Showing items 1 - 14 of 14

'I am ready' partnership : program evaluation report 1 February 2019-30 June 2020

- Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Bur, Jennifer, James, Michaelle, Prokopiv, Val, Federation University. Gippsland Collaborative Evaluation Unit

  • Authors: Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Bur, Jennifer , James, Michaelle , Prokopiv, Val , Federation University. Gippsland Collaborative Evaluation Unit
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Technical report
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  • Description: The ‘I Am Ready’ Program was an innovative approach to engaging secondary school students with learning barriers, to think, plan and actively move towards employment and or further education and training. This summary has been divided into five sections which demonstrates the triangulation of the evaluation findings, highlights the key findings and includes; Reach of the program, Lessons learnt, Breaking down barriers, Building confidence and Bright future for participants and the Program.

A creative approach for undergraduate nursing students to learn anatomy and physiology : a qualitative exploratory study

- Barbagallo, Michael, Porter, Joanne, Abdelkader, Amany, James, Ainsley

  • Authors: Barbagallo, Michael , Porter, Joanne , Abdelkader, Amany , James, Ainsley
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Vol. 19, no. 1 (2022), p.
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  • Description: Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) courses in undergraduate nursing programs are often considered challenging for students. Typically, a wide variety of teaching strategies, including dissection, experiments, illustrations and photographs are used to engage students. This study aimed to explore and describe the learning experiences of an open creative assessment task on undergraduate nursing students of learning A&P. A total of eight students participated in semi-structured interviews. Two major themes emerged from the data, this included 'Bringing A&P to life' which included two sub-themes of 'Learning through peer teaching' and 'An easy way to learn', with the second major theme, 'Custom made learning' which included four sub-themes, 'To grade or not to grade', 'Catering for different learning styles', 'Logistics of group work', and 'Effect of group dynamics'. This qualitative exploratory study contributes to further pedagogical insights into art and/or creative approaches to teaching. © 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.

A thematic analysis of the perceptions of a community-based exercise program on the health and well-being of ageing adults

- Dabkowski, Elissa, Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Dabkowski, Elissa , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Health and Social Care in the Community Vol. 29, no. 6 (2021), p. 1990-1997
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  • Description: This study explores a weekly community-based exercise program (CBEP) for ageing adults in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. This program aims to improve the health and well-being of ageing adults and was evaluated using an exploratory qualitative study design. Four focus group discussions and two individual interviews were conducted before a thematic analysis using Braun & Clark's (2006) six-step approach. A total of 23 participants were involved in the study over a 6-week period. The thematic analysis resulted in two main themes: (a) meeting community needs and (b) benefits to health and well-being. Five minor themes stemmed from these two themes, in which participants identified that a service gap existed within the community and the program was adaptive in its design to meet community needs. Participants reported benefits to health and well-being, specifically perceived improved mobility and independence, social connections and ‘recharging the batteries to feel good’. The inclusion of Tai Chi exercises was noted for increased vitality and pain management benefits. The role of the exercise instructor was deemed to be instrumental to the success of the CBEP. The CBEP provides motivation for older adults to attend, increasing physical activity. Future CBEPs for ageing adults should provide a social component and relevant health education for participants. Exercises should be safely adapted by the exercise instructor to suit people of various abilities and to promote a more ‘inclusive’ environment. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Completing reflective practice post undergraduate nursing clinical placements : A literature review

- Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Vol. 14, no. 3 (2019), p. 160-165
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  • Description: Reflective practice post clinical placement in nursing education is essential to integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences. Many nursing programs in-cooperate reflective practice to permit the integration of core nursing education with clinical experiences to develop safe and component nurses. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current trends in nursing education around reflective practice post clinical practice experiences.

Evaluation of a blended online and digital learning mode of anatomy and physiology for undergraduate nursing students

- Barbagallo, Michael, Porter, Joanne, Lamunu, Medina

  • Authors: Barbagallo, Michael , Porter, Joanne , Lamunu, Medina
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: CIN - Computers Informatics Nursing Vol. 38, no. 12 (2020), p. 633-637
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  • Description: Blended online and digital learning includes a variety of activities that combine engaging classroom-based education with online learning. The aim of this study is to evaluate undergraduate students' perceptions of a blended online and digital curriculum for anatomy and physiology in the nursing degree program. A quantitative methodology was used with a sample of 100 undergraduate nursing students from a single Australian University. Descriptive statistics are and presented in this article. Of the 100 participants, 90% were enrolled in the standard mode compared to 10% in a flexible mode of delivery. Results indicated that 29% of participants preferred laboratory classes as having the most impact. Participants (46%) also agreed that recorded lectures were useful, with 36% indicating that the online platform was easy to navigate going as far as wanting more online quizzes (49%). More than half of the participants (54%) acknowledged that anatomy and physiology was important for their future careers. The blended online and digital learner preferences in delivering anatomy and physiology-related courses should be adjusted in order for learning to be effective for undergraduate students in the future. © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

FRRR health & wellness program Yinnar & District Memorial Hall Committee evaluation report

- Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Dabkowski, Elissa, Prokopiv, Val, Federation University. Collaboration Evaluation Unit.

  • Authors: Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Dabkowski, Elissa , Prokopiv, Val , Federation University. Collaboration Evaluation Unit.
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Technical report
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  • Description: The primary focus of the Yinnar Health and Wellness Program is to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults in the Gippsland region by removing barriers to participation in facilitated health and wellbeing activities. This report provides analysis and evaluation of the impact of the Program using the CEU Participatory Evaluation Framework for the period February – December 2019. Working in collaboration with key stakeholders, a mixed methods approach was taken and included the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. A literature review was also completed. Results of the data show that the Program successfully delivered weekly classes for a period of twelve months to a consistent number of participants with some significant positive outcomes. The Program was adaptive in design so that it met the individual needs of each participant. Participants reported improvements in their physical health and in their confidence. Results also showed that the Program had a positive impact on the social connectiveness of participants. In confirmation of the literature that was analysed the Program has shown that regular exercise classes have a positive physical, social, and psychological impact on individuals. Although the majority of the participants lived in Yinnar, there were a number of regulars that travelled to attend the program from neighbouring communities. There was a direct impact to the participant’s health with many individuals stating that their overall health, function and movement had improved because of attending the program. A total of 23 out of 24 participants agreed or strongly agreed that the Program had improved their fitness levels and overall confidence. Participants stated that the Program addressed a gap in the service delivery for the region. Not only did the Program improve recovery from illness it helped to maintain overall fitness levels of the participants which ultimately may lead to fewer hospital admissions. It also addressed the need for organised social connection activities for the aging population. The participants agreed that the Program met the needs of the community and the individuals, providing significant physical, mental and social benefits from regular attendance.

Latrobe City Council Community Engagement Survey 2021 Analysis

- Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Reimers, Vaughan, Prokopiv, Valerie, James, Michelle, Dabkowski, Elissa, Prezioso, Michelle, Federation University. Collaborative Evaluation Unit (CEU)

  • Authors: Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Reimers, Vaughan , Prokopiv, Valerie , James, Michelle , Dabkowski, Elissa , Prezioso, Michelle , Federation University. Collaborative Evaluation Unit (CEU)
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Technical report
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  • Description: As part of Latrobe City’s community engagement strategy, a survey was developed and distributed during May to June 2021, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data to capture feedback and suggestions on how Latrobe City could be a better place to live, work, visit and play. The survey also invited residents to share their thoughts on current and future challenges for the City. A total of 1552 responses to the survey were received of which 69 were blank, with 1453 making up the final data set. This report highlights the findings from the survey. The majority of the participants were female (65%, n=744), 33% were from Traralgon, 35% from smaller townships with the remaining 32% from Moe, Newborough, Morwell and Churchill. The participants ranged in age from 17-30 years (15%), 31-40 years (27%), 41-70 years (43%) 70+ years (10%). The majority of the participants were employed in healthcare, education and administrative roles with 89% stating that they live and work in Latrobe City. Friends are family was cited as the most common reason why participants believed that Latrobe City was a good place, with Location in Victoria, Affordability and Natural environment rounding off the top four responses. The most common reason people gave for Latrobe City being a good place to work was Distance from home (n=504) and similarly the most common reason participants gave for it being a good place to study was Close to home. Safety, Economy and Built environment were considered the things most important for Latrobe City Council to focus on this was evident in both the quantitative and qualitative responses. A thematic analysis process was used to analyse the content from the six open-ended questions in the survey. Six main themes emerged; Employment, Safety, Transport, Education, Sport and Entertainment and Hope for the future.

Nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of reflective practice : a qualitative meta-synthesis

- Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Vol. 16, no. 1 (2021), p. 24-31
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  • Description: Reflective practice is a vital component of nursing education. It allows for the integration of core theoretical knowledge and the clinical experience. Despite a small and growing body of literature exploring the nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of this process, a review of the qualitative literature has not been published. The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to examine the qualitative data of nursing students’ perceptions and experiences of reflective practice. This meta-synthesis provides a model that suggests quality reflection results in an improvement in practice. Students perceive that quality reflection occurs when all facets of this model have been met. This encompasses an understanding of knowledge including, learning and the barriers and enablers to knowledge, as well as self-discovery including, facing emotions and personal growth. Understanding these experiences and perceptions will permit further understanding of the motivations and factors that influence the quality of reflective practice. © 2020 Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

Potential control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 asp expression by alternative splicing in the upstream untranslated region

- Barbagallo, Michael, Birch, Kate, Deacon, Nicholas, Mosse, Jennifer

  • Authors: Barbagallo, Michael , Birch, Kate , Deacon, Nicholas , Mosse, Jennifer
  • Date: 2012
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: DNA and Cell Biology Vol. 31, no. 7 (2012), p. 1303-1313
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  • Description: The negative-sense asp open reading frame (ORF) positioned opposite to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env gene encodes the 189 amino acid, membrane-associated ASP protein. Negative-sense transcription, regulated by long terminal repeat sequences, has been observed early in HIV-1 infection in vitro. All subtypes of HIV-1 were scanned to detect the negative-sense asp ORF and to identify potential regulatory sequences. A series of highly conserved upstream short open reading frames (sORFs) was identified. This potential control region from HIV-1NL4-3, containing six sORFs, was cloned upstream of the reporter gene EGFP. Expression by transfection of HEK293 cells indicated that the introduction of this sORF region inhibits EGFP reporter expression; analysis of transcripts revealed no significant changes in levels of EGFP mRNA. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR) further demonstrated that the upstream sORF region undergoes alternative splicing in vitro. The most abundant product is spliced to remove sORFs I to V, leaving only the in-frame sORF VI upstream of asp. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of typical splice donor- and acceptor-site motifs. Mutation of the highly conserved splice donor and acceptor sites modulates, but does not fully relieve, inhibition of EGFP production. The strong conservation of asp and its sORFs across all HIV-1 subtypes suggests that the asp gene product may have a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1. Alternative splicing of the upstream sORF region provides a potential mechanism for controlling expression of the asp gene.

Public health education by emergency nurses : a scoping review and narrative synthesis

- Coombs, Nicole, Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Plummer, Virginia

  • Authors: Coombs, Nicole , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Plummer, Virginia
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Patient Education and Counseling Vol. 105, no. 5 (2022), p. 1181-1187
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  • Description: Objective: To identify the extent, range, and nature of the evidence on public health education provided by emergency nurses. Methods: A scoping review, using the methodological guidance of Joanna Briggs Institute, was conducted to scope and map the literature and research activity. Using predetermined criteria, databases, grey literature, and reference lists were searched for eligible sources. At least two authors reviewed each article. A narrative synthesis methodology was utilised to analyse and report the findings. Results: There was significant methodological heterogeneity between sources (n = 6). Three themes were identified: 1) Benefits of the system: An opportunity to inform the public, 2) The barriers: Time pressures and being prepared and 3) The strategies: Plan for structured and created teachable moments Conclusion: Limited research is being conducted in this area. Further research is needed to understand emergency nurse's practice and attitudes towards providing public health messages. Practice implications: Emergency nurses need to utilise the ‘teachable moment‘ for every emergency admission, providing opportunistic preventative education to improve health outcomes and reduce demand on the healthcare system. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

The academic experiences of transitioning to blended online and digital nursing curriculum

- Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael, Peck, Blake, Allen, Louise, Tanti, Erin, Churchill, Anne

  • Authors: Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael , Peck, Blake , Allen, Louise , Tanti, Erin , Churchill, Anne
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 87, no. (2020), p.
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  • Description: Background: The blended online digital (BOLD) approach to teaching is popular within many universities. However, much of the research conducted in this area focusses on the student perspective. Aim The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and perspectives of academics involved in the development and implementation of an inaugural BOLD Bachelor of Nursing curriculum at a regional multi-campus institution in Victoria, Australia. Methods: Eleven academics across two regional campuses participated in one of five focus groups. Creswell's (2003) six step approach to thematic analysis was used to analyse the semi-structured interview data in order to capture the meaning of the transition experience. Findings: Three significant themes emerged from the focus group data: ‘Get Ready’, ‘Get Set’, and ‘Go’. Discussion: Three significant themes emerged, ‘Get Ready’, embodies insight from academic staff preparing to make the transition to a BOLD delivery model acknowledging the need for staff to be genuinely prepared, educated, guided and supported to understand the pedagogy of BOLD. Secondly, ‘Get Set’, acknowledges the period immediately after the preparatory phase and preparedness of academic staff to manage content and delivery for both face-to-face and online student cohorts within the learning platform. Thirdly, the theme ‘Go’ recognises the culmination of the previous two phases and is a recognition of the need for ongoing evaluation across the implementation phase. Conclusion: This qualitative exploration of nursing academics' experience contributes to contemporary pedagogical insights in relation to the blended approaches to teaching and learning. © 2020

The experiences of health professionals, patients, and families with truth disclosure when breaking bad news in palliative care : a qualitative meta-synthesis

- Miller, Elizabeth, Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Miller, Elizabeth , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Palliative and Supportive Care Vol. 20, no. 3 (2022), p. 433-444
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  • Description: Objective Disclosing the truth when breaking bad news continues to be difficult for health professionals, yet it is essential for patients when making informed decisions about their treatment and end-of-life care. This literature review aimed to explore and examine how health professionals, patients, and families experience truth disclosure during the delivery of bad news in the inpatient/outpatient palliative care setting. Methods A systemized search for peer-reviewed, published papers between 2013 and 2020 was undertaken in September 2020 using the CINAHL, Medline, and PsycInfo databases. The keywords and MeSH terms (truth disclosure) AND (palliative care or end-of-life care or terminal care or dying) were used. The search was repeated using (bad news) AND (palliative care or end-of-life care or terminal care or dying) terms. A meta-synthesis was undertaken to synthesize the findings from the eight papers. Results Eight papers were included in the meta-synthesis and were represented by five Western countries. Following the synthesis process, two concepts were identified: Enablers in breaking bad news and Truth avoidance/disclosure. Several elements formed the concept of Enablers for breaking bad news, such as the therapeutic relationship, reading cues, acknowledgment, language/delivery, time/place, and qualities. A conceptual model was developed to illustrate the findings of the synthesis. Significance of results The conceptual model demonstrates a unique way to look at communication dynamics around truth disclosure and avoidance when breaking bad news. Informed decision-making requires an understanding of the whole truth, and therefore truth disclosure is an essential part of breaking bad news. Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press.

The impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on undergraduate nursing students' study of anatomy and physiology

- Abdelkader, Amany, Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Abdelkader, Amany , Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: CIN - Computers Informatics Nursing Vol. 40, no. 4 (2022), p. 278-284
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  • Description: The COVID-19 global pandemic caused major disruptions to the delivery of human Anatomy and Physiology courses to nursing students worldwide. The aim of the current study is to evaluate nursing students' experiences and perceptions of transitioning from a blended to a purely online study mode for first year Anatomy and Physiology courses during the global pandemic. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used with a sample of undergraduate nursing students enrolled at a regional Australian university across its three campuses. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the study population. Content analysis was used to evaluate the participants' use of resources, experiences, and preferences in studying anatomy and physiology. There were 101 participants recruited in the study. Results indicated that face-to-face study mode (41.86%) was the preferred method of delivery during the global pandemic and participants were having a renewed appreciation for the blended study mode (38.37%). Online study mode was the least preferred (19.77%), with the participants' opinions of this mode of study not altered by the global pandemic. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic shifted the traditional teaching of anatomy and physiology in nursing programs to an online environment, the long-term impacts of this disruption have yet to be ascertained. Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

The physical hospital environment and its effects on palliative patients and their families : a qualitative meta-synthesis

- Miller, Elizabeth, Porter, Joanne, Barbagallo, Michael

  • Authors: Miller, Elizabeth , Porter, Joanne , Barbagallo, Michael
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Health Environments Research and Design Journal Vol. 15, no. 1 (2022), p. 268-291
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  • Description: Aim: To review the latest qualitative literature on how the physical hospital environment affects palliative patients and their families. Background: People with a life-limiting illness may receive palliative care to improve their quality of life in hospital and may have multiple admissions as their illness progresses. Yet, despite a preference for a death at home, more than half of the dying population will receive end-of-life care in hospital. The physical hospital environment consists of ambiance, aesthetics, and architectural factors, and it is well known that the hospital’s acute wards are not a homely environment. Demand is increasing for the physical environment to be improved to better meet the needs and demands of palliative and end-of-life patients and their families. Method: Combining thematic analysis and meta-ethnography methodologies, 12 international qualitative papers were analyzed and synthesized by the three authors. Results: Findings resulted in the development of the SSAFeR Place approach that incorporates the concepts that are important to palliative and end-of-life patients and their families by describing an environment within the acute or palliative care units that feels safe, is private, customizable, and accommodates family; is a space to share with others, is homelike in ambiance and aesthetics, and is conducive for reflection. The concepts of identity, belonging, and safety are connected to the notions of home. Conclusions: To provide person-centered care and to move the focus toward the palliative approach of comfort and quality of life, attention to room size, layout, aesthetics, and ambiance is needed. © The Author(s) 2021.
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