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Aim: To develop and test the psychometric properties of an expanded catheter self‐management scale for patients with in‐dwelling urinary catheters. Design: A cross‐sectional validation study. Despite the utility of the original 13‐item catheter self‐management scale, this instrument did not include bowel management, general hygiene and drainage bag care, which are fundamental skills in urinary catheter self‐management to prevent common problems resulting in unnecessary hospital presentations. The expanded catheter self‐management scale was developed with 10 additional items to comprehensively assess all five essential aspects of urinary catheter self‐management. Methods: A total of 101 adult community‐dwelling patients living with indwelling urinary catheters were recruited from Western Sydney, Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation, the number of factors to be extracted from the expanded 23‐item expanded catheter self‐management scale was determined using a scree plot. The reliability of the overall scale and subscales was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman's correlations between clinical characteristics, overall scale and subscales. Results: The 23‐item expanded catheter self‐management scale yielded a 5‐factor solution, labelled as: (i) self‐monitoring of catheter function, (ii) proactive, help‐seeking behaviour function, (iii) bowel self‐care function, (iv) hygiene‐related catheter site function and (v) drainage bag care function. Cronbach's alpha of the expanded catheter self‐management scale indicating all 23 items contributed to the overall alpha value. Convergent validity results showed a negative correlation between the overall expanded catheter self‐management scale and catheter‐related problems. Conclusion: The 5‐factor structure provided a comprehensive assessment of key aspects of urinary catheter self‐management essential to reduce the likelihood of catheter‐related hospital presentations. Implications: The expanded catheter self‐management scale can be used to assess and monitor effective patient‐centred interventions for optimal self‐management to prevent catheter‐related problems and improve the quality of life of patients. Impact: Many patients start their journey of living with a urinary catheter unexpectedly and are not supported with quality information to care for their catheter.The findings of this study show the correlation between catheter self‐management skills and catheter‐related problems.The expanded catheter self‐management scale (E‐CSM) assists with analysing the self‐management skills of patients living with a catheter and developing tailored interventions to prevent problems and improve their quality of life. In addition, this screening tool can be included in policies, guidelines, and care plans as a standard for improving catheter management and developing educational resources for patients. Reporting Method: STROBE checklist was used to report all aspects of this study comprehensively and accurately. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients living with indwelling urinary catheter and their carers have participated in surveys, interviews and co‐designing interventions. This paper reports the psychometric analysis of the expanded catheter self‐management scale (E‐CSM) used in the patient survey as part of the main study 'Improving Quality of Life of Patients Living with Indwelling Urinary Catheters: IQ‐IDC Study' (Alex et al. in Collegian, 29:405–413, 2021). We greatly value our consumers' contributions and continue to communicate the progress of the study to them. Their contributions will be acknowledged in all publications and presentations. In addition, all participants will be provided the option of receiving the interventions and publications generated from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An innovative approach by two Queensland health services was taken to establish a shared maternity services' research agenda by partnering with consumers and clinicians. The objective was to set the top five research priorities to ensure that the future direction of maternity research was relevant to end-user and organisational needs. Methods: A modified James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology was applied between August 2022 and February 2023 across two south-east Queensland Health Services which included five participating maternity units and involved partnership with consumers, healthcare professionals and clinician researchers. The reporting guideline for priority setting of health research (REPRISE) was followed. Results: There were 192 respondents to the initial harvesting survey, generating 461 research suggestions. These were aggregated into 122 unique questions and further summarised into a list of 44 research questions. The 157 eligible interim prioritisation survey respondents short-listed 27 questions ready for ranking at a final consensus workshop. The top five question themes were: (1) maternity care experience, engagement and outcomes of priority populations; (2) increasing spontaneous vaginal birth; (3) experiences and perceptions of woman/person-centred care; (4) best practice care during the 'fourth' trimester; and (5) antibiotic use during labour and birth. Conclusion: Applying an adapted JLA framework can successfully shape and establish a research agenda within Australian health services, through partnership with consumers and practicing clinicians. This is a transparent process that strengthens the legitimacy and credibility of research agendas, and it can form a replicable framework for other settings. What is known about the topic? Establishment of research agendas often neglects the participation of research end-users, consumers and practising clinicians, consequently limiting relevance and translation. What does this paper add? Prioritised specific maternity research questions were jointly generated by consumers and front-line clinicians to highlight areas of focus for research funding and support. What are the implications for practitioners? By partnering with consumers and practising clinicians health service research priorities can be established to optimise patient outcomes and ensure future research is both translational and relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Recovery in mental health emphasises the empowerment of clients to discover and develop hope and a more satisfying life often in the presence of ongoing symptoms of mental illness. Work values that are incompatible with values that underpin the recovery philosophy may be contributing to the challenges in implementing recovery values in practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the types of work values espoused by Australian mental health workers and their degree of congruence with recovery values.Design/methodology/approach In total, 65 Australian mental health workers completed an open-ended work values question. Leximancer content analysis was used to generate a thematic work values profile followed by a theory-led thematic analysis of the responses to assess congruence with recovery values.Findings This sample valued client-centred practice that supports recovery, making a difference in others’ lives, work competence, being caring and empathic, and meaningful work. Overall, there was substantial congruence between work and recovery values, with less evidence of endorsement of values relating to strengths-based approaches, personal responsibility, and positive self-identity. These values should be targeted in future training initiatives.Originality/value The current study is the first study to identify the types of work values espoused by Australian mental health workers and to examine the degree to which they are recovery-consistent. This is an important research agenda given the high national and international priority to adopt a recovery orientation, and the need to identify and modify potential barriers to the implementation of recovery-oriented services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Chinese medicine is a complex domain of theoretical and practical approaches that is being increasingly put under the research spotlight. The "Chinese Medicine in Australia"research project attempted to capture the clinical features of practitioners of Chinese medicine. Participants and Interventions: The project involved a national survey of Chinese medicine professional association members and registered practitioners in the state of Victoria, Australia (n = 655; response rate, 42%-55%) completed in 2012-2013. Design: The content and face validated survey was developed using new and previous workforce survey questions. Results: This paper reports on the workforce and practice characteristics of the survey respondents. Chinese medicine practitioners are highly educated, come from diverse backgrounds, and have chosen to practice predominantly in sole or multipractitioner private practice settings. An interest in the philosophy of Chinese medicine and previous experiences contributed to practitioners' decisions to study and practice Chinese medicine. Incorporating a variety of techniques, practitioners describe themselves as practicing predominantly Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine. Conclusions: The results from this survey contribute to the understanding of the nature and description of Chinese medicine practice in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eliciting clinicians' views about antipsychotic medication side-effects may assist in understanding strategies that could enhance the identification and management of these side-effects. The present paper details the development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire that captures clinicians' perceptions about these issues. An initial item set was derived from a literature review, and then refined by an expert content validity panel that assessed the relevance of the items. The online questionnaire was distributed to Australian mental health nurses and 140 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Principal components analysis yielded two robust scales that conceptually tapped 'system responsibility' and 'personal confidence'. These scales may be used to advance knowledge about how mental health nurses' attitudes towards the assessment and management of antipsychotic medication side-effects influences their clinical behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is consensus in the partner abuse prevention education literature that a skills-focus is needed. However, appropriate instruments for evaluating the effectiveness of skills-focused programs do not exist. Against this background, and based on the dyadic slippery slope model of partner abuse, the Tendency to Resist or End Abusive Dynamics (TREAD) scale was developed. TREAD is defined as one's tendency to respond assertively or protectively in situations involving warning-sign (potentially hurtful or controlling) behaviors by a partner. The scale's development drew on the input of three Australian samples: mixed-gender adolescent focus groups, 426 young female respondents to an online survey, and 152 adolescent girls participating in a school-based program trial. When tested with the 152 adolescent girls, the TREAD scale had acceptable internal consistency and high inter-rater reliability. Principal components analysis identified three interrelated TREAD subscales (i.e., Conflict-Retaliation TREAD, Denigration TREAD, and Dominance-Possessiveness TREAD) all of which were negatively associated with frequency of exposure to warning-sign behaviors. This paper charts the preliminary development of the TREAD scale, presenting evidence supporting its validity as a change-target for partner abuse prevention education with adolescent girls and, potentially, boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

scott k., white k., johnson c. & roydhouse j.k. (2011) Knowledge and skills of cancer clinical trials nurses in Australia. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(5), 1111-1121. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of the development and testing of a questionnaire measuring knowledge and skills of cancer clinical trials nurse in Australia. Background. The role of cancer clinical trials nurse, widely acknowledged as an integral member of the clinical research team, has evolved in recent years. Elements of the clinical trials nurse role in cancer have previously been described. To evaluate specific cancer clinical trials nurse educational and training needs, the development of a valid and reliable tool is required. Methods. In 2009, a study was conducted in three stages. Stage I: questionnaire development and pilot testing; stage II: focus group; stage III: national survey. Internal consistency reliability testing and multi-trait analysis of item convergent/divergent validity were employed. Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of clinical trials nurse knowledge and skills. Results. The national survey was a 48-item questionnaire, measuring six clinical trial knowledge and seven skills sub-scales. Of 61 respondents, 90% were women, with mean age 43 years, 19 years as a Registered Nurse and 5 years as a cancer clinical trials nurse. Self-reported knowledge and skills were satisfactory to good. Internal consistency reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha: knowledge = 0·98; skills = 0·90). Criteria for item convergent/divergent validity were met. Number of years as cancer clinical trials nurse was positively related to self-reported knowledge and skills. Conclusion. Preliminary data suggest that the national survey is reliable and valid. Data have contributed to better understanding the knowledge and skills of cancer clinical trials nurse in Australia and development of a postgraduate course in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organisational, physical and social environment within residential aged care settings greatly influence its residents' sense of autonomy, choice and control and their ability to engage in meaningful occupations. Identifying to what extent these environmental contexts are supportive and well‐coordinated could assist with promoting meaningful engagement of residents. The Residential Environment Impact Scale (REIS) was developed to measure the impact of the physical and social environment on residents. This study examined the benefits and barriers to implementing the REIS in four Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and factors to consider during implementation. Method: A multisite sequential mixed‐methods study was conducted. Research participants included occupational therapists conducting the REIS and leadership staff examining the REIS reports in four facilities. Data consisted of formal observations of the REIS assessment process, an online survey of all participants and two research consensus groups. Qualitative findings were generated from field notes, open‐ended survey questions and group discussions. Close‐ended survey questions provided quantitative data. Findings The REIS was considered a useful audit tool, generating a holistic overview of the RACF. It highlighted the quality of person‐centred care and the potential role of occupational therapists to promote opportunities for meaningful occupational engagement. Barriers included administration time, personal characteristics of residents and limited resources to action recommendations. Conclusion: The REIS has potential to be an audit tool for a whole‐environment approach to facility assessment of residents' sense of autonomy, occupational choice and meaningful engagement. As such, it provides occupational therapists with scope to support RACFs meeting national quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use has been shown to interact in complex ways with the occurrence and prevalence of family and domestic violence (FDV), with illicit drug use being associated with an increased risk for FDV. The current study aims to extend upon the literature by investigating the role of illicit drugs in intimate partner violence (IPV), family violence (FV), and other violence (violence between people other than partners or family) within a representative Australian sample (n = 5,118). Participants were recruited through an online survey panel and completed an online self-report survey assessing the role of alcohol and other drugs on violence, with a specific focus on FDV. Binary logistic regression showed that respondents who reported having used any illicit drug in the past 12 months (with or without alcohol use) had over three times the odds of experiencing any violence in the past 12 months (OR = 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [2.25, 4.48]) compared with those not using illicit drugs. Furthermore, drug involvement in FDV (IPV or FV) was significantly more likely than other violent incident types (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = [1.25, 2.19]). For the most recent FDV incident, age group was the only significant demographic predictor of drug involvement at this incident; younger age groups were over twice as likely to report drug involvement than those over 65 years of age. Drug involvement at the most recent FDV incident was also associated with over twice the odds of injury (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = [1.67, 3.38]) and significantly greater negative life impact. The findings that drug use increases both the risk for and impact of FDV indicate the need for policy that advocates for interventions addressing both drug use and violence in combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare the acceptability, reliability and validity of five contemporary diabetes‐specific quality of life (QoL) scales among adults with type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom and Australia. Methods: Adults with type 1 diabetes (UK = 1139, Australia = 439) completed a cross‐sectional, online survey including ADDQoL‐19, DCP, DIDP, DSQOLS and Diabetes QoL‐Q, presented in randomised order. After completing each scale, participants rated it for clarity, relevance, ease of completion, length and comprehensiveness. We examined scale acceptability (scale completion and user ratings), response patterns, structure (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) and validity (convergent, concurrent, divergent and known groups). To assess cross‐country reproducibility, analyses conducted on the UK dataset were replicated in the Australian dataset. Results: Findings were largely consistent between countries. All scales were acceptable to participants: ≥90% completing all items, and ≥80% positive user ratings, except for DSQOLS' length. Scale structure was not supported for the DCP. Overall, in terms of acceptability and psychometric evaluation, the DIDP was the strongest performing scale while the ADDQoL‐19 and Diabetes QoL‐Q scales also performed well. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the recently developed brief (7 items), neutrally worded DIDP scale is acceptable to adults with type 1 diabetes and has the strongest psychometric performance. However, questionnaire selection should always be considered in the context of the research aims, study design and population, as well as the wider published evidence regarding both the development and responsiveness of the scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study tools examining psychological distress, fear of COVID‐19 and coping amongst migrants and non‐migrants in Australia are very limited. The aim of this research was to assess the psychometric properties and correlation of the English version of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K‐10), Fear of COVID‐19 Scale (FCSV‐19S), and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) tools during the COVID‐19 pandemic situation in Australia. Data from a cross‐sectional survey (n = 516) were utilized to examine reliability; 299 (57.9%) were migrants. High internal consistency, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha, was found for the K‐10 (0.92), FCV‐19S (0.87) and BRCS (0.66) tools. The corresponding values for migrants and non‐migrants were (0.92, 0.87, 0.67) and (0.92, 0.86, 0.63), respectively. Item‐total correlations ranged 0.57‐0.78 for K‐10, 0.62–0.69 for FCV‐19S, and 0.39–0.50 for BRCS tools. EFA retained a single factor for each tool with adequate factor loadings. The scoring of K‐10 was significantly predicted by the scoring of FCV‐19S (r = 0.284, P < 0.001) and BRCS tool (r = 0.132, P < 0.01). Therefore, these tools can be used reliably amongst both migrant and non‐migrant population in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity characteristics such as culture, sexual orientation, and social situation potentially impact the participation of older individuals in healthcare. An awareness of diversity characteristics and their potential to impact on older people's access to health and aged care by professionals through training is important. This paper outlines the development and initial validation of a survey using adapted Delphi methodology and distribution to 195 health and aged care professionals pre- and post-diversity training. An initial pool of 31 items were developed with an expert reference group and reduced to 21 through exploratory factor analysis. A two-factor solution was extracted, measuring skills and attitudes of professionals relative to providing services to older people with diverse characteristics. Internal consistency of the items yielded a Cronbach alpha of 0.78. T-tests conducted on the pre- and post-survey data showed significantly higher scores on the domains of skills and attitudes following the training. Knowledge was not effectively captured using this method, with true-false or free-recall questions being a more appropriate approach. This tool fills a gap in the evaluation literature, providing an important first step to assess outcomes of diversity training in community aged care. Further validation is necessary for the tool to be used more widely in the sector. • Understanding older peoples' diversity characteristics and their impact on access to care through training is critical. • An evaluation tool has been developed and validation initiated through adapted Delphi methodology and completion of surveys. • Exploratory factor analysis showed effective measurement of skills and attitudes of health and aged care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The current study aimed to assess the suitability of the Work Organisation Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) for use in the healthcare sector, specifically for community nurses and paramedics. Community nurses and paramedics work in complex environments and are exposed to a range of psychosocial hazards linked with the development of musculoskeletal and mental health disorders. To reduce the incidence of these disorders, assessment and then control of psychosocial hazards is required. WOAQ addresses this need through an employee survey to identify key hazards, with the responses used to underpin a participative development of solutions. Method: Using a bifactor model, the WOAQ and five nested factors were cross validated using a sample of 1255 community nurses and paramedics using data collected in 2011 and 2012. Results: The results of metric invariance testing demonstrated that the WOAQ is a valid tool across health organizations. Full invariance testing at mean constructs level also showed strong support of validity of the 'general score' of the WOAQ. However, minor mean differences were found between two nested factors (workload issues and the relationships with the coworkers). Conclusion: The WOAQ is a valid assessment tool for application within the nursing and paramedic settings. Practical implications for these findings in healthcare settings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the factor structure of a clinical tool for the assessment of hearing loss self-management, and to identify predictors of the total score on the assessment and the extracted factor scores. Materials and methods: Hearing loss self-management assessments were conducted with 62 older adults. The factor structure of the assessment was determined by exploratory factor analysis. Multiple linear regression analyses identified significant contributors to the total score and to each of the extracted factors. Results: Three factors were identified, each representing a distinct domain of hearing loss self-management: Actions, Psychosocial Behaviours, and Knowledge. The most common significant predictor was hearing health care experience, which predicted self-management overall and in the Actions and Knowledge domains. Health literacy predicted hearing loss self-management overall and in the Psychosocial Behaviours domain. Actions were additionally predicted by hearing aid self-efficacy and gender, Psychosocial Behaviours by health locus of control, and Knowledge by age. Conclusions: The results of the factor analysis suggested that hearing loss self-management is a multidimensional construct. Each domain of hearing loss self-management was influenced by different contextual factors. Subsequent interventions to improve hearing loss self-management should therefore be domain-specific and tailored to relevant contextual factors. Hearing loss is a chronic health condition that requires on-going self-management of its effects on everyday life. Hearing loss self-management is multidimensional and encompasses the domains of Actions, Psychosocial Behaviours, and Knowledge. Different contextual factors influence each hearing loss self-management domain, including previous experience receiving hearing health care services, health literacy, hearing aid self-efficacy, health locus of control, age, and gender. Audiological rehabilitation programs should thus ensure that interventions to improve hearing loss self-management are domain- and context-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University years are a period of increased morbidity and mortality, associated with negative health behaviours and corresponding poor mental health (MH) status amongst students. With this said, the aim of this research was to determine the level of influence a number of predictive factors have on Australia's university students' MH status. A cross-sectional study design, consisting of an online survey was implemented. Psychometric measurement components were based on adopting Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model approach to collecting descriptive statistics. This approach was concerned with investigating patterns of association between three predictive factors [social emotional wellbeing (SEWB), physical activity (PA) levels and sporting club (SC) involvement], against four domains (personal, university, home and community). This study identified that 25% (n =  571) of participants (n =  2326) indicated that they have been diagnosed with a MH disorder. Specifically, gender, age, negative health behaviours, lower levels of PA and SC involvement and poor SEWB, were found to be significantly and positively associated (p <  0.05 *, p <  0.01 **) with a MH diagnosis. Importantly, findings from this study indicate that there are significant (positive/negative) associations between the identified predictive factors and participants' MH status. Findings from this study will go towards informing current and future Student Health Service policies, practices and infrastructure allocation that address MH status amongst university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of parent-child interactions and family relationships has a powerful influence on children's development and well-being. The International Parenting Survey (IPS) is a brief, web-based survey developed to provide a cross-national, community-level, population snapshot of the experiences of parents related to raising children. The IPS was developed as a planning tool to assist policy makers and community agencies plan, implement, and evaluate parenting programs and as a tracking tool to evaluate parenting support programs in different countries. We report the preliminary psychometric properties of the IPS on various domains of measurement in an international sample of over 9,000 parents. Moderate to high reliabilities were obtained for all domains of measurement. High internal consistency reliabilities (α = .88-.97) were obtained for the domains of children's behavior and emotional maladjustment, for parental self-efficacy, parental distress and parental beliefs. Moderate levels of reliabilities (α = .52-.83) were obtained for domains of parental consistency, coercive parenting, positive encouragements, and parent-child relationships. Overall, the measure appears to have satisfactory reliability justifying further psychometric validation studies in population level studies of parenting. Examples of uses of the IPS are described and directions for future research and policy explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seclusion and restraint continue to be used across psychiatric inpatient and emergency settings, despite calls for elimination and demonstrated efficacy of reduction initiatives. This study investigated nurses' perceptions regarding reducing and eliminating the use of these containment methods with psychiatric consumers. Nurses (n = 512) across Australia completed an online survey examining their views on the possibility of elimination of seclusion, physical restraint, and mechanical restraint as well as perceptions of these practices and factors influencing their use. Nurses reported working in units where physical restraint, seclusion, and, to a lesser extent, mechanical restraint were used. These were viewed as necessary last resort methods to maintain staff and consumer safety, and nurses tended to disagree that containment methods could be eliminated from practice. Seclusion was considered significantly more favourably than mechanical restraint with the elimination of mechanical restraint seen as more of a possibility than seclusion or physical restraint. Respondents accepted that use of these methods was deleterious to relationships with consumers. They also felt that containment use was a function of a lack of resources. Factors perceived to reduce the likelihood of seclusion/restraint included empathy and rapport between staff and consumers and utilizing trauma‐informed care principles. Nurses were faced with threatening situations and felt only moderately safe at work, but believed they were able to use their clinical skills to maintain safety. The study suggests that initiatives at multiple levels are needed to help nurses to maintain safety and move towards realizing directives to reduce and, where possible, eliminate restraint use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the reproducibility, longitudinal validity, and interpretability of the disease burden morbidity assessment in people with chronic conditions including multimorbidity. Methods The study was conducted using a longitudinal cohort design. A large consecutive sample of adult patients at an Australian community-based rehabilitation service was included with testing at baseline and three-month follow-up (testing longitudinal validity and interpretability). A smaller subsample of patients completed a one-week test–retest (testing reproducibility). Outcome measures included the Disease Burden Morbidity Assessment and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Participants in the study received tailored, interdisciplinary intervention between baseline, and three-month follow-up but did not typically receive intervention between baseline and retest. Results The longitudinal validity and interpretability sample included 351 participants and the reproducibility sample included 56 participants. Longitudinal validity and interpretability were generally supported with hypotheses supported or partly supported and a small percentage of lowest total scores for impact on daily activities (0.6% at baseline, 1.3% at three-month follow-up). Reproducibility parameters were acceptable for the total score measuring impact on daily activities (e.g. ICC = 0.76). Discussion Reproducibility, longitudinal validity, and interpretability of the disease burden morbidity assessment were generally supported for community-based chronic disease patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Children may have a foundational role in efforts to raise community awareness about dementia. There is some qualitative work with children with a relative with dementia, but little work into the insights of children as general citizens without affected family. One issue is an absence of measurement tools; thus the study aimed to design and pilot a psychometrically sound self-report measure of dementia attitudes for children. Method: Using a multi-staged scale development process, stakeholder and expert input informed a 52-item Kids Insight into Dementia Survey (KIDS). After a pretest of KIDS with 21 Australian schoolchildren aged 10-12 years, exploratory factor analysis and reliability and validity testing were run on a revised KIDS with data from 203 similar-aged schoolchildren. Results: The KIDS was reduced from 52 to 14 items, and a three-factor solution identified: ‘Personhood,’ ‘Stigma,’ and ‘Dementia Understanding.’ A strong positive correlation with an adult measure of dementia attitudes (r =.76) and a moderate positive correlation with a child measure of attitudes towards older adults (r =.47) indicated good concurrent validity. Internal consistency of.83 indicated good reliability. Conclusion: Results support the use of KIDS as a tool to measure children's insight into dementia, and to evaluate dementia education initiatives targeting the youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore Registered Nurses' attitudes and behaviour towards patients' use of complementary therapies. Background: Despite high rates of use of complementary therapies by the general population, little is known of how nurses respond to patients' use of these therapies. Design: A two-phase sequential exploratory mixed methods design. Methods: Nineteen Registered Nurses working in Australia participated in a semi-structured interview in 2015-2016 and emerging themes informed the development of a quantitative survey instrument administered online nationwide in 2016. Findings: Emerging key themes "Promoting safe care"; "Seeking complementary therapies knowledge";" Supporting holistic health care"; and "Integrating complementary therapies in practice" were reflected in survey results. Survey responses (N = 614) revealed >90% agreement that complementary therapies align with a holistic view of health and that patients have the right to use them. Most nurses (77.5%) discussed complementary therapies with patients and 91.8% believed nurses should have some understanding of the area. One-third did not recommend complementary therapies and there was a lack of overall consensus as to whether these therapies should be integrated into nursing practice. Nurses with training in complementary therapies held more positive views than those without. Conclusion: Nurses were generally supportive of patients' interest in complementary therapies, although their primary concern was safety of the patient. Despite broad acceptance that nurses should have a basic understanding of complementary therapies, there was a lack of consensus about recommendation, integration into nursing practice and referral. Further research should explore how nurses can maintain safe, patient-centred care in the evolving pluralistic healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objective: To explore the accuracy with which nursing students can identify the fundamentals of care. Background: A challenge facing nursing is ensuring the fundamentals of care are provided with compassion and in a timely manner. How students perceive the importance of the fundamentals of care may be influenced by the content and delivery of their nursing curriculum. As the fundamentals of care play a vital role in ensuring patient safety and quality care, it is important to examine how nursing students identify these care needs. Design: Cross‐sectional descriptive design. Methods: A total of 398 nursing students (pre‐ and postregistration) from universities in Sweden, England, Japan, Canada and Australia participated. The Fundamentals of Care Framework guided this study. A questionnaire containing three care scenarios was developed and validated. Study participants identified the fundamentals of care for each of the scenarios. All responses were rated and analysed using ANOVA. Results: The data illustrate certain fundamentals of care were identified more frequently, including communication and education; comfort and elimination, whilst respecting choice, privacy and dignity were less frequently identified. The ability to identify all the correct care needs was low overall across the pre‐ and postregistration nursing programmes in the five universities. Significant differences in the number of correctly identified care needs between some of the groups were identified. Conclusions: Nursing students are not correctly identifying all a patient's fundamental care needs when presented with different care scenarios. Students more frequently identifying physical care needs and less frequently psychosocial and relational needs. The findings suggest educators may need to emphasise and integrate all three dimensions. Relevance to clinical practice: To promote students' ability to identify the integrated nature of the fundamentals of care, practising clinicians and nurse educators need to role model and incorporate all the fundamental care needs for their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish mental health and suicide research priorities for people from immigrant and refugee background in Australia. This article focuses on the data relevant to the development of the suicide research agenda. This study was conducted using Delphi consensus method with two rounds of online questionnaires. A total of 138 and 86 participants, respectively, completed the first and second rounds of survey. Participants were policy makers, service providers, academics, service users, and carer advocates in Australia with expertise in mental health and/or suicide among people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Of the total 268 research questions included in the questionnaires, 70 questions about suicide were ranked as essential by over 50% respondents (i.e., the set level of consensus). In particular, research questions regarded as the greatest priority related to access and engagement with suicide prevention services, suicide protective and risk factors compared to populations not from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, and culturally appropriate assessment of suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing students have reported bioscience to be challenging and difficult to understand. This might have a negative impact upon their ability to understand patients' clinical conditions and nursing practice. We sought information about students' experiences with bioscience. A total of 126 final year nursing students completed a questionnaire. The findings showed that the majority of participants considered bioscience subjects to require more work compared to nursing subjects (65.9%), and that they would like a better understanding of bioscience (73.8%), but understood that bioscience forms the foundation of nursing practice (76.2%). Younger participants without secondary school science rated bioscience harder than nursing subjects and spent more time studying bioscience compared to older participants. Participants without any secondary school science lacked an ability to apply bioscience concepts to patient conditions. These results showed that nursing students, especially those without secondary school science, would benefit from improved bioscience integration with nursing practice. Nursing and bioscience educators should consider greater alignment of bioscience with nursing practice subjects, especially earlier in the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Interpersonal Psychological Theory of suicide proposes that the interaction between Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Acquired Capability for Suicide (ACS) predicts proximal risk of death by suicide. Instruments to assess all three constructs are available. However, research on the validity of one of them, the acquired capability for suicide scale (ACSS), has been limited, especially in terms of its clinical relevance. This study aimed to explore the utility of the different versions of the ACSS in clinical assessment. Three versions of the scale were investigated, the full 20-item version, a 7-item version and a single item version representing self-perceived capability for suicide. In a sample of patients recruited from a clinic specialising in the treatment of suicidality and in a community sample, all versions of the ACSS were found to show reasonable levels of reliability and to correlate as expected with reports of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and attempted suicide. The item assessing self-perceived acquired capacity for suicide showed highest correlations with all levels of suicidal behaviour. However, no version of the ACSS on its own showed a capacity to indicate suicide attempts in the combined sample. It is concluded that the versions of the scale have construct validity, but their clinical utility is limited. An assessment using a single item on self-perceived ACS outperforms the full and shortened versions of ACSS in clinical settings and can be recommended with caution for clinicians interested in assessing this characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background/objectives: Limited dietary intake tools have been validated specifically for hyperlipidaemic adults. The Australian Eating Survey (AES) Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was adapted to include foods with cardio-protective properties (CVD-AES). The aims were to estimate dietary fatty acid (FA) intakes derived from the CVD-AES and AES and compare them with red blood cell (RBC) membrane FA content.Subjects/methods: Dietary intake was measured using the semi-quantitative 120-item AES and 177-item CVD-AES. Nutrient intakes were calculated using AUSNUT 2011-2013. Fasting RBC membrane FAs were assessed using gas chromatography. Extent of agreement between intakes estimated by AES or CVD-AES and RBC membrane composition (% of total FAs) for linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients, adjusted linear regressions and Kappa statistics.Results: Data from 39 participants (72% female, 59.3±11.1 years) indicate stronger positive correlations between RBC membrane FAs and CVD-AES dietary estimates compared with the AES. Significant (P<0.05) moderate-strong correlations were found between CVD-AES FAs and FA proportions in RBC membranes for EPA (r=0.62), DHA (r=0.53) and DPA (r=0.42), with a moderate correlation for LA (r=0.39) and no correlation with ALA. Significant moderate correlations were found with the AES for DHA (r=0.39), but not for LA, ALA, EPA or DPA.Conclusions: The CVD-AES provides a more accurate estimate of long chain FA intakes in hyperlipidaemic adults, compared with AES estimates. This indicates that a CVD-specific FFQ should be used when evaluating FA intakes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents caring for a child affected by a rare disease have unmet needs, the origins of which are complex and varied. Our aim was to determine the supportive care needs of parents caring for a child with a rare disease. Methods: An online survey was developed consisting of 45 questions (108 items) and separated into six domains. The survey included questions about perceived level of satisfaction with receiving care, experiences and needs of providing daily care, the impacts of disease on relationships, the emotional and psychological burdens of disease, and parents overall satisfaction with the support received. Results: Three-hundred and one parents from Australia and New Zealand completed the survey; 91 % (n = 275/ 301) were mothers, with 132 distinct rare diseases being reported. Fifty-four percent (n = 140/259) of parents were dissatisfied with health professionals' level of knowledge and awareness of disease; 71 % (n = 130/183) of parents felt they received less support compared to other parents. Information regarding present (60 %, n = 146/240) and future services (72 %, n = 174/240) available for their child were considered important. Almost half of parents (45 %, n = 106/236) struggled financially, 38 % (n = 99/236) reduced their working hours and 34 % (n = 79/236) ceased paid employment. Forty-two percent (n = 99/223) of parents had no access to a disease specific support group, and 58 % (n = 134/230) stated that their number of friends had reduced since the birth of their child; 75 % (n = 173/230) had no contact with other parents with a child with a similar disease, and 46 % (n = 106/230) reported feeling socially isolated and desperately lonely. Most frequent emotions expressed by parents in the week prior to completing the survey were anxiety and fear (53 %, n = 119/223), anger and frustration (46 %, n = 103/223) and uncertainty (39 %, n = 88/223). Conclusion: This study is the first to develop an online survey specifically for use with parents to investigate their supportive care needs across a large and diverse group of rare diseases. The findings highlight that parents with a child with a rare disease have common unmet needs regardless of what disease their child has. Such information may allow health providers to improve child outcomes through improving parental supportive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate psychology students have been largely excluded from interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives. In contrast to many health professions, undergraduate psychology students do not engage in work placements as part of their degree, and many enter careers outside the health care context. However, the collaborative skills gained through an IPE experience may well be beneficial to students who work in this wider context. This research examines whether undergraduate psychology students' views of IPE vary according to their planned career directions, and if so, whether the perceived relevance of IPE mediates the relationships. A sample of 188 Australian university undergraduate psychology students completed an online questionnaire following completion of a first-year IPE health sciences program. Path analysis indicated that psychology students' attitudes towards IPE are associated with both professional identification and practitioner orientation, fully mediated through the perceived relevance of IPE to future career and study plans. Stronger professional identification and practitioner orientation were associated with greater perceived relevance and more positive and less negative attitudes towards IPE. Placing a stronger emphasis on the generalizability of IP skills taught may increase students' awareness of the relevance outside of the health context, reducing disengagement of students planning alternative careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim Loss of body sensations is common after stroke, impacting negatively on recovery and performance of activities of daily living. Despite advances in the evidence for the assessment and treatment of somatosensory impairment post-stroke, the translation from research into clinical practice has been slow. The aim of this study was to determine current clinical practice of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the assessment and treatment of somatosensory impairment post-stroke. Methods A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey of occupational therapists and physiotherapists currently working with stroke clients in Australian health organisations, identified through an audit of stroke rehabilitation services and a professional member association. Results 172 clinicians, 62.8% occupational therapists and 37.2% physiotherapists currently working with stroke clients completed the survey. Most respondents (93.0%) indicated routinely assessing for sensory loss in stroke clients. The most commonly used measures were light touch and proprioception, with the majority (70.4%) not using standardised measures. Most respondents (97.7%) reported providing treatment to address sensory impairment, with compensatory strategies and sensory re-education the two most frequently reported. Evidence-based treatment choices were not common and therapists frequently relied on colleagues' opinions and previous experience to inform practice. Therapists commonly experienced barriers to implementing evidence-based sensory rehabilitation, including time constraints, large caseloads and lack of access to evidence-based somatosensory assessment and treatment resources. Conclusions Most therapists perceived somatosensory assessment and treatment as important. However, frequently utilised methods lack a sound theoretical or empirical basis. Despite published evidence regarding somatosensory assessment and treatment, an evidence-practice gap exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To explore the complex relationships between nurses' personal resources, job satisfaction and 'customer' (patient) orientation. Background Previous research has shown that nursing is highly intensive, emotionally charged work, which affects nurses' job performance and their customer orientation as well as patient or 'customer' satisfaction. This study contributes to the literature by examining how nurses' personal resources relate to their personal satisfaction and customer orientation and the relationships between them. Specifically, this study explores the effects of two facets of emotional labour (deep acting and surface acting), empathic concern, self-efficacy and emotional exhaustion on personal job satisfaction and customer orientation. We also test the moderating effects of inauthenticity and emotional contagion. Design A quantitative survey. Method Data were collected through a self-completion questionnaire administered to a sample of 159 Australian nurses, in a public teaching hospital, in 2010. The data were analysed using Partial Least Square analysis. Results Partial Least Square analysis indicates that the final model is a good fit to the data (Goodness of Fit = 0·51). Deep acting and surface acting have different effects (positive and negative) on job satisfaction and 'customer' orientation, self-efficacy has a positive effect on both and emotional exhaustion has a positive effect on customer orientation and a negative effect on job satisfaction. The moderating effects of emotional contagion and empathic concern, in the final model, are discussed. Conclusions Understanding the complex interactions between personal resources, job satisfaction and customer orientation helps to increase service providers' (nurses in this study) personal satisfaction and 'customer' orientation particularly in difficult contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To report a study in Australian operating theatres of compliance by the anaesthetic team with best peripheral arterial catheter practice for blood gas sampling and infection prevention. Comparisons are made with research recommendations and Centres for Disease Control Guidelines. Background There is wide global usage of peripheral arterial catheters in the operating theatre for haemodynamic monitoring and blood gas analysis. Frequent blood sampling from arterial catheters can lead to statistically significant blood loss and provide an infective potential. Evidence-based research and clinical guidelines prescribe best practice. Design Cross-sectional descriptive survey Methods Data were collected in 2009 from 64 major Australian hospitals using a self-designed internet survey. Results/Findings Hand hygiene prior to catheter insertion was the only infection prevention practice entirely adherent with guidelines. The recommended ratio of discard to dead space volume of 2:1 to decrease unnecessary blood loss during blood gas sampling was reported by only 11 (17%) respondents. Less than 32 (50%) respondents used the preferred solution, chlorhexidine to disinfect the insertion site. Access ports were reported as 'never disinfected' before use by 30 (47%) respondents. Conclusion The complex operating theatre environment presents barriers, which contribute to non-adherence with guidelines. These barriers need to be identified to plan strategies for improvement. A quality audit tool is proposed for development by nurses in collaboration with the anaesthetic team, providing a needed method to assess ongoing compliance with best peripheral arterial catheter care. Further international research would test the generalizability of our Australian findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/background: Occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) curricula content and preparedness for work-related practice and occupational health and safety (OHS) are not well documented. This study aimed to identify content and other elements of entry-level curricula in 23 OT and 17 PT programmes from Australia and New Zealand, and to identify educators' perceptions of OT and PT graduates' preparedness for work-related practice and OHS topics. Method: A telephone survey collected curricula content as well as teaching and assessment methods from 19 OT and PT work-related practice educators. Educators reported perceptions of new graduate preparedness for 22 topics in the field of work-related practice identified in an earlier study. Results included descriptive statistics and thematic analyses. Findings: Educators reported a high rate of inclusion (81%) of work-related practice topics in curricula. The main teaching method was theory (99.5%) and other methods included hands-on practical work with students and fieldwork with clients. Educators reported similar assessment processes across programmes. New graduates were prepared for practice with minimal supervision in the majority of topics (81%). Conclusions: Work-related practice content was included strongly and consistently in OT and PT entry-level curricula. However, as the majority of content was embedded in other courses, topics may not have been explicit and identifiable to students. New graduates were perceived to be prepared for practice with minimal supervision. This finding will assist employers to understand new graduates' preparedness for practice and needs for further development. Preparedness for practice in this field was similar to expectations of preparedness for other practice areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lodewijckx c., sermeus w., panella m., deneckere s., leigheb f., troosters t., boto p.a., mendes r.v., decramer m. & vanhaecht k. (2012) Quality indicators for in-hospital management of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results of an international Delphi study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(2), 348-362. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06013.x Abstract Aim. To report a Delphi study that was conducted to select process and outcome indicators that are relevant to study quality of care and impact of care pathways for patients hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Background. Management of patients hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is suboptimal and outcomes are poor. To evaluate the impact of care pathways properly, relevant indicators need to be selected. Design. Delphi study. Methods. The study was conducted over 4 months in 2008, with 35 experts out of 15 countries, including 19 medical doctors, 8 nurses and 8 physiotherapists. Participants were asked to rate, for 72 process and 21 outcome indicators, the relevance for follow-up in care pathways for in-hospital management of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Consensus (agreement by at least 75% of the participants) that an indicator is relevant for follow-up was sought in two rounds. Results. Consensus was reached for 26 of 72 process indicators (36·1%) and 10 of 21 outcome indicators (47·6%). Highest consensus levels were found for the process indicators regarding oxygen therapy (100%), pulmonary rehabilitation (100%) and patient education (94·5-88·6%) and for the outcome indicators concerning understanding of therapy (91·4-85·7%) and self-management (88·6-88·2%). Conclusion. The selected indicators appear to be sensitive for improvement. Therefore, researchers and clinicians that want to study and improve the care for patients hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should primarily focus on these indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine current national urinary incontinence management practices in Australian acute stroke units and their concordance with the National Stroke Foundation guidelines. Background. Urinary incontinence is a common consequence after stroke and a statistically significant indicator of poor outcome, including disability and admission to institutional care. The National Stroke Foundation has produced guidelines for the acute and post-acute phase of care, offering Australian nurses evidence-based recommendations regarding stroke management including the management of urinary incontinence. Method. In 2007-2008, dedicated acute stroke units in Australia were identified and a senior nurse from each unit was invited to participate in a 10-minute telephone survey to ascertain their current urinary continence management practices. Results. Representatives from 41 acute stroke units participated in the survey (response rate 98%). Participants from less than half of the units reported that they had a formal plan for urinary incontinence management (n = 19, 46%), and the majority of those who did not would find a formal plan useful (n = 15, 79%). Two-thirds of respondents stated that they would manage urinary incontinence with indwelling catheterization (n = 25, 61%). Only 30% (n = 12) were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with urinary continence management in their acute stroke unit. Conclusion. A large proportion of acute stroke units were yet to establish formal urinary incontinence management plans. The implementation of evidence-based urinary incontinence management plans after stroke is integral to improving patient outcomes. An increase in resources for professional development in the assessment, treatment and management of urinary incontinence is essential to improve and maintain skills in after-stroke care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]