Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Incidence And Mortality Of Uveal Melanoma In Australia (1982–2014), Aaron B. Beasley, David B. Preen, Samuel Mclenachan, Elin S. Gray, Fred K. Chen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims:

We aimed to estimate the incidence and mortality of uveal melanoma (UM) in Australia from 1982 to 2014.

Methods:

Deidentified unit data for all cases of ocular melanoma were extracted from the Australian Cancer Database from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 2014. UM cases were extracted and trends in incidence and disease-specific mortality were calculated. Incidence rates were age-standardised against the 2001 Australian Standard Population. Mortality was assessed using Cox regression.

Results:

From 1982 to 2014, there were 5087 cases of ocular melanoma in Australia, of which 4617 were classified as UM. The average age-standardised incidence rate of …

Treatment Integrity And Differentiation In The Very Early Rehabilitation In Speech (Verse) Trial, Emily Brogan, Natalie Ciccone, Erin Godecke

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Key elements of treatment fidelity include treatment integrity (adherence to the treatment protocol) and treatment differentiation (the difference in treatment ingredients in the control and intervention groups). The Very Early Rehabilitation in SpEech (VERSE) trial established treatment fidelity at the macro level for key components of therapy.

Aims:

To complete a detailed analysis of treatment integrity and differentiation at the utterance level of a therapeutic interaction.

Methods:

This was an observational study of therapy videos collected as part of the VERSE trial. Participants were people with aphasia in the very early phase of recovery post stroke (n = 44) …

Burden And Preference-Based Quality Of Life Associated With Bullying In Children, Long K. D. Le, Mary L. Chatterton, Ronald M. Rapee, Sally Fitzpatrick, Kay Bussey, Jennie Hudson, Caroline Hunt, Donna Cross, Anne Magnus, Cathrine Mihalopoulos

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The objectives of this study are to assess the association between childhood bullying and preference-based health-related quality of life (QoL) in Australian school children and their parents and estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with bullying chronicity. Children aged 8–10 years completed the child health utilities (CHU-9D), while parents completed the Australian quality of life (AQoL-8D). Children were grouped into four categories of bullying involvement (no bullying, victim, perpetrator, or both perpetrator and victim) based on the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Parental data were compared across two bullying involvement groups (bullying vs. no bullying). QALYs were calculated for children over …

Abdominal Aortic Calcification, Cardiac Troponin I And Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Mortality In Older Women, Ryan Teh, Richard L. Prince, Marc Sim, John T. Schousboe, Warren Raymond, Pawel Szulc, Wai Lim, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Kun Zhu, Douglas P. Kiel, Carl Schultz, Peter L. Thompson, Joshua Lewis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective:

Examine if two inexpensive measures of atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVD), abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) provide complementary information for 10-year ASVD mortality and all-cause mortality risk in older women.

Methods:

908 community-dwelling women without prevalent ASVD ( ≥ 75 years) were followed-up between 2003 and 2013. AAC and plasma hs-cTnI measures were obtained in 2003. AAC was assessed on lateral spine images using a semiquantitative method (AAC24). Linked health records were used for mortality outcomes.

Results:

Mean±SD age was 79.9±2.6 years. 276 (30.4%) women died during follow-up, including 138 (15.2%) ASVD-related deaths. AAC24 and …

Occupational Therapists And Physiotherapists Weighing Up The Dignity Of Risk For People Living With A Brain Injury: Grounded Theory, Mandy Stanley, Gisela Van Kessel, Carolyn M. Murray, Deborah Forsythe, Shylie Mackintosh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose:

Following a brain injury survivors may have physical, or cognitive changes or behaviours which bring safety risks into play when engaging in activities. Therapists experience tensions in enabling the dignity of participation in the context of managing risk.

Materials and methods:

Ten occupational therapists and seven physiotherapists participated in a grounded theory study utilising semi-structured in-depth interviews to explore the tensions between dignity and management of safety risks. Data were analysed using constant comparative method and a process of moving from open coding to categories to theory development.

Results:

The process of weighing up was central to the therapists’ …

Countermovement Jump And Squat Jump Force-Time Curve Analysis In Control And Fatigue Conditions, Steven Hughes, John Warmenhoven, G. Gregory Haff, Dale W. Chapman, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study aimed to reanalyze previously published discrete force data from countermovement jumps (CMJs) and squat jumps (SJs) using statistical parametric mapping (SPM), a statistical method that enables analysis of data in its native, complete state. Statistical parametric mapping analysis of 1-dimensional (1D) force-time curves was compared with previous zero-dimensional (0D) analysis of peak force to assess sensitivity of 1D analysis. Thirty-two subjects completed CMJs and SJs at baseline, 15 minutes, 1, 24, and 48 hours following fatigue and control conditions in a pseudo random cross-over design. Absolute (CMJ_ABS/SJ_ABS) and time-normalized (CMJ_NORM/SJ_NORM) …

Factors Affecting Hospital Readmission Rates Following An Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review, Amineh Rashidi, Lisa Whitehead, Courtney Glass

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim

To synthesise quantitative evidence on factors that impact hospital readmission rates following ACS with comorbidities.

Design

Systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Data Sources

A search of eight electronic databases, including Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).

Review Methods

The search strategy included keywords and MeSH terms to identify English language studies published between 2001 and 2020. The quality of included studies was assessed by two independent reviewers, using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools.

Results

Twenty-four articles were included in the review. All cause 30-day readmission rate was …

Evaluation Of An Australian Neurological Nurse-Led Model Of Postdischarge Care, Judith Dianne Pugh, Kathleen Mccoy, Merrilee Needham, Leanne Jiang, Margaret Giles, Elizabeth Mckinnon, Kym Heine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Neurological disorders are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide, placing a heavy demand on health systems. This study evaluated the impacts and cost savings of a community-based nursing service providing supported discharge for neurological patients deemed high-risk for unplanned emergency department presentations and/or hospital readmissions. It focused on adult patients with stroke, epilepsy, migraine/headache or functional neurological disorders discharged from a Western Australian tertiary hospital. An observational design was used comprising prospective enrolment of patients receiving nurse-led supported discharge and follow-up (Neurocare), 21 August 2018 to 6 December 2019 (N = 81), and hospital administrative data, 1 February …

Patient Experience Surveys For Children’S Community Health Services: A Scoping Review, Helen J. Nelson, Catherine Pienaar, Anne M. Williams, Ailsa Munns, Katie Mckenzie, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Patient experience surveys have a user focus and measure the quality of person-centered health care for hospital inpatients and consumers of community health services, providing a governance process to evaluate the quality of care and to action improvement. Experience of care has been described as effective communication, respect and dignity, and emotional support. Measurement criteria for these domains are not standardized, leading to inconsistent reporting of patient experience. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize evidence for measuring experience of care in children’s community health services using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping review method. Three parent-reported …

An Intergenerational Playgroup In An Australian Residential Aged-Care Setting: A Qualitative Case Study, Gabrielle B. Rosa Hernandez, Carolyn M. Murray, Mandy Stanley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Intergenerational programs are emerging within the aged-care context as they provide a unique opportunity for older adults living with or without cognitive impairments to connect with children. One type of intergenerational program is an ‘intergenerational playgroup’ which creates opportunities for children to develop their skills, parents to create a local peer support network and provides older adults at risk of isolation with vital community interaction. The objective of this research was to evaluate an intergenerational playgroup taking place weekly within a residential aged-care setting. A qualitative case study research design was used to perform five observation sessions and semi-structured in-depth …

Does Midwifery-Led Care Demonstrate Care Ethics: A Template Analysis, Kate Buchanan, Elizabeth Newnham, Deborah Ireson, Clare Davison, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Ethical care in maternity is fundamental to providing care that both prevents harm and does good, and yet, there is growing acknowledgement that disrespect and abuse routinely occur in this context, which indicates that current ethical frameworks are not adequate. Care ethics offers an alternative to the traditional biomedical ethical principles.

Research aim:

The aim of the study was to determine whether a correlation exists between midwifery-led care and care ethics as an important first step in an action research project.

Research design:

Template analysis was chosen for this part of the action research. Template analysis is a design …

Utilising A Systematic Review-Based Approach To Create A Database Of Individual Participant Data For Meta- And Network Meta-Analyses: The Release Database Of Aphasia After Stroke, Louise R. Williams, Myzoon Ali, Kathryn Vandenberg, Linda J. Williams, Masahiro Abo, Frank Becker, Audrey Bowen, Caitlin Brandenburg, Caterina Breitenstein, Stefanie Bruehl, David A. Copland, Tamara B. Cranfill, Marie Di Pietro-Bachmann, Pamela Enderby, Joanne Fillingham, Federica Lucia Galli, Marialuisa Gandolfi, Bertrand Glize, Erin Godecke, Neil Hawkins, Katerina Hilari, Jacqueline Hinckley, Simon Horton, David Howard, Petra Jaecks, Elizabeth Jefferies, Luis M T Jesus, Maria Kambanaros, Eun K. Kang, Eman M. Khedr, Anthony P H Kong, Tarja Kukkonen, Marina Laganaro, Matthew A. Lambon Ralph, Ann C. Laska, Béatrice Leemann, Alexander P. Leff, Roxele R. Lima, Antje Lorenz, Brian Macwhinney, Rebecca S. Marshall, Flavia Mattioli, İlknur Maviş, Marcus Meinzer, Reza Nilipour, Enrique Noé, Nam-Jong Paik, Rebecca Palmer, Ilias Papathanasiou, Brigida F. Patricio, Isabel P. Martins, Cathy Price, Tatjana P. Jakovac, Elizabeth Rochon, Miranda L. Rose, Charlotte Rosso, Ilona Rubi-Fessen, Marina B. Ruiter, Claerwen Snell, Benjamin Stahl, Jerzy P. Szaflarski, Shirley A. Thomas, Mieke Van De Sandt-Koenderman, Ineke Van Der Meulen, Evy Visch-Brink, Linda Worrall, Heather H. Wright, Marian C. Brady, The Release Collaborators

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Collation of aphasia research data across settings, countries and study designs using big data principles will support analyses across different language modalities, levels of impairment, and therapy interventions in this heterogeneous population. Big data approaches in aphasia research may support vital analyses, which are unachievable within individual trial datasets. However, we lack insight into the requirements for a systematically created database, the feasibility and challenges and potential utility of the type of data collated. Aim: To report the development, preparation and establishment of an internationally agreed aphasia after stroke research database of individual participant data (IPD) to facilitate planned …

Fatality Risk Management: Applying Quinlan’S Ten Pathways In Western Australia’S Mining Industry, Tanya Jenke, Jessica L. Boylan, Shelley Beatty, Martin Ralph, Andrew Chaplyn, Greg Penney, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In ‘Ten Pathways to Death and Disaster’ Professor Michael Quinlan (2014) identified a series of ten common catastrophic incident risk factors, known as the Ten Pathways, contributing to major incidents in mining and other high hazard industries. This study applies the Quinlan methodology in two separate phases. The first phase of the study explored employee perception of employer effectiveness of fatality prevention against each of the Ten Pathways through a questionnaire of n = 2009 participants at the 2017–2019 Western Australian Government Mines Safety Roadshows. Respondents generally perceived their employer as having a relatively good understanding of the role of …

Detection Of Clinical Progression Through Plasma Ctdna In Metastatic Melanoma Patients: A Comparison To Radiological Progression, Gabriela Marsavela, Ashleigh C. Mcevoy, Michelle R. Pereira, Anna L. Reid, Zeyad Al-Ogaili, Lydia Warburton, Muhammad K. Khattak, Afaf Abed, Tarek M. Meniawy, Michael Millward, Melanie R. Ziman Dr, Leslie Calapre, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

The validity of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as an indicator of disease progression compared to medical imaging in patients with metastatic melanoma requires detailed evaluation.

Methods

Here, we carried out a retrospective ctDNA analysis of 108 plasma samples collected at the time of disease progression. We also analysed a validation cohort of 66 metastatic melanoma patients monitored prospectively after response to systemic therapy.

Results

ctDNA was detected in 62% of patients at the time of disease progression. For 67 patients that responded to treatment, the mean ctDNA level at progressive disease was significantly higher than at the time of …

Identifying Key Elements To Assess Patient’S Acceptability Of Neurorehabilitation In Stroke Survivors–A Delphi Method, Manonita Ghosh, Kaoru Nosaka, Lisa Whitehead, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose:

Assessing patient acceptability of treatment is a clinical concern. No guidance exists to determine the best way to measure acceptability in stroke neurorehabilitation. This study identifies key elements to measure patient’s acceptance of stroke neurorehabilitation by establishing expert consensus.

Materials and methods:

A four-phase Delphi method with a three-round electronic-based survey was conducted. Experts were considered as stroke survivors or their caregivers and professionals in stroke neurorehabilitation. A twenty-five-item list was sourced from a literature review and discussion with a consumer panel (n = 22). In Round-1 (n = 118) and Round-2 (n = 80), experts …

An Aphasia Research Agenda – A Consensus Statement From The Collaboration Of Aphasia Trialists, Myzoon Ali, Efstathia Soroli, Luis M. T. Jesus, Madeline Cruice, Jytte Isaksen, Evy Visch-Brink, Kleanthes K. Grohmann, C. Jagoe, Tarja Kukkonen, Spyridoula Varlokosta, Carlos Hernandez-Sacristan, Vicente Rosell-Clari, Rebecca Palmer, Silvia Martinez-Ferreiro, Erin Godecke, Sarah J. Wallace, Ruth Mcmenamin, David Copland, Caterina Breitenstein, Audrey Bowen, Ann-Charlotte Laska, Katerina Hilari, Marian C. Brady

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Coordination of international aphasia research would minimise duplication of effort, support synergistic international activities across languages and multidisciplinary perspectives, and promote high-quality conduct and reporting of aphasia research, thereby increasing the relevance, transparency, and implementation of findings. The Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) sought to develop an aphasia research agenda to direct future research activities, based on priorities shared by people with aphasia, family members, and healthcare professionals. Our established international research network spanning 33 countries contributed to this activity. Research literature reporting the priorities of stakeholders was reviewed and synthesized (phase 1). Representatives from Working Groups on Aphasia Assessment …

Universal Child Health And Early Education Service Use From Birth Through Kindergarten And Developmental Vulnerability In The Preparatory Year (Age 5 Years) In Tasmania, Australia, Catherine L. Taylor, Daniel Christensen, Kim Jose, Stephen R. Zubrick

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study investigated patterns of universal health and education service use from birth through Kindergarten (age 4 years) and estimated associations between cumulative risk and service use patterns, and between service use patterns and children's developmental vulnerability in the Preparatory Year (age 5 years). The study used population-wide linkage of health and education administrative data records for 5168 children who had a 2018 AEDC instrument collected in Tasmania and were born in Tasmania (2011–2013). Latent class analysis (LCA) identified three service use patterns: Regular (72.2 per cent of children; reference group), Low (15.6 per cent of children) and High service …

Independent And Interactive Associations Of Dietary Nitrate And Salt Intake With Blood Pressure And Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Analysis In The Inchianti Study, Andrea M. Mcgrattan, Blossom C. M. Stephan, Oliver M. Shannon, Mohsen Mazidi, Mark Gilchrist, Miranda Smallwood, Paul Winyard, Nicholas Mcmahon, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Devi Mohan, Stefania Bandinelli, Louise Robinson, Luigi Ferrucci, Mario Siervo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Blood pressure (BP) control is a key target for interventions to reduce cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study explored associations between objective (24-hour urine excretion) and subjective (food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]) measures of dietary sodium and nitrate intakes with cognitive function and resting BP in the InCHIANTI cohort. Baseline data from 989 participants aged >50 years were included. In fully adjusted models, participants with concurrent high nitrate and low sodium (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.76, p = 0.001) and high nitrate and high sodium (OR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.77, p = 0.002) 24-hour urinary concentrations had lower odds of high BP …

The Use Of Complementary Medicine During Childbearing Years: A Multi-Country Study Of Women From The Middle East, Diana Arabiat, Lisa Whitehead, Samia Gaballah, Nazi Nejat, Ebtehal Galal, Eman Abu Sabah, Nazek Smadi, Inas Saadeh, Randa Khlaif

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The prevalence of self-prescribed complementary medicine (CM) use is an area of concern across the Middle East. We conducted a descriptive qualitative study to describe women’s use of CM during their childbearing years in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. The study conducted using face to face audio-recorded interviews with 70 participants. Our findings showed that women used several herbal plants to ease pain and discomfort during menstruation and/or during pregnancy and in postpartum care. Acupuncture, meditation, and massage were less likely to be used by women. The impact of CM was often described in relation to perceived usefulness and …

The Association Between An Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index And Inflammation In Rural And Urban Black South Africans, Maylene Ferreira, H. Toinét Cronjé, Tertia Van Zyl, Nicola P. Bondonno, Marlien Pieters

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective:

To quantify the inflammatory potential of the diet of rural and urban Black South Africans using an adapted energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (AE-DII) and to investigate its relationship with inflammatory and cardio-metabolic disease risk markers. Dietary inflammatory potential has not been investigated in African populations.

Design:

Cross-sectional investigation.

Setting:

Rural and urban sites in the North West province of South Africa.

Participants:

1,885 randomly selected, apparently healthy Black South Africans older than 30 years.

Results:

AE-DII scores ranged from -3.71 to +5.08 with a mean of +0.37. AE-DII scores were significantly higher in men (0.47±1.19) than in women (0.32±1.29), …

Urinary Metabotype Of Severe Asthma Evidences Decreased Carnitine Metabolism Independent Of Oral Corticosteroid Treatment In The U-Biopred Study, Stacey N. Reinke, Shama Naz, Romanas Chaleckis, Hector Gallart-Ayala, Johan Kolmert, Nazanin Z. Kermani, Angelica Tiotiu, David I. Broadhurst, Anders Lundqvist, Henric Olsson, Marika Strom, Asa M. Wheelock, Cristina Gómez, Magnus Ericsson, Ana R. Sousa, John H. Riley, Stewart Bates, James Scholfield, Matthew Loza, Frederic Baribaud, Per S. Bakke, Massimo Caruso, Pascal Chanez, Stephen J. Fowler, Thomas Geiser, Peter Howarth, Ildiko Horvath, Norbert Krug, Paolo Montuschi, Annelie Behndig, Florian Singer, Jacek Musial, Dominick E. Shaw, Barbro Dahlén, Sile Hu, Jessica Lasky-Su, Peter J. Sterk, Kian Fan Chung, Ratko Djukanovic, Sven Erik Dahlé, Ian M. Adcock, Craig E. Wheelock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with poorly defined phenotypes. Severe asthmatics often receive multiple treatments including oral corticosteroids (OCS). Treatment may modify the observed metabotype, rendering it challenging to investigate underlying disease mechanisms. Here, we aimed to identify dysregulated metabolic processes in relation to asthma severity and medication. Methods: Baseline urine was collected prospectively from healthy participants (n=100), mild-to-moderate asthmatics (n=87) and severe asthmatics (n=418) in the cross-sectional U-BIOPRED cohort; 12–18-month longitudinal samples were collected from severe asthmatics (n=305). Metabolomics data were acquired using high-resolution mass spectrometry and analysed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: Ninety metabolites were identified, …

Competing Worlds: The Private Lives Of Women Nurse Students And Gender Equity In Higher Education, Lesley Andrew, Ken Robinson, Leesa Costello, Julie Dare

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 Society for Research into Higher Education. A longitudinal qualitative study of undergraduate women nursing students demonstrated the profound and pervasive influence of the heterosexual intimate relationship on their university engagement and achievement. Hitherto, the importance of women’s private lives have been underappreciated in the arenas of student equity and retention. The study showed that traditional ideas of gender held within the intimate relationship were highly detrimental to student autonomy and capacity to engage, and that the university’s organisation and delivery of the curriculum exacerbated the situation. Participants made personal sacrifices, which, while enabling continuation of their studies, were …

Inter-Rater Reliability, Intra-Rater Reliability And Internal Consistency Of The Brisbane Evidence-Based Language Test, Alexia Rohde, Molly Mccracken, Linda Worrall, Anna Farrell, Robyn O'Halloran, Erin Godecke, Michael David, Suhail A. Doi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: To examine the inter-rater reliability, intra-rater reliability, internal consistency and practice effects associated with a new test, the Brisbane Evidence-Based Language Test. Methods: Reliability estimates were obtained in a repeated-measures design through analysis of clinician video ratings of stroke participants completing the Brisbane Evidence-Based Language Test. Inter-rater reliability was determined by comparing 15 independent clinicians’ scores of 15 randomly selected videos. Intra-rater reliability was determined by comparing two clinicians’ scores of 35 videos when re-scored after a two-week interval. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis demonstrated almost perfect inter-rater reliability (0.995; 95% confidence interval: 0.990–0.998), intra-rater reliability (0.994; 95% …

Implementation Barriers To Integrating Exercise As Medicine In Oncology: An Ecological Scoping Review, Mary A. Kennedy, Sara Bayes, Robert U. Newton, Yvonne Zissiadis, Nigel Spry, Dennis Taaffe, Nicolas H. Hart, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

While calls have been made for exercise to become standard practice in oncology, barriers to implementation in real-world settings are not well described. This systematic scoping review aimed to comprehensively describe barriers impeding integration of exercise into routine oncology care within healthcare systems.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted across six electronic databases (since 2010) to identify barriers to implementing exercise into real-world settings. An ecological framework was used to classify barriers according to their respective level within the healthcare system.

Results

A total of 1,376 results were retrieved; 50 articles describing implementation barriers in real-world exercise oncology …

Derivation Of A Prototype Asthma Attack Risk Scale Centred On Blood Eosinophils And Exhaled Nitric Oxide, Simon Couillard, Annette Laugerud, Maisha Jabeen, Sanjay Ramakrishnan, James Melhorn, Timothy Hinks, Ian Pavord

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Reduction of the risk of asthma attacks is a major goal of current asthma management. We propose to derive a risk scale predicting asthma attacks based on the blood eosinophil count and exhaled nitric oxide. Biomarker-stratified trial-level attack rates were extracted and pooled from the control arms of the Novel START, CAPTAIN, QUEST, Benralizumab Phase 2b, PATHWAY, STRATOS 1-2 and DREAM trials (n=3051). These were used to derive rate ratios and the predicted asthma attack rate for different patient groups. The resultant prototype risk scale shows potential to predict asthma attacks, which may be prevented by anti-inflammatory treatment.

Alzheimer's Disease Research Progress In Australia: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium In Sydney, Claire E. Sexton, Kaarin J. Anstey, Filippo Baldacci, C. J. Barnum, Anna M. Barron, Kaj Blennow, Henry Brodaty, Samantha Burnham, Fanny M. Elahi, Jürgen Götz, Yun-Hee Jeon, Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Susan M. Landau, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Simon M. Laws, Darren M. Lipnicki, Hanzhang Lu, Colin L. Masters, Wendy Moyle, Akinori Nakamura, Giulio Maria Pasinetti, Naren Rao, Christopher Rowe, Perminder S. Sachdev, Peter R. Schofield, Einar M. Sigurdsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference held its sixth Satellite Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 2019, highlighting the leadership of Australian researchers in advancing the understanding of and treatment developments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. This leadership includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL), which has fueled the identification and development of many biomarkers and novel therapeutics. Two multimodal lifestyle intervention studies have been launched in Australia; and Australian researchers have played leadership roles in other global studies in diverse populations. Australian researchers have also played an instrumental role in efforts to understand mechanisms …

Breech Presentation Management: A Critical Review Of Leading Clinical Practice Guidelines, Sara Morris, Sadie Geraghty, Deborah Sundin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Problem

Clinical practice guidelines are designed to guide clinicians and consumers of maternity services in clinical decision making, but recommendations are often consensus based and differ greatly between leading organisations.

Background

Breech birth is a divisive clinical issue, however vaginal breech births continue to occur despite a globally high caesarean section rate for breech presenting fetuses. Inconsistencies are known to exist between clinical practice guidelines relating to the management of breech presentation.

Aim

The aim of this review was to critically evaluate and compare leading obstetric clinical practice guidelines related to the management of breech presenting fetuses.

Methods

Leading obstetric …

Digging For Data: How Sleep Is Losing Out To Roster Design, Sleep Disorders, And Lifestyle Factors, Gemma Maisey, Marcus Cattani, Amanda Devine, Johnny Lo, Shih Ching Fu, Ian C. Dunican

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Shift workers employed at a remote mining operation may experience sleep loss, impaired alertness, and consequently negative health and safety outcomes. This study determined the sleep behaviors and prevalence of risk for sleep disorders among shift workers; and quantified alertness for a roster cycle. Sleep duration was significantly less following; night shift by 77 ± 7 min and day shift by 30 ± 7 min. The wake after sleep onset was less by 23 ± 3 min for night shifts and 22 ± 3 min for day shifts (p < 0.05 for all). The prevalence of risk for sleep apnea was 31%, insomnia was 8%, and shiftwork disorder was 44%. Average alertness for all working hours was 75%. Shiftwork in remote mining operations is a significant factor that leads to sleep loss and reduced alertness, which is exacerbated by the high prevalence of risk for sleep disorders.

Factors Influencing The Development And Implementation Of Nurse Practitioner Candidacy Programs: A Scoping Review, Lisa Whitehead, Diane E. Twigg, Rebecca Carman, Courtney Glass, Helena Halton, Christine M. Duffield

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

To meet the growing needs of a diverse population, it is critical that healthcare service provision is underpinned by innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable services and solutions. The role of the nurse practitioner creates an opportunity to meet the increasing demands of complex care and enables greater access to high quality care. Understanding how best to support nurse practitioner candidates to develop into the nurse practitioner role will create greater opportunities to transform service delivery and improve healthcare outcomes.

Aim

To identify key factors that support and positively impact the implementation of nurse practitioner candidacy programs and candidate experiences.

Methods …

Patients’ Experiences Of A Communication Enhanced Environment Model On An Acute/Slow Stream Rehabilitation And A Rehabilitation Ward Following Stroke: A Qualitative Description Approach, Sarah D'Souza, Deborah J. Hersh, Erin Godecke, Natalie Ciccone, Heidi Janssen, Elizabeth Armstrong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Patients in hospital following stroke express a desire to continue therapy tasks outside of treatment activities. However, they commonly describe experiences of boredom and inactivity. An enriched environment aims to provide opportunities for physical, cognitive and social activity and informed the development of a Communication Enhanced Environment (CEE) model to promote patient engagement in language activities.

Purpose

Explore patient perceptions of a CEE model, and barriers and facilitators to engagement in the model.

Methods

A qualitative description study from a larger project that implemented a CEE model into acute and rehabilitation private hospital wards in Western Australia. Semi-structured interviews …