Multivariate modelling of subjective and objective monitoring data improve the detection of non-contact injury risk in elite Australian footballers
- Authors: Colby, Marcus , Dawson, Brian , Peeling, Peter , Heasman, Jarryd , Rogalski, Brent , Drew, Michael , Stares, Jordan , Zouhal, Hassane , Lester, Leanne
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 20, no. 12 (2017), p. 1068-1074
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- Description: Objectives: To assess the association between workload, subjective wellness, musculoskeletal screening measures and non-contact injury risk in elite Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Across 4 seasons in 70 players from one club, cumulative weekly workloads (acute; 1 week, chronic; 2-, 3-, 4-week) and acute:chronic workload ratio’s (ACWR: 1-week load/average 4-weekly load) for session-Rating of Perceived Exertion (sRPE) and GPS-derived distance and sprint distance were calculated. Wellness, screening and non-contact injury data were also documented. Univariate and multivariate regression models determined injury incidence rate ratios (IRR) while accounting for interaction/moderating effects. Receiver operating characteristics determined model predictive accuracy (area under curve: AUC). Results: Very low cumulative chronic (2-, 3-, 4- week) workloads were associated with the greatest injury risk (univariate IRR = 1.71–2.16, 95% CI = 1.10–4.52) in the subsequent week. In multivariate analysis, the interaction between a low chronic load and a very high distance (adj-IRR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.07–6.34) or low sRPE ACWR (adj-IRR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.01–6.29) was associated with increased injury risk. Subjectively reporting “yes” (vs. “no”) for old lower limb pain and heavy non-football activity in the previous 7 days (multivariate adj-IRR = 2.01–2.25, 95% CI = 1.02–4.95) and playing experience (>9 years) (multivariate adj- IRR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.03–4.06) was also associated with increased injury risk, but screening data were not. Predictive capacity of multivariate models was significantly better than univariate (AUCmultivariate = 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.75; AUCunivariate range = 0.51–0.60). Conclusions: Chronic load is an important moderating factor in the workload–injury relationship. Low chronic loads coupled with low or very high ACWR are associated with increased injury risk.
- Description: Objectives: To assess the association between workload, subjective
Near miss experiences of transport and recreational cyclists in New South Wales, Australia. Findings from a prospective cohort study
- Authors: Poulos, Roslyn , Hatfield, Julie , Rissel, Chris , Flack, Lloyd , Shaw, Louise , Grzebieta, Raphael , McIntosh, Andrew
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Accident Analysis and Prevention Vol. 101, no. (2017), p. 143-153
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- Description: This paper investigates events in which cyclists perceive a cycling crash is narrowly avoided (henceforth, a near miss). A cohort of 2038 adult transport and recreational cyclists from New South Wales (Australia) provided self-reported prospectively collected data from cycling diaries to allow the calculation of an exposure-based rate of near misses and investigation of near miss circumstances. During 25,971 days of cycling, 3437 near misses were reported. For a given time cycling, cyclists who rode mainly for transport (compared with those who rode mainly for recreation), and cyclists with less experience (compared to those with more experience) were more likely to report a near miss; older cyclists (60+ years) were less likely to report a near miss than younger cyclists (25-59 years). Where type of near miss was recorded, 72.0% involved motor vehicles, 10.9% involved pedestrians and 6.9% involved other cyclists. Results indicate some similarities between near misses and crashes reported by this cohort during the same reporting period. A bias toward reporting near misses with motor Vehicles was suggested, which likely reflects cyclists' perceptions that crashes involving motor vehicles are particularly serious, and highlights their impact on perceived safety. Given the relative rarity of crashes, and the limited breadth and depth of administrative data, collection of near miss data may contribute to our understanding of cycling safety by increasing the volume and detail of information available for analysis. Addressing the causes of near misses may offer an opportunity to improve both perceived and actual safety for cyclists. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Online news media reporting of football-related fatalities in Australia : A matter of life and death
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , Bekker, Sheree , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 21, no. 3 (2017), p. 245-249
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- Description: Objectives: While deaths in sports settings are rare, they do occur. To develop an understanding of the sports and people most at risk, and to identify opportunities for prevention, routine and systematic data detailing the occurrence of these fatalities is required. There is currently no routine reporting of data of this nature in Australia. As there is often strong community interest in these incidents, the media offers an opportunity for surveillance. However before this can occur, understanding of the terminology used by the media is required. The aim of this study was to identify the terminology most frequently used in online Australian news media coverage of football-related deaths. Design: Retrospective review of online news media. Methods: Three databases were searched for online news media reports of people who died while participating in football (all football codes) in Australia. A descriptive analysis of terminology was undertaken to identify the common language applied. Results: Thirty-four football-related fatalities in Australia were identified between 2010-2016, via 149 separate articles. The most frequent terms identified in the media items were: Family; Club; Rugby; Football; Player; League; Died; Game; Death; Life; Loved; Hospital; Match; Young; Community; Playing; Friends; Sport; Heart; AFL [Australian Football League]. Conclusions: This study identified terminology used in reporting football-related fatalities in Australia, identifying common reference to terms relating to 'death' as metaphors and the frequent celebration of 'life.' The findings suggest that a reliance on researcher-generated terminology will be insufficient to reflect media discourse in prospective monitoring of sports deaths for surveillance.
Responsible gambling among older adults : a qualitative exploration
- Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily , Satghare, Pratika , Vaingankar, Janhavi , Picco, Louisa , Browning, Colette , Chong, Siow , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 17, no. 1 (2017), p.
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- Description: Background: Responsible gambling (RG) is defined as gambling for pleasure and entertainment but with an awareness of the likelihood of losing, an understanding of the associated risks and the ability to exercise control over one's gambling activity. The current study describes a qualitative approach to explore RG among older adults (aged 60 years and above) in Singapore and reports on the cognitive and behavioural strategies employed by them to regulate their gambling. Methods: Inclusion criteria included Singapore residents aged 60 years and above, who could speak in English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil and were current or past regular gamblers. Participants were recruited using a combination of network and purposive sampling. Socio-demographic information on age, age of onset of gambling, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education and employment was collected. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was used to collect information on gambling activities and problems associated with gambling behaviour. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 older adults (60 years and above) who currently gambled. The data was analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results: This global theme of RG comprised two organising themes: self -developed strategies to limit gambling related harm and family interventions to reduce gambling harm. The basic themes included delayed gratification, perception of futility of gambling, setting limits, maintaining balance, help-seeking and awareness of disordered gambling in self or in others. Family interventions included pleading and threatening, compelling help-seeking as well as family exclusion order. Conclusions: The study highlights the significant role that families play in Asian societies in imposing RG. Education of family members both in terms of the importance of RG, and communication of the ways in which older adults can incorporate RG behaviours including the use of exclusion in specific scenarios is important. © 2017 The Author(s).
Sport and ageing : A systematic review of the determinants and trends of participation in sport for older adults
- Authors: Jenkin, Claire , Eime, Rochelle , Westerbeek, Hans , O'Sullivan, Grant , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: BMC Public Health Vol. 17, no. 1 (2017), p. 1-20
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- Description: Background: The global population is ageing. As ageing is often associated with a decline in health, there is a need to further develop preventative health measures. Physical activity can positively influence older adults’ (aged 50 years and older) health. Previous research on the relationship between physical activity and health for older adults has mainly focused on physical activity in general, and not specific types of exercise. Due to the social nature of sport, it may assist in improving physical, mental and social health for older adults. Sport, as a form of physical activity, has not been widely explored as a physical activity opportunity for older adults. This review concurrently explored two research questions: the determinants and the trends of sport participation for community dwelling older adults. Methods: Two parallel systematic searches of nine electronic databases were conducted in December 2015 for the two research questions. English language quantitative and qualitative studies that provided specific results for community dwelling older adults’ sport participation were included and a quality ratings assessment was undertaken. Results: There were 10,171 studies initially identified for the first research question and 1992 studies for the second research question. This culminated in 18 and 8 studies respectively that met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently mentioned determinants of participation were health and using sport to negotiate the ageing process. The most frequently mentioned trends of sport participation were the effect of historical sport participation on current participation, and sport participation across the lifespan. The main themes for both research questions had contrasting results, for example, participation in sport could improve health, but poor health was also a limitation of sport participation. Conclusions: This review demonstrates that older adults are a heterogeneous age group, and therefore require different strategies than other age groups to successfully participate in sport. It is recommended that the main findings from this review are incorporated into specific strategies to develop age appropriate sporting opportunities for older adults, so that sport can be presented as a viable physical activity option for this age group.
- Description: Background: The global population is ageing. As ageing is often
Sports biostatistician : A critical member of all sports science and medicine teams for injury prevention
- Authors: Casals, Martí , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Prevention Vol. 23, no. 6 (2017), p. 423-427
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 52, no. 22 (2018), p. 1457-1461
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- Description: Sports science and medicine need specialists to solve the challenges that arise with injury data. In the sports injury field, it is important to be able to optimise injury data to quantify injury occurrences, understand their aetiology and most importantly, prevent them. One of these specialty professions is that of Sports Biostatistician. The aim of this paper is to describe the emergent field of Sports Biostatistics and its relevance to injury prevention. A number of important issues regarding this profession and the science of sports injury prevention are highlighted. There is a clear need for more multidisciplinary teams that incorporate biostatistics, epidemiology and public health in the sports injury area. © Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited.
The impact of a Web-based educational program on the recognition and management of deteriorating patients
- Authors: Liaw, Sok , Chng, Devon , Wong, Lai , Ho, Jasmine , Mordiffi, Siti , Cooper, Simon J. , Chua, Wei , Ang, Emily
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Nursing Vol. 26, no. 23-24 (2017), p. 4848-4856
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- Description: Aims and objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based educational program to enhance enrolled nurses’ knowledge and skills in the recognition and management of deteriorating patients. Background: Ward nurses of different skill levels play a pivotal role in detecting and responding to deteriorating patients. A skill mix of registered nurses, enrolled nurses, licensed practical nurses or healthcare assistants is often employed for the provision of nursing care in acute settings. Non-registered nurses frequently perform bedside care and are in the best position to detect deteriorating patients and initiate immediate actions, including commanding the attention of registered nurses. Education is needed to improve the knowledge and skills of these nurses. Design: A randomised controlled trial with a pretest–post-test design. Methods: The sample included enrolled nurses from an acute care tertiary hospital. Following a baseline evaluation, the experimental group received a Web-based educational intervention. Pre–post assessment of skills and knowledge was performed with a simulated scenario and a knowledge questionnaire. Sixty-four nurses completed the entire study. Results: Following the intervention, participants from the experimental group were significantly more likely than those in the control group to monitor the patient's respiratory and pulse rates. In addition, they had significantly higher post-test mean scores for knowledge and skills in assessing and managing clinical deterioration and reporting deterioration. Conclusion: The Web-based educational intervention significantly improved enrolled nurses’ knowledge and skills in the recognition and management of a deteriorating patient in a simulated setting. Relevance to clinical practice: Ease of access to the Web-based platform contributed to the feasibility and acceptability of this study, which has the potential to positively impact patient safety. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
The impact of Saudi hospital accreditation on quality of care : a mixed methods study
- Authors: Almasabi, Mohammed , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Health Planning and Management Vol. 32, no. 4 (2017), p. e261-e278
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- Description: In 2005, the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) was launched in Saudi Arabia in order to improve the quality of care. By 2010, the first hospital was accredited by CBAHI, followed by many hospitals in following years. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of CBAHI on quality of care. In this study we used a mixed methods approach involving surveys, documentary analyses and semi-structure interviews. Surveys data were collected from 669 staff. Documentary analyses included mortality, infection and length of stay. The semi-structure interview data were gathered from 12 senior managers. Data were collected from three accredited public hospitals. Although some improvements in procedure were recognised, CBAHI does not monitor the continuity of health care delivery and had no effect on quality outcomes in our analysis. This study illustrates a need to sustain improvements over time in the accreditation cycle. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship of sport participation to provision of sports facilities and socioeconomic status : A geographical analysis
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Charity, Melanie , Casey, Meghan , Westerbeek, Hans , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Vol. 41, no. 3 (2017), p. 248-255
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- Description: OBJECTIVE: Ecological models have been applied to investigate multiple domains influencing physical activity behaviour, including individual, social, organisational, community, environmental and policy factors. With regard to the built environment, research to date has been limited to small geographical areas and/or small samples of participants. This study examined the geographical association between provision of sport facilities and participation in sport across an entire Australian state, using objective total enumerations of both, for a group of sports, with adjustment for the effect of socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: De-identified membership registration data were obtained from state sport governing bodies of four popular team sports. Associations between participation rate, facility provision rate and SES were investigated using correlation and regression methods. RESULTS: Participation rate was positively associated with provision of facilities, although this was complicated by SES and region effects. The non-metropolitan region generally had higher participation rates and better provision of facilities than the metropolitan region. CONCLUSIONS: Better provision of sports facilities is generally associated with increased sport participation, but SES and region are also contributing factors. Implications for public health: Community-level analysis of the population, sport participation and provision of facilities should be used to inform decisions of investments in sports facilities.
The urban-rural divide : hypertensive disease hospitalisations in Victoria 2010–2015
- Authors: Robins, Shalley , Gardiner, Samantha , Terry, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Medical Journal Vol. 10, no. 11 (2017), p. 953-963
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- Description: Background Hypertension is present in 23–32 per cent of Australians, making it one of the most prevalent diseases in the country. It is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Australia and it affects rural populations at a higher rate than urban residents. Aims The aims of this study were to investigate the differences in hypertensive disease hospitalisations across rural and urban Victoria, and to determine predicting variables. Methods Hospital admission data from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2015 were obtained through the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset and other organisations. Data included various patient demographics for each hospital admission entry. The rates of hospitalisation for each Local Government Area were analysed. Further regression analysis was undertaken to examine the association between hypertensive disease hospitalisation and various predictor variables. Results From 2010–2015 11,205 hypertensive disease hospital admissions were recorded of which 64.8 per cent were female, 74.7 per cent admissions were at urban hospitals, and 65.0 per cent were public patients. Hospitalisation rates were consistently higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and rural residents on average stayed in hospital for longer. Significant predictor variables for hypertensive disease hospitalisation included various indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage, GPs per 1,000 population and GP attendance per 1,000 population. Conclusion Hypertensive disease hospitalisation in Victoria continues to rise and rates of hospitalisation of rural Victorians continue to be higher than their urban counterparts. Females were hospitalised almost twice as often as males. Further research is required to identify the specific factors that impede access to health services, particularly in the identified high-risk populations. © 2017, Australasian Medical Journal Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.
A new scale for disaster nursing core competencies : Development and psychometric testing
- Authors: Al Thobaity, Abdulellah , Williams, Brett , Plummer, Virginia
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal Vol. 19, no. 1 (2016), p. 11-19
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- Description: Background: All nurses must have core competencies in preparing for, responding to and recovering from a disaster. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as in many other countries, disaster nursing core competencies are not fully understood and lack reliable, validated tools. Thus, it is imperative to develop a scale for exploring disaster nursing core competencies, roles and barriers in the KSA. Objectives: This study's objective is to develop a valid, reliable scale that identifies and explores core competencies of disaster nursing, nurses' roles in disaster management and barriers to developing disaster nursing in the KSA. Methods: This study developed a new scale testing its validity and reliability. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to develop and test psychometric properties of the new scale. The PCA used a purposive sample of nurses from emergency departments in two hospitals in the KSA. Participants rated 93 paper-based, self-report questionnaire items from 1 to 10 on a Likert scale. PCA using Varimax rotation was conducted to explore factors emerging from responses. Findings: The study's participants were 132 nurses (66% response rate). PCA of the 93 questionnaire items revealed 49 redundant items (which were deleted) and 3 factors with eigenvalues of >1. The remaining 44 items accounted for 77.3% of the total variance. The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.96 for all factors: 0.98 for Factor 1, 0.92 for Factor 2 and 0.86 for Factor 3. Conclusions: This study provided a validated, reliable scale for exploring nurses' core competencies, nurses' roles and barriers to developing disaster nursing in the KSA. The new scale has many implications, such as for improving education, planning and curricula. © 2015.
An Australian mixed methods pilot study exploring students performing patient risk screening
- Authors: Gibson, Simone , Golder, Janet , Cant, Robyn , Davidson, Zoe
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nursing and Health Sciences Vol. 18, no. 2 (2016), p. 203-209
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Clinical placement shortages and rising costs have created demand to provide low-resource, high value student learning opportunities. Malnutrition screening provides a vehicle for achieving this. A mixed methods explanatory sequential intervention study investigated time costs, and students' perceptions of preparedness after performing routine patient screening tasks, as well as students' overall views on their feelings of confidence and preparedness when commencing their first clinical placements. Pre-clinical student dietitians commencing initial placements participated (n=58), with 16 of these forming a subgroup who performed malnutrition screening tasks while the others attended usual placement orientation. The time saved when students undertook screening tasks usually assigned to nurses was substantial. Questionnaires revealed that student perceived confidence increased in the screening group when compared with controls. Focus group themes included "anxiety and confidence," "learning in the clinical learning environment," "communication skill development," and "the pre-placement screening experience." Students performing routine patient-screening tasks prior to initial clinical placement has potential cost savings for healthcare organizations and was perceived to be valuable for learning. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Anthelmintic activity of selected ethno-medicinal plant extracts on parasitic stages of Haemonchus contortus
- Authors: Kumarasingha, Rasika , Preston, Sarah , Yeo, Tiong-Chia , Lim, Diana , Tu, Chu-Lee , Palombo, Enzo , Shaw, Jillian , Gasser, Robin , Boag, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Parasites and Vectors Vol. 9, no. 1 (2016), p. 1-7
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- Description: Background: Parasitic roundworms (nematodes) cause substantial morbidity and mortality in livestock animals globally, and considerable productivity losses to farmers. The control of these nematodes has relied largely on the use of a limited number of anthelmintics. However, resistance to many of these these anthelmintics is now widespread, and, therefore, there is a need to find new drugs to ensure sustained and effective treatment and control into the future. Methods: Recently, we developed a screening assay to test natural, plant extracts with known inhibitory effects against the free-living worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Using this assay, we assessed here the effects of the extracts on motility and development of parasitic larval stages of Haemonchus contortus, one of the most important nematodes of small ruminants worldwide. Results: The study showed that two of five extracts from Picria fel-terrae Lour. have a significant inhibitory effect (at concentrations of 3-5 mg/ml) on the motility and development of H. contortus larvae. Although the two extracts originated from the same plant, they displayed different levels of inhibition on motility and development, which might relate to the presence of various active constituents in these extracts, or the same constituents at different concentrations in distinct parts of the plant. Conclusions: These results suggest that extracts from P. fel-terrae Lour. have promising anthelmintic activity and that more broadly, plant extracts are a potential rich source of anthelmintics to combat helminthic diseases. © 2016 Kumarasingha et al.
Barriers and enablers to the delivery of psychological care in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China : a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework
- Authors: Chapman, Anna , Yang, Hui , Thomas, Shane , Searle, Kendall , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Health Services Research Vol. 16, no. 1 (2016), p.
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- Description: Background: China has the largest number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases globally and individuals with T2DM have an increased risk of developing mental health disorders and functional problems. Despite guidelines recommending that psychological care be delivered in conjunction with standard T2DM care; psychological care is not routinely delivered in China. Community Health Centre (CHC) doctors play a key role in the management of patients with T2DM in China. Understanding the behavioural determinants of CHC doctors in the implementation of psychological care recommendations allows for the design of targeted and culturally appropriate interventions. As such, this study aimed to examine barriers and enablers to the delivery of psychological care to patients with T2DM from the perspective of CHC doctors in China. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 23 CHC doctors from Shenzhen, China. The discussion guide applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) that examines current practice and identifies key barriers and enablers perceived to influence practice. Focus groups were conducted with an interpreter, and were digitally recorded and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded transcripts into pre-defined themes using deductive thematic analysis. Results: Barriers and enablers perceived by doctors as being relevant to the delivery of psychological care for patients with T2DM were primarily categorised within eight TDF domains. Key barriers included: CHC doctors' knowledge and skills; time constraints; and absence of financial incentives. Other barriers included: societal perception that treating psychological aspects of health is less important than physical health; lack of opinion leaders; doctors' intentional disregard of psychological care; and doubts regarding the efficacy of psychological care. In contrast, perceived enablers included: Training of CHC doctors in psychological skills; identification of afternoon/evening clinic times when recommendations could be implemented; introduction of financial incentives; and the creation of a professional role (e.g. diabetes educator), that could implement psychological care recommendations to patients with T2DM. © 2016 Chapman et al..
Birds as Totemic beings and creators in the Lower Murray, South Australia
- Authors: Clarke, Philip
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Ethnobiology Vol. 36, no. 2 (2016), p. 277-293
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- Description: This paper is a literature review of the relationships Indigenous peoples in the Lower Murray of temperate South Australia had with the local avifauna as recorded in the early years of European settlement. Birds were prominent as clan ancestors in their creation stories, being credited with the formation of landforms and the establishment of law and custom. Aboriginal origin stories describe bird behavior and detail the relationships between birds, plants, rain, and fire. Ornithological bodies of knowledge that are framed outside of Western science, such as the ethno-ornithological information discussed here, provide an alternative lens with which to view avifaunal biodiversity in a manner that respects local cultural values
Changes in sport and physical activity participation for adolescent females : A longitudinal study
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , Sawyer, Neroli , Craike, Melinda , Symons, Caroline , Payne, Warren
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Bmc Public Health Vol. 16, no. (2016), p. 1-7
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- Description: Background: Participation in sport and physical activity is reported to decline during adolescence, particularly for females. However we do not have a clear understanding of changes in the context (i.e., modes and settings) of participation throughout adolescence. This study investigated longitudinal changes in physical activity participation and the specific modes and settings of physical activity, together with cross-sectional comparisons, for two age cohorts of female adolescents. Methods: Survey of 729 adolescent girls (489 recruited in Year 7 and 243 in Year 11). Participation in eight different modes/settings was reported. PA was measured using 24-h recall diary and metabolic equivalent weighted energy expenditure (MET-min) in Leisure Time Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity (LTMVPA) on the previous day was calculated. Results: There were no significant changes in duration or total MET-min of LTMVPA on previous day. However, there were significant changes in the modes/settings of participation across time. Participation in school physical education rose during early adolescence before decreasing significantly, and participation in competitive sport and club sport significantly decreased over time; however there were increases in non-competitive forms of physical activity. Conclusions: Overall levels of physical activity did not significantly decrease over adolescence, which is positive for physical health. However, the transition from structured sport to non-organised physical activity may effect social and psychological health, which needs to be further examined.
Collaboration between nurses and physicians in an Indonesian Emergency Department
- Authors: Suryanto , Plummer, Virginia , Copnell, Beverley
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal Vol. 19, no. 2 (2016), p. 82-89
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Background: Positive collaboration between nurses and physicians is essential in emergency practice because it has a significant relationship with the quality, safety, accountability, and responsibility of care. The aim of this study was to examine nurses' and physicians' attitudes towards collaboration in the Emergency Department in the Indonesian context. Methods: The study was a comparative study using a modified Jefferson Scale of Attitude towards Physician-Nurse Collaboration. Data were collected from 47 nurses and 24 physicians of one of 25 general hospitals in Malang, Indonesia, by anonymous survey. Results: Emergency nurses had significantly more positive attitudes towards collaboration than emergency physicians (P < 0.001). Emergency nurses had significantly higher scores in three of four domains of the instrument, "physician dominance", "nurse autonomy", and "caring as opposed to curing". The effects of gender, age, and education on nurses' and physicians' attitude towards collaboration were not statistically significant. However, experience in the Emergency Department of the general hospital was significantly related to participants' attitudes towards collaboration (P = 0.023). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that attitudes towards collaboration among the two professions should be enhanced. Inter-professional education and promotion of teamwork may be solutions to improve the relationship, not only between nurses and physicians, but also other healthcare providers. © 2016 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia.
Community assets and capabilities to recruit and retain GPs : the community apgar questionnaire in rural Victoria
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural and Remote Health Vol. 16, no. 4 (2016), p.
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- Description: Introduction: Rural communities continue to experience significant challenges recruiting and retaining physicians. The Community Apgar Questionnaire (CAQ) was developed in Idaho in the USA to comprehensively assess the characteristics associated with successful recruitment and retention of rural physicians. The CAQ has been utilised and validated across the USA; however, its value in rural Australia has not been examined. The objective of this study was to use the CAQ in rural Australia to examine its utility and develop a greater understanding of the community factors that impact general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention. Method: The project conducted structured face-to-face interviews with hospital chief executive officers (CEOs) and directors of clinical services (DCSs) from 14 of the 21 (76%) health services that agreed to participate in rural north-eastern Victoria, Australia. The interviews were undertaken to complete the CAQ, which contains 50 questions centred on factors that influence physician recruitment and retention. Once completed, CAQs were scored by assigning quantitative values to a community's strengths and challenges including the level of importance placed on each factor. As such, the most important factors in physician recruitment, whether they are advantages or challenges for that community, were then weighed for their relative importance. Scores were then combined to create a CAQ score. To ensure reliability and validity of the results, three additional CAQs were purposefully administered to key general practices within the region. Results: The 14 rural communities exhibited cumulative CAQ scores ranging from a high of 387 to a low score of 61. This suggests the tool was sensitive enough to differentiate between communities that were high and low performers in terms of physician recruitment. The groups of factors that had the greatest impact on recruitment and retention were ranked highest to lowest and included medical support, hospital/community support, economic, scope of practice and geographic factors. Overall, the highest individual factors to impact recruitment and retention were perception of quality, hospital leadership, nursing workforce and transfer arrangements. Conversely, the lowest factors and challenges to recruitment and retention were family related, specifically spousal satisfaction and access to schools. Conclusions: Hume, in rural Victoria, was the first international site to implement the CAQ to differentially diagnose a community's relative strengths and challenges in recruiting and retaining GPs, while supporting health facilities to prioritise achievable goals to improve long-term retention strategies. It provided each community with a tailored gap analysis, while confidentially sharing best practices of other health facilities. Within Hume, open communication and trust between GPs and health facility leadership and nursing staff ensures that GPs can feel valued and supported. Possible solutions for GP recruitment and retention must consider the social, employment and educational opportunities that are available for spouses and children. Participation in the program was useful as it helped health facilities ascertain how they were performing while highlighting areas for improvement. © James Cook University 2016.
Coronary artery disease : Why we should consider the Y chromosome
- Authors: Molina, Elsa , Clarence, Elyse , Ahmady, Farah , Chew, Guatsiew , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Heart Lung and Circulation Vol. 25, no. 8 (Aug 2016), p. 791-801
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
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- Description: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. In the last few years our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms that promote CAD in individuals has increased with the advent of the genome era. This complex inflammatory disease has well-defined environmental risk factors. However, in the last 10 years, studies including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have clearly demonstrated a genetic influence on CAD. Recently, studies on the human Y chromosome have also demonstrated that genetic variation within the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) could play a part in determining cardiovascular risk in men, confirming the notion that the increased risk for CAD in men cannot be fully explained through common CAD risk factors. Here, we review the literature about the pathophysiology of CAD, its potential causes and environmental risk factors known so far. Furthermore, we review the genetics of CAD, especially the latest discoveries regarding the implication of the Y chromosome, the most underexplored portion of the human genome to date, highlighting methods and difficulties arising in this research field, and discussing the importance of considering the Y chromosome in CAD research.
ED-HOME : Improving educator confidence and patient education in the Emergency Department
- Authors: Coombs, Nicole , Porter, Joanne , Beauchamp, Alison
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal Vol. 19, no. 3 (2016), p. 133-137
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- Description: Background Barriers to effective patient communication in the emergency department (ED) are well recognised; time, resources and staff and consumer expectations. This project aimed to improve the quality of health education provided in the ED by increasing nurses’ confidence as educators. Method By providing a staff information package including the introduction of a new structured education tool; ED-HOME, and by assessing the confidence and self-efficacy of the nurses in the process, we hoped to determine if an improvement in practice and confidence was achieved. A quantitative, pre and post-test questionnaire comparison study was undertaken before and after a four week implementation period. The project examined the attitudes and practices of registered emergency nurses and was conducted in one metropolitan emergency department. Results Results indicated that nurse confidence and self-efficacy improved by using the new structured ED-HOME format and both staff satisfaction and education competence increased. Participants positively responded to the new tool and recommended future use in the ED. Conclusion This project demonstrates that if emergency nurses feel more confident with their educating practices and by using a structured format, patients will benefit from better quality patient education provided in the ED. © 2016 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia