADVERSE health care events , *MENTAL depression , *PATIENT selection , *PSYCHIATRIC nursing , *MEDICAL personnel , *MENTAL health personnel - Abstract
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) can have severe impacts on function and quality of life. Up to one third of patients will have an inadequate response to their first line of treatment, with subsequent lines of therapy associated with lower remission rates and higher relapse rates. Recently esketamine has become available for Australian patients, and this agent provides an additional treatment option for those with MDD who have had an inadequate response to two or more antidepressant therapies during the current moderate to severe depressive episode. This paper provides an expert panel's practical recommendations and clinical guidance for establishing esketamine clinics in Australia. Methods: An expert panel (n = 11) comprising psychiatrists, mental health care nurses, pharmacists, and individuals with experience establishing esketamine clinics was convened in Sydney. The panel developed practical recommendations and clinical guidance, which were then further refined. Results: Five key areas were identified: practical considerations for esketamine clinic set‐up, including multidisciplinary care considerations; patient selection; administering esketamine; adverse event management and long‐term follow‐up. Conclusions: Guidance presented in this paper should assist Australian clinicians to set up an esketamine clinic, and provide practical advice on the infrastructure and clinical requirements for treatment of patients with this agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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41. Intellectual Authority and Its Changing Infrastructures in Australian and United States Christianity, 1960s–2010s.
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Mayes, Christopher, Thompson, Michael, and Cruickshank, Joanna
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CHURCH & state , *CREATIONISM , *THEOLOGICAL education , *SOCIAL justice , *HISTORY of colonies , *RACIALIZATION , *AUTHORITY ,AUSTRALIAN history - Abstract
This article discusses the significance of how Christians relate to issues of knowledge, expertise, and authority in the public sphere, particularly in the context of the events of 2020. The symposium explored the historical crises behind the present situation, examining themes such as racial justice, the authority of science, and decolonization in the US and Australian contexts. The symposium aimed to widen and build on previous work by including the Australian context and exploring the racialization of intellectual authority in Christianity. Keynotes and papers discussed the role of popular culture, creationism, and Indigenous religion in shaping intellectual authority. The symposium also considered the ongoing imperative to decolonize knowledge production. Two papers from the symposium, one on the history of missions and colonial theologies in Australia and one on the history of theological education, have been published in the Journal of Religious History. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2023
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42. Theological Education in Australia 1964–2020: Intellectual Authority in a Changing Socio‐Political Landscape.
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Treloar, Geoffrey R.
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THEOLOGICAL education , *LANDSCAPE changes , *PUBLIC theology , *HIGHER education , *CHRISTIANITY & culture , *NINETEENTH century - Abstract
This paper examines the intellectual authority of theological education in modern Australia by tracing its provision from one set of arrangements (the first settlement) inherited from the nineteenth century to another (the second settlement) in the half century from the mid‐1960s to ca. 2020. The paper investigates what happened when the exclusion of Theology from the public higher education system was reversed by the Martin Report of 1964, with particular reference to the legitimacy and authority of Theology as public knowledge. A survey of the landmark developments in this transformation, the paper is divided into two parts. Relations of the theological education sector with the structures of the regulatory environment of higher education are examined in the first. Developments within the sector itself are considered in the second. It is argued that the confluence of these two streams has transformed the nature and public standing of Australian theological education. Paradoxically this dramatic improvement coincided with decline in the social salience of Christianity itself, a development which posed afresh the question of the legitimacy of theological knowledge in a way that raises the perennial issue of the relation between Christianity and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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43. Habitat restoration: Choosing species and provenances under a changing climate.
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Jellinek, Sacha
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SEED storage , *SEED harvesting , *HABITATS , *LANDOWNERS , *INTRODUCED species - Abstract
This document is a compilation of research papers and case studies that explore the impact of climate change on habitat restoration in Australia. It discusses various strategies to make restoration efforts more resilient, including altering planting timing, using older/deeper-rooted individuals, and direct seeding. The papers also cover topics such as the use of non-native species in restoration projects, the impacts of climate change on native and non-native species, and the importance of considering climate change in restoration planning. The document emphasizes the need for a national model of seed collection and storage and encourages ecologists and practitioners to be innovative in their approaches. The author acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and expresses gratitude to individuals who provided feedback on the manuscript. [Extracted from the article]
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- 2023
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44. Tools and resources used to support implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies: A scoping review of grey literature.
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Rosin, Magda, Mackay, Sally, and Ni Mhurchu, Cliona
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WORK environment , *ENGLISH language , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *NUTRITION , *HEALTH information systems , *COMMUNITY support , *HUMAN services programs , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *FOOD , *LITERATURE reviews , *NUTRITION policy , *GREY literature , *HEALTH promotion ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to identify and evaluate tools and resources used to support the implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies, primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A scoping grey literature review included searches of government agencies and non‐governmental organisations' websites in six English‐speaking countries, public health nutrition intervention databases and Google search engine queries. Paper‐based and digital tools were included if they were written in English, referred to within a policy or on a policy's website, and primarily targeting supply‐side stakeholders. Tools were evaluated on two domains: 'Features' (summarised descriptively) and 'Usability and Quality' (with inter‐rater reliability scores calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient). Results: Twenty paper‐based tools were identified relating to Australian (n = 14) and New Zealand (n = 6) policies, and a further six digital tools were identified from Australia (n = 3) and Canada (n = 3). Target audiences included workplace managers, food providers and suppliers. The paper‐based tools focused on general implementation guidance. In contrast, digital tools tended to support specific elements of policy implementation. 'Usability and Quality' scores ranged from 2.9 to 4.5 (out of 5.0) for paper‐based tools, and 3.9 to 4.2 for digital tools, with a moderate agreement between reviewer scores (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.523, p = 0.010). Conclusions: A range of tools have been developed to support the implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies. Understanding the strengths and limitations of current tools will assist in developing improved aids to support policy implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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45. Disability workforce and the NDIS planning process in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia: Scoping review.
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Gilroy, John, Veli‐Gold, Sarah, Wright, Wayne, Dew, Angela, Jensen, Heather, Bulkeley, Kim, and Lincoln, Michelle
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CINAHL database , *HEALTH policy , *RURAL conditions , *HEALTH of indigenous peoples , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *DISABILITY insurance , *LABOR supply , *MEDICAL care research , *RESEARCH funding , *PEOPLE with disabilities , *METROPOLITAN areas , *LITERATURE reviews , *MEDLINE , *SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors , *MEDICAL needs assessment , *MEDICAL care of indigenous peoples ,MEDICAL care for people with disabilities - Abstract
Background: The Australian geographically rural and remote disability workforce has historically demonstrated difficulties to keep up with the demand for quality services and supports for people with disability. In 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched to provide individualised disability support packages to meet people's needs. To receive funding, people with disability are required to develop a NDIS plan. That plan is then funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the government agency responsible for managing the NDIS. Although the NDIS has been operating for almost 10 years, there is limited research into the planning experiences of the workforce in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia. This review aims to ascertain the level of scholarly investigation into workers' experiences of NDIS planning. Methodology: Research publication databases were searched using a specific search string to identify publications that included reference to the workforce's experiences of the NDIS planning process in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was adopted to appraise the quality of the research publications. Research publications that focused on those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were also appraised using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool developed by the Centre for Excellence in Aboriginal Chronic Disease Knowledge Translation and Exchange. A thematic synthesis of the publications was undertaken to ascertain disability and health workforce experiences of the NDIS planning process. Results: Seven papers met the selection criteria. Two papers were policy reviews and reported the improvements of the NDIS planning process since its inception. These studies reported four reoccurring themes: (1) cultural/socioeconomic and geographical factors; (2) administrative burden and bureaucracy; (3) values, culture and geography; and (4) burden on allied health workers. Conclusion: The NDIS planning process has developed and progressed since its rollout in 2013. There are limited research papers available that describe the workforce's experience of the planning process in regional, rural and remote regions. More research in this area is needed to identify the experiences of the disability workforce in relation to the NDIS planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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46. Towards an Implementation‐STakeholder Engagement Model (I‐STEM) for improving health and social care services.
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Potthoff, Sebastian, Finch, Tracy, Bührmann, Leah, Etzelmüller, Anne, van Genugten, Claire R., Girling, Melissa, May, Carl R., Perkins, Neil, Vis, Christiaan, and Rapley, Tim
- Subjects
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STAKEHOLDER analysis , *MATHEMATICAL models , *RESEARCH methodology , *INTERNET , *GROUNDED theory , *MEDICAL care , *INTERVIEWING , *QUALITATIVE research , *THEORY , *QUALITY assurance , *RESEARCH funding , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *SOCIAL services , *DATA analysis software , *EMPIRICAL research , *COGNITIVE therapy , *MEDICAL coding - Abstract
Background: The implementation science literature acknowledges a need for engagement of key stakeholders when designing, delivering and evaluating implementation work. To date, the literature reports minimal or focused stakeholder engagement, where stakeholders are engaged in either barrier identification and/or barrier prioritisation. This paper begins to answer calls from the literature for the development of tools and guidance to support comprehensive stakeholder engagement in implementation research and practice. The paper describes the systematic development of the Implementation‐STakeholder Engagement Model (I‐STEM) in the context of an international, large‐scale empirical implementation study (ImpleMentAll) aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a tailored implementation toolkit. The I‐STEM is a sensitising tool that defines key considerations and activities for undertaking stakeholder engagement activities across an implementation process. Methods: In‐depth, semistructured interviews and observations were conducted with implementers who were tailoring implementation strategies to integrate and embed internet‐based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) services in 12 routine mental health care organisations in nine countries in Europe and Australia. The analytical process was informed by principles of first‐ and third‐generation Grounded Theory, including constant comparative method. Results: We conducted 55 interviews and observed 19 implementation‐related activities (e.g., team meetings and technical support calls). The final outcome of our analysis is expressed in an initial version of the I‐STEM, consisting of five interrelated concepts: engagement objectives, stakeholder mapping, engagement approaches, engagement qualities and engagement outcomes. Engagement objectives are goals that implementers plan to achieve by working with stakeholders in the implementation process. Stakeholder mapping involves identifying a range of organisations, groups or people who may be instrumental in achieving the engagement objectives. Engagement approaches define the type of work that is undertaken with stakeholders to achieve the engagement objectives. Engagement qualities define the logistics of the engagement approach. Lastly, every engagement activity may result in a range of engagement outcomes. Conclusion: The I‐STEM represents potential avenues for substantial stakeholder engagement activity across key phases of an implementation process. It provides a conceptual model for the planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting of stakeholder engagement activities. The I‐STEM is nonprescriptive and highlights the importance of a flexible, iterative approach to stakeholder engagement. It is developmental and will require application and validation across a range of implementation activities. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient contribution to ImpleMentAll trial was facilitated by GAMIAN‐Europe at all stages—from grant development to dissemination. GAMIAN‐Europe brings together a wide variety of patient representation organisations (local, regional and national) from almost all European countries. GAMIAN‐Europe was involved in pilot testing the ItFits‐toolkit and provided their views on the various aspects, including stakeholder engagement. Patients were also represented in the external advisory board providing support and advice on the design, conduct and interpretation of the wider project, including the development of the ItFits‐toolkit. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03652883. Retrospectively registered on 29 August 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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47. Discerning the influence of climate variability modes, regional weather features and time series persistence on streamflow using Bayesian networks and multiple linear regression.
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Bates, Bryson C. and Dowdy, Andrew J.
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MODES of variability (Climatology) , *BAYESIAN analysis , *STREAMFLOW , *TIME series analysis , *WEATHER - Abstract
A large literature on the sensitivity of streamflow response to climate variations has emerged over the past several decades, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The usual approaches to this problem have been simple and do not fully address its complexity, which involves the individual and joint effects of large‐scale climate modes and smaller‐scale weather features on streamflow volumes, the presence of persistence in these time series and their effects on antecedent conditions. Ongoing improvements in observational and reanalysis datasets and online access allow for better quantification of the connections between streamflow response, climate variability modes and regional weather features. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether Bayesian networks can be used to better identify key factors and their associated pathways leading to streamflow generation. A Markov blanket approach is described and illustrated using monthly streamflow series recorded at eight gauging stations within or immediately adjacent to the coastal region of eastern mainland Australia. The method is compared and contrasted with conventional multiple linear regression with discussion around this type of approach as part of a growing interest in machine learning applications. One example is used to illustrate the application of both approaches to a streamflow series exhibiting strong non‐stationarity. Results for the other streamflow series are included in a concise synthesis. Overall, the results suggest that Bayesian networks have several desirable features in terms of transparency, interpretability and explanatory insight. The findings from this study lend support to the use of Bayesian networks for modelling connections between streamflow volume and the variability of climate and regional weather. This improved understanding of the key controls of streamflow variability is intended to help address growing needs around informing social, cultural, economic and ecological aspects of water planning and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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48. The Coup Capital of the Democratic World? Voters and Prime Ministerial Change in Australia.
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Cameron, Sarah and McAllister, Ian
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- *
VOTING , *PUBLIC opinion polls , *VOTER turnout , *COUPS d'etat , *VOTERS , *PRIME ministers , *FORTUNE , *ECONOMIC indicators - Abstract
Between 2010 and 2018, Australia saw four sitting prime ministers deposed by their own parties, giving the country the title "the coup capital of the democratic world". In this paper, we use Australian Election Study surveys and commercial opinion poll data to analyse what voters thought of these changes and whether they lifted the electoral fortunes of their respective parties. The results suggest that voters' views of the changes depended on the popularity of the leader in question, but that a desire to see better economic performance reinforced support for a change in prime minister. There is little evidence that opinion polls played a role in any of the changes, at least for voters. There is also no evidence that the changes improved the subsequent vote for each of the parties that changed a prime minister; indeed, in three of the four cases the party vote declined significantly following the change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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49. Taking the long view: Long‐term couple earnings arrangements across the transition to parenthood.
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Steinbring, Ruth, Perales, Francisco, Baxter, Janeen, and Lam, Jack
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GENDER inequality , *PARENTHOOD , *FIXED effects model , *INCOME , *WOMEN'S wages , *PANEL analysis - Abstract
This paper examines household earnings arrangements and parenthood. Previous research has shown that parenthood is associated with a motherhood wage penalty with women withdrawing from the labour market or reducing their work hours. But few studies have examined within‐couple relative earnings and breadwinning arrangements across the transition to parenthood. We identify three types of households—"female‐breadwinner households" (where women earn more than 60 per cent of the couple's annual labour income); "male‐breadwinner households" (where women earn less than 40 per cent of the joint income); and "equal‐earner households" (where women earn 40 per cent to 60 per cent of the joint income). Using longitudinal data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and fixed effects models, we find a substantial decrease in the percentage of couples in equal‐earner households in the year prior to and after parenthood that is largely replaced by an increase in the percentage in male‐breadwinner households. We observe little return to pre‐parenthood earnings arrangements for equal‐earner and male‐breadwinner households. For female‐breadwinner households, we observe a gradual return to pre‐parenthood arrangements. These results provide evidence that parenthood is a major milestone contributing to gender inequality and highlight the importance of policies for reducing the impact of parenthood on women's earnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
- Full Text
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50. The "good refugee" ideal: How discourses of deservingness permeate Australia's refugee and asylum seeker narratives.
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Clark, Sal, Haw, Ashleigh, and Mackenzie, Laurel
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POLITICAL refugees , *RIGHT of asylum , *REFUGEE resettlement , *REFUGEE children , *REFUGEES , *DISCOURSE - Abstract
While "good refugee" stories have the potential to soften attitudes toward forcibly displaced people, there are hidden implications associated with this construct that must be considered. Based on 60 qualitative interviews with asylum seekers and refugees, this paper examines the ways forced migrants adopt and reproduce "good refugee" discourses that unintentionally position their belonging as contingent upon upholding narrowly defined, and arbitrary, ideals about deservingness. By critically analysing this discourse, we highlight the importance of reconsidering the construction of refugees' deservingness along moral and neoliberal lines and instead present a case for approaches that focus on rights‐based, humanitarian grounds for refugee resettlement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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