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Objective: The aims of this paper were to report on the global psychosocial functioning of 5-year-old DHH children and examine the risk and protective factors that predict outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of data collected from a prospective, population-based longitudinal study. Study sample: Parents/caregivers of 356 children completed questionnaires on psychosocial development (CDI, SDQ), functional communication (PEACH) and demographic information. Children completed standardized assessments of non-verbal cognitive ability (WNV) and language (PLS-4). Results: On average, global psychosocial functioning was within the range of typically developing children; however, variability was high and 12% of children had scores that were more than 2 SDs below the norm. Non-verbal cognitive ability, presence of additional disabilities, language and functional communication significantly predicted outcomes. In contrast, type of hearing device, severity of hearing loss and age at intervention did not. Conclusion: The global psychosocial functioning of this cohort of 5-year-old DHH children fell within the range of typically developing children. The findings suggest that spoken language ability and functional communication skills are vital for healthy psychosocial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study aimed to demonstrate how supervisors and students use their time during the three domains of nutrition and dietetic clinical placement and to what extent patient-care and non-patient activities change during placement compared with pre- and post-placement. Methods A cohort survey design was used with students from two Queensland universities, and their supervisors in 2010. Participants recorded their time use in either a paper-based or an electronic survey. Supervisors' and students' time use was calculated as independent daily means according to time-use categories reported over the length of the placement. Mean daily number of occasions of service, length of occasions of service, project activities and other time use in minutes was reported as productivity output indicators and the data imputed. A linear mixed modelling approach was used to describe the relationship between the stage of placement and time use in minutes. Results Combined students' (n = 21) and supervisors' (n = 29) time use as occasions of service or length of occasions of service in patient-care activities were significantly different pre, during and post placement. On project-based placements in food-service management and community public health nutrition, supervisors' project activity time significantly decreased during placements with students undertaking more time in project activities. Conclusions This study showed students do not reduce occasions of service in patient care, and they enhance project activities in food service and community public health nutrition while on placement. A larger study is required to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This paper describes the effects of a maternity consumer representative training program on participants' confidence to fulfil this role and engagement in representative activities. Methods. The present study was a descriptive, pre-post evaluation design with a 3-month follow-up. Fifty-eight people completed the program and 55 agreed to participate in the evaluation. Participants completed questionnaires to assess confidence to undertake consumer representative roles and reported on their engagement with consumer activities. Results. Participants' perceived confidence to function in the role of consumer representative differed significantly before and after the workshop (F(2,18) = 7.057, P < 0.001), as did confidence in decision making (F (2,16) = 7.615, P = 0.005), confidence in negotiating outcomes and liaising with key people (F(2,18) = 7.154, P = 0.005), and confidence in making use of relevant networks (F (2,18) = 4.319, P = 0.029). There was a decline in confidence at 3 months, with confidence at this time no longer significantly different from that at the time of recruitment. Engagement with consumer organisations increased by 45% compared with rates at commencement of the project. Conclusions. The program enhanced participants' confidence to fulfil a maternity consumer representative role but was not sustained. Further research is needed as to how to best support maternity consumer representatives and assess their contribution to promoting woman-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]