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Context: Rehabilitation after an anterior cruciate ligament injury is recommended to be started soon after the injury. When surgery is required, research supports the delivery of physiotherapy before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (prehabilitation) to optimize recovery and positive outcomes. Individuals attending prehabilitation have never been questioned regarding their adherence to prehabilitation, perception of utility in meeting needs, upcoming events, or anticipated recovery goals. Design: Mixed methods cross-sectional study: Methods: 25 individuals before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (43% of eligible individuals from 12 clinics during the delivery period) were surveyed on their mindset and recovery expectancies. Semistructured interviews conducted in 9 of 25 participants assessed their lived experience of prehabilitation. Results: Participants reported that preventing a reinjury (96% of responses) and feeling confident during daily activities about their knee (92%) were the higher rating expectations at this stage of their treatment course. Three themes were developed from the interviews and analyses. (1) Participants reported that prehabilitation was a period full of challenges with memories of the injury and uncertainties. (2) They viewed prehabilitation as a step to move forward by finding support and self-motivating. (3) They believed that prehabilitation would have positive impacts on the treatment outcomes. Participants were confident that prehabilitation would accelerate the recovery of muscle volume (88%) and strength (84%). Conclusion: Participants had positive experiences of prehabilitation, aligning with the findings on functional outcomes in the existing literature on prehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which in-service physical education teachers construct their self-efficacy beliefs toward teaching students with disabilities in general physical education classes. Using a qualitative descriptive approach situated within self-efficacy theory, data were collected via semistructured audio-recorded interviews with 16 in-service physical educators. Three interrelated themes were constructed: (a) The more I do it, the better I feel: the importance of professional experiences; (b) I've learned from others: the influence of colleagues; and (c) Being in the general educational setting is a challenge: the impact of contextual factors. Findings supported the influence of the four sources of self-efficacy (i.e., mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and affective and physiological state), in addition to potential contextual factors (i.e., class sizes and availability of hands-on support), impacting participants' self-efficacy to teach students with disabilities in general physical education classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Paralympic Games have been around for over 60 years, women remain underrepresented in almost all aspects of the Paralympic Movement. It has been suggested that a way to increase women's involvement is through the implementation of mixed-gender events. On paper, this approach makes sense. However, when it comes to the implementation of mixed-gender opportunities for women, it is less clear how effective these events are in increasing participation by women in Para sport. Through document analysis and interviews with athletes and organizers of mixed-gender Paralympic sport, we explore the various strategies that four mixed-gender sports have used to address the issue of gender parity. Using critical feminist theories, we illustrate how larger social, political, and cultural ideas about gender influence women's experiences within these events and discuss the potential of using mixed-gender initiatives to address gender parity within the Paralympic Movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology in libraries has played an essential role in serving today's communities. This study provides an overview of the integrated library systems/software (ILSs) used in libraries in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It aims to highlight the strengths and possibilities of ILSs and briefly explain their advantages and disadvantages along with the cost of implementation. The data was gathered from questionnaires sent via an online survey and from direct interviews with certain academic libraries over the period of 2019 to 2020. Fifty-three of 67 libraries that fulfilled the study have implemented an ILS. To deeply understand the application, a direct interview with some libraries was conducted to learn the advantages and disadvantages. The result of the study showed that the most used ILSs are SLiMS and INLISlite and other programs like Apollo, Athenium Light, Simpus, Spektra, Jibas, KOHA, and Openlibrary. The budget spent is an average of300 USD. While the ILSs have helped these libraries improve services, IT expertise and adequate resources are needed, especially when the systems present problems. An easy-to-use system that costs less will potentially be used in this area of research. This study will be particularly helpful for any library in Indonesia. These findings may also be generalized to libraries in other countries facing economic and technological similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To rate athletes' functional ability and return to sport (RTS) success at the end of their individual, formal, medically prescribed rehabilitation after anterior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: In our prospective multicenter cohort study, 88 (42 females) adults aged 18-35 years after acute unilateral ACL rupture and subsequent hamstring grafting were included. All patients were prospectively monitored during their rehabilitation and RTS process until the end of their formal rehabilitation and RTS release. As outcome measures, functional hop and jump tests (front hop, balance hops, and drop jump screening test) and self-report outcomes (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, ACL-RTS after injury) were assessed. Literature-based cut-off values were selected to rate each performance as fulfilled or not. Results: At 7.5 months (SD 2.3 months) after surgery, the percentage of participants meeting the functional thresholds ranged from 4% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score SPORT) and over 44% (ACL-RTS after injury sum score) to 59% (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score activities of all daily living) in the self-report and from 29% (Balance side hop) to 69% (normalized knee separation distance) in performance testing. Only 4% fulfilled all the cut-offs, while 45% returned to the same type and level of sport. Participants who successfully returned to their previous sport (type and level) were more likely to be "over-cut-off-performers." Conclusions: The low share of the athletes who fulfilled the functional RTS criteria highlights the importance of continuing the rehabilitation measures after the formal completion to assess the need for and success of, inter alia, secondary-preventive therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational culture in sports affects well-being, performance, and overall success. Although team culture has been explored within able-bodied teams, little is known about culture development within parasport. Using a descriptive case study approach, our study examined the culture development and experiences of an elite parasport team. Two semistructured individual telephone interviews were conducted with nine participants (athletes and staff), and one athlete-participant completed one interview. An inductive thematic analysis revealed two themes: approach to culture development and team culture components. Culture development was linked with facilitative leadership and important resources. This supported the team to create their shared values and mechanisms, including a behavioral framework, other artifacts (e.g., shared language and team motto), and a relaxed environment. These helped to maintain their agreed culture and benefited their well-being, progress, and team cohesion. Our results offer a starting point regarding research into the culture of elite parasport and have practical implications for managers, coaches, and psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify contextual factors that negatively affect activity and participation among powerchair football (PF) players. Thirty-seven semistructured interviews were conducted with PF players (Mage = 27.9 ± 8.2 years) in France (n = 18) and the United States (n = 19). Participants reported acute back and neck pain as the primary morbidities resulting from PF participation, with sustained atypical posture in the sport chair as the primary cause. Competition-related physical and mental stress were also identified as participation outcomes. Accompanying the many benefits of PF, participants recognized negative impacts of discomfort, physical fatigue, and mental fatigue. Interventions such as seating modifications, thermotherapy to combat pain, napping to combat acute physical stress, and mental preparation to manage state anxiety were all identified as prospective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people with intellectual disabilities have comorbid health conditions, which will impact optimization of sporting performance. Classification is used in Paralympic events to ensure that those with similar levels of functional ability compete fairly against each other. An evidence-based approach needs to be developed for athletes with intellectual disabilities to be classified in relation to their overall functional capacity into competition groups of similar ability. This research builds on previous work using the taxonomy of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to group athletes with intellectual disabilities into comparable competition groups as an approach to Paralympic classification. Three groups of athletes—Virtus, Special Olympics, and Down syndrome—are compared using the ICF questionnaire indicating functional health status in relation to sporting performance. The questionnaire was found to discriminate between athletes with Down syndrome and other athletes, and an approach to using a cutoff score to develop competition classes is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism engage in active play in different ways than children who are neurotypical, but their active play behaviors are not well understood. Research with twins and triplets with autism offers a unique opportunity to gain a clear picture of the play behaviors of children with autism because twins and triplets share many similarities (age, access to toys, etc.). Through semistructured interviews, this descriptive phenomenological study aimed to describe the active play behaviors of 19 twins and triplets with autism from the perspective of their parents (N = 9). The interviews revealed two main themes: (a) parents' descriptions of active play and (b) parents' descriptions of social play. The results reveal the diverse active and social play behaviors of twins and triplets with autism; parents described their children's play behavior when engaging in sensory, indoor, outdoor, and organized play. These results suggest that children with autism may be meeting the definition of active play in nontraditional ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine physical activity (PA) levels and mental health status (i.e., anxiety and depression) among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2018 National Health Interview Survey. We identified 139 parents of children with ASD and 4,470 parents of children with no disability. Their PA levels, anxiety, and depression were analyzed. Compared with parents of children with no disability, parents of children with ASD were significantly less likely to meet the PA guideline for Americans and had lower odds of vigorous PA (aOR = 0.702), strengthening PA (aOR = 0.885), and light to moderate PA (aOR = 0.994). Parents of children with ASD reported significantly higher odds of anxiety (aOR = 1.559) and depression (aOR = 1.885). This study revealed lower PA levels and higher risks of anxiety and depression in parents of children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School sports programs intentionally created for students with and without disabilities may increase social participation of students with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Special Olympics Unified Sports is one program where students with and without ID participate on one team. Guided by a critical realist paradigm, this study explored the perceptions of students with and without ID and coaches of in-school Unified Sports. Interviews were conducted with 21 youths (12 with ID) and 14 coaches. Thematic analysis resulted in four developed themes (identified is outdated language): Inclusion—Is it a "we" or a "they?"Roles and Responsibilities, Educational Context for Inclusion, and Buy-In. Findings suggest students with and without ID and coaches value the inclusive nature of Unified Sports. Future research should explore training for coaches on inclusive practices (e.g., language), and optimal methods for consistent training (e.g., use of training manuals) to foster the philosophy of inclusion within school sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying factors that influence physical activity (PA) among individuals with Down syndrome is essential for PA promotion. Insight can be gained from guardians and health professionals. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of guardians and health professionals on facilitators and barriers of PA in individuals with Down syndrome. Interviews were conducted with 11 guardians (five mothers, four fathers, and two legal guardians) and 11 professionals (four PA specialists, three physical therapists, and four occupational therapists). Grounded theory was applied. Barriers and facilitators fit the levels of the ecological model of health behavior: (a) intrapersonal (perceived rewards), (b) interpersonal (interaction), (c) community (availability of programs), (d) organizational (school systems), and (e) policy (education). Guardians and professionals agreed on the importance of enjoyment, interaction, and programs to promote PA. Differences between groups were identified at the organizational and policy levels. PA in persons with Down syndrome is influenced by interactions between individual and environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finland's 2022 Para Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities includes a summary of results and grades for 10 physical activity indicators and highlights how these grades are interpreted by stakeholders. The disability classification was based on the UNICEF/Washington Group on Disability Statistics measure, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD7) measure, or education status. Data between 2017 and 2021 were reviewed by 24 physical activity specialists using benchmarks adapted for data on disabilities from the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. The grades were assigned as follows: Overall Physical Activity, C+; Organized Sport, C; Active Play, D; Active Transportation, B; Family and Peers, C+; School, B; Community and Environment, C−; Government, A−; sedentary behavior and physical fitness were graded as incomplete. Stakeholder focus-group discussions highlighted the need for multidisciplinary cooperation and increasing competence of specialists working with children to promote a physically active lifestyle for all children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology use is widespread in the lives of children and families, and parents and caregivers express concern about children's safety and development in relation to technology use. Children's librarians have a unique role to play in guiding the technology use of children and families, yet little is known about how public library programs facilitate children's digital literacy. This study sought to uncover librarians' purposes for using technology in programs with young children as well as the supporting factors and barriers they encountered in attempting to do so. Findings reveal 10 purposes for integrating technology into public library storytime programs and 15 factors across four dimensions that facilitate and/or inhibit its inclusion. If librarians are to embrace the media mentor role with confidence and the necessary knowledge and skills required of the task, much greater attention should be devoted to the responsibility and more support in the way of professional development and resources is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Librarianship has lagged far behind the corporate sector in how librarianship manages and supports employees with disabilities, this includes accommodations during the hiring process. This column will provide an autobiographical look into the hiring process for a person with a disability and give suggestions on how to make the hiring process more humane for all people, including those with disabilities. When did an institution of higher education get it right? Get it ok with good intentions? Or get it completely wrong? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools can support physical education (PE) among students with mobility disabilities (SMDs). However, previous research has indicated that people and resources in the school environment have served as facilitators and barriers to engaging SMDs in PE. Thus, the purpose of this pragmatic, qualitative study was to explore physical educators' perceptions and experiences of teaching SMDs to learn how to develop a PE environment supportive of SMDs. Eleven K-8 PE teachers who taught SMDs engaged in semistructured interviews. A thematic analysis revealed three themes describing facilitators and barriers of a supportive PE environment for SMDs: (a) teacher planning, (b) students in the PE environment, and (c) resources and support. These findings provide context to PE environments for SMDs and highlight a need for increased communication and collaboration with students with or without mobility disabilities, training or professional development for PE teachers to develop skills for adapted PE, and financial and personnel support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored coach and athlete reactions and challenges leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with a specific focus on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Games' postponement. Nine Australian Paralympic coaches (n = 3) and athletes (n = 6) shared their experiences in semistructured interviews. The thematic analysis highlighted how participants experienced the emergence of the pandemic in different ways, but all were relieved when the late but eventual decision to postpone the Games was made. Regarding lockdown periods (i.e., social-distancing restrictions), some coaches and athletes thrived under the new reality (i.e., training from home, online coaching) while others had more difficulty adjusting. Furthermore, results highlight the many uncertainties still remaining, which continue to influence participants' sport and personal lives. The experiences of coaches and athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on strategies and resources that could support Paralympic coaches and athletes during current and future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of disability awareness of fitness professionals is a well-established barrier to exercise participation among people with disabilities that is likely related to the lack of disability awareness training for group fitness instructors. The purposes of this study were to develop, implement, and evaluate a disability awareness training for group fitness instructors. A 90-min video training and resource manual were developed. We recruited 10 group fitness instructors from one recreation center to participate. Participants completed baseline, posttraining, and 2-month follow-up testing on survey-based outcomes including disability attitudes, confidence in exercise adaptations, and training satisfaction. Participants' confidence to adapt fitness classes was significantly improved; however, disability attitudes were high in the pretest and not significantly different posttraining. Semistructured interviews were conducted posttraining and revealed three themes: Formal disability training is needed, Managing inclusive class dynamics, and Training suggestions and satisfaction. This training demonstrated a feasible intervention for increasing disability awareness among community-based group fitness instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research pertaining to the experiences and motives of Paralympic athletes who transfer between sports is scant. This study aimed to address this gap through semistructured interviews with Canadian Paralympic coaches (n = 35) and athletes (n = 12). Three higher-order themes of "alternative to retirement," "career extension," and "compatibility" were identified. The subthemes of "psychobehavioral" and "physical and physiological" (from the higher-order theme of alternative to retirement) captured reasons leading to transfer, which are similar to reasons athletes may consider retirement. The subthemes of career extension—"better opportunities" and "beneficial outcomes"—shed light on factors that contributed to the withdrawal of negative experiences and reinforcement of positive outcomes associated with transferring sports. Last, compatibility had three subthemes of "resources," "sport-specific," and "communication," which encapsulated factors athletes should consider prior to their transfer. In conclusion, the participants highlighted the importance of transparent and effective communication between athletes and sports to align and establish realistic expectations for everyone involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is essential for maintenance and restoration of health, yet studies exploring this in hospitalized children are scarce. In a qualitative study, we assessed the perceived quality of sleep, factors affecting sleep, and the role of health care professionals in the sleep environment for hospitalized children aged 1 to 12 years. Data were obtained from 11 semi-structured, audio-recorded, and verbatim-transcribed interviews with parents, and analyzed using a systematic thematic analysis. The interviews were coded based on iterative assessment of transcripts. Subsequently, categories and interpretative main themes were identified. Four themes emerged: (1) being informed, keeping informed; (2) coordination of care; (3) parents as main advocates for their child's sleep; and (4) environmental disturbers. Parents reported differences in their child's sleep quality during hospital compared with home. Sleep is substantially affected during hospitalization, prompting the need for interventions to improve the quality of sleep of children. Parents provided valuable suggestions for improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent symptoms experienced by adults following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can significantly impact their daily activities. It is often difficult for them to access specialized rehabilitation services. The aim of this study is to explore this population's experience surrounding access to specialized rehabilitation services, including waiting time. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach and was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Twelve adults with mTBI who had received specialized interdisciplinary rehabilitation services were recruited. The interviews focused on participants' recollection of their patient journey after injury, their perception of waiting, barriers and facilitators to access, and the impacts of these experiences on their condition. Participants reported experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, worry, sadness, and discouragement before accessing specialized services. They all agreed that they did not receive clear information about their recovery process or the health services available to them, which exacerbated their mental health symptoms. The findings show that participants experienced uncertainty because they lacked information regarding recovery and access to health services after their injury. Education about symptoms and recovery, as well as emotional support for people with mTBI should be made available during the waiting period. Adults with persistent post-mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) symptoms experienced many challenges in accessing health services such as long wait times, which they perceived as impacting their recovery. According to those concerned, more support from qualified health professionals is needed in the first weeks or months following the injury. Participants unanimously support free and timely access to specialized mTBI rehabilitation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolving virtual health care experience highlights the potential of technology to serve as a way to enhance care. Having virtual options for assessment, consultation and intervention were essential during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially for children with disabilities and their families. The purpose of our study was to describe the benefits and challenges of outpatient virtual care during the pandemic within pediatric rehabilitation. This qualitative study, part of a larger mixed methods project, involved in-depth interviews with 17 participants (10 parents, 2 youth, 5 clinicians) from a Canadian pediatric rehabilitation hospital. We analyzed the data using a thematic approach. Our findings demonstrated three main themes: (1) benefits of virtual care (e.g., continuity of care, convenience, stress reduction and flexibility, and comfort within the home environment and enhanced rapport); (2) challenges related to virtual care (e.g., technical difficulties and lack of technology, environmental distractions and constraints, communication difficulty, and health impacts); and (3) advice for the future of virtual care (i.e., offering choice to families, enhanced communication and addressing health equity issues). Clinicians and hospital leaders should consider addressing the modifiable barriers in accessing and delivering virtual care to optimize its effectiveness. Families are invested in access to virtual care appointments and can benefit from clear communication about choices regarding appointment options and supports in how to access and use technology for equitable access to care. Hospitals should aim to provide clinicians with an appropriate workspace (i.e., private, quiet with adequate room to demonstrate what they need to do), equipment and technology to have virtual care appointments. Current understanding of virtual care delivery suggests a tailored approach, with some types of appointments, such as follow-ups or check-ins, more suited to this modality than other more hands-on therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To characterize societal participation profiles after moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) along objective (Frequency) and subjective (Satisfaction, Importance, Enfranchisement) dimensions. Materials and Methods. We conducted secondary analyses of a TBI Model Systems sub-study (N = 408). Multiaxial assessment of participation included the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective and -Subjective questionnaires (Participation Frequency and Importance/Satisfaction, respectively) and the Enfranchisement Scale. Participants provided responses via telephone interview 1–15 years post-injury. Multidimensional participation profiles (classes) were extracted using latent profile analysis. Results. A 4-class solution was identified as providing maximal statistical separation between profiles and being clinically meaningful based on profile demographic features. One profile group (48.5% of the sample) exhibited the "best" participation profile (High Frequency, Satisfaction, Importance, and Enfranchisement) and was also the most advantaged according to socioeconomic indicators. Other profile groups showed appreciable heterogeneity across participation dimensions. Age, race/ethnicity, education level, ability to drive, and urbanicity were features that varied between profiles. Conclusions. Societal participation is a critical, but inherently complex, TBI outcome that may not be adequately captured by a single index. Our data underscore the importance of a multidimensional approach to participation assessment and interpretation using profiles. The use of participation profiles may promote precision health interventions for community integration. Our study found unidimensional measures of societal participation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) populations that focus exclusively on frequency indicators may be overly simplistic and miss key subjective components of participation Taking a multidimensional perspective, we documented four meaningfully distinct participation subgroups (including both objective and subjective dimensions of societal participation) within the TBI rehabilitation population Multidimensional profiles of participation may be used to group individuals with TBI into target groups for intervention (e.g., deeper goal assessment for individuals who do not rate standard participation activities as important, but also do not participate and do not feel enfranchised). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the pathways of children with disability participating in gymnastics in Victoria, Australia. A sequential explanatory mixed-method study design was used. Participants completed an online survey, with selected participants purposively invited to undertake semi-structured interviews via videoconference. Quantitative survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics with preliminary findings informing the invitation of interview participants and refinement of interview questions. Qualitative survey and interview data were analysed together using thematic analysis to create themes. Data was combined to create a conceptual model. Fifty-eight parents consented to participate in the study with eight interviews conducted. Key themes were: (1) Tailored, accessible, supportive environments and programs make a difference, (2) An explicitly inclusive club culture helps young people get and stay involved, (3) Coach knowledge about engaging children with disability is valued, (4) Enjoyment, recognition, and achievement facilitate ongoing participation, and (5) Gymnastics has physical and social benefits for children with disability. The findings inform a conceptual model that describes three key stages along a pathway to participation including; choosing gymnastics as a sport, selecting a club, and ongoing participation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore participation of children with disability in gymnastics in Australia. These findings provide guidance to those supporting children with disability to participate in gymnastics (e.g., policy makers, club owners, coaches, and allied health professionals) regarding creating more inclusive environments and experiences at each stage of participation. This study furthers our understanding of the impact of childhood disability on participation in sport and recreation, with a focus on gymnastics. A combination of accessible environments, inclusive club cultures, recognition and enjoyment, and knowledgeable coaches facilitated participation in gymnastics. Parents perceive gymnastics to have physical and social benefits for their child. A conceptual model has been developed based on the findings to support gymnastics clubs and assist rehabilitation professionals to understand the challenges and enablers to participating in gymnastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the applicability and process of change of Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) in the management of pain and disability in people with knee osteoarthritis who were offered knee replacement surgery and had risk factors for poor response to surgery. Single-case experimental design with a mixed-methods, repeated measures approach was used to investigate the process of change through CFT in four participants. Qualitative interviews investigated beliefs, behaviours and coping responses, and self-reported measures assessed pain, disability, psychological factors, and function at 25 timepoints. Study registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001491156). Qualitative data indicate that CFT promoted helpful changes in all participants, with two responses observed. One reflected a clear shift to a biopsychosocial conceptualisation of osteoarthritis, behavioural re-engagement and the view that a knee replacement was no longer necessary. The other response reflected a mixed conceptualisation with dissonant beliefs about osteoarthritis and its management. Psychological and social factors were identified as potential treatment barriers. Overall, quantitative measures supported the qualitative findings. The process of change varies between and within individuals over time. Psychological and social barriers to treatment have implications for future intervention studies for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Cognitive Functional Therapy is applicable in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Reconceptualisation of osteoarthritis reflected a helpful change. Psychological and social factors emerged as barriers to recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored severe malaria-related disability in children from the perspectives of their caregivers. The interpretive description qualitative approach was employed. The participants were selected using the purposive sampling technique considering the child's history of severe malaria, age (0–10 years), and location (urban/rural). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with sixteen caregivers. Reflexive thematic data analysis was utilized. Through prolonged engagement, reflective journaling, an audit trail, and co-authors' review, trustworthiness was enhanced. The study generated five themes from the interviews: mitigators of disability, contributors of disability, impact on body function, impact on activities and participation, and uncertainties about future well-being. The findings revealed previously unstudied social components of disability and environmental factors. Furthermore, the research uncovered health-related quality of life aspects that are out of the scope of the current comprehensive disability framework. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of severe malaria-related disability in children from the biopsychosocial perspective. The findings could help policymakers, researchers, and clinicians who want to design rehabilitation interventions for the affected children or examine the components of disability on a large scale using quantitative methods. Various contextual factors interacted with severe malaria and influenced functioning either as facilitators or barriers, implying disability related to malaria can be prevented or created. The long-term impacts of severe malaria are not limited to functioning and disability but also affect the health-related quality of life of children who survive severe malaria. Rehabilitation professionals should consider applying comprehensive functioning and disability frameworks such as the ICF when designing (or applying) screening tools, planning interventions, and evaluating the outcomes of intervention for children with severe malaria-related disability. Rehabilitation interventions for children with severe malaria-related disability should consider patient– or caregiver–reported outcomes (components of disability). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate health care needs, health service utilization, and their socio-economic and health-related determinants in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in Jiangsu and Sichuan Provinces of China. A total of 1355 participants with SCI living in the community were recruited using a multi-stage stratified random sample and surveyed by telephone or online. Outcomes evaluated included the presence of health care needs, mode of health service utilization, and specific provider types seen within 12 months preceding the survey. The prevalence of healthcare needs was 92%. Needs were higher in Sichuan (98%) as compared to Jiangsu (80%). Of those in need of health care, 38% reported not having utilized care, more in Sichuan (39%) than in Jiangsu (37%). In Jiangsu, inpatient care was more often used than in Sichuan (46% vs. 27%), while in Sichuan outpatient services were utilized more often (33% vs. 17%). On average, 1.6 provider types were seen, with Sichuan reporting fewer different provider types. Considerable differences in the prevalence of health care needs and service utilization patterns were found between provinces, mostly in favour of the economically more developed Jiangsu Province. People with low income, particularly those below the World Bank poverty line for middle-income countries, had increased health care needs but utilized health care less often. Moreover, environmental barriers contributed significantly to unmet health care needs. This implies the necessity to provide better accessible and more affordable rehabilitation services for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in China such as community-based rehabilitation programming. Policies for alleviation of poverty in the case of SCI including insurance for catastrophic health expenditure should also be reviewed and adapted where applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Inclusive Society partnership research model aims to promote change in society for people with disabilities by supporting research teams composed of researchers and partner organizations. The objective of this article is to identify the strengths and limitations of this research model. Material and methods: An autoethnography approach was used. Thematic analysis of four methods was undertaken: semi-directed interviews with members of the research teams funded by Inclusive Society (researchers, partners), a focus group with the Inclusive Society's intersectoral collaboration agents, their logbooks, and Inclusive Society's annual reports. Results: Strengths and limitations of the Inclusive Society model were identified through their networking activities, the role and support of the intersectoral collaboration agents and the partnership research program. Conclusions: Networking activities are an essential element of Inclusive Society. They are indispensable for composing intersectoral research teams that will work on answering needs of people with disabilities. Intersectoral collaboration agents are also a strength of the model, but their role could be clarified to better frame what tasks are in their scope of practice and what the research teams could ask from them. Finally, the research program eligibility criteria could be improved to support, among others, the projects' appropriation phases. Networking activities stimulate the creation of intersectoral research teams centered on answering the needs of people with disabilities that are identified in the field Hired facilitators can play an important role in the emergence of research teams, merging the academic and non-academic worlds, and supporting the teams during their research project In participatory research projects, some funding should be reserved to support the partner organization's participation and the appropriation phase of the research projects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe experiences of improvement among women with chronic widespread pain (CWP). Recruitment was made from a cohort of women with CWP who participated in a 10- to 12-year follow-up study in 2016. The inclusion criterion was an improvement of at least 30% on a visual analog scale of pain intensity between baseline and follow-up. Seventeen women participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in three categories with eight subcategories: Experience of improvement included feeling better despite persisting symptoms and to be capable of more activity. Developing strategies for better health included choosing to act to improve health, developing a constructive mental approach to the illness, and changing one's view of oneself and one's life. Contextual factors supporting improvement included support from healthcare, social support from one's environment, and reduced load in daily life. Experiences of health improvement involved active changes as well as contextual factors. Clinical implications of this study are that increased knowledge regarding pain management, increased physical activity, and reduced stress could contribute to symptom improvement in persons with CWP. The women's own actively chosen changes and contextual factors appear to be important for the improvement of chronic widespread pain. Treatments that contribute to increased knowledge regarding pain management, increased level of physical activity, and reduced stress were found to be of importance for the improvement of chronic widespread pain. Women with chronic widespread pain could be gained by person-centered rehabilitation based on their individual needs and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surgery is currently the only effective treatment for retroperitoneal tumors that do not involve any specific organ. The use of robots for removing both benign and malignant retroperitoneal tumors is considered safe and feasible. However, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether robotic retroperitoneal tumor resection (RMBRs) is superior to open retroperitoneal malignant resection (OMBRs). This study compares the short-term outcomes of robotic excision of benign and malignant retroperitoneal tumors with open excision of the same-sized tumors. Methods: The study compared demographics and outcomes of patients who underwent robotic resection (n = 54) vs open resection (n = 54) of retroperitoneal tumors between March 2018 and December 2022. A 1:1 matching analysis was conducted to ensure a fair comparison. Results: The study found that RBMRs resulted in reduced operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBM), and postoperative hospital stay (PSH) when compared to OBMRs. Additionally, RBMRs reduced EBL, PHS, and OT for patients with malignant tumor involvement in major vessels. No significant differences were found in tumor size, blood transfusion rate, and morbidity rate between the RBMRs and OBMRs groups. Conclusion: When comparing RMBRs to OMBRs, it was observed that RMBR was associated with lower (EBL), shorter postoperative hospital stays (PHS), and reduced operative time (OT) in a specific group of patients with both benign and malignant tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The shift toward virtual academic detailing (AD) was accelerated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to examine the role of external, contextual, and intrinsic programme‐specific factors in virtual engagement of healthcare providers (HCPs) and delivery of AD. Methods: AD groups throughout North America were contacted to participate in semistructured interviews. An interview guide was constructed by adapting the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). A point of emphasis included strategies AD groups employed for provider engagement while implementing virtual AD programmes. Independent coders conducted qualitative analysis using the framework method. Results: Fifteen AD groups from Canada (n = 3) and the United States (n = 12) participated. Technological issues and training detailers and HCPs were challenges during the transition to virtual AD visits. Restrictions on in‐person activities during the pandemic created difficulties engaging HCPs and fewer AD visits. Continuing education was one strategy to incentivize participation, but credits were often not claimed by HCPs. Groups with established networks and prior experience with virtual AD leveraged connections to mitigate disruptions and continue AD visits. Other facilitators included emphasizing contemporary topics, including opioid education beyond fundamental guidelines. Virtual AD had the additional benefit of expanding geographic reach and flexible scheduling with providers. Conclusions: AD groups across North America have shifted to virtual outreach and delivery strategies. This trend toward virtual AD may aid outreach to vulnerable rural communities, improving health equity. More research is needed on the effectiveness of virtual AD and its future implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Determining patients' perceptions of multiple sclerosis, a disease with varying symptoms and prognosis for each individual, can significantly contribute to directing care and treatment. Metaphors may be an opportunity to determine perceptions of this unique illness experience. The aim of this study was to reveal the perceptions of patients with multiple sclerosis about "multiple sclerosis" through metaphors. Methods: This study was conducted with metaphor analysis technique based on phenomenological method. The sample included 184 patients with multiple sclerosis. Data was collected face‐to‐face between July 2022 and January 2023. Each participant was interviewed individually and was asked to fill in the blanks in the sentence, "multiple sclerosis is like... because...". Content analysis was performed for metaphors. Results: The study revealed five main themes and twelve subthemes that provided insight into the participants' multiple sclerosis perceptions. The themes address (i) Manipulator multiple sclerosis; ambiguous multiple sclerosis, attritive multiple sclerosis, controller multiple sclerosis, demander multiple sclerosis, and conditional multiple sclerosis (ii) Temporal multiple sclerosis; cyclical multiple sclerosis and perpetual multiple sclerosis (iii) Follower multiple sclerosis; unaccepted multiple sclerosis, partner multiple sclerosis and ambusher multiple sclerosis (iv) Different multiple sclerosis; bittersweet multiple sclerosis and unique multiple sclerosis (v) Restorative multiple sclerosis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with multiple sclerosis mostly had negative perceptions regarding their relationship with multiple sclerosis. The results place a responsibility on healthcare professionals to improve how patients adapt to multiple sclerosis. This study's results can bridge theoretical knowledge and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Body image undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, marking a pivotal phase in a woman's life. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to explore the body image perceptions of primiparous pregnant women during their third trimester. Methods: Employing a qualitative research approach grounded in phenomenology, the study involved interviews to explore the experiences of primiparous pregnant women in their third trimester. The interviews were conducted via an online platform, with a sample group of 13 participants chosen through purposive sampling. Data analysis followed a content analysis approach, with the information being transferred to MAXQDA Analytics Pro Qualitative Data Analysis Programme for coding. The study adhered to the reporting guidelines outlined in the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist. Results: Systematic analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of three main themes under the overarching framework of body image experiences among primiparous pregnant women during the third trimester: Physical Changes, Mental Changes, and Behavioural and Social Changes. Among the identified themes, pregnant women demonstrated a relatively lower level of discourse regarding Physical Changes, in contrast to a significant emphasis on Mental Changes. Within the latter theme, pregnant women exhibited significant dissatisfaction with their pregnancy experiences significantly. Conclusion: It was determined that pregnant women experience physical and psychological changes related to body image during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unsafe patient events not only entail a clinical impact but also lead to economic burden in terms of prolonged hospitalization or unintended harm and delay in care delivery. Monitoring and time‐bound investigation of patient safety events (PSEs) is of paramount importance in a healthcare set‐up. Objectives: To explore the safety incident reporting behaviour and the barriers in a hospital set‐up. Methods: The study had two sections: (a) Retrospective assessment of all safety incidents in the past 1 year, and (b) Understanding the barriers of safety reporting by interviewing the major stakeholders in patient safety reporting framework. Further root cause analysis and failure mode effect analysis were performed for the situation observed. Results were statistically analyzed. Results: Of the total of 106 PSEs reported voluntarily to the system, the highest reporting functional group was that of nurses (40.57%), followed by physicians (18.87%) and pharmacists (17.92%). Among the various factors identified as barriers in safety incident reporting, fear of litigation was the most observed component. The most commonly observed event was those pertaining to medication management, followed by diagnostic delay. Glitches in healthcare delivery accounted for 8.73% of the total reported PSEs, followed by 5.72% of events occurring due to inter‐stakeholder communication errors. 4.22% of the PSEs were attributed to organizational managerial dysfunctionalities. Majority of medication‐related PSE has moderate risk prioritization gradation. Conclusion: Effective training and sensitization regarding the need to report the patient unsafe incidents or near misses to the healthcare system can help avert many untoward experiences. The notion of 'No Blame No Shame' should be well inculcated within the minds of each hospital unit such that even if an error occurs, its prompt reporting does not get harmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Undergraduate Medical Doctor (MD) Programme at McMaster University (Hamilton, Canada) was unable to run in‐person medical school interviews in March 2020, prompting an alternate solution that maximised admission opportunities for Indigenous applicants, prioritised admission for those rated most highly in the interview determination process, and allocated subsequent offers via lottery. Methods: A short survey was administered to applicants who had been offered an admissions interview and were subsequently impacted by the admissions adaptations. The survey elicited perceptions of the adaptation through Likert scale ratings and free‐text responses. Survey data were analysed via a sequential (quantitative to qualitative) mixed‐methods design. Results: 196 of 552 potential participants completed the survey. Across quantitative and qualitative analyses, respondents reported that the adaptation had a negative impact on their professional development and personal life. Ratings of negative perception were greater for those who did not receive an offer than for those who accepted or declined an offer. Free text responses emphasised considerable criticism for the lottery portion of the adaptation and displeasure that efforts made in constructing applications were less relevant than anticipated. Discussion: The negative responses to this unexpected change highlight the profound upstream impact admission policies have on the preapplication behaviours of aspiring medical students. The outcomes support a refined understanding of the value candidates place on the interview in appraising their own suitability for a career as a physician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Only half of newly implemented evidence‐based practices are sustained. Though poor sustainment can lead to negative consequences for clinical teams, organizations and patients, the causal explanations of sustainment are largely unknown. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to ascertain how (mechanisms) and in what circumstances (context) a newly implemented outcome measure in rehabilitation was sustained or not (outcome). Methodology: Informed by an integrated knowledge translation approach, we conducted a realist evaluation using a mixed method, embedded single case study design with data collection up to 18 months following the implementation of the Mayo‐Portland Adaptability Inventory ‐ version 4 (MPAI‐4), a rehabilitation outcome measure. Quantitative data (survey and patient charts) was analysed using descriptive statistics, then integrated with qualitative data (interviews with 10 key informants) and analysed using inductive and deductive retroduction. We integrated the data to develop a case description and ultimately, to refine the programme theory to better understand the sustainability of the MPAI‐4. Results: We linked context, mechanisms and outcomes, and also emphasized sustainability strategies in 18 explanations of how sustainability works. These explanations provide evidence for four overarching patterns: (1) implementation and sustainability phases are interconnected, (2) outcomes build on each other recursively, with patient benefits as the keystone outcome, (3) sustainment is achieved to varying levels across different sustainability outcomes [e.g., high level (e.g., rate of MPAI‐4 scoring: 77.7%) to low level (e.g., rate of MPAI‐4 application to clinical decision‐making: 3.7%)] and (4) the work of sustaining the MPAI‐4 is shared amongst different stakeholders. Conclusion: Implementation teams can draw from this programme theory to improve the sustainment of outcomes measures while researchers could continue to refine the theory. Continued investigation of sustainability, including diverse and continuous sustainability outcomes, is needed to understand how to maintain improvements in quality of care and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When implementing new interventions into clinical practice, it is of great importance to investigate the implementation process to better understand factors promoting and impeding the implementation to stimulate engagement and sustainability of the intervention. It is essential to consider perspectives both from the health professionals delivering the intervention and those receiving the intervention to be open to their suggestions for enhancing the dissemination and implementation of the intervention. The aim of the study was to evaluate adoption, acceptability and appropriateness of a person‐centred group intervention (PCGI) from the perspectives of facilitators and participants with mental illness in mental health outpatient services right after delivery. Methods: A qualitative interview study design was used. Interview data from three individual interviews, one group interview with facilitators and 16 individual interviews with participants were analyzed through content analysis. Results: As described in the following three categories, the facilitators and participants found the PCGI overall useful and meaningful to deliver and receive: (1) application of a PCGI in clinical practice, (2) balancing the facilitator role and (3) establishing and maintaining a safe relationship. Conclusion: Facilitators and participants found the form and structure of the PCGI useful and meaningful. Some participants dropped out as they did not feel comfortable in a group setting. The components in the sessions, questions on cards and reflection sheets together with peer‐to‐peer interactions provided a safe environment. However, facilitation from facilitators requires appropriate skills and qualifications, which must be provided by the hospital together with supervision and the possibility for peer feedback and exchange of experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the role of social resilience in providing community-based healthcare to older adults in Northeast Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 community-dwelling older adults in Maha Sarakham province, Thailand, and semi-structured interviews were conducted from 2020 to 2021. Interview transcripts were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach with multiple coders to triangulate findings. The results of the IPA show that, during the pandemic, social resilience was related to social distancing, social isolation, social control, social safety, and social support. The respondents identified that providing community-based healthcare during the pandemic was associated with primary care, rehabilitative care, healthcare delivery, health behaviors, and distress intolerance. These findings highlight that social reciprocity, preventative healthcare, residential care, and good healthcare practices are important aspects of resilience among community-dwelling older adults in times of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to social protection in old age is crucial and yet contingent upon negotiations between the social structures of the welfare states and the personal networks within which individuals are embedded. International migration, changing family dynamics, and the transformation of care and other welfare policies in the global North make it challenging for older migrants to negotiate social protection. Drawing on 45 semi-structured interviews with first-generation older Turkish migrants in London and 13 semi-structured interviews with professional service providers for the community, the paper aims to investigate the assemblages of formal and informal social protection in the lives of older migrants. Findings indicate the complexity in accessing informal social protection and the navigation of formal care support in the UK for first generation older Turkish migrants and the contingency of access to formal care services on informal support networks for participants. It has been demonstrated that built infrastructure and policies aimed at older adults have great influence on assemblages of care, highlighting the need for more age-friendly and integrated policies to facilitate access to social protection for diverse groups of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Packaged evidence syntheses such as Best Practice Statements are important knowledge translation tools for improving healthcare provision. The Australian Aphasia Rehabilitation Pathway (AARP) is an online tool (www.aphasiapathway.com.au) based on the Aphasia Rehabilitation Best Practice Statements, developed to guide evidence-based aphasia services across the continuum of care. However, there has been no formal evaluation of the AARP’s implementation to date. Therefore, it is currently unknown whether and how speech pathologists use the AARP to guide their aphasia management practices, and how it can be enhanced to meet clinicians’ needs. Aims: To explore Australian speech pathologists’ perceptions of (1) the usability and utility of the AARP, (2) how the AARP is currently used to inform aphasia management practices, (3) the potential impact of the AARP, and (4) how the AARP could be enhanced to meet clinicians’ identified needs. Methods and Procedures: Semi-structured interviews guided by a framework for the development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of online knowledge translation resources (Levac et al., 2015) were conducted with Australian speech pathologists working in aphasia services. Interviews were conducted via Zoom and accompanied by observations of participants’ self-navigation of the AARP. Qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts consisted of a combined deductive and inductive analytic approach. Outcomes and Results: Eleven speech pathologists participated, who worked in predominantly public services in various clinical settings (acute, rehabilitation, and community) and had between 1 and 30 years of clinical experience. Cumulative AARP use over the previous 12-month period varied from 15 minutes to 10 hours. Participants identified a range of AARP benefits, such as being a source of knowledge and evidence, providing an overview of the patient journey, and providing resources. The AARP was used as a service improvement tool, a learning tool, and for accessing evidence, and was perceived to have direct and indirect impacts on knowledge and practice. Participants also recommended a number of enhancements to the AARP’s content and design to improve translation and clinical relevance, including updated recommendations, additional implementation resources, and improvements to layout and navigation. Conclusions: The Australian Aphasia Rehabilitation Pathway was perceived as a valuable tool to inform evidence-based aphasia management. In order to remain relevant and useful, updated recommendations and links to clinically relevant resources are required. The suggested changes to content and design will inform an update of the AARP, which may in turn facilitate enhanced translation of evidence into practice and improve aphasia services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Counseling is a part of the scope of practice for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), however training has been inconsistent across programs. Students, clinical fellows, and practicing SLPs alike report feeling under-prepared to address the counseling needs of clients and their families. Research evidence about counseling training and practices specific to addressing the psychological well-being of individuals with aphasia and their families is even more limited. While practicing SLPs feel confident and prepared to address communication-specific interventions for aphasia, they feel ill prepared to address the counseling needs that arise on a regular basis. Aims: The present investigation was part of a two-part investigation that included an online survey to practicing SLPs throughout the United States (US) and follow-up interviews with a subgroup of those participants. This paper addresses the counseling practice interview portion and addresses two research questions: How confident do SLPs feel using counseling with individuals with aphasia? To what extent are SLPs implementing counseling in practice with individuals with aphasia and their family members? Methods & Procedures: Eight practicing SLPs who participated in the part 1 counseling practices survey agreed to participate in the part 2 counseling practices intervention. They varied by years of practice, region of practice, and practice setting (acute, subacute, and chronic). Participants engaged in the Counseling Practices Interview (CPI) via the BlueJeans video conferencing application. Interviews were transcribed and coded qualitatively using open and axial coding methods. Multiple rounds of iterative coding were conducted to ensure rigor and coding stability. Outcomes & Results: Multiple rounds of coding resulted in the following overarching themes: confidence in aphasia-specific skills/ techniques, SLPs encounter emotional and psychosocial discussions regularly, confidence with educational counseling, not prepared for psychosocial adjustment counseling, taking the perspective of individuals with aphasia and their family, referrals/ interprofessional practices and scope of practice issues, and SLP self-care. SLPs reported a clear difference between knowledge and skills for which they feel prepared and confident, versus addressing psychological well-being of individuals with aphasia and understanding practice boundaries. Conclusions: SLPs recognize the importance of counseling skills for working with individuals with aphasia because counseling moments arise regularly. They use a variety of techniques but lack intentionality and specialised training. Academic training was deemed to be inadequate in scope and instructional methods. Postacademic training was identified as hard to access but useful. SLPs reported a lack of clarify on scope of practice, practice boundaries, and referrals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research studies university undergraduate students' perceptions of the causes of suicide and suicidality among the youths in Zimbabwe with reference to the case of Midlands State University. The research also examined the contribution of COVID-19 to suicide and suicidality and the role of the family and church in suicide and suicidality causation or prevention. A qualitative methodology was used to collect data through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and a focus group discussion using a sample of 31 participants. Thomas Joiner's Interpersonal theory of suicide is utilised and adapted to explain suicide ideation among Zimbabwean youths. Abusive, fractured family and romantic relationships, economic frustrations, stigmatisation, loneliness, drug abuse and the pressure to conform were some of the causes of suicide ideation. The research recommends increased regular mental health and suicide prevention awareness campaigns to inform the students on the available services. Supportive, stable and positive relationships and interactions within families and churches are necessary to build resilience against suicide ideation and suicidality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are millions of street-connected children worldwide, with thousands estimated in Kenya. Many child-serving organizations, including Agape Children's Ministry in Kenya, aim to remove children from the streets, and provide rehabilitation and family reintegration. This study aims to elucidate barriers and facilitators of Agape's Family Strengthening Program (FSP) and elicit feedback. Twelve children, 12 caregivers, and 11 staff participated in interviews. Salient child/caregiver themes include: (1) spirituality/religion, (2) reflections on the FSP, (3) reflections on Agape, and (4) family functioning. Staff themes were similar. Results amplify the voices of the participants regarding provision of and participation in the FSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive and responsive caregiving is a critical protective factor for children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) during their first 1000 days of life. Health initiatives may benefit from evaluating the experience of caregivers in SSA to understand their parenting experiences. This study utilized linguistic analysis to gain insight into the lived experience of 19 Sesotho-speaking mothers of infants aged 18–30 months in low-income areas of Mangaung, Free State, South Africa. Women were asked the same set of questions about their child's first 1000 days of life, and we used LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) LIWC to evaluate the perspectives of mothers in SA compared to published LIWC norms. Analyses revealed word use patterns associated with psychological processes such as negative affect, social processes, anger and anxiety. Findings are discussed within the context of Sesotho culture to aid in the future intervention development for this vulnerable population. This study is important because it yields important information about the subjective experience of an understudied critical population of mothers in SSA. Further, this study points to future directions for the field of understanding the impact of motherhood on women in low resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Culturally safe service provision is essential to improving social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and to eliminating health inequities. Cultural safety is about ensuring that all people have a safe and healing journey through services, regardless of their cultural background. In this project, we aim to (1) understand how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples conceptualise cultural safety, and (2) co-design a qualitative interview for the next phase of this project, where we plan to learn about experiences of cultural safety within mental health services. Methods: We conducted six focus groups (in one metro and two regional areas, Western Australia). Following an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research methodology, we yarned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health service users, carers, community members, mental health professionals and Cultural Healers about cultural safety. Results: Participants described a culturally safe service as one where Aboriginal cultural knowledges, life experiences, issues and protocols are understood and acknowledged, and reported that mainstream mental health services are not currently culturally safe. Participants emphasised the importance of building trust, rapport, reciprocity and following appropriate relational processes when designing a qualitative interview for the next phase. Conclusions: A lack of cultural safety in mental health services is likely to contribute to the disparity in outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. Embedding cultural safety into research design allows for authentic community engagement and facilitates knowledge sharing around ways to improve cultural safety in mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development and Calibration of a PATCH Device for Monitoring Children's Heart Rate and Acceleration. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 56, No. 6, pp. 1196-1207, 2024. Introduction: Current wearables that collect heart rate and acceleration were not designed for children and/or do not allow access to raw signals, making them fundamentally unverifiable. This study describes the creation and calibration of an open-source multichannel platform (PATCH) designed to measure heart rate and acceleration in children ages 3-8 yr. Methods: Children (N = 63; mean age, 6.3 yr) participated in a 45-min protocol ranging in intensities from sedentary to vigorous activity. Actiheart-5 was used as a comparison measure. We calculated mean bias, mean absolute error (MAE) mean absolute percent error (MA%E), Pearson correlations, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Results: Mean bias between PATCH and Actiheart heart rate was 2.26 bpm, MAE was 6.67 bpm, and M%E was 5.99%. The correlation between PATCH and Actiheart heart rate was 0.89, and CCC was 0.88. For acceleration, mean bias was 1.16 mg and MAE was 12.24 mg. The correlation between PATCH and Actiheart was 0.96, and CCC was 0.95. Conclusions: The PATCH demonstrated clinically acceptable accuracies to measure heart rate and acceleration compared with a research-grade device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant research on mental health within Muslim communities reveals inequalities, with religio-cultural beliefs viewed as influencing experience, access to care, and treatment outcomes. Additionally, religious affiliation is a prominent marker of social identity amongst Muslim migrant communities. This study examined whether acculturative approaches and identity influence perceptions of mental ill health within a Muslim migrant community. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Australian Muslim youth – six of whom were recent immigrants and five who were Australian-born/raised. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two main themes were identified: 1) making sense of mental health, and 2) the influence of social representations. Sub-themes included: 1a) defining mental health, 1b) perceived determinants, 2a) "emotional" vs "factual", and 2b) education through experience: personal encounters with mental illness. Overall, faith and religion played an important role in conceptualisations of mental health for young Australian Muslims – alluding to the necessity of faith-sensitive mental health services for ethnic and religious minority communities. What is already known about this topic: Cultural beliefs influence mental health understandings, access to care, and treatment for Muslims. For Muslims, conceptualisations of mental ill health are often based on cultural and pre-Islamic influences (e.g., the role of supernatural spirits). Cultural context affects access to, and experiences of, mental health services. What this topic adds: Muslim youth feel that faith and religion are vital for mental well-being and self-efficacy, highlighting the importance of adapting therapeutic modalities within a faith-sensitive paradigm. For recent immigrants, the influence of the supernatural on mental health is not necessarily negative. Personal experience impacts perceptions of mental illness and may play a role in reducing stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about how Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara describe and explain mental health from their own perspectives without resorting to Western frameworks. This study used a social contextual research approach to describe how Anangu talk about behaviours that are called "mental illness" in Western contexts, their explanations about the contexts they believe shape these behaviours, and how Anangu support people who exhibit them. Seven senior Anangu were repeat interviewed between 1–2 hours by an Anangu researcher for a combined total time of 31 hours in a "yarning" conversational approach. Interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis approach to explore the contextual features giving rise to mental health behaviours. Results indicated that in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands there are complex interactions between fundamental ancient beliefs of cultural processes and the changing Western influences since colonisation, and examples are given of each of these. The same looking Western behaviours of "mental health" could arise from alternative traditional contexts. This research fills a gap and adds to the very small amount of Anangu mental health literature by providing an extensive overview of the mental health behaviours from the perspectives of Anangu themselves. It also shows how there can be gaps in research done without Indigenous researchers onboard. What is already known about this topic: Indigenous descriptions and explanations for the behaviours of 'mental health' differ from western versions. Previous research has usually not involved Indigenous researchers. Previous research often does not let Indigenous peoples provide context for their descriptions and explanations. What this topic adds: Anangu elders added rich contexts to their descriptions and explanations for the behaviours of 'mental health' rather than generalizations. Having an Anangu researcher vastly improved the details given compared to a previous research study that did not. Anangu elders kept western and Anangu contexts separate even with behaviours that superficially looked the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools invest substantial time and money in support of mental health and wellbeing education for their students. Approaches vary, with minimal guidance available regarding most efficacious methods to engage and support students. Understanding the experience and perspectives of students and educators in this area can assist to clarify mental health needs of secondary school students and guide future development of effective methods to target them. Interviews with 21 senior secondary school students from four Australian schools captured perspectives about the influences on their mental health and wellbeing over their secondary school journey. A further eight interviews with school staff with responsibility for wellbeing education were conducted to identify similarities and disparities between school aims and student experience. A reflexive thematic analysis of the data generated three main themes. Interviews conducted indicated consistency between staff and students' perspectives that schools need to commit to staff training, cultivate interpersonal connections and make wellbeing education for adolescents more engaging. Mental health and wellbeing approaches should be nuanced for the specific needs of each school's context. Educating teachers to utilise a school-wide wellbeing framework to customise student learning can increase student engagement through personal reflection and small group discussion to reinforce key learnings. What is already known about this topic: Adolescence is a pivotal time in the development of a person's mental health. Provision of an effective wellbeing curriculum delivered in secondary schools can help to prevent mental ill-health in the present and in the future. Schools provide an excellent avenue for students to undertake this type of learning. What this topic adds: Schools invest substantial time and money into stand-alone programs, but they may not be effective in developing student mental health and wellbeing. Schools need to understand the key drivers to student engagement with wellbeing programs and approaches to make them more effective. Staff do not feel capable to deliver this content effectively and require better training in tertiary education, as well as ongoing professional development from their schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the emphasis on the wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations in Australia, programs that promote wellbeing are scarce. Wellbeing programs are often not developed empirically and under-utilised. The present qualitative study explored limitations of current wellbeing programs, refinements that are warranted, and barriers encountered when implementing these programs. Mental and allied health practitioners (N = 16), working with CALD populations in Australia participated in semi-structured online focus groups. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The generated themes identified limited funding as a major problem. Further weaknesses of existing programs and barriers that prevented CALD populations in engaging with these programs were highlighted. Features of an effective wellbeing program and strategies applied to implement the programs were identified. Theoretical and practical implications for developing and implementing wellbeing interventions for CALD Australians were discussed. Significant dearth of research in this area and the necessity of further literature to identify the value of wellbeing interventions for CALD populations is emphasised. What is already known about this topic: Past research in Australia has focussed more on the challenges of culturally and linguistically diverse population. Programs that promote the wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia are limited and underutilised. Barriers in developing and implementing wellbeing programs should be explored. What this topic adds: Funding is vital for the development and evaluation of wellbeing programs for culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia. Consultations with culturally and linguistically diverse populations would improve the content and implementation of wellbeing programs. Holistic and flexible programs should be rolled out at the community level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]