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Smoking is disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian peoples, with 39% of Indigenous Australians aged over 15 years smoking daily. Efforts to reduce the prevalence include culturally focused media campaigns, designed through community consultation, that highlight the need to determine how such health messaging is perceived by smokers. This study aimed to examine Indigenous Australian smokers' reactions to a culturally focused anti-smoking mass media campaign. Intercept surveying across health services and events recorded demographics, smoking status, quit attempts, smoking health effects, anti-smoking campaign recall, social support, and campaign reactions. Participants rated four different campaign images in five domains: (1) whether it made them stop and think; (2) personal relevance; (3) believability of design and message; (4) prompting concern about smoking; and (5) motivation towards quitting. Cluster analysis was used to identify smoker types. Smoking health effects knowledge was high, and did not differ by quit readiness, attempts, or social support. Cessation support access was higher among those with greater readiness to quit. Social smoking behaviour and confidence to support others quitting did not significantly differ between participants, however importance of others quitting did. Quit readiness, attempts, and social support were associated with reaction to campaign design, but not message recall. Four types of smokers were identified using smoking characteristics, who differed in campaign message reactions. Culturally focused anti-smoking media can benefit from exploring how smoker types can be used to differentiate messaging by smokers' profile characteristics, to support mass media smoking cessation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people's exposure to gambling marketing has had a clear impact on their gambling attitudes, risk perceptions and consumption intentions. Celebrities and social media influencers (SMIs) are increasingly used by the gambling industry in a wide range of promotions. While there is evidence that these types of promotions are influential in shaping young people's attitudes towards other harmful products, there is limited evidence in relation to gambling. Qualitative focus groups (n  = 22) with n  = 64, 12–17 year olds were conducted in Australia. These investigated young people's exposure to celebrity and SMI marketing for gambling and the influence they perceived this marketing had on young people's gambling attitudes. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to construct four themes from the data. First, young people perceived that celebrities and SMIs created additional appeal and recall of gambling advertisements because they were attention grabbing and familiar. Second, young people thought that celebrities and SMIs increased the trust, legitimacy and social acceptance of gambling. Third, the use of celebrities and SMIs lowered the perceptions of risk associated with gambling. Lastly, there were suggestions to reduce the impact of celebrity and SMI gambling promotions on young people, such as bans and restrictions. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to preventing young people's exposure to gambling marketing, that not only considers imposing stronger regulations to restrict the way the gambling industry is allowed to promote its products, but also aims to counter the novel ways the gambling industry attempts to appeal to children and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes distress, experienced by up to 40% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), is the negative emotional response to the burden of living with and managing diabetes. It is associated with suboptimal glycaemia and diabetes self-management. Research indicates that people with diabetes do not recall being asked about emotional distress by healthcare professionals. Aim: To explore the experiences, needs, and expectations of people with T2D regarding emotional support received in Australian general practice. Design & setting: Exploratory qualitative study in Victoria, Australia. Method: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore emotional health and support received in general practice in 12 adults with T2D who primarily attend general practice. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using the framework approach. Results: The following three major themes were identified: (1) Beneath the surface of diabetes care; (2) Importance of GP--patient relationship; and (3) Communication counts. Participants experienced diabetes care as focused primarily on medical management rather than the emotional aspects of living with T2D. While people's experiences of diabetes care in general practice primarily focused on physical health, the GP care beyond the presenting complaint has an essential role in identifying emotional issues and enabling support. Emotional issues were more likely to be discussed and acknowledged by the GP where there was a long-standing relationship between GP and patient. Conclusion: Pre-existing positive GP--patient relationships and supportive communication enable people with 2TD to raise emotional issues as part of diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic, non-malignant diseases (CNMD) like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF) and dementia in advanced stages are very burdensome for patients. Timely palliative care with strong collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and specialist palliative home care (SPHC) teams can reduce symptom burden, hospitalization rates, hospitalization costs and overall healthcare costs. The KOPAL-study on strengthening interprofessional collaboration for patients with palliative care needs tested the effect of an intervention comprising of a SPHC nurse assessment and an interprofessional case conference. This qualitative evaluative study explores patients', proxies' and their associates' motivation to participate in the KOPAL-study and views on the (benefits of the) intervention. Methods: We interviewed 13 male and 10 female patients as well as 14 proxies of patients with dementia and six associates of study participants using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with deductive-inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: Motivation for participation was driven by curiosity, the aim to please the GP or to support research, respectively to help other patients. Few interviewees pointed out to have expected positive effects for themselves. The nurse visit was evaluated very positively. Positive changes concerning health care or quality of life were reported sparsely. Most study participants did not prepare for the SPHC nurse assessment. They had no expectations concerning potential benefits of such an assessment, the interdisciplinary case conference and an early integration of palliative care. The majority of interviewees reported that they did not talk about the nurse visit and the interprofessional case conference with their GPs. Conclusion: Our results lead to the conclusion that SPHC nurses can serve as an advocate for the patient and thereby support the patients' autonomy. GPs should actively discuss the results of the interdisciplinary case conference with patients and collaboratively decide on further actions. Patient participation in the interdisciplinary case conference could be another way to increase the effects of the intervention by empowering patients to not just passively receive the intervention. Trial registration: DRKS00017795 German Clinical Trials Register, 17Nov2021, version 05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Back pain is a huge global problem. For some people, the pain is so severe that they feel the need to present to an emergency department (ED). Our aim was to explore patient and staff perspectives for the development of a digital care pathway (DCP) for people with back pain who have presented to ED, including acceptability, barriers and facilitators. Methods: We used a descriptive phenomenology approach using semi‐structured interviews with patient and staff participants at a tertiary hospital. Interviews were transcribed and data codes were developed using inductive thematic analysis. Themes were discussed between researchers until consensus was achieved. Results: A total of 16 interviews were carried out, half of which involved patient participants. We identified three major themes: (i) expectations and experiences of staff and patients with low back pain in ED; (ii) a digital care pathway can empower patients and support clinicians in providing care; and (iii) acceptability, barriers, facilitators and recommendations of engaging with a DCP to track the trajectory of back pain. Each theme was further categorised into subthemes. Conclusion: Introducing a DCP was perceived as acceptable and beneficial by patients and staff. Both groups were aware of the potential participant burden if surveys were too long. Introducing a DCP could be a valuable adjunct to current management care models, providing a standardised source of education with the potential for individualised tracking and monitoring. The design and development of a DCP will need to consider reported facilitators and address perceived barriers for engagement. Patient or Public Contribution: This project sought insights from patients and staff about a digital care pathway. This forms the first step of patient and consumer consultation before implementing a digital care pathway. All consumers were offered the opportunity to review their responses and our interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Indigenous women experience high rates of family violence‐related head injuries. At present, lived experience accounts from Indigenous women are absent, which results in incomplete understandings and inadequate responses that have detrimental impacts on them and their families. The aim of this study was to gain insight into Indigenous women's personal and family perspectives regarding violence‐related traumatic brain injury (TBI), including impacts on life, as well as decision‐making processes about healthcare access and engagement. Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to complete semi‐structured interviews with 18 Indigenous women living in regional and remote Australia who had experienced TBI from family violence. The data from these interviews were augmented by data from interviews and focus groups with 28 community members, including family members or carers of Indigenous women living with TBI from family violence. Results: Three themes were conceptualised based on the data and research aims: interweaving of the past and the present—ways women experience brain injury; factors that inform decision‐making to access healthcare; and managing everyday changes that result from TBI from family violence. Indigenous women described living with a range of symptoms following repeated head injuries including problems with memory, cognition and concentration. A range of strategies to manage long‐term symptoms of TBI were used by Indigenous women and when they did seek healthcare, Indigenous women were required to navigate a range of barriers. Conclusions: The findings identify a range of gaps in healthcare and housing supports for Indigenous women with TBI from violence, highlighting the significant investment needed to develop responsive and appropriate pathways of care in regional and remote areas. A range of suggestions are discussed including development of a specialised workforce who can provide apppropriate follow‐up support, co‐designed concussion clinics and educational resources. TBI must also be a key aspect of policy and practice for services working with Indigenous women who have experienced violence to ensure appropriate responses are provided. Public or Patient Contribution: Indigenous women shared their views and experiences of TBI from family violence as well as decision‐making about accessing healthcare and managing TBI symptoms. As such, study participants provided public contributions to the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While patients from low socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds are at increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, typically managed within general practice, they report fewer positive consultation experiences with GPs than patients from higher SES groups. To our knowledge, existing research does not provide an in-depth understanding of the GP conducts that contribute to positive consultations. Aim: To identify the factors that patients from low SES backgrounds perceive as essential for creating good consultation experiences. Design & setting: This exploratory pilot study was performed in GP clinics in Melbourne, Australia. Method: We used an appreciative inquiry approach, focused on positive consultation experiences, previously shown to be helpful for researching sensitive topics. Nine patients from low SES backgrounds, who reported positive consultation experiences, undertook a semi-structured qualitative interview while watching the video recording of their GP consultation. Four different GPs were captured in the recordings. Inductive thematic coding was performed by two researchers. Results: The following four categories were developed: 1) the doctor’s demeanour and how the patient was made to feel during the consultation drove their engagement; 2) an established and collaborative therapeutic relationship was of high importance to patients; 3) a doctor’s therapeutic skillset was integral to patient confidence and comfort; and 4) patients appreciated verbal and non-verbal communication techniques. In each interview, the discussion about the video-recorded consultation often triggered reflections about previous consultations with the respective GP. Conclusion: For patients from low SES groups, positive consultation experiences were underpinned by perceived continuity of care with a specific GP who consistently showed good communication skills and key interpersonal characteristics. This research is a small step towards increasing our understanding of the experience of individuals from low SES backgrounds in primary care and the existing health inequities within this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate self-reported health literacy levels, learning preferences and knowledge resource needs of Australian elective surgery patients. Background: Surgery contributes significantly to global health care, but surgical waitlists, cancellations and delay remain major challenges for health care systems. Pre-operative preparation and patient education about the surgical journey are essential to reducing these disruptions. Unfortunately, preparation and education are limited by short timeframes and one-size-fits-all approaches. Limited information exists about Australian surgical patients' health literacy levels, learning preferences and knowledge resource needs. Design and methods: This cross-sectional waiting room survey investigated patient health literacy, preferred education mode and learning styles among elective surgery patients. Data were collected from patients using existing validated questionnaires and open-text questions. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were themed using an iterative open-coding approach. The study is reported using the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) guidelines. Results: The study had 100 participants, 68 living in metropolitan areas, 93 having access to a smartphone and 62 possessing adequate health literacy levels. The top surgical challenge was understanding preparation and recovery instructions. Most participants were visual learners preferring face-to-face, digital formats, booklets or leaflets to receive educational information. Half of the participants sought additional surgical preparation information; of those, 60 per cent used the internet. Conclusion: This study found that many Australian surgical patients have limited health literacy, prefer visual learning and seek information outside of hospital resources. These findings suggest that clinicians should engage with patients to tailor education, provide different forms of learning materials and explore digital formats for education. Patient or public contribution: This study was designed using insights from a patient representative during intervention development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patient self-advocacy is valued and promoted; however, it may not be readily accessible to all. This analysis examines the experiences of women in Australia who had cardiac disease in pregnancy or the first year postpartum through the lenses of self-advocacy and gender, specifically seeking to elaborate on the contexts, impacts, barriers, and women's responses to the barriers to self-advocacy. Method: A qualitative study design was used. Twenty-five women participated in semistructured in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Analysis of findings generated the following themes: 1) Silent dream scream, 2) Easier said than done, 3) Crazy-making, and 4) Concentric circles of advocacy. Regardless of women's personal attributes, knowledge and experience, self-advocating for their health was complex and difficult and had negative cardiac and psychological outcomes. Conclusion: While the women encountered significant barriers to self-advocating, they were resilient and ultimately developed strategies to be heard and to advocate on their own behalf and that of other women. Findings can be used to identify ways to support women to selfadvocate and to provide adequately resourced and culturally safe environments to enable healthcare professionals to provide person-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Facilitators to implement shared cancer follow‐up care into clinical practice include mechanisms to allow the oncologist to continue overseeing the care of their patient, two‐way information sharing and clear follow‐up protocols for general practitioners (GPs). This paper aimed to evaluate patients, GPs and radiation oncologists (ROs) acceptance of a shared care intervention. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted pre‐ and post intervention with patients that were 3 years post radiotherapy treatment for breast, colorectal or prostate cancer, their RO, and their GP. Inductive and deductive thematical analysis was employed. Results: Thirty‐two participants were interviewed (19 patients, 9 GPs, and 4 ROs). Pre intervention, there was support for GPs to play a greater role in cancer follow‐up care, however, patients were concerned about the GPs cancer‐specific skills. Patients, GPs and ROs were concerned about increasing the GPs workload. Post intervention, participants were satisfied that the GPs had specific skills and that the impact on GP workload was comparable to writing a referral. However, GPs expressed concern about remuneration. GPs and ROs felt the model provided patient choice and were suitable for low‐risk, stable patients around 2–3 years post treatment. Patients emphasised that they trusted their RO to advise them on the most appropriate follow‐up model suited to their individual situation. The overall acceptance of shared care depended on successful health technology to connect the GP and RO. There were no differences in patient acceptance between rural, regional, and cancer types. ROs presented differences in acceptance for the different cancer types, with breast cancer strongly supported. Conclusion: Patients, GPs and ROs felt this shared cancer follow‐up model of care was acceptable, but only if the RO remained directly involved and the health technology worked. There is a need to review funding and advocate for health technology advances to support integration. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients treated with curative radiotherapy for breast, colorectal and prostate cancer, their RO and their GPs were actively involved in this study by giving their consent to be interviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore stakeholders' perceptions of a facilitator's role in supporting carers when embedding iSupport for Dementia psychoeducation program, in care services. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was applied. Data were collected from workshops and interviews with carers of people living with dementia (PLWD)and with health and social care professionals from two tertiary hospitals and two community aged care organisations across three Australian states between October 2021 and March 2022. A thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The COREQ guideline was followed to report our findings. Results: A total of 30 family carers and 45 health and social care professionals participated in the study. Three main themes and seven subthemes were identified from the data. We described the main themes as (1) the facilitator's role at the time of dementia diagnosis, (2) the facilitator's role throughout the everyday dementia care journey and (3) the facilitator's role during transition moments. Conclusions: Caring for family members with dementia is demanding and stressful for carers. Embedding a facilitator‐enabled iSupport for Dementia program in hospital and community aged care settings has the potential to mitigate sources of stress associated with care recipient factors, carer factors and care service factors, and improve the health and well‐being of carers and those for whom they care. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Our findings will inform the establishment of iSupport facilitators appointed by dementia care providers in hospital and community care settings and help determine their roles and responsibilities in delivering the iSupport program. Our findings relate to nurse‐led and coordinated dementia care in hospital and community aged care settings. Patient or Public Contribution: This study was co‐designed with stakeholders from two aged care organisations and two tertiary hospitals. The study participants were staff employed by these organisations and carers of PLWD who were service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflective practice and critical reflection are considered crucial to learning and practising social work. Based on qualitative analysis of interviews with Australian social work practitioners, students, and academics this article offers a description of the strong normative role reflective practice plays in contemporary social work practice. The research was conducted as part of a larger interpretive study into how reflective practice is understood in social work education and practice in Australia. The research found that reflective practice is considered as central to the development of practice wisdom, accountability, and the development of self-awareness. The article discusses the normative role reflective practice plays for social worker agency. The article also outlines the formative role social theory plays in the development of critical reflection. IMPLICATIONS Reflective practice and critical reflection can be viewed as important and distinct capabilities in professional social work practice. Reflective practice is an important foundation for the emergence of practitioner agency. As critical reflection is more likely to develop in social workers who have had the opportunity to learn social theory, it is important to ensure social theory is included in foundational social work curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Providing optimal support for carers of people with advanced cancer is critical to facilitating discharge home from hospital. Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool–Intervention (CSNAT‐I) has shown promise in supporting carers' needs in this context. This study aimed to explore patient and carers experiences with and views on the acceptability of the CSNAT‐I delivered by occupational therapists in an acute oncology setting. Methods: People with advanced cancer and their carers who had previously received the CSNAT‐I as part of usual care while admitted to an Australian specialist cancer centre or acute hospital were invited to participate in interviews exploring their perceptions of the intervention. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Two patients and 10 carers participated in semi‐structured interviews. Three themes were constructed from the data: Carers viewed the CSNAT‐I as comprehensive process that (1) 'covered everything' related to discharge planning; (2) generated an 'increased awareness of needs' for themselves, patients, and clinicians; and (3) triggered an emotional response of feeling 'wrapped up in care' that was maintained as they moved from hospital to home. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the CSNAT‐I was highly acceptable to carers as part of existing discharge processes supporting them through the transition from hospital to home and can be delivered by occupational therapists and other clinicians with a natural synergy to discharge planning. These findings will inform further development and testing of the delivery model of the CSNAT‐I in future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paramedic practice is diversifying to accommodate evolving global health trends, including community paramedicine models and growing expertise in palliative and end-of-life care. However, despite palliative care specific clinical practice guidelines and existing training, paramedics still lack the skills, confidence and clinical support to provide this type of care. Aim: To elicit paramedics', palliative care doctors and nurses', general practitioners', residential aged care nurses' and bereaved families and carers' experiences, perspectives, and attitudes on the role, barriers and enablers of paramedics delivering palliative and end-of-life care in community-based settings. Design: A qualitative study employing reflexive thematic analysis of data collected from semi-structured online interviews was utilised. Setting/participants: A purposive sample of 50 stakeholders from all Australian jurisdictions participated. Results: Five themes were identified: positioning the paramedic (a dichotomy between the life saver and community responder); creating an identity (the trusted clinician in a crisis), fear and threat (feeling afraid of caring for the dying), permission to care (seeking consent to take a palliative approach) and the harsh reality (navigating the role in a limiting and siloed environment). Conclusion: Paramedics were perceived to have a revered public identity, shaped by their ability to fix a crisis. However, paramedics and other health professionals also expressed fear and vulnerability when taking a palliative approach to care. Paramedics may require consent to move beyond a culture of curative care, yet all participant groups recognised their important adjunct role to support community-based palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. During the normal ageing process, a person's cognitive functions and memory gradually decline, which can affect their ability to perform everyday activities including cooking, cleaning, managing finances, and shopping. Semantic memory encoding strategies benefit older adults' cognitive and functional performance. Such strategies can be taught by an accessible, cost-effective, and flexible app-based programme. Currently, no studies examine such an app-based programme focussed on everyday activities. Objectives. To determine if an app-based programme constructed on the principles of semantic memory encoding strategies, targeted towards older adults, called Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life) is (1) feasible by examining acceptance, engagement, and attendance and (2) acceptable by examining the perceived effectiveness, relevancy, clarity, and convenience. Methods. Eleven participants were recruited to a nine-week (18 sessions) programme using E-MinD Life. Feasibility was measured by collecting data on recruitment and retention rates, attendance, and duration of sessions. Acceptability was measured via a Likert scale questionnaire and free comments. Likert scale responses were analysed using descriptive statistics; open-ended responses were categorised qualitatively via constant comparative approach. Results. Nine participants completed the programme. Overall, most participants found the programme relevant, convenient, logical, and easy to understand and perceived it to be effective to address functional cognitive problems impacting performance of everyday activities. The results from the qualitative analysis showed that participants found the programme enjoyable and the interaction with the research team throughout the intervention beneficial. Conclusion. E-MinD Life shows promise as the focus of further research to determine the effectiveness of the programme and sematic-based cognitive strategies in maintaining cognition and performance in everyday activities among older adults with and without cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore nurses' and family members' perspectives of family care at the end of life, during restricted visitation associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: To minimise the transmission of COVID‐19, stringent infection prevention and control measures resulted in restricted hospital access for non‐essential workers and visitors, creating challenges for the provision of family‐centred care at the end of life. Design: Qualitative descriptive approach based on naturalistic inquiry. Methods: At a large public hospital in Melbourne, Australia, individual semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 15 registered nurses who cared for patients who died during restricted visitation associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic, and 21 bereaved family members. COREQ guidelines informed analysis and reporting. Results: Five themes developed from the data: (i) impact of visitor restrictions, which describes uncertain, ambiguous and arbitrary rules, onerous and inconsistent requirements; (ii) nurse‐family communication; (iii) family‐centred care and interrupted connections; (iv) well‐being and negative emotions; and (v) suggestions for a better way, such as moving away from the black and whiteness of the rules, prioritising communication, compassion and advocacy. Conclusions: Negative consequences for communication and the patient‐family connection at the end of life were felt deeply. The evolving COVID‐19 rules that were frequently revised and applied at short notice, and the subsequent consequences for clinical practices and care were felt deeply. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Technology‐facilitated communication, innovation and increased resources must be prioritised to overcome the challenges described in this study. A family‐centred approach to care and emphasising the patient‐family connection at the end of life is fundamental to minimising trauma and distress associated with future public health emergencies. Patient or Public Contribution: Bereaved family members contributed their first‐hand experience. Members of the health service's patient experience team ensured the research was conducted in accordance with health service guidelines for patient and public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Providing accurate and timely diagnoses is challenging in ED settings. We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a short, structured rapid diagnosis discussion (RaDD) between a patient's initial doctor and a second doctor for patients presenting to ED with abdominal pain. Methods: Controlled pre‐post, mixed‐methods pilot study in a metropolitan hospital network in Melbourne, Australia. Comparisons were made between an ED using RaDD for a 1‐month period (n = 155) and two control EDs within the same hospital network (n = 2227) using standard practices. A short survey of 27 clinicians was also undertaken. Results: Provisional diagnoses changed in 24.7% (95% confidence interval 19.0, 30.4) of all cases for which a RaDD case report sheet was completed, and clinicians' confidence in their decision‐making was significantly higher when using RaDD (r = 0.27). RaDD significantly increased the likelihood that patients would be sent to the short stay unit and have a blood test ordered, and significantly reduced the likelihood that patients would be discharged home from the ED or leave at their own risk. Usage of the RaDD tool was low (25.2% of eligible cases), and qualitative feedback indicated that time limitations inhibited uptake. Conclusions: RaDD encouraged clinicians to take a more cautious, risk‐averse approach to care and improved confidence in their diagnostic decisions. However, cost effectiveness of these outcomes and possible implementation barriers need to be further considered in subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM; "kink") are frequently pathologized as derivatives of abuse. Although the link is unsubstantiated, some kink-identified people who happen to be survivors of trauma may engage in kink, or trauma play, to heal from, cope with, and transform childhood abuse or adolescent maltreatment. The present study sought a thematic model (Braun & Clarke, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101, 2006) of trauma recovery through kink using a critical realist, inductive approach to inquiry. Participants were eligible if they had experienced early abuse, were adults, and practiced kink. Six superordinate themes were generated from semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from five countries: cultural context of healing (e.g. using BDSM norms and previous therapy to reframe kink and trauma), restructuring the self-concept (e.g. strengthening internal characteristics which had been harmed or distorted), liberation through relationship (e.g. learning to be valued by intimate others), reclaiming power (e.g. setting and maintaining personal boundaries), repurposing behaviors (e.g. engaging in aspects of prolonged exposure), and redefining pain (e.g. transcending painful memories through masochism). Notably, participants only reported retraumatizing experiences prior to learning about the structural safeguards of BDSM. Research and clinical implications are discussed by drawing on general models of trauma recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lack of access to and uptake of postpartum contraception is a key contributor to an estimated 121 million unintended pregnancies worldwide. Research on counselling and women's preferences for postpartum contraception is scarce in Australia. We therefore aimed to explore Australian women's experiences of, and preferences for, accessing postpartum contraceptive counselling. Method: In this qualitative study, English-speaking women of reproductive age (18–40 years) with at least one child under the age of 5 years were recruited via social media to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews focussed on women's experiences of, and preferences for, postpartum contraception. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Results: Twenty women participated. Most did not receive in-depth contraceptive counselling antenatally or postnatally, though had brief discussions with their GPs or obstetricians at the 6-week postnatal check. Participants felt some counselling throughout their antenatal and postnatal care would have been useful, particularly those who experienced medical complications perinatally. Most participants expressed a general preference for their GP or a midwife to provide such counselling, rather than an obstetrician or nurse, and they noted characteristics such as compassion, trust and care as being particularly important. Conclusion: The provision of postpartum contraceptive counselling could be enhanced in Australia. Contraceptive uptake in the postpartum period may be promoted by ensuring consistent and routine provision of contraceptive counselling for women antenatally and postnatally by their maternity carers. Access to postpartum contraception can reduce unintended pregnancies and enhance interconception health. Findings from our study suggest there is no consistent provision of postpartum contraception counselling to women; however, women are interested in receiving this both antenatally and postnatally from GPs and midwives. Contraceptive uptake in the postpartum period may be promoted by ensuring consistent and routine provision of contraceptive counselling for women antenatally and postnatally by their maternity carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to investigate instrumental activities of daily living in older autistic adults. We conducted interviews with fifteen adults (mean age = 60.1, SD = 7.4, range = 50–73) from Australia with no intellectual disability. Analysis included both deductive and inductive steps, to categorise responses using the Occupational Performance Model Australia and identify themes across participants' experiences. Strengths and challenges were unique to the individual, as were the methods they had developed to manage tasks. Challenges occurred mostly at the interaction between aspects of the environment (sensory, cognitive, social and cultural) and personal factors such as health conditions and sensory sensitivities. Enhanced person-environment fit is needed, as is a shift in wider sociocultural attitudes to enable comfort and autonomy in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the lived experience of Australian women affected by intimate partner violence (IPV) and determined whether and how recovery was part of that experience. An online survey of 665 Australian women in long-term recovery from IPV gathered qualitative information about their experiences and their definitions of recovery. The guiding methodology for data analysis was qualitative content analysis, as it provided a close analysis of the manifest meanings of the women's responses and an interpretation of the latent themes within the data. Outcomes included a thematic analysis and the numbers of women referring to each theme. The women's definitions focused on their lived experiences of recovery rather than on the psychological and academic constructs favoured by researchers. The five themes identified in the women's definitions were safety and survival, gaining freedom, moving on, enjoying a better life, and issues with children and parenting. These themes did not represent sequential stages but generally occurred concurrently. Relapses, digressions, and highs and lows were also common aspects of recovery. Thus, these themes were more like threads woven together in a multi-axial continuum or recovery journey, rather than sequential phases. Although many women considered they had recovered from IPV, most women found recovery to be ongoing. Some women struggled to make any progress in recovery at all. Overall, recovery from IPV is multidimensional and individualistic in nature. It is an arduous journey that evolves over a long period of time and requires a great deal of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital maps have been taken up as a productive tool in both activism and academic research. However, there has been less consideration of their use as a research method in qualitative social sciences research. This paper aims to contribute towards scholarship on qualitative research by providing a critical reflection on the use of digital mapping as a research method in a feminist research project on street-based harassment in Australia. Drawing on practices of reflexivity, as well as comments made by participants across 46 qualitative interviews, I consider how digital mapping can be used to facilitate feminist research, arguing that it represents a generative instrument which lends itself to the development of in-depth insights from participants. Yet, mapping also delimits the epistemological possibilities of qualitative research, and I consider how this method simultaneously constrains what can be known about street harassment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many children in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia experience complex trauma and its developmental impacts. Internationally, occupational therapists work with complex trauma and use sensory‐based, integrative, and functional approaches. The practices of occupational therapists in Aotearoa and Australia with children experiencing complex trauma have not previously been described. Methods: This article reports the quantitative results of a mixed‐methods study which profiled occupational therapists' practice in Aotearoa and Australia with children aged 0 to 12 years old who experienced complex trauma. Twenty‐five participants completed the survey. The average age of participants was 43 years (SD = 10.65), all were female (n = 25), and most identified as New Zealand European (n = 11) or Australian European (n = 9). A survey was distributed via Occupational Therapy New Zealand – Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa and Occupational Therapy Australia. Results: The majority of participants had a bachelor's degree (64%) and worked in community settings (76%). Fourteen participants (56%) used sensory approaches. The most common assessments used were those of sensory processing (n = 12, 48%) and observation (n = 12, 48%). The Sensory Profile was the most popular standardised assessment (n = 8, 32%). The most common interventions used with children experiencing complex trauma were sensory (n = 13, 52%) and play based (n = 13, 52%). Most participants reported not adapting their practices for Māori or Aboriginal children. Most participants felt somewhat prepared (n = 15) for working with complex trauma, with most reporting a lack of experience in this area (n = 10). Supervision was suggested by 92% (n = 23) of the participants. Conclusion: Sensory‐based practices were most common among occupational therapists in Aotearoa and Australia who worked with children experiencing complex trauma. The participants suggested supervision, social support, and practical training when working with complex trauma. Advocacy and research are required within this subspecialty, and further professional engagement in the application of culturally safe practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiotherapy is an essential component in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). To explore how parents of infants with CF experience physiotherapy clinic consultations. A qualitative study, informed by hermeneutic phenomenology, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews and daily diaries was conducted with 13 parents of infants (aged 0–2 yrs.) receiving physiotherapy care for CF in Australia. Three themes arose from the text. The first was that parents' physiotherapy clinic experience is influenced by the manner in which health professionals communicate to parents about physiotherapy in CF, as well as their own prior experience and knowledge. Secondly, parents receive conflicting messages from the physiotherapy consultation, but perceive the key message to be to prioritize adherence to physiotherapy. The final theme was that parents' expectations of the physiotherapy interaction were often not met, in particular a lack of practical physiotherapy education and training was reported. Parents of infants with CF seek an optimistic, practical and hands on approach during physiotherapy consultations. Exploring options for providing physiotherapy input outside of traditional clinic environments may help accommodate individual needs. Investigation into the manner in which physiotherapy education is communicated to parents is warranted in light of the influence on parents' expectations of physiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined how young women construct and experience plain tobacco packaging. Forty-one Australian young women who are current smokers took part in this qualitative interview research. Data was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory, with the core category about the strategic ways young women resist plain tobacco packaging. The majority of women reported that plain packaging was unappealing and that the larger health warnings were shocking and offensive. However, almost all reported being desensitized to the graphic health warnings. The graphic warnings were seen as "fake" or lacking in credibility, and irrelevant to the women's life stage. Importantly, the majority of women engaged in practices to strategically resist and avoid health warnings on the packs as a way to continue smoking. Our findings point to the need to develop health warnings on tobacco products that are gender specific and focus on proximal social consequences to increase salience for young women smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore older adults' experiences of and approaches to managing their long-term health and mobility after traumatic injury. A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken with older adults following traumatic injury in Victoria, Australia. Fifteen participants (≥65 years) were interviewed at three years post-injury (n = 15), and re-interviewed at four (n = 14) and five years (n = 12) post-injury. Using a framework approach, a longitudinal thematic analysis was performed. Older age at the time of injury was identified by participants as a key factor influencing their recovery. Many participants reported actively attempting to regain their strength and fitness in the first five years following injury. However, their age, injury impacts, other health conditions, and weight gain made it difficult to achieve recovery goals. Many older adults reported a decline in their physical function over time. While these experiences and persistent disability constrained or changed the quality of social relationships, community participation, and independence, several participants described adapting to their functional limitations, and managing their secondary conditions over time. In our cohort, the intertwined combination of ageing, injury, and comorbid conditions negatively affected health and mobility, reinforcing the need for preventative strategies. Older adults recovering from traumatic injury may benefit from specialised care pathways that offer long-term and tailored therapies, with programs and services specific to their needs and goals. An integrated service approach by injury insurers, health care, primary care, disability, and aged care could more clearly identify and effectively address the individual needs and goals of older adults with complex conditions. Health and social services that work with people with injuries to develop personalised coping strategies can reduce anxiety related to uncertainty about the future, promote well-being, and support participation in valued activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Health consumers (patients, their family, friends and carers) are frequently using their smartphones to record hospital clinical encounters. However, there is limited research which has explored the social interaction surrounding this behaviour. Understanding the consumer perspective is key to informing policy and practice. This study explored consumer attitudes and experiences regarding patient‐led recordings. Methods: Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 20 hospital consumers. Participants were recruited via advertising, posters and invitation letters. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Four main themes were identified relating to participant perspectives of patient‐led recordings: (1) consumers viewed clinician consent as important, although they reported different experiences of the consent process, (2) consumers indicated that a clinician refusing the recording had the potential to undermine the consumer–clinician relationship, (3) consumers were both uninformed and misinformed regarding relevant policy and legislation and (4) consumers expressed a number of expectations regarding their rights to record and of the health service in supporting this practice. Conclusion: Consumers want to record their clinical encounters with the consent of their clinician but are unprepared to navigate consent discussions. Health services and clinicians should inform consumers who want to record about their rights and responsibilities, to support the consent process and safe recording environments. Clinician refusal to consent to a patient‐led recording may not lead to increased covert recording; however, clear communication about the reasons for refusing a recording is needed to protect the consumer–clinician relationship. Patient or Public Contribution: A health consumer was part of the research team and was involved in all stages of this study, including the design, data analysis and reviewing of the manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is being increasingly used by expectant parents. Much provision of this test in Australia is occurring in clinical settings where specialised genetic counselling is unavailable, such as general practice. Potential psychosocial consequences from this kind of prenatal genetic screening remain largely unexplored. Aims: To explore clinicians' experiences with NIPS for aneuploidy, their perspectives of the benefits and harms of NIPS, clinicians' information needs, and their perceptions of the needs of expectant parents. Materials and Methods: Qualitative, semi‐structured interviews with 17 health professionals (clinical geneticists, obstetricians, genetic counsellors and general practitioners) who request and counsel for NIPS in Australian hospital and private practice settings, conducted between June 2019 and February 2020. Results: Five themes were identified relating to clinicians' perceptions and experiences of NIPS in their practice: perceived benefits of NIPS, perceived harms of NIPS (with two subthemes: clinical harms and psychosocial harms), financial and equity‐related concerns, counselling as a protective buffer against perceived harms, and clinicians' unmet education needs. While clinicians view NIPS as a useful and high‐quality screening test, especially for detection of common trisomies, many participants had concerns about how NIPS has been implemented in practice, particularly the quality (and often absence) of pre‐/post‐test counselling and the routinisation of testing for sex chromosome aneuploidies, microdeletion and microduplication syndromes. Conclusion: These findings support the need for targeted clinician training around NIPS, and for a shared decision‐making approach to support expectant parents' autonomous decisions about NIPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to explore the needs, potential roles and implementation of Bilingual Community Navigators (BCNs) in providing navigation support for patients in general practice settings in Australia. A total of 19 participants (general practitioners, practice managers, practice nurses and receptionists) from five general practices in Sydney where most of the patients spoke a language other than English were interviewed about their views on needs, potential roles and implementation of BCNs in general practice settings. Data were collected between August 2019 and July 2020. The interview transcripts were inductively analysed for themes. Themes emerged across four broad categories: patients' barriers to access health and social care services; potential roles of BCNs; recruitment, training, and employment of BCNs and considerations and anticipated barriers to BCNs' role. Many barriers both at the patient and at the service provider levels in accessing healthcare and social care services were consistent with the Levesque et al. access framework including lack of understanding of the health system, language and cultural barriers, hesitancy to approach general practice and problems navigating services. Participants believed that BCNs would be able to help overcome these barriers through health education, support in booking appointments, arranging transport, providing language and cultural support and improving communication with the health services. Conditions for effective implementation of BCNs in practice included proper training of the navigators to ensure patient confidentiality and addressing organisational/system barriers such as lack of a funding mechanism, a clear role definition of BCNs and acceptance of BCNs by patients. BCNs potential role in facilitating access to appropriate care by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in general practice warrants further evaluation in the context of the Australian healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite evidence that stroke education is important and effective, low rates of stroke education are reported worldwide. Many stroke survivors and carers report that current stroke information does not meet their needs. The aim of the current study was to explore the perceptions of stroke survivors and carers towards stroke education in an Australian health context. A qualitative descriptive approach using focus groups was used to explore education received and preferred content, format and timing of education. Data were analysed inductively using qualitative content analysis to identify key categories, sub‐categories and an overarching theme. Fifteen stroke survivors and four carers participated. Four categories emerged: the timing of stroke education, the content of stroke education, the format of stroke education, and reactions to stroke education. Each category contained a number of sub‐categories. One overarching theme was woven through the transcripts: everyone is different and has different needs. Overall, participants generally expressed positive attitudes towards stroke education. Participants reported that education should occur at multiple timepoints and in a mixed format. All participants reported receiving stroke education in hospital, but not in the community. Stroke survivors preferred group education, while carers did not share this preference. Both stroke survivors and carers desired information about post‐stroke physical changes and computer use; however, stroke survivors desired additional information spanning a variety of areas such as motivation and driving. Tailoring of stroke education for each individual is critical to ensure that education meets the needs of stroke survivors and carers from the hospital to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Telehealth consultations are likely to continue while living with COVID-19 and the risk of other pandemics. Greater understanding of patient perceptions is important in order to inform future integrated care models involving telehealth. Design/methodology/approach: An interpretative qualitative study. Fifteen, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with diverse range of community dwelling patients who attended outpatient clinics at The John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Findings: Key themes were identified: (1) telehealth is valuable in a pandemic; (2) telehealth accessibility can be challenging; (3) there are variations in care experiences, especially when visual feedback is lacking; (4) telehealth for acute and complex care needs may lead to gaps and (5) considerations towards the future of telehealth, beyond a pandemic. Research limitations/implications: There is a shortfall in evidence of the patient experience of integrated care within a telehealth framework. The results provided practical insights into how telehealth services can play a greater role in integrated care. Practical implications: Apart from the need for affordable access to high-speed data for basic Internet access, the author posit the need for patient and clinician training towards promoting communication that is underpinned by choice, trust and shared decision-making. Originality/value: Telehealth is important towards keeping patients safe during COVID-19. Key findings extend knowledge of the practical implications need to promote integrated telehealth systems. While there is a benefit in extending telehealth to more preventative activities, there is also a need for greater service coordination and sharing of information between treating clinicians. Overall the results highlight telehealth consultations to be an effective means of treating well-known conditions and for follow-up rather than for acute conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Muscle weakness is well established as the primary impairment that affects walking after stroke and strength training is an effective intervention to improve this muscle weakness. Observation of clinical practice however has highlighted an evidence-practice gap in the implementation of evidence-based strength training guidelines. Objective: To explore perceived barriers and facilitators that influence Australian physiotherapy practices when prescribing strength training with stroke survivors undergoing gait rehabilitation. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of physiotherapists currently providing rehabilitation services to patients following stroke in Australia. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and line-by-line thematic analysis was undertaken to create themes and sub-themes. Results: Participants were 16 physiotherapists (12 females) with 3 months – 42 years experience working with people after stroke. Major themes identified were1) patient factors influence the approach to strength training; 2) interpretation and implementation of strength training principles is diverse; and 3) workplace context affects the treatment delivered. Physiotherapists displayed wide variation in their knowledge, interpretation and implementation of strength training principles and strength training exercise prescription was seldom evidence or guideline based. Workplace factors included the clinical preference of colleagues, and the need to modify practice to align with workforce resources. Conclusions: Implementation of strength training to improve walking after stroke was diverse. Therapist-related barriers to the implementation of effective strength training programs highlight the need for improved knowledge, training and research engagement. Limited resourcing demonstrates the need for organizational prioritization of stroke education and skill development. Narrowing the evidence-practice gap remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study describes the impact of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the provision of care by Australian primary health care (PHC) nurses. Participants were purposefully recruited following completion of a national survey about PHC nurses' experiences during the pandemic. Twenty‐five semi‐structured interviews were conducted by two experienced researchers and professionally transcribed. The mean duration of interviews was 38.5 min. Thematic analysis revealed three themes about the impact of COVID‐19 on PHC nurses' provision of care. These were: workplace adjustments, changes in healthcare delivery and concerns about long‐term health impacts of COVID‐19. The sudden disruption and de‐stabilisation of care delivery was reported as significantly impacting on initial service provision, although participants reported adapting quickly and finding new ways to deliver care. The impact of the pandemic on high risk communities and mental health support needs of clients created additional challenges, although some participants reported positive outcomes such as increased confidence of some clients to provide self‐care. There were concerns about the potential long‐term health impact on communities due to reduced levels of cancer screening, disrupted management of chronic conditions and reduced opportunistic health assessments. Findings from this study demonstrated how PHC nurses played an important role in the continued provision of PHC by adapting quickly to changed circumstances, adjusting and modifying clinical activities, and by monitoring for future potential negative outcomes from the pandemic. These findings are important for the future management of pandemics and inform the long‐term planning of PHC services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness research has tended to focus on mainstream and older populations despite evidence that non‐mainstream groups, like those experiencing homelessness, may experience loneliness differently. Limited existing research indicates that (a) people who have been homeless experience loneliness as multidimensional (as a pluralistic, non‐unidimensional emotion, experienced specific to lacked relationships) and (b) mainstream loneliness scales may be inappropriate for this group. The current study piloted and appraised the feasibility the short version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA‐S) among 129 Australian adults with a lived experience of homelessness. Exploratory Factor Analysis and an observational questionnaire appraisal were used to assess factorial and content validity and showed the measure did not fit this sample as well as in mainstream samples. Removal of items that participants found difficult to comprehend/answer improved the factorial fit of the scale. In conclusion, the SELSA‐S may be inappropriate for measuring loneliness among people who have experienced homelessness. Further research needs to explore the potentially different structure of loneliness among marginalised groups so that a better understanding of loneliness can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last decade, the provision of online gambling has intensified with increased access, enhanced betting markets, a broader product range, and prolific marketing. However, little research has explored how this intensification is influencing contemporary gambling experiences. This study focused on two research questions: 1) What changes in online gambling have online gamblers observed over the past decade? 2) How have these changes influenced the online gambling experiences and behaviours reported by treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking gamblers?Methods: Two samples of Australian adults were interviewed: 1) 19 people who had been gambling online for at least a decade and with no history of treatment-seeking for online gambling, and 2) 10 people who had recently sought professional help for an online gambling problem. Telephone interviews were semi-structured, with questions that encouraged participants to consider how their online gambling, including any harmful gambling, had been influenced by changes in operator practices and online gambling environments. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Both treatment- and non-treatment-seekers noted the increased speed and ease of online gambling, which now enables instant access from anywhere at any time and increased their gambling opportunities. Both groups highlighted the continued proliferation of advertising and inducements for online gambling, particularly during televised sports and racing events, in social media, and through targeted push marketing. Many treatment- and non-treatment-seekers were aware of the vast range of recently introduced bet types, particularly multi-bets. Treatment-seekers disproportionately reported negative effects from these changes, and described how and why they fostered their increased gambling, impulsive gambling, persistence and loss-chasing. They reported limited uptake and effectiveness of current harm minimisation tools.Conclusions: Counter to stated policy and practice objectives to minimise gambling harm, industry changes that have made online gambling easier, faster, and more heavily incentivised, and increased the array of complex bets with poorer odds, unduly affect addicted and harmed individuals - who are also the most profitable customers. Further consideration is needed to ensure gambling policy, industry practices and public health measures more effectively reduce gambling harm in contemporary settings. Inducements and the poor pricing of complex bets such as multi-bets, and their outsized attraction to players with problems, should be a key focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore and describe parental experiences related to the management of mild bilateral congenital hearing loss in children. Using qualitative methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews with parents/caregivers until saturation of themes was achieved. We analysed transcripts using inductive content analysis. Caregivers of children under 3-years-old with mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. We interviewed 12 parents. Parental perception of advice regarding hearing aid fitting was varied; almost all children were offered hearing aids. Perceived positives related to hearing aids: feeling empowered that action has been taken; improvements in the child's hearing perception and; facilitation of behavioural management. Perceived negatives of hearing aid use: difficulties with compliance resulting in parental frustration and guilt, damage/loss of equipment, discomfort, parental discord, altered quality of natural sound and potential bullying/stigma. Some parents were ambivalent about the effect of the hearing aids. Where hearing aids were offered and not fitted, there was significant ongoing uncertainty, and the family carried the burden of their decision. There was a wide variation in perceived advice regarding early hearing aid fitting in children with mild bilateral hearing loss. We identified parental perceptions of positive/negative impacts of hearing aid fitting and potential perceived harms from not fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study explored the acceptability of a workplace health promotion intervention embedded into a transition to practice (TTP) programme to assist new graduate nurses in establishing healthy dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviours from career commencement. Design: A sequential mixed methods design. Methods: The Start Healthy and Stay Healthy (SH&SH) intervention, informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel, was conducted in an Australian Local Health District. It included face‐to‐face education sessions, the use of a fitness tracker and twice‐weekly short answer messages. Participants completed three online surveys: at orientation, 6 weeks and 6 months. A sub‐sample participated in semi‐structured interviews to explore their experience of the intervention. Interview data were analysed thematically. Results: The intervention was delivered from February to December 2019. A total of 99 nurses completed the baseline survey, 62 at 6 weeks and 69 at 6 months. After 6 months, health knowledge increased as participants correctly identified recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables and PA. Fruit consumption increased at 6 months with little change to vegetable intake. Takeaway consumption decreased, but consumption of some discretionary foods increased. Across the three time points, there was a low engagement in PA during leisure time. The interviews identified three themes: (1) Support of Colleagues and Peers, (2) The Work Environment and (3) Engagement with SH&SH. Conclusion: Providing a targeted intervention for new graduate nurses embedded into a TTP programme improved their health knowledge, some dietary behaviours, and participation in PA by some participants. Impact: Ensuring a healthy nursing workforce is critical to retaining staff. Implementing a workplace health promotion intervention that targets new graduate nurses can help them adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviours to support them in their future careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Compassionate Communities Connectors programme is a volunteer-led initiative designed to enhance the social networks of families living with chronic or life-limiting illnesses. Specially trained volunteers supported existing members of the families’ social networks and also enlisted the support of community members, Caring Helpers, to address the social and practical needs of these families. The programme is an initiative of The South West Compassionate Communities Network in Western Australia, in partnership with the health service. Objective: To explore the experiences and views of Connectors implementing this model of care with a particular focus on its feasibility and acceptability from their perspective. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 11 Connectors covering their experience with 37 patients/family carers (March 2021 to April 2022). A deductive content analysis was used in analysing interview transcripts. Results: Six themes captured the Connectors’ view of their role and its impact on their clients and themselves: Mutual benefits from connection and reciprocity; It is ok to ask for and receive help; Sense of community as being ‘part of a village’; Making a difference in social connectedness; Frustrations when not achieving everything you want to; Reflecting on the difference with traditional volunteering. These themes are complemented by a social network mapping example and a vignette demonstrating the increase both in connections and interaction between these connections and the process by which such changes took place. Conclusion: Volunteering as a Connector has been a positive and feasible experience for fostering a sense of community among participants, developing relationships with other community members, seeing the difference that the Connector role makes in the lives of those involved in the enhanced network and fostering growth in Connectors’ emotional capacity and compassion. The work is challenging but rewarding and differs in several respects from traditional volunteering, particularly in the agency Connectors can bring to their role. A public health approach based on a close partnership between health services and communities/civic institutions is the optimal practice model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Australia has had significant successes in the prevention of cervical cancer. However, there is considerable scope for improving screening participation. In December 2017, Australia shifted from cytology to a human papillomavirus–based screening program as part of the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. This provided the opportunity to introduce a clinician-supported self-collection cervical screening pathway, which allows screening participants aged 30 years or more and who are under-screened or never-screened to screen via a self-collected human papillomavirus test. Objective: This study aimed to explore screening participant experiences of a clinician-supported self-collection cervical screening pathway. Methods: Interviews (n=45) were conducted with participants who had used the clinician-supported self-collection cervical screening pathway in the Australian National Cervical Screening Program between December 2017 and April 2019. Interviews were analyzed using template analysis. Results: Under-screened and never-screened participants reported a variety of interrelated barriers to cervical screening due to the nature of the test. For these participants, self-collection was a preferable way to perform screening as it overcame various barriers, was easy to use and promoted a sense of empowerment. Participants reported that the role of their practitioner was influential in their decision to undertake cervical screening, and that the support and information provided was a key factor in their experiences of the self-collection pathway. Conclusion: Findings support the use of a clinician-supported model of care, as an alternative screening modality in Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program. As more countries consider the move from a cytology to human papillomavirus–based cervical screening program, this model may assist in greater engagement of under-screened participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) men experience significant rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA); however, there is limited research into their attitudes and understandings of IPV and SA. This article presents the findings of a 2018 survey of 895 GBQ men currently residing in Australia, focused on their views and experiences of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The survey included quantitative and open-ended qualitative questions. The findings presented in this article are primarily descriptive, with cross-tabulations and t tests to demonstrate significant differences between groups and correlational statistics to outline associations between variables. Qualitative data were coded under broad themes. The study found a considerable proportion of men (three in five) identified that they had experienced an unhealthy or abusive relationship in the past, with minimal disclosure to police or health services. Men with a history of partner abuse or violence were more likely to report binge drinking or drug use and more likely to know a friend who had abused his partner. 40% of the sample had witnessed an incident of relationship violence between GBQ men, and two-thirds intervened in the violence in some way. The findings of this study underscore the need to engage GBQ men in discussions about respectful relationships, address the role of alcohol and drugs in GBQ socialization and relationships, and provide bystander skills for men to intervene in situations of aggression or violence between men in relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]