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Little has been previously known of the circumstances that brought about the revival of the Goathland Plough Stots, but a newspaper report in the Whitby Gazette of 28 April 1922, [...]

Objective: When linking outcomes to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), inter-rater reliability is typically assessed at the conclusion of the linking process. This method does not allow for iterative evaluation and adaptations that would improve inter-rater reliability as novices gain experience. This pilot study aims to quantify the inter-rater reliability of novice linkers when using an innovative, sequential, iterative linking method to link prosthetic outcomes to the ICF. Methods: Across 5 sequential rounds, 2 novices independently linked outcomes to the ICF. A consensus discussion followed each round that informed refinement of the customized ICF linking rules. The inter-rater reliability was calculated for each round using Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC1). Results: A total of 1,297 outcomes were linked across 5 rounds. At the end of round 1 inter-rater reliability was high (AC1 = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.68–0.80). At the end of round 3, interrater reliability (AC1 = 0.84, 95% CI 0.80–0.88) was significantly improved and marked the point of consistency where further improvements in inter-rater reliability were not statistically significant. Conclusion: A sequential iterative linking method provides a learning curve that allows novices to achieve high-levels of agreement through consensus discussion and iterative refinement of the customized ICF linking rules. LAY ABSTRACT Outcomes are commonly used in healthcare and research to evaluate the effect of an intervention or treatment, such as the effect a prosthesis has on the ability to walk in the community or participate in activities. Cataloguing outcomes using well-established classification systems, such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, is important, as it allows outcomes and research to be described using an internationally understood and agreed language. This study aimed to describe an innovative approach to cataloguing outcomes to the ICF, using a method that provides novices with a learning opportunity. In using this innovative method novices were able to catalogue outcomes to the ICF framework with a similar degree of reliability as experts. This will reduce the barriers to novices conducting this type of research in the future.

Innovative models of healthcare, such as telehealth, are required to meet the growing demand for orthotic/prosthetic (O&P) services. While O&P users report being very satisfied with telehealth, many clinical facilities have reverted to in-person modes of care as COVID-19 restrictions have eased. As such, there is a disconnect between benefits of telehealth to O&P users, and the clinical services being delivered in-person. The aim of this study was to explore the orthotist/prosthetist's perspective of the barriers and facilitators influencing use of telehealth in the United States of America (USA). O&P practitioners were recruited from across the USA. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to document practitioner demographics, the services being provided using telehealth, and practitioners' perspective of the barriers and facilitators influencing use of telehealth. Data describing participant demographics and services were summarised. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. 30 practitioners from across the USA participated. Telehealth was used to deliver a range of O&P services including: initial evaluations, routine follow-ups, and delivery of a device in rare circumstances. Barriers to using telehealth included: poor phone/internet connection and lack of access to technology. Facilitators to using telehealth included: a patient-focussed attitude, and recognition of the benefit of telehealth. Telehealth is being used across the entire spectrum of O&P care. Once the significant barriers were resolved, like access to reliable internet/phone reception, telehealth was feasible. An outstanding telehealth experience was facilitated by practitioners who focused on the benefits that telehealth can provide (not the limitations), as well as giving O&P users agency over the choice to use telehealth. There are opportunities to improve access to safe and effective O&P telehealth services by adopting a right-touch approach to practitioner regulation, and advocating for reimbursement that supports better systems and procedures within clinical facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Little is known about the outcomes that are most important to prosthesis users and funders. A Prosthetic Interventions Core Outcome Set (PI-COS) will help researchers and practitioners measure outcomes that are the most important to prosthesis users and funders. Materials and methods: Prosthesis users and funders rated the importance of 121 International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) second-level categories using a two-round Delphi survey. A Consensus Meeting using the nominal group technique resolved rating differences between groups. The ICF second-level categories were ranked according to importance and a K-Means Cluster Analysis helped establish the PI-COS. Results: 65 users and 8 funders completed the Delphi surveys, followed by a Consensus Meeting. 26 ICF second-level categories were considered important to prosthesis users and funders and a PI-COS of 14 ICF second-level categories drawn predominantly from five ICF chapters was established: Sensory Functions and Pain (b2), Neuromusculoskeletal and Movement-related Functions (b7), General Tasks and Demands (d2), Mobility (d4), and Products and Technology (e1). Conclusions: The PI-COS describes the outcomes that are most important to prosthesis users and funders. The PI-COS can help focus on the most important outcome measures in clinical practice and research, including future prosthetic health economic evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I have discovered an extensive and illuminating report of the Illustrated Lecture on Somerset Folk Songs given by Cecil Sharp under the auspices of the Somerset Men in London, a [...]

This study employed survey research methods to collect data from teachers from a district with long-term, high conflict between teachers and the school board and teachers from two districts with short-term, medium conflict between teachers and the school boards. Teachers in highly politicized school districts had quite different perceptions of teaching than those in more stable contexts. Differences included diminished perception of the value of teaching as a job, questioning the impact they could have on social inequities and disadvantages, and less support received from family and friends about their teaching career, among several others.

Abstract Background By 2050, the global demand for orthotic and prosthetic services is expected to double. Unfortunately, the orthotic/prosthetic workforce is not well placed to meet this growing demand. Strengthening the regulation of orthotist/prosthetists will be key to meeting future workforce demands, however little is known about the extent of orthotist/prosthetist regulation nor the mechanisms through which regulation could best be strengthened. Fortunately, a number of allied health professions have international-level regulatory support that may serve as a model to strengthen regulation of the orthotic/prosthetic profession. The aims of this study were to describe the national-level regulation of orthotist/prosthetists globally, and the international-level regulatory support provided to allied health professions. Method Two environmental scans benchmarked the national-level regulation of the orthotist/prosthetist workforce, and the regulatory support provided by international allied health professional bodies using a set of nine core practitioner standards (core standards) including: Minimum Training/Education, Entry-level Competency Standards, Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct and/or Ethics, Course Accreditation, Continuing Professional Development, Language Standard, Recency of Practice, and Return-to-Practice. Each identified country was categorised by income status (i.e. High-, Upper-Middle-, Lower-Middle-, and Low-Income countries). Results Some degree of regulation of the orthotist/prosthetist workforce was identified in 30 (15%) of the world’s 197 countries. All core standards were present in 6 of these countries. Countries of higher economic status had more core standards in place than countries of lower economic status. International-level professional bodies were identified for 14 of 20 allied health professions. International bodies for the physical therapy (8 core standards) and occupational therapy (5 core standards) professions provided regulatory support to help national associations meet most of the core standards. Conclusion Given the small proportion of countries that have national practitioner regulatory standards in place, most orthotist/prosthetists are working under little-to-no regulation. This presents an opportunity to develop rigorous national-level regulation that can support workforce growth to meet future workforce demands. Given the financial and expertise barriers that hinder the development of a more regulated orthotist/prosthetist workforce, particularly for Low- and Lower-Middle-Income countries, we recommend the establishment of an international professional body with the express purpose to support national-level regulation of orthotist/prosthetists, and thereby build the regulatory capacity of national orthotic/prosthetic associations.

Abstract Background Previous Australian workforce analyses revealed a small orthotist/prosthetist workforce with a low number of practitioners per 100,000 Australians. In recent years, initiatives were implemented to increase relative workforce size, including a government-led change in immigration policy to facilitate entry of experienced internationally trained orthotist/prosthetists into the Australian workforce. Given these changes, this project aimed to compare demographics of the orthotist/prosthetist workforce in Australia and each state/territory between 2007, 2012 and 2019. Methods This quasi-experiment analysed data from the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) database of certified orthotist/prosthetists, to compare changes in the absolute number of practitioners and the number of practitioners per 100,000 population, as well as practitioner age, gender and service location (i.e., metropolitan, regional/remote) across three time points, with a breakdown by each Australian state and territory. Results Between 2007 and 2019, the number of orthotist/prosthetists per 100,000 population increased 90%. Average age reduced significantly between 2007 (41.5 years) and 2019 (35 years) (p = 0.001). While the proportion of female practitioners increased significantly between 2007 (30%) and 2019 (49%), and between 2012 (38%) and 2019 (49%) (p

The results reveal that tertiary institutions have low levels of EEO reporting especially for sexual orientation and religious issues. More mandatory state-based legislation may be needed.

Key knowledge management attributes of the world's most prestigious Anglo-American universities are surprisingly under-reported especially by best ranked USA institutions. This leads to calls for more transparency.

Telehealth may help meet the growing demand for orthotic/prosthetic services. Despite the resurgence of telehealth due to COVID-19, there is limited evidence to inform policy and funding decisions, nor guide practitioners. Participants were adult orthosis/prosthesis users or parents/guardians of child orthosis/prosthesis users. Participants were convenience sampled following an orthotic/prosthetic telehealth service. An online survey included: demographics, Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, and the Orthotic Prosthetic Users Survey – Client Satisfaction with Services. A subsample of participants took part in a semi-structured interview. Most participants were tertiary educated, middle-aged, female, and lived in metropolitan or regional centres. Most telehealth services were for routine reviews. Most participants chose to use telehealth given the distance to the orthotic/prosthetic service, irrespective of whether they lived in metropolitan cities or regional areas. Participants were highly satisfied with the telehealth mode and the clinical service they received via telehealth. While orthosis/prosthesis users were highly satisfied with the clinical service received, and the telehealth mode, technical issues affected reliability and detracted from the user experience. Interviews highlighted the importance of high-quality interpersonal communication, agency and control over the decision to use telehealth, and a degree of health literacy from a lived experience of using an orthosis/prosthesis. Orthotic/prosthetic users were highly satisfied with the clinical services they received via telehealth. Satisfaction was linked to having agency and control over the decision to use telehealth, a clear understanding of the purpose of the appointment and any requirements, and a degree of health literacy that facilitated communication. Orthosis/prosthesis users and practitioners can make informed choices about using telehealth which suggests that many telehealth guidelines maybe unnecessarily risk averse. Telehealth is a useful tool to overcome barriers to accessing orthotic/prosthetic care for people in both metropolitan and regional areas. There are opportunities to support clinicians with targeted telehealth education to improve practice and reduce barriers to high-quality telehealth services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores ways in which scholarly skill and expertise might be embodied in tools and sustainable practices that enable communities to create and manage their own digital archives. We focus particularly on tools and practices related to the recording and annotation of digitized materials. The paper is based on co-production practice in two very different kinds of community. Although the communities are different we find that tools designed for a specific community are valuable for others, thus offering the promise of general tools to support community-centred digitization and potentially also traditional archival practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I have discovered news of the Corbridge Full Plough in Robert Forster's The History of Corbridge and its Antiquities (Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1881), pp. 56-57. (1) Forster records that: [...] the performance [...]