Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Digital Health Technology To Optimise Older People’S Pain Self-Management Capabilities: A Mixed Methods Study (The Digitech Pain Project), Priyanka Bhattarai

Theses

Background

Arthritic pain is a major cause of illness and disability among older people. As the use of smartphones and apps increases in the lives of older people, there is an opportunity to explore the role of these apps in helping older people better manage their arthritic pain.

Aim

To explore the feasibility and acceptability of older people using an arthritic pain selfmanagement app to improve their pain symptoms.

Methods

A parallel convergent, mixed methods design underpinned by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model 2; comprising of the following five studies:

(i) Study 1a: an integrative review;

(ii) …

Design And Development Of A Theory-Informed Peer-Led Falls Prevention Education Programme To Translate Evidence Into Practice: A Systematic Approach, Linda Khong, Richard G. Berlach, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Peer-led education has been shown to be an effective approach for raising community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies in a recent intervention trial. This article outlines the design and development of the intervention, which was a peer-led falls prevention education programme designed to promote older adult’s motivation to change their behaviour in the area of falls prevention. The elements of the programme that contributed to its efficacy are also described. The programme was designed using a four-step approach and was based on the constructs of a theoretical framework (the COM-B model). Feedback from …

Community Peer-Led Falls Prevention Presentations: What Do The Experts Suggest?, Linda Khong, Richard G. Berlach, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

Falls among older adults are a major problem. Despite considerable progress in falls prevention research, older adults often show low motivation to engage in recommended preventive strategies. Peer-led falls prevention education for older adults may have potential for bridging the research evidence-practice gap, thereby promoting the uptake of falls prevention strategies. We evaluated peer educators’ presentations of falls prevention education to community-dwelling older adults in regard to established criteria that were consistent with adult learning principles, the framework of health behaviour change, falls prevention guidelines, and recommendations for providing falls prevention information. We conducted a within-stage mixed model study using …

Hospitalisation And Comorbidities In Parkinson's Disease: A Large Australian Retrospect Study, Michal Lubomski

Theses

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive and disabling neurological disorder that affects approximately 1% of the adult population aged over 65 years in Australia. Parkinson’s disease, as with many other chronic illnesses, results in frequent patient hospitalisations. There is a paucity of information on the causes and related co-morbidities that lead to hospitalisation among these patients in an Australian setting. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of hospitalisation of Parkinson’s disease patients with regards to demographic factors, co-morbidities and aspects relating to clinical management. In this study, data was extracted from the NSW Ministry of Health’s Admitted …

Managing 'Shades Of Grey': A Focus Group Study Exploring Community-Dwellers’ Views On Advance Care Planning In Older People, N Michael, C O'Callaghan, E Sayers

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Community-dwelling consumers of healthcare are increasing, many aging with life-limiting conditions and deteriorating cognition. However, few have had advance care planning discussions or completed documentation to ensure future care preferences are acted upon. This study examines the awareness, attitudes, and experiences of advance care planning amongst older people and unrelated offspring/caregivers of older people residing in the community.

Methods: Qualitative descriptive research, which included focus groups with older people (55+ years) and older people’s offspring/caregivers living in an Australian city and surrounding rural region. Data was analysed using an inductive and comparative approach. Sampling was both convenience and purposive. …