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Environmental Effects On Health: Ignorance And Undone Science, Don Want

University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 2017+

Considerable research has been completed showing that environmental exposures can have significant effects on people’s health, especially in terms of autoimmune conditions, cancers, and neurological and psychological conditions. Health effects are possible at exposure levels far below those generally considered safe by orthodox health authorities. A prime example is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), where sufferers themselves have made clear, short-term associations between health effects and low-level environmental exposures. The condition of MCS is not clearly definable and significantly overlaps with other, largely unrecognised health conditions including fibromyalgia (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), electro hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) and chronic inflammatory response …

The New Edition Of Gramsci’S Lettere Dal Carcere, Derek Boothman

International Gramsci Journal

This is the abstract of a review by Derek Boothman of the new edition of Antonio Gramsci’s Lettere dal carcere, (Torino, Einaudi 2020).

Validation And Evaluation Of The Mandarin Version Of The Oral Health Literacy Adult Questionnaire In Taiwan, Mu-Hsing Ho, Jed Montayre, H.C. Chang, Jee Young Joo, Mohammad Naghibi Sistani, Yen-Kuang Lin, Victoria Traynor, Chia-Chi Chang, Megan F. Liu

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Objectives

This study aimed to translate the Oral Health Literacy Adult Questionnaire into a Mandarin version (MOHL‐AQ) and to examine its psychometric properties.

Methods

A methodological research using psychometric testing and evaluation of a translated instrument. A convenience sample of 402 participants from northern Taiwan were recruited for the validation of the MOHL‐AQ. Internal consistency reliability, split‐half reliability, inter‐rater reliability, face validity, content validity, and construct validity were evaluated.

Results

The value of internal consistency and split‐half reliability of the MOHL‐AQ were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. Content validity reported a high content validity index (CVI = 95%). Exploratory factor analysis …

Active Lives South Australia Health Economic Analysis - An Evidence Base For Potential Of Health Promotion Strategies To Reduced Public Health Costs With Meeting Of Adult Physical Activity Guidelines. A Report Prepared For Sa Office Of Recreation, Sport And Racing And Sa Health., Simon Eckermann, Michelle Crisp, Andy Willan

Australian Health Services Research Institute

No abstract provided.

Private Eyes…, Hips, Etc: Health Insurance Benefits During The Covid Crisis, Donald R. Harvey, Rod Campbell

Australian Health Services Research Institute

Commonwealth and State use of private hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, combined with social distancing measures, could cut benefit payments to people insured by Australia’s private health insurers by 30% to 50%, or $3.5 billion to $5.5 billion. Regulators should enforce a similar reduction in premium payments. Reductions in premiums to consumers could save the Commonwealth in excess of $1 billion by reducing its Public Health Insurance Rebate Subsidy.

Caring For The Carers In A Public Health District: A Wellbeing Initiative To Support Healthcare Professionals, Shamika Almeida, Alera Bowden, Jason Bloomfield, Besty Jose, Valerie J. Wilson

Faculty of Business and Law - Papers

Abstract Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the proactive organisational resource allocation in terms of a 6-week wellbeing initiative to support public healthcare professionals’ workplace engagement, wellbeing and job satisfaction. Background: Burnout of healthcare professionals can be a major cost to the Australian economy and public healthcare sector. According to the social exchange theory, when healthcare professionals perceive that their organisation proactively allocates resources to caring for its employees, then they are more likely to reciprocate and become more engaged in their work roles. Design: The study used a pre and post …

Virtual Reality May Be The Next Frontier In Remote Mental Health Care, Shiva Pedram

SMART Infrastructure Facility - Papers

In recent years, experts have focused on finding better ways to improve remotely delivered mental health care. Now, virtual reality (VR) may pave the way for myriad new opportunities.

Mental Health Nursing Education In Undergraduate And Postgraduate Programs: Time For Change, Brenda Happell, Kim Foster, Bronwyn Lawman, Lorna Moxham, Mark Powell, Tom Ryan, Scott Trueman, Eimear Muir-Cochrane

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Unfortunately, despite nurses encountering people diagnosed with mental illness and experiencing significant mental health challenges, increased awareness is not reflected in the mental health component of undergraduate nursing programs. Since the introduction of comprehensive nursing education, mental health nursing has been severely under-represented in undergraduate programs in most Australian universities. The future of mental health service delivery, quality of care, and patient outcomes depends in no small part on these decisions.

Nurses’ Influence On Consumers’ Experience Of Safety In Acute Mental Health Units: A Qualitative Study, Natalie A. Cutler, Jenny Sim, Elizabeth J. Halcomb, Lorna Moxham, Moira Stephens

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Aims and objectives To explore how nurses influence the perceptions and experience of safety among consumers who have been admitted to an acute mental health unit. Background Safety is a priority in acute mental health inpatient units, yet consumers do not always experience acute units as safe. Despite being primary stakeholders, little is known about what safety means for consumers in acute mental health units. Design A qualitative descriptive study informed by naturalistic enquiry was conducted and is reported using the COREQ checklist. Methods Fifteen consumers with experience of mental illness participated in semi‐structured individual interviews. These interviews explored what …

Alternative Mental Health Clinical Placements: Knowledge Transfer And Benefits For Nursing Practice Outside Mental Health Care Settings, Caitlin Goman, Christopher F. Patterson, Lorna Moxham, Theresa Harada, Amy M. Tapsell

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Aim and objectives To explore whether nursing student’s experiences at Recovery Camp have impacted their current nursing practices. Background Recently, there has been a move toward more holistic models of nursing care, which seek to break down barriers of stigmatisation and embrace the tenets of self‐determination, to acknowledge people with lived experiences of mental illness and their ability to manage their recovery. In that regard, future health professionals such as nursing students, will need to be educated in a manner that recognises the importance of lived experience. In this paper, we propose that Recovery Camp , an alternative clinical placement …

The Support Needs Of Australian Primary Health Care Nurses During The Covid‐19 Pandemic, Elizabeth J. Halcomb, Anna Williams, Christine Ashley, Susan Mcinnes, Catherine Stephen, Kaara Ray Calma, Sharon James

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Aim To identify Australian primary healthcare nurses immediate support needs during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background COVID‐19 has had widespread implications for primary healthcare nurses. Supporting these nurses’ capacity to deliver quality care ensures that ongoing health needs can be met. Methods Primary healthcare nurses were recruited to an online survey via social media and professional organisations in April 2020. Results Six‐hundred and thirty‐seven responses were included in analysis. Participants provided 1213 statements about perceived supports required to provide quality clinical care. From these, seven key categories emerged, namely; personal protective equipment, communication, funding, industrial issues, self‐care, workplace factors and valuing …

Mental Health Risk Assessment: Who Decides?, Edward Aquin, Christopher F. Patterson, Lorna Moxham

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Mental health risk assessment practices have largely evolved in response to the perceived 'threat' posed to the community as a result of de-institutionalisation.

The Use Of Primary Care Electronic Health Records For Research: Lipid Medications And Mortality In Elderly Patients, Adam J. Hodgkins, Judy Mullan, Darren J. Mayne, Andrew D. Bonney

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

General practice electronic health record (EHR) data have significant potential for clinical research. This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilising longitudinal EHR data analysis to address clinically relevant outcomes and uses the relationship between lipid medication prescription and all-cause mortality in the elderly as an exemplar for the validity of this methodology. EHR data were analysed to describe the association of lipid medication use, non-use or cessation with all-cause mortality in patients aged ≥75 years. Survival analysis with Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios, which were adjusted for confounders. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality among …

Cross-Sectional Study Of Area-Level Disadvantage And Glycaemic-Related Risk In Community Health Service Users In The Southern.Iml Research (Simlr) Cohort, Roger Cross, Andrew D. Bonney, Darren J. Mayne, Kathryn M. Weston

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between area-level socioeconomic disadvantage and glycaemic-related risk in health service users in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, Australia. Methods. HbA1c values recorded between 2010 and 2012 for non-pregnant individuals aged 18 years were extracted from the Southern.IML Research (SIMLR) database. Individuals were assigned quintiles of the Socioeconomic Indices for Australia (SEIFA) Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD) according to their Statistical Area 1 of residence. Glycaemic risk categories were defined as HbA1c 5.0-5.99% (lowest risk), 6.0-7.49% (intermediate risk) and 7.5% (highest risk). Logistic regression models were …

Mental Health Presentations To Acute Psychiatric Services: 3-Year Study Of Prevalence And Readmission Risk For Personality Disorders Compared With Psychotic, Affective, Substance Or Other Disorders, Kate L. Lewis, Mahnaz Fanaian, Beth Kotze, Brin F. S Grenyer

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background The relative burden and risk of readmission for people with personality disorders in hospital settings is unknown. Aims To compare hospital use of people with personality disorder with that of people with other mental health diagnoses, such as psychoses and affective disorders. Method Naturalistic study of hospital presentations for mental health in a large community catchment. Mixed-effects Cox regression and survival curves were generated to examine risk of readmission for each group. Results Of 2894 people presenting to hospital, patients with personality disorder represented 20.5% of emergency and 26.6% of in-patients. Patients with personality disorder or psychoses were 2.3 …

Topic 4: Future Directions In Health Care Delivery, Cristina J. Thompson, Elizabeth J. Halcomb, Cathy Duncan, Darcy Morris, Kathleen Peters, Conrad Kobel, David L. Fildes

Australian Health Services Research Institute

The Department of Health announced an Independent Review of Nursing Education – Educating the Nurse of the Future (the Review) as a measure in the 2018/19 Federal Budget in May 2018. This is the fouth of 4 literature reviews to inform the Review. The results of these literature reviews prompt and inform discussion about particular issues. This literature review focusses on the future directions in healthcare delivery. These are important issues for policy development and decision-making about the future of nursing education in Australia.

Emerging Insights Of Health Informatics Research: A Literature Analysis For Outlining New Themes, Shah Miah, Jun Shen, John W. Lamp, Don Kerr, John Gammack

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part B

This paper presents a contemporary literature review to provide insights into the current health informatics literature. The objective of this study is to identify emerging directions of current health informatics research from the latest and existing studies in the health informatics domain. We analyse existing health informatics studies using a thematic analysis, so that justified sets of research agenda can be outlined on the basis of these findings. We selected articles that are published in the Science Direct online database. The selected 73 sample articles (published from 2014 to 2018 in premier health informatics journals) are considered as representative samples …

Prioritizing Indigenous Voices Through Qualitative Health Research: An Australian Model For Focus Group Research, Joanna Mason, Kathleen F. Clapham, Darcelle Wu, Angela Dawson, John Daniels

Australian Health Services Research Institute

Abstract presented at the 3rd European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, 13-15 February 2019, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Impact Of Curriculum On Nursing Students' Attitudes, Perceptions And Preparedness To Work In Primary Health Care: An Integrative Review, Kaara Ray Calma, Elizabeth J. Halcomb, Moira Stephens

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background The ageing population and growing burden of chronic disease has increased demands for primary health care services, necessitating growth of this nursing workforce. Studies have explored strategies in retaining nurses, employment conditions in primary health care, and transitioning of acute care nurses to primary health care employment. Few studies have explored how undergraduate nursing students perceive and are prepared to work in this sector. Aim This review synthesises evidence on the impact of undergraduate curriculum on nursing students' attitudes, perceptions and preparedness to work in primary health care. Design An integrative literature review guided the synthesis of evidence. Data …

Attitudes Towards Deprescribing And The Influence Of Health Literacy Among Older Australians, Robyn J. Gillespie, Judy Mullan, Lindsey Harrison

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Aim

This study aimed to explore attitudes, beliefs and experiences regarding polypharmacy and discontinuing medications, or deprescribing, among community living older adults aged ≥65 years, using ≥5 medications. It also aimed to investigate if health literacy capabilities influenced attitudes and beliefs towards deprescribing. Background

Polypharmacy use is common among Australian older adults. However, little is known about their attitudes towards polypharmacy use or towards stopping medications. Previous studies indicate that health literacy levels tend to be lower in older adults, resulting in poor knowledge about medications. Methods

A self-administered survey was conducted using two previously validated tools; the Patients’ Attitude …

Arts On Prescription For Community‐Dwelling Older People With A Range Of Health And Wellness Needs, Roslyn G. Poulos, Sally Marwood, Damien Harkin, Simon Opher, Stephen Clift, Andrew Cole, Joel J. Rhee, Kirsty Beilharz, Christopher J. Poulos

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Published evidence for the role of participatory art in supporting health and well‐being is growing. The Arts on Prescription model is one vehicle by which participatory art can be delivered. Much of the focus of Arts on Prescription has been on the provision of creative activities for people with mental health needs. This Arts on Prescription program, however, targeted community‐dwelling older people with a wide range of health and wellness needs. Older people were referred to the program by their healthcare practitioner. Professional artists led courses in visual arts, photography, dance and movement, drama, singing, or music. Classes were held …

Why Health Care Professionals Belong To An Intensive Care Virtual Community: Qualitative Study, Kaye D. Rolls, Margaret Hansen, Debra Jackson, Doug Elliott

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B

Background: Clinical practice variation that results in poor patient outcomes remains a pressing problem for health care organizations. Some evidence suggests that a key factor may be ineffective internal and professional networks that limit knowledge exchange among health care professionals. Virtual communities have the potential to overcome professional and organizational barriers and facilitate knowledge flow. Objective: This study aimed to explore why health care professionals belong to an exemplar virtual community, ICUConnect. The specific research objectives were to (1) understand why members join a virtual community and remain a member, (2) identify what purpose the virtual community serves in their …

'Our Lives' And 'Life Happens', From Stigma To Empathy In Young People's Depictions Of Sexual Health And Relationships, Kate Senior, Laura Grozdanovski, Richard D. Chenhall, Stephen Minton

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This article describes qualitative research undertaken to explore young people's understanding of sex and relationships that used a scenario-driven body-mapping technique. This art-based method was designed to allow young people to think deeply about the subject and build upon each other's ideas through the medium of decorating a life-sized human body. Although this method produced rich information the depictions of young people tended to be highly stigmatized. We further refined the method to encourage young people to empathize with the character that they created and the resultant research became the basis for the sexual health resource 'Life Happens'.

Parental Perceptions Of Barriers To Mental Health Services For Young People, Wendy Iskra, Frank P. Deane, Tim Wahlin, Esther Davis

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Aim: This study explores a range of barriers that parents encountered in accessing mental health services. The study also explored whether parents experienced similar barriers to accessing services in 2003 and 2013. Methods: One hundred and thirty-four parents of young people attending an initial assessment at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) or headspace centre completed a questionnaire assessing 10 general barriers to care. These data were compared to those collected from 129 participants at CAMHS in 2003. Results: The ranking of barriers to mental health care for their children was similar for both survey years, with 'wait …

Health Literacy And Health-Promoting Behaviours Among Australian-Singaporean Communities Living In Sydney Metropolitan Area, Tze Gek Ho, Hassan Hosseinzadeh, Rahman Rahman, Mohamud Sheikh

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Health literacy affects how individuals navigate and make decisions within the healthcare system and has been recognized to influence health behaviours. However, less is known about its associations with health-promoting behaviours amongst Australian migrant populations. This study is an attempt to fill this gap by investigating the level of health literacy and its associations with physical activity, healthy diet, smoking and health services utilization among Australian-Singaporean communities. Methods: A total of 157 participants were recruited from Singaporean communities living in Sydney metropolitan areas, New South Wales, Australia. Data was collected through a cross-sectional online survey from January 2016 to …

Opportunities And Challenges To Improving Antibiotic Prescribing Practices Through A One Health Approach: Results Of A Comparative Survey Of Doctors, Dentists And Veterinarians In Australia, Annie Zhuo, Maurizio Labbate, Jacqueline M. Norris, Gwendolyn L. Gilbert, Michael P. Ward, Beata Bajorek, Christopher J. Degeling, Samantha J. Rowbotham, Angus Dawson, Ky-Anh Nguyen, Grant A. Hill-Cawthorne, T C. Sorrell, Merran Govendir, Alison M. Kesson, Jon Iredell, Dale Dominey-Howes

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: To explore and compare the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of doctors, dentists and veterinarians (as prescribers) in relation to antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance (AbR), and to consider the implications of these for policy-making that support a One Health approach. Design: A cross-sectional survey conducted online. Setting: Doctors, dentists and veterinarians practising in primary, secondary or tertiary care in Australia. Participants: 547 doctors, 380 dentists and 403 veterinarians completed the survey. Main outcome measures: Prescribers' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of AbR, the extent to which a range of factors are perceived as barriers to appropriate prescribing practices, and perceived …

Rabies Response, One Health And More-Than-Human Considerations In Indigenous Communities In Northern Australia, Christopher J. Degeling, Victoria Brookes, Tess Lea, Michael P. Ward

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Australia is currently canine rabies free; however, the spread of rabies in eastern Indonesia poses an increasing risk to northern Australia. Domestic dogs are numerous in East Arnhem Land (EAL) and the Northern Peninsular Area (NPA), usually unrestrained and living in close relationships with humans. The response to any rabies outbreak on Australian territory will focus on dog vaccination, controlling dog movements and depopulation. A One Health approach to zoonotic disease control should seek to co-promote human and animal health, whilst also seeking to accommodate the preferences of affected communities. We report on 5 collaborative workshops and 28 semi-structured interviews …

Factors Associated With Under-Five Mortality In Bhutan: An Analysis Of The Bhutan National Health Survey 2012, Tashi Dendup, Yun Zhao, Deki Dema

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: As an important marker for health equity and access, under-five mortality (UFM) is a primary measure for socioeconomic development. The importance of reducing UFM has been further emphasized in an ambitious target under Sustainable Development Goals. The factors influencing UFM are not adequately understood in Bhutan. Methods: The most recent dataset of the Bhutan National Health Survey (BNHS) 2012 was used in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis using a backwards elimination approach was performed to identify significant factors influencing UFM. All statistical analyses were adjusted for the complex study design due to the multistage stratified cluster sampling used …

Consumers’ Perspectives Of The Meaning Of Safety In Acute Mental Health Inpatient Services, Natalie A. Cutler, Lorna Moxham, Moira Stephens

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background and Aim: Safety is a priority in the acute mental health inpatient setting (ACQSHC 2014). Safety is commonly represented in government policy as the reduction or elimination of risk (AIHW 2018). Defining safety as the reduction or elimination of risk means this is where funding and resources are likely to be directed. This has limitations however, as it can lead to environments and processes considered by mental health services to be safe, but are not aligned with what people with lived experience of mental illness deem to be safe (Cutler, Moxham & Stephens 2015). This PhD study explored the …

Examining The High Users Of Hospital Resources: Implications Of A Profile Developed From Australian Health Insurance Claims Data, Joanna Khoo, Helen M. Hasan, Kathy Eagar

Australian Health Services Research Institute

Objective To develop and examine a profile of the demographic, hospital admission and clinical characteristics of high users of hospital resources within a cohort of privately insured Australians.Methods Hospital admissions claims data from a group of private health insurance funds were analysed. The top 1% of hospital users were selected based on three measures of resource utilisation: number of admissions, total bed days and total insurance benefits paid. The demographic, hospital admission and clinical characteristics data were compared for these three measures of resource utilisation.Results Compared with the general insured population, the three high-use cohorts are older, have more public …